SAGIndie

That’s right, I just got back from SXSW (and boy are my arms………….).  When you’re in Austin, it’s all about the bad boy rockers.

Oh he77, who am I kidding?  We were at SXSW for the film week and missed the music week all together.  Actually, as we were leaving, we did notice a bunch of people on the street who looked like this.  I guess they’re around for the music week.  The cool thing about SXSW is that the musicians act so crazy that they make film people seem mild and easy.  I think every festival should have a music fest just before or just after.  I’m sure that if 50,000 metal heads came into Park City, UT, that the Sundance haters might see that they don’t have it so bad. 

Anyhow, we made it through 6 days in Texas.  Other than our amazing booth (yeah, right), we also had a panel and a party.  The panel consisted of the WGA, DGA, and SAG Texas.  Paul was the mediator, and was his usual funny, helpful, and slightly insane self.  The party was full of good food, and interesting people.  These ladies were interesting.  Their outfits were part of a film.  It only got annoying when they would direct people to the restroom by pointing them out using two fingers.  And does anyone NOT know what’s on this guy’s mind?     All in all, we had a good time.  We really didn’t get to see movies - after working at our booth, the evening movies got in the way of Paul’s partying time.  As for me, I went home early every night, with my child, and watched television.  I swear, I USED to be a lot of fun. 

Anyhow, I recommend SXSW for anyone who is considering going next year.  It’s a great town, the parties are fun, and the movie houses are fantastic (hey, you can order nachos and a beer while watching a movie - what’s not to love!).  Everywhere you look, there’s excitement and mayhem.  Take it from Darrien, Jr.  She could hardly contain her excitement.   And we met some really great people, like this fella who was out looking for the famed bats of Austin.  He never did find any bmd’s, did he?

Darrien and I are in Texas for the SXSW Festival and Film Trade Show.

Austin is a really cool town (and, I’m told, the only safe place for liberals in the State) and SXSW is one of our favorite events. Not only do they program fantastic indie films and great panels (uh… especially the one we’re doing… tomorrow at 1pm), but the parties are second-to-none.

Darrien brought her daughter, Arrena, with her and I immediately put her to work in our booth:

They say that babies are “chick magnets,” but we’ve found that they are also “filmmaker magnets.” We’ve had more traffic at our booth than ever before. Of course, they don’t seem to care about us or the low budget agreements. They just want to ask about Arrena… “How old is she?” “What’s her name?” …and my personal favorite, “Is that a real baby?”

If you happen to be in Austin this week, come by and see us. We’ll be at our booth every day of the Trade Show, at the aforementioned panel, and on Sixth Street, drinking heavily.

Darrien will be the one with a Shiner Bock in one hand and a baby in the other.

I’ll be the one passed out on the floor.

p.s. We met some really nice filmmakers this morning and told them to check out the blog. In case they actually do it, we’d like to say hi to Wes and Mel…

That’s right, call the tabloids.  On Saturday, at the Independent Spirit Awards, George and I had a "moment".  Well, we locked eyes, at least.  O.K., truth is, I was sitting next to Garcelle Beauvais at the SAGIndie table, when George walked by.  Garcelle boldly called out to him and said "Hi!".  The gallant George smiled and returned the hello.  Now here’s where it gets good, his right eye wandered a bit to the right, just past Garcelle’s ear, …….and there I was.  See?!  A total "moment".  Technically, we only locked eye - since it was only his right one, but let’s not split hairs.  I expect his people to get a hold of me any day now.  Oh, and the husband?  Well, let’s just say that George in "on my list", so it’s a freebie.

Other than that, the Spirit Awards was it’s usual fill of amusements.  It was hosted by Sarah Silverman, who was funny, and fairly risque.  Nobody else would dare talk femine hygiene at an awards show.  Our table was a bevvy of beauties.  In addition to Garcelle, who is beautiful enough to make you want to slap her (but don’t, it’s bad form), there was also: Sanna Lathan, Regina Hall, and Larenz Tate.  Notice something about our table??  Including me, there were a lot of ……uh…..people of color there.  And since we were all at one table together, you know what that means (the camera never showed us?)….there must be a revolution coming to SAGIndie!  Yep, we’re planning something.  But just to make Paul and Scott feel more at home, we also had one of our favorites there in Ben McKenzie. 

In addition to all the plotting at our table, we still had time to enjoy the show.  We saw Felicity Huffman win for TransAmerica.  We heard ridiculous songs, sung by stars, about the best picture nominees.  And I loaded up on more eye candy when Josh Lucas came out to present.  All in all, a satisfying day.  I didn’t even mind that by the time I got backstage, all the waffle cone ice cream cones were gone.  Well, I got over it.

So back to George Clooney.  I think I have a chance.  After all, he’s been known to sleep with a potbellied pig, so how bad could I be?…………….Hey!  I heard that!