2008 Woodie Awards
Film Fest gets more than they bargained for
Humboldt Film Fest's award ceramony is brought life, humor and wine by their celebrity emcee
Roddy, Zack
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Campus
Saturday, March 29 brought the end of the 41st Annual Humboldt Film Festival. The last event is The Best of the Festival, where the final awards were to be presented to the festival filmmakers and celebrity judge/emcee Lori Petty was undeniably drunk. Petty, better known as the star of such films as "A League of their Own" and the cult film classic "Tank Girl," would disappear behind the curtain after announcing the winner of each film, and would reappear moments later when it was time to present the next award, clumsily running into either the chairs, the stage, or whatever obstacle was in her way. Including people.
At one point during the festivities, while presenting an Audience Award to Will Goldenberg for his film "Ploverized," Petty said to the discouraged Goldenberg over the microphone, "Pick whichever one [award] you want, I've been drinking wine all night and I can't read the words."
Freshman business major Anthony Blueford said, "It was kind of funny and at the same time really embarrassing, seeing her stumble around the stage like that. You'd think she'd try to be a little more composed."
The audience could do nothing but laugh uncomfortably in the awkward silence, and one could only imagine what the students in charge of running the festival were thinking while their celebrity host embarrassed them, herself, and their contestants in front of the entire audience.
"She was a very sociable and hilarious person," said Lyneeka Pittman, a freshman nursing major who attended the event. "She had a little too much to drink, but that made the whole experience all the more entertaining," Pittman said.
After the awards ceremony, when I asked Petty if she was willing to do a quick interview, she was more than happy to talk to The Lumberjack.
The Lumberjack: Why did you choose to come to Humboldt and be a part of this year's festival?
Lori Petty: I have a friend who lives in the area. I had always wanted to come to the area, and I love film and I love teaching about film, so it all just worked out perfectly. I love the area. I could never live in the area, but I love the area. (laughs)
TL: Do you have any upcoming projects?
LP: Yes! I have a movie that I wrote, produced, and directed called "The Poker House."
TL: And when can we expect to see that?
LP: Sometime in 2008. I've been shopping it around the film festival circuit.
TL: How has your overall experience been at this year's festival?
LP: I'm really impressed with the talent here and the people here. I'm just having a blast. I met great people. I got to see great films. I got to kiss trees and fly with the birds, and (laughing) I had great wine and flew at the beach.
And with those final words, Lori Petty stood up from her chair, still clutching her wine bottle, and walked away, leaving the smell of fermented grapes in her wake.
At one point during the festivities, while presenting an Audience Award to Will Goldenberg for his film "Ploverized," Petty said to the discouraged Goldenberg over the microphone, "Pick whichever one [award] you want, I've been drinking wine all night and I can't read the words."
Freshman business major Anthony Blueford said, "It was kind of funny and at the same time really embarrassing, seeing her stumble around the stage like that. You'd think she'd try to be a little more composed."
The audience could do nothing but laugh uncomfortably in the awkward silence, and one could only imagine what the students in charge of running the festival were thinking while their celebrity host embarrassed them, herself, and their contestants in front of the entire audience.
"She was a very sociable and hilarious person," said Lyneeka Pittman, a freshman nursing major who attended the event. "She had a little too much to drink, but that made the whole experience all the more entertaining," Pittman said.
After the awards ceremony, when I asked Petty if she was willing to do a quick interview, she was more than happy to talk to The Lumberjack.
The Lumberjack: Why did you choose to come to Humboldt and be a part of this year's festival?
Lori Petty: I have a friend who lives in the area. I had always wanted to come to the area, and I love film and I love teaching about film, so it all just worked out perfectly. I love the area. I could never live in the area, but I love the area. (laughs)
TL: Do you have any upcoming projects?
LP: Yes! I have a movie that I wrote, produced, and directed called "The Poker House."
TL: And when can we expect to see that?
LP: Sometime in 2008. I've been shopping it around the film festival circuit.
TL: How has your overall experience been at this year's festival?
LP: I'm really impressed with the talent here and the people here. I'm just having a blast. I met great people. I got to see great films. I got to kiss trees and fly with the birds, and (laughing) I had great wine and flew at the beach.
And with those final words, Lori Petty stood up from her chair, still clutching her wine bottle, and walked away, leaving the smell of fermented grapes in her wake.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 6
D. S.
D.S.
posted 4/16/08 @ 9:41 AM PST
Dear Roddy, Zack
It is a horrific journalistic atrocity when website "reporting" is nothing more than irresponsible and inaccurate personal slander against Lori Petty, who was NOT drunk at all. (Continued…)
E.B.
posted 4/16/08 @ 9:13 PM PST
If anything, I'm sure Lori Petty would be amused that she had offended the Lumberjack author's rather delicate sensibilities. She comes off as a very real person who doesn't censor herself or engage in stodgy formalities. (Continued…)
E.B.
posted 4/16/08 @ 9:14 PM PST
P.S.- I agree with D.S., though, that this author seems to be aspiring to a tabloid career. What a waste of an education! I hate that celebrities' offscreen antics get more attention than their films. (Continued…)
Post a Comment