This fall I attended a panel at the Austin Film Festival to support a friend who was speaking. Chris Holland, another contributor over at Slackerwood and a principal at B-Side, has extensive experience programming film festivals, and had some practical advice for filmmakers when submitting their films.
His advice included things like:
I kept thinking as I listened to Chris talk, that not only where these practical tips for filmmakers, but anyone submitting their work for selection, whether in a competition like a film festival, or a job search.
Same principals apply.

Dear Webgods, it's been 175 days since I last updated...
It's been months since I've last updated this blog, which is both good and bad. But things have been so crazy. And busy. Beyond crazy-buys. As an associate editor at Slackerwood, an Austin-centric film site. It's been great, but time consuming. And last month I joined the Sci Fi Squad, a sister site to Cinematical (and Horror Squad, TV Squad, etc.).
Reviewing films has been keeping me busy; I covered four festivals in two months, including aGLIFF, Fantastic Fest, AFF, and AAAFF. And this weekend, I have Buttnumbathon. I'm also reviewing films for another film festival. And it's the holidaze brings "for your consideration" season, so there can be two screenings a day for films to review or mini-review for Movies this Week. That's not even mentioning the Huge High Visibility Dayjob Project that finally ended last week. So I've been very busy. 
I was going to update here sooner, but then I remembered Holidailies, and decided to be lazy until today, when I kick off a daily update to get me back in the swing of things.
So expect a number of random postings on all sorts of subjects for the next month.
I'm a pedestrian by choice. I walk to the gym, to the grocery store, and sometimes to the theater. Lately I've noticed a lot more people not using the signals on their car. Sometimes the turns they'd make were obvious, but other times, they weren't. As a pedestrian, this always makes me nervous because I can't anticipate where they're going and avoid collisions.
What's equally annoying is people trying to be helpful to me as a pedestrian, and then getting frustrated at me because I can't see them trying to wave me on through the very strong Texas sun glare on their windshield. One woman even yelled at me when I had stopped before a crosswalk to let her continue through the intersection. If I can't make eye contact, I don't assume they can see me.
I was walking home from the gym the other day, I thought of something else; not signaling is a problem a lot of people have when it comes to their career, in good times or bad.
Are you letting people know where you're planning on going or doing? If you aren't, how can people anticipate your needs?
People are often very willing to help you, but you need to speak up. If you can't articulate it, how can you expect to get it?
I've been neglecting this blog. I apologize. I'm going vow to update at least once a week. In the meantime, you can read some of what I've been up to at Slackerwood.com.
I was nearly as hyped up as any fangirl, although I haven't read the graphic novel (I haven't read any, so no shock there). I really enjoyed 300 despite the lame dialogue because it was visually luscious; it was gore ballet, but still ballet.
The trailers, which no one with any sort of electronic media device could escape, looked gorgeous. It's not bad. But not as great as I'd hoped.
And I don't think the whole "unfilmable" rap was it. It was the 'music video' component that annoyed me. Yes it had a very complicate plot, but I have a brain, I could follow that. It felt a bit dated, but I can live with that, too.
Instead of integrating the music in to support the rest of the film, it became a focus several times. Most notable was the sex scene supporting Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". That and the incendiary money shot. The music worked best when it was subtle, like the elevator muzak version of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." I could tell there was a lot of story cut just from the possibilities of storylines. I found myself thinking about them during the music video portions.
Still, it's visually stunning, and worth watching. Performance wise, Jackie Earle Haley steals the scenes he's in, especially his final scene. If you thought his performance in Little Children was a fluke, this will change your mind.
If you're in Austin or anywhere near it, you MUST see it at an Alamo. Get there extra early, as it will be sold out, but also for the pre-show, which has some great fangeek featurettes, and some useful ones for us on-graphic novel geek types.
And for those who've seen it... is it me, or was Nixon's nose growing?
I had trouble with my new HD TV, with the picture being zoomed bigger than the screen. No matter what picture mode I chose, I could not change it. The problem was ultimately with the Time Warner remote, but neither Samsung nor Time Warner's sites were very helpful. No information about functionality online. The Samsung site was insanely unhelpful, and I kept going in circles.
I had to create a service request online to get phone support, which didn't have the support hours available, so it took a few calls. They couldn't help me, but I was able to finally get a field support request.
It should have been resolved by looking at the website, either Samsung's or Time Warner's. Or both. But I'm glad Eric (?) of First Choice is getting paid for it, because he was doing his job and doing it well. Good for him, since he had all the right stuff; good attitude, clear instructions, and repeatedly asked if I had any other questions. I feel better about this TV purchase because if I need further assistance, I'm confident in the field support. If not the web and phone support.
Stupid me. It was an Acer system. It died literally 30 days after it was delivered. Very loudly. I noticed the day before it died the HD was spinning a bit loudly, and since I got it, the mouse was not very responsive after being in sleep mode. But that last night, 30 days after I got it, it spun up loud enough to compete with a lawnmower engine, and died. And revives just long enough to get to a boot screen before dying again.
And lastly, I did my first, and probably last Zappos order. I wanted sassy new shoes to wear to a conference on the 27th. With the free shipping both ways is great, but the shoes, shoes aren't one size fits all, and despite lots of reviews saying true to size, were too snug on the toes. It was very easy to get the shipping label and send them back. But therein lies the problem.I've been a badge holder for SXSW film for the last several years, with the exception of last year, when I had a film pass. If you're going to really do a film festival, and get 4-6 screenings in a day, with all that line standing, you can make it easier on yourself with:
A Big Bag/BackPack
If you're a badge holder, you get a great big bag full of swag and ads. You can carry your stuff in there, or use a backpack. Either works. But you need one to carry the necessaries to make your festival experience more enjoyable, and survivable.
