Sitting in the dark

It's hard to say what the attraction is to sitting in the dark.  But I love it.  That is, I love it when I'm sitting in the dark with 200+ people all sharing a cinematic or theatrical experience.

Today started with a text from fellow filmmaker Ashley McKenzie and 20 minutes later, at 11 am, I was back in front of a screen for two great documentaries.  And a lot of people were there will us.  A quick introduction to Milliflore Clarke (whose work I've admired for a while) and then Zoo Revolution and Bad Coyote took us all over the world, then back to Cape Breton for two docs that questioned our relationships and ability to live with animals.  I was left with many questions, exactly as it should be.

A quick sip then back in the theatre for more Atlantic shorts including Megan Wennberg's Grain Elevators.  This was a poem on film project so I was really pleased to see it.  I'll be shooting one this fall so this was inspirational.  I was also pleased to see friend Natasha MacLellan on the screen!

 My T&S cast and crew...thinking of you all before tomorrow's screening!

Then it was off to the 10x10 challenge.  This is a project where 10 Atlantic directors get paired up with 10 Atlantic bands or musicians and they have 1 week and very limited resources to create a music video.  The results can be extraordinary and over the last few years, I've seen some incredible works.  Milliflore's video with Irish Mythen was lovely, as were several others (there was no program and my memory fails me for the artists, sorry) and so was Heavyweather's Adam Penney's video for  AA Wallace.  It's something I'd like to try when I get the nerve!

A quick bite (that I snuck into the theatre because there wasn't time to sit and eat) and then it was back in the theatre to see Bill MacGillivray & Terry Greenlaw's Hard Drive (shot by my own DP, Stephanie Weber Biron) and Eva Madden's short about Bill for the GG award he recently received for his lifetime of great work.  It was a dark film that pained me, in a good way, as I was swept up in the story.  There is a standout scene with Megan Follows and lots of lovely moments that stand out in this low budget feature.  Another glass of wine with new friends then back to the Festival lounge to end off the night!  I'll soon close my eyes and lie down in the dark this time. Tomorrow is the big day.

Today's new encounters and chats: Ashley & Milly, Pat Condon, Mike Cuffini, Justin, Jennice & Brad, Ian Foster, Bill & Terry, Ally & Tina Thoden, Jinx MacGillivray, Adam, Stephanie, Andrea Dorfmann, Fless, Colin MacKenzie, John Walker and Jason Beaudry. 

I've arrived!

Well, the trip started with me realizing enroute to the airport that I'd left my coat at home, so it will be a cool trip to Halifax in more ways than one.  No worries, I'll be inside most of the time.

At the check-in counter I discover that the plane has started boarding and I was half an hour late, rather than 45 min ahead of time as I thought!  Lucky for me, Porter cares about its service and they waited for me, so I got through security in fair time, and boarded the plane without any glares or hard looks!  An uneventful flight and we landed in the rain (needing a coat) but lucky for me, my friend (and director mentor on T&S) Justin Simms held the AFF shuttle for me.  He's some sweet.

The Lord Nelson, what a spot.  They've donated 2 nights as part of my AAP Award and I get to rest up in comfort next door to the cinemas.  Justin, Jennice Ripley and I head to the WIFT-AT reception where I meet some of the new board members, some of my former board colleagues, and meet some new NS industry folks at RockBottom Pub.  Then we head to the Gala reception for 15 minutes before taking in Gia Milani's debut feature.  While there, I run into Stephanie Beaumont from Sea and Be Scene and she tapes an interview for her show on the red carpet with me.

When the film is over, I head back to rest up but first make plans to see 2012 AAPA winner Ashley Mckenzie in the morning, and the NLFDC's Laura Churchill in the afternoon tomorrow. 

People I spent some time with/met today:  Justin Simms, Mark Bishop, Nelson the shuttle driving volunteer, Jennice Ripley, Jan Miller, Ann Bernier, Cindy from WIFT-AT, Laura Churchill, Christine Taylor, Roz Power, Kim the editor, Ciel the casting director, Abby from Creative NS, Barb Doran, Brad Gover, Jacqueline Hynes, Jose Gonzales, Michael Melski,  Ed Martin, Stephanie Beaumont and her cameraman Scott. 

Question is, will I get through this weekend without buying another jacket?  I sure don't need one!

Me with our DP Stephanie Weber Biron and producer Krysta Rudofsky

 

I promise to share

Sometimes it slips away, sometimes it falls

Talus & Scree, 2013
Written & Directed by Ruth Lawrence
Produced by Krysta Rudofsky

Only 10 hours before I board the plane to Halifax for my first day at the AFF, but the party in Nova Scotia has already started.  Right about now, many of my friends are celebrating the opening night party after a screening of The Grand Seduction, a film I worked on last summer (in wardrobe) for a few weeks.  But back here in St. John's, it's still grant deadline time.  Once I put the last touches on those, it's off to bed for some beauty rest before I pack up to head south-slightly-to the warmer climes of Halifax for a weekend of seeing as many films as possible, having as much coffee and wine as I can handle (not many!) and celebrating a year of fine work with some skyrocketing filmmakers.
As part of my WIFT-AT All Access Pass Award, I'll be checking in through the year from all the festivals of Atlantic Canada that I can get to in the next 12 months.  Follow me on Twitter @IamRuthLawrence, add me on Facebook, and follow this blog for regular updates and maybe even some festival tips!  I promise to share if you do...