HD For Indies

Real quick, more to say later - that panel on distribution had some very, very interesting details buried in there about best use of money for indies, both in terms of post production money spent and distribution/marketing money spent. So back up a few days and read it.

Overall, I was really impressed with the panels' content and structure - sometimes it is the little things that make a conference better - such as the 30 minutes between panels for everyone to mingle and chat and schmooze and ask more questions of the panelists, or the spacing of the panels that didn't overlap too much with movies, and how it just timed out and spaced out well. Also, good quality on the panelists as well, with EVERYONE very approachable and talk-to-able. Even Shane Black (-Out), Mr. Grizzled Veteran himself, chatted with me a bit and wasn't "pish off kid."

So kudos to Maya Perez and her staff for putting on yet another excellent Austin Film Festival, and I hope they'll all be back next year to do it again. Also, congrats to Maya, whom I was informed is six months pregnant (but doesn't look it at all) - bless you all, and may your baby be as happy, sweet, and lovely as his/her parents. Seriously - golden happiness all around.

Also, saw Mrs. Henderson Presents at Frank Reynolds' recommendation. I'd been ready to blow it off as a chick flick with too much stuffy Britishness, but I LOVED it - VERY witty and sharp dialog, some scathingly funny scenes where I was, quite literally, knee slapping; and multiple scenes where I teared up as well. It was so nice to see the incredibly ALIVE chemistry between Judi Dench, and that an actress in her 70s (as well as a character of the same age) could have so much charisma and hold my attention so well. Truly charming and splendid, HIGHLY recommend. Oh, and to reference my glibness from the other day, it didn't hurt that there were quality boobies involved.

-"Hi. My name is Mike, and I'm, like, 14 years old...."