The Sundance Film Festival is for all film fans - not just the glitterati

Escape.

To many of us it means downloading another NetFlix film.

There’s a much better option.

For 10 days out of the year, one can fly-in about the same amount of time it takes to see a movie-to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The next fest is set for Jan. 21-31, 2010.

This festival is Mecca for those who need films. Attendees ramble snow-covered streets, moving from venue to venue, watching film after film. They make friends, eat great food, and drink copious amounts of hot beverages. They laugh and cry amongst like-minded souls. Amidst ski lifts, world-class shopping and theater marquees, imaginations drink thirstily from the Muse.
Who goes?

For years, clips on tabloid TV have shown Hollywood elite trolling Park City’s snowy streets in $1,000 designer parkas and $3,000 Gucci booties promoting their indie films — in hopes of finding funding and distributors.

Many more stars-lovers, kids and sometimes designer-pets in tow-show up with hopes of finding the next big up-and-coming writer, producer, or director who will want to create a role where they will once again become larger than life. The hopeful swim  the crowds like leeches sniffing out the perfect host to attach themselves to.

Some are desperate; others are having fun-but no one goes to Sundance without wanting something.

What about you?

How does this scenario fit into your world? Would you be welcomed at exciting, star-studded events where you’d be rubbing cashmere-clad elbows with the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman? Could this be your reality?

“Movie lovers, not necessarily filmmakers, have been enjoying the festival for years,” said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism. “I have friends with as disparate backgrounds as oncology docs on the east coast to financial managers on the west coast who have come. One of the great things about standing in line waiting for a film are the conversations you strike up and friendships you can create with people from all over the world.”

Von der Esch was chairman of the Sundance Film Festival Committee from 1986 to 1995.

Can’t get enough

“I usually see three to five films a day,” said Constance Mortell of Colorado, of her annual whirlwind trips to Sundance. “We [she usually attends with a girlfriend or two) take the free shuttle buses; it's like riding around in a mobile café where everyone is talking about the last movie they saw - and they want to talk with you about what you just saw."

Mortell acknowledges that she's crazy-crazy about movies.

“I’m hooked (on Sundance),” she said. “I’ve never been anywhere where there are so many people talking about films and making such astute comparisons. It’s also unbelievable who’ll you’ll see there.

“Last year Billy Bob Thornton and Téa Leoni played in a band together-they rocked. I’ve seen Dennis Hopper, Robert De Niro, Woody Harrelson just hanging around. Bruce Willis and Michael Keaton were just sitting, chatting at Zoom, the restaurant that was opened in 1995 by Robert Redford, the Sundance founder. Hearing and meeting the people involved in the movies gives you incredible insight you wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Mortell, who started attending three years ago, says that newbies will fall into a groove once they learn their way around: “Underneath the layers of buzz, it’s a very friendly, casual place-and breathtakingly beautiful.”

“People need to prepare, though,” she added. “Anyone who hasn’t come before should know to layer-wear long silk underwear, and clothes impervious to cold and wet. And know that it could take more than an hour to get from one venue to the next on the shuttles.”

Hopes and dreams

Megan Meadows started dabbling in screenwriting in 2001, and took it as a sign when her Rancho Bernardo home burned to the ground in the Witch Fire-and all that survived was a copy of her still readable, charred screenplay.

She began networking at the San Diego Film Festival- and will be at Sundance.

“I think I should see this from the ground level where there are lots of films being screened and successful people doing what I want to do,” Meadows said.  “I’m infatuated with the art of storytelling. Bringing a story to life through film takes talent-and I want to meet that talent. I want to become that talent.

“This will be my first time at Sundance, so I’m not exactly sure what to expect,”  she added. “I hope to be inspired. If I’m lucky, it’ll fill my creative engine up with fuel. I’m putting a lot of money out during a crummy economy, but I’m willing to take the risk. I want to hear what these people have to say about why and how they made their movies. I want to know everything.”

Other stuff to do

There are plenty of things to do between shows in Park City-well known for its ski lodges and winter sports. Save your boarding pass to get a free lift ticket on the day you arrive in Park City.

Or spend $200 to rush down the Olympic bobsled track at Olympic Park. The sleds speed along at more than 80 mph and pull close to 5 G’s of force. Admission is free to Utah Olympic Park.

Spas are everywhere in Park City, and walk-ins are welcome. Leave your cell number, and they’ll call when they’re ready for you. In the meantime, shop ’til you drop and enjoy lunch with new friends.

Who knows, maybe you’ll end up as a character in someone’s next script, becoming best friends with some eclectic indie producer bound for fame, or even inspired enough to break into the business yourself - and, maybe, just maybe, if all goes well, you’ll get hooked on the festival and meet up with your new movie friends next year.

Sally Richards is a freelance journalist, screenwriter and six-time attendee at the Sundance Film Festival. She heads the Meetup group Go,Be,Write Screenwriting.

IF YOU GO

Getting there: If you’re up for trading in that couch in front of the big screen, for a coach seat, know that JetBlue and Delta offer nonstop flights to Salt Lake City. Southwest can get you there, but it’ll require a stop and most likely a change of planes.  Book a shuttle from the airport to Park City. Doug Park, dispatcher at UTEAirport transportation cab says he’ll up to five people in his cars or vans for $70-$80 (sans gratuity) each way. They’re really great about keeping the roads plowed - and it’ll usually take about 30 to 45 minutes to get to Park City. If you haven’t booked in advance, it’s usually easy to find a cab at the airport.  Check Salt Lake City page for more options.

Don’t bother renting a car; parking is impossible at Sundance - and free shuttles will get you where you want to go.

Staying there: It’s a little late in the game, but not impossible, to find a room at one of the timeshares or lodges during Sundance, but you’d better bring a friend, as the room will set you back anywhere from $250 to $2K per night.  Check out options on the Sundance Festival lodging page and on Craig’s List.

Other options include nearby Dakota Mountain Lodge and The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort, which is opening in November, as well as the Escala Lodges.

Sundance Film Fest info: Check out ticket options at the Sundance festival site.  Those who have not already registered for the festival, can buy starting Nov. 3. Log on first thing that morning (like at midnight). Passes include two badges for the awards party — and you can split the movie and panel tickets (and the cost) with a friend. Pass prices start at $300 for film school students. For help deciding what you’ll need, talk to a festival customer service agent at (435) 776-7878.

Individual movie tickets cost $15 at the door, or $16, if you buy online.Check out the rules for individual ticket sales.

Sundance Festival Links:

General information

Shuttles & parking

Festival headquarters

See festival movie clips before you choose your schedule - last year’s movies are up, 2010 will be up in December .

Watch videos of fun and games at last year’s festival.

Other stuff to do: If you’re interested in extreme fun at Utah Olympic Park, you’ll need to register in advance.

Check out Park City’s Visitor Info site and plug those numbers for spas and restaurants so you can make reservations on the fly.

Consider a visit to nearby Heber Valley.

Check out the Heber Valley Railroad.

Get information about Salt Lake City.

Go tubing on Utah’s longest lanes.

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