SXSW 2010: Debbie's Wrap-Up
If I had to pick a theme for my experience at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival, it would have to be "what can be."
It began with the first event that I attended, my favorite Interactive panel that I saw this year: "How Sci-Fi Shaped the Internet" by Adria Richards. I was interested in hearing what Richards had to say about our shared favorite science fiction creators, including Rod Serling and Alfred Hitchcock, especially how their early lives affected the message of their works. She talked about how sci-fi allows us to think outside the box, and how this skill has been essential in terms of the NASA space program and the development of the Internet. Richards also talked about innovations influenced by science fiction, including flat screen televisions and earbuds (Fahrenheit 451), Ebook readers (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and wireless headsets (Star Trek). She spoke about the challenges and solutions in inspiring hope in young people, and as a child of the Sixties I could relate to the inspirations of the space program. I remember looking at the stars and wondering, "What's out there?"
Which brings me to the next SXSW event that shared the thread of exploring our dreams, the movie Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission. When I'd mentioned to people that I was looking forward to interviewing Garriott and seeing the documentary, the few people who recognized his name made reference to him as "a crazy eccentric" who spent $30 million to travel into space. Having met Garriott last fall when he'd donated his property, staff and resources for SCARE for a CURE haunt, I was skeptical of this misnomer. Man on a Mission successfully dispels this assumption, as we see how one person can achieve their dream that has profound impact on mankind. Garriott may have been the son of an astronaut, but it was through his own determination that he created and sold his first game Ultima and funded his way through college and into wise investments.
Finally, I witnessed through For Once in My Life (my review) how some people dream for achievements that many take for granted -- to be treated with respect and dignity, start a family, and express oneself through music. I'm sorry I missed the first screening of the film, as I heard that the band played at the premiere and conga player Melissa was embracing everyone after the performance.
Regrets? Missing Futurestates, a series of fictional shorts presented by ITVS, where different filmmakers examine current events by extrapolating them into the future through elements of speculative and science fiction. Watch episodes of Futurestates here. Fellow Slackerwood contributor and sci-fi fan Jenn Brown covered a couple other films I missed, so be sure to read her reviews of Earthling and Mars. I definitely look forward to seeing these films.
Best surprise? The women at SXSW! From actress/filmmaker Katie Aselton (Cyrus, The Freebie) to the women of Elektra Luxx (pictured at right), Ashley Greene (Skateland) and Kristen Stewart (The Runaways), there were tons of inspirational female filmmakers and actresses. I especially enjoyed meeting Andrea Beesley-Brown of Midnite Movie Mamacita at the midnight premiere of Monsters (my review). Andrea is the festival director for the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival in Tempe, Arizona. Science fiction is often an underrepresented genre at film festivals, so it's great to hear that there's a festival in the Southwest dedicated to covering sci-fi. I also met a lot of interesting female journalists covering the red-carpet premieres alongside me.
Finally, I have to give kudos for the wonderful job done by the SXSW Film staff and volunteers, including festival director Janet Pierson; Rebecca Feferman, Emily Shaw and Sharon Lyle with film press and publicity; SXSW Theater Managers Uber Shauna, Willita Mahone and Rene Streza.
Lessons learned? I overcommitted myself, and found out that recent changes in my health mean I can't go without sleep/food/water for as long as I used to. Thank goodness for the plethora of Zone bars being given away at the SXSW, which kept me from becoming hypoglycemic. Don't try this at home, folks!
[Photo credits: "How Sci-Fi Shaped the Internet," sketch by Michelle aka jamjar; Emma Bell and Sebastian Gutierrez at Elektra Luxx Red Carpet, by Debbie Cerda]