Sundance is over and I hardly felt part of it this year. Usually by day 8 or 9 of the festival I'm ready for it to be over because I'm so exhausted from all of the late nights and early mornings at my regular job. But this time I was ready for it to be over because I'm still lacking sleep each night getting up with Bailey and honestly, though I'd like some more "me" time, I wasn't that into it.
So I worked my shift and tried to be as helpful as possible. I saw a friend from my old work in the waitlist line for a popular zombie nazi movie and was happy to see that she got in. Then I watched while a bunch of volunteers got photos with Benjamin Bratt who was there as part of the cast for "La Mission." I heard that the movie was really good and it seemed that he was pretty friendly considering the amount of photos he was willing to be in and his good-natured smile.
When Tyler updated me on how Bailey went down for bed though I really longed to be home and started thinking about how much I'd love to leave early, just like all of the other volunteers that have driven me crazy as a manager in previous years. I didn't ask, and I didn't get off early because it was the last night for festival showings at the Broadway and we had to break down and inventory all of the equipment.
Still, I was happy to be a small part of the festival, and next year I'll look forward to seeing festival movies again. I did run into "the dude we see everywhere" again this year, he happened to be working at the Broadway on one of my shifts too, so I assured him that though I don't know him, my husband and I feel like we're his friends since we see him everywhere, and he was happy to hear that. : )
Also, Tyler and I did bring Bailey over to the Rose Wagner theater to show her off to the people I've worked with the last couple of years at the festival. Though I typically only see these people once a year, it was fun to say hi and get a quick update on their lives. Bailey was a doll for them of course.
Showing posts with label Sundance film festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sundance film festival. Show all posts
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
SFF 09 Part 1
In keeping with tradition, I feel compelled to write something about the Sundance film festival this year. However, this year is different in that I am only working a few shifts, primarily to maintain my alumni status as a volunteer so that I can work at my preferred venue in the future.
I'm also not seeing any movies. This is because with my part-time job shifts and Sundance shifts, I don't want to be away from Bailey any more than that. It's been hard to not let myself get too excited, but in the whole scheme of things, one year of missing movies won't kill me. It's always fun to just be a part of it and I usually only see a small portion of the over 100 films showing in those 10 days anyway.
So last weekend were my first two shifts. I was back at the Broadway instead of the Rose Wagner and I enjoyed the faster pace of it there. The managers brought to our attention that it's the one of two theaters at Sundance that has 3 screens running movies so it definitely has some of the most traffic. And I like that about it.
The first night the only thing of note to me was the Shorts program. A lot of cast and crew came for several of the shorts selected. One of them featured a young girl, my guess was that she was about 10 or 11 years old. She sat out of the theater waiting for the show to finish to back in for the Q & A afterwards. What impressed me about her was that she was sitting in the lobby reading the book "The Shack," something that's been on my reading list a few months now and seemed heavy content for a young girl. She was sitting out on the movie because the other shorts in the collection were more of the R-rated type while hers was suitable for most audiences. I watched her walk in when the show was finished and she carried herself so well, I immediately thought she must be a very bright little girl.
The second night I worked until almost 2 am. The midnight movie had already gained a lot of popularity despite only being shown once before so far at the festival. Then we got word that a very VIP person was coming to the screening. Security kept calling to notify us of how far away they were and to make the request that the theater be seated already so that they could sit in the back to be there for the Q & A afterwards. So after seating them, we calmly waited and then in walked Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon with a large entourage. I'm not a big fan of hers, but it was definitely fun to see her.
I just have one more shift to work this weekend and it will be over again until next year.
I'm also not seeing any movies. This is because with my part-time job shifts and Sundance shifts, I don't want to be away from Bailey any more than that. It's been hard to not let myself get too excited, but in the whole scheme of things, one year of missing movies won't kill me. It's always fun to just be a part of it and I usually only see a small portion of the over 100 films showing in those 10 days anyway.
So last weekend were my first two shifts. I was back at the Broadway instead of the Rose Wagner and I enjoyed the faster pace of it there. The managers brought to our attention that it's the one of two theaters at Sundance that has 3 screens running movies so it definitely has some of the most traffic. And I like that about it.
The first night the only thing of note to me was the Shorts program. A lot of cast and crew came for several of the shorts selected. One of them featured a young girl, my guess was that she was about 10 or 11 years old. She sat out of the theater waiting for the show to finish to back in for the Q & A afterwards. What impressed me about her was that she was sitting in the lobby reading the book "The Shack," something that's been on my reading list a few months now and seemed heavy content for a young girl. She was sitting out on the movie because the other shorts in the collection were more of the R-rated type while hers was suitable for most audiences. I watched her walk in when the show was finished and she carried herself so well, I immediately thought she must be a very bright little girl.
