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Bama Girl Blogs SXSW


''Bama Girl' director Rachel Goslins premieres her film at SXSW and takes you along for the ride.

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P.S.
by Rachel Goslins
Friday, March 14, 2008

Back home again, with only the permanent tiara indents in my head by which to remember my time in Austin...

With the passage of a few days, SXSW has remained a fun and funky touchstone, one of my more satisfying experiences as a film maker, and a big growth spurt in my understanding of the indie film world.

At last count, 'Bama Girl has been listed in 4 "Top Films To See" lists that came out of the festival, and Andrew O'Hehir, a terrific columnist at Salon.com, mentioned it in his "SXSW Discoveries" festival wrap-up and called it "engaging and provocative." Variety and the NY Sun may also do stories about it. I am getting emails everyday from audience members who visited the website and have follow- up thoughts or questions. Several distributors have contacted me saying they missed the screenings but heard very good things about the film and want screening copies.

All this from my little ol' film -- which I made for $29.99 and a bag of chips, and almost gave up on multiple times.

I have invitations to screen it at numerous festivals, but the one I am most excited about is the Sidewalk Festival, in Birmingham Alabama, in the fall. Not because it is the most high-powered, but because I think this film, screening in the shadow of the University at which it is based, has the potential to spark dialogue and action on some of the issues raised in the film. And if my film can move that needle, it will all have been worth it.

Screw that, it was all worth it 24 hours after I landed in Austin. Damn that was fun.

Come to the Atlanta Film Festival and see the film on April 16. Or check the website for other festival screenings.

Signing out (I mean it this time) - Rachel


Goodbye From Austin
by Rachel Goslins
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

So my last day here at the festival is drawing to a close.  Sigh. 

Saw a couple more movies, most notably 'Dear Zachary' by Kurt Kuenne, absolutely one of the most devastating and impactful documentaries I've ever seen.  Holy moly, what a film.  I felt like I'd been run over by a truck.  Which then reversed and drove over me again.  Incredibly involving and well-done, but I was still tearing up an hour after it ended.  I'm not sure if I'm glad I saw it or not...  Especially hard to see if you've got kids.  I think it's got distribution (was a huge at Slamdance) -- keep an eye out for it.

Ate a few more good meals, got a few more tiara pictures (although I struck out on the celebrity-wearing photos, I seem to have done well with the street musicians, superheroes and bellhops), and had one more screening of my film.  Totally sold out once again and a huge audience response (one lady couldn't stop crying after the film, which was flattering but a little odd -- it's not really a weepy kind of movie.  She said racism really really upset her.) A few more overtures from some other festivals that want to screen the the film, and some small nibbles from potential distributors.

I am one happy but exhausted film maker.

Some random ending thoughts...

1)  Austin rocks.  R.O.C.K.S.  What a great town.  Walkable downtown, good food, really warm but not creepy people, cute shops, great live music spilling out of every bar, no velvet ropes, chatty cab drivers and many local characters that I'm sure have been the subject of numerous student films.  I've utterly fallen in love with the place, and am already planning to come back to the festival as a civilian next year.  Although no one will recognize me bare-headed.

2)  SXSW rocks.  Very well organized, high-profile without being snobby or self-aggrandizing.  Terrific taste in films (if I do say so myself), super enthusiastic audiences, dedicated and competent staff (volunteer and paid) who are also film aficionados and love what they do.  I have the sinking sensation that all the other festivals from here on in will be a bit of a let down.

3) If you ever have a chance to get in touch with your inner Homecoming Queen - take it.  There is nothing quite as liberating as running around with a tiara on your head for a week, and realizing you don't give a flying fart that most people think you just came from a bachelorette party.  I made more friends, had more laughs, and got stopped on the street more in 5 days than I have since college.  Plus, I think David Schwimmer really likes me.

In the hotel elevator today, this cute 20 year old kept sneaking sideways glances at my tiara but couldn't bring himself to say anything.  Finally, as the door opened on the lobby, he couldn't restrain himself.  "Did you lose a bet??" he asked.
 

