When it rains it pours and that’s exactly what it’s doing right now, literally and figuratively.  While I have no business complaining about weather because the rest of the country is neck deep in a winter from hell, I’m none too happy with the impending forecast for next Saturday’s outdoor event, especially as a press person.  Standing the line is less than fun on the best days, let alone in the rain. That being said, if I have to, there is no other event I’d rather be doing it for than the Independent Spirit Awards.

On Saturday, February 26th, Santa Monica plays host to the hippest award ceremony honoring those who “embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.”  In other words, it’s where you get to rub Hollywood’s newest, bestest and brightest elbows without all the botox.   These filmmakers are extraordinarily driven individuals who usually max out their own personal credit cards, beg, borrow and steal from everyone around them in order to bring a labor of love to fruition.   Thankfully, Film Independent recognizes talent, dedication and passion and reward gifted craftspeople with acknowledgement, trophies and money!

Films must be at least 70 minutes for consideration and have a modest budget of around $20 million for the total cost of production. This may seem like a lot, but in movie making standards its pocket change.  And while cost is considered, it’s not the definition of “independent.” Eligibility also includes a commercial film run for at least a week or a run in one of the following film festivals: Los Angeles Film Festival, New Directors/New Films, New York, Sundance, Telluride or Toronto. And that’s just to submit. Committee members then use guidelines to scrutinize films deciphering merit in particular genres such as: “Uniqueness of vision, Originality, Provocative subject matter, and Economy of means.” In other words, wedding videos, while perhaps provocative, are out.

One reason this is one of the coolest happenings is due to the finesse pulled off in such a pedestrian way.  While most ceremonies are hosted in fancy halls and theaters, The Spirit Awards are held in a parking lot in Santa Monica. Sounds nutty, I know, but that’s it, a parking lot.  Thing is, the artisans that create this space use some kind of movie magic, (elbow grease, hard work and a lot of cellphone minutes) to pull off one of the most elegant affairs within a modest setting. 

With countless films and television shows shot in Santa Monica, there’s no better place to party like a movie star than along one of the most popular film ‘sets’ in the world.   Giant tents, gorgeous table settings, flawless organization, and production magicians pull off the seemingly impossible and create a space within a space that is both unlikely and unrecognizable by show time.

I worked hard to be on the press line because I really love independent film and appreciate the sacrifices that go into such a globally collaborative work of art.  And if it rains, it won’t be the best thing, but it certainly won’t be the worst because I’ll be surrounded by a creative lot that makes filmmaking seem as easy and as laid back as the event itself.