I've had a couple of requests to create a thread where people can post their experiences, or must-sees, or must-avoids for TIFF 2013, so I've added this page for just that purpose. Please feel free to add in the comments any films you liked or disliked, or anything about your experiences at this year's TIFF. But try to avoid any long-winded rants or anything like that: I reserve the right to prune the comments down especially if things start getting out of hand. I'll see how this page goes this year, and if it's successful, I'll try to do this again next year.
With ticket sales in full swing, thought I'd start off the "experiences" comments
ReplyDeleteI'm a modest TIFF-goer, usually 10-12 films, but wasn't able to go the last 2 years, so wondered how things had changed, esp ticket buying.
I've always made use of online resources to get info on films & advice. This site, TOFilmFest, Larry411 (& TIFFR) have been great, and also Twitter. Better this year than ever.
Buying tickets on flex pack was much better. Didn't need to make 2 trips to Box Office to pick up & deliver order book. No 1st choice/2nd choice blind stabs.
My order window was in the 2nd half (Thurs 8am), and thanks to the off-sales thread on this blog, I knew what would be available - only 2 I wanted weren't going to be available, and I got all 5 films I wanted.
I used to dread single-ticket buying day. My first year (2005?) I didn't get in until 4am the next day!
This year I had my tickets bought & paid for 10 minutes after sales opened! Again got all 5 I wanted.
The key here I think was to start multiple browser windows. The countdown I believe just indicates when your status will change, meaning it will see if there's an opening. If so, you get in, if not start counting again.
My first window started a 2nd countdown, my second window got in.
Again, I think I found that advice online somewhere. Thanks to all who post stuff like that.
I'm hearing people have been in the VWR for over 2 hours! I feel for them. It was easy & stress-free for me today.
I got one other film as well.
Originally, I had no interest in buying anything that would open later this year, and none in galas. (Not a star watcher, didn't want to pay twice the price).
But one day last week on Twitter, I heard lots of raves from Venice about Galaxy, and saw Visa Infinite's offer to buy gala tickets before the single-sale date.
What the heck... I'll have some fun, so bought a pair.
Now, 4 days to go.
Enjoy your TIFF.
I hope I live to see the day where there's an "argh" free festival. It's embarrassing now and every filmmaker that attends TIFF for the first time must think we are idiots when that happens.
ReplyDeleteId have to disagree with the no argh festival. I normally see 16 films a year and have seen many as 50 in a year and last year only one or of the 16 had an argh which was disappointing. It went from clever the first time I heard it years ago to tired when every movie had the next year it but become part of the festival for me and it was disappointing when only one movie had an arghh last year and all the people near me who complained about it and felt above it is what seemed to be tired to me.
ReplyDeleteI was there when the "argh" started and I always look forward to hearing it. I think it's gone from whatever it originally was to a TIFF tradition. At this point it's just more of a reflection of community and excitement about seeing the film.
ReplyDeleteLong live the argh!
I flew into Toronto earlier today from Germany on Air Canada and the inflight entertainment was showing the Japanese film 'Real' which is to be featured at TIFF this year under Special Presentations.
ReplyDeletehttp://enroute.aircanada.com/en/entertainment/item/m/real
This is similar to last year when I saw Thermae Romae at TIFF on a Saturday and when I got on the plane the next day, the film was featured on the VOD.
So if you are planning an Air Canada flight later this month you might want to hold off buying tickets to 'Real'.
Last year I also noticed Thermae Romae on Air Canada, a couple of days after I had seen it on TIFF, and I launched it out of curiosity. Turns out, Air Canada was showing a censored version (putting a large blur in place of every naked butt, when the film after all was about public baths). Also, the resolution was awful, I don't know why but those Air Canada VOD always seem to get the aspect ratio incorrect, or else it's letterboxed and windowboxed so only half the (already small) screen real estate is used. In sum, I certainly would not advise anyone to skip a film at the Festival in order to watch it on the plane.
ReplyDelete