Friday: Another Day of Films, Fun, and Family Friendly Festivity

Friday ripped into my sleep like a tornado tickling a mobile home. After last night's early morning festivities, my body again forced my rise at an un-godly hour. I have been living on 3-4 hours sleep each night, and last night was just another of the same. I was up at dawn and readying myself for the day's activities. It would again be more of the same, as I bounced from our Documentary Workshop to Godfrey Daniels, and again to the Animation Workshop for Kids. I also found myself alternating between car, Segway, and shoe leather. Today would be the last day for the Workshops, and I was somewhat saddened with this fact, though alternately I was relieved to have two less responsibilities

I've been riding a Segway around the Festival again this year, cruising up and down the streets and sidewalks from class to class, and around the venues, often stopping at Deja Brew and Godfrey Daniels. Segway of the Lehigh Valley has agian provided opportunities for our visiting filmmakers to tour the city on a Segway. I know they all appreciate this fun novelty, and I am happy to make it happen. At one point on Friday I even chased down our tour group. I happened to be riding along the Steel Blast Furnaces, when I saw a wonderful sight: a string of Segways, ridden by some of our filmmakers, were zipping across the Fahy Bridge. I wish I had a telephoto lens on the camera, as it would have made for a great picture. I picked up my pace, climbed up onto the bridge and attempted to catch up with the group, so I could grab a few pix. I was succesful.

When I caught up with the tour, I found smiles on each and every face. I was greeted with grateful words of appreciation, and I knew that another of my efforts for SouthSide Fillm Festival was a worthy cause. But alas, I couldn't dwell with the tour and turned tail and headed back to the SouthSide, as I had some other duties on my plate for the afternoon.

Shawn leads a stimulated group of visiting Filmmakers on a Segway Tour of Bethlehem

After the Kids' Film Series ended at Godfreys, I had to strike the gear, load into my car, and have it at the ready for this evening's midnight movie. With the able-bodied help of our young projectionist charge, Chris, we packed up the equipment and stacked it neatly inside the front door. later I'd come back to pack this into my car.

Tonight was filled with anxiety AND excitement, as we were introducing an outdoor screening for the first time at SouthSide. Outdoor screenings, along with 35mm capability, has been a dream of mine since day one of our Festival back in 2004. Tonight my dream would come to fruition, but would it be a success.....? We had a crew at the ready to haul the equipment from downtown to our venue on the lawn in front of Maginnes Hall on the campus of Lehigh University.

Tonight I would also handle some of the film intros. My daily schedule has just been so jam-packed with responsibilies, that I've been serving as a "floater" for evening activities. So I began my evening intros at Neville introducing both our War block of films and also "The Betrayal", which I secured during my Sundance visit in January. We had two filmmakers in house for the War block. "The Parade" was represented by Si Lewen and Editor Steve Grieger (sp?). I broke from format for this screening block, as we usually screen the entire block of films before allowing Q&A. Because of Mr Lewen's attendance, and his need to leave before the end of the feature, I allowed for the lights to come up mid-block, to afford the audience a chance to ask informative questions and shower Si with praise. Tonight again we fulfilled somebody's dream. Mr Lewen had told me before the screening that he had long hoped to see his book made into film and screened on the big screen. Making dreams come true... that's what we try to do at SouthSide FF!

The lights went down and Chantelle Squires' "Reserved to Fight" began to screen. I slipped away to check on the outdoor screening set-up. I was thrilled to see deep crowds on blankets and in lawn chairs, with families sharing an evening under the stars to see some films. I was responsible for introducing Pawel this evening, as well as the final project created during the Animation Workshop. Again I felt like a proud father, boasting about what we've achieved and why we do this. The 200 crowd waited patiently for the sun to set and the films to begin. Soon it was time to begin. It should be noted that our first-ever outdoor screening was scheduled for the longest day of the year (most daylight). And soon the films began, and I slipped away to continue checking responsibilities off my list.

Back at Neville I arrived just in time to introduce Chantelle for her Q&A. The audience was hungry and stimulated and Chantelle did not disappoint. The only disappointment... with the unorthodox decision to allow for a mid-block Q&A for Mr Lewen, we ended up cheating ourselves of time. So I had to announce the limited time issue to the audience, requesting that they refrain from extended praise, but in fairness to the entire audience, they should ONLY ask questions. Chantelle graciously agreed to take questions and praise out in the lobby when time expired. It shoudl be noted that one of the most anoying things during any Q&A, whether it be at a film festival or any speaking engagement, is when the audience spends valuable time boasting about "their" lives or spewing extended praise for the filmmakers. I think some people just like to sound important or intelligent, and though they may eventually get to their question, they eat valuable time from the clock. That is why I announced my request for "questions only". The audience was "mostly" accommodating, though there was still one or two who just couldn't help but wind into an extended dialog prefacing their question. All went well.

We ushered the audience out of the venue and quickly ushered the next audience into the venue, apologizing for the minor delay. At a Film Festival time is often an essential element of your screening plan, and if you run late at one film, you may miss your next intended screening. It was cool and things got into gear shortly after the audience was seated, and I introduced the film and rushed back to the outrdoor screening. The audience was engaged and seemed to be enjoying tonight's film: "The Flyboys". I found my wife and our friends the Schuberts, and sat in the grass for a moment of less insanity. The film ended at 10:55, to a roar of hoots and applauses. It was truly a success.

My moment of relief ended and I quickly jumped back into action. I had to rush off to set up our venue for tonight's Midnight screening of "The Animation Show 3". With the help of Festival friend Don Hertzfeldt, I had arranged for another midnight screening of their latest program. This was promoted as a DVD release party, as their Volume 3 would be released this week. With the help of my volunteer charges, Michael and Kevin, we were set up and ready well before the start of tonight's traditional midnight film. I was relieved and ready to rock.

The crowd swelled and soon we had 70 people sitting around the Goosey Gander, sharing stories, sipping on adult bevarages and with everybody simply enjoying this moment to wind down and shake things loose. The films rolled, only after we announced the winner of our Image Over Word competition. And the drumroll...

Collin Kornfiend's "The Pro" won the audience award by less than 10 votes. Unbelievably, the Jury award was an EXACT TIE. Both films were incredibly well done, but each was unique in its approach and presentation. Our young local filmmakers continue to impress us all at SouthSide, and tonight's competition was no exception. It was a grudge match, but there was no blood shed, just a mutual respect amongst friends in film. And then the screenings began. The Animation Show is the modern interpretation of the old Spike and Mike shows. Programmed by animators Don Hertzfeldt and Mike Judge, this is a fun-packed program of animated films from around the World. The subject matter was as diverse as were the varied techniques used to tell these fun stories. Some were just incredily technically advanced, while others were as simple as clay. Funny, but although the audience seemed to appreciate each film, everybody always seems to gravitate to one of my favorites: Don Hertzfeldt's "Billy's Balloon". And with that being our closing film, the show was over.

I quickly wrapped up our gear, loaded into my car, and returned to Godfrey Daniels. I needed to have this equipment back in place before our first Kids' Film Series screening at 10am. It was already 2:30, and I debated with myself as to whether to set the equipment up tonight, possibly affording me a later rise... or to go home, wake up early, and rush to do the set-up just before this morning;s screening. I chose NOW, rather than procrastination. By 3am things were ready for 10am and I went home with the hope of "sleeping in". That wasn't to be, as my internal clock shoved me out of bed by 6:30am, like a rushing tsunami surpising an unsuspecting shoreline community. I hit the floor with a thud. More tomorrow... or is that today.

Saturday would be the period on the end of the statement that is SouthSide.