The second night I worked until almost 2 am. The midnight movie had already gained a lot of popularity despite only being shown once before so far at the festival. Then we got word that a very VIP person was coming to the screening. Security kept calling to notify us of how far away they were and to make the request that the theater be seated already so that they could sit in the back to be there for the Q & A afterwards. So after seating them, we calmly waited and then in walked Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon with a large entourage. I'm not a big fan of hers, but it was definitely fun to see her.
I just have one more shift to work this weekend and it will be over again until next year.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sundance 2008 Part 2
Day 7 (Thursday): After a busy day at work, we have another fairly slow night at Sundance, despite the films having some big names in them. After the first show, an older gentleman comes up to talk to me. He tells me that he'd really like a McDonald's hamburger but he doesn't walk 3 blocks down the street. I recommend that he go to Squatters across the street and tell him the food is great, but it can be real busy. He tells me he doesn't drink, and I assure him he doesn't have to, the food is great. He comes back an hour or so later, in time for the next show. He thanks me for the recommendation and tells me that the food is great, and that he got escorted to the back room where there was a private party and didn't even have to pay for his dinner. This makes me feel great.
Day 8 (Friday): I have the night off for the festival and do very little. I'm exhausted so I take a nap when I get home, then eat some dinner and watch Pulp Fiction with the HB before I go back to bed again.
Day 9 (Saturday): I sleep in late and barely make it to my shift at the theater by 11. I bargain with the other manager to sit in the first movie, one I really wanted to see. We work it out. It's called "Incendiary" and has Michelle Williams and Ewan McGregor in it. I absolutely loved it. True it was kind of depressing, but even it was beautifully done. The story of a woman who loses her husband and son to a terrorist bombing at a soccer match in London and the aftermath. About 10 minutes before this movie was over I stood up to text the HB back and prepare for the patrons to exit. But momentarily I felt that all-too-familiar sensation that I was going to faint. And like vomitting, I thought I may be able to control it, to hold it back. I sank down to the floor and sat in the aisle leading to the box seats in the balcony. But everything was still going black and suddenly I was sweating everywhere. I think I laid down there for a minute, but kept telling myself I couldn't be there when they came out. I crawled up a few steps and was at the entrance to the regular balcony seating when I laid down again momentarily. Then I made it to the top of the balcony entrance and into the bathroom where I again laid on the floor. And after a minute there, I made it into a stall and sat on the seat for about 10 minutes, resting my head on the wall. I heard the patrons leaving the theater, and some come in and use the bathroom. I had my radio on and just wanted to let the volunteers know I'd be down soon to help out, but I was too exhausted. So I waited there until finally I could feel my body going back to normal. And I walked out and found a chair at the top of the stairs and sat there. Soon, Tyler and Caiden were there with some lunch for me and they helped me get down to the green room where I could take a break out of the public eye.
I soon felt better and resumed my duties. After my shift I stayed to watch the movie "Assassination of a High School President" with Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton. What made this movie great was a killer soundtrack (some Band of Horses songs), and good performances. Plus the director, writers, and some crew members came. Having the filmmakers come for a Q&A is really what makes the experience of seeing a festival movie. The director was so excited to finally have an audience watching his film rather than himself in a dark editing room. It was his first movie and he gave us some great insight into how he was able to get the deal.
Afterwards I headed over to my bro-in-laws to meet up with the HB and some of his family as they finished filming some scenes for his zombie movie. It was a late night.
Day 10 (Sunday): We had a big showing for the first film of the day, a Crosby Stills Nash & Young documentary-type. Other than that, an easy day for us as the festival winds down. Heard some reports from the awards party I didn't attend and finished up some paperwork. I got off at 4 and just enjoyed the rest of the day at home.
Day 11 (Monday): The festival is offically over, but tonight we'll be showing 3 'Best of Fest' screenings at the theater I'm at. Since my shift starts at 2, I took the whole day off work so I could relax a little more.
Day 8 (Friday): I have the night off for the festival and do very little. I'm exhausted so I take a nap when I get home, then eat some dinner and watch Pulp Fiction with the HB before I go back to bed again.
