So, I’ve been to Sundance something like 8 times. Once, while a student, once with a movie premiering, and 6 times with SAGIndie. Going as a student sucks. No one knows you or cares. You can’t get in to any parties and you become keenly aware that you are, in fact, nobody. Going to Sundance with a movie ROCKS! We even threw a party that was so crowded, we almost didn’t get in. And I got to pretend to be big [curse word removed] because one of the stars of our movie acted as if he knew me in public. My sister doesn’t even do that.
Now, I come to Sundance with SAGIndie. It’s not bad. We don’t get to go to the gifting suites – oh well. We aren’t that interested in the parties because we work so hard during the day (and we can’t get in, but I’m sure that’s not it). I know a lot of people from my many years “in the biz” and it’s always fun to see everyone and to get to hang out and watch movies together. I also enjoy the occasional good meal and cocktail. BUT, this year marked something new in my Sundance experience – the non Sundance. Believe me, I don’t recommend it.
This year, I brought my infant son to Sundance. What?! I couldn’t leave him behind, he’s an infant (and my husband threatened to leave me if I didn’t take him). But as my life would have it, my son became ill almost instantly. We’re talking 100 degree temperature, listless and just plain sad looking – on a 6 month old. Heartbreaking. So I spent my 7 days stuck in a condo, with a sick baby, watching bad Utah daytime television (yes, it’s worse than Los Angeles daytime television). Four days in a row I had to work. Four days in a row I spoke on panels and threw brunches for the actors and filmmakers in Sundance. And as soon as I was finished, I took my child from whosever arms he was in (the arms varied, but I generally knew the people attached to them. Don’t worry), and went back to my condo. Movies? I vaguely heard there were some playing. I wouldn’t know, but I can tell you that Oprah’s new year programming is FASCINATING. Actually, I have to confess. My son’s temperature broke on Monday and Monday afternoon I was off to see my ONE movie while my son kept a friend busy. The movie was BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN. Nice acting, average film.
So that was Sundance from the inside of my condo. All I want to know is, does BYU NEED its own channel? I think not.
