Day 2: Began with a blog but ended with beer pong

Film Critic Panel at OFF

Day two began with some last minute changes on the film critics panel (read more here and then here). However, the graceful and quite eloquent moderator James Rocchi molded a spirited and delightful conversation. Guised under the umbrella topic  of the role of the film critic, Scott Weinberg, Lisa Rosman, Eric D. Snider, Kim Voynar, Giancarlo Esposito and John Beifuss touched upon the changing world of film criticism due to the shift from print to the online world, female/male critics, interaction with publicists and filmmakers, the public and industry demands on critics, and professionalism in the industry.

I can’t speak for the rest of the audience (well, I can but I won’t), but I absolutely enjoyed the high spirits and great attitudes of the participating panelists and the insightful discussion with just the right amount of humor (and not just from Weinberg). I only wish it could last longer than 90 minutes.Luckily, we did tape the whole thing to post clips on the site and air in full on the campus television network.

Now to work on fitting them all in my pocket to carry around with me whenever I need to brighten my day. They are all lovely people that do lovely writing (especially that witty Snider fellow).

Afterwards the filmmakers, panelists, judges,  oh my, came together for a luncheon at City Grocery.

Movies began at noon and the first Q&A of the day was with Thomas Phillips of Rattle Basket – another thanks to Rocchi for leading the Q&A.

And then it all became a blur. Suddenly hundreds of people swarmed the Malco trying to see Prom Night in Mississippi. I vaguely recall there was much head counting and keeping orderly lines and having to stop people. Somehow I got a photo with Morgan Freeman. And yet somehow, it all worked – three screens full of folks later.

Also up tonight were Q&A’s with some of the short film folks – which I sadly missed. Then Jeffrey Goodman with Last Lullaby talked to a fairly good crowd before heading home. We are sad as we all enjoyed having him here. But our spirits rose when Jason Ritter arrived and immediately changed his plans to stay longer so he could enjoy the rest of Oxford. He did a great Q&A with the audience for the film Good Dick before being swarmed by a variety of college-age girls wanting photos. Oh, and me, right there with them.

Giancarlo Esposito Q&A’d with Kim Voynar after Gospel Hill – lots of questions and lots of good answers (like how in depth I am getting at 330 a.m.?)

Interplanetary, Chasing the White Dragon and Visioneers ended the night with Q&A’s for CTWD and Interplanetary. I snuck in after closing down the Malco to see the rest of Chance Shirley’s Interplanetary – as funny and gory as the last time I saw it at Indie Memphis.I had almost gotten the image of that spine out of my head and now it is stuck back in there. (ha, back. Man, everything seems funny at this hour).

Then Jason Ritter and I headed over to catch the tail end of the Powerhouse party. The arts council building looked inviting and lovely. I managed to eat three chips before heading back out the door where I caught up with the film critic mafia. We then headed to the late night where the lovely and talented Jen Yamato set up the beer pong table, much to everyone’s delight. However, after only one win she then lost twice to Chris Holland. However, both of them had a guy from Stanton Family Grave Robbery on their team – so I guess either way SFGR won.

In three hours I will awake refreshed and ready for another full festival day. I kick things off at 8:30 a.m. at the Bottletree for some caffeine and calories (mm, Bottletree muffin). Anyone who would like to join may do so before we all head over for a special tour of Rowan Oak.

And then, let the rest of the festivities begin!

Here’s another picture of the panel. They are all adorable. And look how snazzy Moderator Rocchi dresses.