Insider's Guide: Fantastic Fest Survival Tips from Experts

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I originally called this guide "celebrity tips," but "celebrity" is a slight exaggeration. We don't do a lot of that in Austin. However, anyone who spends time at film festivals in Austin will recognize some of not all of the folks sharing their wisdom about making the most of Fantastic Fest.

Here at Slackerwood, we've shared tips about How to Drink Like an Austinite, the Fantastic Fest venues and last year's still-relevant Fantastic Fest 2010 Survival Guide, from A to Z (a great companion piece to our Festival Survival Tips). But we aren't the only festival veterans out there, so it only seemed logical to get some input from other Fantastic Fest experts. If you don't know them, you can meet them at the festival; I promise they won't bite, and you won't regret it. 

Kat Candler, Filmmaker
If there was a "Most Supportive Filmmaker" award, it would be retired; I can't list all the times I hear Austin and Texas filmmakers mention Kat (Hellion, jumping off bridges) as a pivotal resource when talking about their own films. Her first Fantastic Fest was last year, but she has some priceless tips.

Slacker 2011 Premiere: Waiting in Line

  • Bring a sweater. Not only is it cold in the theaters, but a sweater is perfect for hiding your eyes when someone's getting gutted or shot or skinned alive or bludgeoned. 
  • Be prepared to go on a non-Alamo food detox when the festival ends. As much as I love (and I mean LOVE) their BLT, after the tenth one, please god just give me a celery stick and a smoothie.
  • I balance family life and Fantastic Fest by being married to someone whose only event on his year-long calendar is Fantastic Fest. He's literally been counting down the days for three months now. No joke. So maybe marry someone who's as much of a movie geek as you are.

Peter Martin, Film Critic
Peter writes for Dallas Film Now, Movies.com, and Twitch (as well as being a Cinematical alum). He's also a veteran badgeholder who has mastered the art of festivalgoing on a budget. 

Fantastic Fest 2006: Closing-night party

  • I made my first trip to Austin to attend Festival Fest in 2006 (as shown on left in above photo from the closing-night party), where I unexpectedly ended up as a member of the Horror Jury, met a score of people who are still friends, became quickly immersed in the wonders of the local film culture, and converted as a true believer of the Alamo Drafthouse. I've been lucky enough to return every year since then as a member of the press, which makes things much easier (truthfully, I know I'm spoiled). But writers still don't get paid much, so I've had to do it on the cheap.
  • If you can attend daytime screenings, the earlier in the day, the better, you'll find that the crowds diminish after the weekend and you can almost always find something to watch. Be open to trying whatever's available. You might discover a new favorite.
  • My secret is to buy groceries, especially breakfast items and snacks, before the festival begins. Eat breakfast wherever you're staying, then pack a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a snack bar or two. Splurge on a meal about halfway through your planned viewing day, if you must. You can keep your food in your car or coat, and sneak away to eat it in the parking lot between screenings. Remember: eat slowly; water at the Alamo is free; sometimes your friends let you eat their leftovers. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid eating before or during any movie that might make you sick -- you don't want to lose your lunch and waste your money!

Jesse Trussell, Paramount Theater
Jesse is another festival veteran both as an attendee and behind the scenes.  He's also the guy who programs the wonderful Summer Film Series at the historic Paramount Theater (and their year-round film programming). 

  • Make sure you get there early if you are a regular badgeholder. You can definitely get into much of what you want to see, but the chances go way up if you arrive more than an hour ahead of time. [Note from Jenn: There is a "boarding" system but it doesn't guarantee a seat if you show up after the last general seating announcement.]
  • Make sure you have backup plans! You won’t get tickets to everything you want (and probably not any for the Secret Screenings), but there’s tons of great second and third options.
  • There’s a lot of fried food on the Alamo menu, and you will be eating a lot of it. The best light option? The hummus/pita plate is a meal’s worth of food and the best bet to get some nice fresh veggies. [Side Note from Jenn: The Alamo menu has a key-code for certain dietary concerns.]

Emily Hagins, Filmmaker
You may remember Emily as the subject of Zombie Girl, which played Fantastic Fest in 2008 (from which the photo below was taken; Emily's holding the mic). You might also have seen her latest film My Sucky Teen Romance. While Emily has three feature films under her belt as a writer/director, she's also a teenager, so she has some advice for the under-21 attendees at Fantastic Fest.

Fantastic Fest 2008: Zombie Girl

  • If you're under 21 and potentially trying  to do homework, I recommend using the lights under the tables and spending waiting times between movies getting your work done, since you don't have to wait in lines with the boarding number system.
  • I also recommend checking out the short film programs, always a lot to learn as a filmmaker!
  • For non-Alamo food, I recommend Thundercloud, Flipnotics (coffeeshop), Austin Java, and Kerbey Lane! Gordoughs is a fun spot, but very heavy food when you know you'll be spending the whole day sitting. Maybe check it out at the end of the fest.

Carolee Mitchell, Filmmaker
Not only a Fantastic Fest regular, Carolee is working on the documentary Rewind This! which chronicles the history of home video and its impact on culture and industry.  