The truth is, not only did I not lose a bet, I feel like I won one.  And even though I didn't sell the film or get it reviewed in the New York Times (though I'm pretty sure I'll get a good plug from CelebrityStoner.com...) I could not have asked for a more fulfilling and fun week, or better family or friends (old and new, you know who you are) as company.  I kind of feel like I'm leaving summer camp -- vowing to stay friends with all my co-campers, counting the months until I come back, dreading my re-entry to the real world.  My journey with 'Bama Girl will continue, I'll go home and chase down all the leads from the festival, file away all the business cards and reformat my screening flyers for the Atlanta Festival next month, but I will always think of SXSW as my first festival love.
 

If you want to stay updated on my misadventures in a tiara (oh, you know it's coming to Atlanta with me...) check back on the website at www.bamagirlfilm.com.  Until then, stay weird.

 

 

 


The Premiere
by Rachel Goslins
Monday, March 10, 2008

What a day.  What. A. Day.

The premiere was probably one of the most fun experiences of my life, leaving aside my wedding and the birth of my children (which, come to think of it, wasn't all that much fun but at least I got a baby at the end).

The film was totally sold out - we had to turn about 30 people away.  The audience was totally great-- they laughed (loudly) at all the right places, ooohed and aaahed at all the right places, and remained in stunned silence at all the right places.  The applause at the end was loud and long, and then it just got louder and longer.

The Q&A with Jessica, the main character from the film, and I was incredibly thoughtful and fun -- almost everybody stayed for it and they eventually had to kick us out for the next movie.  

At the end Jessica was mobbed by people who wanted to take their pictures with her, and I was besieged by festival programmers who wanted to show the film at their festivals (most of whom were there due to the unflagging efforts of my friend Chris at http://filmfestivalsecrets.blogspot.com.)  

My parents were beaming, my husband was so sweetly supportive, and my friends all chipped in helping hand out tiaras and seating the VIPs.  (Special thanks to Kathy, who was my tiara-wearing surrogate for much of the PR and logistics over the past couple of days.)
 

Honestly guys, if everybody had days like this, no one would need antidepressants.
 

Attaching some pictures, stumbling into bed.  Tomorrow I'll write more about the other films I saw today, and go visit the Trade Show...

 


Last Post Before the Screening
by Rachel Goslins
Monday, March 10, 2008

There's a HUGE line. In the pouring rain!

 


Late Breaking News
by Rachel Goslins
Monday, March 10, 2008

Double Holy Crap! I was interviewed on the local news tonight (just happened to be standing there in my tiara waiting for a cab) and they gave 'Bama Girl a huge plug. This aired 2 or 3 times tonight http://www.keyetv.com/?articleID=17759

(warning, takes a while to load).

 

 


Tiara, The Sun Will Come Out Tiara
by Rachel Goslins
Sunday, March 9, 2008

Julius toasting Rachel and crew

Had a great dinner at Threadgill's, although every that could be fried, was fried. We started out with fried pickles, graduated to fried chicken livers (I passed on those) and then cut straight to the fried meat cuts. Urp.  All my favorite people were there -- what passes for my posse here in Austin.  Julius (my husband), Mom, Dad, Gale (stepmom), Jessica, her father, and friends Kathy, Skip, Mark, Lauren, and Jill.  Many tiara -heavy pictures were taken, but I'm posting the picture of Julius' great toast.  OK, so it's really just a picture of his hand, but really it's about whether I look good in the picture...  That's my Mom and Jessica in the background.  (I was saying to a fellow film maker how great it was that everyone thought I was so young here at the festival. "Maybe it's the tiara!" I said chirpily. "Uhm, maybe it's that you're here with your MOM," she responded dryly. Touche.)

 David SchwimmerCaught the end of a Q&A with David Schwimmer about the picture he directed "Run Fatboy Run" with Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria. I didn't get to see the film, but my posse liked it a lot. Struck out again trying to get a major movie star to wear my tiara. I asked David (we're on a first name basis now) if he would put it on for a snapshot and he said, very nicely, "Er, NO." Kind of in a sweet, maybe you need to get back on your meds lady, kind of way. I don't really hold it against him.

