LOUISIANA FILM PRIZE 2016
(It was held September 29th through October 1st. Yes, I’m a little late. Back off.)
“The mayhem is back with Louisiana Film Prize 2016. 21 short films, a $50,000 prize, and YOU (I) pick the winner.” “Don’t miss out on the action. This is a party that can’t be missed!”
It was my first time attending.
Upon arriving in downtown Shreveport, exiting my car, and beginning the walk up the hill, I noticed that the sidewalk had been spray painted with the LA Film Prize logo. “How quaint,” I thought.
It was a clear sign. I have arrived… at my destination. My GPS told me so.
I make it up the hill to the booth where I check in, get my SUPER pass, a booklet with all of the films listed and their respective “reels”, and I decide to go take a look around. This piece of downtown was abuzz with all kinds of activity. Food trucks, tents, booths, a red carpet with backdrop, a stage, beverages… ice cold and bubbly…
NOTE for future entrants trying to buy favor with chotchkies? Tchotchkes? Choch-keys? TRINKETS… The first film team to give me a tote bag to hold all of the other little promo materials will get my Top Vote. (Politics, man)
The air was somewhat cool but the direct sun was hot. It was almost 80 degrees in the shade and 123 degrees in the sun. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t as humid. But I decided to stand in line for the Orange Reel. I was bringing up the reel…er…rear. About 45 minutes later, I had sweated enough to where I no longer had to relieve myself. Just in time too, cuz it was time to watch some movies! The theater had filled so I was filed into an overflow theater upstairs. It smelled like my old elementary school in there. (Not bad, it just gave me a nostalgic feeling)
“Once the movies start, you are not allowed to leave!” they said. “You have to have your pass punched proving you completed viewing of the Orange Reel!” they said.
2 hours later…
I had marked my ranks in my little dealio and decided to go hang out. (FOOD TRUCKS)
The best part about being just a few hours to the West in Dallas was that I had the opportunity to finally meet friends with whom I have only had contact online. So I headed over to the big tent, and the production team for the short film “Memoir” was doing some sort of presentation/Q&A.
“Memoir”, which is great by the way, was directed by Alexander Jeffery. I had completed some sound work on a couple of Alex’s previous projects, so it was about time I met the man in-person. Also on stage was the film’s VFX guru Nathaniel Caauwe. This is thee Alex and Nate, the VERY SAME from AvN 1 and 2, the popular lightsaber duel videos on YouTube (COUGH). Once they finished on stage, I finally met Nate and Alex. If you guys are reading this, we need to grab a beer. Alex was understandably busy, bustling around to and fro, networking, taking pictures, interviews etc. I held good conversation with Nate. I asked about Ryan vs Nate. Production was put on hold after an accident on-set that left Ryan Wieber with a broken pinky [shivers]. PROOF [Warning: you can tell it’s broken]. I can’t really reveal more than the fact that I asked about it, sooo.
Anyhoo
I also met the my first Star Wars actor ever in-person: Cailey Fleming – who you would recognize as young Rey from Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the flashback sequence yelling “No, come back!” at the fleeing ship on Jakku. She is a hoot. I can’t believe how much energy she had. She’s also the sweetest little thing ever.
Alex and Nate invited me to watch the final reel of films with them. This reel contained “Memoir” in the line-up, and I had not yet seen it. Basically the whole reason I was at this festival. Folks… you should see it. Click the poster and you can have it on-demand for no more than your lunch money.
That’s all from me for now. I’ll post another blog when I have something to talk about.
I took a Buzzfeed quiz and it said I should be a podcaster… so…