Cucalorus

This year for Cucalorus, I was a filmmaker in the 10x10 video race thing as well as bartended. I tended the filmmakers lounge bar for all of my shifts. It was really fun in there because i got to meet a lot of different people. Also, i worked some morning shifts, so i really could have conversations with people rather than just bust out drinks and say hi.

One thing about the filmmakers lounge that was off putting, the volunteers being really overbearing about badges. Yes, make sure they have a badge, but don't run after people or treat people rudely. Well, they weren't rude, they were just old and not quite up to par on social cues. Whatever. Also, as delicious as pimento cheese is... 40 pounds is way too much plus it's obvious that you didn't try any other options of food when your filmmakers are chowing down on it every day of the festival. Also, there weren't enough bakery items in the morning. Both of these are what sponsors give you and what they don't. I just think that maybe finding a better way of using the cheese.. in other locations? i don't know. I did really like the popcorn machine. It was a nice touch. Also, the decor was fucking fabulous thanks to the designer... my sister Emily. But seriously, everyone kept saying how good it looked this year. It was super rad.

Ok, i'm not even going to go into everything in detail. I'm just going to say... Cucalorus this year was weird. Maybe because i spent so much time working on the 10x10, but it just seemed off. I think the tone of the volunteers might have been an issue. There weren't a lot of returning people. The new people were really intense and by the book. It's just not what cucalorus is about. It's about being creative and letting anything go. I feel like it's getting to be so big that they're having an issue of keeping their quirkiness and still getting money. At the end of the day, you're going to do what your money tells you to do, which is honestly pretty sad.

Another thing, the moderators. Some of them sucked really bad. For instance, me kind of stealing the mic... or definitely stealing the mic whatever. I want to point out that if it was just me and that film, i wouldn't have cared. All the films were fucking horrid. It's a video race, and i wasn't very proud of mine at all. But, my entrepreneur was up there looking to talk about his business that he took time out of his schedule to promote through cucalorus. You're damn right i'm going to make sure he gets his plug. Shame on you moderator. The first job is to do introductions. Being on staff for 13 years, you should know what a film festival is all about... filmmaker community.

To say the least, this year was unfortunately underwhelming.

As far as Visions go, we need to stick to who we are and what we know. That is celebrating the undergrad spirit and work from around the world. I think going away from that or losing sight of that will make us awkward and shallow as well.

Oh and my List of Events:

Dance-a-lorus
Bellamy Mansion
Orpington Shorts
Black Silkie Shorts
10x10
Jengos Backyard