Instructions

• Step 1: Plan ahead Decide in advance what you most want to see because there’s no way to do it all. The complete schedule is posted on comic-con.org about 2 weeks prior to the convention. For the latest information, subscribe to the Comic-Con newsfeed, follow them on Twitter, “like” their Facebook page, or download their free mobile app.
• Step 2: Prepare for battle Dress comfortably to survive Comic-Con, especially when it comes to footwear: Almost every attraction requires standing in line, and waits can be several hours. And consider carbo-loading the night before: Comic-Con isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon!
• TIP: Pack water bottles and snacks so you’re not at the mercy of the overpriced and underwhelming food court options.
• Step 3: Prepare to shop Bring cash; many vendors don’t accept credit cards and the ATM lines can be long. Carry a bag for swag — preferably one you can tote hands-free — and an empty poster tube for artwork.
• Step 4: Head to your favorite spots Arrive early to browse the main floor, where the smaller booths are featured; that area gets unbearably crowded by midday. And no matter what the schedule says, stop by your favorite exhibitors in person; some signings and events aren’t announced in advance.
• Step 5: Arrive early for popular panels If there’s a popular panel you really want to see, consider attending the previous one to ensure a seat; except for VIP sections, rooms aren’t cleared between panels.
• Step 6: Go with the flow Be flexible. Though it’s smart to have a plan to survive Comic-Con, it’s even smarter to take advantage of the surprises you’ll inevitably encounter.
• FACT: Comic-Con is nicknamed the “Nerd Prom.”

You Will Need

• Schedule
• Comfortable shoes
• Carbs
• Empty bag
• Poster tube
• Flexibility
• Water bottles (optional)
• Snacks (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Wear a dress Wear dress pants or a dress or skirt that is knee-length or longer, if you’re a female performer. Avoid plunging necklines, low-cut backs, high slits, or spaghetti straps.
• TIP: Regarding color, black is always appropriate for either sex.
• Step 2: Don a suit Don a suit, if you’re a male performer. Dress pants, a buttoned dress shirt, tie, and a sweater or jacket are also acceptable.
• Step 3: Wear appropriate footwear Wear appropriate footwear. Both men and women should avoid athletic footwear, open-toed shoes, and flip-flops. Ladies shouldn’t wear clogs or platform shoes.
• TIP: Polish your shoes ahead of time and make sure they’re clean.
• Step 4: Remove inappropriate jewelry Remove inappropriate jewelry like rings, if you’re a piano player, glitzy or noisy, jingling jewelry, bangle bracelets, wrist corsages, and large watches.
• Step 5: Dress formally Dress as if for a formal occasion if you’re sitting in the audience. Avoid tennis shoes, t-shirts, or jeans with holes. Enjoy the music.
• FACT: Composer Franz Liszt was the first to give complete solo piano recitals.

You Will Need

• Clothing
• Footwear

Instructions

• Step 1: Enter drawings Enter radio and TV station drawings via the web or by text.
• TIP: Some contests you can win without having to listen to the radio.
• Step 2: Read the rules and regulations Read the rules and regulations of the contest and submit the maximum amount of entries possible.
• Step 3: Use more phones Boost your chances of getting through by using more than one phone.
• Step 4: Increase the odds Increase the odds of winning by getting a friend to help. The prize is usually for two tickets.
• Step 5: Visit websites Visit websites of your favorite performer or band to watch for contest opportunities.
• TIP: Get exclusive discounts or offers by registering via e-mail.
• Step 6: Enter in other cities Enhance your chances of winning by entering contests in other cities. Be persistent and you will be watching your favorite concert in no time.
• FACT: Led Zeppelin holds the world record for the highest demand for tickets for one music show with 20 million requests.

You Will Need

• Internet access
• Texting capabilities
• Entries
• Radio
• Multiple phones
• Friend
• E-mail (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Go to the nearest booth Go to either the Times Square TKTS booth, closest to mid-town and uptown Manhattan on Broadway and 47th Street, or the South Street Seaport TKTS booth, closest to downtown Manhattan on the corner of Front and John Streets.
• TIP: A third TKTS booth is located in Brooklyn on the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Avenue Promenade.
• Step 2: Know Times Square hours Know the Times Square ticket booth hours for evening and matinee ticket sales, which can be found at www.tdf.org. Click “Ticket Services” then “TKTS Discount Booths.”
• Step 3: Know South Street hours Go to the South Street Seaport ticket booth to buy tickets for same-day evening performances and next-day matinee shows from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; or from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
• Step 4: Get there early Get to the booth two hours before it opens to get tickets for evening performances and one hour before it opens for a matinee show.
• TIP: Bring a book or music player to pass the time.
• Step 5: Go to the right window Go to the “Play Express” window if you’re seeing a play. This window does not sell tickets for musicals, dance performances, or music performances and moves much faster.
• Step 6: Pay Pay by credit cards, cash, travelers checks, or TKTS Gift Certificates. Enjoy the show!
• FACT: Broadway is also known as “The Great White Way” due to its bright lights.

