South by Southwest 2000

WWW.FILETHIRTEEN.COM

Pages Designed By:

All contents of www.filethirteen.com are the property of the webmaster and the author of filethirteen.com and cannot be reproduced, copied, distributed, quoted or in any other way used without our written consent. For more details please e-mail us at lodger@filethirteen.com Links to the site are appreciated and do not require permission. Informing us of your link to our site may result in gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Brought to you in part by:

SXSW - Day One, Friday, 3/10/2000

I arrived at the Austin Convention Center, down on 1st Street (AKA Cesar Chavez) and parked a block away on Trinity. The Convention Center is new looking and monstrously large from outside. It is even more daunting from within. When was this thing built? There is a walk of fame on the skirt of the building and stars for Nolan Ryan and Lady Bird Johnson can be trod upon.

The inside is huge, carpeted everywhere, new looking and oh so typical. It has no style, no pizzazz. It is stuffy, austere, boring, lifeless, and overtly corporate. It is beautiful in a clean and new sort of way. There is a lot of glass and some grand views of the surroundings. But, in it's own way, the ACC is one of the most bland, muted and lame spaces to be imagined. It's like a library - or a museum. Not very hopeful surroundings for a film festival.

There were only a few people milling about. So I looked around a bit. Most people had badges but no one seemed to ask for mine when I went into the filmmaker's lounge. Anteye was inside showing shorts. And those people who make the cigarettes that have the Native American look to them had a booth too. A lot of pretentious looking people were roaming here and there. Actually, the place seemed like an alt_rock morgue. There was no excitement, nothing interesting, no buzz in the air. Perhaps it is too early. Regardless, it seems like a very sharp and dramatic counterpoint to arriving at Slamdance just 6 weeks ago.

I had went to the ACC to screen films for two reasons. One - the films there seemed the most interesting of the night's offerings. And two - there would be a better chance of getting into a screening here as the theater space is larger.

There was, at least, a bit of the unorganized gloriousness of a film festival when one of the volunteers, an older lady, chatted away about how she didn't have any tickets or anything. She was a chatterbox. Finally the house manager came and calmed her down and told us they would be seating in a few minutes. I asked her how many seats were in the theater and she told me 614. I assumed I would have no problem fighting the other 12 people waiting to get a primo seat.

Finally, we were allowed to enter. A cute little college boy in knee pants the most curious socks I have ever seen counted us and gave us Audience Award ballots as we entered. His shirt had the radiation symbol on the back. He was, well, adorable. But alas, there was no time to cruise, I had a job to do, the delicate assignment of a film critic.

The theater space has several convention center type chairs. They aren't hard; They are slightly upholstered and there were lots of them. Tonight it was comfy. In a packed house, it will be miserable. The A/C was pumping too.

We waited quite a while for the film to start. I think it started around 10 minutes late, I forgot my watch. There was a lot of door slamming and discussions between Festival workers, all wearing those pretentious headsets, which were easy to overhear prior to the screening.

Finally the film was introduced and the lights were dimmed. The feature began with the SXSW trailer which is one of the most stupid things I have ever seen. A girl in a white dress and cowboy boots sits in a fishing boat on a lake while the city of Austin looms behind her. The boat is named "Hoosier Gal." What the fuck does a "Hoosier Gal" have to do with SXSW? Then the SXSW 2000 logo is spelled out in fishing lures. It's just dumb, pointless and, well, dull.

I watched the first film of the festival - and of the night - "Rollercoaster." I ended up liking it quite a bit. (Read my review)

Between films I walked around a bit, called Tim The Wonder Horse to see if Stubby had arrived (He hadn't), and drank a root beer. On my way into the second film, the cute little college boy made me sign my pass and show my ID. I reminded him that he didn't do this for the first show and he made a clever and amusing comment about how he was younger back then and had "grown a lot since." I was impressed with his quick comeback.

