Which is better: Attending a festival, or working for one?

Eric Boellner

Eric Boellner

Well-known member
Quick Q: The Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor is hosting the first ever "Cinetopia International Film Festival," with some movies from the major fests playing there (incl. Headhunters, Your Sister's Sister and Bullhead). I got all excited about going (now that I have a job, and therefore once again have money), and then I saw a note about them looking for volunteers, and I'm wondering if anyone might have an opinion about which would be "better:" attending the festival or volunteering for it?

For the record, I've never been to a film festival, nor volunteered for one, and I have little-to-no clue what to expect from either.

Thanks in advance. :beer:

-JMT
 
I don't know anything about this particular festival, but the best thing you could do would be to buy an industry acreditation badge and then see as many films as you possibly can. Like 3-5 films every day of the festival if possible.
Also, find out if there are networking oportunities for filmmakers, in which case, go to them and get new contacts. Print out business cards.

I do that a lot. It's really good, both for the networking as well as getting to know the new independent films that you might never get a chance to see again.
Last year at Fantasia I watched over 50 films in three weeks. You learn a lot that way.
 
Having worked for a festival, I highly recommend it. Especially if you can be on the screening committee. You'll get to see a lot of films, not just the ones that were chosen. And that, in itself, is an education.
 
I have done both. And Attending wins it for me, but only if you have your film in there. Other wise working it beats out if you don't have a film in the fest.
 
Thanks, guys! I think I'm leaning toward attending (no, I don't have a film to submit). Most of the volunteer opportunities are like ushering, concessions, ticket-taking, etc. I've done all that before at a theater, so it would just be normal work without pay, I think.

My only problem now is that I'm not very good at "working the floor." I feel like there's been a "Networking 101" sort of thread around here, but I can't find anything in the search results. Is there a topic here on how to network at a film festival, anyone could point me to? I'm looking up articles via Google searches, but I generally find the topics here to be more thorough and more specific than anything I find on Google.

-JMT
 
I worked the Deep Ellum festival the last year, before they hooked up with AFI. I worked credentials, photographing and creating badges for everyone that came through from sponsers to filmmakers. I enjoyed it and of course met all but the biggest attendees. I've not just attended one so I have no input on that but like you, I'm not good at creating conversation with people without a specific purpose.
 
Networking is easy. Shake hands and talk to everyone, especially the filmmakers. Give them your business card, and have a resume/reel ready if they ask for it. But make the focus of your conversation about their work. Learn what they do, who they know, and what they have coming up in the near future. Make sure you get THEIR business card and resume/reel. Then followup a few days later with an email or phone call. The essence of networking is just making friends with people who love the same business you love.
 
Michael Traven said:
Thanks, guys! I think I'm leaning toward attending (no, I don't have a film to submit). Most of the volunteer opportunities are like ushering, concessions, ticket-taking, etc. I've done all that before at a theater, so it would just be normal work without pay, I think.

My only problem now is that I'm not very good at "working the floor." I feel like there's been a "Networking 101" sort of thread around here, but I can't find anything in the search results. Is there a topic here on how to network at a film festival, anyone could point me to? I'm looking up articles via Google searches, but I generally find the topics here to be more thorough and more specific than anything I find on Google.

-JMT
Click to expand...
I'm not that good with it either, but you learn fast.

A good topic starter is "Are you here with a film?"
A good follow up is "What have you done before?" if it turns out to be a filmmaker, and "who do you write for?" if it's a journalist.

The rest should follow naturally.
 
Jawa Ex Machina said:
I'm not that good with it either, but you learn fast.

A good topic starter is "Are you here with a film?"
A good follow up is "What have you done before?" if it turns out to be a filmmaker, and "who do you write for?" if it's a journalist.

The rest should follow naturally.
Click to expand...

Dude! That's awesome advice.

Thanks again to everyone! :)

-JMT

Bonus Q: Does it matter if I don't have a reel or resumé? I kind of COULD have a resume, but I've only worked three jobs over three years, and, I dunno... I'm usually just an extra hand if you need me. Should I make a resumé? Would an online resumé (accessible via business card website or something) be acceptable?
 
Define your goal-

If you're not there with a film to promote, do you want to crew, promote a future film, or what?
Network? Towards what end?
Do you want to watch films? If so, do volunteers (probably especially ushers) get to watch them? Can ushers save an aisle seat to slide into once the lights go down?

But you should at least go in with a biz card.

The more you go into a situation knowing what it is you want out of it, the more successful you will be.
 
Great advice, groveChuck - thanks!

I mostly want to go to get involved with the local indie film industry (professional if possible, but as I work a day job and professional productions are generally of the "Must be available between ___ and ___" persuasion, rather than "Oh, you're free on Saturday? Great!", I generally tend to focus on indies). I want to work on any films I can in the area, and I want to meet people that I can hopefully work with on my own film, which I'm writing now and saving up about $3,500 to shoot next year.

I think I'm going to buy a pass for the event, and order some business cards. I really appreciate everyone helping me out on this. I'm really excited to go. This site f--king rules. :beer:

-JMT
 
I'm worse than you are at "working the floor" believe me. I hate big busy crowds and noisy places, and I don't drink and don't party. So I get exhausted pretty fast at these things. I've fought my way through it, so you can too. Agree with Jaws that just asking simple questions and listening is easy. If you really loathe the idea, commit to talking to at least three people, or hanging for a half-hour at a time. I met a future Oscar winner this way (Florian von Donnersmarck), so it can definitely be worth your time.

I also have been a judge on two film festivals. One very small, the other somewhat small but going on 10 years now. It's definitely fascinating as you see it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. You might think it's no different than just surfing YouTube, but it definitely is. And to sit with a half-dozen or so other peers in a room and discuss the films is both fun and educational. If anyone ever asks you to be on a judging committee, just say yes.
 
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