Ryan McNeil
So my envelope containing my TIFF schedule selections has been handed in, nothin’ to do for the next three days but sit back and wait. It’s kind of a nice moment actually…the calm before the storm. In less than a week, I’ll be running all over town, staying up too late, waking up too early, and seeing more movies in ten days than most people see all year. It’s a blast – trust me.
I believe in good omens. Twenty one is my lucky number, so I am encouraged by the fact that my envelope is in box #21. Maybe I can repeat last year’s 18 for 20 opening draw.
Edit: Word just came down that Box #9 was picked as the starting point, and that there were 78 boxes in total. My order is a dozen boxes back – pretty primo spot!
This is my eighth year attending The Toronto International Film Festival. If you’re curious about how the week shakes down, I’ve provided some details after the jump.
…For starters, when it comes to filling out my advance selections, I don’t bother choosing second choices (TIFF wants you to include “second choices” in case any of your first choices are sold out). I found it mind-numbingly painful to begin picking additional films that don’t conflict with the first twenty I’ve pain-stakingly chosen. So instead of listing second choices, I just take the coupon and use it as the festival goes on.
…Speaking of which, if there’s one part of my routine that stays constant, it’s my routine of hitting The Manulife Centre for tickets in the wee hours of the morning. The line is usually an easy-going bunch, and I’ve met some really friendly people. It’s also been a pretty good source of picking up additional movies as the festival goes on.
…I live downtown, which has been invaluable when it comes to resting up. Admittedly, it makes a 7am start-of-day, or a 1am end-of-day much more palattable when you know you’ll be home in fifteen minutes.
…As for choosing what I want to see, I try to make it a good mix. I could fill my schedule with lavish foreign fare, homegrown Canadian flicks, and thoughtful documentaries…but I want to have some fun while I’m at it. I love seeing movies that may only ever be seen by a select few, but I also love getting a jump on the heavier Hollywood movies that will hit theatres in the fall. It’s all about getting an equal balance.
…I don’t really care about seeing celebrities. You won’t find me going out of my way to catch a glimpse of a red carpet just because Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie are standing on it. I’ve never been a star-gazer, and some of the crowds that have gathered on King Street and Yonge Street for a premiere have left me shaking my head.
…I do care about certain film directors (keep your Pitt and Jolie – give me Soderbergh and Guest). Going to hear them introduce the film and answer questions after is something that does sway my opinion.
…In the past I’ve enjoyed trying to get an autograph or two (Zach Braff, Stephen Soderbergh, and P.T. Anderson are among my prized gets) but part of me feels a bit silly continuing to do that. What do you think?
no, never give up hope. Im sure you will get those autographs sooner or later. I would love to get Jim Carrey and Peter Jackson’s autograph.
If the starting box is 9 then you should get most if not all of your picks from box 21.
It’s like waiting for Christmas morning, but harder.
You couldn’t have said it any better Blake!
Farzan, I’ve actually managed to get at least one signiature every year so far (last year was Anton Corbijn). So I’m still pretty good at getting ’em…I just feel a bit foolish asking for autographs at age thirty.