In the final issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, "Padre Nuestro" and "Manda Bala" win top prizes as iW VIDEO checks out the Sundance Film Festival awards ceremony, festivalgoers name some of their favorite films, and more.

As promised, more video goodies from the festival...

BROKEN ENGLISH red carpet with director Zoe Cassavettes, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Justin Theroux.

Sundance Channel party: THE SIGNAL sells, ThinkFilm's Mark Urman talks about acquiring festival winner IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, Sundance Channel's Kirk Iwanowski gives a preview of upcoming programming on the channel, CHASING GHOSTS invites us to the arcade, Jeffrey Abramson from Gen Art remembers Adrienne Shelley, World of Wonder's Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato on Tara Reid sightings, and the team from FOUR EYED MONSTERS passes along a few tips about self-promoting your film.

Sundance staff and programmers Cara Mertes, John Cooper and Trevor Groth talk about this year's festival program and new ventures for the Sundance Institute.

Sunday morning at the Queer Brunch with THE L WORD creator Ilene Chaiken, director Angela Robinson, THE NINES producers Dan Etheridge and Dan Jinks, Katherine Linton of here!'s LESBIAN SEX AND SEXUALITY, TEETH director Mitchell Lichtenstein and more!

For more Park City video coverage: www.iklipz.com/sundance

Highlights from the rest of my Sundance...thanks to all who helped out with interviews, information and invites! See you at the next fest.

Cheers,
Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com
DOCUMENTARY magazine

Sundance winds down today, so we thought we’d give you a wrap up of thoughts on some of the films that myself and our guest bloggers saw throughout the week. Many thanks to Garrick Dion (Director of Development, Bold Films), producer Ryan Seashore and Jen Rudin Pearson (Director, Casting, Walt Disney Feature Animation) for their reviews.

Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com
Documentary magazine

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on TRADE: This movie is on my list of the top ten most disturbing films I have ever seen, right up there with SOPHIE’S CHOICE and SHINDLER’S LIST.

This harrowing film depicts the trafficking industry and I strongly urge everyone to see this powerful film.

The bigger question is why the media is currently obsessed with Dakota Fanning and her rape scene. The media should be focused on the very real global problem of selling children and women into sexual slavery that is so horrifyingly brought to life in TRADE.

TAMARA KRINSKY on FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO: The film is a moving piece about Christianity, homophobia and family. There are a handful of quotes in the bible that have been interpreted over the years as specifically forbidding homosexuality; director Daniel Karslake explores the question: does the Bible really say that it is a sin? He does so by telling the stories of several families from varying strong Christian backgrounds, examining biblical history and scholarship, and looking at current events and hate crimes. Themes that emerge over and over include biblical literalism, whether homosexuality/lesbianism is a choice or not, and the pull for parents between their deeply held religious beliefs and their love for their children.

The main strengths of the doc lie in its compelling subjects and in Karslake’s ability to return to the central question of the piece: what does the Bible really say? The film has the potential to wander because so many topics are explored, but the director has avoided this by always making sure to link the various discussions back to the subject of religion, thus keeping viewers focused. The family stories, which include those of Chrissy Gephardt and Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church's history, serve as flesh and blood examples of the issues discussed in the film, creating an emotional component to what could have been just dry theory. As I watched the film, I was alternately angered by the hatred that I saw and elated by those who were able to open their minds and their hearts to changing their opinions.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on HOUNDOG: Having cast Deborah Kampmeier’s first film VIRGIN, I am pleased to announce that she has really done a beautiful job with this movie. Everyone seemed to be anticipating Dakota’s rape scene and honestly, after seeing TRADE last night, nothing can compare to that horrifying series of rapes. Dakota deserves an award for turning in a very honest, innocent and beautiful performance. The visual look is also lovely and Kampmeier certainly knows the world of the south well.

RYAN SEASHORE on LOW AND BEHOLD: This was a small movie, made on a micro budget, set in post Katrina Louisiana. They storyline was thin and the acting was mediocre. Putting this aside, it's a movie worth seeing, if only to educate on the current situation. The film inter-cuts interviews of actual survivors recounting their experiences with the narrative portions of the film. The ravished neighborhoods of Louisiana are compelling set pieces.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on THE GOOD LIFE: I had to walk out of this Sundance 101 overly pretentious film. Poor beautiful Zooey Deschanel was stuck saying such monotone lines as "I don't want to talk about anyone's life anymore. I just want to live ours."

The bland physical and emotional landscape only confirmed that the director Steve Berra loved every over indulgent moment and used the voice over narrative to try to keep us interested. Ugh.

