The last few days have been extremely busy, but great all the same. Perhaps the biggest update I can give is on my job. Since this is the internet, and I don’t want to put any private company information online, I’m going to describe my position within the terms it was described in the original job posting. I’m responsible for coordinating the information booths, both at the SLC airport, as well as scattered throughout Park City. I also oversee a new position called the Festival Insider, who are roaming customer service experts at the festival, helping people learn how to fest. Between part-time and full-time volunteers, there are about 50-60 volunteers for me to supervise during the festival. It’s a very mobile position, and I’ll be constantly on the move with my cell, radio, and laptop. It also requires me to be a sponge for all things Sundance, and to be info savvy on all aspects of the festival. I’m very excited, and very happy to be now digging into all of the processes.
We have an open office environment, which has been great in terms of interacting with and getting to know other. Every day around 4pm, people in my department gather for a fun quick round of trivia questions, and at the end of every week, we gather for a company-wide hang called Beer & Cheetos (as a weekly wine and cheese gets a little pricey for a non-profit). This week’s theme was 80s, complete with wacky outfits and dated music videos.
Currently, work-wise, I’m updating a lot of information for the new year, correcting dates, names, and themes. Every year, Sundance has a different tagline, with theme to match. Two years ago is was “Storytime: 25 years of Where the Next Begins” and last year was “Cinematic Rebellion”. This year, the theme is “Be There” with a snowflake made up of icons to symbolize it.
As our festival director, John Cooper, put it:
It is ironic that we have not used the icon of a snowflake in any of our previous Festivals. In my mind, it immediately conjures an image of season and place, not to mention that each snowflake is unique....just like our films. And just like the Festival's ten-day run each snowflake is fleeting. If you're not there, you'll miss it. To me "be there" is an invitation and a challenge… to not only attend, but to actively participate in the moment of the Festival, to show up with all of your energy and spirit. The there of Sundance is created when an audience experiences a film and a filmmaker. We cannot do it without you. Let's all be there in January.
Every year, festival sponsor Kenneth Cole provides uniforms for all staff and volunteers at the festival. All I know about this year’s is that it is a vest of some sort, and I’m crossing my fingers that it’s blue. I’m also curious to see to see what the different trailers will be for this year. For those who have seen a movie at a film festival before, you’ll know that there is always a festival trailer shown before each film. There are usually a number of different trailers (unless you’re Tribeca, who only use one), so there’s a number of different ones to discover throughout the festival. For those, who have never seen one of these before, here are a few from last year’s festival (remember, theme was Cinematic Rebellion and being daring):
On the home front, I think I’ve finally adjusted to the altitude here, as I’m no longer getting tired as easily as I was before. That said, as someone who is used to living with a 45lb. Cocker Spaniel (yes, they're normally 30lb., but he's big boned... and fat) in a house with an invisible fence, being dragged up and down steep mountain roads by a 70lb. Labrador is a slightly different experience. There’s a fine line between holding your ground and skidding on ice, and I’m trying to find the balance between the two.
It’s a snowy day today, and I’ve spent it sipping coffee in a café, getting some writing done while watching the flurries. However, now it’s time for me to go meet some friends, and check out the new Harry Potter film. Until next time.
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