Rye grad Rich Williamson shares his Sundance success storyPhoto Credit: Rich Williamson.
The Sundance Film Festival '09 wrapped up this weekend. The reviews are in. Stars packed up their parkas and headed back to Hollywood.
But the negative buzz that surrounded the indie fest lingers. Celebrity presence was way down. According to many film critics, the parties were scaled back and the usually energetic and spirited fest had lost its spark. Blame the failing economy, pundits protest. As The Toronto Star’s Peter Howell put it, “it's hard to frolic when it feels the world is falling apart around you.”
Tell that to Ryerson film grad Rich Williamson.
The 23 year-old camera operator is finding steady work, success and measured recognition through these tough economic times. Williamson’s film, “Captain Coulier: Space Explorer”, showed at Sundance and is being considered by studios (I could tell you which ones, but then I’d have to kill you) for a television series.
Amidst the recession worries and money woes, here’s a story of success from one of our own.
Williamson braved the snow, hung out with stars and showed off his short film at Sundance. Read all about his weekend at the mecca of independent cinema.
My Sundance Experience
BY RICH WILLIAMSON Special to RyersOnline
Day One: The Flight
The view from the plane, overlooking Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo Credit: David Fradkin
A star-struck stewardess gave me my first taste of Sundance before I even stepped foot in Salt Lake City. I was passed out on the flight to Utah - still nursing a hangover from the night before - when the stewardess tapped on my head.
She asks, “Do you have a short in Sundance?”
This may seem like a regular question to a normal Sundance jet setter but I was totally caught off guard. She told me that she read the Chicago Tribune and saw a picture of me. I had no idea what the hell she was talking about but I went with it. By now, people were pushing their mothers aside to see which star dared to ride economy class. To their dismay, it was just me, a mere camera operator on a short Canadian film. I relished my newfound (misplaced) fame and delighted in the many free refreshments it got me during the flight.
Day Two: Are You Somebody?
The first thing I noticed when walking down Main Street in Park City is that everyone thinks everyone is a star. If you were wearing huge sunglasses and huge furry Chewbacca boots with swinging pompoms, it was a fair bet you might be Paris Hilton or one of her friends. Even though I played it subtle and donned my usual scraggly black pea coat, I could still feel the cold stare of paparazzi about.
Rich (center) and the crew of “Captain Coulier: Space Explorer” at the surprise Doors concert. Photo Credit: David Fradkin
Day Two: The Doors
The highlight of my trip was an accident. The crew, 4 members of the technical and artistic side of the production and I were walking past Gibson Guitars when I suddenly heard a blast of familiar music. A cover band was playing “Love me Two Times” by the Doors. At Sundance, as long as you look like your important, people will believe it. We brushed off our jackets and made as little eye contact with the door staff.
As we came around the corner, the men onstage were revealed: The Doors. Or at least the surviving members: Ray Manzerek and Robby Krieger. They were playing a live gig with female jazz vocalist (whose name I can’t remember) filling in for the long-deceased Jim Morrison. This was without a doubt the most special moment of the entire trip. I had the opportunity to see a legendary rock band, in person. After a few complimentary Jager-bombs, I worked up the courage to greet these legends of rock and we gave them a copy of our short. I am thrilled with the thought that a movie I worked on may be Robby Krieger’s new cocktail coaster.
The premiere ticket for "Captain Coulier: Space Explorer," a short film about a bored captain floating aimlessly through space. Photo Credit: David Fradkin
Day Two: The First Premiere
That evening was the first premiere of our short, “Captain Coulier: Space Explorer”. It was in an understated theatre that probably held about 300 people. It was a far cry from our expectations. Everyone had a lavish affair in mind but instead we were greeted with a theatre very much like the Bloor Cinema in Toronto.
Our film was a comedy so it played first to a pretty reasonable response. The laughs came in the right places and there was applause at the end - though not earth shattering. There were eight other international films hailing from such countries as Spain, New Zealand and Sweden. The majority were very introverted character pieces. Very subtle and layered with subtext. If anything, “Captain Coulier: Space Explorer” was a refreshing reminder that festival selections aren’t always laden with doom and gloom.
Day Three: Paris in Park City
The next day I had planned to go skiing but instead, we decided to hit up the strip and buy our loved ones some swag. After shopping, we had a close encounter with the one celebrity who made me realize how mainstream this festival has become over the years: Paris Hilton. My observation? She is short.
Throughout the day I checked out some pretty interesting exhibits being held in the city. One was a technology expo where they show prototype digital filmmaking apparatus’ and I was in awe of the up and coming solutions for more efficient filmmaking. One particular program of interest was called Tamper; a prototype-editing program demonstrated by film Science Advisor, John Underkoffer, who worked on Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report. The best way of explaining the program is that it uses hand and arm movements, motion detection and infrared light to provide a more hands-on approach to standard film editing. It was certainly an interesting glimpse into where film may be in the next 10 to 20 years.
Rich (behind camera) working on the set of "Captain Coulier." Photo Credit: David Fradkin
Day Three: Goodbye Sundance
That night there was a Canadian-themed party held at an art gallery in Park City. I was able to meet and mingle with several established Canadian film prospects and the knowledge I gained from them was truly invaluable. We were given a pin at the door that strobes a red light, and it was amazing how much attention it aroused throughout the night. I had everyone coming up to me, from filmmakers’ to the casual film groupies that visit annually. Many were interested to hear that I had a film in the festival. Most were just interested in my flashy red pin.
We left before the awards ceremony but I’ve since learned that we didn’t win anything. The amazing thing about Sundance is the opportunities gained from just having being selected. “Captain Coulier” is now in talks of being developed into a series and everyone who worked on it returned to Canada with a renewed sense of hope for the future. It was very reassuring to know we assembled such a talented team and that our first festival was one of such prestige.
