Over the past couple of years - since AFI first threw open the Theatre doors to offer up free screenings on the glamorous festival circuit - it was a nightmare attempting to reserve movie tickets at the prestigious organization's web site.
Once the reservation process began precisely on-the-hour, a big glitch in the system usually "crashed" the site.
For an hour or two, frustrated filmgoers nearly pulled their hair out, as they attempted to RSVP for their top flick picks.
Usually, they ended up being SOL after the dust settled.
While the online film fans were wrestling with the dilemma, locals simply dashed down to the ticket office to snatch up their coveted tickets in person, no problem!
Folks - like moi, for instance - ended up with slim pickings!
The web reservation "Master" coughed up about four tickets - all for the same flick - and shut
me out for the rest of the scintillating films I was anxious to catch at the Festival.
It was a no-go for a lot of unhappy puppies when it came to the Galas, Special Events, and Panel Discussions, too.
Of course, I was one of the journalists who reported on the snafus.
This year, it would appear that my cries of "sheesh", have not gone unheard.
After I received an e-mail from AFI yesterday morning to remind me to reserve tickets this upcoming week, I was pleased to encounter some changes at the web site.
The AFI has a new process for reserving tickets which will hopefully free-up the frozen screens and untold number of nasty glitches which are usually downright aggravating.
For example, once a filmgoer cruises to the AFI web page, they are instructed to REGISTER for tickets.
Once the information on the individual has been inputted, AFI's computer will randomly pick a time and date for the AFI member or individual filmgoer to reserve their seats at their own leisure!
I say: Kudos!
In theory, the plan should work.
In practice?
We'll find out this week, folks, as the mad-dash gets underway.
By the way, AFI FEST is the American Film Institute's annual celebration of artistic excellence, and brings the audience and the entertainment community together to explore the year in global cinema through the new works of film masters, moving image icons and breakthrough talents.
It is the only film festival of its stature that is free to the public and will take place in Hollywood, California, the movie capital of the world.
The dates for this year's festival are from November 1 through 8 at the historic Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Officials at AFI recently announced that internationally acclaimed filmmaker and Academy Award®-winning director and screenwriter Bernardo Bertolucci will serve as its Guest Artistic Director this year.
As Guest Artistic Director, Bertolucci selected four feature films for his special sidebar program at the festival: 42ND STREET (DIR Lloyd Bacon), THE RULES OF THE GAME/LA REGLE DU JEU (DIR Jean Renoir), SUNRISE (DIR F.W. Murnau) and VIVRE SA VIE (DIR Jean-Luc Godard).
In addition, the festival will present ELECTRIC CHAIR, a behind-the-scenes film about the making of Bertolucci’s new movie, ME AND YOU.
Bertolucci has written and directed over 25 films, including THE LAST EMPEROR, LAST TANGO IN PARIS, THE CONFORMIST, THE SHELTERING SKY and LITTLE BUDDHA.
The ultra-talented artist has been honored with two Academy Awards® for Best Director and Best Writing, Screenplay for THE LAST EMPEROR, was the recipient of an honorary Palm D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 - and this December - he will be receiving the European Film Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bertolucci has also conducted Master Seminars at the AFI Conservatory about the craft of filmmaking and his particular visual style in 1974 and again in 1979.
“I am very excited and honored to be the Guest Artistic Director of AFI FEST this year,” said Bernardo Bertolucci.
Stay posted for updates.
0 comments:
Post a Comment