Sundance 2012 – Day 3

I’ll admit, today I let myself start off a little lazy. I actually couldn’t drag myself out of bed until shortly after Noon. There were a couple panels on distribution and crowdsfunding I wanted to attend, but it wasn’t my sleeping in that caused me to miss them. I actually headed to the Egyptian Theatre to assist the daytime crew with the Time Warner ‘Power of Story’ Panel. The panel was moderated by Soledad O’Brien from CNN and panelists were Nick Fraser, commissioning editor for Storyville; Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentary Films; and Robert Redford himself. As you can guess, I was there to assist with Mr. Redford’s arrival and Departure. After the panel, I stuck around and assisted the Theatre until my shift began at 8:30 PM. Our shift tonight was very smooth. We had two screening on our shift: the New Frontier Program film ‘An Oversimpification of Her Beauty’ Dir: Terence Nance at 9:00 PM and The Park City at Midnight Film ‘Excision’ Dir: Richard Bates, Jr at Midnight. Both films were packed with fun audiences and entourages.

OK, gonna work to regroup myself and get back on track tomorrow. Talk to you then.

PS - Yes, I know I still need to finish and post Day 2. It was actually a very busy day. I'll get it up ASAP. Sorry for the Delay.

Sundance 2012 – Pre-Fest & Day 1

So, I’ve been in Park City since Monday! Apparently, they have been having a snow drought. One of the first days it’s snowed here was right as I arrived. We did get a good amount today, but it’s still FAR from what I’m used to seeing.

Now, most of the first few days was filled with our regular training sessions and getting the theatre ready for the fest to start. But I did make it to one of the Volunteer Screenings. I was able to see ‘Monsieur Lazhar’ by director Philippe Falardeau. The French Canadian film, in French, was a rather beautiful character drama about people recovering from traumatic experiences. The film is also Canada’s Oscar Submission for Foreign Film. The film had a simple, yet subtle tone that showed how difficult the loss of a loved one and the struggle it takes to move on with your life can truly be. There was a choice to keep colors subtle as well as camera movements and shot choices. I do wish them the best of luck with their Oscar Submission.

Now, Thursday was the kick off press conference at the Egyptian and my team always gets tasked with assisting the press department in making it run smooth as silk. And of course, we did not disappoint. Now, one funny moment was right as Mr. Redford arrived and came inside, he grabbed a wig off the counter that the Egyptian Theatre just happened to still have sitting there. Quite funny as he put it on and turned to those around him and said, “No touch ups, I think I’m good to go!” I couldn’t help but laugh myself. And NO, no pics, I know FAR better than that… just a great memory for me!

That night, there were screenings at three theatres and volunteer screenings at another. I chose to kick off my official (non-volunteer) screenings this year with Shorts Program 1, which ironically was playing at the Egyptian Theatre.

Shorts Program 1 was made up of SIX amazing short films, all vastly different in nature:

‘Fishing Without Nets’ Dir: Cutter Hodierne An amazing film about Somali Pirates from the perspective of the pirates. Totally fictional film, but with an amazing documentary feel.

‘Las Palmas’ Dir: Johannes Nyholm An adorable short film about a baby girl acting like a baby in a grown up world, where the grown-ups were actually puppets smaller than the baby was. Cute & Hysterical!

‘A Morning Stroll’ Dir: Grant Orchard Amazing Animated piece looking at the simple act of a man getting passed by a chicken on the street over three vastly different timeframes, with amazingly different looks, feels and animation styles!

‘Random Strangers’ Dir: Alexis Dos Santos A cute love story which stems from Chatroullete, and shows how close two people can get without even being physically together. Very creatively shot!

‘Tooty’s Wedding’ Dir: Frederic Casella A crazy look at how attending the wedding of an old flame can go wrong for one British couple. Very cute, funny and well produced. It had a feature film feel.

‘Una Hora Por Favora’ Dir: Jill Soloway A cute look at a woman who picks up a Mexican day worker who gets more than he expected, but the point comes when she must drop back off. Very smart look at a woman going after what she wants, but hysterically loses herself in the process, only to be right back where she started.

Now, I know my reviews where rather short. If you all would like me to write longer reviews of the films I screen this year, please let me know. I’d be happy to write full reviews and post them individually, but I want to hear your comments and feedback first.

OK, there is Pre-Fest and Day 1 in a nutshell. Day 2 has been busy already, and now I must head off to our first official Midnight Shift! I hope to post Day 2 recap later tonight or tomorrow morning. Until then…

2012 – Fast Out of the Gates

So, I know it’s overdue, and I apologize to you all, my friends. I have actually been so busy since the start of the year; I’ve basically been playing catch up since the year began. Quick update on what I’ve been doing so far, and I feel funny saying so far, it’s only January 19.

