Okay heres the deal, for my major next year I'm doing a huge event in Cumbria which premières the final third year work in a screening followed by an after party. It's part of my showing that I can do the publicity stuff that is considered when you look for work in the distribution industry. Although film and TV marketing is the endgame.

I've planned how i want the thing to be, and written down a lot of considerations, but I have no idea what pitfalls lie ahead since I've never done this kind of work before.

I was wondering if anyone here has experience doing big events. I need some tips and advice for how to proceed.

Don't rely on anyone!

Follow-through, follow-through, follow-through.

Prepare for last-minute things, like people not showing up, or people saying they won't show up and then showing up, etc. It's not just that you shouldn't rely on anyone to help you out, as Raffi said, but also, don't rely on them to adhere fully to the plan you have.

The most important word here is contingency.

In all seriousness, assume everything that you have planned/booked isn't going to turn up/work and have a back up plan. If you have a caterer booked, check the availablility of other caterers on short notice etc etc, you get the idea.

I've been bitten in the arse far too many times by assuming something is booked and in place when actually the people concerned are complete morons. Check understandng well in advance and stay organised giving yourself plenty of time.

On the night have pretty much everyone you know on hand to help when the inevitable problem strikes (there will always be at least one) and have a very large drink on hand for afterwards

These are great tips.
Anything that will lead to a successful night that im not considering?

We are going for a 1940s Hollywood Glamour theme. Femme Fatales, old paparazzi, the lot! Themes are expected from the event, so i wanted to keep it something quite formal and to give students that brush with the film glamour they came to university for.

Going a lot with follow through, assign everyone weekly goals, so when you follow through you ar enot nagging, but checking on their weekly progress, also if you give people smaller tasks that work them towards the bigger ones they will real less lost and be more productive.

The more you breakdown the work, the more likely it will get done.

Plan an ambitious schedule that has everything done a month in advance, you will not keep to this schedule, but try, the one month cushion allows for disaster.