Fantastic (and inspiring, if you dig) article by Chris O'Falt of Indiewire - That last line, especially, is "pin to the wall" worthy.
https://www.indiewire.com/2018/11/sundance-film-festival-tough-odds-indi......
Expand postJoseph Deegan's Lounge Discussions
Founder and CEO at Stage 32 ♦ Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
6 years ago
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That means they are watching only the first 2 minutes of every film. No wonder Blue Ruin didn't get in. haha
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I've been to Sundance (alas, none of my WORK has) and agree the parties are horrible - except for the music. In line, on the bus, and at the Filmmaker Lodge is where I've met people and learned the most.
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M.L. As a film reviewer/judge, let me assure you that a dud is easy to spot within the first couple of minutes and if it opens that badly - it goes in the trash bin. If it makes it through the first s...
Expand commentM.L. As a film reviewer/judge, let me assure you that a dud is easy to spot within the first couple of minutes and if it opens that badly - it goes in the trash bin. If it makes it through the first screening, it goes into a recycle bin for the next reviewer. At any point in the process, it can wind up in the trash. A few films make it through a dozen or more screenings before they are slated for inclusion into the public screening and even then multiple screeners must agree. I've never been a screener for Sundance but I'd bet they use a similar process. In the end, every film fitted into the festival schedule has been viewed all the way through many times.
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Doug Nelson I don't think people would be as quick to pay a $65 submission fee knowing that they had a very small chance of their film being viewed passed the 2 minute mark. Blue Ruin is the best exam...
Expand commentDoug Nelson I don't think people would be as quick to pay a $65 submission fee knowing that they had a very small chance of their film being viewed passed the 2 minute mark. Blue Ruin is the best example I can think of cause the film is absolutely brilliant but it has a SUPER slow opening. Rejected by Sundance, but then Premiered at Cannes and was nominated for a John Cassavetes award at Independent Spirit Awards. My point is that if you pay a $65 fee, someone should spend the time to actually watch the film. Otherwise all entries should be free. Then only the finalists would pay a fee to have their work looked at more closely. If it's free, I don't care if someone watches a minute and tosses it. But at $65, you've paid someone for an honest look. If they won't watch it, that is fraud. No other word for it and that's why anyone with experience knows it's a scam and wouldn't bother. It's really just a tax on new and bad filmmakers.
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RB! Where's the Stage 32 meetup in Park City? What date? I'm there January 26-28. Do we need to register ahead of time? Get on a guest list? Let's shake a chicken and make it happen!