GARRICK DION on DEDICATED: Great cast. Horrible movie. Painfully, annoyingly "quirky", I'm sad to say. And the cast is utterly wasted...Billy Crudup tries very hard, but I hated his character. Mandy Moore's quite good too, but again, I didn't care about these characters or this movie - very contrived, I felt, and the entire movie just tries way too hard. Justin Theroux is a far more interesting/promising actor than he is a director (though his choices of locations were fantastic - very unique). Otherwise, I could not wait for this one to end.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING: The filmmaker made a lovely film honoring the Upper West Side intellectual scene. Lili Taylor delivered a lovely performance as a single sexy forty year-old creative woman. Frank Langella is a lovely actor but I found him miscast and not frail enough physically to play a man with a stroke.

JEN RUDIN PEARSON on JOSHUA: A creepy thriller featuring commanding performances by Sam Rockwell and Vera Farmiga. This movie will make you think twice before having a baby. Nicely shot in Manhattan and Brooklyn, accompanied by an eerie score to keep you at the edge of your seat.

TAMARA KRINSKY onFINISHING THE GAME: After the intensity of seeing FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO earlier in the morning, this lighthearted spoof was the perfect movie with which to let out some tension via laughter. A martial arts comedy set in the 1970s, the film is about the search to find “the new Bruce Lee” after he dies unexpectedly at the age of 32, leaving 12 minutes of footage for THE GAME OF DEATH, his passion project. The studio is determined to find Lee’s replacement so that they can capitalize on his celebrity and finish the film.

Director Justin Lin skillfully takes aim at racial stereotypes and the ridiculous nature of the film biz, mocking everyone from studio execs to the diligent Asian med student. Lin’s actors, many of whom he has previously worked with, inhabit the world he has created perfectly. Among others, there’s Roger Fan as “Breeze Loo”, the B-movie star who doesn’t do his own stunts; Meredith Scott Lynn as casting director “Eloise Gazdag” who seems to be channeling Barbara Streisand in MEET THE FOCKERS; and Sung Kang as “Cole Kim” the over-eager “serious” actor vying for the part. The costume design adds a wonderful visual element to the piece, and I take my hat off to all who had to don the Bruce Lee-esque jumpsuits.

[SIDEBAR: I ended up sitting next to Michelle Mastrorio, the on set extras coordinator/nude casting director. Yes, you heard me correctly. Nude casting director. There is a scene that features an abundance of nekkid folk and someone did actually have to cast it. Michelle told me that getting the men for the scene was no problem, but finding actresses who wanted to take part sans clothing was very difficult. At the last minute, several of those who had been cast backed out, and she had to quickly recruit some porn performers, one of whom then asked Michelle to manage her! Good thing everyone wants to be a star.]

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Filmmaker Crispin Glover discusses his film "It is fine! EVERYTHING IS FINE," filmmakers share memorable Sundance moments, Jeff "The Dude" Dowd talks about the future of distribution, Anthony Kaufman reviews "Protagonist," and more.

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Actors Lou Taylor Pucci and Zooey Deschanel talk about their film, "The Go-Getter," "The Devil Came on Horseback" Filmmaker Annie Sundberg chats with "This American Life" host Ira Glass about his new Showtime series, Anthony Kaufman reviews "The Pool," and more.

Flew back to Los Angeles yesterday, where I immediately came down with a cold I'd been suppressing for the past few days. I guess all that Airborne and Emergen-C that we stockpiled in our condo didn't do much good.

All in all, my first trip to Slamdance was a positive one. Our second screening looked and sounded much better than the first, thanks to a new projector which the Murder Party team helped secure. Thanks Murder Party! The house was packed and people laughed in the right places. But it was hot as hell in that room. Very very toasty. Here's a glimpse of what it looked like in there before the lights went down.

Other highlights from the week...

There was a big Asian/American presence in Park City this year -- apparently the biggest ever. And on Sunday the 21st, every Asian person in Utah gathered at the China Panda restaurant for a huge party.

At the buffet, while pouring myself some Hot and Sour Soup, I met Greg Chew, who is the Film Commissioner of San Francisco. He wants everyone to know that there are some new incentives to shoot in SF. Apparently the city is trying to lure you to shoot there instead of Canada. Btw, doesn't he look like the Asian Andy Warhol?

Continuing the Asian American presence in Park City...
Suzy Nakamura and I were on a panel along with Finishing the Game's Justin Lin and Sung Kang and some others titled "If we build it, will they come?" or something like that. We were supposed to be discussing trends and directions for Asian American cinema. I said it was exciting that I could make a film that wasn't explicitly Asian American (e.g. an ethnic coming of age story that is so common among first-time indie filmmakers) and still be on a panel like this. It's nice to know that Asian Americans would want to claim a zombie movie as one of their own. Now that's inclusion! Suzy and Sung kept the audience entertained with their stories from the acting trenches.