Day 9 (Saturday): I sleep in late and barely make it to my shift at the theater by 11. I bargain with the other manager to sit in the first movie, one I really wanted to see. We work it out. It's called "Incendiary" and has Michelle Williams and Ewan McGregor in it. I absolutely loved it. True it was kind of depressing, but even it was beautifully done. The story of a woman who loses her husband and son to a terrorist bombing at a soccer match in London and the aftermath. About 10 minutes before this movie was over I stood up to text the HB back and prepare for the patrons to exit. But momentarily I felt that all-too-familiar sensation that I was going to faint. And like vomitting, I thought I may be able to control it, to hold it back. I sank down to the floor and sat in the aisle leading to the box seats in the balcony. But everything was still going black and suddenly I was sweating everywhere. I think I laid down there for a minute, but kept telling myself I couldn't be there when they came out. I crawled up a few steps and was at the entrance to the regular balcony seating when I laid down again momentarily. Then I made it to the top of the balcony entrance and into the bathroom where I again laid on the floor. And after a minute there, I made it into a stall and sat on the seat for about 10 minutes, resting my head on the wall. I heard the patrons leaving the theater, and some come in and use the bathroom. I had my radio on and just wanted to let the volunteers know I'd be down soon to help out, but I was too exhausted. So I waited there until finally I could feel my body going back to normal. And I walked out and found a chair at the top of the stairs and sat there. Soon, Tyler and Caiden were there with some lunch for me and they helped me get down to the green room where I could take a break out of the public eye.
I soon felt better and resumed my duties. After my shift I stayed to watch the movie "Assassination of a High School President" with Bruce Willis and Mischa Barton. What made this movie great was a killer soundtrack (some Band of Horses songs), and good performances. Plus the director, writers, and some crew members came. Having the filmmakers come for a Q&A is really what makes the experience of seeing a festival movie. The director was so excited to finally have an audience watching his film rather than himself in a dark editing room. It was his first movie and he gave us some great insight into how he was able to get the deal.
Afterwards I headed over to my bro-in-laws to meet up with the HB and some of his family as they finished filming some scenes for his zombie movie. It was a late night.
Day 10 (Sunday): We had a big showing for the first film of the day, a Crosby Stills Nash & Young documentary-type. Other than that, an easy day for us as the festival winds down. Heard some reports from the awards party I didn't attend and finished up some paperwork. I got off at 4 and just enjoyed the rest of the day at home.
Day 11 (Monday): The festival is offically over, but tonight we'll be showing 3 'Best of Fest' screenings at the theater I'm at. Since my shift starts at 2, I took the whole day off work so I could relax a little more.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sundance 2008 Part 1
Day 1 (Friday): My shift starts at 2pm so I leave work around 1:30. I'll be there until midnight. It's the opening night Gala and will be very busy. Both showings are the same film--"The Great Buck Howard." For the first couple of hours, we're not sure what we're supposed to be doing. The movie begins at 6:30, the starts are supposed to show for the press line around 5:30. The governor to arrive at 6 pm. But there's already a few die-hards for the waitlist and we let them line up downstairs. Skip a few hours. Myself and the other volunteers do crowd control while we watch John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, Colin Hanks, and Adam Scott go through the press line and do some quick interviews. Malkovich has on a killer velour orange blazer type of jacket. And a green scarf. He can wear anything and be cool. The HB brings me some spaghetti with mizithra cheese and I sneak him into the second screening of the movie and he loves it.
Day 2 (Saturday): The HB and I watch the Animation Spotlight before my shift begins. They are great, my favorite is the first one, a sort of eerie stop-motion called "Madame Tutli-Putli." I head over to my theater for my shift 5-midnight. I see some friends from my day-job at the screenings. I get frustrated at volunteers that just want to watch the movies on their shift and not help out. I think I must be a really bad manager even though I always thought I was good with people. I say hi to a member of my former singles ward bishopbric who is there to see the movie "Good Dick." I think he was hiding from me at first, but he should know I'm not about to judge another person for their film choices, and from what I saw, it was a great movie.
Day 3 (Sunday): I bring the HB to watch "In Bruges" before my shift starts again at 5 until midnight. It's totally hilarious and full of obscene language. We love it.
Day 4 (Monday): I have the night off and decide to go see a show with some work friends. We see "What Just Happened?" and I"m not that impressed. Plus I can't stand it when movies end with the main character giving a quick run-down of subsequent events in the lives of the other characters. It seems really weak, like the ending wasn't good enough and the directors have an urge to sort of "wrap things up" more, even though the audience has no need. Just make a good ending.
Day 5 (Tuesday): Shift begins at 5, ends at midnight. One of the box office volunteers quit because she was offended by the nature of some of the films in the festival. It's our first slow night, the first screenings that we haven't completely packed every single seat of the theater.
Day 6 (Wednesday): I'm pretty exhausted at work. My baby is now the size of a lime and I'm 12 weeks along. I go to the Outdoor Retailer show at the Salt Palace during the day with my co-worker. I get my picture taken with the Naked Cowboy. After work I meet my sister, mom, little brother, and little sister at the Broadway for a documentary. It's called "Stranded" and is about the rugby team that crashed in the Andes mountains in the 1970's. My sister and I have read both the book "Alive" and "Miracle in the Andes" and are huge fans of the movie "Alive." We're excited to see real interviews of many of the survivors, but unfortunately don't get into the showing. Out waitlist numbers were 26-30 and they cut it off just before we could get in. I'm mad the movie was so popular that we couldn't get in. My first couple of years at Sundance I worked the Broadway and I thought the first 30 in the waitlist line were a sure bet. I feel like I let them down after convincing them to come.
