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MIFF Survival Guide
by Laurie Meunier Graves
The
Film Festival is a sort of marathon, and just as Lance Armstrong must train
and be sure his bike is well equipped, we must get ready for arduous days of
back-to-back movies from noon to midnight. Here are some of the
strategies I use to help me make it to the end. After all, there are tricks
to every marathon, and watching movies is no different. Here are my top
ten suggestions:
1. Get a festival pass. This is absolutely vital, especially with the
sell-out crowds the Festival has been having. Because of the crowds, many
ticket holders have not been able to get into the movies they want to see. A
pass allows you priority seating. While ticket holders are waiting in line,
pass holders get to breeze in, find a seat, go to the bathroom, and be back
in their seats before the ticket holders even come in.
2. Get in line early. Even with a festival pass, there is a chance that all
the seats will be taken. The Festival has had record-breaking crowds, and
some movies are very hard to get into.
3. Bring a cooler with food and drinks. With back-to-back movies, going out
to eat is not an option for the serious filmgoer. Water, fruit, and
sandwiches are the standard fare, but I have seen people bring in pizza and
take-out Chinese food.
4. Make a schedule and bring it with you. With so many movies in such a
short amount of time, it’s easy to get confused. The schedule helps you keep
track of which movie you are seeing and what time it starts.
5. Pace yourself with the popcorn. It’s there in the lobby, and it has that
wonderful smell. It’s tempting to get it for the very first movie. Resist
this temptation. Save it for when you’ll need it for fortification, say,
after the second or third movie. Hard as this is to believe, it is possible
to get popcorned-out, and when that happens, you have lost a vital booster
when energies inevitably begin to flag.
6. Make friends with other moviegoers. They will save seats for you, give
you tips, and even share chocolate with you.
7. Pace yourself with the Ben & Jerry’s Peace Pops. (See number 5.)
8. Dress in layers. Sometimes the theater is stuffy and sometimes it’s
downright chilly. A sweater or a sweatshirt, even on the hottest day, is a
good thing to bring.
9. Talk with other festival goers about what they have seen and don't be
afraid to adjust your plans to add a film you might not have planned to see.
By the same token, don't be afraid to avoid a film based on the "reviews"
from the next seat.
10. Last but not least, enjoy the wild ride. It’s not often that most adults
get to indulge in this kind of movie going. Work and family responsibilities
all too frequently get in the way of going to the movies. The Film Festival
is the time when all restraint can be thrown to the wind. It is a time for
shameless indulgence, a time of popcorn, Peace Pops, and flickering images
in the dark. And, when all is said and done, this is an unbeatable
combination.
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2008 Wolf Moon Desk Calendar
We are pleased to announce that we have put together another snappy desk calendar
featuring work by Maine photographer Clif Graves.
5 1/2" x 5"
2008 Wolf Moon Calendar just
$10.00 each
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Some of the fine
stores
where you can find
Wolf Moon JOURNAL
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Wolf Moon
Photo Note Cards
More Info
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