There are a million … er, four stories for today

Continuing with his coverage of the 2006 Sundance International Film festival, which is held in Park City, Utah, former Spokane resident Marshall Peterson finds himself in several places, one after the next.

First he’s at a panel discussion with a music legend. Then discovers alternatives to actual Sundance, hears advice given by some young filmmakers to their peers and, finally, ends up at a party for extreme athletes. We call this chapter …

Sundance 5: Film & Music

Had the chance to attend a panel discussion between two young, unknown, up-and-coming artists: Neil Young and Jonathan Demme . Yes, that Neil Young and that Jonathan Demme. This was one of those only-at-Sundance moments. Precious.

They’re here to talk about their new concert film, “Neil Young: Heart of Gold” (they’d worked together for Demme’s “Philadelphia”). Young recalls that he first hooked up with this project when Demme told him, “I’d like to take a vacation and make a movie” (referring to the huge amount of time that filmmakers spend doing the various energy-sucking tasks that don’t have anything to do with filmmaking, such as promotion).

Both on their best behavior for the panel, Young shares that all rehearsals were recorded and, “Too bad we couldn’t use that stuff; they’d know what an a——-e I really am.” Only at Sundance do you get this stuff.

They hope to work again soon, on a project revolving around The Bridge School , Neil’s charity. Maybe we’ll see it at Sundance next year. Meanwhile, Demme’s next project will take place in New Orleans; Young says that maybe he’ll meet up with Demme down there.

Later:

Many of the new friends I’ve made here are surprised to find out that there are actually five festivals going on in Park City, not just Sundance, the oldest and largest. These festivals are alternatives that provide quality films, especially when you can’t get into a Sundance screening.

One of those festivals is the Park City Film Music Festival . Leslie Harlow, its founder, says, “The festival is going great, but I wish more people knew that we had tickets available. I love Sundance, I love the stimulating atmosphere here in Park City during festival season. If you can’t get tickets for a film, don’t give up. Come see us.”

Future plans include adding more volunteers (a good way for someone not involved in the film industry to get into festivals). The quality of films in these other festivals can be very high.

For example, my friend Ann Marie Fleming (who has been called “the most creative young Canadian filmmaker out there”) has her latest playing at PCFMF (“The French Guy”) and it is amazing. With any luck, you’ll be able to see it at the Seattle International Film Festival in the spring.

Even later:

“American Hardcore,” a Sundance buzz film, hosts a “Secret Sharing of Successful Filmmakers” workshop put on by its team, including director Paul Rachman . Right now I’m listening to some excited, energetic, youthful member of the team answering various questions from excited, energetic, youthful members of the audience. The workshop attendees are rearing at the bit to learn something, and the team members are more than happy to have someone treat them like experts

Part of being at a film festival is this idea that you could meet the cousin of the friend of the guy that knows the person in charge of providing coffee to the people who build the sets for movies here at the festival and a week later the rights for your junior high diaries are sold mid-six-figures.

Bit of a dream. But, at the same time it is true that if you’re an aspiring filmmaker, you’re not moving your career forward hanging out on your couch, eating bonbons, in your basement in Littletown, USA. What are the secrets I learn? Hey, they’re secrets and I don’t share secrets.

And later still:

Wow! I’m in what some hail as the Oscars of the X culture (surf, snowboard, etc.). I’m attending the X-Dance Awards . I’m surely surrounded by some of the best X (as in eXtreme) athletes in the world, but I wouldn’t know who they are. I’m out of my element here. However, I do recognize a surfer from the film “Wave of Compassion,” a story of surfers choosing to do something besides just catching waves. They head to shore to meet the locals and end up helping the children with dental care and such.

Helping others interests me, so I pull aside Keith Malone (a world-famous surfer and very approachable guy) and ask him a few questions. The most interesting answer comes from this: What can we all do to help out?

“Look for anything you could contribute to and do it,” he says. “Get really involved, not just with money. It’s really important to be part of something.”