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.

Tags Leon Gast Ron Galella Smash His Camera Sundance Film Fesitval