Comments on: Sundance: Why Journalists Are Staying Home http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/ Daily coverage of what is truly interesting in the film world Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:41:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: The Chutry Experiment » Reinventing Film Festivals http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119709 The Chutry Experiment » Reinventing Film Festivals Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:26:36 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119709 [...] one post for Spout.com, Karina observes that a large number of journalists have decided to skip Sundance this year.  Many [...] [...] one post for Spout.com, Karina observes that a large number of journalists have decided to skip Sundance this year.  Many [...]

]]> By: Chris Jay http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119609 Chris Jay Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:00:12 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119609 AngryChicken - Sundance is this city where bus drivers can't hear it when you pull the "Stop Requested" cord. I'm here right now for an NPR affiliate station that covers four states, and I have to say I'm hitting some Slamdance screenings this year. I literally walked in, said "Can I interview the founder?" and he was there in about one minute. Their catalog is worth picking up and exploring. AngryChicken - Sundance is this city where bus drivers can’t hear it when you pull the “Stop Requested” cord. I’m here right now for an NPR affiliate station that covers four states, and I have to say I’m hitting some Slamdance screenings this year. I literally walked in, said “Can I interview the founder?” and he was there in about one minute. Their catalog is worth picking up and exploring.

]]> By: AngryChicken http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119596 AngryChicken Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:45:36 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119596 What's Sundance? What’s Sundance?

]]> By: Sundance Festival 2009 » Blog Archive » Festival Kickoff: Movies to Watch Out For http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119590 Sundance Festival 2009 » Blog Archive » Festival Kickoff: Movies to Watch Out For Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:19:47 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119590 [...] well, this year is all about laughing in spite of the economy. And because of the economy, a lot of journalists and moviegoers are going to stay home. And those who do come to Sundance, well, they just aren’t [...] [...] well, this year is all about laughing in spite of the economy. And because of the economy, a lot of journalists and moviegoers are going to stay home. And those who do come to Sundance, well, they just aren’t [...]

]]> By: Brandon Harris http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119587 Brandon Harris Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:56:18 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119587 sure. New York. sure. New York.

]]> By: john http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119543 john Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:33:02 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119543 Gonzalez - with you all the way - I am boycotting sundance because we need to oppose religions that oppress minorities. Including catholics and conservative jews that supported prop 8. Are there any film festival cities with with strong populations of orthodox Jews or Catholics we can boycott? Gonzalez - with you all the way - I am boycotting sundance because we need to oppose religions that oppress minorities. Including catholics and conservative jews that supported prop 8. Are there any film festival cities with with strong populations of orthodox Jews or Catholics we can boycott?

]]> By: Mark Schoneveld http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119539 Mark Schoneveld Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:37:16 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119539 And for those that want to catch the best documentaries a couple weeks after Sundance, they can always go to the always excellent and MUCH less expensive True/False Film Fest in Columbia, MO who's programming is fabulous and who's vibe is bar-none. I, for one, am not surprised about the lack of Sundance coverage. I, for one, have noted to myself that I've only heard a peep about the fest from one source. You. So thanks! And I'll be tuning in. And for those that want to catch the best documentaries a couple weeks after Sundance, they can always go to the always excellent and MUCH less expensive True/False Film Fest in Columbia, MO who’s programming is fabulous and who’s vibe is bar-none.

I, for one, am not surprised about the lack of Sundance coverage. I, for one, have noted to myself that I’ve only heard a peep about the fest from one source. You. So thanks! And I’ll be tuning in.

]]> By: Mike http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119536 Mike Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:46:14 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119536 The festival should be moved to MA, Canada, or CT. The festival should be moved to MA, Canada, or CT.

]]> By: Laremy http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119528 Laremy Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:57:09 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119528 I'm attending, but I think SXSW is far easier to cover. And I love the flow of SIFF, though I'm biased because I live in Seattle. So far as Sundance, whoever got the idea to throw 100,000 people from LA into snowy Park City was diabolical. Everyone on the staff tries their best to make things pleasant but it's occasionally unavoidable that big egos rule the day. Still, there are plenty of interesting angles to cover. And I like the pizza place off Main St. I’m attending, but I think SXSW is far easier to cover. And I love the flow of SIFF, though I’m biased because I live in Seattle.

So far as Sundance, whoever got the idea to throw 100,000 people from LA into snowy Park City was diabolical. Everyone on the staff tries their best to make things pleasant but it’s occasionally unavoidable that big egos rule the day.

Still, there are plenty of interesting angles to cover. And I like the pizza place off Main St.

]]> By: md'a http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119516 md'a Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:14:59 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119516 Just to be clear, I would certainly rather go than not go. It's a question of priority. I also had to skip Cannes last year for financial reasons (that's always been a self-funded trip for me, even when I was full-time at Time Out New York), and it just about killed me. I'm missing the Soderbergh! I'm missing the Dardennes! I'm missing the Reichardt! I'm missing the Martel! I'm missing the Kaufman debut! Whereas starting tomorrow, I'll just be vaguely thinking "I'm missing...something, maybe, I guess." Even the buzz isn't likely to affect me much since I rarely agree with the Sundance consensus–I walked out of both Ballast and Frozen River last year, and thought the best film in Comp was American Son, which has since dropped off the face of the earth. Just to be clear, I would certainly rather go than not go. It’s a question of priority. I also had to skip Cannes last year for financial reasons (that’s always been a self-funded trip for me, even when I was full-time at Time Out New York), and it just about killed me. I’m missing the Soderbergh! I’m missing the Dardennes! I’m missing the Reichardt! I’m missing the Martel! I’m missing the Kaufman debut! Whereas starting tomorrow, I’ll just be vaguely thinking “I’m missing…something, maybe, I guess.” Even the buzz isn’t likely to affect me much since I rarely agree with the Sundance consensus–I walked out of both Ballast and Frozen River last year, and thought the best film in Comp was American Son, which has since dropped off the face of the earth.

