Last night I went and saw Jean Michel-Bascoix: The Radiant Child. Really amazing and devastating how his quick fame led to his very early death. Soon after the movie I had to rush outside and wait in line and pray I could trade my volunteer voucher for a ticket to Exit Through the Gift Shop, a film by Banksy. Only 15 volunteers get to trade in their vouchers and after an hour of waiting in the cold, I was lucky #15!! And I cannot say anything further about this film except that it needs to be seen! Well, I can leave this trailer.

Last night was one of the most fun nights I’ve had during the festival. All because I don’t know how we pulled it off.

Long story short, after a few drinks, waiting in line in the cold cold Park City night, saving the boy with the girl’s name a seat and losing it while he waits outside and a volunteer who is calling the name, “Jason!” (either the lady didn’t hear me correctly or she couldn’t believe a boy could be named Tracy), we find perfect seats, seconds before Tucker & Dale vs Evil begins. And it was the perfect time to see it too, midnight. Not only is everyone is hopped up on red bulls, but only hard core festival goers go until midnight. The film was amazing and hilarious! No doubt in my mind this will be in theaters soon!

And this. This couldn’t be a better way to top off the night:

In case you haven’t heard, Banksy is in Utah! He’s been tagging throughout Park City and Salt Lake City. Hard to believe but true. Sadly the government here won’t protect his artwork like the UK does. Sigh…

It’s official. And crazy. I’m teaching Holga Photography via the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning program, this summer. The catalog and web information won’t be official until all the details are in order so stayed tuned for links to sign up, if you’re interested. I’m looking forward to it!

I took these 3 images above when I was scared of 120 film. Scared of the size, scared of the price, scared of what to do with it. I adapted my Holga to hold 35mm film before I even put 120 film inside it. As much fun as it was, it’s so much simpler just to use 120 film, now that I know what I’m doing with it.

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Last night I got to see documentary, Wasteland. Let me just say, wow. Brazilin artist Vik Muniz creates a project based in his home country, where lays one of the largest landfills in the world. He recreates photographs of natives by using found materials/trash. He even involves workers from the landfills to help, which give them a bigger perspective on their life outside of trash. Really inspiring. I was able to find a photo from the film:

I got to see these 2 amazing films last night. 

Catfish was a wild documentary about this guy who meets a girl on facebook. Wild, wild ride. There were 12 agents scattered in the back row, so I’m sure this will get picked up soon.

The Perfect Host didn’t seem like my kind of movie. But as I was ticket taking, I saw David Hyde Pierce walk in, which threw me off because I guess I didn’t even realize he was in this movie. But still. Scary movies, ain’t my thing. It wasn’t until I was handed an extra ticket and no one to give to that I called that one boy who has a girl’s name and had special permission to go sit by him, that I went in. And I’m so glad that I did. It was a real treat! And my hat goes off to Mr. Pierce. He totally breaks his Niles character completely! I’ll be sure to let ya’ll know if I hear of any of these coming to a theater (or rental store) near you!

Disclaimer: I want to add that I am only going to mention the films I really recommend out of the ones I get to see. The great thing about volunteering is I don’t feel guilty leaving the screening if I’m not fully enjoying it. So yes, these are a must see!

This next week will probably cover more of the Sundance Film Festival then it will printing/design. Sorry.

This is my second year volunteering, but first time in SLC (last year I was in Ogden). Last night was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I ushered for the film, Smash His Camera. There’s a section specifically for the people who worked on the film and I got to give people the boot if they weren’t suppose to sit there. An older man in that section asked me where he could get a good drink. I told him a few close places, one being the Beerhive where I had my Mad Men birthday party the night before. He then asked how old I was and then said, “You’ll be 50 soon. The time it takes to turn 18 to 19 is equivalent to 50 to 60. It goes by really fast.” I told him he was scaring me and the man next to him said, “Just excuse him. He’s only the director.” Oh no big deal. He’s Leon Gast. Just a plain old Academy Award winning director. And he was the friendliest. We talked until the film started where I sat on the floor and saw him slip out for that drink.

Smash His Camera is about Ron Galella, the first ever paparazzo. At the time he was called a stalker, a monster, and everyone hated him, especially Jackie Kennedy Onassis who sued him twice. Marlon Brando punched him hard enough to break his jaw and lose some teeth. But he didn’t give up. In fact he faced Mr. Brando again with a football helmet on. His photography wasn’t like paparazzi photos today. His were classy. All street photography and all to capture celebrities in their normal daily life (as opposed to celebrities today and their “normal” daily life…usually not wearing underwear). Ron was also at the screening and was just as sweet as Leon. He came prepared with a camera around his neck, just in case. This is a must see so keep an eye out!

That’s Leon on the left and Ron on the far right with the rest of the crew. Magical.

Last night I threw a real adult party. As I mentioned I hardly even let anyone know it’s my birthday, let alone actually celebrate it. But when I realized that this would be the only way I could get everyone to dress up like they’re straight out of Mad Men, I had to do it.

Thanks to all who came!

Yesterday was a great day. Usually January 21st is a low key day spent watching Sundance films with strangers who have no idea I am one year older. The day is so consumed of inspiring and amazing films that I don’t realize my brother is also one year older and I need to call him. But this year the festival doesn’t officially start until tonight.

So what else could I do? I went to the SLC AIGA’s event where Debbie Millman, the National AIGA President, was lecturing on the psychology and evolution behind Why We Brand? Why We Buy? Yes, I went to a lecture. And I loved it!  It was a really fascinating talk.

I bought 2 copies of her latest book, “Look Both Ways,” and 1 is being sent to that redhead I talk about so much. Her birthday is the day before mine and this seemed to fit the perfect gift from me to her. I was able to get it signed and everything. And I don’t know what Ms. Millman was thinking but she wrote, “For Emily PS- You are lucky to have the best half-Asian friend there is!” I have to say, Ms. Millman is a fine lady and knows what she’s talking about.

I had many friends, some I haven’t talked to in a long long time, all wish me a great day. It’s so nice to know people are thinking of you. Then Tracy the boy brought me yummy Thai food for dinner and Jaci surprised me with cupcakes! A pretty fulfilling day!

I am sitting in the Merrill Library at the University of Utah. I’m on the 4th floor, the best floor of all. This floor is where Special Collections, Rare Books, and The Book Art Program are. This is my first shift volunteering as a monitor in the BAP studio and it’s just me and the presses. There isn’t a letterpress class this spring semester so that means a lot of time to stare at wood type, inhale those rubber based inks, and create ideas in my head. And not only create them in my head, but create them physically as well.

Yay!

Letterpress Coasters from Quarter Productions on Vimeo.

I have never wanted to make coasters more in my life. I think Jack White needs to be in attendance for my future coaster making.

Birthday wish: one of them rounded corner cutters. What a dream!

Later this month I will start volunteering as a monitor for the Book Arts Program and will occasionally have time to kill, so why not print? I really want to finish this piece from my first class over the summer about Broadsides. I did everything I originally planned, but it doesn’t seem done. Why doesn’t it seem done?? Any one in the blog world have suggestions?

There are 5 layers of the word FOCUS (which now doesn’t even look like a real word to me). The “O” on the darkest color has nothing over, or shall I say, underlapping it to be a secure focal point.

Printed on French Paper Durotone Slate Blue 80lb Text with woodtype.