You may think you are ready for Sundance, but not until you've read our very practical and insightful tips.  Memorize them and use them, or you'll come out of Sundance penniless, confused, and having only seen the films showing in your hotel room.

1.    Prepare for the altitude

Many a festival-goer has lost their first day or two to altitude sickness. It's high in Sundance, and we're not just talking about how you felt after you partook in that funny cigarette at the last opening.  Take an aspirin before you go, and take it as recommended for the first day or two you are there. AND, drink TONS of WATER. TONS of it! The last thing you want to deal with is the headache and nausea associated with altitude sickness. You'll want to get that the Sundance way… like from watching Harvey Weinstein sweat as he walks around town.

2.    Take a shuttle bus from the airport

I'm assuming that you aren't taking a small charter plane into Park City directly like a big movie exec and you will fly into SLC like the regular folk. Keep in mind that it's a decent drive up through the pass from Salt Lake City into Park City (around 45 minutes or more, depending on the weather). You'd better have transportation lined up for yourself as it gets pretty packed early for Sundance.

Cabs can cost upwards of $90 each way! I was burned by this my first year. The cab ended up costing more than my plane ticket!
My advice? Take a shared shuttle van, and save some cash.  Park City Shuttles seems to have the best rates, around $35 each way.
Plus, you can save $10% if you book online beforehand. Trust me, book one!


**VERY IMPORTANT** Don't just know your address, have a map of where you are staying printed off Google Maps. Most of the drivers aren't used to driving up into Park City and won't have a clue where the street you are staying is. Don't get stuck driving around snowy roads and take a map in advance.

3.    Get a bus schedule

You are probably wondering why you don't just get a rental car, huh? Well, you won't be able to park it ANYWHERE near downtown or anywhere near films are playing. Parking is virtually non-existent. So, get a bus map (there is a free Sundance shuttle service) and get ready to ride. Plus, it's fun! Everyone is talking about the films they saw and you get to hear some good or bad buzz. It's a friendly and open atmosphere and you won't get a headache trying to navigate around Main Street.

Here is a link to a downloadable festival transit map off of the official Sundance site.

4.    Set a movie schedule

Any day now the festival will announce the schedule and you should start planning almost immediately. The festival guide can be really cumbersome and you can easily miss the movie you want to see because you just didn't realize it only played at 8am on Tuesday.  Get an official copy when you are there, highlight the films you are interested in and jump on tickets as fast as you can. Also, if you are trying to get into a popular movie, try going to those early morning screenings. Most folks tend to try and see the films at "film times" i.e. evening. Though it may seem weird to be seeing a documentary on Rwanda at 8am on a Monday morning, it might be your only chance to catch it.

The festival allows for advance ticket registration until December 17th, so jump on it NOW! Plus, the official site has lots of info on how/where to get tickets.



5.    Do your research, set up meetings in advance.

There are TONS of people at Sundance, that you as an indie filmmaker might want to talk to. Whether it be a sales agent,  the head of acquisitions at your favorite distributor, or a camera company, Sundance is a fantastic opportunity to get in front of these people for a meeting, even if it's just a cup of coffee. Take advantage of the situation and find the folks before you go and make plans to meet up. You can do some major networking if you go prepared.

6.    Learn that Main Street is really steep and the numbers go DOWN as the hill goes UP

Now, the first time you walk up Main Street, you will probably say to yourself "What is she talking about? It's not that steep!" But cut to about 5 hours later and you are walking, yet again, up the hill and you'll be cursing the slope.
Plus, it helps to know that while the hill goes UP, the numbers go DOWN.

7.    Bring comfortable and warm walking shoes

Seeing as you'll be walking and bussing around, pack comfortable and warm shoes. Though this is a Hollywood event, everyone generally dresses like they are on a ski vacation. You wear high heels or business shoes and you'll stand out like a sore thumb (not to mention you'll slide around everywhere you go).  Dress like you are hitting the slopes later and you'll fit right in.

8.    BYOB

Remember, you are going to UTAH (read: really strict liquor laws). All the crowds, bustling, critiquing and gossiping tends to make one wish for a nice, stiff drink at the end of the night.

You won't find any liquor stores here and drinks are hard to come by.
Pack yourself a small bottle of Johnny Walker Red so you can sit by yourself at night, have a respectable nightcap and prepare for the mayhem all over again.

9.    The real decision makers don't go to the late night parties

Though it may be tempting to go and see DJ AM spin and it sure is fun to tell your friends you partied with Hammer, the true players of Sundance don't go out at night. You will only be fooling yourself, spending too much money and missing out on bumping into the important people in the wee hours if you decide to party all night.  You can watch Paris Hilton dancing on tables on YouTube. Rest up, and be focused for those long important DAYS.

10.     If you can only go a few days, go at the beginning.

The momentum of the festival is super strong in the beginning as everyone meets, sees films for the first time and begins making deals.  If you can't go the entire time, make sure to go in the beginning of the festival.  Near the end, everyone is exhausted, the films have been chosen and people have had it with schmoozing.

With only 35 days left until Sundance you'd better get packing! Have fun, good luck and save a glass of Johnny Walker Red for me.