Seeing The Nines at Sundance
I’m not going to suggest that devoted readers fly thousands of miles to see The Nines at Sundance. But I’m not going to not suggest it.
I’ve long been of the mindset that there’s no reason to go to Sundance unless you have a movie there. I haven’t been since Go debuted there in 1999. I had a great time, but it was a zoo, and my threshold for tolerating crowds, schwag and auteur-theorists drops considerably when wearing a parka.
But the truth is, most of the people going to Sundance aren’t filmmakers at all. They’re simply people who love films, particularly the kind that never see wide release. (You know, the ones that show up on critics’ top ten lists, yet you’ve never heard of.) There are worse places to spend a long weekend — what with the skiing and the dozens upon dozens of excellent films waiting to be discovered. So if you have the interest and means, why not come? Crash on the floor of someone’s motel room. Maybe you’ll meet that special someone who will change your life. Or convince you never to sleep with a singer/songwriter/gaffer.
Now that I’ve possibly convinced you to come, the natural follow-up question: Hey John, could you slide me some tickets?
Um, no. Sorry. In fact, the producers and I are actively scrambling to get tickets ourselves, because the festival allotment is limited.
Advance ticket sales begin January 5th, so the clock is ticking. They’ve recently released a brochure (.pdf, 5.6Mb) describing all of the films in the festival. If you’re signing up for a range of movies and showtimes — the omakase menu, if you will — the odds of getting some good tickets is pretty high. But if you’re trying to get tickets for one specific show, that’s where it gets tougher.
For The Nines, the premiere will be Sunday, January 21st, at 9:30 p.m. at Eccles. It’s a big theatre, but it’s almost certain to sell out. So if you want to come to it, definitely get tickets through the website. Basically, you pay $5 to reserve a place in line — or more specifically, a lottery ticket for your place in line. On January 5th, you get an email with a time that you can sign in to purchase your tickets. A pain in the ass? Absolutely. But it’s the best way to make sure you get a seat.
There are three other screenings of The Nines that week. I’ll be doing a Q&A after the premiere (along with the cast and some department heads), and also after the Monday morning and Tuesday night screenings.
I previously linked to a helpful guide for attending Sundance, but no doubt many readers will have their own recommendations. So, share away.
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December 24th, 2006 at 9:34 am
I’ve considered going to Sundance, but as someone who always stays in hostels when traveling, the lodging costs in Park City are outrageous to me. Even in Reykjavik, I paid less than $40 per night to sleep and Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. I’d love to go, but unless some hostels open up in Park Ciy, I’ll have to wait until I have a film there.
But that’s not to discourage others from going if they can afford it.
December 24th, 2006 at 10:47 am
Agghhhhh I wanna see this movie so bad. From the pics it looks awesome! Show us more! :P (epecialy of Elle Fanning – what a cutie)
December 24th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
The last time I was in Sundance was 2001, but from what I know some things haven’t changed or have only magnified.
When I went I was a “buyer” and I still found it hard to get into movies until I had the all access pass (which I believe is a few thousand dollars). So yeah, that process is a nightmare.
Your best bet is early morning showings, and later in the week the better. As the parties rev up, people start missing those early morning shows and seats open up.
As for lodging, it is crazy but I think there are regular shuttles to and from Salt Lake City (though that may have stopped a while back…). SLC is also an option if you drive to Utah – which friends of mine did from Los angeles, so it can be done. But – buy chains for your tires. Trust me on this.
Another thing, in all of Utah you have to order food every time you buy a drink – Mormon laws and all. Whatever you do, don’t eat fried calamari four times in one day. Again, trust me on this.
I will say this about Sundance – I was a participant in the grind of watching and bidding on films and dealing with agents and sales people. Even with that soul crushing crowd, the die hard film fans and passionate filmmakers with work at Sundance or Slamdance or Digidance or – god help us – Troma Dance – make it all worthwhile. You will see something that will blow your mind and you’ll meet a lot of interesting people.
But yes, if someone isn’t paying your expenses, it’s gonna cost.
December 25th, 2006 at 5:23 am
Strongly considering going. I looked into flights and hotels, but not sure if I want to go just to see 1 movie (The Nines of course). More of a money issue then an issue of actually going. If I were to go, the last showing in SLC would be the showing I’d have have to attend. Work hates it when I take off.