I ran into Barna of Cinemaker Co-op and we spoke for a bit. He is apparently playing host to the director of "Loan Shark," which is showing as part of the Conduit stuff. Barna was very impressed with the film and told me it was low budget but the director made good use of his constraints and turned out something quite extraordinary. I hope I get a chance to see it, but I don't think I will. Barna said he had heard they were already working on distribution deals for "Loan Shark" even though they just found representation 2 weeks ago.

Barna also introduced me to someone from the festival, an attractive young Asian woman, but I didn't catch her name. She said she hadn't slept in days. Barna introduced me as a "would be" critic, or someone who is trying to be a critic. I'm not sure what the fuck he means by that. I am a critic. Just like you can pick up a camcorder, or a 8mm home movie camera and be a filmmaker, you can pick up pen and paper, or a typewriter, or a word processor and be a critic. Anyone can do it. If I say I am a critic, I am. I don't think he would introduce Aaron Valdez as someone who is "trying to be a filmmaker." Really...

I sat through "Camera Obscura," although it became an increasingly more difficult thing to do with each frame. The filmmaker was in attendance with some of the cast but I didn't hang around for the Q&A. I couldn't think of one nice question to ask. (Read my review)

I liked my first night at SXSW, even though it was nothing special. I got to see two films, one good and one bad, and it was all rather too comfortable. There were no projector problems. (In fact the projection was beautiful and flawless. The sound was perfect). No stress at all. I'm sure it will be hell this weekend when the crowds come.

My plans for the next few days:

Sat night - ZXZW, perhaps the midnight screening of "Shafted"

Sun night - The Paramount for "George Wallace" and "The Independent" starring Janeanne Garofalo.

Monday - After viewing films, at midnight I hope to meet up with some friends at Casino el Camino. Join us!

Wednesday - "The Filth and the Fury," the Sex Pistols documentary.

Here's some more SXSW e-mails I've received over the past few days:

"SUPER FANS" SELECTED AS FINALIST IN SXSW FILM FESTIVAL

NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION

Los Angeles, CA - Writer/Director Tom Brunelle and Producer Shawna Brakefield will premiere their digital short film, SUPER FANS (which has already been selected as a finalist) on Sunday, March 12th and Saturday, March 18th during the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX.

SUPER FANS, is about four dedicated fans who have run out of sporting events. With a severe addiction to cheering and heckling, the fans now show up at the most unlikely places to get their fix. No event is too big, too small or too inappropriate.

"We wanted to create a series of comedy shorts where the SUPER FANS end up in different places or situations every episode, " said Brakefield.

Top industry professionals including Director of Photography Michael Mayhew (The Item - Sundance 1999); Editor George Escobar (Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond); Production Designer/Set Dresser Tristan Bourne (Orgasmo, Ed TV, Out of Sight, Batman and Robin, Nixon) and cast members Michael Haywood Norris (Mad TV), Bob Stephenson (Fight Club, Con Air, Seven); Lisa K. Wyatt (Clueless, ER); Bob Sherer (Mad TV, Def Comedy Jam) and Tait Ruppert (Arliss, Veronica's Closet, General's Daughter) happily contributed their talents.

"We wanted to create a comedy that had a longer life than the festival circuit. I look forward to expanding the concept into an ongoing series," said Brunelle.

Brakefield, producer of independent films The Piece (winner of Houston Worldfest Gold Prize Award and New York Independent Film Festival's Audience Award) and KID (winner of Heartland Crystal Heart Award, Houston Worldfest Special Jury Award, Chicago Special Merit Award and Sundance Children's Program) currently produces independent film and is responsible for the Screen Actors Guild's highly successful Independent Outreach Campaign, creating an estimated 92,000 jobs and $52 million in income for performers under the Guild's Low Budget Agreements.

Screening Times:

SXSW Film Festival Sunday, March 12 @ 2:45pm, Dobie (2) Saturday, March 18 @ 10:00pm, Alamo

"Rock Opera," by local filmmaker Bob Ray will be playing at the Ritz (upstairs - on 6th street) as a part of No Dance, an alternative festival that plays opposite big festivals all year long..

This Saturday (March 11) at 8pm (est) (Is that 7 central?) check out director Ray along w/ actors, Jerry Don Clark, Chad Holt, and Randy Randall on http://www.eyada.com "live" in streaming audio and video (you'll need a real player g2 or better to see and hear the broadcast).

