Coincidental connections
I was first aware of it when I started making the documentary MAKING IT IN HOLLYWOOD, and it has started again today at the first day of the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. Coincidences. Now, I appreciate that it's a small business and when you go to events like the Oscars etc, you are bound to meet people you know. However, to be coincidentally in the same place when Clint Eastwood unexpectedly walks into an event, or Kate Winslet sweeps past you on her way to the red carpet, then for me, there's something different going on. I called it the magic of filmmaking.
This time, it was a couple, who sat near me on the train to Gatwick. Their faces never really registered with me, but something about them was familiar. They got on the same flight via Cincinnatti and I noticed them a few times and heard that the woman was Scottish. I never thought anything of it until Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, at Cincinatti, my stop over point, I was just about to board the plane when I noticed Jess Search, who I co-founded Shooting People with in 1999. I hadn't seen her for about five years and we meet in a busy airport. If it wasn't for her flight being delayed for 5 hours, our paths wouldn't have crossed. As you may know, Jess is head of Channel 4's BRITDOC, and has two films in the competition. She invited me to both premieres and also to a private party with the rest of her C4 colleagues. Result.
When I arrived in Salt Lake City, I noticed the couple again and thought I'd go over and ask whether they were here to promote a film, as being Scottish, I guess I should make my self aware of it. After I said hello, my brain started feeding me with answers. "You're a producer of a film ?", my brain ticked over. I closed my eyes and concentrated. It then came to mind about Lisa in an article in TIMEOUT about a week ago. I asked her if that was her ? She said yes. Then I recalled it was MUM & DAD and in 2007, the writer of the film and Lisa came to the BBC/Film London Microwave school to give the budding newcomers an update, as they had won with Mum And Dad, in 2006. I had been following their success story at each Film London event I went to, but I hadn't seen the film. We exchanged numbers and I've got another invite.
Then finally, I shared a taxi with an actress, Trina Willard, in one of the films that could do well this year called Humpday. She told me all about her part and how it came about. A third invite was offered and I hadn't even arrived at my hotel.
It's going to be a busy week.
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