Sundance Day 2: Pierce Brosnan, Todd Oldham, Bob Odenkirk, and 100s more... a surreal day

Well, after what I thought was a surreal Day 1, which included sneaking into our Associate Producer David LaChapelle's party, we had an even more absurd Day 2. First of all, I didn't know where I was going to stay. By chance, I ended up running into my good friend Noaz Deshe from LA.

Noaz is one of our Associate Producers and was at Sundance filming a project with Bob Odenkirk; they were being put up by the Sundance Channel at a giant 3 story condo. Noaz checked with Bob, who was totally cool with letting me sleep on their couch. Then I got to show Bob The 1 Second Film and some of my animated shorts. Bob really liked the concept and came on board as an Associate Producer (with the goal of moving up later). He also interviewed us for the segment he was shooting for the Sundance Channel, so maybe we will get a little exposure.

Bob Odenkirk is a really really nice guy. Not only is he letting me crash at his condo, but he also took me out to lunch. At lunch I met Richard Edson who was hilarious; his manager advised him to become an Associate Producer as a good career move!

I was last to leave the table as I had to pack up all my camera/credit celling gear. A curious couple at a neighboring table wanted to know who I had been eating with. Soon they were Associate Producers on a film along with Bob and Richard:

After lunch, I was walking around solo when I ran into Jesse Bradford (one of our Associate Producers) outside of the Sundance Press Office.

Jesse was there to do an interview for Happy Endings with his co-star Jason Ritter. Jesse then got Jason to pony up $4. I love it when the celebrities pitch The 1 Second Film to other celebrities.

I was able to walk into the Press Office with these guys, which is probably one of the best places to sneak into for selling credits. Unlike the parties, there is no loud music to deal with. Half an hour later The 1 Second Film had made $140 and added several new producers, including Pierce Brosnan who gave us $10.

I also saw Tom Arnold and started showing him the Tom Green clip, but then he had to run off to do an interview for Happy Endings. There was this really funny moment where I was closing the deal with Pierce Brosnon and Tom Arnold, and Pierce was trying to give me money, but my hands were so full with a video camera, a money can, a clipboard, etc. that I asked Tom Arnold to hold the clipboard; then the money fell down, and Pierce was picking up a $10 bill from the floor; I had snuck in all 007 style, but I was no where near as smooth. Anyway, I got some really good footage... i think. Im not sure cuz I was shooting it all blind while pitching, etc. I pitched Steve Coogan and he was going to give us $1, but then I told him that Pierce Brosnan had just given us $10, so Steve decided maybe he should move up to a Producer instead of a "Mickey-Mouse Associate." This is what salesmen refer to as a classic 'up-sale.'

I also pitched to Greg Kinnear, but then he had to run off as well before I could close the deal. I think I started to stand out a bit as the guy with the clipboard getting money from all the celebrities. Somebody asked me to leave, which was cool. My work was done. On my way out, Todd Oldham wanted to know what I was up to. I explained the concept and he really really liked it. He gave me $100 to become an Executive Producer:

We actually talked for about half an hour about all sorts of stuff. Normally the pitch is a really rushed one-liner, but with Todd we were able to discuss the concept all the way through to the various sequels. I told him about our non-profit goals and that Albert Maysles had agreed to be on our Board of Directors. I had forgotten, but Todd was very influenced by the fashion in Grey Gardens, so he was very excited to hear that Albert was involved. Todd was really interested and supportive. Hopefully we will stay in touch; I asked him to consider joining our Board of Directors and he sad he will look into it. We will see what happens. When I left the Press Office there was a mob of people gathered to celebrity watch. They thought everyone in there was famous so they started taking pictures of me just in case, but I told them not to waste their film. Instead, I tried to sell them Producer credits. There were no takers- they all thought it was a scam! I was too tired to try to convince the otherwise. It's weird, but it is actually easier to pitch this film to celebrities than it is to regular people on the street. I guess famous people just aren't as jaded. So I headed up to Slamdance and ran into Stacy Peralta sitting alone outside on the steps. I couldn't believe it; love Stacy's films. There is an idea in Riding Giants where surfing is depicted as a very pure moment, where it's not about anything other than a surfer alone in the water trying to catch a perfect wave. I loved that idea and try to keep it in mind when i'm surrounded by all this Hollywood business. Anyway, Stacy was really nice and came in as a $20 Producer.

A random stranger who was sitting on a bench was kind enough to act as our camera woman for a moment and Stacy gave us a nice little interview. Her name was Juanita, after being our cinematographer, she also gave us $20 to become a producer. what a nice lady!

I was going to take a break and watch a movie at Slamdance, but I got a call from Craig who finally got in from Vancouver.

We met up with Bob, Noaz, and crew and had a nice dinner. After dinner we snuck a bunch of people into the 'exclusive' Blender party (we had 3 green wristbands and would shuttle our group of 7 in by going back and forth handing off the bands). the Blender party was so lame we left after 10 minutes. there was a HUGE crowd of people waiting outside to try and get in, so we ended up selling a few producer credits (with a 'free' green wristband as a n incentive). We made $90 in about a minute and got 3 new producers. That was pretty funny.

Walking down the street we got mistaken for press by a desperate publicist who wanted coverage for his film, so he shuttled us all into the back door of some other party and walked us to the stars of his film. That was funny too, but just as a novelty sneak in. Sneaking in is always the best part.

So we left as soon as we came and went off to some mansion party that we weren't invited to. We got into that as well; by this point we have started to meet so many people, that sometimes people inside the party recognize us and wave us in. that's what happened this time. at the party we met a film crew covering independent filmmakers at sundance; they gave us $5 and asked for an interview. it's pretty cool when the press give you money. maybe we will get some coverage as well.

Now im back at the condo editing some of the footage from yesterday so we can project it with MC THIS. (McThis is this rad dude Justin who has created this portable live-video projection system that is spectacular). Justin was working with Bob and Noaz, but now that they are done, he is going to help The 1 Second Film out; we plan on hitting the streets tomorrow to bring our spectacle to the people. should be fun. I can't believe this has all been one day! Probably most films would be pretty excited just to get Pierce Brosnan attached to produce their project. But not The 1 Second Film- we will be back on the streets tomorrow trying to get another dollar from anyone who will spare it, until we finally have enough money to finish this thing.