]]> By: Noel Murray http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119515 Noel Murray Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:04:01 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119515 I made my first Sundance trip last year and found it very disappointing. The accommodations were poor, getting around was a pain, and the movies I saw were either outright dire or things that I would've been fine with catching up with on DVD later in the year. That said, the volunteers were friendly and helpful, the press screenings were conveniently located, and there was free wi-fi nearly everywhere I went. And contra Ed Gonzalez, I actually think this year's line-up looks great. (In retrospect, last year's Sundance may have suffered because the whole year was down, movie-wise; I wasn't wild about what I saw in Toronto last year either.) So I'm excited about this year, and though I'll miss seeing some old friends, the prospect of less-crowded press screenings doesn't exactly sadden. I made my first Sundance trip last year and found it very disappointing. The accommodations were poor, getting around was a pain, and the movies I saw were either outright dire or things that I would’ve been fine with catching up with on DVD later in the year. That said, the volunteers were friendly and helpful, the press screenings were conveniently located, and there was free wi-fi nearly everywhere I went. And contra Ed Gonzalez, I actually think this year’s line-up looks great. (In retrospect, last year’s Sundance may have suffered because the whole year was down, movie-wise; I wasn’t wild about what I saw in Toronto last year either.) So I’m excited about this year, and though I’ll miss seeing some old friends, the prospect of less-crowded press screenings doesn’t exactly sadden.

]]> By: ThePlaylist http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119513 ThePlaylist Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:51:42 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119513 i guess by mumblecore i meant lo-rent american indie fare. it was broad strokes, i do realize that SXSW caters to those guys specifically (maybe the reason i don't go to SXSW either). And Karina, i hear you: If my trip was funded, i would definitely go. It would be silly not to, personal feelings about the festival and its line-up this year aside. i guess by mumblecore i meant lo-rent american indie fare. it was broad strokes, i do realize that SXSW caters to those guys specifically (maybe the reason i don’t go to SXSW either).

And Karina, i hear you: If my trip was funded, i would definitely go. It would be silly not to, personal feelings about the festival and its line-up this year aside.

]]> By: Christopher Campbell http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119512 Christopher Campbell Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:32:02 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119512 Mumblecore mistake aside, I understand what ThePlaylist means. I've only been once, self-financed, in 2005, and I was very disappointed with the majority of the 36 films I saw there. Still, I've very much missed the experience all the years since. Mumblecore mistake aside, I understand what ThePlaylist means. I’ve only been once, self-financed, in 2005, and I was very disappointed with the majority of the 36 films I saw there.

Still, I’ve very much missed the experience all the years since.

]]> By: anonymous2 http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119511 anonymous2 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:27:37 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119511 Since you're asking... I'm not going to be able to make it this year because I can't afford to use my vacation days so early in the year. Not that I've ever been to Sundance before, mostly for the same reason. I've considered it but it seems like it wouldn't be worth all the aggravation. This year definelty seems toned down which to me makes the trip more attractive and actually enjoyable. I am going to try and hit up Toronto. Since you’re asking… I’m not going to be able to make it this year because I can’t afford to use my vacation days so early in the year. Not that I’ve ever been to Sundance before, mostly for the same reason. I’ve considered it but it seems like it wouldn’t be worth all the aggravation. This year definelty seems toned down which to me makes the trip more attractive and actually enjoyable. I am going to try and hit up Toronto.

]]> By: Karina Longworth http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119509 Karina Longworth Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:08:19 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119509 I wanted to chime in on this not as the reporter of this article, but as a freelance journalist. I understand that I'm extremely lucky to be in a position where my trip is paid for, and as long as having it funded is an option I would never consider not going.There's a lot to dislike about the experience, and sometimes other festivals seem to pay off greater dividends on the effort-to-benefit scale, but if I wasn't able to afford to go I don't think I'd feel the relief that Lewis mentions above. I think I would miss it a lot. And ThePlaylist: to associate Sundance with "mumblecore" is a bit off the mark. That's SXSW :) I wanted to chime in on this not as the reporter of this article, but as a freelance journalist. I understand that I’m extremely lucky to be in a position where my trip is paid for, and as long as having it funded is an option I would never consider not going.There’s a lot to dislike about the experience, and sometimes other festivals seem to pay off greater dividends on the effort-to-benefit scale, but if I wasn’t able to afford to go I don’t think I’d feel the relief that Lewis mentions above. I think I would miss it a lot.

And ThePlaylist: to associate Sundance with “mumblecore” is a bit off the mark. That’s SXSW :)

]]> By: ThePlaylist http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/14/sundance-journalists-staying-home/#comment-119508 ThePlaylist Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:47:18 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/?p=9092#comment-119508 I'm with D'angelo, if I'm going on my own dime, i'm hitting TIFF or Cannes where the quality is much higher than the usual mumblecore fare. I’m with D’angelo, if I’m going on my own dime, i’m hitting TIFF or Cannes where the quality is much higher than the usual mumblecore fare.

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