Sundance... In "Jeff" Mode

My past experiences with Wait List had been mostly positive, only being turned away for two shows after the extended wait. The earlier shows of the day are definitely easier in Wait List, as many filmmakers, Industry people, and Hollywooders tend to party late into the early morning hours, not waking up much before noon. And obviously Wait List is an easier solution when the film you want is playing at one of the bigger venues, like Eccles, Racquetball, and the Library. You just have to play the odds sometimes when you really want to see something.

This morning's show was "The Wackness", directed by young filmmaker Jonathan Levine, and starring Ben Kingsley. I arrived in the Wait List before 7:30 and soon was assigned a number in line, allowing us to wander away and then regroup thirty minutes before the show's start, in numerical order. With #17 in hand I felt lucky and fairly sure I was an "in". 8:00 came around and soon they begin releasing Wait List, and shortly there after I found myself with a REAL ticket... I was IN! We wove our way through the library to the third floor and found the open seats in the theater. I was STOKED, totally!

After all ticket holders found their seats (general admission, nothing reserved), the lights dimmed and the film began. And what a wonderful film it was. "The Wackness" is about a 50+, pothead psychiatrist (Kingsley) who trades therapy with a HIgh School student for his weekly fix of weed. Kingsley was magnificent in his role, as were the rest of cast members, including Josh Peck and the beautiful, young Olivia Thirlby. Peck was a street-smart dealer, graduating from High School and preparing for the summer between HS and College. The script was fresh and smart, and executed to perfection by cast and crew. It was obvious that Mr. Levine did his homework in school and apparently knew the period he was portaying with genuine honesty and precision: 1994.

The film followed the relationship between Peck and Kingsley, starting first as a drug trade and eventually building into a beautiful, lasting friendship. This dark comedy revealed the weakness of each character and how in the end the therapist needed the therapy more than Peck. Throughout the film the characters struggle with life's sharp turns, personal dramas, loves lost and found, and rediscovery of a zest for life. I would presume that this film will win an award at Sundance, as it is high on the "buzz" list at this year's fest.

After the film I wanted to get into another Wait List at the same venue, but also wanted to talk with the director to try to entice him to particpate in SouthSide Film Festival this June. I am VERY pleased to announce that Mr. Levine was incredibly gracious about my request and assured me he would "make this happen, so more audiences could see the film". He made my day, my week, and maybe my year. What a feather in the cap to bring this SouthSide. Fingers crossed, say a prayer, chant to the heavens, but PLEASE allow this to happen.

Okay, so I finished up in the theater, said my goodbyes to Jonathan, and headed outside to get a Wait Lst number for the next film, the Duplass Brothers' "Baghead". I already held tickets for this film, screening in Salt Lake on Saturday night, but KNew that the directors would not be in attendance at Saturday's screening, and for me a big part of my success hinges on the personal touch; a warm handshake, a few kind words, and a feeling of welcoming the filmmaker into our SouthSide family. I had also been in touch with Mark Duplass before coming to Sundance, as this film was most important for my scout, being of the Mumblecore Genre which SouthSide is highlighting in June. The Duplass Brothers ("The Puffy Chair") are two of the pioneers of this newer Genre, which focuses on Youthful angst, and is usually filmed in miniDV using lesser known actors and often utilizing their buddies in the same genre. Directors become actors in their friends' films or help with crew. It's partly about the raw edge of digital filmmaking and low-budget struggles.

Again I was assigned a number, #29, but I was sweating a bit on this, as it was a later screening and was sold out well before ticket sales ended online. I held my breath, did a bit of praying, and was so rewarded with entry into my second film today at the Library. My excitement was building by the hour today... what would be next? And again we were herded like cattle into the venue and finally into our seats. Another notch on my Wait List belt.

"Baghead" was everything I anticipated, it was raw in its style, poignant in its message and "real" in its character portrayals. The film followed Matt, Michelle, Chad, and Catherine on a weekend getaway. Matt and Chad were filmmakers with a desire to prove that they could write a script equal to their successful friend Brett. The script writing wasn't going well until Michelle had a dream about a stalker wearing a bag over his head... and they were off. What followed was a series of pranks and practical jokes, each gradually increasing in intensity and perversion. I won't tell you much more, as I don't want to give it away. I'd rather have you come to SouthSide Film Festival and screen it for yourself June 17-21, when I hope to include it, or another Duplass film in our programming. Mark Duplass and i are working out the details.

I was done in Park City for the day, feeling like I conquered the World, or at least feeling successful, if not somewhat overwhelmed about what just happened this morning. More to come, but I need a break, and so do you.

In the meantme... butter up that popcorn, turn down the lights, and crank up that projector. The evening's show is about to begin.

More on Thursday in the next posting.