Day 2 (Saturday): The HB and I watch the Animation Spotlight before my shift begins. They are great, my favorite is the first one, a sort of eerie stop-motion called "Madame Tutli-Putli." I head over to my theater for my shift 5-midnight. I see some friends from my day-job at the screenings. I get frustrated at volunteers that just want to watch the movies on their shift and not help out. I think I must be a really bad manager even though I always thought I was good with people. I say hi to a member of my former singles ward bishopbric who is there to see the movie "Good Dick." I think he was hiding from me at first, but he should know I'm not about to judge another person for their film choices, and from what I saw, it was a great movie.
Day 3 (Sunday): I bring the HB to watch "In Bruges" before my shift starts again at 5 until midnight. It's totally hilarious and full of obscene language. We love it.
Day 4 (Monday): I have the night off and decide to go see a show with some work friends. We see "What Just Happened?" and I"m not that impressed. Plus I can't stand it when movies end with the main character giving a quick run-down of subsequent events in the lives of the other characters. It seems really weak, like the ending wasn't good enough and the directors have an urge to sort of "wrap things up" more, even though the audience has no need. Just make a good ending.
Day 5 (Tuesday): Shift begins at 5, ends at midnight. One of the box office volunteers quit because she was offended by the nature of some of the films in the festival. It's our first slow night, the first screenings that we haven't completely packed every single seat of the theater.
Day 6 (Wednesday): I'm pretty exhausted at work. My baby is now the size of a lime and I'm 12 weeks along. I go to the Outdoor Retailer show at the Salt Palace during the day with my co-worker. I get my picture taken with the Naked Cowboy. After work I meet my sister, mom, little brother, and little sister at the Broadway for a documentary. It's called "Stranded" and is about the rugby team that crashed in the Andes mountains in the 1970's. My sister and I have read both the book "Alive" and "Miracle in the Andes" and are huge fans of the movie "Alive." We're excited to see real interviews of many of the survivors, but unfortunately don't get into the showing. Out waitlist numbers were 26-30 and they cut it off just before we could get in. I'm mad the movie was so popular that we couldn't get in. My first couple of years at Sundance I worked the Broadway and I thought the first 30 in the waitlist line were a sure bet. I feel like I let them down after convincing them to come.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Best of Fest
Best of Fest is for locals to get a chance to see two of the award winning films from Sundance when the festival is over. The tickets are free so we were very busy packing the theater as full as we could last night. I had to keep walking through and count seats, asking people to move in, are the people they're saving the seat for really coming back, etc.
After we loaded the theater there was one woman waiting in the lobby who asked to speak with me. (She asked if I was someone who had some "clout"--I hate that word.) I assumed she was just upset about not getting in to see the movie, but it was something much more elaborate. She then proceeded to tell me how several years ago she'd taken her four daughters to a beauty pageant and there she'd met James Baldwin. Apparently he'd just been through AA and they started talking and she wanted to mail him a Book of Mormon. He'd given her his address, but she'd lost it and wondered if I knew someone who could send it to him.??
I was kind of taken aback. Then she told me how she'd prepared the package, one for James Baldwin and one for Michael and Kathryn Douglas who she had also met. She had written a nice letter and packaged them up in manila envelopes, taped them up, and written her return address on each with their names for the delivery address. And she really just wanted someone to send them for her so she could get it off her chest. She really wouldn't take no for an answer, even though I kept telling her that I didn't want to take that responsibility. She'd say "Well I really feel like I have to do it because I came all the way downtown and I got a parking place and everything and I didn't get into the movie. I just want to feel like my time was worth it. You look like a nice girl, I can give these to you and you can find the right person to send them on."
Finally I just said I'd check with someone else, walked over to the other Sundance manager and asked her to pretend I was checking something, came back and told the woman again that I didn't want that responsibility. That I'm not part of Sundance staff, I don't know who would mail it for her or have that address information if anyone even did. I told her I was a volunteer manager and that I didn't want to and couldn't do anything for her. Then she asked if the people over at Trolley Square (where they were selling festival tickets and merchandise during the festival) might have more "clout." All I said was "maybe" and that got her off my chest. I really do feel sorry for her, but did she really think I was going to mail some packages to James Baldwin and Michael Douglas for her?
