My Sundance Experience

I've decided that since this blog is the closest thing I keep to a journal, I should write a little about my experience working at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. This was my second year working up there, last year I was a freelance production assistant for Entertainment Tonight, this year I was a freelance producer for the Associated Press. A lot changed for me between last year and this year, and I could tell in my attitude toward the entire process. Last year I was completely star-struck! The feeling of being in the presence of such celebs as Sarah Jessica Parker, Jack Black, Alan Alda, (just to name a few), was enough to keep me running around like a chicken with my head cut off in order to please everyone who needed anything at all. I was just SOOO happy to be there, that I pretty much put my entire "real" life on hold for a week, and was at the complete disposal of the crew. And I know a week isn't THAT long, but it was so tiring, that it took me a while to snap out of the feeling of "Go! Go! Go!"

This year, not so much... I've pretty much gotten over the thrill of meeting celebs... they're just regular people with big entourages. Plus, this year, I was actually ON the red carpet interviewing the likes of Susan Serandon, Pierce Brosnan, Jim Carey, Ewan McGreggor, Robin Williams (to name a few); so I couldn't very well act like a freakish fan and be taken seriously. But the major change in me this year, was that I realized what a fantastic opportunity was in front of me, yet I still knew what was "real" and important for me, and that's my two little boys at home who were missing me while I was gone. They didn't care who mommy was interviewing, they just knew I was gone for several days, and they're not used to that. So when the AP called me and asked me to work an extra day, it didn't take long to decide that I needed to say no and stay home with my kids instead. "But how can you turn down a gala with Robert Redford?" my mom asked... and my only reply was, "I'm tired, and I want to be home with my boys today." Something that I never would have dreamed of doing last year.

I love that I have been given this great privilege to try out the fast life of a reporter once a year, because I really feel it helps me to see that I made the right decision in choosing to stay home with my boys while they're young. I had a great time working and learning and expanding my resume, but I'm a mom, and it's the greatest job I'll ever do! Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't like to work in the field in the future... but I want to be home with my kids while they still like me and want me around! They won't be little for long! But the media will always be there... in some capacity!