Film Festivals

Film Festivals are a really good networking opportunity as you have a number of directors and producers all in one place and they're all looking to meet other people. You can have a lot of different goals when going to a festival, which will drastically change how you approach it and what you do with your time there. The assumption with this article is that you are looking to find a director, producer, or another DP to become friends with. If you want to see more movies, it's better to stay later in the week as there are less parties, less people, and generally screenings are easy to get into. If you just want to meet people and maybe see a few movies, the first weekend is usually best.

It's extremely important to keep your expectations low and do not plan very much of anything. It's difficult to plan things ahead as so many other opportunities will present themselves to you and you'll have to decide whether or not to go with one group or another. Which brings us to a very good rule: Ditch or be ditched You will find so many times where you just have one ticket to a movie, or you just have one invite to a party and you can't stick with your friend that you are with. Do what you want to do and let them do the same. If you don't ditch them, they will ultimately ditch you. Make this clear from the onset, keep expectations low, and you'll end up having fun. In all, you really have to do everything against your better judgement at a film festival

There is also a bit of a divide between shorts and features filmmakers. Can be difficult to talk to the features filmmakers if you have a short and vice versa. Its weird, but the people with shorts can feel bad they dont have a feature in the festival and it can be difficult to talk to them too much. There is also a divide between the features and the features with talent in them that you've heard of. Maybe the buzzy movies and non-buzzy movies. Just need to note that there is this divide before attending.

SXSW

SXSW is very clearly a festival that is attempting to profit. It can be expensive to attend as you will definitely need a badge to get into panels, parties, and screenings. You can get into screenings without a badge, but you're put behind all of the badgeholders in terms of priorities, because most theatres are small, this makes it very hard to see a film if you don't have a badge.

Seeing Movies

You can get a SXXPress pass at 9am the 24 hours before the screenings starts. If you have a platinum badge you get them 48 hours before. The SXXpress passes are difficult to get and they can only be attempted at the individual level, so unlike sundance you can't queue together. Very possible for you and 3 friends to attempt for a pass and only one of you gets it. (Back to ditch or be ditched)

Sundance

Seeing Movies

While seeing a movie isn't really the most social activity, it gives you something to talk about and often times you can meet people in the waitlist lines or maybe invite someone new you've met to come see it with you. If you have a few movies you really want to see, you can put calendar reminders in your phone at these different times below as tickets come out.

When you do buy your tickets, make sure they are not in Salt Lake City or Sundance Resort. Those are over 45 minutes away and not really worth it unless it's something you really want to see.

You can only buy 4 tickets for a movie at a time at the box office.

• 18 hours Before Screening

Can buy tickets through the app 18 hours before the screening time. You will need to pick up your tickets in person from the box office, some of which close at 6pm. If you use your chase card here you can go to the chase box office that always has a very short line.

• 4 hours Before Screening

This is the same as 18 hours before, but they can only be purchased through the website.

• 2 Hours Before Screening

This is when all the tickets are released to the eWaitlist. You can sign up for the waitlist 2 hours before the screening time through the app. You can also link your account with your friends if you want to try and go see a movie together. If you end up doing the eWaitList, you need to bring 25 dollars cash and be prepared to wait for at least 45 minutes in line. If you do not show up on time for the eWaitlist, you can still get into the waitlist, but you forfeit the number you received. This can be a great time and place to meet people, but again just keep expectations low. You might travel 30 minutes, wait 45 minutes, and then not get into anything.

If you realize you can’t see the movie you have a ticket for after all, you can go to the box office up to 2 hours before the screening time and exchange it either for another movie or receive a ticket voucher. The voucher is basically cash as you can sell it or trade it to others later on. You cannot get a straight cash refund though.

Meeting New People

Meeting new people is a lot easier when a friend introduces you. Make a list of all the people who will be at Sundance and from what dates so you can prioritize who you should see first. Stay in touch with them throughout the festival because ultimately they can help you get into parties, get movie tickets, and introduce you to new people.

It's not much use to look for parties beforehand. All the good ones will be impossible to RSVP to beforehand and you will most likely get in with the help of your friends once you get there. It's not uncommon to use someone elses name, let someone borrow a pass, or just ask really nicely if you can get into a party. If all else fails there are plenty of "lounges" that are easy to get into on main street that will have free food and drinks.

Often times filmmakers or directors will have different colored badges have different colored badges than regular crew members. For example at SXSW film and TV will be one color, while tech will be another. Can be helpful in networking situations to figure out if someone is who you'd like to talk to.

If you watched a movie and liked it, go and try to talk to the director. Everyone is friendly.

Sneaking into Parties

You will often times find yourself trying to get into a party that you don't have an invite for, don't feel bad, its common. Here are the most common ways you'll find yourself getting in.

Rule #1: ACT CONFIDENT.

• Say you are someone you are not.

Can go on IMDB and lookup who the DP or someone is on the movie and just say that you're them. This can be difficult if you have a badge with your name on it. Just hide your badge since you won't need a badge to get into a private party. You can also just say that you are with a PR company and that they should have reached out.

• Get a confirmed RSVP from someone invited

Screenshot a confirmed RSVP and then show them on their phone. Act confused. "They sent me this, I dont know why I'm not on the list..."

• Walk in with a crowd of people.

Just have to be confident and walk in quickly when a large amount of people are there. Depends on how tight security is, but you just need to act like you belong.

• Have someone come out and get you

Have a friend who is inside walk out and say oh they're my plus one. Can do this as a chain as well.

• Side Door

Doesn't work often, but find a friend to let you in through a side door or alley.