Visited the New Frontier on Main a few times, which was a good place to chill as it wasn't far from Slamdance HQ. I was intrigued by Shu Lea Cheang's mobiopera casting sessions. Another day, a couple of writers, Lance and Eric from SLUG MAGAZINE and I did an impromptu interview in one of the art installation rooms.

The rest of the week was a blur of screenings, parties, reconnections with old friends and meeting up with new acquaintances. Thanks to everyone at Slamdance for being great hosts -- especially Sarah, Drea, Dan, Peter and all the volunteers. To everybody who came out in support of AMERICAN ZOMBIE, thank you and we raise a glass of blue liquid to celebrate the end of the festival! See you at the next one!

(that's Co-writer Rebecca Sonnenshine and associate producer Jude Jung at the SXSW party).

Perhaps if I came to Park City with a feature I'd be jealous that my Slamdance screening wasn't packed with buyers, or that Variety, indieWIRE and the other trades weren't knocking down my door in early January to profile me before the festival. But since I was there with a short that I wasn't actively trying to sell, I didn't need to make sure that Weinstein Company exec made it my screening. I just wanted a good, smart audience to see the movie. And that's exactly what happened. Both showings of film -- which played before the very entertaining Crime Fiction -- were sold out, and as far as I could tell, the audience seemed to like my movie. So I have to give my most sincere thanks to the Slamdance team -- most notably Sarah Diamond and John Stoddard -- who have really gotten behind me over the past few months. Along with programming my short, Lola, they also gave Frank & Lola, my feature-length script on which Lola is based, an honorable mention finalist prize in their Screenplay Competition. And despite a staff that probably has fewer totals members than the volunteer corps at Sundace, the Slamdance folk treated me and, I'm sure, every other filmmaker in the festival, with all the attention we could ever have wanted. Other good things: a very cool, unpretentious opening-night party at some underground dive bar, and a free pair of Doc Martens (which I haven't worn since Seventh Grade but worked wonders in the Utah permafrost). Slamdance also kicked Sundance's ass in the annual sled-off, and only one person had to go to the hospital.

I have nothing but positive things to report about Slamdance and everyone who helps make it happen. I'm not saying that because they accepted my film -- if I was wasn't happy with my screening went down, I just wouldn't write anything about it. Sure, the folding chairs at Slamdance's Treasure Mountain Inn are low-rent compared to the high-tech Eccles. And yes, the Slamdance gets much less attention than Sundance, from buyers and media alike. Let's face it: most, if not all, of the films that are selected to Slamdance didn't make the cut at Sundance. But I think it's important to remember something: as great as the Sundance programmers may be (and they really are a terrific group), they are not infallible in their taste. In other words, to think that the Slamdance titles are categorically worse than the Sundance films is absurd. Any journalist or industryite who has suffered through their share of Sundance lemons can attest to this. This year, arguably the best-reviewed film during the early days of Park City was a Slamdance title: Allan Moyle's Weirdsville. So there.

On my way home from Park City in 2005 (I was covering it for Filmmaker magazine), I made a promise to myself never to go back again unless one of my films was playing there. Thank god I kept it. For a journalist (which I used to be, full-time), the festival is exhausting -- 4-6 films a day, intercut with parties, lunches, interviews, and late nights at the same places, night after night. If you're responsible for daily print or Web reports, you have to find the time, the energy, and the concentration to write during the chaos. But at least journalists -- serious film journalists, that is -- deserve to be put on the good side of the fence. The other side -- the one Redford and everyone in the film community constantly complains about is made of the following: tabloid reporters, corporate execs and their assistants who descend on the "branding opportunity" that is Park City in January, paparazzi (the sheer number of shlumpy dudes with telephoto lenses prowling up and down Main Street was horrifying), celebrities who have nothing to do with any film that's screening at the Park City Festivals, the rabid fans following around the aforementioned celebrities, and of course, the horndogs. These are the losers who get rejected from cheesy clubs in New York and L.A. because they travel in packs of five guys or more. And now it seems they've decided that if they spend a few nights in Park City, they'll get a chance to recreate the Entourage episode where Drama and Turtle cross swords. My favorite sight so far was seeing five budget models in matching Juicy Couture gear huddled together on Main Street while imploring passersby to shell out some coin for pink velour. Even the horndogs ignored them.