Bob and friends will be interviewed by the lovely Debbie Roschon on the Tim Reid show. The show will be broadcast live and uncensored so the colorful language will flow; including, but not limited to the ocassional "f-word" along with other hip slang words, some clips from the movie, and lots of dick jokes.

Check it out this sat at 8pm (est) on www.eyada.com on the Tim Reid Show, on the entertainment channel on eyada.com right after the Johnny Rotten show (4-8pm est).

If your in the New York area, then c'mon down and check out the East Coast Premiere of "Rock Opera" at the New York Underground Film Festival at 11:30 pm at the Anthology Film Archives (on 2nd and 2nd)

http://eyada.com

http://lonestar.texas.net/~crashcam

Check out the trailer and the Making of Rock Opera on Insound.com

http://insound.com

http://lonestar.texas.net/~crashcam

Cinemaker Co-op events during SXSW include:

Sc4ttergun edit Saturday, March 11, 6:30pm Alamo Drafthouse followed by after party at the Mercury, upstairs at Jazz

Telefragging Monster Movies Sunday, March 12, 3-12pm The Mercury, upstairs at Jazz Featuring a LAN party at 6pm

FutureFusion: No-budget Film Meets Digital Media Production Wednesday, March 15, 7pm Studio 120 at the ArtPlex, 1705 Guadalupe

Cinemaker is actively teaming up with Conduit Festival this year. Conduit has been serving in the past 3 years as a major hub of showcasing a type of new media that is fresh, energetic, accessible and inspiring. Works are coming from all over the world and showcased right here in Austin.

The jam starts Saturday at the Alamo, ends on Sunday with a midnight screening the best digital feature made in recent memory titled Loan Shark. The maker of this film, Jay Robert Jennings will be in Austin and will stay for a Wednesday 7pm workshop with us at the Artplex. He will bring his editing gear (two mini DV deck and a Firewire) and show us the how he shot and edited the film.

Loan Shark will screen only once prior to the workshop so please try to make it. Location: Upstairs at Jazz, Mercury.

Also check out their full page ad in this week's Chronicle on page 128 as well as their wonderful website below

C0ndu1t, in its fourth smash year, presents two evenings of innovative digital programming March 11-12 in Austin TX, concurrent with the SXSW (Interactive and Film) Festivals. The festival showcases new forms of 3D real-time cinema (machinima), "demo scene" programs, gaming cinematics, experimental animation, shorts, features, and much more. We are also presenting a DV workshop entitled "Future Fusion" on Wed. March 15 with the Austin Cinemaker Co-op and our guest filmmakers Jay Robert Jennings (Loan Shark) and Josh Backer (Disinformation).

Visit http://www.conduitfest.com for complete programming info!

ZXZW FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP AS DAY OF FINAL RECKONING APPROACHES

The Austin based Zombie By Zombwest Film Festival has recently announced the program for their 2nd Annual Undead Film Festival. "We've got a great lineup," Festival Director Nathan McGinty comments. "Lots of Zombies, a couple of mummys, a Lake Monster, and even an amorous Llama. The competition this year is particularly tough. Our judges at the Academy of Zombie Arts are really going to have their work cut out for them as far as trying to determine who's going to be the recipient of the coveted 'Golden Zombie' award. But of course, no matter what happens the audience wins."

FILM PROGRAM BEGINNING AT 7PM

Sploosh *** Nathan Garfinkel

The Collector *** Benton Jew

Death and a Salesman *** Joe Grissaffi

All Cheerleaders Die (excerpts) *** Chris Sivertson

Reign of the Dead (excerpts) *** Steve Parys

Mountain of Terror *** Jay Edwards

Killer Rock and Roll Zombie From Texas *** George Hewitt

Attack of the Bat Monsters (trailer) *** Kelly Green

The Second Hand (trailer) *** Troy Miller

Barn of the Blood Llama (excerpts) *** Kevin West

RR Frankenstein (excerpts) *** Brian O'Hara