You Will Need

• TKTS ticket booth locations
• Patience

Instructions

• Step 1: Work at event Work or volunteer at the event. Do security, janitorial services, or hand out flyers for the event. Call ahead to see if they can use your services.
• Step 2: Freelance Become a freelance photographer or writer. Call local media and pitch the event. If you get hired, fill out a media request form, get it approved, you’ve just earned your backstage pass.
• Step 3: Mingle Mingle with fans, media, and people who have backstage access — anyone on the “inside.” Get to know them, blend in, and follow them backstage. Use your personality to get past security.
• TIP: Being good-looking helps.
• Step 4: Lie Walk right up to security and insist that you are supposed to be backstage, and that your name was mistakenly left off the list. Explain with total confidence that you have every right to be backstage.
• Step 5: Be a groupie Become a groupie. Groupies follow bands around and frequently get to know band members. You might even get your own laminate and finally be able to say, “I’m with the band.”
• FACT: As of 2010, Barbra Streisand is the only performer to have received an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy, a Golden Globe, a Directors Guild of America Award, a National Endowment for the Arts Award, a Peabody Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.

You Will Need

• Job at the event
• Media pass
• Friend on the inside
• Confidence
• Good looks (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Bring cash and water Bring more cash than you think you’ll need. ATM lines are long, fees are high, and food and beverages are expensive. The same goes for water: it’s important to stay hydrated and water station lines can be brutal.
• TIP: Fill milk jugs with water, freeze them, and stash in your cooler.
• Step 2: Dress comfortably Wear comfortable, closed, waterproof walking shoes. Consider wearing cargo pants so you have plenty of pocket space; stuff a spare T-shirt into one. Use carabiners to secure your keys and a water bottle.
• Step 3: Bring a tent and a tarp Besides bringing a tent to sleep in, take along a tarp for eating under and escaping the sun. Invest in heavy-duty stakes; the ones that come with the tent and tarp may be too flimsy to penetrate the ground. Mark it with an unusual flag and bring a flashlight so you can easily find it, day or night.
• TIP: Lock valuables in your car trunk; they won’t be safe in your tent.
• Step 4: Be prepared for any weather Bring plenty of sunscreen even if it’s not sunny, plus a hat; a sunburned scalp and ears are no fun. Wear tall rain boots if the forecast is gloomy, and pack a pocket poncho just in case. If it does rain, stash your cell phone in a sealable plastic bag.
• TIP: Trash bags and duct tape can be turned into rain gear in an emergency.
• Step 5: Supply your own wipes Have tissues on hand when you use the portable toilets. Use baby wipes as a shower stand-in.
• Step 6: Take earplugs Take earplugs along in case the music is uncomfortably loud, you can’t stand one of the bands, or you just need a little peace and quiet. Throat lozenges are a good idea, too, after days of yelling over music.
• FACT: Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Summerfest is the world’s largest outdoor music festival, with as many as a million attendees over 11 days.

You Will Need

• Cash
• Water
• Cooler
• Right clothes
• Carabiners
• Tent and tarp
• Tent stakes
• Flag
• Flashlight
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Rain boots
• Pocket poncho
• Sealable plastic bags
• Tissues
• Baby wipes
• Earplugs
• Lozenges
• Water-filled milk jugs (optional)
• Trash bags (optional)
• Duct tape (optional)

Transcript

Heather: Hey, I’m Heather, and I run the Emerging Filmmakers Program at howcast.com. We’re here at South by Southwest, talking to filmmakers about their projects, what they love about filmmaking, what they hate about filmmaking, and any tips and tricks they have for other filmmakers out there.

Craig: I’m Craig Matthew Staggs, and I’m an animator, and filmmaker, and writer, and general smart ass around town.

Bobby: I am writing a feature, another one. It’s my fourth one.

Hannah: Yeah, I’m working on a short documentary right now.

Jessica: I love to make horror films. I would love to just make horror films. That would be great.

Hayley: I wasn’t one of those kids that knew that I wanted to make movies. I started out as an opera major.

Bobby: In fifth grade, I begged my parents for a camera, and then I made a series of Barbie doll movies.

Hayley: Took a first film class, fell in love with it, and have been running with it ever since then.

Katie: God. What do I love about being a filmmaker? That’s tough. Everything.

