Anything goes at Sundance

The rumor is that he's a character on Nickelodeon. I just know, I'm glad I'm not wearing that outfit in public or in 20 degree weather.

Paying for convenience...

You gotta love living on Main Street, the home of the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals.

Here is the front of our condo at The Galleria, located at 580 Main Street...right in the middle of the action.

The other view is from the back door...looking at the transit station. I only have to walk across the street and up the hill to get on a bus to head off Main Street to some of the other venues. And in 10 degree weather, this convenience is worth every penny.

Chicago 10

My first movie was a great one, and it should have been for Chicago 10 was the Sundance Film Festival's Opening Night film.

Chicago 10 retells the story of the Vietnam protests and eventual riots that occured during the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Director Brett Morgan combined archival footage with animation similar to 'Waking Life' and a killer soundtrack to bring this story totally to life. This movie is incredible. It's funny, it's relevant, it's frightening, it's sad, it's tragic, and it's magic. It's a must see and I guarantee this movie will be coming to a theater near you.

Here's what Sundance says about it...

As one of the seminal political events of the 1960s, the Chicago Seven trial seems to come from another era, but filmmaker Brett Morgen, in his third trip to the Sundance Film Festival, has created a film that is much more than a look back. Indeed Chicago 10 takes a stylized, innovative approach that gives contemporary history a forced perspective. He boldly mixes original animation with extraordinary archival footage to explore the buildup to and unraveling of the infamous conspiracy trial. Set to the music of revolution then and now, Chicago 10 is a parable of hope, courage, and challenge as it portrays the struggle of young Americans attempting to confront an oppressive and armed government…their own.

The 1968 Democratic Convention was a watershed event in the ongoing opposition to the Vietnam War. Protestors clashed with Chicago police, and the ensuing battles were witnessed live on television. In an effort to find a scapegoat, eight protestors were charged. The trial became a circus, and the abuse of individual liberties made this event one of the era's most significant.

But this is not the focus of either the film or our choice to have it open this year's Festival. Chicago 10 is much more than mere historical drama, and its creative artistry and inspiration are at the core of what makes the subject of this documentary as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.— Geoffrey Gilmore

My first party invite!!

Up bright and early this morning at 6:45am to hit the box office at 7:45am. We came in too late yesterday for me to hit the festival box office and pick up my adrenaline pass. I had a 9:15 am at the Eccles this morning and I didn't want to miss it.

An adrenaline pass is great. You get to see any movie before 10am or after 10pm just by walking in no later than 15 minutes before the screening starts. This allows you to see many of the Competition Films that otherwise are sold out. Plus, because it's a credential, you gain entry into the filmmakers lounge and many other locations that do not allow the general public.

The box office is right out the back door of my condo, which is very convenient. And they have separate lines for passholders, which is also very convenient, considering people slept in sleeping bags on the floor and were in line at 4am to try to get some available tickets. When I came in, the line was very, very, very long. I was the first and only in line for passholders.

They couldn't find my name on the list...I tried not to panic, but all my choices for movies had been plotted out specifically with the pass in mind. 20 movies were suddenly disappearing...finally, with my credit card number, they were able to look up the purchase. All was right with the world again.

On my way out, I ran into LA producer Effie Brown (Real Women Have Curves, Everyday People), who produced the Sundance dramatic competition film 'Rocket Science'. I met Effie at the Atlanta Film Festival a few years ago. She has bright red dyed hair. It's her trademark. I remember asking her if she found her wild hair to be a hindrance...or if money people had a tendency not to take her seriously because of it. She told me that it was actually a blessing. Money people just thought of her as a creative person and she was easily recognizable.

As someone with wildly colored purple hair, it was nice to hear. I love my purple hair. It's fun. I mean it's just hair and I've never understood why it's so "out there" to have it a different color or different style...although I do think the faux hawk is absolutely lame. But if you like your silly little faux hawk, who am I to judge?

Anyway, I got invited to her party...well, not yet, but she told me she would invite me. More on that when it happens....

Oh the Parties...

Last night was the Slamdance Party.

Someone said, 'You don't have to be on the list, you can pay $15 to get in".

One thing I know...if there isn't a really large guy blocking your entry, standing next to a hot chic with a clip board, it's not a party worth going to! Let me put this another way, usually, when anyone can get in, anyone does. And when anyone can get in, the people who are "someone" aren't there. Sad, harsh, but true. And I need the "someone" to fund or purchase my movies.

So, I decided to stay in and get some sleep. Of course, I didn't sleep well at all for some reason...perhaps I was over tired from not sleeping the night before.

JD met up with The Signal kids and headed out to the party. About two hours later he showed back up and I got the real story.

There was a big guy, a hot chic, a clip board and a list. And he wasn't getting in. Only Alex, the Producer, and our three Directors were getting in. But then Alex popped his head out and got JD Taylor, our Associate Producer (and my man) and one of our lead actors, AJ, into the party. Boy does it help to have a sales agent. Morris, from Shoreline, had worked his magic.

JD didn't last long. His first party just didn't live up to his expectations.

Did I say HOT damn?

It's cold...so cold that I'm inside and still shaking as I type.

Here a quick look at the street tonight while it's still calm and peaceful...