I picked up my 50 ticket pass. This year, no loot bags. No TIFF bag, no giveaways, no coupons. I guess they are cutting back or did not get the sponsors. I was trying to get more Stella Artois beer mug. :0 )
Changes this year?
(18 posts) (8 voices)-
steen
MemberThey also have them at the Isabel Bader and Lightbox.
We have refined our definition of a premium screening around the experience you will have. These are screenings that are World or North American premieres and offer a premium experience including a red carpet event.
Also sucks that premium screenings are full price and can't be chosen in the advance order book this year.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The extra premium screenings aren't *too* bad ... I feared worse. I haven't gone through the schedule in detail, but hopefully there are enough non-premium screenings of the particular films to compensate.
Some other differences:
- even fewer options on the first Thursday night: 5 films, the opening gala obviously not available for us pass holders. Two of the other films overlap, so even if I want to see the movies available, it's maxed out at 3 (including Furbar II at MM)
- no early showings on the first Friday! Besides a noon screening, everything else starts at 2:30 or later
- in fact, on other weekdays there are about half as many early screenings than last year. A typical weekday now is two early films at Varisty (9 & 9:30) and an 11 at Elgin.
- no use of the Cumberland. Yay!
- Scotiabank seems to be mostly out of the business of early showings -- none before the evenings for the first week. They have some afternoon ones on the 2nd Friday, then full days for the final Sat-Sun. They must be doing industry screenings there this year? That explains Varsity 7 & 8 being used a lot more than last year.
All in all, the extra Sunday of TIFF is a red herring. It seems to only compensate for fewer screenings on the other days. And unfortunately I'm going out of town on that Sunday and can't take advantage. :(
Posted 1 year ago # -
I remarked on that lack of goody bag, and was told that they would come later(?)
I was worried about the "premium" ticket issue (and am still not happy that they can't be ordered in advance), but there were fewer "premium" films than I expected.
I, too, am disappointed by the lack of daytime screenings (since I got a day pass plus the 10 ticket coupon book), esp. the first Friday, which I've booked off work when I didn't really need to.
It does seem like more films have a third screening this year, perhaps a benefit of the extra day. Although, Hereafter is getting only one screening(?)
Are they not doing the events at Yonge-Dundas Square this year? I quite liked those. Some good musical and comedy performances (ie. The Topp Twins) and opportunities to see celebs.
And why is the TIFF website always so slow?
==========
To answer my own question, I found this quote:The enormously popular fest events at Yonge-Dundas Square are no more, Bailey says sadly. There is no budget for it. "I think we want to take the same spirit that went into that and do it in a different way. We were able to do Yonge-Dundas Square last year because we had a significant chunk of money from the feds, part of their stimulus money. We don't have it this year. It was a one-time only."
Posted 1 year ago # -
bobbob
MemberI dunno, the number of premium screenings is about as bad as I feared :-) And there doesnt seem to be a lot of rhyme or reason to it - for example the first screening of "Passion Play" on friday at the Ryerson with Bill Murray, Megan Fox and Mickey Rourke (all confirmed to be at the fest and therefore in attendance) is somehow not premium? weird.
I also noticed that the weekday screenings are much much thinner this year - if that's the new trend (ie 2nd sunday screenings picking up the slack) I'm not sure how I feel about it. I always liked taking a few weekdays off and jamming in 5 films those days.
Basically I'm really bummed about the whole "Premium" way the festival is going - they should always have at least some regular lottery tickets for those screenings. I know lots of people who will spend $18 to see a TIFF screening, and not a single one who would spend $40.
Plus you know that the website is going to be a royal clusterf&%k on Sept 3 when those tickets go on sale.....
Posted 1 year ago # -
oh_tiffreviews
MemberI agree with everything bobbob said regarding the premium screenings (even the part about being surprised that they didnt include passion play as premium). I like how they said they "refined" the definition and really that means they expanded the number of premium screenings since the galas & visa screening room movies are still premium, but they added a bunch more. I'm going to be curious to see how well they do with those premium ticket sales.
Posted 1 year ago # -
abishop
MemberI'm pretty bummed about the schedule this year.
I go to the fest for the Films, but i do enjoy doing at least a couple of Red Carpet things every year. Out of 5 non-gala screenings that I had as my "star-gazing" potentials, all 5 are now premium and unavailable.
What's bound to be worse is that this leaves very few other options for such things, so whereas I had no plans to see Passion Play, I'm pretty sure it's now going to be a hot ticket as it's one of the very few "premium-type" screenings available to those of us that get passes.
The lack of morning/day screenings is also terrible. Especially given that it comes totally unannounced. If they had said "we plan to get rid of most of weekday morning screenings", I would not have bought a 25-pass Daypack.
I also don't understand what they're doing with the Lightbox. Very few of the major films are playing there, yet a bunch of "greatest hits" screenings are taking place that could easily have waited until after the festival. Why not put some of the festival's more important films into the new building and encourage fest attendees to go?