The only disappointing part about Slamdance/Sundance for Team "Off The Grid" is that we've been so busy that we've barely seen any movies! I know! Don't you feel sooo bad for us?! Luckily, in the last few days we have caught a couple screenings and we want to give a whole lotta love to the few films we've been fortunate enough to watch.

"Red Without Blue" - Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills and Todd Sills (pictured below) made this emotional documentary that explores the complex relationship between two twins, one of whom decides to transition from male to female. The filmmakers treat their subjects with the utmost respect, and it really comes across on screen. The most fascinating aspect of the film is how the twins' relationship really effects their immediate family, especially their parents, who come across as truly three dimensional characters, coping with a difficult situation, mourning the "loss" of a son, and trying to move on.

Also, Arturo Cabanas' 11 minute short, "Man Up" about a difficult father/son relationship, screened before "Red without Blue." It was quite provocative. The ex-military father trains his son to either be an olympic wrestler or an elite U.S. soldier. The father's techniques border, in our opinion, on abusive. Arturo has a great short that has an enormous amount of potential to be turned into a captivatingfeature.

"Ganja Queen" - Director Janine Hosking and Producer Robin Eastwood, pictured below with Team OTG, made a riveting and heartbreaking documentary about a 27 year old woman by the name of Schapelle Corby from Australia, who took a holiday in Bali, Indonesia and was charged with smuggling an enormous amount of marijuana in her boogie board bag. In Indonesia if you are caught smuggling marijuana you can be sentenced to death by firing squad. Her innocence is obvious, at least to us. However, all odds are against her. She is faced with a corrupt judicial system and tampering of evidence. This film gave us nightmares. If you didn't get a chance to watch it her, check it out on HBO.

Our roommate during Slamdance was Arturo Perez Torres, who made a fun political documentary called "Super Amigos." The film follows a new breed of urban superheroes who take on evil slumlords, corrupt politicians, pollution, animal and gay rights on the streets of Mexico City. Arturo used some amazing retro animation to illustrate the kitchty aspect of his subjects: Super-Gay, Super-Ecologista, Super Barrio and Super-Animal and their identity as Mexico City's last salvation.

"On a Tightrope" is an moving, verite-style documentary that tells the story of a group of Muslim children living in the rural northwest of China. Because they are not officially permitted to practice religion by the Chinese government, many turn to tightrope walking because it was brought to the area by their muslim ancestors. The film is beautifully shot and edited, and it uses the metaphor of the tightrope to make a political statement about freedom of religion in a rapidly changing communist country. It's a touching film that deserves to be seen. So, if you have the opportunity, definitely check it out.

A couple more days in Park City and then we're heading back to New York City. We're hoping to see at least two more docs while we're out here. Any suggestions? What have you seen and loved?

A day in the life of Park City, Sundance Style, as reported on by myself and guest bloggers Amotz Zakai, Garrick Dion, Ryan Seashore and Sheri Fults.

Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com: SEE. SHOW. SHARE.
Documentary magazine

GETTING HERE
RYAN: My alarm went off at 4am; begrudgingly I woke up. I made it to the airport with plenty of time to catch my flight at 6:10am. As I sat and waited to board, I watched as Hollywood was ever present at 5:30am. Some people were working on laptops, others on cell phones. People! Who do you really need to speak with at 5:30am!!! Flight went smooth; I passed out before take off. Three hours of sleep will do that to you.

Five of the last six Sundance’s, I have attended opening weekend. Every year I become more and more frustrated with the crowds. This year I decided to fly out on Sunday and hopefully miss them.

Ok, I was supposed to do a proper real-time report about what I went through at Park City with my short, Lola, which screened at Slamdance. But I'm already home. And it's not because I'm lazy or took a great opportunity from the indieWIRE team lightly, I swear. There were technical difficulties, and other factors which I'll explain later. But I'm going to try to make it up to iW and whoever else might care by posting a bunch of entries before the festival ends and this blog becomes obsolete. First, a brief intro to my short. We shot it last year in a couple of days on Super 16mm and next to no cash. But thanks to a lot of favors, a great cast and crew, and much luck, we got it in the can, and I'm proud of it. Here's a link to the film's official site and here's our MySpace page. And that's me.

More to come soon.

Most people think of Discovery Networks as a huge corporation spanning the globe...which is true...but what many don't realize is that nestled inside the Discovery juggernaut is Discovery Films, the theatrical documentary division. They've been involved with high profile films like Grizzly Man and The Killer Within, and are at Sundance this year with In The Shadow of the Moon, playing in the World Documentary Competition [Note: the film was picked up at the fest for North American distribution by ThinkFilm].

iklipz sat down with Billy Campbell (President, Discovery Networks, US), Carol Tomko (EVP, Production, Discovery Networks) and Andrea Meditch (Exec. Prod, Discovery Films) for a chat about good storytelling, the kind of projects they want to work on and how indie filmmakers should approach the company.

