NEW YORK TELEVISION FESTIVALby Sarit Catz Sarit Catz talks about making the New York Television Festival I’m a little stressed out. From good things. The indy pilot I made, “What She’s Having,” was accepted to the New York Television Festival. According to them, and according to the press releases I’m uploading onto the internet, the New York Television Festival is the industry’s first recognized independent television festival, uniting artists, executives, industry figures, and fans. In past years, pilots that debuted at the Festival were purchased by networks such as NBC Universal, A&E, and Versus. The festival is next week and my pilot screens Saturday September 8th at 2:15 pm and Sunday September 9th at 5:45 pm at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street in Manhattan. Screenings are free so all you New Yorkers, please come on out. But only if you’re going to vote for me for the audience award. See, before, I was worried that we wouldn’t make it into the festival. Now, I’m worried that we won’t do well. When will the worry stop? If you want more info on the pilot and to watch the trailer and a behind-the-scenes featurette, go to www.WhatShesHaving.tv. Anyway, now that the Festival is around the corner, I’m getting really busy. Of course, it coincides exactly with the first day of my kids’ school so it’s a perfect storm of madness. I’m running around hunting for the exact size of index cards my daughter needs – with lines – while trying to drum up an audience for the “What She’s Having” screenings. Getting press packs together, planning a party, updating the website, while making sure my kids’ shoes still fit. The Festival is only giving us two passes, so that’s one for me and one for my director/editor. And even though I’ve begged, they won’t budge on an extra pass or two for my stars. However, they will give us a few extra tickets for certain events so I’m calling and e-mailing actors to check their schedules and if they’re not available, going down the list and giving the ticket to someone else, only to hear back from one of the first folks. There are so many details to take care of, it’s like producing all over again without the fun of shooting. Can you tell I’m a little stressed out? Also, I don’t think I told you how my acting class audition went. It went well. The pre-screener passed me to the next level so I’m supposed to audition for the actual teacher. Guess when? Smack in the middle of the Festival! So I called the woman who’s coordinating the class and left her a message asking if I might be able to try out for the next round of classes, the next time the teacher has spaces – whenever that’s going to be. I hope I don’t screw myself out of a chance to study with a great teacher, but not only could I physically not do an audition next week, I couldn’t do one psychologically either. I just wouldn’t be in the right frame of mind. I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m a little stressed out. And of course, my printer needs a new part that won’t come for a few days so if I need to print something, I have to e-mail it to myself, go to my husband’s office, download it and print it there. Not exactly efficient. Plus, I’m coaching my daughter’s cheerleading squad and of course, that starts right during the Festival too. I’m the cheerleading coach! You guys don’t know how funny that is because you don’t know me. But trust me, it’s ridiculous on many levels. But these are the things you do for love. For love, and to put an end to the whining. Which is what I’m going to do right now. Put an end to my whining. Wish me luck at the Festival! Return from New York Television Festival to Watch Films Online
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