Monthly Archives: February 2014

Taylor Harrison–Leaving Sundance: Saying Goodbye to Interactivity in Film

Robert Redford leaving a press conference at Sundance 2014
Robert Redford leaving a press conference at Sundance 2014

I knew Sundance was going to be a once in a lifetime experience, but I didn’t realize I’d love it as much as I did. Going in, I was so excited to watch new films and see celebrities, but one of my favorite parts of the festival turned out to be the question-and-answer sessions following each film.

Lendee Sanchez Kaitlynn H Smith Brenna Sherrill Tyler Cobaugh Taylor Harrison and Bradley Englert outside the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah.
Lendee Sanchez Kaitlynn H Smith Brenna Sherrill Tyler Cobaugh Taylor Harrison and Bradley Englert outside the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah.

 While those sessions were most interesting when one of my favorite actors was involved, I loved them every time, even when no one I recognized from a previous film was there. It gave the audience a very unique chance to pick the filmmaker’s brain right after watching their film for the first time. Usually, when you have a big question after watching a movie, the best you can do is discuss it with your friends, or Google it and hope the director has discussed it before. There’s never a guarantee you’ll find the answer.

Director and Crew at Q$A after Film
Director and Crew at Q&A after Film

 But not at Sundance. At Sundance, when you had that burning question, it could be answered right away. We got to know how decisions were made in the film, and that really added to the interactive experience. I think that’s what I’ll miss most when I go back to my local theaters to watch movies.

Bradley Englert–Small Budget Indies

Taylor Harrison and Bradely Englert at the Prospector Theatre at Sundance 2014
Taylor Harrison and Bradley Englert at the Prospector Theatre at Sundance 2014

As soon as I heard that WKU was putting together a Sundance study away course, I signed up as soon as possible. Being at Sundance is an incredible experience for any aspiring film makers because it not only fills you with excitement, but proves that mall indie film making can be accomplished.

The indie film which blew me away the most so far was a Japanese/Indonesian film called Killers which was directed by Timothy Tjahjanto and Kimo Stromboel. After the screening the directors did a Q & A in which they revealed that the whole film was shot with about a one million dollar budget, which sounds like quite a lot, but in the world of film, it’s not much at all. This film looked incredible. It looked like any two hundred million dollar Hollywood film. It’s amazing that two guys have slowly worked their way into the industry, and made a film that encompasses so much with so small of a budget.

Overall, Sundance has excited me in many ways about the film industry and studying film. Everything from the panels, films, and Q & As after each screening have been awesome to experience, and Sundance really is an amazing experience for everyone.