Post Christmas can be a bit of a letdown; much like a half-deflated balloon post party! After a snowbound DVD marathon I heeded the call of the corner coffee shop and wound up bumping into Bibly, a friend of a friend and familiar face from RIFF 09. Bibly Twix is a young, budding and ambitious entertainment reporter. She and her boss travel the world attending and reporting on independent film festivals so she is pretty cool to talk to.
me: Wow, I’m surprised to see you in Fredericksburg this time of year. Thanks for letting me interview you for the RIFF blog. Amunette told me you get to see all the big festivals like Venice, Toronto, and Telluride etc. and I think folks would like to hear about that.
Bibly Twix: Certainly, glad to help. Yes, the big festivals are exciting but there are great films to be found everywhere just like the exciting work showcased at RIFF last summer. Where are my manners? I’d like you to meet my boss and fellow bloodhound, Tobias A. Mazing.
me: Nice to meet you, Tobias. May I call you Tobias?
T.A. Mazing: Actually, my friends just call me A. Mazing. Particularly, the ladies.
me: Um, this is a family friendly blog.
T.A. Mazing: Sorry. Tobias is fine, dear.
Bilby Twix: Yes, as I was saying, Tobias has a knack for scouting out the stories. While I stand in the paparazzi mosh pit for hours trying to get one little quote the charmer here winds up scoring the scoop with a wink. Before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’ he’s made a connection and is off somewhere sipping martinis with Jennifer Aniston.
me: Wow. That sounds exciting. I have a friend who wants to meet Jennifer Aniston. Weird.
Tb. A. Mazing: It’s a gift really. What can I say? It is not my fault that I’m so good looking, witty, and genuinely irresistible.
Bilby Twix: Of course, the public likes to follow celebrities but it’s really about the films and the independent filmmakers. There is so much talent out there and that’s what is fun to watch.
Tb. A. Mazing: If the public didn’t go for celebrities though, darling, we would have to get real jobs and work in a cube.
Bilby Twix: Don’t even talk like that, please. You make my stomach hurt.
me: Is there something exciting you could share with us about one of bigger festivals? Most of us don’t get the chance to travel a lot.
Bilby Twix: Well, Sundance is around the corner and we will be headed off to that but….
Tb. A. Mazing: I’ve met Robert Redford!
Bilby Twix: Of course you have. Sigh. (huge eye roll) Now, as I was saying, Venice, Telluride, Sundance, and all of the big ones are fun to attend but the crowds get so hectic. The intimate setting of RIFF and this charming town are truly at the top of my list.
Tb. A. Mazing: And the coffee. Don’t forget the coffee. I love that little leaf thing they do with a latte here.
me: Wow, Sundance. That one is just around the corner. Will you come back and give us a report on Sundance?
Tb. A. Mazing: Certainly, love. Anything for a redhead. I love redheads.
Bilby Twix: Tobias! This is a professional interview!
Tb. A. Mazing: Sorry. It really is hard to tone down all this charm.
Bilby Twix: Don’t take him too seriously, we would be delighted. Happy to supply information to the filmmakers and fans out there. Do you have many submissions yet?
me: Well, I know that submissions are being accepted now. Everyone is excited to see what comes in and the response last year was fantastic. It was great running into you. Thanks again and I look forward to talking to you again soon.
Tb. A. Mazing: Enchante’, madam.
Bilby Twix: Toodle-Oo.