And that's how this year ended. Between shows I went to Squatters with the other manager, her husband, one of the volunteers, and his friend. It was fun to just hang out for a bit and I hope we all get together again before next year, but sometimes that's just the way it goes.
After we loaded the theater there was one woman waiting in the lobby who asked to speak with me. (She asked if I was someone who had some "clout"--I hate that word.) I assumed she was just upset about not getting in to see the movie, but it was something much more elaborate. She then proceeded to tell me how several years ago she'd taken her four daughters to a beauty pageant and there she'd met James Baldwin. Apparently he'd just been through AA and they started talking and she wanted to mail him a Book of Mormon. He'd given her his address, but she'd lost it and wondered if I knew someone who could send it to him.??
I was kind of taken aback. Then she told me how she'd prepared the package, one for James Baldwin and one for Michael and Kathryn Douglas who she had also met. She had written a nice letter and packaged them up in manila envelopes, taped them up, and written her return address on each with their names for the delivery address. And she really just wanted someone to send them for her so she could get it off her chest. She really wouldn't take no for an answer, even though I kept telling her that I didn't want to take that responsibility. She'd say "Well I really feel like I have to do it because I came all the way downtown and I got a parking place and everything and I didn't get into the movie. I just want to feel like my time was worth it. You look like a nice girl, I can give these to you and you can find the right person to send them on."
Finally I just said I'd check with someone else, walked over to the other Sundance manager and asked her to pretend I was checking something, came back and told the woman again that I didn't want that responsibility. That I'm not part of Sundance staff, I don't know who would mail it for her or have that address information if anyone even did. I told her I was a volunteer manager and that I didn't want to and couldn't do anything for her. Then she asked if the people over at Trolley Square (where they were selling festival tickets and merchandise during the festival) might have more "clout." All I said was "maybe" and that got her off my chest. I really do feel sorry for her, but did she really think I was going to mail some packages to James Baldwin and Michael Douglas for her?
And that's how this year ended. Between shows I went to Squatters with the other manager, her husband, one of the volunteers, and his friend. It was fun to just hang out for a bit and I hope we all get together again before next year, but sometimes that's just the way it goes.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
SFF10
Last official day today and I got off early. I have tons of stuff to catch up on, sleep being at the top of my list. I do have to work tomorrow night at the "best of fest" screenings in Salt Lake. But it'll be fast and easy.
My team was awesome and it was fun to get to know all the people I did this year. Also, one of my volunteers wrote about us to the volunteer department, it felt good to read this email as forwarded on to me:
J--- B----
My team was awesome and it was fun to get to know all the people I did this year. Also, one of my volunteers wrote about us to the volunteer department, it felt good to read this email as forwarded on to me:
Hi --
Not really sure who I'm speaking to, but I'm trying to get in touch with whomever is the supervisor of the theater managers in Salt Lake. I just want to express how great mine were. I worked in Park City last year with a manager who was as pyscho as the stalker she made us escort out. At that point in time, I was pretty sure I would have had more fun pulling my toe-nails out with sharp sticks.
But this year, I worked at the Rose Wagner theater and the managers -- A-----, C------, Alene and A---- (I think that's how each of their names are spelled) were just great. And I want to leave them thank-you cookies, but you know how cookies -- even when labeled -- tend to disappear faster than Winona Ryder from The 10 premiere. So instead I'm trying to go about this with metaphorical cookies, by way of reaching a supervisor. Therefore, if this message could please reach its intended recipeint, I would be very grateful. I had a fun, fantastic festival thus far, and the managers had a heavy hand in that. So thanks to them. Many times over.
Thanks for your time,
J--- B----
SFF9
As mentioned, the HB and I did a double-feature after my shift. I loved both movies--they were creative, fun to watch, and made me think. Sometimes I felt annoyed though during Black Snake Moan even though I really liked it. I don't mind sexuality in movies, but at times it seemed this was just some porno-pervert's fantasy being played out. Does every guy have the dream of dragging around some hot naked chic on a chain? And did Samuel L. Jackson's character have to wait until she'd been at his house for 2 days to get her some clothes? I think I take everything too personally. I really like it when Samuel L. Jackson busted out the blues playing at the bar and everyone got down. I wished I could.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
SFF8
I took a short nap between my workday and my Sundance stint. I'm paranoid that I'll get sick as soon as this is over because I'm so tired.
Jeff and Mandi came up to Salt Lake City to watch the movie "Chapter 27" with Tyler and I. It was about Mark Chapman, the guy who killed John Lennon. The movie was really well done. As expected, it drew a lot from the book "Catcher in the Rye"--a book I've loved since I read it as a teenager. It was interesting to see how he'd gone crazy though and twisted the book's meaning and disillusionsed himself in so many ways.