Jessica: I love shooting because it’s fast and it’s fun and then it’s over.

Katie: It’s the most creative process I’ve ever been a part of.

Craig: I can work at home in my pajamas, which is cool.

Katie: It’s just a dream come true to work on a movie.

Larissa: I love that it just keeps you busy. You get to do a little bit of everything and you put in so much work, and in the end, you have a little baby.

Cianna: What I hate is the fact that I have to work a job that is not related to film, and then struggle.

Hayley: Your first day of film class, every teacher is like, “You know what, you’ve gotta be in this for the love, because chances are, you’re not gonna be making money for quite a while.” So we’re all here knowing that. Nobody’s fooled.

Greg: Hope, pray, get a lot of friends, a lot of family, a lot of free locations. Shoot a relatively expensive camera. Try to borrow it if you can.

Hannah: These are some flood lights which are really cheap and really awesome for aspiring filmmakers, short filmmakers as well. You can just plug it in to an extension cord, and you can clip it on to something.

Bobby: I would say the biggest advice would be to keep your voice intact.

Jessica: I don’t know. I think so much of being a good filmmaker is finding the right people to work with.

Naftali: Take the biggest risk you can possibly take.

Cianna: Don’t be afraid of legal. You have to get all of those contracts. You don’t wanna get stuck.

Naftali: Have more quiet moments. ‘Cuz I know I, and almost all of us, don’t have enough quiet moments.

Cianna: Be prepared to talk about your film at any time.

Bobby: If you’re not doing all this social media stuff, as much as it kinda takes a little part of my soul away every time I tweet, if you’re not doing that, then who cares? No one’s gonna even know about what you’re doing.

Craig: I tweet, and I have a blog, and I have another blog.

Cianna: So you have to be ready for that, without feeling like, “Oh, I’m such a marketer.” Well, we are in marketing.

Hayley: Joss Whedon. My name is Hayley. I live in Austin, Texas, and if you are ever interested in a hard-working, witty gal, she’s right here in the Lone Star State.

Transcript

Heather: Hey I’m Heather and I run the emerging filmmakers program at howcast.com. We’re here at South By Southwest to talk to filmmakers about how to get the most out of the festival. What to do and what not to do.

Man 1: You know, make friends, create new relationships. These are like colleagues that who knows, you never know when your paths are going to cross again.

Man 2: I’ve met so many filmmakers here and I feel like they’re people I’m going to work with in the future. And any sort of shyness about meeting people, just stick that away somewhere because everyone is a somewhat shy filmmaker. So, just meet people and I should probably watch some more movies.

Man 3: I know you’re really busy but do try to see other people’s films because you want to be able to connect with people on some level and you want them to see your films.

Woman 1: Be prepared to talk about your film at any time. I think that I’ve talked to a lot of people who are asked, “So, what’s your film about?” and they actually don’t have an answer.

Woman 2: The secret to being a professional at South by Southwest is to carry a black backpack around at all times.

Woman 3: Don’t get a hotel room with seven people. It’s not a good idea. You don’t get any sleep.

Woman 1: Even if your phone’s not dead, if you have time, just go and charge it somewhere.

Man 4: Bar-B-Que.

Man 1: You know, eat! I didn’t eat the entire I was here last time and I think that just… there’s a lot of free food and being an independent filmmaker you’re poor most of the time. So any time you get something free, take advantage of it.

Man 2: Don’t pay for food or drink. I basically try and arrange my days so I never have to pay for anything. That’s big. I spent like $10.00 on a banana and an orange juice and I was beating myself up all day for that.

Boy 1: Don’t mention The Salt Lick at the airport.

Man 4: Get on as many party lists as possible and as many guest lists as possible because it’s possible to enjoy yourself on a budget. And do take advantage of a good balance of both paid and free events.

Woman 4: Surviving South By emergency. I done it for the past four years and that’s what I’ve lived off of.

Man 2: I learned how to drink a lot.

Man 3: Don’t get too drunk.

Man 5: Don’t drink too much.

Woman 1: Yeah, I might drink but I’m not going to go crazy with it.

Man 5:Because it is a marathon and not a sprint and you’ve got to be on in the day time. You’ve got to get your hustle on, you’ve got to be shining to talk to these people and you’ve gotta look like George Clooney, not Norman Bates.

