Cannes, Day 4

Half of my trip has just been me staring at a map. And walking and getting lost. And laughing to myself. And talking about "this would make a great story," but I'm assuming it happens to everyone.

So after getting lost this morning, I saw Sandy and Kathy at the Train station. Said bye :( and then went over to the Palais. It was quiet. So I took the opportunity to go to the screening area, grabbed about 12 fliers 

And went to watching short films. I must've watched about 50 today overall between the small screening booth and the screening rooms. Fortunate to be in the area at the time (more on that later).  I made sure to email the ones I saw in the booth, and stay behind and talk to the filmmaker about their film. Always lending a kind word to them. 

The best thing about being here and having access to the entire film catalog:

Learning. 

Like I have watched every type of short film possible. And each time I take something away from them. It blows me away really how much great stuff is out there. Doesn't discourage me either that tons of them are really damn good. Makes me want to work harder than I already do. I won't ever pretend to know anything really. Always room to learn. One thing I have figured out is that I will never touch a camera again. Ever. Like I don't want to do cinematography. There are people out there that are simply fantastic at it. I know for my next film I found someone who I believe is a game changer. 

So Filmmakers, I can't stress enough how important it is to talk to everyone you meet. And to be nice. Aka not an asshole. You never know who you will meet. I've talked to everyone. Garbage man. Security guards. People standing there. French. American. Brazilian. British. Chinese. Italian. German. Korean.  If you are able to talk and your hands work, we can talk and you can take my business card and vice versa. I have collected nearly 700 new contacts/friends in 4 days. I can't stop talking to people. This is just half:

That's how Met a lady from Paramount. Being myself, laughing. Telling jokes. Hell why pretend to be someone else. I gotta be me, and so far it's working out. I've been asked to submit a treatment (a long form thesis of a project you want them to read). And I will. Soon. Like as soon as I get to my laptop. 

Also, don't look like a bum. Sure you're a poor filmmaker, oh boohoo, but you can wear a nice shirt. Pants. And look presentable. I don't particularly like the look, but it has served me well. This is Cannes, not a country back road film festival. Any film festival you're also selling yourself. Keep that in mind. 

I ran into Malcolm again, kid is cool. Really cool. The American Pavilion has been memorable. Like I've met incredible people there. Don't be pushy. Just talk and casually bring up what you do. It works. 

The Last Dance wasn't supposed to screen. We didn't understand how the screening rooms worked as we thought we had to pay. And that wasn't the case. You reserve them. As I was in the screening area today, someone cancelled in the 12 seat theater and the lovely French woman was like we have an opening and no one waiting. I was like "um I'll take it!!!" So I jumped on it. More in a bit.  

So from my screenings today and being around the Palais, these are a few of my favorite moments: 

1. The last Rose - two Brazilian students made this. And I loved it. Black and white. Subtitled. Beautiful. We are now friends, they are wonderful girls. 

2. "82" - 6 minute short. Holy crap is this amazing. Really beautiful. Well shot. This thing blew me away. The kid lives and works in London. Yep. Awesomeness. 

3. The Marche Du Film sign - love. 

4. Ultramarine - British film student movie about depression. Damn thing made me shed a tear. So good. So brilliant. Cinematography was excellent. 

5. Lapsus - I think this director may think I'm stalking him, but I just love the movie. 

6. Titanio - this girl was in my pitch class and she was brilliant, as is her film. Best gift at the festival by the way: 

Full of candy and a small story. Gives me an idea of what I want to do for my next film. 

7. The pastries - yeah I gained 1 of the 10 pounds I've lost. (No joke, I've lost the equivalent of a 4 week old baby). 

8.  People- they beg for tickets out in front of the Palais. 

9.  People part 2 - paparazzi camp out for  hours to get a shot of a celebrity.

10. I tend to forget how obsessed some people are about celebrities. Like just to get a glimpse. We had to walk a mile out of the way to get to the other side of the Palais today. 

So the Last Dance screened. I originally had 12 people sign up. 27 total showed up and jammed into the room. People stood, some sat on the floor. I was shocked. 

Afterwards, we got a standing ovation. Like everyone said it was amazing and that we must've had a huge budget and I was like, um no. It was only 15k, which isn't a lot. 

Best parts mentioned numerous times:

1 the kids - all of them. Loved you all. They kept asking about them and how is it working with children.

2. costume design - you, Haley Peterson. You rock. 

3. How long did casting take, they all look similar. 

4. The production value was amazing. 

And my favorite...

5. What are you working on next?

By far An amazing experience. We, yes we Arizona, had a movie screen at Cannes. I was approached about distribution  afterwards, but we need to cut some minutes out of it. 

Talked to Touscoprod today. That was great. They are a crowdfunding platform. Really great. 

Honestly. I've met so many great people here. I can't imagine what would've happened if I didn't come here to Cannes. My life is changed forever. My love of film is reinvigorated. I just enjoy it. I want to do more. I want to get better. This just pushed me into another level of motivation. 

Finally, tonight's dinner was at a place called Le Grill, in Nice. I had la piece du Boucher covered in gravy, a salad, a piece of chocolate cake with coconut sprinkles, and two bottles of the mini wine. 

Au revoir. 

Tomorrow: Cannes day, 5 the finale.