Film Fest Tucson

 

I first began participating in Film Fest Tucson by assisting my mentor, Balfour Walker, a commercial photographer. We were acquired by Caliber, a marketing company. Our assigned tasks entailed documenting the event and capturing meaningful moments, providing enough material for marketing and advertising future events. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I was really glad I did. The experience was truly magical.

Film Fest Tucson brings significant value to the city of Tucson, Arizona. This film festival showcases up-and-coming artists, actors, directors, producers, and anyone else involved in the industry by showing their movies, documentaries, shorts, etc.. It helps these artists get their work seen. I believe I started photographing the event during its inaugural year in 2016.

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is the people I meet. At the events I have photographed so far for Film Fest Tucson, I’ve encountered many interesting individuals from around the globe. This event is not just local; it has a worldwide reach. The charisma that different attendees bring is remarkable. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share their unique perspectives on art and life. This creates a wonderful opportunity to network and grow as an artist, and I have made many friends along the way. Additionally, I get to catch glimpses of the films they make, and we, the staff, have access to the VIP section. Yes, the VIP section is where we truly get to know people involved in the industry. Everyone is eager to talk, learn, and gain different perspectives on ideas, which provides a chance to see what everyone is doing. Did I mention that the VIP section includes free drinks, food, and snacks? Yes! Being a staff member has its perks. Plus, I love what I do.

However, photographing the event comes with its challenges. The first is navigating the various venues. The main venue is the Tucson Scottish Rite, where most screenings take place. This building features several large rooms, making it easy for attendees to enjoy different films. Additionally, the VIP area is hosted here. The second venue, the Fox Theater, displays the big screen and typically hosts the standout screenings. The third venue is the AC Hotel, which has a dedicated room for screenings and is where the VIP party is held at the end of the event. Finally, there’s an outdoor event on University Boulevard where anyone can sit and enjoy the show. On occasion, the Children’s Museum Tucson has also been used for outdoor screenings.

The event is organized by talented individuals, including Caliber. They provide us with a detailed syllabus outlining what to capture, our priorities, and the specific times and locations for each photo opportunity. The challenge lies in capturing very specific moments at designated times while managing our travel between venues. We need to move quickly and be efficient with our gear, ensuring we have everything we need, such as extra batteries and memory cards. Additionally, we must be quick with our cameras.

Furthermore, we need to keep an eye out for VIP attendees. This group includes individuals who have purchased VIP tickets, as well as special guests, film directors, producers, actors, actresses, and sponsors, who typically wear badges. The staff will provide us with our badges and shirts, which are quite nice!

Of course, there are moments when we sit and wait for things to happen or for the next venue to start. Overall, it’s a fast-paced, fun, three-day event filled with a lot of running, and I truly enjoy it. You have to love what you do!

About two weeks before the main event, a pre-event is hosted to kick off the screening. During this event, top chefs from some of the best restaurants in Tucson showcase their culinary talents. It begins with music from a DJ, providing a relaxed atmosphere where attendees can enjoy themselves, socialize, and sample some snacks and drinks.

The main event is introduced by a dish prepared by one of the chefs, which is accompanied by a short film they have selected. The dish is meant to reflect the film in some way.

My role is to blend in and photograph the event. I gather groups of people for photos and capture moments of the chefs preparing meals, as well as guests enjoying the dishes. Since the event is fast-paced, I typically take at least two photographs or more, depending on how things are unfolding. I aim to do this within a few seconds because it’s a good rule of thumb for photographers to shoot more. There are often people looking in different directions, the focus can be slightly off, or faces may look unusual while talking.

Despite the hustle, I get to enjoy the delicious meals, and they are truly exceptional!

I encourage everyone to attend the Film Fest Tucson screenings and enjoy the event. It is a fantastic opportunity to have fun, meet new people, and network. You might even get the chance to meet the next big movie director or actor/actress who will be on the big screen. Regardless of your interest in movies, the Film Fest Tucson offers something special for the city of Tucson.

Please take a moment to enjoy the photographs.

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