Advice...
As one of our last assignments, we had to write an advice paper for future program participants. Here's what I would say to someone coming on this trip...
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Insert your own clever title here (i.e. “Yes, You Cannes” or
“I Think I Cannes” or “I Cannes’t Believe It’s Not Butter”)
By now, you are probably totally psyched about the trip. Don’t worry if it still seems unreal that you’re even going. This will last at least through jetlag, so just sit back and try to take in as much as you can at this point. Journaling helps the process, and it’s fun to read back later.
The advice I appreciated most before my trip was the stuff I could take with me. Most of what I say won’t make sense until you get to France, and that’s okay. Hopefully once you get there, it will be helpful and informative and enhance your experience.
Cannes/Festival Stuff
Walk around the day before the Festival starts. You’ll get your bearings and catch a glimpse of what goes into making it all happen. One thing that struck me was how “cool” everyone looked, like they didn’t even notice where they were or what they were a part of. And there I was looking at everything in wonderment and disbelief. Don’t be afraid to spend time alone. You’ll have time to share with everyone else another day. Take a moment to let the greatness of the Festival, the trip, your personal impressions sink in.
By now, you are probably totally psyched about the trip. Don’t worry if it still seems unreal that you’re even going. This will last at least through jetlag, so just sit back and try to take in as much as you can at this point. Journaling helps the process, and it’s fun to read back later.
The advice I appreciated most before my trip was the stuff I could take with me. Most of what I say won’t make sense until you get to France, and that’s okay. Hopefully once you get there, it will be helpful and informative and enhance your experience.
Cannes/Festival Stuff
Walk around the day before the Festival starts. You’ll get your bearings and catch a glimpse of what goes into making it all happen. One thing that struck me was how “cool” everyone looked, like they didn’t even notice where they were or what they were a part of. And there I was looking at everything in wonderment and disbelief. Don’t be afraid to spend time alone. You’ll have time to share with everyone else another day. Take a moment to let the greatness of the Festival, the trip, your personal impressions sink in.
You’ll be standing in line a lot. Talk to everyone around you. If you hear English, break in (respectfully). If you speak French (or Italian, or Dutch, or German, or Russian), go for it. You never know if you’ll simply share a singular moment with a random stranger or end up making a life-long friend. Either way, it’s worth it. And maybe you’ll be lucky enough to make friends with someone who looks kind of like you and will be willing to leave their Marche du Film badge with you when they leave. If that happens, count your lucky stars. You’re about to have an amazing Festival!
Eat at Café Roma. Everything on the menu is delicious and the house wine is cheap, but pretty good. Eat there during the Festival and it’s a great place to people watch. If you’re looking at the Palais, turn right and it’s just down the street on your right.
Have at least one round of drinks at The Majestic Hotel (where you’ll pick up your media every day for reviews, movie times, and some industry info). When and where else will you feel totally justified spending $80 on four drinks? Just do it. Your parents are probably paying the credit card bill anyway.
Be prepared for the brick wall you will hit on about the sixth or seventh day of the Festival. By then, you will have gone through a range of emotions during the movies you’ve seen, and you’ll have been sleeping for at least a week in an unfamiliar, not-as-comfortable-as-the-one-back-home bed. You’ll be tired and maybe a little cranky. It’s okay to take a day (or two) off as long as you’re sure you’ll be diligent the other days. Shoot for 15 or so movies, but space them apart so you won’t get burned out.
Juan-les-Pins
Though you won’t spend much time in JLP during the Festival, you will fall in love with it in the weeks following. Here are a few of my favorite places along with directions on how to get there from the residence, Coleurs Soleil…
La Fournee Provencale – bakery located diagonally across the street from Coleurs Soleil. Walk out of CS, turn right, and cross the street. You’re there. Go here in the mornings for your breakfast croissant (or pain au chocolate) and coffee (café = espresso, café au lait = large coffee with milk). Everyone working here speaks pretty good English and they love the students. They also make amazing desserts!
Juan Les Pains – sandwich shop down the street. Walk out of CS, turn left, and it’s on the corner, just a few paces away. The club sandwich and beignes (bin-yays) with chocolate are delicious! Go here for lunch and be nice to the lady working.
Plage du Columbier – Great restaurant where you eat with your feet in the sand! Take a right out of CS and walk to the end of the street. When you get to the boardwalk (where Haagen-Dazs is on your left), turn left. Just a few paces down, you’ll see the Columbier. I highly recommend any of the rice dishes and the mussels and fries (moules et frites). It’s reasonably priced at about $15 for an entrée.
Ice cream shop – I realize that’s vague, but it will make sense after I give the directions. It’s worth it to go for the Crème Brulee or Tiramisu ice cream. From Plage du Columbier, take a right and walk down until you see the ice cream shop with brightly colored suede stools inside. It’s right across the street from the Grand Marnier ice cream place (which I also highly recommend).
Have at least one round of drinks at The Majestic Hotel (where you’ll pick up your media every day for reviews, movie times, and some industry info). When and where else will you feel totally justified spending $80 on four drinks? Just do it. Your parents are probably paying the credit card bill anyway.
Be prepared for the brick wall you will hit on about the sixth or seventh day of the Festival. By then, you will have gone through a range of emotions during the movies you’ve seen, and you’ll have been sleeping for at least a week in an unfamiliar, not-as-comfortable-as-the-one-back-home bed. You’ll be tired and maybe a little cranky. It’s okay to take a day (or two) off as long as you’re sure you’ll be diligent the other days. Shoot for 15 or so movies, but space them apart so you won’t get burned out.
