Category Archives: Scene

Dear Rider Celebrates Snowboarding Pioneer Jake Burton

dear rider movie poster

DEAR RIDER, a feature documentary from Red Bull Media House and Emmy-winning director Fernando Villena, is a celebration of the life and vision of Jake Burton Carpenter (1954-2019), the pioneer who propelled the sport of snowboarding into a global and cultural phenomenon. The film debuts TUESDAY, NOVEMBER  9 (9:00 – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

The intimate and revealing documentary features interviews with Jake’s family, friends, and fellow snowboarders, including action sports icons Shaun White, Kelly Clark, and Mark McMorris, as well as a wealth of archival material and home movies. DEAR RIDER pays homage to Jake’s beloved and loyal “riders,” the audience he faithfully addressed every year for decades on the first page of his snowboard company’s catalogs. Acclaimed actor Woody Harrelson, a close friend of Jake’s, narrates catalog passages interspersed throughout the film.

How To Get Tickets For Oogie Boogie Bash 2021

oogie boogie bash entrance

I had no intention of going to Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash. I did Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas at Disney World some years back and thought it was pretty much a waste of money. The store bought cookies were stale and there wasn’t nothing extra special about the event except a couple of lame dance parties. There was nothing I couldn’t experience with a normal ticket. I forever after I wrote off the overpriced “special events”. The trouble was that this year I had promised Sage a trip to Disneyland in 2021 and, with the early winter coming, the year was running out.

Sage at Disneyland 2018

I purchased Hopper tickets thinking we would spend a day at Dizzyland after visiting my mom for Fall Break. Surprise. I couldn’t find an available reservation date except for Tuesday Oct. 19; the same night as The Bash. Just like skiing last year. You can buy a ticket but you can’t actually go unless you get a reservation for a particular date. With a hopper ticket, you start at one park and you can “hop” to the other at 1:00 p.m.. Here’s the rub. Depending on crowd levels, Disney may decide for you which park you can start your day in. This Tuesday, I would have to start at Disneyland and could only go to California Adventure after 1:00 p.m. Because the Bash starts at 6:00 p.m. at California Adventure, we would be forced to leave unless we had the special ticket. That’s only five hours at DCA when it is notoriously crowded because of the new Avengers Campus setting.

That’s just not worth a regular ticket. If I was going to spend $150 but not be able to to stay all night what’s the point? I might as well postpone those tickets as they are good until next December and join the party.

What Is This Oogie Boogie Bash??

Oogie Boogie Bash happens three nights a week (Tues, Thurs., Sun.) from 6 p.m- 11 p.m at Disney California Adventure from mid-September to October 31. You can’t attend without a separate special ticket. Regular Park guests are pushed out at 6 p.m. but Bash ticket holders can enter the Park at 3 p.m. They actually get three extra hours of the normal rides and attractions before the party starts. After 6 p.m., Oogie Boogie welcomes guests to explore 10 treat trails where you get to collect gobs of candy, see “villains” like Cruella, The Evil Queen or the Mad Hatter improv and chat with guests, ride attractions with half the wait times, watch a special Halloween Parade, take photo ops with a free Photo Pass download and stroll through a forest filled with spooky lights, sounds and smells. Yes, it’s totally different than a normal day at the park but with the price of admission, it doesn’t make sense to buy a regular ticket and a Bash pass. Sleep in and go to DCA in the afternoon.

Oogie Boogie Bash tickets cost $114-$169. Tickets went on sale on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, and sold out in mear weeks. If you ask most people they’ll tell you it’s impossible to get a ticket once they’re sold out. However, consider this: if you are buying something in July for an event in October, what are the chances that everyone in your party is still going to make it? Disney gets this and doesn’t want to deter people from plunking down huge amounts of money for something they might not use. They personally won’t give back your money, but you are free to recoup how you see fit. The Bash tickets are fully transferable up until the date they are activated and used. Ticket holders are permitted to pass any unused ticket to a friend or family member so they can assign the spares to anyone if they want.

How I landed two Oogie Boogie Bash tickets for the night I wanted in less than an hour


You can first check eBay, Craigslist and a site called Ticketswap. Nothing was available for Sunday October 17, but I had seen people make pleas on Facebook group pages. I searched “oogie boogie 2021” on Facebook and came across three pages that I needed to join- Disneyland Secret Society, Discount Disneyland Tickets and Oogie Boogie Bash 2021. I posted on all three that I was looking for two tickets for October 17. As I read through the comments on the pages, I saw that scammers were out of control. People lamented paying for tickets and never receiving valid ones. I myself was immediately contacted by three scammers. One even began to threaten me after I said, “I’m sorry but you appear to be a scammer and I’m not interested, thank you.” Luckily, a very nice member of one of the groups took me under her wing and showed me what the OB scams looked like and how to find a legit sale.
The same member had created her own page- the Oogie Boogie Bash 2021 one. She said she uses the Discount Disney page to identify the scammers and block them from her page. There, another very nice lady responded to my post that she had tickets.

