Vignette this Month: Sundance Film Festival Volunteer
The Sundance Film Festival celebrated its thirtieth year this January. It was the brainchild of Robert Redford and a group of directors and producers. The goal was to showcase films that were not produced by the big production companies. Many went on to be purchased and became nationally and internationally known, including films such as Deliverance and Little Miss Sunshine.
Before moving to Midway, Jan and I had visited the Park City area numerous times. We learned that one time you never tried to book a room was during the Sundance Film Festival. The primary reason was that there were none available, or if there was one, it would be at inflated rates. Since moving here we discovered that some residents leave during the festival and rent out their homes or rooms for the ten days for thousands of dollars. All that aside, we always wanted to be here during this world renown event. Thus, we decided to apply as a Sundance volunteer. We discovered that being selected as one of the 1800+ volunteers was an elaborate process including completing a comprehensive application in August, participating in a phone interview, and, if selected, completing a work schedule of at least four 6.5 hour work sessions. We made it, me largely because of Jan.
What a time we had assigned to two teams at Prospector Theater. Team members consisted of attorneys, educators, a ski instructor, a nurse, retirees, doctors, an accountant, and young people who traveled from all over the country to participate in this festival. One fellow was volunteering for the twentieth year. Many knew each other from previous years. Interacting with attendees, who to a tee were film enthusiasts, included many stimulating conversations. A favorite was with one of the producers. Being next to Robert Redford, a favorite personage of mine, was a thrill. William Macy and Anne Hathway attended showings as well as less well-known actors and actresses. Three of my favorite films were Ivory Tower, Dear White People, 20000 Days, and Fishing Without Nets.
We hope to volunteer next year, being no longer rookies.
If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, I will print it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
Recommendations:
Ice Castles: If you are in the Midway, UT area, visit the Ice Castle. There are also two others, one in Breckenridge, CO and Loon Mountain, NH.
Hot Chocolate: If you are suffering from the extreme winter cold, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, knowing that this too shall also pass.
Good Karma Restaurant - Park City, UT: This is a favorite of mine. During the Festival, I ate there three times.
.........................Please take a look at the online book and gift page