Jeff and Mandi came up to Salt Lake City to watch the movie "Chapter 27" with Tyler and I. It was about Mark Chapman, the guy who killed John Lennon. The movie was really well done. As expected, it drew a lot from the book "Catcher in the Rye"--a book I've loved since I read it as a teenager. It was interesting to see how he'd gone crazy though and twisted the book's meaning and disillusionsed himself in so many ways.
Friday, January 26, 2007
SFF7
Last night Tyler brought me a Red Bull while I was working with his written prescription: Take one of these and see me at midnight.
It was really sweet because I was so tired and it was a very busy night. The other manager wanted to leave early tonight and we'd already arranged. So after we had seated the last show and done our ticket report she left. Then, just about 10 minutes before the movie was supposed to be over the director showed up. Usually the entourage staff is supposed to let us know if anyone from the film is coming. They didn't so we assumed no, which means that when we introduced the film we told the audience there would be no Q&A afterwards so they don't need to stick around. I was totally surprised that he had come, but knew everyone would love to hear from him. So for a few minutes I was frantic, trying to get the projectionist to get ready to turn on the mic and turn on the house lights as soon as the credits roll so I can quickly announce the director/writer before anyone gets up. Plus I didn't know his name and didn't want to ask him so I got another volunteer to go downstairs and look in the catalog and tell me on my headset so he didn't know. (thank you Tina!) I guess it all went well though. None of the cast came, but Michael Douglas was in the film. The last question from the audience was:
"What makes a guy like MIchael Douglas do a film like this--one that pays very little?"
The director/writer hesitates, then says "I don't know. Why do any of us do it? Why are we all here?" Then he steps down and walks out.
It was interesting because at first he seemed annoyed that the question wasn't really for him but more for Michael Douglas--but to me it ended well because it made us all ask ourselves why we love independent film? What's so great about Sundance? Because these guys get the chance to tell their story and it must be great to have a big name actor think the story is so great too that they want to be in it. The movie was called "King of California" and was really good.
It was really sweet because I was so tired and it was a very busy night. The other manager wanted to leave early tonight and we'd already arranged. So after we had seated the last show and done our ticket report she left. Then, just about 10 minutes before the movie was supposed to be over the director showed up. Usually the entourage staff is supposed to let us know if anyone from the film is coming. They didn't so we assumed no, which means that when we introduced the film we told the audience there would be no Q&A afterwards so they don't need to stick around. I was totally surprised that he had come, but knew everyone would love to hear from him. So for a few minutes I was frantic, trying to get the projectionist to get ready to turn on the mic and turn on the house lights as soon as the credits roll so I can quickly announce the director/writer before anyone gets up. Plus I didn't know his name and didn't want to ask him so I got another volunteer to go downstairs and look in the catalog and tell me on my headset so he didn't know. (thank you Tina!) I guess it all went well though. None of the cast came, but Michael Douglas was in the film. The last question from the audience was:
"What makes a guy like MIchael Douglas do a film like this--one that pays very little?"
The director/writer hesitates, then says "I don't know. Why do any of us do it? Why are we all here?" Then he steps down and walks out.
It was interesting because at first he seemed annoyed that the question wasn't really for him but more for Michael Douglas--but to me it ended well because it made us all ask ourselves why we love independent film? What's so great about Sundance? Because these guys get the chance to tell their story and it must be great to have a big name actor think the story is so great too that they want to be in it. The movie was called "King of California" and was really good.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
SFF6
Last night we went up to Park City to check out some more flicks. Again, we made a last minute decision. We got up there later than we wanted to and the theater looked too packed for the one we wanted to see. So we watched the worst movie I've ever seen in my life "Khadak." A story about a Mongolian herder whose family is forced to move to the city. And he has epilepsy. I think there were 5 spoken words in the movie. Sometimes I just wanted to scream "someone please say something!!!" and I think my fidgeti-ness would have driven Tyler nuts if the rest of the audience wasn't either fidgeting like crazy too or fast asleep. A few people left midway through, and honestly, I wish I had been one of them. But I endured it and then was rewarded with my favorite nachos at the Wasatch Brew Pub at the top of Main Street. Usually I like nachos with tons of stuff on them--black beans, cheese, onions, olives, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, etc. These ones are pretty basic, but the key is the tons of cheese they put on and jalapenos. They are so good.Then the HB and I waited outside the Egyptian to see the popular film "Fido." We were determined not to miss this one and so got in line early and were able to see it. It was scheduled at midnight, the midnight movies are always fun movies and the crowd is fun too. Most people have already done a lot of partying. "Fido" was about a small conservative community in the future that appears almost like Pleasantville. Carrie-Ann Moss from the Matrix plays the housewife. Everyone on the street has a pet zombie that does their chores for them and she's jealous and so she gets one. (The zombies have been electronically collared to quench their appetite for human flesh). The son becomes immediate friends with the zombie and zombie starts falling for the mom/housewife. It was hilariously entertaining. A late night well worth it.