So tomorrow's the big premiere. I THINK people are coming to see it. At least everyone says they are. But I swing wildly between being terrified that no one will actually come and I'll be sitting in an empty theater with my parents, and being terrified that everyone WILL come and that they'll all hate it.

I appear to be partial to ALLCAPS this post. Go figure.

I don't know if any press or distributors are coming either. So far, the only press that has really committed to coming is the guy from High Times and the guy from CelebrityStoner.com (who I chatted up for over an hour because I somehow had it in my head that he was the NY Times guy. Oops.). Not sure how this film plays to the stoner niche, but those may be the only press blurbs I have to put on my site after this is all over. I can see it now... "High Times says 'Duuuuuude, that rocks!'" and "As seen in CelebrityStoner.com's "Top Ten Films To -- Wait, Where's the Ben & Jerry's?"

Off to fine tune my guest list. Wish me luck for tomorrow.
 

Chicken-Fried Queries
by Rachel Goslins
Sunday, March 9, 2008

Had a great day: went to see the Animated Shorts, which were wonderful. And, after seeing so many longer films, it's kind of nice to see stories in 3-5 minute increments.

Off to have a dinner with a big group of people at Threadgill's, ostensibly home to the best chicken-fried steak in town (although the appellation is hotly contested by several other Austin establishments). Not sure what "chicken-fried steak" actually is (Is it like a "turducken"? Is it fried in chicken drippings? Does the chicken do the frying? ) but I'm about to find out. All I know is, I'll be bringing my Lipitor.

The whole gang is going to dinner, my parents, friends, crew, and Jessica, my main character, who just arrived with her father for the premiere tomorrow (more on my butterflies later). My on-line editor, Mark Boszko, put together a funny "How To Survive SXSW" video and sent it to me. Check it out here: http://howtube.com/index.php?post_id=315360

Off to dinner. Will write more and obsess about my impending premiere later.

In the meantime, check out the newest best tiara picture ever:

Historic Homecoming Queen Yip-Yip (she really broke the non-Sesame Street barrier)


Dried Meat and the Heckler Ellison
by Rachel Goslins
Saturday, March 8, 2008

Harlan Ellison at SXSWWent to the South Dakota Film Commission's reception briefly and scored my first swag. Buffalo jerky. Really. Not that I'm complaining, but somehow I'm guessing they got better stuff at Sundance.

Also saw the Harlan Ellison bio-doc 'Dreams With Sharp Teeth' by the producer of 'Grizzly Man.' Harlan Ellison is one of the foundational science and fantasy fiction authors of all time, and quite a character.

The film was good, with some truly quirky and funny moments, but it would have been funnier and quirkier if there was about 30 minutes less of it. A common flaw in docs, and one I'm sure my films are susceptible to as well. I was thinking of trying to get him to wear the tiara, but couldn't keep my eyes open through the late night Q&A, let alone wait around for afterwards.

I tried to quietly slip out early and Harlan actually heckled me in the middle of answering a question. But from the film I gather it would be hard to throw a stick and miss someone who he has NOT heckled, so I assume I'm in good company.

Night night


Crowning London
by Rachel Goslins
Saturday, March 8, 2008

Two great firsts today:

#1. I just got back from my first full-fledged "festival picture" screening ("21" doesn't count since it's 
really a studio pic). Saw "The Toe Tactic," a charming, magic realism take on grief, love and letting go that blends well-done indie realism with fantastical animation, to great effect.  It's kind of like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" with fantasy animated elements, a bit of poetry, and a surprising emotional wallop at the end.  I really, really liked it.  Plus, it's a film that will probably never make it to widespread release (a little too esoteric to play in Peoria) and that, even if it DID come to a little artsy theater near me, I would always say I wanted to go see it but never would.  Just the kind of film you want to see at a festival.


