SXSW 2010 Guide: Balancing Film and Interactive

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Observe and Report Cast Conversion" by Greg Brooks

Welcome to the first in Slackerwood's series of SXSW 2010 guides. Keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks for the Film Fest venue guide (now in its fourth year), a guide to restaurants near festival venues, tips for local film passholders and potential ticketholders, and a general survival guide.

Updated 2/25: See the "SXSW Panels" section for new info about access for Film and Interactive badgeholders.

Every year, South by Southwest (SXSW) Festivals and Conferences offers an overwhelming amount of amazing content from film to interactive to music. One challenge is that the Film and Interactive conferences take place at the same time, from Friday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 16. The film festival starts at the same time and continues through Saturday, March 20.

This guide will hopefully serve as a walkthrough of how to balance both Film and Interactive, whether you have a badge for either conference, or the Gold or Platinum badges that provide you access to both. 

Here are some personal tips and "lessons learned" on balancing the film and interactive portions of SXSW 2010:

  • Be prepared -- Read our upcoming SXSW 2010 guides.
  • Plan ahead-- SXSW has made major improvements to the my.sxsw.com interface and also has a new iPhone app. (I also like to export to my Gmail calendar.)
  • Be flexible -- If a film will have wide distribution or a screening later in the week, go for a crossover panel or evening event.
  • Practice the SXSW mantra -- "Sleep is the enemy."
  • Remember you can never do everything at SXSW, so relax and enjoy the ride.

No matter which badge you have, SXSW has chances for you to enjoy aspects of both Film and Interactive offerings simultaneously, and maximize the value of your SXSW experience. Here are some great opportunities for you to mix film geekdom and techie love.

SXSW Films

SXSW allows Interactive badgeholders to attend certain film festival screenings. You can get in the line with Film, Gold and Platinum badgeholders as part of the regular priority entry policy for all festival films. Here are the screenings you can catch with an Interactive-only badge:

  • The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Friday, March 12, 4:30 pm, Alamo Ritz 1) -- This thriller from Sweden was directed by Niels Arden Oplev. Oplev is best known for Portland, his first and most controversial film in the Danish new wave films of the mid-1990s. In The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, investigators link a woman's disappearance from a family gathering 40 years ago to a number of grotesque murders and unravel a dark and appalling family history.
  • 11/4/08 (Saturday, March 13, 5 pm, G-Tech/ACC) -- Feature film debut from Jeff Deutchman who asked friends around the world to record their experiences of 11/4/08, a historic election day. In this documentary, a global canvas unfolds: In St. Louis and Austin, idealistic volunteers think they can turn their states blue; in Chicago, voter lines grow even longer when Obama shows up to cast his own vote; in Dubai, Berlin, Geneva and New Delhi, expatriates express their emotion from a distance; and in Harlem, a felon casts doubt on whether any of this will affect his life. What emerges is a portrait of how people choose to live through "history."
  • Richard Garriott - Man On A Mission (Sunday, March 14, 1:30 pm, Paramount) -- This documentary by local filmmakers Mike Woolf and Andrew Yates focuses on Austin entrepreneur Richard Garriott. Last year, Garriott became the first son of an astronaut to go to space. But this is no millionaire's joyride -- he pioneered private space travel to make his dream come true. From Russia, to his rocket launch, to the dramatic footage inside the capsule during re-entry, this is a rocket ride to history.
  • Life 2.0 (Monday, March 15, 11:00 am, G-Tech/ACC) -- This feature-length documentary follows a group of people whose lives are transformed by the virtual world of Second Life. It's "an intimate, character-based drama about people who look to a virtual world in search of something they are missing in their real lives. The results are unexpected and often disturbing: reshaping relationships, identities, and ultimately the very notion of reality."
  • Barbershop Punk (Monday, March 15, 9:30 pm, G-Tech/ACC) -- Filmmakers Georgia Sugimura and Kristin Armfield examine the critical issues surrounding the future of the American Internet and what it takes to challenge the status quo.
  • The People vs. George Lucas (Tuesday, March 16, 3:30 pm, Paramount) -- This film focuses on the cultural examination of the conflicted dynamic between filmmaker George Lucas and his fans over the past three decades. Filmmaker uses several methods to portray his message via interviews, stop-motion and 3D animation, Super 8 action-figure films, puppet rants and many other surprises. This participatory documentary demonstrates fans' obsession for a man and the universe he has created.