Who Do You Trust?

At this point I was wary. I was instructed to ask whoever offered to sell tickets to video chat with me because most scammers won’t be willing to go live. They’ve stolen somebody else’s profile. They would need to show the email confirmation for the Oogie Boogie Bash tickets which has a very specific header and instructions. They would need to hold it up and raise a pinky or something so that I would know it’s not a photo that they’ve copied from someone else.

Sherry and her husband immediately called to video chat. They said they saw that I was from Park City and they immediately knew I wouldn’t be scamming them. They had lived here and owned property all over town. We spoke for nearly an hour. I felt safe as well. They asked for the face-value of the tickets just to recover what they paid because some in their party couldn’t make it. We didn’t use ticketswap (which takes a fee). They emailed their vouchers and I Venmoed their money. The next morning, I connected the tickets to my Disneyland app.

Not only was it a safe experience but it was also fun! I look forward to running into this couple tomorrow at my inaugural Oogie Boogie Bash. I hope this tale helps you find tickets if you really want to attend.

Signs you are being scammed


They won’t video chat
They want you to pay cash up front or half up front.
She says she’s a mother and just wants to spread good karma.
They get belligerent if you ask for details or a photo of the confirmation letter
Their name comes up in other comments and people call them scammers.
They’re trying to sell their ticket for well below face value.
They don’t have a profile or their profile doesn’t match the photo that they send to you when you chat

Playing it safe, being cautious and suspicious, doesn’t make you stupid, it makes you human. Those Oogie Boogie Bash tickets aren’t cheap and who wants to be swindled out of $300 or more because of a 5-minute snap judgment with a dirtbag?

Ready to Go? Disneyland Increases Ticket Prices

I will be taking my campervan there and back so I don’t need a hotel but if you have big plans for Anaheim and Disneyland, talk to the ladies at Get Away Today. They’ll be able to hook you up with some great deals.

BTW, Disneyland just announced a last minute price increase on their theme park tickets. Yep, WAY WAY LAME. It’s not like they didn’t just raised prices. But if you hurry, you can still get last week’s pricing through Get Away Today.

By buying with them now, you can save up to $45 per ticket. Here are the details so you don’t miss out:

  • Save up to $45 over gate prices by booking your Disneyland tickets with Get Away Today by November 3, 2021 – If you know you’re going to go to Disneyland between now and Dec. 2022, don’t wait. Buy now.
  • If you don’t know when you’re going, you’ll just need to enter a general date to purchase your tickets. The date that you enter will be the date that Get Away Today sends your reminders to make theme park reservations, which are required. The date you entered is not tied to a theme park reservation and the dates you choose are flexible.
  • Get Away Today’s tickets are refundable, have no blackout dates (subject to theme park availability) and you can make theme park reservations 120 days in advance.

Here are the exact savings based on ticket type over current gate pricing:

5-Day Park Hopper: $45 Savings

5-Day 1-Park per Day: $40 Savings

3-4 Day Park Hopper: $30 Savings

3-4 Day 1-Park per Day: $25 Savings

2-Day Park Hopper: $27 Saving

2-Day 1-Park per Day: $22 Savings

Book now here: 

If you are planning a trip to the House of Mouse anytime before the end of next year, stock up on tickets

BOLLE’s Short Film Celebrates Determination

Bolle lens and skier

It took more than 20 years for a Frenchman to win the FIS Alpine World Cup’s Big Globe but Alexis Pinturault conquered his demons; on his 30th birthday no less. Bolle’s short film – VISION: Alexis Pinturault’s Quest For Excellence follows the elite racer through training regimens, travel and equipment decisions as he brings viewers into his grueling world cup ski season that resulted in Pinturault capturing the ultimate top prize in a nail-biting finale to the 2020-21 ski season.

“The idea of creating a behind the scenes documentary is just one more way we’re trying to improve the overall customer experience by providing unmatched access to an athlete and what it takes to win at the highest level,” said Andrea Cappelletti, Global Sports Marketing Manager at Bollé.

The 17-minute documentary, is part of Bollé’s marketing push to connect with its audience as they introduce a new lens called Volt+. The high-contrast lens was developed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to evaluate 20 million different color combinations before determining the perfect lens. The brand is also using Augmented Reality (AR) to allow customers to not only see what its helmets and sunglasses look like on your face, but to then look out through Bollé’s top of the line Phantom lens. 

