This was my third year in a row attending the Vail Film Festival and doing videography and still photography with Michael Howard for festival promos. As always, we covered everything from red carpet media events to Q&As, panels, screenplay readings, interviews, music performances and of course – lots of schmoozing and parties.
Upon arriving in the beautiful, snowy Vail on Thursday afternoon, I was instantly overcome with a sense of nostalgia. I have some fond memories of past film festivals there, and I’ve become good acquaintances with many of the people I met at previous VFFs. It was great to see them all, once again.
As usual, the 4-day film festival was a whirlwind of non-stop activity. On Thursday, we shot the opening night red carpet event at Cascade Village Theatre with Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty), followed by a screening of Michelle’s newest film Trucker and the subsequent Q&A. Shortly after, Michael and I schlepped over to the opening night party at the Donovan Pavilion, sponsored by Stella Artois. There was music, cocktails, yummy food, an eclectic fashion installation (Le Charme Discret), and performances by stilt walkers, hoop and fire dancers.
From left to right: Scott Cross, Michelle Monaghan, Terence Beesley, Ashley Jensen, Sean Cross, Megen Musegades
Michelle Monaghan
Ashley Jensen
Michelle Monaghan with VFF directors Scott and Sean Cross
Michelle Monaghan being interviewed by Plum TV
Opening Night party at the Donovan Pavillion
Opening Night party DJ
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
"Le Charme Discret" Fashion Installation
Bartender girls at the Opening Night party
We got home after 2am, exhausted, and caught a few hours of sleep before heading out to Plum TV studio at 8am, where charismatic festival host Bill LeVasseur taped his daily morning interview. The snow was really coming down, and they decided to do the interview outside, which made for a visually-stimulating backdrop.
Festival host Bill LeVasseur being interviewed at Plum TV
Bill LeVasseur being interviewed at Plum TV
Plum TV studio
Plum TV studio
Bill LeVasseur being interviewed at Plum TV
After a quick breakfast and the daily 9am staff meeting, we resumed our hectic festival coverage. On our plate for Friday was the Hospitality Lounge at Cascade Ballroom, Activism in Film panel discussion, Music Cafe, Filmmaker Reception at Larkspur Restaurant and the Hotel Cafe concert with musicians Buddy, Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan and Laura Jensen.
Activism in Film panel
Activism in Film panel
Filmmaker Reception at Larkspur Restaurant
Filmmaker Reception at Larkspur Restaurant
Filmmaker Reception at Larkspur Restaurant
Filmmaker Reception at Larkspur Restaurant
Bill LeVasseur and Michael Howard
I look a little evil in this photo.
Audi was the premier sponsor of the 2009 Vail Film Festival
Unexpectedly, through a chance inside connection, Bill was able to get Michael and I press passes into the Taste of Vail, which took place that same weekend at the top of a mountain. We took a 15-minute gondola ride, followed by a trek in a snowcat (first one ever for me) to the fortress made entirely of ice, which housed the dozens of tents with decadent food and liquor. It was cold and snowing, so I just grabbed some quick video shots and we spent the rest of our time there stuffing our faces.
Saturday, was by far, our busiest day. We shot screenplay readings, music performances, various sponsor b-roll, Lufthansa reception, and then it was time for the Awards Ceremony. Unfortunately, some of the guests could not make it into Vail due to weather, but thankfully – Kevin Smith did! He was the recipient of the Renegade Award this year, and entertained the crowd with a hilarious acceptance speech and Q&A (Heeb Magazine has Michael Liss’ recap of it here).
Lufthansa Reception at La Tur
Lufthansa Reception
Musician Cary Brothers
Musicians Laura Jensen and Holly Conlan
Buddy
Afterward, there was more red carpet/media stuff, Q&A with Blayne Weaver, Tricia O’Kelley and Kaitlin Olson (director and stars of Weather Girl, the VFF closing night film), and finally the festival closing night party at Billy’s Island Grill.
I totally screwed the pooch on white-balancing this set!
Director Kevin Smith, Michelle Monaghan and Giancarlo Espposito at the 2009 VFF Awards Ceremony Red Carpet
Kaitlin Olson, Blayne Weaver and Tricia O'Kelley - director and stars of "Weather Girl"
After the Awards Ceremony and red carpet, I was able to hang out for a bit in the VFF Will Call office and briefly talked to Kevin Smith, who is one of my all-time favorite directors. He was totally cool, laid-back and funny, just like he comes across in his films and media appearances.
I asked Kevin to sign the back of my festival pass, and what he wrote just about killed me:
As we were wrapping up, we received word that Vail Daily wanted some photos from the red carpet to possibly feature in Sunday’s edition, so Mike and I hauled ass to the nearest computer and e-mailed several shots to them. Lo-and-behold, the next morning I was pleasantly surprised that one of my photos was actually printed! Not the best shot by any means, but hey – it’s my first credited published photo :) I was a little shocked, to be honest.
At the closing night party, I bumped into Ashlee Jensen and was able to grab a quick photo with her, as well. I’m a big fan of Extras and it was a pleasure to meet her.
All-in-all, the festival was an amazing experience, as always. I’ll miss all the people and excitement of working behind the scenes, but thanks to Facebook, it shouldn’t be hard to keep in touch.
At the VFF 2009 Closing Night Party
2 Comments
Great recap man. I can’t believe it only took you a week to get it together. If it were me, I’d still be working on it! You had so much to do, and so much fun. The photos of the car are really great (it’s a really really nice car) and I love the picture of the stella artois glass with snow in it. Glad you had fun!
Oh, and HOLY SHIT KEVIN SMITH! AAAAAA THATS SO FUCKIN COOL!!!
Awesome re-cap, I was one of the student volunteers from the Colorado Film School and had a blast at the festival. In the picture of you and Kevin you can see me in the background breaking down the little light we used for Kevin’s interview, I totally made it into one of the pictures above! Yes! I actually got to hang out and talk to Kevin and his wife for almost an hour, it was incredible. Darren, our writing professor and one of the film festival higher ups told me the Cross brothers were actually jealous that I and another volunteer spent more time with him then they got lol. It was nice working with you and everyone else up there in Vail, if your ever looking for a hard working desperate to get his name out there and learn about the industry student film maker let me know! -Chris Dodge