Anyhow, on the bright side, the festival line-up looks to be pretty strong despite lack of films. I've had less trouble picking out 30 films this year than the last couple. Despite initial disappointment, I expect I'll be happy with what I see this year, ultimately, that's what matters. I do wish that in the future are more clear and forthcoming with major changes effecting the passes prior to the passes going on sale.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Nanabush
MemberThe revised change to what is now considered a "premium screening", and ontop of that they change venues (i.e. Ryerson) for certain "premium" screenings is ridiculous. As one previous poster said to this nonsense "Boooo!" I wholeheartedly agree.
Having attended TIFF for the past 7 years now I have seen many bizarre changes with regards to ticket selection and film scheduling. I can recall many moons ago when 10 ticket flex pack holders could select tickets to any screening, including those at the VISA Screening Room. Where have those days gone? (sobs!)
At last year's festival I don't recall seeing any "premium" screenings take place outside of Roy Thompson Hall and the VISA Screening Room. Changes, changes. Gotta love 'em.
Was really looking forward to seeing "127 Days", Danny Boyle's highly anticipated follow-up to his Oscar-winning (and TIFF People's Choice) "Slumdog Millionaire" (which by the way I saw at the Ryerson Theatre last year and it wasn't deemed a friggin' "premium screening") Just plain bollocks!
Well enough of my ranting and raving. Having read all the previous posts I know that many of you are feeling my exact same frustrations with the "changes" this year.
Happy Festival-going TIFFers.
Posted 1 year ago # -
abishop
MemberI actually LOVE the advance order process. I can't wait each year to do it. I think something will die the day you no longer pick up the book and instead just read stuff online and click things off on the internet order form.
I'm sure that's coming and will probably increase the accessibility of the festival for many, but there is just something about the tradition of the archaic process. I even dread the fact that I can't make it out to the 1pm lottery this year :(
for prev poster: FYI, there is a non-premium 127 Hours Screening as well. But it'll be that much harder to get into now that everyone with a pass will be limited to it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
bobbob
MemberIf the 2nd screening within a day or two later, and not at 9 in the morning, chances are good the director will be there. If its on the last weekend, forget it - they've left town.
The reality IMO is that all these changes are to try to pay for the Lightbox - the problem is they surely wont go away once its paid for!
Next year I'm going to Telluride instead - problem solved :-)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I wonder how well the premium screenings will sell. I mean, they did have packages for the Elgin screenings, so some tickets are sold already. But if passholders are not able to buy the premium screenings at the Ryerson and Isabel Bader in advance, do they expect to get all their sales from single tickets? For example, will they be able to sell out Miral at the Ryerson on Monday night at $40/ticket with Freida Pinto being the only name star? (No offense to her, but she's not Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.)
Meanwhile, as mentioned above, Passion Play (Megan Fox, Mickey Rouke) is non-premium. Similarly, Blue Valentine (Ryan Gosling) is also non-premium. And, am I dreaming, but I see no star symbols beside Hereafter (Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon) on Sunday night at the Elgin... is *that* non-premium?
All that said, I will splurge for a few. Will also take in some premium red carpets, but actually see the film on its second showing. I did that with films like Precious last year and it was good: red carpet Sunday night (Mary J. Blige was the highlight), movie on Monday (with director Lee Daniels doing a Q&A afterwards).
Posted 1 year ago # -
oh_tiffreviews
MemberAs an out-of-towner, I would LOVE if they changed added an online option for the advance order process. I'm not willing to shell out the $150 or so for the out-of-town package, so I've been depending on some kind Canadian friends to trek downtown to fill the form out for me.
Though if they keep increasing the number premium screenings, I might just skip the advance order process altogether. Or maybe check out Sundance or the NY Film Festival instead (which would be a lot closer for me)
I didn't even think about the fact that more people will be clamoring for the second/non-premium showings which mean more likely to sell out. I mean, I guess there's always rush since I'm betting they will not be selling out these premium screenings. And I'm wondering if next year, they'll be introducing a new package just for the ability to advance order premium screenings.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I don't mind the manual part of putting together my schedule, and could live with no online option (although I agree it sucks for out-of-towners).
But what they should really do is scan in everyone's orders first. Then randomize each individual request, and go through them in that order. That way some of your picks will be processed early, some will be later -- but everyone has a shot.
Right now the system is all or nothing ... if you're in an early box, you're set! In one of the last? You could be totally screwed. I've been on both ends, so in that sense it evens out ... but I think my proposal is fairer. Instead of some people being elated and others being depressed, everyone is reasonably happy on average. :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
It just dawned on me that they aren't using the Varsity 1-6 this year, just the 7 and 8. While the AMC multiplex screens and theatres are probably better, I will miss spending more time at the Varsity (and Bloor St. area). The Cumberland will not be missed, although I do like the ROM theatre and have had good experiences there at TIFF and various other film festivals.
The TIFF insert in today's Toronto Star gives a sort-of 3-D layout of the Bell Lightbox, showing the locations of the theatres, restaurants and gallery spaces within the building. They also have a cutaway view of the walls showing how the theatres are insulated from the other parts of the building to keep sound in and out.
Posted 1 year ago #
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