COMING SOON: iklipz talks with IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON director David Sington and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

The second screening of our film "Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa" was on Monday. We weren't as nervous as the first time, and it went great. People seem to really be responding to the film the way we hoped they would, so we're very happy about it.

Who needs movies...over at The Daily Reel, self-proclaimed "internet celebrities" Dallas Penn and Rafi Kam weigh in on the star side of Sundance, looking for famous people on Main St. Earlier this week, the went out in search of swag, and in their first report wondered whether Sundance is "grown ass Spring break".

In the lastest State of Independent Film, Loren interviews "Waitress" Actors Keri Russell and Jeremy Sisto.

Scott Bieben send along the following information about a rally in Park City on Thursday...

FILMMAKERS RALLY AGAINST WAR + TROOP SURGE AT THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - THU JAN 25

No more chances for Bush.

When: Thursday January 25th, 12 noon sharp

Where: Intersection of Main Street and Heber Avenue - Park City, UT

Following President Bush's STATE OF THE UNION address, a group of filmmakers have organized a rally at the Sundance Film Festival against the war and troop surge in Iraq in solidarity with the upcoming national protests this coming weekend. Filmmakers, actors, and local residents will participate at the intersection of Main Street and Heber Avenue in Park City, UT. Filmmakers including Brett Morgen (director of Chicago 10) and other special guests are expected.

Hubbel wrote and stars in a film I directed, AMERICAN FORK, screening at this year's Slamdance.

It's a story about a grocery clerk who's convinced he's destined for greatness, and the people around him (Billy Baldwin, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Kathleen Quinlan among them) who try to prove him wrong.

CB: You've done a fair share of local interviews to promote AMERICAN FORK.
HP: Yeah.
CB: Do you enjoy them?
HP: They're a necessary evil.
CB: What's the most uncomfortable question you've been asked?
HP: One guy tried to push me into saying that I'm miserable as a fat person.
CB: Are you?
HP: No, man. Life isn't optimal when you're carrying around extra weight, but I really get a lot out of life. Look, everybody's got things they want to improve; when you’re obese, it's just obvious what you need to work on.
CB: But you're happy.
HP: I eat what I want. I get more done in a day than people who spend hours exercising. I'd rather be a positive go-getter who's overweight than a skinny loser. The [name deleted] of the world who mope around and wait for things to happen.
CB: Yeah, you're better than [name deleted].
HP: You bet I am.
CB: So what's been the best part of the festival?
HP: Well, the overwhelmingly positive response to the film. But the whole experience has been cool, just hangin' out with my bros, birdoggin' celebs. I've spotted Winona Ryder. Heather Graham. Tim Hutton. The food's been great: El Chubasco, Red Banjo Pizza, The Taco Maker.
CB: You've got two more days in Park City. Plans?
HP: I wanna ride the ski lift up the mountain. See a rad movie or two. I wanna connect with people, you know? Payin' compliments, receivin' them. Hobnobbing with my peers.

Palmer drifts off to sleep on the couch.

Not knowing what to expect...the festival has gone well so far. Had our Press and INdustry screening yesterday. A few things have come up about it already.

ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
Eddie Rouse, who plays Nixon in the film, is going to be interviewed by ACCESS HOLLYWOOD this afternoon. It should be on TV some time this weekend. Eddie's an amazing actor. Besides his performance in LOW AND BEHOLD, you can see him in two great supporting roles in David Gordon Green's GEORGE WASHINGTON and UNDERTOW.

CNN
We've also been getting a ton of calls from friends who saw Barlow Jacobs and I on CNN. We were interviewed last week in New Orleans at some of the locations where we filmed. Hopefully the interview will end up on cnn.com. We'll see.

Other than that, we're just getting ready for our next screening - Thursday 5:30pm at the Library. Met Lynne Ramsay last night who's in town judging the World Dramatic competition. We invited her and her sister to our screening. Would be great for someone whose work we've all admired from afar to come see our film.

more later.
--zg

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Director David Gordon Green
chats about his latest film, "Snow Angels," Reece Daniel Thompson and Anna Kendrick talk about their lead roles in "Rocket Science," Anthony Kaufman reviews "Grace is Gone," and more.

Fox Searchlight Executive Stephanie Allen, sits down with "The Savages" director Tamara Jenkins, and talks about the experience of having her movie premiere at Sundance.