  • Most important tip: Drink lots of water. Dehydration = sleepiness, headaches and general inability to make it through 6 films in a day. The Drafthouse food can be on the salty side, so there's even more reason to drink as much water as possible. Aim for one full glass/movie.
  • EmergenC: The Fantastic Flu is, sadly, a reality. With thousands of movie nerds in one location for 8 days straight, bugs start circulating. Take at least two packets of EmergenC every day (mix in your requisite glass of water for a 2fer). The added vitamin B boost will help get you through late nights.
  • Mingle: Many people will say this. With the wonderful Southwest Airlines-style numbered seating, lines are a thing of the past. Take advantage of the freedom and make as many new friends as possible. Ask people about what they've loved and hated; you may even discover a new favorite movie (or new best friend).
  • Use Twitter: Up-to-date feedback on movies or events are accessible via Twitter. RZA and Elijah Wood are singing karaoke at the Highball? Twitter will tell you. Friends are skipping a movie for drinks and/or a non-Drafthouse meal? Twitter will tell you. It's a great mass communication tool! Follow Scott Weinberg's FF2011 list for the most complete list of attendees.

Chris Holland, Director of Festival Operations at Festival Genius
Chris is not only a longtime Slackerwood columnist, he is also involved in bringing Festival Genius (aka FestG) to film fests, and wrote the book Film Festival Secrets, a must-read for anyone planning to work at or submit films to festivals.  He's a veteran of the festival circuit, having worked for and attended festivals across the country.

Hi Chris.

  • Talk to strangers. You already know you have lots in common by the simple fact that they're wearing a Fantastic Fest badge. If there's a better place to make friends I don't know it.
  • You're going to miss out on something. Let it go. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) can ruin a good thing. Don't let it. I struggle with this every time I go to any festival.
  • This festival is about entertainment over art. If you talk about a film in the context of its artistic integrity, be prepared to be mocked.
  • Sometimes you'll suffer from festival fatigue and want to get away -- at those times I would recommend a walk/drive down to the river for some fresh air (it's not that far) or away for a substantial meal. If you want good BBQ and you don't want to wait in the lines for Franklin, try Live Oak BBQ on East 2nd. You'll need a car to get there but it's damn good smoked meat and they're open from 11 to midnight.
  • Need a break? Within walking distance, the little food trailer park across the way is a great break from the Alamo. Maudie's Too, a little Mexican restaurant next door, has the benefit of offering a dedicated gluten-free menu.
  • For me the whole point of Fantastic Fest is to see things on the big screen that likely won't play big screens in Austin ever again. The point of Secret Screenings, it seems to me, is to have bragging rights for seeing something early that everyone will have the chance to see on the big screen later. So if I have the chance to see something I know will be amazing (like Funky Forest or Summer Wars), it's unlikely that I'll ditch it in favor of a Secret Screening.
  • [On balance working/family while attending Fantastic Fest]:  Grovelling, mostly. I ask my wife to pretend I'm not in town. I cook meals for the family that can be reheated later. As for work, I treat it like a business trip as much as possible.

There's lots of really great advice here, but the one Insider tip I have to add (and can't stress enough) is the importance of understanding the boarding pass system.  You absolutely need to read about the 2011 system even if you're a veteran Fantastic Fest attendee (be especially alert to the last bullet under the Rules, which is a bit worrisome). If you aren't familiar with the system, it works a lot like boarding a plane, although the seat ranges are based on the ticket you reserved; VIP badge holders get to make their reservations earlier (as in the day before) and online, and generally have lower (better) boarding pass numbers.

Boarding for screenings begins about 30 minutes before scheduled start time, just make sure you are there at least 15 minutes early if you have a boarding pass or risk going to the end of the standby line (although be patient if they seat late). Don't fret; standby doesn't mean you can't get in, it only means you might not get in, and probably won't get the best seats, but it really depends on the screening. (Our editor Jette is a big fan of the standby lines; you might run into her there.) And as Chris pointed out, don't get stuck in FOMO mode.

Fantastic Fest runs Thursday 9/22 through Thursday 9/29 at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar.  You can follow the fest on Facebook and Twitter. Slackerwood will be publishing coverage throughout the festival.

[Photo credit: Jette Kernion]

Boarding Passes

Great article with some good tips. I'm so excited about the fest, I've been looking forward to this more than anything all year.

However, I wanted to point something out. The boarding pass system was changed yesterday. Previously they had said that everyone would be allowed to reserve online. Tim himself promised this change at the end of last year's fest. This last-minute change means all non-VIPs will have to camp in front of the theater daily at 6 am to have any hope of getting into the films they want. I'm trying to see as much as possible and that means midnight screenings and getting to bed really late. Getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night for 8 days in a row is a recipe for a second straight year running a fever with the Fantastic Flu. I bought the badge with the expectation of reserving my films online each morning and am pretty upset with the sudden change in rules.

If you feel the same way and don't want to line up at the crack of dawn, please make your voice heard. Tweet to @fantasticfest, post a comment on their facebook (the thread about tickets is getting really long), or email them at registration [at] fantasticfest [dot] com. They're starting to see people care about this issue and the more people that speak up the more motivated they will be to make a change.

ticketing change

Apparently people's voices have been heard: Fantastic Fest is going to try to accommodate all badgeholders with online ticket reservations. Everyone hope to hell this works. (I can't do the crack of dawn thing either; I usually just show up late and pick up whatever's left.)