Sundance 2006

More snow than exciting films?

Well....I meant to keep a blog going about my 9th Sundance (see first day's blogs)...but I got busier than I thought.   Even though I had more time off this year as one of the Sundance press/industry venue managers at the Holiday Village #1 (a lucky recipient of scheduling beyond my control), my socializing and networking had me filling many of my hours with connecting with people more than watching films.

Surprise Winners At Sundance

Several surprise winners dominated the Sundance Film Festival Awards, which were presented to a packed house of enthusiastic filmmakers, professionals and audience members at a gala ceremony held on Saturday night at the Park City Racquet Club. The concluding awards ceremony and party bring to an end a 10-day film bonanza that drew nearly 40,000 visitors to the Festival.

Bus Talk (Not)

As a follow up to Jeremy Platt’s entertaining BUS TALK, listing the Top Ten overheard snippets of conversations on the packed Sundance bus shuttles, Industry Editor Sandy Mandelberger weighs in with a Top Ten list of his own, of things that would NEVER be heard on the same Festival buses.

Awesome; I Fuckin'Shot That!

The late Saturday screening of the Beastie Boys documentary "Awesome; I F*****' Shot That," was followed by a performance at a private party Monday night hosted by Internet site MySpace.com and the arts organization Gen Art. Chilly temps in Park City kept the red carpet pretty bare the first hour of arrivals. My trigger finger lost all feeling so I went inside to embark on getting a prime spot for one of the most anticipated Sundance performances.  With help, I landed front row… crouch in my face front row. The stage was like a cat walk as they sashayed back and forth. And having Mike D grab his goods in front of my face is most likely what I’ll remember of the 2006 Sundance Film Festival 10 years from now.

The documentary officially opens in New York and Los Angeles on March 31.

-Tiffany Peckosh

Mike Doughty takes center stage at the ASCAP Music Cafe

The Sundance ASCAP music cafe is open to festival  credential holders only. If you're lucky enough to get a seat on the few stools available or a spot on the carpet directly in front of the stage, you are in for a treat.  Ex-Frontman of Soul Coughing, Mike Doughty, took the stage to play a 45min set.  Doughty was signed by Dave Matthews, head of ATO Records. Dave Matthews was in the crowd, but unfortunately for only support and not to engage in a duet with Doughty. ASCAP schedule to follow...

A reading from Ally Sheedy and Lili Taylor

Ally Sheedy (43) and Lili Taylor (38) take a moment to read to the audience at the Starbucks Salon at Sundance.  Sheedy is best known for her work in the 1985 film THE BREAKFAST CLUB and  HIGH ART, which she won Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards.  She began with a reading from the children's book she wrote when she was only 12 years old, She Was Nice to Mice, that was published by McGraw-Hill and became a bestseller.

Lili Taylor, who recently is known for her work in the HBO hit show SIX FEET UNDER, read from Charles Bukowski's novel FACTOTUM. Taylor is at Sundance with her new film of the same name.

Bus Talk

Taking time to listen to what festival-goers say on the multitude of city and festival buses criss-crossing Park City to deliver the audience members to their theater destinations is usually the best way to gage the masses thoughts and feelings.
Therefore, a la David Letterman, here is the TOP TEN THINGS HEARD ON THE SUNDANCE BUSES over the past few days:

Imogen Heap Concert video

Imogen Heap who contributed to the soundtrack of Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe, Just like Heave, Six Feet Under... hosted a live performance at Starbuck's Cafe.
Watch the video and photo gallery

My 9th Sundance

Oh boy....taking a brief time to do email, and deciding to start a blog...which might be sporadic (I don't own a laptop) through the festival.

As one of the volunteer workers here (a veteran), Park City never fails to lift my spirits this week. It's a great post-holidays pick-me-up. 

I've got a day off today, so I'm cruising Main St., making sure I see Imogen Heap and Rufus Wainwright at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe.   Lots of other things here and there....and maybe the world premiere of the Beastie Boys film tonight.    It'll be...in a word...insane.

Film Festival Bob

The International face of Sundance

The name Sundance has become synonymous with the excitement and diversity of the American independent film scene. Even people outside the film industry know Sundance as the name brand for all that is cool, hip and glamorous about emerging film talents on the American indie scene