Interviews with the cast, directors and producer of The Signal (Midnight section), which explores what happens when every cell phone, radio and television suddenly begins broadcasting the same mysterious signal over and over, with chaotic results.

For more video coverage of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, click here.

Saturday’s Sundance adventures, featuring contributions from iklipz.com VP of Content and Acquisitions Seth Nagel, literary manager Sheri Fults of Elysian Entertainment and Echo Lake Productions VP Amotz Zakai.

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Actress Parker Posey and Director Zoe Cassavetes chat about their Sundance film, "Broken English," Director Martin O'Brien talks about biodiesel, Anthony Kaufman reviews "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," and more.

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Filmmaker Gregg Araki talks about his Sundance film, "Smiley Face," Mia Farrow speaks out at "The Devil Came on Horseback" press conference, musician Alexi Murdoch performs at the Music Cafe, Anthony Kaufman reviews "Rocket Science," and more.

Brad Gilmore, casting director of Justin Lin’s Finishing the Game and actor/comedian Michael Ziegfeld, co-starring in David Wain’s The Ten, share more of their experiences of coming to Sundance with a film.

BRAD GILMORE: Finishing the Game premieres
Finishing the Game premiered last night ... the whole scene (including the pre-party) was a blast. A camera crew interviewed all of us beforehand and the audience’s reaction to the movie was very positive. At the Q&A afterwards, the audience started cheering (louder and louder). They even forced MC Hammer (through chants of "Too Legit") to get up and speak. Justin Lin, the director, told us how he wouldn't be there had MC not given him money (at a crucial moment) to make Better Luck Tomorrow.

The cast of Finishing the Game

MICHAEL ZIEGFELD: My Final Night at Sundance
After a day of chillin’ with the boys and watchin’ the game, we all headed over to the premiere party for our film [The Ten]. It was the most anticipated party and security was tight. But after walking the carpet and chatting it up with everyone from Premiere Magazine to Animal Planet, we move to a private lounge overseeing the entire party where after all was said and done, we just played !

Michael Ziegfeld, Sam Rockwell & Paul Rudd giving the "sexy face"!

Music by New York’s spinmaster, Mr. Blue, walk-in friends of the cast like SNL’s Rachel Dratch & film actor Sam Rockwell. But the highlight of the evening was a surprise appearance AND performance by orthodox reggae/rapper , Matis Yahu, who was sold out Friday night and was now rocking the friggin house.

The talk is The Ten has several studios bidding for it now.

I have never seen cast AND crew care so much for a project to come and support ! This was all amazing. Thank you!

For more about Michael: www.MichaelZiegfeld.com

One screening down, one to go. I'm still recovering from our world premiere of AMERICAN ZOMBIE at Slamdance on Saturday. The screening was sold out on the first day of the festival and the wait list was pretty long that day. Sorry to everyone who couldn't get in. Hope the cookies we passed out were a small consolation.

Here's a shot of the main cast before the screening.

The audience was great -- they really seemed to get the movie and were troopers, after a couple of nervewracking technical problems. While they were fixing the sound, Austin Basis, who plays Ivan, started passing out one of his Slamdance special edition 'zines and people went apeshit. People have been coming up to him at the festival, asking for more copies of that thing. Now I want him to do a special edition for every festival.

This morning, a friend of mine from Chicago sent me a link to Andrew O' Hehir's review in Salon. I think he got the movie.

The last couple of days have just been more free finger foods. More parties. I have a collection of knit caps from: A&E Indiefilms, SmartWater, Mobi Opera, SagIndie. Plus a bunch of mints. And skin care products.

I pretty much gave up on putting up posters and have resorted to being a moving bulletin board. Nice tape job, huh?

Luckily when it gets to be too cold, we can sneak into the Chasing Ghosts arcade and play a free game of Centipede!

Next screening is on Wednesday at 6pm...at the Treasure Mountain Inn. To be continued.

Hello...
The film I directed - LOW AND BEHOLD - premiered last night at the Prospector. It was a thrill to see this film with an audience, the largest audience with which I've ever watched one of my own films. Nerve-racking at first, but people seemed to get into it, which eased the tension. Had a good Q&A - Actor Eddie Rouse blew everyone away with his beautiful response to a very tough question asked of him. Who knew Eddie Rouse could wax so eloquent? The man is full of surprises.
--zack

(I would like to upload a picture but I am having trouble uploading this morning. Each time I press UPLOAD, nothing happens...oh well.)

In the latest issue of The State of Independent Film, Loren catches up with Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman at the Sundance world premiere of Fox Searchlight's "Savages."