December 25th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
OK, I’m gonna say it. Wait till it comes out on video.
December 25th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Which is totally an option, Adam. There’s no guarantee of a theatrical release, much less nationwide. The majority of people who see the movie (or any movie) will see it on video, so I certainly went in knowing that. There are things in the film which will definitely improve on second or seventeenth viewing.
December 27th, 2006 at 10:17 am
Hey John,
I’d think with your rep and the talent you used in the film you should get a theatrical release.
Mind you, a film I worked on that stars Paul Walker and Lawrence Fishburne (among others) is having difficulty being sold and may also not make it to theaters soon even though we wrapped production nearly a year ago.
Distribution is one of the things I’m least familiar with. What hurdles are you facing?
December 27th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
I’m really looking forward to catching this at Sundance. It’s one of the few films I’m going to try really hard to see. I’ll probably be drunk the rest of the time.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
I work at Sundance and encourage anyone who goes to see films at the Eccles theater. First, because it is the largest theater (1300 seats). As mentioned you should be able to get into earlier shows. They rarely sell out. Get in the wait list line EARLY for later shows. Volunteers are alloted 100 tickets per showing. It happens, but it is rare for 100 to show up for each show, therefore they will release those tickets to the Wait List line.
As for lodging, I strongly recommend you stay in Salt Lake City. It is cheaper and only about 20 minutes away from Park City.
I have worked at the Festival for 8 years, I know the workings pretty well and I will be more than happy to help out anyone who is trying to make it there. If you have any questions or need help with anything, just e-mail me at: sls2002x@yahoo.com
December 28th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I’ve been to Sundance three ways: Once as a student (ugh. difficult.), once with a film (the BEST way to go – people are really nice to you!), and four times as a sponsor of the festival (hence, people are pretty nice to you). Each way is different, but the constant is that if you love watching films, it’s fantastic. Sure, there are lines and plenty of attitudes, but there are also some small filmic gems that you might not be able to see otherwise. It’s almost worth it just to ride the shuttles and listen to what films people are talking about (I said almost).
If you can, go to the festival. Maybe John will snag you some schwag. I’m hoping for some cool sunglasses or some Ugg (ugh) boots (size 10 please).
December 29th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Wassup John – Longtime reader first time filmmaker… I shot my first short this summer and it got into Sundance 07! I plan to use my filmmaker privileges for extra tickets to get into whichever The Nines show they’ll give me two tickets for that first weekend. Luckily none of your shows overlap with mine so I don’t feel bad pimping mine here… so now the question is, will you be at one of MY shows?!
If you’re gonna hit up a shorts programme – make it Shorts Programme III and watch my little short “The Grass Grows Green.”
Thanks for all the helpful advice, I was reading you long before I wrote my script!
January 18th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
JOHN!!! Im excited to experience Park City and Sundance for the first time. And don’t worry, Im not an auteur-theorist, or at least I don’t think I am. I hope Im not, if that’s bad.
Anyway. I can’t wait for the Sundance Premiere (sp?) on Sunday (where’s the afterparty?). I just scored a pair and wanted to say that I may not have looked for the film, were it not for Johnaugust.com. Just wanted to let you know the site is wonderful and working.
Im excited to see how your “micro-blogging” goes. I dont know if I will be able to follow from Park City. Unless, I can recieve your twitters on my blackberry…God that sounds horribly sexual.
Good luck on securing distribution, Your friend (or at least a fan)
Michael J. Mouncer statesix@yahoo.com
January 20th, 2007 at 2:14 am
Congratulations John! Hope all goes well at the premiere! I’m sure it’s gonna be great! Will be googling you all weekend.
January 29th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I am from Salt Lake and volunteer for Sundance. When I got my big orange catalog and went through it, the page for The Nines got a dog ear. :)
I saw the film on the last day of Sundance, with my husband and 15 year old daughter. We all enjoyed the film and we were all confused at the end. :) Not so much confused, but more the film gets twisted in your head, with trying make it “fit” into one space. To get all geek, I think it is more like the three dimensional chess game in the original Star Trek series. There, that’s it!
Definately, this film needs a second viewing, or ten as you say. It NEEDS to be released so that I can watch it a few times more. :) Yes, it is all about my self indulgence.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us film fans.
Rebecca