"The Toe Tactic" star Daniel London wearing a ''Bama Girl' tiara

#2. After striking out last might, I got my first actor-tiara picture. Daniel London, the romantic lead of the film (super cute in an Adrian Brody kind of way), very sweetly posed for me in my sparkly headwear, unlike some other people I could mention.  Bonus points for Daniel -- you've got to appreciate a man who isn't intimidated by the tiara.


Best Tiara Picture, Ever
by Rachel Goslins
Saturday, March 8, 2008


Master Chief from 'Halo 3' wears the famed ''Bama Girl' tiara


Another Day, Another Top 10 List
by Rachel Goslins
Saturday, March 8, 2008


Wall of posters from the Film Maker's Lounge

'Bama Girl' made its second Top Ten List!  Check out http://www.slackerwood.com/node/225 for Chris Holland's picks.  I'm starting to get the hang of this.

Pretty soon I'll need an entourage and bigger sunglasses.

Festival Opening Night: Meat Coma & World Peace
by Rachel Goslins
Friday, March 7, 2008

Eight hours in Austin and I can already tell I'm going to like this city.

Director and queen talk over tiaras
Tiaras of the world - Unite!!

Turns out my roving Homecoming Queen was a stroke of pure genius (credit goes to a wonderful film festival blogging guru over at http://filmfestivalsecrets.blogspot.com/ who suggested the idea.) While passing out my flyers, she was interviewed on several local TV stations and by what seemed to be a Japanese film crew (they're everywhere), and was a point of discussion for many of the registrants. As a matter of fact, when I went to register for my own film badge, wearing my ever-present tiara in horde of hundreds, the volunteer worker said "Hey, are you with that 'Bama Girl film?'" Bingo!

Homecoming Queen interviewed
"My greatest wish for the world is that we could all live together in peace"

Turns out wearing a tiara also has its downsides. It hit me after many hours of hanging out with tragically hip 20-somethings in perfectly faded jeans and vintage T-shirts. After the 10th person commented "Nice tiara!" and passed by, I realized with creeping mortification that most people thought I was wearing it as an actual fashion accessory. Yikes. Irony, people - irony.

Speaking of tiaras, I happened to be by the red carpet when the handsome and young Jim Sturgess, star of the festival's opening night film "21" passed by. After the paparazzi had finished photographing him from every possible angle twice, I asked him nicely if he would mind putting on my tiara for a picture. He declined, not particularly graciously. It's not like I asked him to wear a bustier and garters, for god's sake. I didn't bother asking Kate Bosworth, she doesn't seem the type. I did find a much more cooperative 9 month old baby, Addison, however. Maybe she'll be an actress someday.

Addison and actor Jim Sturgess

Saw "21," a Sony Pictures release about the MIT students who took Vegas for millions playing blackjack, based on the book "Bringing Down the House." It was actually pretty darn good - fast paced, gripping, with good acting and a light touch. Kevin Spacey was terrific, playing a good/bad guy like a snake in bathrobe and bunny slippers. I'd recommend it when it hits theaters.

Homecoming Queen at 21 Premiere
Roving Homecoming Queen for a day photo ops at festival opening night

Also had a good dinner at the Roaring Fork, right next to the Paramount Theater - bistro food with a southern flair (Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce anyone?) and Flintstone-like portions of various cuts of beef. The "Big Ass" burger was not too shabby either, although I fear it did indeed go straight to making my ass bigger. Such is life - you're only in Austin at the premiere of your first film once, might as well spend it in a meat coma.

Went to several smoke and loud music filled parties, then crawled back to my hotel. I haven't been up this late for something that did not involve a 2 year old with a stomach flu since college. My "Film Makers Orientation" starts in about 4 hours. Wish me luck.

Publicity in the City
by Rachel Goslins
Friday, March 7, 2008

Whoo hoo!  So far so good.  Ive been in austin 20 minutes and look 
what's on the homepage of www.slackerwood.com!


