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SXSW BLOG: “THE WEIRD WORLD OF BLOWFLY” DIRECTOR JONATHAN FURMANSKI
My Arrival. Well, I made it. I’m in Austin for SXSW 2010 to premiere my documentary film, The Weird World of Blowfly. About 2-1/2 years of shooting and editing, endless phone calls, countless emails, and probably 50,000 airline miles to get to this moment. Probably there’s still more work to do on the film — I can already tell you half a dozen places where I want to tweak the color or adjust the mix — but I made it and I’m ready to introduce the film to the world. It’s a coming out party for 93 minutes of HD videotape.
I’ve been to many film festivals before, including SXSW, but this is my first time as a filmmaker. Other times I was supporting my friends, or escorting work I had shot (I make my living as a D.P.), or just attending to watch and support films I wouldn’t have the chance to see anywhere else. But this time is different. Even sitting on the flight to Austin, watching my fellow passengers tap away on their iPhones and MacBook Pros, I knew they were all like me…or, more accurately, I was one of them. (Full disclosure: I own both an iPhone and a MacBook Pro.)
When I walked into the Austin Convention Center to register, I was shocked by how big everything seemed — not physically big, but impressively big. Was it this big the last time I was here in 2006? (I was there with loudQUIETloud, a film I co-shot with Paul Dokuchitz.) The hallways were jammed with people and the walls were lined with flyers, posters, postcards, and stickers advertising films, panels, parties, and random, unidentifiable things. Thankfully, my friend Ray, who lives in Austin, hung some posters around the A.C.C. yesterday for The Weird World of Blowfly so we had a leg up on the competition!
Speaking of the competition, I’m both thrilled and terrified by the quality of the projects around me (and my film). Thrilled because it’s exciting to see so many talented people making such fascinating work; terrified because I want my film to stand out from such an accomplished pack. I’m very proud of The Weird World of Blowfly but pride doesn’t do much if your film sits on a shelf somewhere.
People here are out and about, whooping it up and having a great time — there’s excitement in the air. I’m nervous about the premiere but also electrified. Making this film has been the most fulfilling and frustrating time of my life, and I imagine that rollercoaster ride will continue for some time. — Jonathan Furmanski
