Monday, January 25, 2010

Sundance Star Spotting



Celebrity watching at Sundance isn't necessarily as easy as you'd think it would be - at least it hasn't been for us. We'd heard that this year there were going to be lots of great actors milling about the festival but we hadn't seen anyone yet. We started to think that maybe it was because we didn't have the inside scoop on where the celebrities were hanging out, or maybe we were just too busy delivering pizza and not paying enough attention!


I have to admit, we were starting to get discouraged a bit. We'd been at the festival a few days and still hadn't seen a spec of stardom (at least none we'd recognized). Not even a glimmer of glamour - nothing! Sure we'd heard rumblings that Jessica Alba, James Franco and Kristen Stewart were in town, but we sure hadn't any luck spotting them. We would enter a restaurant and the hostess would say, "You just missed Ben Affleck!" or we'd hear people saying, "Did you see what Paris (Hilton) was wearing?" We'd scoured Main Street, screenings, parties and panel discussions but our timing must have been off, that is until we went to see the premiere of "Get Low".

We clearly hadn't done our research on the film when we were star struck to discover legendary comedic actor, Bill Murray in our midst! There he was standing outside the theatre with a small entourage. A real live movie star in the flesh! And one talented enough to be cast in an independent film at Sundance! We're not sure why he had a crutch but he was pleasant and smiled for the few people who noticed him before being led into the theatre.

Bill Murray outside the Eccles Theatre at Sundance.


We thought that was it until the premiere started and out he walked onto the stage, followed by more stars! Sissy Spacek and veteran actor, Robert Duvall both joined Murray and were introduced as the stars of "Get Low". It was pretty exciting to see these celebrities up close and then watch them perform in the incredible film that followed. Following the screening, they once again came out on the stage for an informal question and answer period with a huge audience full of people. A few brave souls raised their voices to ask questions about their experiences in the film and in true character, Bill Murray commanded the stage and had the audience roaring in laughter.



Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray at Sundance Q & A session for premiere of "Get Low"


Click below to watch a funny video clip from the Q & A at "Get Low: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch3Qpw5vgT4

It's official, we're hooked on star gazing! Hopefully there are many more stars in our future!