SXSW.2007 Day One: An Introduction, Hangin' w/Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill & The Incredible Hulk!

Mere days after I'd returned from Mexico (soon to be blogged, I promise!), I called up my buddy David Lowery (shout-out, yo!) to have lunch. He told me he was going to Austin the next day for South by Southwest. We set a time about two hours later, during which I made the decision to head down there myself. The next day, I found myself in line at the Austin Convention Center, waiting to purchase a film badge.

I've only been to Austin, TX two times prior to the last ten days. The last time me and my friend David Downey, barely passing through, went on a trip, combining his work with our pleasure. If I recall correctly, all we did in Austin was hit the Half Price Books and the Hard Rock Cafe, before trudging onward towards Big Bend National Park, to do some hiking. The first time I went was also with David, on New Year's Eve. We drove around the city, checking out the capitol building and other sites, and then ended up on 6th Street for the evening festivities. After some debate, we found ourselves in a club we both didn't care for and so we decided to purchase a six pack (to go along with our bottle of Rum) and hit a motel, only to spend the evening watching Sex in the City. Ironically, we likened the events of that night to the very show we were then watching. Needless to say, I'd never really understood what all the Austin hype was about. That is, until just ten days ago.

Immediately upon obtaining my film badge, I did what any other film lover would do, I hit the registration tent, stocked with free beer. I grabbed a beer and sat down with my festival guide and starting perusing. After a few minutes, I introduced myself to a few others at the table, and we all decided to hit the first unpublished, official party of the festival, before hitting the first, published, official party of the festival... Right. Anyway, I ended up talking primarily to a girl who was speaking at a panel the following day for the interactive portion of the festival, about how the web pornography industry might help influence mainstream web publishing, with regards to paysites and premium content. She charges fees for her content, though, she's not exactly considered mainstream, as she owns and operates a pornography website, herself, based in Canada. Hearing her perspectives on these particular issues was an interesting beginning to the film festival.



The official SXSW Film Opening Party that night really rocked my world, and seriously pumped me up for things to come. I met some really cool people that night, both in the industry and otherwise. Above, you'll see me with Paul Rudd (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Clueless) and Jonah Hill (he was that dude in The 40 Year Old Virgin that wanted to buy those rad high heel boots with fish swimming around in them). Paul Rudd was really approachable and easy talk to, though, as a friend of mine pointed out correctly, he doesn't seem to quite be in-tune with the conversation. I must say, on the contrary, Jonah Hill is very attentive; and absolutely, ridiculously hilarious. If I were an actor, I'd want to work with him. I also met the director of Austin Movie Show (shout-out to you, Michele!), and ended up hanging out with her on several nightly occasions.

The highlight of the premiere party for me, however, was meeting Superman and the Incredible Hulk. Okay, not the *real* Superman or the *real* Incredible Hulk, but real enough for me. These guys are part of a large group of movie characters found on Hollywood Boulevard, who support themselves by standing on the street, day after day, meeting and taking pictures with tourists. They work for tips, though, like any other tipping industry in America, the tips are not required--in fact, they can't demand a tip, nor can they specify an amount, by law. Either way, I took a few minutes to discuss why these guys were here, with the Incredible Hulk. As anyone else, he was here promoting a film in the festival. His passion and honesty drew me in, so I promised to check out the premiere, the next day. Which brings me to my first film review (day two!)...