Still Moving Through Park City…

So, my time keeps getting eaten up and I never seem to stop and get my adventures written down fast enough for you all. Let me catch you all up…

Sunday: I slept in a bit, but did make it to the Eccles Theatre to screen ‘The Runaways’ directed by Floria Sigismondi starring Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Shannon. ‘The Runaways’ is based on the book ‘Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story’ by Cherie Currie about the all girl band The Runaways which brought Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, as well as Lita Ford, into the spotlight.

That night we had a few hiccups at the Theatre, but nothing I can, or will, discuss here. Just rest assured, I, along with my amazing midnight team, handled everything magically. The midnight show Sunday night was Adam Green’s ‘Frozen’, which stars Emma Bell, Shawn Ashmore, and Kevin Zegers, about three skiers who get left on a ski lift.

Monday: Now this was a very difficult day… Do I work or play??? I attended a Non-Sundance panel at the NY Lounge on Main Street, which was put on by Variety 411 and Entertainment Partners. The topic of the panel was State Tax Incentives for Film Production. I learned about the panel through a free offer to watch it as a webinar, but I enjoyed it more in person. The panel is available to watch online still if anyone is interested. Contact me and I’ll get you the link.

Next I raced up to the Slamdance Film Festival for one of their panels, or fireside chats as they call them. I was actually a seminar on Panasonic cameras and codecs, and how to better use and understand them, as well as some demos of the differences between different cameras. Now, I admit, I was drawn to the panel more out of hope to hear about the new 3D camera from Panasonic, which was not there, but I did make a great contact. The speaker, Bernie Mitchell, is a tester and consultant for Panasonic and we exchanged information after we chatted a bit about my plans if I can test/play/use one, or more, of the new 3D cameras later this year for a couple of projects. He was genuinely interested and I look forward to what will come from this great new relationship.

Now, I was torn about today because in order to build my new friendship with Bernie and the chance to chat about the 3D camera, I was not able to go to the music café and see Richard Marx or LeAnn Rimes perform live. But work first, play later, right?

The Midnight Screening for Monday was ‘7 Days’ by Daniel Grou (aka Podz) starring Remy Girard, Claude Legault and Fanny Mallette.

OK… I’m going to wrap it up for now… There is A LOT here I know, and this is only Sunday and Monday. I’m going to write Tuesday and Wednesday’s adventure later today, so I can have them up ASAP. Check back soon, and I am also writing all my film reviews for the films I’ve screened while here. I’m debating on whether I should start posting them here now OR wait until I get back to St. Louis and start my NEW film review website. Give me your input, I love hearing what you think.

Opening Weekend of Sundance TwentyTen

OK, I’m going to get caught up on Blogging from Sundance! Here is a recap of my events and happenings over the first few days of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Thursday – My amazing midnight crew and I assisted the Press Department and Special Events with the Opening Day Press Conference which featured Robert Redford and New Festival Director, John Cooper. I spent most of my time assisting with my Redford’s arrival, stay at the Egyptian and departure. After the press conference, there was a special photo shoot and interview with both Robert Redford and Kenneth Cole. Kenneth Cole supplies all the volunteer’s jackets for the film festival. After all that fun, my team assisted resetting the theatre so that it would be ready for Shorts Program 1. For the first time in a long time, one of the opening night screenings was held at the Egyptian Theatre. One of the dayside teams of volunteers actually ran the theatre for the screening, but I stayed to assist with Mr. Redford’s arrival for his introduction to the screening. I concluded the day by attending the Opening Night Party. All I can say is it was SO crowded! And, WHO were all those people?

Friday – I actually slept in a bit. I planned to head to the New Frontier on Main for a few seminars, only to find out the schedule was not exactly what was posted in the program guide. I did venture out and see what was happening on Main Street, where different venues are, and grab a bite to eat. I actually ended up assisting the teams at the Egyptian Theatre a little early… I am a bit of a workaholic. We rounded out the night with our first midnight screening of 2010, ‘Splice’ from director Vincenzo Natali and staring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley.

Saturday – Now today, I got out there… I started the day with the World Premiere of the film ‘Winter’s Bone’ by director Debra Granik and stars Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes. Important fact, ‘Winter’s Bone’ was shot in Southwestern Missouri, just East of Branson. I followed that by racing over to The Sundance House for ‘The Next Generation of the 3-D Experience’ presented by HP. The panel included experts from HP, DreamWorks Animation, Disney, Sony, independent filmmakers and the NBA. It was interesting to hear where 3-D has begun to be tested, where some next steps are being taken and what new educational tools are being developed to help teach filmmakers to use 3-D to their advantage and the benefit of their projects.

Now, I followed that panel up, by racing back to the Eccles Theatre for another screening. This time I screened The Duplass Brothers’ (Jay and Mark Duplass) new feature film, ‘Cyrus’. ‘Cyrus’ stars John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei and Catherine Keener. After that screening, all that was left was to head up the Egyptian Theatre for my Midnight Shift. The Saturday Midnight Screening was ‘The Perfect Host’ by director Nick Tomnay and stars David Hyde Pierce, Clayne Crawford and Helen Reddy.

OK, now that I’ve gotten you all caught up on my adventure so far, be sure check back for my continued adventures and film reviews.

Park City or Bust… For the 11th Time!

So, as I finalize my packing, freak out over what I’m forgetting, and decide to take a moment to think… I realize, I haven’t written anything since the very beginning of the year.

Quick catch up… I am taking each day One Day At A Time! I have not smoked all year… I know… It’s only day 18, but still… I haven’t slipped once. That is better than last year. Also, I have walked my neighborhood (about one full mile) at least every other day. I might even be a little ahead of that right now. I’m building up to jogging and more serious workouts. I feel that becoming a reality when I get back to St. Louis.

Now, I’m about to depart for the airport to head West to Utah. It is hard to believe that this is my 11th year working for the Sundance Film Festival. 11 Years! Damn… Really? I plan to take advantage of everything I can this year and really make strong connections, build upon existing relationships, and learn more as a filmmaker, while doing what I can to advance the projects I am working on.

Also, a HUGE Thank you to my friends over at The South Butt clothing line. They have supplied me with a jacket and beanie with both my logo and theirs to help both of our promotion efforts. I am also looking forward to returning to St. Louis and working with them on some upcoming video projects.

Well, I’m off… Be sure to stop by as I’ll be posting my daily blogs from Sundance, as well as a few movie reviews along the way. I’m excited…

First Blog of 2010

As I pondered on what I should make my New Year’s Resolutions for 2010, I kept falling back to one basic principle: Live Each Day, One Day at a Time, and Maximize That Day!

I know it seems simple. I will be putting up my goals for 2010 tomorrow, and they all fall back to this one philosophy that I will put into action this year.

I have some amazing friends in this world who have helped open my eyes to what I am doing and what I am capable of achieving. Reaching goals I never thought I could is part of the plan for this year. Is it possible? You’re damn right it is!

I know that with my own desire to change and make myself a better person I will achieve this goal. And sometime that extra reinforcement from my friends around me is not only helpful and appreciated, but needed. So Thank You in advance for all your help throughout 2010 as I focus on becoming the Man I truly can be!