Third of a four-part series

Last week, in real tips for real people #1, I offered some advice on how to get to and around downtown Austin, Texas, the location of the SXSW Film Festival. In part two we went over some of the rules, etiquette, and secrets of what happens from the moment you enter the theater until you leave.

Now you're ready to move on to the next screening. Hopefully you've allowed enough time, and that's trickier than you may realize. There are three basic considerations when deciding how much time is needed from the moment one film ends until your next screening begins. The first I discussed previously -- the Q&A. Allow for anywhere from ten minutes to a half hour for that. Average is 15-20 minutes. The second consideration is travel time. I'll cover that in this entry.


Note that this is not intended as a comprehensive guide to transportation for every logistical possibility -- the SXSW Film Festival utilizes over a half dozen venues with about a dozen screens. But most will be attending events at just three locations -- the Alamo Ritz, Alamo Lamar, and Paramount -- so a decent map and knowledge of the shuttle route (both can be found in your registration materials) should suffice. But there are some generalizations which can be made regarding travel between these locations, based solely on my own experiences.


1) The post-screening excitement is over (assuming you stayed for the Q&A), you've hopefully met and chatted with the filmmakers and actors, and you've taken care of whatever urgent business you need to take care of before exiting the theater. Now it's time to get to your next screening. In the best case scenario, of course, you don't actually have to "go" anywhere. It is quite possible to stay in one location for an entire day of screenings. Heck, there are folks who do that for the whole festival. I've met many SXSW veterans who plan their week not around what films to see but around which venue to call home for the duration. Many choose the twin-screen Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Downtown (Alamo Ritz), which we discussed in real tips for real people #2. At 320 E. 6th St. the theater is located within walking distance of most of the downtown hotels. Others select the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar (Alamo Lamar). It's south of the downtown area but the SXShuttle will get you there and back. With two screens at the Ritz and three at the Lamar hosting SXSW screenings it's easy to see four or five films a day. The festival lineup is so dang good that it's almost guaranteed you're going to have a grand old time regardless of what you see.


2) If you're traveling from one location to another, especially the Alamo Lamar, I recommend taking the SXShuttle, a free bus system for attendees with badges. We mentioned it in real tips for real people #1. All venues are located at or close to shuttle stops, which are also near many of the major hotels. The festival bus system is free so just hop on.


3) For those with their own vehicles there is a large free lot at the Alamo Lamar. The downtown venues are surrounded by surface lots and garages, but these can fill up quickly and can be quite costly, especially if you're driving back and forth between the two Alamo theaters. Many outdoor lots operate on the "honor system." You won't necessarily see an attendant but are expected to place money in a numbered slot corresponding to the spot you parked in. Don't think nobody is watching. You may be able to beat it once but you're apt to find a notice on your windshield asking for payment. Trust me, I know. Keep in mind that some garages take cash only. You don't want to be in a hurry to get to a screening and have to search for an ATM. There are metered spots on the street in some areas but be sure to give yourself plenty of time to drive in circles, especially on weekend evenings. I know folks who've been stuck "driving" around for an hour or more before finding a place to park, when they might have been better off parking some distance away and walking. You don't always have to put money in the meter -- be sure to read the signs on the sidewalk indicating the days and times when payment is required.


4) Taxicabs are readily available on the major streets but those in the know will have a much better chance of hailing one in front of a hotel. They're also located on the map you'll get when you check in. The city does have has a bus system which will get you to and from the Alamo Lamar -- not free -- and I recommend stopping by the Austin Convention Center where the festival has an information desk with answers to every transportation question you can come up with.


5) Some venues are within walking distance of each other, the major downtown hotels, and the Austin Convention Center. The Paramount and Alamo Ritz are less than five blocks apart and it only takes 5-10 minutes at most. But a note about walking. Certain streets are on a steep incline, especially from the Alamo Ritz north to the Paramount, which can be taxing for even the healthiest among us. Austin can also be quite warm in mid-March. One year it was in the 80s and 90s all week. It's critical to drink a lot of water. Exhaustion is easy to recognize but dehydration creeps up slowly.


6) Bottom line: this is what I recommend. First, study your schedule for the day, taking particular note of the venues' locations. If you're driving select a lot or garage at or near the venues and shuttle route where you can leave your car until you're ready to call it a night. Make note of the facility's hours and location. It's easy to get lost trying to locate the garage you parked in, especially if you pulled in at 10:00 AM, saw four movies, went to two parties, and are looking for the garage at 1:00 AM. Many tend to look the same. Trust me, I know. When you do need to travel between the Alamos just take the shuttle there and back. Some people park at the Alamo Lamar and leave it there, as opposed to the other way around, although some retail establishments surrounding the theater don't allow it during business hours. Read the signs. Again, this isn't meant to cover every possibility. These are just some of my personal recommendations based on several years of SXSW experience.


The final aspect to consider in booking your screenings is what happens when you arrive at your next venue. It's a time-honored tradition, and one which may prove quite valuable as the festival goes on -- waiting in line. I'll cover that in my next post.