Erin’s 5 Favorite Panel Discussions and Q&As of 2009

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Erin’s 5 Favorite Panel Discussions and Q&As of 2009 (In No Particular Order):

Documentaries: Then & Now - Woodstock Film Festival - October 4, 2009

What a fine assemblage of both legends and up-and-comers in the documentary field. Barbara Kopple and Leon Gast especially had some interesting insights about "the good old days": i.e., when documentaries were shot on Film.

A Conversation With Todd Haynes and Richard Linklater – SXSW Film Festival– March 17, 2009

To see these two giants of a bygone era of Independent Film sit on a stage and talk with one another was a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Too bad my microphone went dead and had to do the panel from memory!

Andrew Bujalski presents "Beeswax" at the Dryden Theatre - November 7, 2009

Andrew's third trip to the Dryden Theatre was followed with a wonderful, in-depth conversation about "Beeswax" and how his career has evolved from the previous two movies.

Music in Film - Woodstock Film Festival – October 3, 2009

Although everybody had interesting insights to contribute, hearing Tom DiCillo expound on his experiences with making his movie on The Doors (as well as other experiences) made me put this one on my top five list.

Conversation with Lynn Redgrave – High Falls Film Festival – May 17, 2009

Lynn is an incredibly friendly woman, and shared a lot of very fascinating stories about her life and career. Definitely the High Point of this year's High Falls Festival.

Honorable Mentions:

Self Distribution Not All By Yourself - SXSW - March 15, 2009

This was a very resourceful panel about the many options the filmmaker has when it comes to self-distribution. Scott Macaulay did an incredible job bringing these people together.

The Incredible Shrinking (Expanding?) Film Critic Profession – SXSW - March 14, 2009

The critics at the Woodstock Panel were a little more upbeat and optimistic about the future of the critic, but this was a very fascinating discussion with several generations of film critics.

To read Brian's Top 5, click here.