Musings of a BNAT Newbie

I'm going to my very first Butt-Numb-a-Thon (BNAT) on Saturday. Eek.

Austin cineastes know this is kind of a Big Deal. For those not in the know, BNAT is a combination film festival of sorts, fundraiser, and birthday celebration. It's the one film event that requires attendees to apply to attend. Only 188 seats were available, and 6,128 applied. That's not a rare ticket, it's practically mythic. 

The application isn't just "let me in," it includes a series of questions that help weed out or secure a seat.  This year's theme is "BNAT1138" as it's the 11th year, so the application picture, which will be used in the yearbook (!) required a bald picture.  There was a lot of bemoaning on the talkback forums about the selection process, but it couldn't be clearer -- over 1,000 people who applied didn't submit a bald picture. It didn't have to be a "good" bald picture, just a bald picture of yourself. After that, the questions, silly and otherwise, were used, particularly related to films. 

I shouldn't be surprised at the yearbook.  There are people who've made it in every year.  There seems to be a real community about it. I feel lucky to know so many veteran BNATters. 

So I've paid my $71 to support the Alamo Kids Club and get a seat. Hopefully a real seat, and not a folding chair, or the very front row (the thought makes my knees ache and my migraine worsen).  Now, to prepare. I'm working on my sleep, something I have a hard time with at the best of times, but I don't want to go into BNAT sleep deprived.     

I'm also making sure to bring a little hygiene kit with deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and such to freshen up. That seems to be the most prevalent tip, and something I do for film fests anyway. Clean socks, too. And for those of you who don't think you should do such things, reconsider. I've talked to several Drafthouse waitstaff who've mentioned odor issues, and I know that they've had to fabreze all the seats after a BNAT. As one staffer mentioned, this is not the time for chili. 

Other tips I'm taking seriously are clothing related. Sweatpants for sure. Layers, definitely. A blanket and pillow, too. Spare socks were not something I'd thought about, but that makes sense.  At Cinemapocalypse I brought a travel blanket and found it was better than my usual layers so that's definitely coming with me.

As for sleep resistance, I've heard all sorts of things, from sour candy to Altoids, to Emergen-C (really?).  Caffeine doesn't work on me, and apparently energy drinks don't either. But at Cinemapocalypse I tried a "5-hour energy" drink that didn't seem to work, but I didn't sleep for nearly 24 hrs after the festival, so maybe it just took 5 hours to kick in. I tend to react differently to any altering substance anyway, whether it's OTC or prescribed.

So what are your tips, BNATters? And what should I expect?  And how many of you will be at the welcome party at the Highball?

[Editor's Note: Jette interrupts to shamelessly promote her own diary from BNAT last year, and to find amusement in the one comment on the entry ... from some chick named Jenn Brown who said she hoped to go in 2009. Looks like she's getting her wish!]