SFF5
I was really tired and also frustrated with some volunteers that didn't really want to help out, only take advantage and see movies. There are some perks to volunteering and often you can watch some movies even on your shift if things are not too busy, but it's so frustrating when they expect that, and complain about not having snacks or wanting to go home early because they got up early and went skiing. Shouldn't they take responsibility for the shifts they signed up for? It's their fault if they went skiing. Here's a great quote by Livingstone that goes along with what I was feeling:
"If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."
Then I went out to my car, anxious that I might have gotten a parking ticket. I parked in a $3 lot and only had $1, so I took the risk. Sure enough, there was a parking ticket, and on the back of it was this hand-written note. This was not the kind of note to get when it's midnight, you have to sit in your cold car for 10 minutes to defrost and warm it up before driving home. I showed it to Tyler when I got home and wanted himt to get mad with me. He's so good, he did. Then I cried just for a second--I just needed to let out some of the energy my body had been building up to survive another night on very little sleep.
"If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."
Then I went out to my car, anxious that I might have gotten a parking ticket. I parked in a $3 lot and only had $1, so I took the risk. Sure enough, there was a parking ticket, and on the back of it was this hand-written note. This was not the kind of note to get when it's midnight, you have to sit in your cold car for 10 minutes to defrost and warm it up before driving home. I showed it to Tyler when I got home and wanted himt to get mad with me. He's so good, he did. Then I cried just for a second--I just needed to let out some of the energy my body had been building up to survive another night on very little sleep.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
SFF4
I met Tyler in Park City to see some movies. We got a waitlist number for the Shorts program (I love the Shorts), but mostly because it was in the same theater as the movie we wanted to see later, and that would make it easier to get in. While waiting in line though we opened the paper and saw the movie we were stoked to see got really bad ratings. So we got some food and headed over to another venue for waitlist numbers. We bought a deck of Sundance playing cards and played speed until it was time to line up again for the movie. It was Antonio Banderas' movie "Summer Rain." It was absolutely beautiful. He was very generous with his answers to questions afterwards, going on in detail about certain scenes or inspiration. I particularly liked all the references it included to Dante's "The Divine Comedy." I read "The Inferno" (the first section) in my senior English class--thank you Mrs. Johnson--and it was beautiful in its artistic and visual appeal. At the end of the semester we had to do a project on one of the pieces we'd read so my mom helped me to design and make a stained glass art piece representing the inferno abstractly. When people come over and ask what it is hanging in our window, I like to just say, "It's hell. Isn't it beautiful?"
Monday, January 22, 2007
SFF3
Between screenings at the theater last night I went down to the green room to count ballots for the first film. There were over 400 to sort so I asked some of the volunteers to help me. While sorting ballots we got talking about marriage. Most of the volunteers are older than myself, been married longer. One older guy who I knew from my old gym talked really negatively about it. The other women were sort of neutral about it and seemed content with that. It frustrated me--don't these people want a good relationship?? Why be content with merely being roommates, or just staying together out of comfort? Are we so lazy that we will settle for mediocrity and not strive for something more?
I wanted to talk to the HB about it last night, but didn't have a chance. Then I couldn't sleep. It's hard for me to sleep most nights. I think I'm still used to coming home and talking with my roommates for hours sometimes to wind down and get the day out of me. When I don't get to let out any of my thoughts or experiences I can't wind down or let the day go. I want a good life, a good marriage, not mediocrity. I want to be fulfilled. It may be noble to stay together for children I agree, but at the expense of losing your soul? I like that line from a Tori Amos' song: "You're just an empty cage girl if you kill the bird."
Today's the first day of the fest that I"m not actually working the theater so I'm meeting the HB up in Park City to see some films and maybe just get some nachos at the brewery on Main Street. I love it up there.
I wanted to talk to the HB about it last night, but didn't have a chance. Then I couldn't sleep. It's hard for me to sleep most nights. I think I'm still used to coming home and talking with my roommates for hours sometimes to wind down and get the day out of me. When I don't get to let out any of my thoughts or experiences I can't wind down or let the day go. I want a good life, a good marriage, not mediocrity. I want to be fulfilled. It may be noble to stay together for children I agree, but at the expense of losing your soul? I like that line from a Tori Amos' song: "You're just an empty cage girl if you kill the bird."
