Sundance 2011 ~ Finally! Movies! (Day 3)

Day 3 was more networking inside the Sundance Channel HQ, connecting with college friends at the NYU Tisch at Sundance party, seeing Paul Reiser and Julia Fordham perform at the ASCAP Music Cafe, attending a panel on marketing, and finally seeing movies!

My favorite thing about Sundance 2011 has to be the Sundance Channel HQ and my least favorite thing is definitely the lack of organization for wait list tickets.

How the wait list has worked in the past is you're supposed to queue up at the venue two hours prior to the screening. Shortly thereafter, wait list numbers are distributed. Once you receive your number, you're free to roam about, but are told to return 30 minutes before the screening. What's happening at some venues is people are queuing up anywhere from 3-4 hours in advance and before the official "2 hour" rule, the numbers have already been distributed. And, at other venues, the volunteer staff don't know shit. Some have outright told goers there is no official wait list line, while volunteers in the same tent have directed others to a line. I've heard of fights breaking out because of this and I've witnessed first hand patrons who waited out in the freezing cold for an hour (because they were told there was no wait list line inside the tent) get shafted.

Now, let's talk about these movies. I saw Shorts Block IV and really loved Hong Khaou's Spring and The Majestic Plastic Bag directed by Jeremy Konner. There was only one questionable film in the block and audience members were vocal as to why it merited the Sundance stamp of approval. Not only was the question asked during the Q&A, but the discussion continued outside the theater, at the shuttle stop, and long into the night. As a programmer, I know it's hard to put together a showcase that everyone will like, but come on, this is Sundance. Surely there was another short more deserving.

And on a personal note, Festival Programmers should not host the Q&A unless they also happen to be engaging performers. I may be engaging, but I'm not an engaging performer and know better to hand off these duties to the talented Aaron Kaiser, Ben Boodman, Gil Baron, and Kim Estes, to name a few, who really know how to keep the questions moving along.

Sundance 2011 ~ The Calm Before The Storm (Day 2)

It's the end of Day 2 and the weather could not be more perfect. While it's warm & sunny outside, it's freezing inside the condo.

Anyway, I haven't quite figured out which screenings my industry pass gets me into, or which screenings I actually want to attend, though I am planning on wait-listing for the Sigma Films feature, Perfect Sense, Directed by David Mackenzie (Mister Foe). If you have any recommendations, bring them on!

Before the insanity of the weekend hits, I'm enjoying the calm before the storm. Once Ashley Cozine (VFF10, By The Numbers) arrived, I took this Sundance newbie on a tour of Park City. While picking up her pass, we ran into the fabulous Kate Logan, who is currently in post on a feature doc, and on Main Street we added Bob Giovanelli (VFF07, Tis The Season) to our posse. Our quartet had a late lunch at Bangkok Thai (do not order the Petite Sirah) and then headed to the Sundance Channel HQ, which is where the evening fun began.

Sundance Channel HQ was all abuzz since Robert Redford was there, so we grabbed our drinks (Ashley & I went for the Bogle Chardonnay, while Kate & Bob opted for a Stella Artois) and watched the interview. Once Mr. Redford left the building and the crowd thinned out, we discovered the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas sponsored area which included a photo booth, hot-from-the-oven cookies, and insanely delicious five-spiced margaritas. The staff hired to promote the hotel did a fantastic job and won us all over. Great work guys!

We closed the party down. Really. We had to be asked to leave by security since they had closed up shop, and the four of us parted ways.

But wait, there's more.

The marketing team from Rockstar Energy Drink were in town, en route to the X Games in Denver, and contacted VFF to drop off product & schwag for our friends & fans. We have 5 cases of Rockstar, plus ski caps, hats, and shirts just waiting for you.