Instructions

• Step 1: Research shows Read about shows in New York newspapers, or look online for summaries, cast lists, running times, and reviews.
• Step 2: Have friend land tickets If you aren’t from New York but have a friend who lives or works in Manhattan and is more familiar with the venues than you, as them to pick up tickets for you.
• Step 3: Call the box office Call or go directly to the box office to get current ticket prices. Use your credit card to reserve them.
• Step 4: Go online Go online to order tickets if you are not close to Times Square and want to land a good seat right away.
• Step 5: Use TKTS Go to the TKTS booth in Manhattan or Brooklyn on the day of the show, usually after 3 p.m. Get in line for discount tickets, which are between 25 to 50 percent off the full box office price.
• Step 6: Check rush tickets Check with theaters in the afternoon for rush tickets, or for standing room tickets for sold-out shows. Look at online classifieds for last-minute deals.
• TIP: Network with New York friends who might get tickets from friends who can’t attend that night.
• Step 7: Win the lottery Certain theaters have lottery lists. Sign up for one, and wait 30 minutes for the drawing. If your name is picked, show identification and pay as little as $20 (cash only) to see the show.
• FACT: Did you know? In 1996, the Broadway hit Rent was the first show to offer the lottery system for orchestra tickets to accommodate people who couldn’t afford to attend otherwise.

You Will Need

• New York newspapers
• A credit card
• A computer with internet access
• A lottery
• Friends in Manhattan (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Prepare Prepare for the performance by learning about the ballet you will see. Visit the ballet company’s web site, or do an internet search. Some ballets tell a story, while others are abstract works where the dancing itself is the point.
• TIP: Look for a book that covers the basics of classical ballet and can help you understand what you are watching.
• Step 2: Arrive early Arrive at the theater early. Be seated 15 minutes before the performance begins so you can read the program notes. They usually include information about the ballet as well as dancer biographies.
• TIP: If your seat is in the mezzanine or balcony, consider buying or renting small binoculars to help you see better.
• Step 3: Observe technique Observe the technical capabilities of the dancers. Ballet dancers train intensively from childhood to attain flexibility, line, and strength for turns and jumps.
• Step 4: Look at the choreography Watch the choreography, or the movements and patterns. Choreographers use elements of space, speed and rhythm, dynamics and energy, and structure to create ballets.
• Step 5: Listen to the music Listen to the music. In a ballet performance, the dancers respond to the music, and the choreography enhances the way you hear the music.
• TIP: Some contemporary choreographers create dances to unconventional music or even silence. Whatever the music or sound, it affects the tone and dynamics of the ballet.
• Step 6: Pay attention to background Pay attention to the costumes, scenery, and lighting design. ¬Whether elaborate or simple, they should enhance the visual experience of ballet.
• Step 7: Relax and enjoy Don’t stress about understanding the ballet. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience in your own way.
• FACT: The pavlova, a light meringue cake with a creamy center, was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, famed interpreter of the “Dying Swan” solo.

You Will Need

• A ticket to a ballet performance
• Internet access
• A book on ballet (optional)
• Binoculars (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Find a connection Rack your brain: do you know anyone in the music business? Ask everyone you know if they have a contact who could get you a backstage pass.
• Step 2: Get a business card Weeks before the concert, procure the business card of someone who works at a legitimate record label. Then go up to a bouncer and tell him you have an appointment with one of the musicians. When he doesn’t find you on the list, break out your card and demand to be let backstage!
• TIP: If at an outdoor music festival, put old laminates around your neck, find a gold cart, and breeze past security.
• Step 3: Win a radio contest Find out which local stations are giving out concert tickets and passes to meet-and-greet parties and see what you can do to win some.
• Step 4: Get a job at the venue Get a job at the concert venue—in catering, concessions, ticket sales, whatever.
• TIP: Don’t come across as an obsessed fan or you’re more likely to be escorted off the premises than led backstage.
• Step 5: Get press access Get press access for the opening act; they usually have fewer requests than the main one. Go online, find the band’s label, call them, and ask for the Public Relations Department. Say you’ve been assigned to write an article on the band for school and you’ll need a photo pass and a backstage pass.
• TIP: Have a gimmick. Successful rock groupie Cynthia “Plaster Caster” got noticed by bringing a sculpture kit to concerts and amusing musicians with her offer to immortalize their private parts.
• Step 6: Chat up the roadies No luck so far? No worries. If you’re a girl, arrive at the concert venue in the afternoon or early evening. Be sure to look hot, and when the crew is doing sound checks, chat up some of the roadies. You never know!
• Step 7: Ask about the after party Make your way to the stage and ask the guys at the sound board where the after-party is. If you look smokin’, they just may tell you!
• Step 8: Try bribery If all else fails, try bribing someone. But don’t do this until the end of the show—it could get you thrown out!
• FACT: Dee Dee Ramone got arrested for fighting with a roadie during the filming of the cult classic “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.”

You Will Need

• Confidence
• An appreciation of the band’s music
• And to look really hot!
• Laminates from other concerts
• And a legitimate music executive’s business card