 

Why You Need Acting Classes- Pt.1

Acting in Front of a Green Screen

Last Saturday, I started up another Acting Class with the gloriously frank, Frank Gerrish. The man is a legend in the Utah acting community for so many reasons and then one day he ups and disappears; reappearing in Los Angeles to prove that he can walk the talk.

Frank Gerrish Teaching an Acting Class

Not every teacher out there connects with every student but there’s something about taking acting classes with Frank that uplifts, encourages and fills my folder of possibility. He was a hard-working Utah actor, head of the film dept at Salt Lake Community College and he’s done in LA in a few years what takes other actors decades to accomplish.

The acting classes he taught in Utah were an ongoing scene study class peppered with mock auditions and monologues. I couldn’t wait for my twice weekly sessions with my film buddies and not just because of the after beers at MacCool’s Irish Pub next door. 

Below are some of the takeaways from my first acting classes……

Auditioning is not acting

The audition is the work you do to get the ‘job’. The job is the play or movie and there are so many steps in between to get to the final job. Often, you’ll hear coaches refer to an audition as a meeting. The casting director not only wants to see how you handle the lines but what you are like as a person. Think about the difference between a job interview and meeting your significant other’s parents. The audition should have the vibe of the later. The more you practice (ie take classes via Zoom or in person), the better you get at your meetings. 

What does it take to prepare to do your best on an audition?

  1. Script analysis- Reading and understanding the script. Break it down into “beats” or moments. What is going on in the scene and in the overall story. 
  2. Make choices. You have to be able to do this instantly.  Choices about who you are, want you want, why you want it, what is your relationship to the others in the scene, etc. Figure out the who, what, when, where and why of the scene you are auditioning.

6 things you need to do for an audition-

  1. Memorize the script (know the words; know the context, your relationships). Excitement and nerves live in the same place. But nerves come from being unprepared. If you don’t look at your sides until the night before, your ‘action verb’ for the audition becomes ‘to remember’- you are a wreck. An actor is like an athlete. You must train if you want to succeed. You can’t roll in and expect it to happen.
  2. Talent may not be quantifiable but the work is. Don’t let anyone out work you.
  3. The acting class is about getting on your feet and screwing up miserably. If you’re going to screw up, screw up in class.
  4. You don’t want to be seen by the right person at the wrong time.
  5. You should be booking at least once in every 10-12 auditions. Otherwise you wind up on the second tier of your agency and they begin to wonder about you- and you begin to wonder about you. Only training will make a difference. 
  6. Ask your agent some basic questions about the audition.
    1. Are there sides
    2. Where do I go
    3. Who’s the director
    4. Can I read the script ahead of time. If not, can you read me a description of the character(s) or send me the breakdown, and send all of their sides. BTW, sides are the scene you will be auditioning. 
    5. When is the shoot. If you can’t make the shoot date, don’t audition. The dates could change on you but you can’t change on them.
    6. Let them know of any potential conflicts. Intense language or subject matter you just can’t participate in? Conflicting brands? It’s for Comcast and you just did a Dish commercial? Don’t wait until you book the job to let the director know about these things. Casting directors get pissed with that one. Let your agent field this for you.

Other topics you learn when you take legit acting classes-

What’s a headshot and acting resume and how should they standout? 

DEMO REELS FOR ACTORS

Do you have a demo reel? How long should it be? What should you have on it? Do you make a separate commercial, comedic, dramatic reel? This is one I used when I was hunting for a talent agent outside of Utah so it’s twice as long as your average demo:

You’ll also need two+ monologues in your back pocket. This is the hardest audition you will ever do- when, without notice, they ask you if you have a monologue you can do. Side note: I’ve only had it happen once. Usually you are told ahead of time to come with a prepared monologue. But it’s always great to have it down because sometimes there is that opportunity to say – “would you like to hear my monologue”. I did this when I was auditioning for Vicki at TMG. I had read three different sides for her and we were talking about eyeline because the sides were not read directly to her and she wanted to see me look at her. Did the monologue and I was in like Flynn.

Acting Classes Help You Understand the 15 Second Rule

The casting director has made a decision about you within 15 seconds of walking in the door. The rest of the time you will be confirming or denying that first impression.

  1. Type yourself out. Ask friends the type of role they can see you playing. Know what the casting director sees in that first 15 seconds. You can even go to a website and have someone do it for you.
  2. Casting is arbitrary. All you can do is your best work but know that you can be rejected for having the wrong color eyes, or a funny nose or blond hair or look too much like the lead (seriously, this happened to me).

It’s a victory and a half if they ask you to read for a different role. Another side, another character. They don’t waste time. They wouldn’t ask if they thought you couldn’t be that part.

