This year’s Sundance has done a lot to revamp their programming. Adding the new Next (low-budget) features and the traveling premiers of films in several different cities.

If you can’t make it to Utah, If you don’t leave in on of the choosen cities above then what do you do?

You can watch 5 Sundance Films 3 of which are 2010 premiers on YouTube (for a small price of course).

Three  American independent feature films from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival will debut on YouTube even before audiences get a chance to see the movies at the festival in Park City, UT. Launching this Friday for VOD rental online in the United States - from this year’s Sundance fest - are Michael Mohan’s “One Too Many Mornings,” Todd and Brad Barnes “Homewrecker,” and Linas Philips’ “Bass Ackwards.” Meanwhile, from last year’s Sundance, YouTube will also be renting Tze Chun’s “Children of Invention” and Louie Psihoyo’s “The Cove” online.

Over the course of the last year I’ve worked on three film festivals and my own independent film series.  I just started to fill out the online application for positions at Sundance but I stopped. Should I apply? Should I uproot myself from my life in New York, my family, my friends and my comfy apartment for Park City, UT? The ambitious adventurer in me says, HELL YEAH! It’s one of the things that you’ve always wanted to do. Go to Sundance. Actually the dream was to be invited to Sundance but as I put away my camera and stopped writing down my film ideas, I realized that the dream would need to be altered to… work at Sundance, get involved with the programming, special events or maybe even The Sundance Institute? A great opportunity to network and work on something that I am truly passionate about it.

Then REALITY sets in.  $550 a week for most positions. I made  more money my first year out of college. 8 years of experience in TV, Film & Event Production and that’s all I’m worth? I guess it’s not a question of worth, it’s more of they can get away with it. If I don’t want the job there are 100,000 people who would be glad to take it.

So what’s a girl to do? The optimist in me says, it would be worth it! A once in a life time experience. Negative Nelly says “they’re just going to use and abuse you - for $550/week”.

I should probably just finish the application. See if I am even selected as a possible candidate for the position.

I am totally qualified for the position. I can program, plan events, secure logistics, work with others, well versed in marketing techniques and can even make behind the scenes videos! There is really no department that would not benefit from my involvement. Except for maybe the foreign language. Sadly, never continued a language in college. Time to get out that Rosetta Stone CD!

I’ll start with completely this damn application.

Or maybe I really need to make a video. How else would I stand out among all the other highly qualified candidates?

Sigh.

I don’t think I have yet to fully profess my love, respect and admiration for the one and only Mr. Steven Spielberg on here.  Growing up I watched and studied his work, re-created scenes from his films and often fantasized about growing up a Spielberg instead of a Burgay (no offense Mom and Dad, I still love you). He is probably responsible for millions of young filmmakers around the world! He is also responsible for my fear of sharks. 

 And on that note, I thought I would share something with you that you can only find in NY. A SCREENING OF JAWS ON THE INTREPID.

When: Friday, July 17th

Time: 8:30PM, Doors Open at 7:30PM
(Open to the public for FREE)
Location: Intrepid’s Flight Deck

On this week’s installment of THINGS TO DO ON THE INTERNET I present to you:

Cat Ladies: The Movie. A documentary by newcomer Christie Callan-Jones is currently touring the indie fest circuit to generally positive, if unsettling, reviews

Cat Ladies unravels the real story behind the oft-ridiculed ‘cat lady’—a cultural stereotype and figure of ridicule for women of a certain age with too many furry companions.”

Photos of Tim Burton’s Allison In Wonderland Unveiled: The artwork for “Wonderland” looks amazing.  Tim Burton may not always win me over with his storylines (Planet of the Apes) BUT good story or bad story the art direction NEVER disappoints! You can see all the art work here

Geeky Mac Lovers brace yourselves, I saved the best for last! MACBOOK BECOMES SPACESHIP!

Some French guy is working on his MacBook laptop when suddenly it begins to transform into a spaceship then flies away.
 

I have a whole list of things to write about but I have to pace myself and manage my time wisely. Spending all day updated Slightly Overexposed isn’t the best strategy to finding work.