Re-usable Water Bottle
In the past, I've re-used plastic bottles, but I've been looking for a good, non-plastic one. Another attendee at the Austin Film Festival last year had one of these, and it looked the perfect size for stuffing into a bag. And apparently, it keeps water cool for a long time, which is great in Texas. I'm not a fan of ice water, but I'd prefer my water to be at least a bit cooler than body temperature. It's also got a wide mouth, making it easy to clean.
You definitely want to stay hydrated, and this can help you save money and the environment. Good all around. I just ordered two of them in different sizes on reusablebags.com, which is a great site with genuinely green bags, and bottles, and related products.
Just make sure your bottle is not visible when entering venues, especially the Paramount. The water Nazis'll getcha.
Sweater/Jacket
It may be Texas, and it may be Spring by the end of SXSW, but there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate, and some venues have turbo AC. If you want to get double duty out of it, you can use it to hold your seat on restroom trips before the show. Best if it's not black, though, so people can see it.
Umbrella
Just because we're back in full drought mode doesn't mean there's no possible chance for rain. Get one bright enough to find if you put it on the floor in a dark theatre, and the more unique the better. But make it compact, so you can stuff it into a waterproof bag and easily store it your big bag.
UPDATE: Despite the drought, the weatherman is suggesting possible rain this week, so there may be rain next week. Stuff one of those 5,434,006 plastic bags you pick up during the week for storing your umbrella in your bag/pack so you aren't stuck searching for it, or lose it. You will want the umbrella, because Texas rain is by deluge most of the time.
Nutrition Bars
You only need a couple of them, but they're very handy when hungry and waiting in line, or when you're at a venue without food. Or, if you oversleep from the late screenings and partying, and have to dash to your first screening of the day.
I'm not a big fan of Luna or Cliff bars, but I rather enjoy Pria and ZonePerfect. ZonePerfect bars also come in snack size, perfect to take the edge off hunger until you can make it to an Alamo screening. The ZonePerfect fudge grahams are better than some candy bars. The Pria Complete chocolate mint bars are pretty good, too.
Trail Size Pain Reliever
Personally, I prefer Aleve. You may have another. Most drug stores will carry trial size of the more popular brands. You might also want to get some travel packs of tissues, and face wipes, too, for when you're not feeling as fresh as you'd like. I'm pretty retentive about this stuff, so I also have bandaids, and change and a couple small bills for emergency. And nail clippers. Yeah, you want to know me when you have those little emergencies.
Sun Block
This is Texas, after all. Even the locals will use sunblock this time of year, and you will be standing in line for hours over the course of the festival, if you do the full festival. While it's currently cool for us, we've already flirted with 90F this year.
Vitamins
These don't have to go with you, but I do recommend taking them even if you don't normally. You're likely going to stay up longer, partying harder, and eating worse than you normally do. It doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself a little bit.
Comfortable Shoes
I'm always surprised to see some women in heels at screenings, then I remember they're the ones who're usually just attending that one. Unless it's your film screening, stick to comfortable shoes. If you're an Austinite or frequent visitor, you know that sandals are acceptable just about anywhere, anytime in Austin. After your first 45 minute line, you'll thank me.
Keychain Flashlight
You're gonna be in a lot of dark theatres. It makes it a helluvalot easier to check for fallen items, umbrellas, etc. And for those of us not using hotels, a lot easier to find -and use- keys. At Fantastic Fest, I helped someone find something that would have been irreplaceable. You can probably even pick one up at the trade show.
Go Local Austin, Water, and Tips
You can save quite a bit of money on your soft drinks by purchasing a Go Local Austin card. For just $10, you get discounts and other offers at local businesses, several of which are near the Alamo locations. Mekong River has great Vietnamese food, and is just a block or so away from the Alamo Ritz. If you have hat envy, Hatbox is a block down the other way. If you buy two large softdrinks at an Alamo, it's paid for itself. There are so many local businesses participating, you need to check out their website to see them all.
Just remember to tip, please, based on the full price of your order (15-20%). Please, please, please, make sure to tip your staff, even if it's for the water they bring you. They take care of you, you should take care of them. They do everything any other waitstaffer will do, but they do in the dark and with stairs. Fifty cents for a water is fair, if you ask them to bring it to you.
Not tipping just makes you look cheap, and the wait staff is working extended hours with packed houses every screening, and for some of them, it's their spring break. So give them a break and appreciate them the best possible way. And if you can't afford the tip, you can't afford the meal.
These are just the highlights I can think of; what suggestions do you have?
With the uncertain economy, companies are just not as willing to invest in the indirect ROI to sponsored events like conferences, seminars, job fairs, etc., I was sure the annual conference AWT Austin puts on would be a success. And it was.
It was definitely scaled back. No vendor bingo, as there were very few vendors. The door prizes weren't as extravagant as past years. But it still was a hard choice between the three different tracks for the three different breakout sessions.
The biggest problem for me was the fact I was in the midst of a multi-day migraine, so I was not as focused on prep work, or at the sessions. I forgot to bring business cards with me. I didn't network as much as I could have. I sat like a stone a few times, dealing with the migraine. But I did meet a few new people, and catch up with some old friends I haven't seen in a while.
I love the fact that AWT does a good job of networking, and it's looking like they're partnering up with other professional associations. I'm really looking forward to seeing what events are coming in the coming year. And hopefully I won't have a migraine during those.