Today's the first day of the fest that I"m not actually working the theater so I'm meeting the HB up in Park City to see some films and maybe just get some nachos at the brewery on Main Street. I love it up there.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
SFF2 note
Oh yeah, Tyler's working a few shifts at an info booth in Park City for the fest--this year we can go to some movies together! Anyway, yesterday he texted me that he saw a guy walk by in a Sasquatch ski suit. I don't know why he's not blogging this, this is some good shit! Anyway, it reminded me I still need to see the Tenacious D movie. I love Jack Black and someone told me he gets high and starts dancing with some sasquatches. I can't wait to see it. Remind me babe when this is over.
SFF2
Tyler bought me flowers yesterday. We had cuddled in the morning and then had an argument before I had to go to work, he had to go to Park City, then I had to go do Sundance until after midnight again as I will tonight also. He was so sweet though. When I got home he had the kitchen all cleaned up and the flowers beautifully arranged in a vase. He'd bought a frame for my diploma and placed it inside already. He folded the laundry. Sometimes it's frustrating that our outlooks on life are so different, but being caring toward each other keeps us together. Even when some of our passions aren't necessarily shared, we do our best to support each other and encourage each other in them and learn about them. Today I was in church with the valiants and Tyler had to be in Park City already so I was by myself. I was thinking about a romantic moment we had. When we were first dating Tyler took me for a drive once during Sunday school. We went up in the foothills above campus and when we saw a cemetery I begged to get out and walk around it despite the cold and snow. I made him hold my hand and I'm sure that's when I really fell in love with him. He must have thought I was so twisted with my penchant for graveyards, but I thought it was so romantic. I love it when I feel like I can really express myself with him and share my thoughts about things that are mysterious, my crazy explanations or analogies, or share with him what I think is beautiful or meaningful. At the festival last night I was able to see part of the movie "Savages" starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. The film editor came to introduce the movie, but none of the stars or director came for Q&A. I was a little disappointed, I've been a Hoffman fan for years. I even enjoyed that depressing obscure movie "Love Liza" in which he starts huffing gas after the loss of his wife. Anyway, my theater team is awesome. Our box of snacks and goodies disappeared after our first night and so Christa, our outside manager ordered pizza for all of us last night. She gives out little candies to everyone in the waitlist lines. Alexi gave me a tour of backstage at the Rose Wagner. I remember one time my brother Brian took me on the catwalk above one of the stages at the University of Montana. It was really cool to see how the sets came down from the rafters.
Anyway, the hecticness gives me really animated dreams. Last night I dreamt that my bro-in-law Jeff and his wife Mandi were at one of the film receptions, they were standing on the stairs with champagne glasses in their hands, and I was greeting them. They were something big time. I was drinking a beer from the bottle and telling them about the festival. Don't ask me why, it was just in the dream.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
SFF1
I've been working the Sundance Film Festival each January for 3 years now. Not a long time, but enough that I feel like a part of it and I know most of the people I'm working with even though I only see them in January. The first year I lived in Salt Lake City I was determined to go to at least one film, even though I had no idea what I was doing. I looked at some movies online and purchased a ticket to a Guatemalan film about a writer that sounded interesting. It wasn't that great, but I was impressed when the director told us afterwards during the Q&A session that some editing changes had been made just hours before showing the movie.
This year I'm working at the Rose Wagner theater in Salt Lake City. Last night I watched most of the movie "Away From Her" with Tyler. It was very good. The next 9 days will all be days that go on long after midnight. But it's fun. I get inspired by people that come from all over for this festival, by locals that support their community, by people's different backgrounds, and of course, by the films. Last year by the Broadway a couple took over the Deli nextdoor just during the festival because they're friends with the owner. For the 10 days of the festival they sold their sockeye salmon tacos each night and none of us volunteers could get enough. They were delicious. It was cool to learn how they fished in Alaska each summer and then had little businesses on the side to support themselves. It's like a 10 day festival about not being afraid to do with your life what you want to and about following your dreams, being open and accepting to new ideas as well. These are the things I value, knowing what I want, acting on my dreams, being open to learning all the time.
This year I'm working at the Rose Wagner theater in Salt Lake City. Last night I watched most of the movie "Away From Her" with Tyler. It was very good. The next 9 days will all be days that go on long after midnight. But it's fun. I get inspired by people that come from all over for this festival, by locals that support their community, by people's different backgrounds, and of course, by the films. Last year by the Broadway a couple took over the Deli nextdoor just during the festival because they're friends with the owner. For the 10 days of the festival they sold their sockeye salmon tacos each night and none of us volunteers could get enough. They were delicious. It was cool to learn how they fished in Alaska each summer and then had little businesses on the side to support themselves. It's like a 10 day festival about not being afraid to do with your life what you want to and about following your dreams, being open and accepting to new ideas as well. These are the things I value, knowing what I want, acting on my dreams, being open to learning all the time.
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