long lines, cold weather, and celebrity sightings

As I mentioned before, I had no idea how to prepare for or what to expect at Sundance. We tried to sign up to purchase tickets ahead of time, but there was only one movie available during our slot, so we waiting in some of the longest lines for hours and hours and didn't even get in to see the movies we wanted. While this just sucked at the time, we now know what/how to do Sundance better next year! Here's some lovely lessons learned from Sundance 2013:

1. The first weekend of Sundance will be crazy. Despite what the website says, you won't be able to get into movies on the waitlist unless you get there at 5:30 am for a 9 am movie. No thank you. So I think next year we'll try to go the second weekend to avoid the craziness and actually get into some movies.

2. If you do decide to wait in the endless lines, make friends with the people in front and in back of you. That way, when one of them goes to get coffee, they might offer to get one for you. And if they don't, then you won't allow them to cut back in front of you. Win win situation.

3. If you really want to try to see a movie the first weekend, go see some of the random documentaries or shorts. They are usually better than the movies that are hyped up and you'll walk away feeling extremely educated and moved. We saw When I Walk, a heart-wrenching yet inspiring documentary about a guy who finds out he has multiple sclerosis at age 25. The movie follows his slow decline over 7 years, and while it was incredibly sad to experience this with him, by the end I was sobbing because his attitude on the situation and his outlook on life was so incredibly heartwarming. Not to mention, some amazing things happen to him along the way :) If you can, find it somewhere and see it!

4. If you can, get your personal driver/ dad to drive you around. It makes baring the cold even easier when you don't have to wait for the bus to take you places. And, it's really fun to walk around talking about how your "driver" is late and pretending you are a celebrity. However, public transportation is super easy (and free) if you have no other option. :)

5. If you want to see famous people, go wait at the bottom of Main Street by the press offices where they come out after their interviews. Note: do NOT run after a car that you think Chris Brown is in, screaming and crying his name, because you will look like an idiot. i didn't do this, i swear. if it was Justin Beiber though.. that might have been a different story. 

7. Definitely go out once or twice, even if your name isn't on any party lists. You'll meet some crazy people at the bars (we witnessed a lovely bagpipe performance and partook in a sweaty dance party to a random cover band in a basement). Plus, you'll probably meet someone who knows someone who will find someone to get you on the list to a party. Totally worth it.   

8. If you do go out, do NOT wear a short skirt and high heels. You do not look hot, you look like you have hypothermia.

via

9. No matter what you do or how cold it is, get Java Cow's ice cream. It's delicious. 

Sundance Fundance

I had zero expectations going into Sundance except seeing a couple of famous people and maybe seeing one movie, and I'm glad I didn't because it wasn't anything I could have expected. Leading up to the week I was mainly just excited to show Jack our new house and have a little vacation from the world, and didn't really think about the festival that much until we got there. I was unprepared for how the town completely transformed into a Hollywood get-a-way that was overrun by wanna-be hipsters and aspiring filmmakers. I have to admit, I got a little snobby after a couple of days seeing girls in short skirts and high heels walking around, and might have shouted whispered at some of them to "get out of my town". Park City is in no way "my town", but I felt protective after seeing it semi-destroyed by Hollywood.

Despite my initial snobbery, we had such a blast. We relaxed most days, waiting in the longest lines for numerous hours, walking around town to experience the vibe, and even attended a couple of industry parties. One of our friends is a manager in the industry and got us on the list for a party in Deer Valley that just so happened to be sponsored by Jumpin Jammerz, onesie pajamas for adults (which is pretty much the best invention ever.. who doesn't want all over warmth and comfort??) I somehow found my way into a seductive pair of leopard printed footy pajamas and dance the night away (and apparently got groped...)

 We also attended a party for a new short that is premiering at SXSW called They Die By Dawn, which is the first all black cowboy movie. They showed the trailer, which looks awesome, and we ended the night grooving with some soul sisters and feeling completely inadequate in the dance moves department. We probably looked like the biggest white kids with two left feet, but I don't care because I got to wear a cowboy hat and give people the finger guns all night.

We did see one movie (after three wait-list attempts) and saw a couple of famous peopled (love me some Joseph Gordon Levitt  but besides that we pretty much hung around the house, played lots and lots of cards, and went on a million snowy hikes. We were there for SIX whole days which was such a treat, and I feel so recharged after such a relaxing week.

t-minus two days

On Thursday morning Jack and I are jetting off to Park City for Sundance! I've never been to Park City during the festival so I'm extremely excited to see how the town transforms into a bustling Hollywood haven. Oh, and I'm just slightly excited to see some amazing movies! Here are a few I've had my eye on:

Prince Avalanche

In Prince Avalanche, Paul Rudd plays against type as a straight-laced highway worker who spends the Summer with his girlfriend's scatterbrained little bro (played Emile Hirsch, who I've loved since my obsession with the movie The Girl Next Door in highschool). Emile Hirsch + Paul Rudd + the'80s? SOLD.

The Way, Way Back

I love me a good coming-of-age film, and this one is filled with an amazing cast: Steve Careel, Sam Rockewell, and Maya Rudolph. Not to mention it was written by Nat Faxon (from Ben and Kate, which I am also obsessed with) and the Community's Jim Rash, both who created The Descendants, so you know it's going to be a good one. 

Ass Backwards

Staring Casey Wilson from Happy Endings and June Diane Raphael, who's made a couple of guest appearances on the New Girl, Ass Backwards is about two girls who return to their hometown to compete in a beauty pageant they lost as teenagers. There is no doubting this one is going to be a chuckler. 

Who knows if I'll even be able to get tickets to these movies, but I'll try to review any that I do see! And I'll try not to freeze, considering it was 0 degrees yesterday when we checked the forecast. Good thing I just got a down jacket that makes me look like I'm wearing a sleeping bag (and feels like it too, it's wonderful.) However, my main goal for the weekend is to find Taylor Swift and/or Mark Walburg and convince them to come to my friends' wedding this July. Best wedding gift giver ever? I think so.