A New Adventure!

Exciting news!

This weekend, I'll be heading off to the New Orleans Film Festival to join the crew of Bible Quiz to support their screenings there. As you might recall, I first saw the film at Slamdance, and had the chance to spend some time with them in the bitter cold. A few months later, I was lucky to be able to bring the film to the Festival I program for. It was the rare occasion where programming didn't just expand my rolodex so much as it saw me make new friends. 

Imagine my surprise to get the invitation to come out to the Festival this weekend! I've never been to New Orleans before, and we're planning to do a fair bit of exploration (and eating, eating, eating) in addition to seeing as many films as possible. While I've been to my share of Festivals for my job, I'm particularly excited to be attending a Festival with a film's team, which is a first for me. I'm looking forward to pitching in however I can!

At this point, I'm not entirely sure if I'll be posting each day a la the Tales from Park City or SmackDance columns, or if I'll tackle everything in a big wrap-up post when I get home next week. There will definitely be tons of pictures!

If you've been to New Orleans and have favorite places to visit, leave a comment and let me know!

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Don't forget to like Bible Quiz on Facebook and follow both Nicole and the film on Twitter!

SmackDance: On The End

--From Thursday, 1/26/2012

Dear Wide World,

This is it.

Here we go…

Today’s screenings:

Price Check: Perennial Sundance favorite Parker Posey plays Susan, a newly hired, incredibly manic boss who turns her department upside down and inside out, wreaking particular havoc on the life of nice guy/worker-bee Pete Cozy (Eric Mabius). She’s one of those charismatic managers who leaves no prisoners in her wake, while simultaneously making those around her desperate for her approval. For the most part, Price Check is . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Early Mornings at the End

--From Wednesday, 1/25/2012

Dear Wide World,

Four screenings on the docket today, so let’s get to ’em:

Goats: A chance to go to this Sundance screening popped up at the last minute yesterday, when a colleague offered me an extra ticket, and I grabbed it, despite it’s 9 a.m. starting time. Goats is an entertaining look at . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Graffiti, Mental Athleticism, Comic Books and the French

--From Tuesday, 1/24/2012

Dear Wide World,

Now that the weekend’s screenings and events are behind us, Park City’s a much quieter town. Personally, that’s just fine with me. As terrific as all excitement’s been, it’s nice to know I’ll be able to make it up Main Street to a screening without having to fight my way past a ton of people. It’s been warmer over the past few days, but, as I write this, it’s 18 degrees (F). That’s eighteen degrees, people. This is the kind of temperature at which your memories of the fourth grade start feeling the cold.

Now for today’s screening report . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Day 4

--From Monday, 1/23/2012

Dear Wide World,

My quads are sore from walking uphill. My body grows weary of the late nights and early(ish) mornings. My… well… every fiber of my being resounds against trekking through the slush for hour after hour.

Am I having a great time? YES! There’s really nothing like Sundance for giving industry professionals the opportunity to meet, network and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. Today, I was able to attend a Filmmaker’s Brunch, a reception hosted by the Utah Film Commission, and a terrific party hosted by Telefilm. I also met one Paul Giamatti . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Recharging

--From Sunday, 1/22/2012

Dear Wide World,

Fortunately, today was quite a bit warmer than the icy deluge that was Saturday night, and by warmer, I mean it was in the mid-30′s (F) with the sun out. It’s strange how fast one grows grateful for the slightest hint of sun when it’s been absent for any length of time. My Monday will be packed with screenings, receptions and post-events, but today (Sunday) evolved into an unexpected day to recharge my batteries. . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Park City Under Siege

--From Saturday, 1/21/2012

Dear Wide World,

It’s cold. No, it’s VERY cold. The first couple of days were relatively mild, with some light snowfall and rain. That’s all changed very quickly. I left the condo at 9:20 a.m., caught the bus to Main Street, and spent the next 10-15 minutes walking uphill with the snow in my face. Let’s just say I picked a lousy day to wear my glasses. My coat hat and gloves were soaked when I sat down for the first screening of the day, which was . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Jumping In

--From Friday, 1/20/2012

Dear Wide World,

I am pleased to report that, despite spending more than 48 hours in an environment dominated by snow, I have not yet fallen victim to that horrible beast known to Californians as “the wipeout.” Sadly, not all members of my party have known my success in matters such as these, but I, above all else, count myself truly fortunate.

After day one, I’m on the board with four screenings at the Slamdance Film Festival, . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.

• Click HERE To visit the full SmackDance archive of posts from the Festival.

SmackDance: On Arrival

--From Thursday, 1/19/2012

Greetings from Park City, UT! The temperature’s currently 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the snow’s been falling fairly steadily, and the plows that clear that snow out are parked… yep, right outside the door of my condominium. Hello 6:00 a.m.! Ready to rock and roll?

The cinematic world is closing in on this little town even as I speak. Today’s a light day for me . . . to keep reading at MovieSmackdown! click HERE.