5/16/2007 11:37 PM
posted awhile ago
How to 'Waterfront'
Waterfront is one of the most laid back film festivals that I've attended, making to easy to hit everything and participate in all you can by not rushing around so much. I really enjoy this festival and helping others enjoy western Michigan. Below I offer some tidbits on getting around the festival. I'd love to hear how you've done Waterfront in the past. PASSES
Waterfront offers incredibly reasonable passes for the day, a weekend, and a weekend plus private party passes. I typically go the volunteer route as you get great perks and also get to 'give back' to the festival. To volunteer, go to www.waterfrontfilm.org and sign up providing the day (or days) you'd like to work. There are various perks depending on how much you volunteer. All involve getting a t-shirt :) Pass info: ****All passes give you priority seating if you show up 15 to 20 minutes prior to the film**** Day pass - gets you into all/any movies for one day. You sign up for the day. Cost: $60 Super pass - gets you into all/any movies for the weekend. :) Cost: $150 Fast pass - gets you into all/any movies, possibly a few passes to private parties and remember you get priority seating - first seating pics before everyone else in line. Gotta love it! Cost: $250 Patron pass -gets you into all/any movies ALL weekend along with a few private party passes AND you'll get a $250 receipt to write off on your taxes in addition to a warm fuzzy for promoting film in west Michigan. Cost: $500 Of course you can get individual tickets to any film or seminar. Go to the Waterfront website to for both pass and ticket sales. I like the passes as you never have to worry about a film being sold out -as long as you get there 20minutes before it starts.. and you don't have to commit to films until that weekend of :) Be sure to get your passes early though before they sell out! :) - - - - -Did you know these passes include the seminars? Did you know about Waterfront seminars? Attended one? SEMINARS
It's here that you can meet our soon-to-be-more-famous guests in person and listen to their story or their advice on movie making, Hollywood, traveling with film, or what ever topic is planned. Q&A is also opened up at the conclusion and often is the guts of the seminar. Check on-line and in the program (coming out over the holiday) for topics and planned guests for this year. Seminars are held in the nicely air conditioned (or heated pending weather!) High School venue. There is also a snack bar in this venue. Snacks at all venues of course, but I think the HS has hot dogs.. THE TOWN
Saugatuck is one of my favorite coastal towns. I think now is the time to book your B&B so you can party 'till the wee hours of the night and still make it to that 9am film the next day without sleeping through it. Go to the Saugatuck/Douglas visitor's beauro for more info and a list of places. I have seen the MapleWood B&B and Ivy Inn B&B and would recommend them. They both have sponsored Waterfront in the past too. COFFEE
Hands down, Uncommon Grounds located across from the best open face pot-roast sandwhich served at Walley's TRANSPORTATION
This town is tiny, isn't it?! I've yet to ride the shuttle that goes from venue to venue but at Sundance, I met so many interesting people on the shuttle that I'm tempted to try it this year. Weather might help that happen too :) If you're not familar with Saugatuck, just know you should bring comfortable shoes for walking and that parking is scarce. It's never a problem, but you might not just park where you think you might.. and plan plenty of time for walking to get to films or Seminars. How will you 'Waterfront' this year?
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