Richard Linklater & Todd Haynes Conversation" by Karina JacquesSXSW Panels

SXSW unofficially features "crossover" panels, which focus on the areas where film, music and technology meet, and will mostly be held in the fourth floor horseshoe on the north side of the Austin Convention Center (ACC).  All panel sessions in Rm 18ABCD on the ACC 4th floor are open to Interactive/ Film/Gold and Platinum badges, with the exception of any livecast keynote sessions in the 2 - 3 pm timeslot. Here are some good panels to check out to satisfy your hybrid techie/film interests:

  • The Power Shift: Who Stands Between Creator and Audience in the New Content Pipeline? (Saturday, March 13, 9:30 am, 18ABCD) -- A panel of experts will discuss "the new world order, how to stop confusing the early adopting movie lover and create a pipeline that can once again restore dignity and financial viability to the independent film sector." Panelists include Austinite Chris Hyams of B-Side Entertainment, which makes this panel even more interesting due to recent news of B-Side's demise.
  • Nobody Wants to Watch Your Film: Realities of Online Film Distribution (Saturday, March 13, 3:30 pm, 18ABCD) -- Every respectable film festival these days has a panel talking about online film distribution and increasingly these panels end up in disputes between websites promoting their services and film distributors frustrated at their online revenues. At the same time everyone seems to agree that digital distribution is the future. So what's taking so long?
  • How to Cast Your Indie or New Media Production using the latest in Online Tools (Sunday, March 14, 11:00 am, 13AB) -- Learn from a panel of industry professionals including casting directors and Screen Actors Guild representatives how to cast an indie or new media production using tools including free and pay services. Learn which of the casting sites are right for your project's budget.
  • Does Your HD 'Baby' Have its "Pants on the Ground?" (Sunday, March 14, 3:30 pm, 13AB) -- Sony offers a mini-meeting every year, and this year's description is quite amusing -- "Although it might be an accepted style to walk around with one's low pants exposing their briefs, the same is not true when it comes to planning a production. This discussion will help you get your pants up, laying out the basics of the Sony XDCAM EX and more."
  • What Does Documentary History Look Like in an Interactive World? From Nanook to @Nanook (Monday, March 15, 11:00 am, 16AB) -- How have the challenges facing filmmakers changed in a world where filmed images on-line can be virtually limitless and immediate? This panel explores where history documentaries may be going -- and in what format. Panelists include Paul Stekler from The University of Texas; Jeff Deutchman, director of 11/4/08; and Alexandre Phillipe, who directed The People vs. George Lucas.
  • Visual FX for Indies: Big Impact, Small Budgets (Monday, March 15, 12:30 pm, 18ABCD) -- Sure, you can spend thousands on CGI. But digital FX work can just as easily save a film money. "Invisible" effects can shave your budget or solve logistic problems. Affordable tools and online resources can give high-end production value for low-budget price.
  • Making Sure The World Doesn't Suck: How Independent Content Can Save The Media (Tuesday, March 16, 12:30 pm, 18ABCD) -- Featuring experts from all three SXSW content areas including Evan Shapiro from IFC-TV/Sundance Channel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt of hitRECord.org, this panel will "explore why it's more important than ever for the indie community to use the power of numbers, and how to harness the energy and activity in the independent culture and community to create a competitive advantage in the race for audience and resources."

SXSW Film and Interactive Trade Show
(Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14, 12-6 pm; Monday, March 15, 12-4 pm)

SXSW 2009 Music Trade Show courtesy of Jenn SotoBe sure to visit the Trade Show for a great opportunity to see demos of products, services, and free adult beverages during happy hours from 3-4 pm on Saturday, March 13 and Monday, March 15. The SXSW Trade Show is where I first interacted with Austin Film Society representatives and initiated my membership, chatted with a Sennheiser representative about a shotgun microphone I hope to purchase, and bought some O'Reilly books for a great discount. There are a couple hundred exhibitors, and my early picks for 2010 include:

  • Panasonic's Full HD 3D Mobile Studio - This traveling road show houses the latest in Panasonic's plasma display technology, complete with a 103-inch 4,000 x 2,000 definition display.
  • SagIndie -- SAGIndie is the Screen Actors Guild's outreach program for independent producers and is funded by a grant from the Screen Actors Guild-Producers Industry Advancement & Cooperative Fund. SAGIndie helps filmmakers produce their films and expands employment opportunities for performers.
  • Women Techies United -- I believe that this is a new exhibitor for SXSW that I am quite excited about. Women Techies United brings together 10 different women in tech organizations/events, including Girls in Tech -- join our Austin chapter Facebook page -- and LinuxChix.

