Column: The thrills and burdens of being a mere mortal at Sundance

By Whitney Schulte

February 25, 2008 | Here's the thing about the Olsen twins: Don't look and don't touch. That's what many of the employees in shops all over Park City were told this winter.

The mini moguls were part of the celebrity elite who took over the streets of Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. The festival is an annual event created to help kick-start the careers of aspiring screenwriters, directors, producers and the likes.

As we drive up Parley's Canyon, my excitement starts to build. The snow-covered winding roads can only mean one thing: we're getting closer and closer to Park City. That means Sundance is only minutes away.

No matter how many times I've been to the film festival, the excitement and anticipation never wears off. I love tasting a small piece of the glitz and glamour Park City serves up annually. After all, where else can you see celebrities walking the red carpet in winter coats?

Minutes later, the car is finally parked and we're walking towards Main Street. In an alley, we pass a news reporter, cameraman, and celebrity trying to get some face time for a last-minute interview. The sky is blanketed in inky darkness, and what little light the camera has is casting shadows on the man's face. But, after a few seconds we determine it's Bono and keep walking. To us, he's just a small slice of the pie.

The first view I drink in of Main Street is spectacular. It reminds me of New York City on Christmas day. Everything is illuminated, even the people.

It is easy to distinguish the Park City natives. They all have on long, puffy down jackets and some variation of Ugg boots. They know it's cold, and they're dressing for warmth. These people have the glow of a proud parent. It's the one time of year their city has a chance to shine for the world to see. And it does. Brightly.

The Los Angeles celebrity assistants/publicists/stylists/insertyourpostitionhere can also be easily pulled apart from the crowd. They're wearing skinnier jeans, tighter tops, and even higher heels.

No matter where you're from, you can feel the electricity flowing between everyone on the street. Whether you are unveiling your first movie, or just going to a screening of someone else's, just being at the festival still feels magical.

"I look forward to the festival all year. All of the movie tickets are sold out months in advance, and it's really cool to know I can be a part of the A-list for a few days," says my fellow Sundance attendee, Whitney Mayes.

I can definitely identify with that feeling.

However, getting a piece of Hollywood isn't all about glamour.

One celebrity who was surprisingly friendly and down-to-earth is Paris Hilton. We were lucky enough (or as some people may say, unlucky enough) to meet this "it" girl.

"Paris is beautiful in person," Mayes says, "The tabloid pictures do not do her justice." Paris was also very kind to everyone she came in contact with. Even her "minions." Whenever an assistant did something worthy of some praise from Ms. Hilton, they were rewarded with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

During a speech at the film festival, Robert Redford said, "Paris Hilton doesn't have anything to do with anything. There is nothing pretentious. No red carpets, no limousines allowed… so people come and mingle together like a real community of artists. I love the fact that it's successful and that it's giving the filmmakers what they need and what they want."

I disagree.

For some, Sundance is all about celebrity sightings. When asked what he thought about seeing famous people in Utah, Denny Tran said, "It's sweet. It is the only reason why a lot of people our age go to Sundance."

In answer to the same question, Haley Kohfeld replied, "It is really hard to get movie tickets to the festival unless you remember to purchase them back in August or September. And even then, lots of students are strapped for cash. I think 'star gazing' is probably one of the main attractions of Sundance."

Main Street in Park City is prime real estate for scoping out celebs in their natural habitat.

Paparazzi stand huddled in the front doors of shops across from Marquee and Tao. The bottoms of their jeans are stiff from the mix of slush and salt on the streets. Nikons with telephoto lenses dangle from their necks. Notebooks and pens are in hand, and their cell phones are literally poised at the tips of their fingers. No one will be the last to call in the latest celebrity sighting to their editor.

Then, there's the older women. Dripping in diamonds and fur, they pretend to be above noticing there are celebrities in the midst. They give Paris looks of disdain as she walks by. Secretly, they are already planning their next round of botox injections, and tapping out emails on their blackberries so their husband's secretaries can locate a store to buy the Technica moon boots Paris has donned for the occasion.

None of the men make it a big secret that they appreciate Paris Hilton being on the premises. I can practically hear their pocket watches ticking as some distinguished older gentleman (obviously the better half of the fur coats) wolf whistle at Paris.

"Oh please boys, that's enough," she says with a wave and a smile.

The little kids also adore Paris. Any of them who are lucky enough to be bundled up in their snowsuits and miniature Uggs, instead of at home in bed, cannot wipe the smiles off their faces. You can practically see the wheels turning in their heads as they are writing and re-writing the story of what they just witnessed.

No matter who you are, you can't pretend not to be even the tiniest bit interested in star gazing at Sundance. I can admit it, I'd like to be the one who the Olsens won't look in the eyes!

MS
MS