Juan-les-Pins
Though you won’t spend much time in JLP during the Festival, you will fall in love with it in the weeks following. Here are a few of my favorite places along with directions on how to get there from the residence, Coleurs Soleil…
La Fournee Provencale – bakery located diagonally across the street from Coleurs Soleil. Walk out of CS, turn right, and cross the street. You’re there. Go here in the mornings for your breakfast croissant (or pain au chocolate) and coffee (café = espresso, café au lait = large coffee with milk). Everyone working here speaks pretty good English and they love the students. They also make amazing desserts!
Juan Les Pains – sandwich shop down the street. Walk out of CS, turn left, and it’s on the corner, just a few paces away. The club sandwich and beignes (bin-yays) with chocolate are delicious! Go here for lunch and be nice to the lady working.
Plage du Columbier – Great restaurant where you eat with your feet in the sand! Take a right out of CS and walk to the end of the street. When you get to the boardwalk (where Haagen-Dazs is on your left), turn left. Just a few paces down, you’ll see the Columbier. I highly recommend any of the rice dishes and the mussels and fries (moules et frites). It’s reasonably priced at about $15 for an entrée.
Ice cream shop – I realize that’s vague, but it will make sense after I give the directions. It’s worth it to go for the Crème Brulee or Tiramisu ice cream. From Plage du Columbier, take a right and walk down until you see the ice cream shop with brightly colored suede stools inside. It’s right across the street from the Grand Marnier ice cream place (which I also highly recommend).
Porno Panini – Okay, that’s not the real name of the store, it's Sandwiches Cancan, but the guy does sell paninis and definitely watches porn in the afternoon. Thus, “porno panini” guy. He basically runs a convenience store that’s usually open until 1 or 2 a.m. (the French keep flexible hours) You can get beer, wine, cigarettes, snacks, water, and quick lunches like quiche or pizza here. We love the porno panini guy, even though he’s a little creepy. From CS, turn left and cross the street. You’ll cross one street and then the store is on your right. Porno Panini will probably be sitting at one of the little tables just outside.
Word of Warning - Don’t overdose on paninis and coke. Be adventurous in your eating and have fun! Get together a few times during the trip with some friends and make dinner together. Salad, some frozen lasagnas, a nice dessert, bread and cheese…dinner parties rock! And it’s usually cheaper than going out anyway.
Coleurs Soleil – Get to know your neighbors. Your fellow classmates will provide many hours of entertainment and company. Start with those on your floor, but don’t be afraid to venture out.
General Advice
Listen to Allison and ask her questions. She has all the answers. She is (yes, I’ll steal the term from Brian) a total wizard.
Spend some time with Nate. He’s laid back and sometimes speaks slowly, but he has some great stories and wonderful things to say. He talks like a writer, choosing his words carefully. Pay attention. You might learn something even when you’re not in class.
The Eidsviks are wonderful hosts and will welcome you anytime you need to get away from the hustle and bustle. Don’t be afraid to hang out with the teachers!
Use your credit card to pay for your weekly groceries. You’ll need the cash Allison gives you for the small stands or restaurants around town.
Every few days, stop, take a moment, and look around. If you feel tired (and you will) or homesick (and you will) or displaced (and you definitely will), try to remember that you are at the Cannes Freaking Film Festival. That sounds simple, but it works. Try to grasp the enormity of this Festival and what it means for the industry. Journal, not for your assignments (although it’s helpful for that), but for yourself. It’s a great way to process what’s going on and to later remember the little things that made you smile in delight or curse in frustration.
This experience was a truly awesome one. As a lover of movies, a true Cinephile, I never thought I would make it to this Festival. But I did, and I loved it. I know you will as well.
Peace. Out.
Word of Warning - Don’t overdose on paninis and coke. Be adventurous in your eating and have fun! Get together a few times during the trip with some friends and make dinner together. Salad, some frozen lasagnas, a nice dessert, bread and cheese…dinner parties rock! And it’s usually cheaper than going out anyway.
Coleurs Soleil – Get to know your neighbors. Your fellow classmates will provide many hours of entertainment and company. Start with those on your floor, but don’t be afraid to venture out.
General Advice
Listen to Allison and ask her questions. She has all the answers. She is (yes, I’ll steal the term from Brian) a total wizard.
Spend some time with Nate. He’s laid back and sometimes speaks slowly, but he has some great stories and wonderful things to say. He talks like a writer, choosing his words carefully. Pay attention. You might learn something even when you’re not in class.
The Eidsviks are wonderful hosts and will welcome you anytime you need to get away from the hustle and bustle. Don’t be afraid to hang out with the teachers!
Use your credit card to pay for your weekly groceries. You’ll need the cash Allison gives you for the small stands or restaurants around town.
Every few days, stop, take a moment, and look around. If you feel tired (and you will) or homesick (and you will) or displaced (and you definitely will), try to remember that you are at the Cannes Freaking Film Festival. That sounds simple, but it works. Try to grasp the enormity of this Festival and what it means for the industry. Journal, not for your assignments (although it’s helpful for that), but for yourself. It’s a great way to process what’s going on and to later remember the little things that made you smile in delight or curse in frustration.
This experience was a truly awesome one. As a lover of movies, a true Cinephile, I never thought I would make it to this Festival. But I did, and I loved it. I know you will as well.
Peace. Out.
posted by Michelle @ 5:11 AM
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