WIP Talk: Sundance Days 1 and 2

I arrived in Park City, Utah late Wednesday night for the annual Sundance Film Festival! This being my second time at the festival, I knew, at least in part, what to expect. Last year I arrived early in the morning on the second day of the festival (the first day of film screenings), and everywhere I turned there were crowds of people and countless celebrities. While I had a fantastic time at the festival, I felt rather overwhelmed by the number of film screening (in hindsight, maybe I didn’t make the best choices when it came to which films to watch), the crowds of people, and the level of celebrity.

• Crews putting the finishing touches on Park City’s Main Street. Photograph Jessica Mosby. •

I just reread the piece I wrote about Sundance last year, and I already feel completely different. (Admittedly, given a second chance, I might just leave my self-respect in the snow and become one of the adoring fans that runs up to Adrian Grenier to tell him that his eyes do indeed sparkle like the sun.) Maybe it’s because I am now a Sundance veteran. Or maybe this year Main Street really is significantly less rambunctious, the buses less crowded, and the corporate promotions (i.e. free stuff) less ubiquitous. I will admit that I do miss the hot chocolate in the Microsoft gifting suite, but tonight I had hot cider in the New York Lounge – it was very tasty!

• Jessica modeling her new Sundance water bottle while looking like a marshmallow in her down coat (note the large press pass). Not particularly stylish, but very warm! Photograph by a kind stranger. •

Yesterday morning I picked up my press pass (without it, I am nothing here), and was pleasantly surprised to be given a commemorative Sundance ’09 Nalgene water bottle! Instead of giving away (and selling) bottled water, Sundance has partnered with Nalgene and Brita water filters to have free hydration stations where everyone can fill-up their reusable water bottles. I brought my own water bottle, but I quickly ditched it for the fancy Sundance one! Maybe Sundance has been reading the WIP's water articles?

• Robert Redford and Geoff Gilmore at the Opening Day Press Conference. Photograph by Jessica Mosby. •

When I returned home from last year’s festival, everyone asked me if I saw founder Robert Redford. Sadly, the answer was no. But yesterday I was in the same room as Robert Redford at the opening day press conference! So the answer now is, “Yes, I have seen Robert Redford in the flesh!” Redford (or Uncle Bob as some people in my airport shuttle claimed he was nicknamed) sauntered in wearing a beret (what a bohemian!). During the press conference he and Geoff Gilmore, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, discussed how “art and commerce can coexist,” and how SWAG (Stuff We All Get) was not an official part of the festival that will “exhaust” itself (or maybe it already has?). I was trying to pay attention to the serious topics at hand, but I just kept thinking what amazing hair Redford has!

Just so you don’t think all the glitz of Sundance is gone this year, at yesterday’s New Frontier Press Preview I was offered “Authentic French Absinthe” Le Tourment Vert (an official festival sponsor). Did I mention that it was noon? I declined, and opted for a glass of red wine to accompany my complimentary sandwich and brownie.