'Bama Girl promotion at SWSX

 


Bring on the Pageant Hair
by Rachel Goslins
Friday, March 7, 2008

Rachel Goslins

So here I am on the airplane, winging my way towards the film festival of Austin. I have about 3 hours to recuperate from the last week prepping for this festival, which has been CRAZY.

This is my first feature film, and my first festival, and somehow I thought that getting into it was kind of like a prize for all my hard work ("Yay me - I made a good film! Now I get to sit back and enjoy the worshipful press interviews, star-studded parties and packed theaters.")

But no. Oh no no no.

Turns out, it is a HUGE game that you have to play - to get press, to get audiences, to get that oh-so cliched "buzz," unless you want to end up sitting in an empty movie theater watching your film with your parents. Not to mention being essential if you want to have the slightest hope of actually selling your film.

That realization hit me like a bucket of cold moonshine about 7 days ago (note: first, but not last, bad Texas reference). And into overdrive I went.


From a cold start, this is what I've managed to do in one week:

  • Found and hired a Marylyn Monroe impersonator to dress up in full Homecoming Queen regalia (prom dress, sash and tiara) and hand out screening flyers for the film during the peak hours of film festival registration at the Austin Convention Center. (turns out, my Marylyn Monroe is also a pig farmer by day -- you gotta love Texas.)
  • Designed and printed full and half page color screening flyers on cardstock to be handed out and posted by my hordes of minions (uh, me and my family)
  • Bought domain name and put up basic website at www.bamagirlfilm.com
  • Ordered a crap load of tiaras - a few higher end models for myself, my parents (this means you Dad) and my friends to wear throughout the festival, and a few dozen cheaper ones to give out in the VIP section of my premiere screening. Hopefully the excessive tiara wearing will lead to many conversations about the film, not to mention a new fashion trend in Austin.
  • Talked to the theater managers to establish a two-row VIP section of the theater for the first screening where people we specifically invite (distributors, press, supermodels etc) will get a free drink and a tiara. The idea is to have a list to put people on, even if they already have a pass, to make them feel slightly more obligated to actually show up.
  • Arranged for a member of the Austin chapter of the NAACP to be at the premiere screening, as well as the president of the AKA chapter at UT (the black sorority of my main character, Jessica). Also got the president to circulate my screening flyer by email to her sorority sisters and post it in the house.
  • Got the film mentioned in the Efilmcritics "Top Ten Films to Put On Your Schedule for SxSW 2008" article.
  • Got the film mentioned on the Slackerwood blog and FilmFestivalSecrets blog.
  • Got the film mentioned on-air during the University of Texas's college radio station's morning show last week, and schedule an interview with them and Jessica for Sunday (it will air after the festival)

    This is what I have NOT managed to do in the last week:
  • Despite my best efforts (and email and phone calls that may border on stalking) get any other publication interested in a pre-festival interview or review. Mostly because they don't call me back.
  • Mobilize any real support on the UT campus, within the Greek system or from the campus newspaper.
  • Lose 10 pounds.
  • Pre-sell the theatrical right to THINKfilms.

    • So there we go. And here we go. Bring on the pageant hair.


    ''Bama Girl' Director Rachel Goslins to Blog SXSW
    by CityGuide Staff
    Thursday, March 6, 2008

    Bama Girl flyerDocumentary filmmaker Rachel Goslins is celebrating the world premiere of her film, ''Bama Girl' at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin by blogging about the experience on AOL CityGuide.

    Rachel will be posting daily entries to give the reader insight into what it's like to have a film show on one of America's biggest stages, or metaphorical theaters as it were.

    If you're in Austin, look for Rachel and her crew in tiaras and they may have a homecoming queen in tow. Be sure to check out the world premiere of ''Bama Girl' at the Alamo Ritz 1 on March 10 at 1:30PM.

    For more information on the movie or Rachel, check out the sidebars on this page. Otherwise stay tuned for the posts.

    Click image to view official ''Bama Girl' SXSW flyer download with full screening schedule and info about a Q&A with the director and main character.

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    Bama Girl Director Rachel Goslins blogs the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. Find out what it's like to have a film premiere at a festival.

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