The pee schedule at TIFF is a real thing. If you're covering the red carpet, you're often asked to show up at least an hour before arrivals. So that's an hour of waiting, and it's hot, so you have to hydrate, and then with the fucked up traffic in Toronto and just all-round celebrity time management, they're often late. So all told you're on that carpet for two hours minimum and for some people with small bladders, ahem, this is a major concern.
I love it when your reviews are unhinged so I'm biased in that regard but I'll let you know if I notice them trending that way as the week goes on. Sending all the good vibes your way and I hope it goes well!
This is his first credited/produced screenplay, but I've read another script he worked on for an unproduced project. He has the goods. Linklater isn't humoring him, Powell is going to be a triple-threat, writing/producing his own projects. Won't be shocked if he directs down the line.
I'm doing my first full day of TIFF on Friday! I'm watching three films: Women of the Hour, Gonzo Girl and Queen of my Dreams. I saw Women Talking last year and caught the TIFF bug. I'm gleaming some tips from your notes, including snacks and pee breaks!
The Woman of the Hour was chilling, I have a low tolerance for violence so I felt that it was a bit heavy handed in the violence the women experienced. It was spot on in examining the ways women had/have to negotiate their safety. Impressive debut for Anna Kendrick! Wish I could have seen her in a Q&A (union strong, of course!)
Gonzo Girl was not for me, I wanted to like it more because Patricia Arquette!! Queen of My Dreams was heartwarming and loved the representation of a queer muslim experience on screen.
Thank you, Sarah! Love this inside baseball look at festival screening/reviews. (And the casual/intimate tone of this first newsletter post. Looking forward to more from the Squawk.) Sarah, how do you keep your thoughts clear about each film when you're sometimes seeing them back-to-back-to back? Do you write as you're watching the film? I can't get my head around seeing that many films and being able to be articulate about them. Go you!
I honestly have a garbage writing process. I don't take notes, and unless I think of a really, REALLY good line, I don't write anything before I actually start the review. I can't outline, etc. If I do too much "pre-writing", I just won't ever do the actual writing, so I just write to the final draft.
As for keeping my thoughts clear, I would argue that they're not, but mostly it's a combination of having a good memory and practice. It's like playing an instrument, the more you do it, the better you get. My first TIFF, I worried about writing 3-4 reviews a day, but honestly, the hardest part is just maintaining energy.
Oh yeah, Tiff is a great place to make contacts. I have business cars that just have my email on them and I hand them out like candy. Sometimes it leads to new professional opportunities, sometimes to gossip.
One instance of primo Tiff gossip was hearing Chris Pratt yelling at someone on the phone about "her", it was pretty obviously personal problems. A few months later he and Anna Faris announced their divorce.
I worked in both film development and acquisitions for independent companies and my festival/market experience was the same kind of crazy, but instead of writing between screenings you are meeting with colleagues at other companies trying to get info on who wants what and then meeting with your execs to talk about what you want to go for and then the negotiating starts. It can go all day and night. The good thing is that if a movie is terrible you can leave, but I imagine a reviewer can't do that! I was so burned out and depressed after my last Sundance (all the way back in 2005) that I stopped working two months later and never went back to film.
Not at press screenings, no. Its whatever you can get. I'm typically a middle-middle sitter, but if I know I have a tight turnaround to another screening, I will go for the aisle seat closest to the exit I can get for a hasty exit.
One year, Dev Patel had the same idea and we collided sprinting from the theater. He was very chill about it, as the taller party, he apologized for not seeing me. Then he touched his amazing hair and I died.
Thanks, Sarah, for this behind the scenes look at TIFF as a reviewer. Very interesting! Can't wait to read what you write about the various films. Always love to get your take.
Fantastic post, Sarah! Reminds me of the days I did this for fun. One other recommendation I would highlight is COMFORTABLE SHOES! Because yes, you're gonna be standing in epic lines and racing from King St to the Scotiabank several times a day. Have a great time!
I’ve been invited to a couple of premieres and “red carpet” film event this year and was surprised how little was offered (beverage and food) to the “public “ both time i was mad at myself to forget my water bottle!
The pee schedule at TIFF is a real thing. If you're covering the red carpet, you're often asked to show up at least an hour before arrivals. So that's an hour of waiting, and it's hot, so you have to hydrate, and then with the fucked up traffic in Toronto and just all-round celebrity time management, they're often late. So all told you're on that carpet for two hours minimum and for some people with small bladders, ahem, this is a major concern.
This would seriously stress me out. I’m a “pee before leaving the house and again at the movie theater” girl.
Same!!! I clock the bathroom in almost any place I’m in.
Please stay hydrated, Sarah. We need you at least partially alive for the unhinged part (the best part).
I love it when your reviews are unhinged so I'm biased in that regard but I'll let you know if I notice them trending that way as the week goes on. Sending all the good vibes your way and I hope it goes well!
