COUNTDOWN IN THE BUFF
BUFF is l8 days away, and I feel that where we are is where we should have been a month ago. We're still getting ads, and we're still having screening nights. We're not sure of our party venues, and how to pay for all of this is not an immaterial question. In addition, we don't have the administrative infrastructure in place. We have a great program, but will anybody know about it?
And, as attractive as the notion of being involved in running a film festival might seem, the reality of it is another matter. As is the stress, which makes the personalities involved in running the festival reveal themselves (as may be appropriate for the BUFF). Almost noone really understands what it takes to run a film festival. Showing and programming movies is one thing; running a festival is another. The evolving Board in Northampton realizes this in the selection of David Leo as the Festival Director.
Fortunately, I've been here before. It doesn't make it any easier, however. I only hope that the heroic and dedicated efforts by Kevin and Anna work out so they are not discouraged from continuing this kind of work. They have spent countess hours, are personally overextended in time, money and energy, and are beginning to realize that a festival needs money and an organizational infrastructure. It isn't all about the program.
This is the 7th year for BUFF, and there will be an 8th. When, in year 2, the Directyor disappeared on me, and my office manager Kat Thomas, a full time honors undergrad at BC, took over, exuding a confidence that was a little out of touch with reality. At pne point, when she was spending over 40 hours a week on the Festival, and tensions were running high, I said, 'We've got to count to 10. We've become friends, and we can't have the stress of the Festival wreck that friendship." We still talk a couple of times a month. She's out in LA, with a full time job, a relationship, taking acting lessons, auditioning, etc. Sp she still multi-tasks and overextends.
There are few rewards in running a festival. Certainly not financial. I've said before that there's something of both a masochist and perhaps an egotist in running a festival. In Northampton, Charlie Burke has stepped down as Director, but he still is actively involved in going to meetings and talking about programming.
BUFF will be good, and, as a former teacher myself, I know that it will be a valuable learning experience for Kevin and Anna, who have done so much good work to make this festival happen. But they also realize how much more work needs to be done and that the implementation of the festival wil have to be reexamined.
And, l8 days from now, we'll all stand naked with the program.
And, as attractive as the notion of being involved in running a film festival might seem, the reality of it is another matter. As is the stress, which makes the personalities involved in running the festival reveal themselves (as may be appropriate for the BUFF). Almost noone really understands what it takes to run a film festival. Showing and programming movies is one thing; running a festival is another. The evolving Board in Northampton realizes this in the selection of David Leo as the Festival Director.
Fortunately, I've been here before. It doesn't make it any easier, however. I only hope that the heroic and dedicated efforts by Kevin and Anna work out so they are not discouraged from continuing this kind of work. They have spent countess hours, are personally overextended in time, money and energy, and are beginning to realize that a festival needs money and an organizational infrastructure. It isn't all about the program.
This is the 7th year for BUFF, and there will be an 8th. When, in year 2, the Directyor disappeared on me, and my office manager Kat Thomas, a full time honors undergrad at BC, took over, exuding a confidence that was a little out of touch with reality. At pne point, when she was spending over 40 hours a week on the Festival, and tensions were running high, I said, 'We've got to count to 10. We've become friends, and we can't have the stress of the Festival wreck that friendship." We still talk a couple of times a month. She's out in LA, with a full time job, a relationship, taking acting lessons, auditioning, etc. Sp she still multi-tasks and overextends.
There are few rewards in running a festival. Certainly not financial. I've said before that there's something of both a masochist and perhaps an egotist in running a festival. In Northampton, Charlie Burke has stepped down as Director, but he still is actively involved in going to meetings and talking about programming.
BUFF will be good, and, as a former teacher myself, I know that it will be a valuable learning experience for Kevin and Anna, who have done so much good work to make this festival happen. But they also realize how much more work needs to be done and that the implementation of the festival wil have to be reexamined.
And, l8 days from now, we'll all stand naked with the program.
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