The World Premiere of The Runaways took place last month at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. I loved the film and selected it as one of my Top 5 Picks.

Written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, this rock & roll biopic about Joan Jett’s legendary first group is loosely based on bandmate Cherie Currie’s book Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story. The Runaways, although derided by the music industry at the time for being “too punk” for radio and not raw enough (read: male) for punk fans, are now seen as pioneers in the genre despite their short-lived career in the mid-late 70s.

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Third of a series

Last week, in real tips for real people #1, I offered some advice on how to get to and around downtown Austin, Texas, the location of the SXSW Film Festival. In part two we went over some of the rules, etiquette, and secrets of what happens from the moment you enter the theater until you leave.

Now you’re ready to move on to the next screening. Hopefully you’ve allowed enough time, and that’s trickier than you may realize.

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It’s hard to believe that just three weeks from today I’ll be arriving at the 2010 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival. As readers of this blog know, of the many I attend each year, few film festivals can beat SXSW for sheer enjoyment, both in the quality of the program as well as the kickass rock ‘n roll setting in which it takes place.

This will be my fifth year and I’m looking forward to heading back down to Austin, Texas, sitting in darkened theaters, and partying with true film lovers. Earlier I posted the complete list of of feature films, short films, conference panels, and schedule of film screenings.

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Of all the organizations doling out awards over the past few months, one of the more prestigious groups is the London Film Critics’ Circle (LFCC). They are the oldest critics’ organization in the world.

The Critics’ Circle is comprised of five sections: Dance, Art and Architecture, Drama, Film, and Music. The aims are to promote the art of criticism, to uphold its integrity in practice, to foster and safeguard members’ professional interests, to provide opportunities to meet, and to support the advancement of the arts. Currently there are some 430 members, mostly from the UK, the majority of whom write regularly for national and regional newspapers and magazines.

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First of a series

All film festivals are the same. All film festivals are different. Conflicted, you say? Well, no, not really. The general experience is the same — you just have to fill in the blanks. You arrive, get to the hotel, and plan your first day. You find the optimum route to the festival location, the best place to park (if you have a car), and the best way to get around from venue to venue.

You attend your first film, and learn the modus operandi for waiting in line, entering the theater, and finding the best seat to view both the Q&A as well as the film equally well (not always as easy as it sounds). This may vary from venue to venue, so with each successive film at each “new” venue the process is repeated.

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One of the most high-profile titles at the recently-concluded Sundance Film Festival was Jake Scott’s Welcome to the Rileys. The film boasts an all-star cast including James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo, and the ubiquitous Kristen Stewart.

The World Premiere was held at the 603-seat Racquet Club in Park City, Utah, which was filled to capacity. The audience was left stunned in amazement at this awesome achievement (see MY REVIEW).

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