My buddy Greg stumbles off the escalator at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

LOW AND BEHOLD premieres tonight at the Prospector Theater at 5:30 just after the Saints game. Hope you can check it out.
--z

In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Slamdance Co-Founder Dan Mirvish, President and Co-founder Peter Baxter, and other Slamdancers talks about what makes their festival special, indieWIRE writer Anthony Kaufman reviews "Weapons," iPOP hits Friday night's parties, and more.

In of my more bizarre Sundance moments, I interviewed Dustin Diamond, aka "Screech" from Saved By the Bell, about his "Schwag-a-thon" competition with Gary Coleman.

I have not seen Coleman thus far at the festival to confirm that this competition actually exists.

For more Sundance video goodies, click here.

Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com
DOCUMENTARY magazine

SXSW producer Matt Dentler gives a preview of his fest's programming, SIFF vets dole out tips on surviving the week and DJ Spooky talks about his ReBirth of a Nation project and the concept of "Director as DJ."

For more Sundance video goodies, click here.

Tamara Krinsky
www.iklipz.com
DOCUMENTARY magazine

Here are some pics of the Chasing Ghosts Arcade at 333 Main Street. All games are set to free play. Stop by and see us!

Two years ago we started shooting "Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa" (visit www.myspace.com/offthegridmovie) in a the middle of the desert in New Mexico. We followed a fringe community of teenage runaways, drifters and Gulf War vets who form a loose-knit community with no running water, no electricity, and no police, but whole lot of guns! And now we're here in Park City. It's a pretty strange juxtaposition.

We worked right up to the last possible second, putting the finishing touches on the film. Of course, we had the inevitable mini-nervous breakdown ("Is our film one frame out of SYNC!? Or are we totally delerious?...ANSWER: We're totally delerious)

When we got to Park City, our friends from New York immediately commenced postering duties, which we soon realized is kind of absurd in this town. RUTHLESS WE TELL YOU! It took about five minutes for all of our posters to get covered up...but we're still plugging away.

At the Slamdance opening night party, our number one poster aficianado and good friend, Rachel bonded with Allen Moyle, director of Weirdsville, Pump Up The Volume, and Empire Records, over their beautiful bald heads! Actually, there were a lot of bald beauties in the mix at the Slamdance party. The alopecias are on FIRE in 2007!

The next day we had our first Slamdance screening. We were so thrilled to see it projected on the big screen, with a wet audience. We wanted everything to be perfect. As the room started to fill up, we all got nervous and excited.

We sat in the back, praying that the film would be in sync, in focus, and get a great response.

No tomatoes were thrown at our heads! Success! We made it through our first screening and managed to survive. We took some excellent questions from the audience and then went to celebrate!

This morning we woke up to a call from Diana, our sales agent from Films Transit International with news that our film had been reviewed by John Anderson in Variety, and it was a great review. Our mother/consultant is kvelling back in New York.

Second day of the festival and we are finally able to post our first entry. Our first few hours in Park City were EPIC. Here is a summary of what happened at the crimescene:

We arrived in Salt Lake a couple of hours late after a delayed flight and had to rush to the house that we had lined up to drop off our stuff and get to a screening. I entered the code to the garage door and imagine our surprise when we found a garage full of cars. I called our contact for the house to see what was going on and she told me "Don't go in the house. I'll call the police right now." Apparantly someone had the code to the house and was living there rent free while the owner was out of town. When the police arrived they explained that they could not remove the person from the house. I'm not kidding.

So, for a few hours at least, eleven of us were homeless at Sundance. Luckily, the owner of the house hooked us up somewhere else.

We were able to get to our screening and then eventually set up the Chasing Ghosts Arcade on Main Street. Stop by to see us and play some of those old school arcade games from the early 80's. All games are set to play for free. Pictures to come.

-Mike and Lincoln

Thanks to guest bloggers Amotz Zakai (Echo Lake Productions) and Michael Ziegfeld (cast, THE TEN) for contributing to this report!

Tamara Krinsky
iklipz.com
DOCUMENTARY magazine

THE JOURNEY
TAMARA: It started with a 6:35am flight Friday morning.
Which meant my alarm went off at 3:45am Friday morning.
Which means that as I write this at 1:07am Saturday morning, I’m a bit delirious.

We landed. We checked into our suite at the Treasure Mountain Inn amidst all the Slamdancers. We ate hamburgers at 11:30am because our stomachs had lost all sense of time.

And then we were ready to begin.