“ […] co-written by Richard Linklater and Glen Powell “
… did a double take on Glen Powell!?! Wasn’t expecting that and very intrigued…
This is his first credited/produced screenplay, but I've read another script he worked on for an unproduced project. He has the goods. Linklater isn't humoring him, Powell is going to be a triple-threat, writing/producing his own projects. Won't be shocked if he directs down the line.
F-ck his hotness just tripled for me. Ooo Lalaaa
Agree! This just upped Glen Powell’s quotient in my book
I'm doing my first full day of TIFF on Friday! I'm watching three films: Women of the Hour, Gonzo Girl and Queen of my Dreams. I saw Women Talking last year and caught the TIFF bug. I'm gleaming some tips from your notes, including snacks and pee breaks!
Please share your thoughts on the film's you see! Especially Woman of the Hour, I'm seeing that...Saturday? What day is it lol
The Woman of the Hour was chilling, I have a low tolerance for violence so I felt that it was a bit heavy handed in the violence the women experienced. It was spot on in examining the ways women had/have to negotiate their safety. Impressive debut for Anna Kendrick! Wish I could have seen her in a Q&A (union strong, of course!)
Gonzo Girl was not for me, I wanted to like it more because Patricia Arquette!! Queen of My Dreams was heartwarming and loved the representation of a queer muslim experience on screen.
My tolerance for violence is high, so I didn't think Woman of the Hour was that graphic, which means it's probably somewhere in the middle.
I am less and less regretting passing on Gonzo.
Thank you, Sarah! Love this inside baseball look at festival screening/reviews. (And the casual/intimate tone of this first newsletter post. Looking forward to more from the Squawk.) Sarah, how do you keep your thoughts clear about each film when you're sometimes seeing them back-to-back-to back? Do you write as you're watching the film? I can't get my head around seeing that many films and being able to be articulate about them. Go you!
I honestly have a garbage writing process. I don't take notes, and unless I think of a really, REALLY good line, I don't write anything before I actually start the review. I can't outline, etc. If I do too much "pre-writing", I just won't ever do the actual writing, so I just write to the final draft.
As for keeping my thoughts clear, I would argue that they're not, but mostly it's a combination of having a good memory and practice. It's like playing an instrument, the more you do it, the better you get. My first TIFF, I worried about writing 3-4 reviews a day, but honestly, the hardest part is just maintaining energy.
This is fascinating (and stressful!!!). Be well!!
Have you ever exchanged emails from (to be) insiders while waiting in line? What is some of the best gossip you’ve ever overheard from people at TIFF?
Oh yeah, Tiff is a great place to make contacts. I have business cars that just have my email on them and I hand them out like candy. Sometimes it leads to new professional opportunities, sometimes to gossip.
One instance of primo Tiff gossip was hearing Chris Pratt yelling at someone on the phone about "her", it was pretty obviously personal problems. A few months later he and Anna Faris announced their divorce.
We did have a nice dinner one night, And thank you for the kind comment about the podcast.
I worked in both film development and acquisitions for independent companies and my festival/market experience was the same kind of crazy, but instead of writing between screenings you are meeting with colleagues at other companies trying to get info on who wants what and then meeting with your execs to talk about what you want to go for and then the negotiating starts. It can go all day and night. The good thing is that if a movie is terrible you can leave, but I imagine a reviewer can't do that! I was so burned out and depressed after my last Sundance (all the way back in 2005) that I stopped working two months later and never went back to film.
I LOVE talking to the buyers in line, finding out what different market priorities are, etc. It's so informative.
This was so interesting! It sounds like you don’t have an assigned seat at screenings — is that right?
Not at press screenings, no. Its whatever you can get. I'm typically a middle-middle sitter, but if I know I have a tight turnaround to another screening, I will go for the aisle seat closest to the exit I can get for a hasty exit.
One year, Dev Patel had the same idea and we collided sprinting from the theater. He was very chill about it, as the taller party, he apologized for not seeing me. Then he touched his amazing hair and I died.
Thanks, Sarah, for this behind the scenes look at TIFF as a reviewer. Very interesting! Can't wait to read what you write about the various films. Always love to get your take.
Sarah, this was fascinating! I love all this nitty gritty inside baseball stuff!
Fantastic post, Sarah! Reminds me of the days I did this for fun. One other recommendation I would highlight is COMFORTABLE SHOES! Because yes, you're gonna be standing in epic lines and racing from King St to the Scotiabank several times a day. Have a great time!
Oh I have the comfy shoes, I just didn't wear them last night.
Your review of La Chimera was so poetic and haunting! It's a no-miss for me now, and I don't seek out a lot of movies.
Take care; you've got this!
Thank you Amanda! Alice Rohrwacher makes it easy because her films are always a little bit like dreams.
I’ve been invited to a couple of premieres and “red carpet” film event this year and was surprised how little was offered (beverage and food) to the “public “ both time i was mad at myself to forget my water bottle!
Lol “it doesn’t sound taxing” aykm sounds completely exhausting!😴💪🏼
going to TIFF is one of my favorite things. I'm so jealous but can't wait to live vicariously through your reviews!