After ringing in the New Year with my brother Bill at his amazing bar 1839 TapHouse in Columbia, MO, I headed straight back down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Yes, I’m still working as a Production Assistant on the A&E TV Show ‘Breakout Kings’! It’s actually the first time I’ve had such a full time gig right at the beginning of the year. I am very blessed and thankful!

Of course, right now I’m in Park City, Utah for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Yes, I was able to get 2 weeks off from the show to keep my amazingly long streak going with Sundance. This is my 13^th year working Midnights at the Egyptian Theater! Seriously, 13 years!

Now, I’m already planning out my schedule during the film fest and it’s getting very full. I do plan to return to something I did a few years ago. I’m going to write a blog per day, recapping and highlighting my adventures, the films I screen and the panels I learn from. So be sure to check back daily.

Now, I know I promised info about what I have planned for this fast paced New Year. Basically, I do plan to seek out as much work as I can find. However, I am also planning to produce and direct two shorts this year. I promise to give you all more information about the films and the team I plan to use in the coming days and weeks. Also, I’m going to be posting my fundraising campaign online very soon. Basically, I’m going to crowdsfund my short films. More details on that in later post as well. For now know this, you can help my projects come to life! And I look forward to all your assistance.

OK, back out into the wilds of Park City I must go. Today we kicked off Sundance 2012 with the Press Conference at the Egyptian Theatre. I’m sure you all will see news coverage of it tonight. I’m actually going to attend tonight’s screening of Shorts Program 1 at the Egyptian. I figure I should see what other short filmmakers are doing in their shorts, so that I can help make mine better. Tomorrow, I’ll recap Short Program 1, as well as talk about the French Canadian Film ‘Monsieur Lazhar’, which I screened in a volunteer screening.

Ok, talk to you all tomorrow!

Giving Thanks 2011

So with it being Thanksgiving for 2011, I thought I would take a moment and express what I’m thankful for this year. Now, there are two main things I’m thankful for: The work I’ve been fortunate to get AND my amazing family and friends!

Now, I’ll list out what I’ve been working on this year in a moment, but more important than all the work, is how awesome the people I have in my life are. I’ve been fortunate to see my relationship with my family get a little stronger. With my parents and my brother, I’ve felt more love and support recently than I have in a long time, as well as support for my chosen career path. Also, I’m more than thankful for my awesome friends. They keep me sane when my world falls apart, they keep my smiling when I’ve fought off the tears, and reminded me to stay strong when things get stressful… They are amazing!!! Plus, there are my friends who share work with me! Whether it be forwarding me job info, hiring me for work, or working side-by-side on set, you all make what I do the best career in the world! I truly love and cherish those I call MY FRIENDS! I do NOT take any of you for granted! Thank You All!!!

Now, this year has been busy. Each year the work load get a little larger, the number of projects gets a little longer, and the projects get bigger! God, I love what I do!!! So here is a list of what I’ve work on this year, pretty much in order:

I attended the 2011 Sundance Film Festival as Egyptian Theater Manager
Redneck Wedding –(Fredericktown, MO)–CMT/Pink Sneakers–TV Show– PA
Innova Commercial – (STL, MO) – Visual Story Group – Commercial – 1st AD
Touchstone Electric Cooperatives – (STL, MO) – Bus 9 – Commercial – PA
Best Thing I ever Ate 5 – (STL, MO) – Food Net/Authentic – TV Show – PA
Damiou Music Video – (STL, MO) – Beautiful Beef – Co-Producer
I attended the Tom Malloy Film Financing Seminar
Vampyras – (Columbia, MO) – MU Films – Feature – 1st AD
The Philly Kid – (Baton Rouge, LA) – After Dark Films – Feature – 2nd AD
Final Witness – (Springfield, IL) – ABC/Lincoln Square Prod. – TV – 2nd AD
The Drunk – (Terre Haute, IN) – Tanoos/Fleschner Prod. – Feature – 1st AD
Call Me on Tuesday – (Sauget, IL) – Kalinga Prod. – Feature – 2nd 2nd AD
The Bathroom Door – (STL, MO) – Inspired Productions – Short – 1st AD
Truth Music Video – (STL, MO) – Beautiful Beef – Steadicam Op
Breakout Kings –(Baton Rouge, LA)–20th Cent. Fox/A&E–TV Show– Set PA

WOW… What a GREAT YEAR! And Breakout Kings will be shooting through February 2012, so I’ll be working on the show for a while, and still be heading to the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. So even now, I can say 2012 looks to be a GREAT year as well!!! I’m even planning a few of my own productions! Lots on the horizon!

Thank You All! I love you all and the support you shown me this year! Stay in Touch and let me know what you’ve been up to! I’d love to hear from everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Oh yeah, and the Cardinals won the World Series!!! 11 in '11!!!