This is how to do it folks, take notes, print this out, and go!
Eisner Jr. and Katzenberg Jr. here with another report from Sundance.
Eisner Jr. almost didn't make it. At the California/Nevada border we decided to ride the infamous Desperado roller-coaster where Eisner Jr. almost had a heart attack. The ride only takes a few minutes (all of which Eisner Jr. spent in fetal position.) All throughout Sundance, Eisner Jr. sported a bruise above the left eyebrow. Ugh, amateur!!
After a grueling 11 hours on the road Friday night (and winning 10 dollars in Vegas), we started out early on Saturday morning and here's what we found out about the Film Festival.
GETTING INTO SOLD OUT SCREENINGS
Option A) Wake up at 7:00 AM and go to the Sundance box office and wait in line which opens at 8:00 AM. We found that taking a 25 minute drive to the Trolley Square box office in SLC had very short lines.
Option B) Getting a wait-list ticket. This is like playing the green card lottery. It's hard but not impossible... We got into one screening using this method. People started lining up as soon as the line emptied for the previous screening.
GETTING INTO SOLD OUT SCREENING FOR FREE
Wait by the door where the audience enters the theatre. People with extra tickets will hold them up for the first person to take. Most of the time they don't want to be reimbursed.
GETTING A FREE MASSAGE AND MANICURE
Estee Lauder had a spa in one of the condos in Park City. It was set up for industry only and you had to have an appointment. We arrived 15 minutes early and were greeted by some warm spa personnel. They offered us food and wine. While Eisner Jr. was getting a manicure, Katzenburg Jr. got a massage. This place was also a great place to meet people. We met a manager for More-Meadavoy and two CAA agents. Also, We met Italy's answer to Brad Pitt - a very cute Razz somebody. You can relax by the fire after your appointment. When you leave, you get a gift box of products.
GETTING INTO PARTIES
This is a tough one. We were not on the list for any party. However, this did not stop us. Some people will be passing out tickets to these parties. Some events require a Sundance pass. You must get to these things early as lines form up and rarely move. To get in, you must look like you belong in that party. Dress like the agents, executives and talent are at the festival. When the door person says you are not on the list, tell him you are an agent of the next big thing, or an executive, or manager and surely there has been some mistake. When he rechecks the list, fake a greeting to an imaginary friend across the party and walk past. If you get into the middle of the crowd, you're in. Another idea is sneaking through the kitchen.
If all else fails and there's no way you can get passed the bull mastiff at the door, turn around and leave. But you must tell all your friends arriving, that you're actually leaving the party. Pretend that it was great, but you've got an even better party to go to, because you always get in to the cool parties.
What are these parties like? Well, invite everyone you know for a party inside your walk-in closet. Stuff them in tight and start a line outside with someone guarding the door. Play loud music, push each other around, and claim to be friends with Brad Pitt for an hour or so. Tadah! Instant Hollywood Party. We attended the following parties: Shooting Gallery, Happy, Texas, and Soundman (Gun's n Roses played). We were going to attend the CAA condo party, but AMG had already poached most of the guests.
OTHER COOL THINGS TO DO:
USSB had an tent set up where you could audition for their movie review
show, you got a Sundance neck warmer if you did it. WWW.GOTO.COM
GETTING A BOTTLE OF LIQUOR ON SUNDAY IN PARK CITY:
Tough luck! Utah State liquor laws are still in the 50's. You can go
to a bar, but can only get a drink if one of the members sponsors
you in. Another way to get a bottle of something, you could drive 30
minutes north to Wyoming and buy your heart's desire.
EATING IN PARK CITY:
Getting into restaurants requires planning but somehow we
managed to finagle our way in. Was it the crew jacket of a very
successful movie Eisner Jr. was wearing or the promotional sweater of
another equally successful movie that Katzenberg Jr. wore, we don't
know? But when we finally put our order in for food at Main Street
Pizza and Noodle(they do things very strangely in Utah...), Katzenberg
Jr. was about to have a Hollywood kaniption when his food took too long.
Sensing trouble, the attentive staff quickly refilled our pitcher of
beer for free...which we enjoyed whilst watching THE GOLDEN GLOBES.
A better way to eat is to go to dinner with agents and executives.
You'll never have to pay for dinner. We did this twice. Yum!
