Sundance Day 1: “Is that your real name?”

The first day is far from over - I’m catching a screening of Beasts of the Southern Wild in a couple hours, because what good is the first day if I don’t even get to see a movie? - but it’s already been packed with great times. Let’s run things down:

• Volunteer training was pretty straightforward, and I got a bunch of swag, including a sweet jacket, a scarf, a water bottle, and aftershave for some reason.
• I got to reunite several times over with Cannes friends, and will continue to do so at Beasts.
• Sat in on the tail end of an entertaining, enlightening interview with some folks from Faircourt Editorial, a media organization out here in Utah.
• Wanted to nap but fought the urge (because at film festivals, sleep is for the weak).
• Had a random lunch with other volunteers at a delicious Mexican restaurant, where I learned the intricacies of Utah alcohol law, why Wyoming has some of the best skiing in the nation, and that people here at Sundance are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

I’d say things are off to a good start.