Microsoft BizSpark AcceleratorMicrosoft BizSpark Accelerator
(Monday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, Hilton Austin Downtown)

Almost 200 companies submitted their web-based products to the second annual Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator. In this final competition, 32 companies will do their best to dazzle a live audience and panel of judges with ideas, innovations, and products that provide a glimpse into the future of technology. Although many of these companies focus on social media and mobile applications, a few finalists are of interest to film and TV fans:

  • AnyClip - Founded by Aaron Cohen and Nate Westheimer, AnyClip began its mission in 2009 to "index the World's films, so people can search for and find any moment, from any film, ever made, instantly." Interesting to note that their headquarters are in New York City and Jerusalem.
  • Are You Watching This? - This Austin-based company guarantees that no sports fan ever misses an "Instant Classic." Using patent-pending algorithms that process in-game statistics for games around the globe and television listings across the U.S. and Canada in real time, users (and their DVR) will know when it's time to hustle to the couch. Although this company isn't film-related, I love how they give a new spin to the alert color system.
  • GraceNote - This wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America deals in embedded technology, enriched content, and data services for digital entertainment solutions. Gracenote's recognition technology is now available for DVD and Blu-ray disc collections via Gracenote VideoID. VideoID offers device manufacturers and PC application developers a comprehensive solution to enable consumers to more easily navigate disc collections, and learn more about the films.
  • metaio -- Their Unifeye software platform lets you place 3D animations directly into live video streams, and also supports the seamless integration of images from the external user environment. Metaio is the company responsible for the augmented reality technology behind "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" Augmented Reality Map.

Want to take a break from films and panels and focus on some networking? There are lots of events and lounges to choose from, here are some highligts:

  • SXSW Film Opening Party (Friday, March 12, 10 pm, Buffalo Billiards) This year's opening night celebration is co-hosted by the opening-night film Kick-Ass at one of the largest SXSW party venues. (Film/Gold/Platinum badges)
  • SXSW Block Party (Sunday, March 14, 3-4 pm, Trade Show) A new take on the traditional pub crawl, includes complimentary apps and beverages. (All badges)
  • ASCAP BBQ (Sunday, March 14, 6 pm, Maggie Mae's) No visit to Texas isn't complete without enjoying a plate full of BBQ and the fixins'. The ASCAP BBQ is a great opportunity to enjoy free BBQ while mingling with other SXSW attendees (Film/Gold/Platinum badges)
  • Nuclear Taco Night (Monday, March 15, 6 pm, Brushy Square Park) As one of the primary instigators, I have to plug our annual NTN. Free food and beverages, music, and a nuclear taco eating contest. Just remember: Nuclear Tacos may be free, but you pay in the end. (All badges)
  • Beacon: Lounge with a Conscience (ACC West Side, South End, Level 3, Rm 8BC) -- A relaxed and quiet escape  (Interactive/Gold/Platinum badges)
  • SXSW Bloggers Lounge (19A) -- A more lively and crowded environment, hosted by the dynamic Stephanie Agresta and Brian Solis of TechSet. (Interactive/Gold/Platinum badges)

Pay attention to Twitter for the buzz as well as where the lines are forming or where "the cool kids" are gathering for a nightcap. As always, you can follow Slackerwood on Twitter as well as yours truly on Twitter or Gowalla

Want to maximize your experience? Get to panels and films early. If you are a Film badgeholder, concentrate your socializing on the SXSW film parties and lounges, and limit the free drink intake. Create your backup plans now, and be prepared for last minute changes. Stay tuned to Slackerwood for more coverage and updates.

And if you have any tips to share for balancing Film and Interactive at SXSW, feel free to post 'em in the comments.

[Photo credits: "Observe and Report Cast Conversation" by Greg Brooks; "Richard Linklater & Todd Haynes Conversation" by Karina Jacques; SXSW 2009 Trade Show by of Jenn Soto; "Ballroom at Accelerator at SXSW Interactive 2009" by Daniel Lewis. All photos courtesy of SXSW.]