This morning I was up early cause the early bird catches the worm right? I came across this beautiful interactive music video from a Spanish band called Labuat. As my Spanish is only as good as my memory of grades 7 -11, I didn’t quiet understand it all BUT I still LOVED IT! Played it at least 10 times. Enjoy!

I have been spending a lot of time with my Google Analytics either at 12:00am or 9am. I love seeing where people find my website, their origin and which posts they gravitate towards. I noticed I get the most hits from “things to do” and “free”.  So here’s my new weekly feature “Things To do On The Internet Free & Free”

If you are looking for things to do on the Internet today. May I suggest via my new favorite site to waste time on BUZZFEED.

The Great Boner Party Debate

CULTURE BUZZ In the emo corner of the internet, there is a Tumblr called Boner Party that posts amusing “anecdotes” about women. The name/ description alone should indicate that a bunch of people think it’s sexist, but anyway, such a debate has erupted. This BuzzFeed editor does not buy the sexism claims, but I also spend 40% of my working hours ogling Chris Pine. So. Boner Party is a great read, btw, if you don’t get offended by things.

DEADLINE

CULTURE BUZZ A nifty little post-it-note stop motion created by Savannah College of Art and Design student Bang-yao Liu. If he can make something like this and still find time to do all that procrastinating, I feel like he’s in pretty good shape.

This is an old favorite of mine. Makes me wanna turn up some music and dance around my room.

100 Days, 100 Songs, 100 Locations, 100 Dances!

http://www.vimeo.com/3237836

                   Yesterday while waiting for a friend I plopped myself down on a park bench (in white pants!) and indulged in my new favorite summer weekend activity. Reading The New York Times in a park. I got myself up to date on all the relevant issues of the day (that I ignore during the week) and found myself well immersed in an article by MICHELLE SLATALLA “A Play Date With My Imagination”.

The title grabbed me immediately, as I was only too eager to read about creativity and what happens with age.  When I was a child (8), I used to go down to my parent’s basement, choreograph dance routines and video tape my sister, my dog and myself as we recreated my favorite scenes from “Annie” and “Grease”.  As I got older my urning for creating only got stronger and more intense.  At age 13 I took over the downstairs bathroom, painting murals and dripping plaster all over the floor (from my sculpture phase). I still have to go down there and clean it up, it’s been 16 years! Then it was off to college where I spent 4 years creating more stuff! 

Even now at the age of 29, generating ideas and trying to execute them is like my drug of choice (besides ice cream, cookies and fresh bread) it fills with me with elation and exhilaration. 

The article talked about how some lucky people get to feel the excitement and joy of creating all of their life, while others start to feel the creativity slip away with age. 

Michelle also asks the question where does creativity come from and how can I get more of it?

“Usually the people who keep going are the ones who are open to new experiences,” Professor Simonton said. “Do something different. Take a risk. Try to believe in the future tense.”

You can read the full article here, as I highly recommend it.

I look forward to a time where I can look back on this post (40 years) from now and be able to say whether or not I kept up with my creativity or if it shriveled up with age. I hope it’s the former!

I take a short break from promoting Art By Chance to announce the winners of this year’s Cannes International Film Festival!

FEATURE FILMS

• Palme d’Or

  DAS WEISSE BAND (THE WHITE RIBBON) directed by Michael HANEKE

• Grand Prix

  UN PROPHÈTE (A PROPHET) directed by Jacques AUDIARD

• Award for Best Director

  Brillante MENDOZA for KINATAY

• Award for Best Screenplay

  LOU Ye for CHUN FENG CHEN ZUI DE YE WAN (Spring Fever)

• Award for Best Actress

  Charlotte GAINSBOURG in ANTICHRIST directed by Lars VON TRIER

• Award for Best Actor

  Christoph WALTZ in INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS directed by Quentin TARANTINO

• Jury Prize Ex-aequo

  FISH TANK directed by Andrea ARNOLD

• BAK-JWI (THIRST) directed by PARK Chan-Wook

• Vulcain Prize for an artist technician, awarded by the C.S.T.

  MAP OF THE SOUNDS OF TOKYO directed by Isabel COIXET

SHORT FILMS

• Palme d’Or - Short Film

  ARENA directed by João SALAVIZA

• Short Film Special Distinction

  THE SIX DOLLAR FIFTY MAN directed by Louis SUTHERLAND