If they ask you to do it again but with specific directions, you will be written off if you don’t take those notes and make adjustments to your performance. If they ask to see it again but don’t offer suggestions, play it 180 degrees opposite. Why? Because they already saw you do it one way. Show them how versatile you are.

*Don’t ever name drop when you audition. Raise your hand if you’re guilty of this one?

Shake hands (or hug) only if they offer. But in this post-Covid landscape, you’re best off with a fist bump or nothing.

Don’t be chatty.  Shut up so you don’t wind up with foot in mouth disease. Use basic social common sense. Of course, say hello and good-bye.

Don’t fish for callback or filming information. The goal is just to get a callback not the part.

Do you use props? No. If you bring a prop, the prop will always be more real than you. CDs are always looking at the prop. The goal is to get the focus on your close up. The one exception is if you happen to have something on you naturally, like a cellphone, purse or a bottle of water. Use these items. And never ever use your hand like it’s a phone. Self-tape auditions are a bit different in that you have a world of props at your finger tips. Go ahead and use them if you can do so realistically and without them becoming distractions. I had an audition where I was supposed to be moving a box from right to left. Guess what? I used a real box.

 

You don’t get callbacks playing it safe. Do something that takes courage. Acting classes will help you expand your imagination.

  1. Pause. Don’t blow through the pauses.
  2. Show you can take direction- don’t argue with it.

Prereqs of a good actor

  1. Take acting classes- just like playing an instrument. You need to practice.
  2. Willingness to do the work required by the job.
  3. Be comfortable in your own skin- you are you. Like snowflakes. You are not another actor or type. Be proud of what you do. Don’t be threatened by mediocrity. Or what others imply in the word ‘actor’. You provide a service like everyone else. What’s the first thing a working stiff does when he comes home? Turns on the tv. People have the need to be entertained. Believe that it’s a worthwhile thing to do- telling a story on your feet.
  4. Willingness to be seen. Athletes don’t have this problem. They put on their uniforms and they play. Feel worthy to do this. You do belong and can do this.
  5. Gratitude. Be grateful to be a part of the process.

Keep a folder for the acting classes you take. Keep it like a bible. Go back to it to retrain yourself. Especially when you have an upcoming audition. Not only does it jog your memory but it gives you this sense of being grounded. All of a sudden you have a plan. You’re not floating around this amorphous thing called an audition.

Frank, Thank you. 

Virtual Sundance Film Festival Triples “Attendance”

Sundance Goes Virtual

It definitely wasn’t the January Parkites had hoped for when the Covid-19 pandemic sent Sundance Film Festival organizers scrambling to cancel venues, sponsors pulled out and cancelled short term leases on Main Street properties. The Festival went virtual, Park City turned ghost town and people stayed home on their couches to stream indie films from across the globe. What blew everyone away was how Virtual Sundance kicked ass.

Perhaps it was the dearth of new movies in online land or the immense boredom folks are swimming in with cultural activities being severely curtailed for nearly a year now, but Betsy Wallace, the CFO and Managing Director of the Sundance Institute said attendance (or better film and seminar logins) during the seven-day virtual fest nearly tripled from last Sundance.  But Sundance Institute reports that users tallied 251,331 online views of the 73 feature films, 50 short films and four independent TV series (at $15 a pop) during the seven days of Virtual Sundance. If 215,873 seats were filled during the 2020 festival in Park City, it’s definitely an uptick but not “triple”?

Organizers must be including the Virtual Sundance Festival’s “satellite screens,” at 20 art-house theaters across the country (20,000 attendees), the festival’s 23 panel discussions (another 22,267 views), the New Frontier virtual exhibit (39,869 visits)

We had ‘Life in a Day,’ a film that was free to Utahns,” Wallace said. “We had 6800 people sign up for that. We had about 1,500 stay through the Q and A of it.” The Festival’s biggest prize winner, “CODA,” was acquired by Apple – for a record $25 million and we’re curious how many viewers that one had!

No Celeb Sightings at Virtual Sundance 2021

Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan at Acura Festival Village at Sundance 2020

Celebs don't get swag at Virtual Sundance

Photos courtesy of Kia Telluride Supper

Virtual Sundance is Here To Stay

With the success of this year’s virtual Sundance Film Festival it’s likely we’ll see a hybrid in-person/online event because why not double down? Sundance Institute should be able to lure brand sponsorship at both the ground level Main Street, Park City, as well as through its streaming platform, plus sell all those tickets to virtual screenings while putting butts in theater seats.

Park City’s contract with the Sundance Institute runs through 2026 and although there is an escape clause that allowed the Institute to change, or give notice of termination if they did so this year, Wallace says they plan to stay put.

“We want to come back to Park City, and we want to have the ability to go to a theater in person, and we also want the ability to stay at home and watch something in the coziness of our house,” she told KPCW.

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