Hey kids, you know what? This year’s Tribeca Film Festival is right around the corner, starting on April 21, and tonight is the first of two volunteer outreach info sessions at Tribeca Cinemas. If you have any interest in participating with this year’s festival, you should visit the Volunteer web page. The festival simply couldn’t happen without the help of the thousands of people who donate their time each year. Apparently you have to reserve a space at these info sessions, so don’t simply show up, but visit the web site and you can call or email the volunteer coordinators with any questions or RSVPs. The sessions are tonight and next Tuesday at 7 PM. If you can’t make it, you can still volunteer, so don’t despair.
As someone who was a volunteer for the first two years of the festival, I encourage you to do so if you’re at all interested and available. It can be a lot of work, but it can also be fun. Really, the experience becomes what you make of it. Those people with a great attitude always looking to do things seem to have a great time. Others who just hoped to get free tickets and see some celebrities, only to find out that they’re expected to actually help (and not bug the celebrities!) sometimes wind up moping around.
Additionally, last year we created a position called “Core Volunteer” on the screenings team. These volunteers basically sat in the theaters and watched the films while on headset. They were responsible for alerting the booth if there were any projection problems and assisting with the in-theater mic and speaker for Q&A sessions. Filmbrain actually did this position a couple days, and I believe he had a great time. I’m not sure how many we’ll need this year, and we’re very selective in the process of choosing because it entails a lot of responsibility, but if you might be interested (again, it’s a volunteer position), please use the email address at the top left of this page to let me know.
Out of Focus 