Vini, Vidi, Video.
I came - I saw – I movied, movied, movied. Four days of serious self-indulgence, three to seven films a day for me. The TCMFF issued its annual siren call and I responded.
Actually, I arrived on the Tuesday before the festival began, knowing the Roosevelt Hotel would welcome me home and provide the perfect base to enjoy my planned agenda. I had an appointment to have my hair blown out. The twins (Carrie and Cecelia) had been urging me to do so for years and I have to tell you it is a marvelous experience. I felt well coiffed and glamorous and the effects lasted a good five days. Thank you girls for encouraging the adventure and thank you Lance Lippmann for the gorgeous style that would take me through my week in LA.
Wednesday a talented and fun to work with woman, Karen Praxel, came to me at the hotel for a photo shoot where I posed for head shots to use on my book covers. The Roosevelt made for a natural and classic setting for the image I was going for. The whole experience was far more fun than I ever expected, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that other aspiring authors do the same. I felt so good that later that night I gathered family and extended TCMFF family and we dined at Musso & Frank, a long time Hollywood landmark and a really yummy dinning experience. We sat in the Rolling Stones’ booth; ask the waiter when you go who used to like to sit where and chose your favorite star's favorite table. Good food and great service – it has become a favorite with many festivalgoers.
Honestly, because of the Roosevelt's convenient location, Every morning I went down to 25 Degrees, the cafe in the Roosevelt Lobby and familiar faces from years past greeted me with a smile and a hug and I had a cup of mocha in my hand almost before I could ask. At night Room Service delivered heaping piles of wonderful sweet potato French fries. Public (the main restaurant in the hotel) served up eggplant flat bread and perfect guacamole and chips. I only had popcorn for lunch one time over the four days of marathon movie-going. Otherwise, I enjoyed what my home away from home had to offer on a pretty regular basis.
I also renewed acquaintance with many smiling faces from past years. The big questions from everyone you meet are pretty standard? How many years does this make for you? Which film have you liked best? Which film are you seeing next? Mind you the festival provides experiences for all tastes. I met a woman who loved the interviews and hit every discussion she could, seldom staying for any of the films. She was interested in the life tales of the moviemakers and those who remembered them.
Every film seemed to have its bevy of fans, devoted, gleeful people who had arrived in line early and clutched a low number, guaranteed to get their favorite seat to see the film that had brought them to the festival. For four days we are a community in happy reunion, connected through the year by email, blog, Facebook, Text, and Twitter and probably half a dozen other device apps I have no knowledge of. We come together, welcoming new members into the growing family, and depart with promises of same time next year.As usual, Sunday came and went all too soon. I met new friends from Canada, Connecticut, Florida, Brooklyn and Alaska, and almost every mid-west state.
Monday morning, in the lobby of the hotel lines are formed, not for a movie, but for check out. I stayed an extra day, met friends for a drink at the little bar in the lobby next to Public’s after lunch, and showed off the beautiful building. In the afternoon I played tourist along that same stretch of street that had been a busy hallway between theaters, taking time to read the stars. Tuesday morning I had a final cup of mocha at 25 Degrees, packed-up, and shut the door to my favorite room knowing I would be back again. After I checked out I had a long lunch by the pool, iced tea and shrimp tacos. I watched the sunbathers and swimmers and palms waving in the breeze while I thought about all the films I had seen until it was time to leave for the airport. Really, it was an ideal way to ease my way back to reality.
Eloise was never so busy and happy at the Plaza as Amanda is at the Roosevelt and the TCMFF.