AMOTZ: Delta didn't lose my bags thank god but the one hour twenty minute flight was delayed for three hours so it took a whole day to get to Park City. Delta has a party house on Main Street called The Delta Sky Lounge. You need to wait three hours outside in the cold to get in the party. Not!

SETTLING IN
MICHAEL Z: I’ve been pretty stressed since I got here. It’s a lot of things … am I going to miss out on anything? Will the film be ok? Will I come across well for my screen debut? Like most comedians, I have this self-deprecating thing thinking everyone is gonna figure out I’ve been faking it the whole time and don’t know what I’m doing. So I was anxious to break the Sundance hymen at our premiere tonight.

But like everyone else, the day began just trying to see a film or two. It’s near impossible. Sundance used to be about the little guy, his film vision and the people who support it. But now (as Redford has commented numerous times), the corporate world has infiltrated and made it something else.

But Main Street had a few companies hosting lounge socials and giving away samples of their products. Including one lounge promoting a healthy environment. I walked into the main room to find TV actor Ed Beglely Jr. riding a stationary bicycle to power up a stove or something! I thought maybe the elevation in Utah was finally kicking in and I was seeing things. But I digress…

THE SCENE
TAMARA: Kicked off the festival at the SXSW cocktail party, where we interviewed festival & conference producer Matt Dentler, hung out with the cast of THE SIGNAL, and had a bizarre festival moment with “Screech” from Saved by the Bell, who is apparently engaged in some sort of Schwag-a-thon with Gary Coleman. Video goodies to come.

AMOTZ: There is something new happening this year. The huge bouncers and the petite brunette publicists at the door to the parties now ask for your driver's license. In years past you mentioned your name or used the name of the boss of some mini-major and you got in. Sooner or later they will ask you to remove your shoes and take out your laptop to enter the Delta Sky Lounge party house at Sundance.

TAMARA: After SXSW, it was off to the PBS party where a spread of tortilla chips and lamb chops welcomed the non-fiction crowd. John Boland, the new Chief Content Officer of PBS gave a welcome speech to the enthusiastic crowd, pointing out several significant anniversaries: the 20th anniv of P.O.V., the 25th anniv of Sundance, and the 40th anniv of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which enabled creation of entities like PBS and NPR.

AMOTZ: The official Sundance International Filmmaker party asked for my identification. Inside was very little room as it took place at the Stella Artois Patio and it was good to see all the foreign peeps. Tried to speak to Joachim Trier who did the analytical film REPRISE but he was being approached by so many agents and managers that there was no room. Can't blame them as his film is good. Spoke to the director of ONCE which is really a musical but not in the conventional sense. What makes the movie even better is that the director is a nice and polite human being. But then the heat was getting to me so I had to leave.

The First Look Hollywood Life Party had models running around serving food and no vodka. So how does that work? You pay the model to come to Park City to become a waitress? Room and board and flight included? I couldn't find anyone at the party to ask that question. The food was good and it reinforces the idea that you don't need to pay for that $35 filet mignon. You can survive at the festival without paying for food or booze. Water may be sometimes hard to get for free.

THE PREMIERE: THE TEN
MICHAEL: Tonight after a cocktail hour with tons of people I had never met, we went to the theatre for the premiere [of David Wain’s THE TEN]. It’s hard for me to get that I was being included as one of the co-stars when they were moving me up to the tiny green room for a select few to be brought on stage prior to the film debut. It was myself, Adam Brody, Gretchen Moll, A.D. Miles, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino,Winona Ryder, Mather Zickel, Justin Theroux, and one or two other supporting cast. Winona and I reconnected and bonded incessantly, along with Justin and I talking a lot about his own film premiering this week.

Michael Ziegfeld, Justin Theroux, Cedric Sanders & Winona Ryder in the green room before the world premiere of "THE TEN".

Before taking us into the theatre with the public, director David Wain walked in to explain about the introductions and the Q & A after, but not before he told everyone how touched he was that we came to support him at this huge life moment. It was really nice. He’s so sweet.

I had been forewarned that the film had been running SO long that a ton of cuts were made. Although I think my work turned out ok and I had a few strong moments, I have decided that they need an awards category for “Best Actor in a DELETED SCENE”. I’d be IN!!!!! It was also a nice surprise to find out I was in not one but two of the vignettes of the film. During the Q & A, someone actually asked “Who performed the ventriloquist dummy?” David praised me and my work very generously.

FRIDAY WRAP UP
AMOTZ: Outside, platoons of young kids run around Main Street yelling and screaming. A pretty blonde girl in a green coat is yelling at a tall dude to stop cheating on her. A handsome guy wearing only a dress shirt and jeans instead of a large coat tries to speak on his cell phone without shiverin