What better way to celebrate Ten Years of Being Spellbound than to cover the 10th annual TCM Classic Film Festival? Spellbound by Movies has been awarded an official media accreditation for the fourth year in a row! I’m feeling incredibly lucky to be recognized as worthy of a press pass by Turner Classic Movies for this milestone year. The full spectrum of press apply–from major mainstream media outlets to bloggers like myself–for an unspecified number of spots. Not everyone can be or is approved.
Each year I grow more ambitious in what I want to do in covering this particular festival and as a film writer in general. My primary goal is to be multimedia in my reporting and reviewing. I’ll be recording more videos for Facebook and Instagram Stories as well as YouTube. I’ve recently taught myself livestreaming software.
Definitely follow my blog’s and my personal social media channels for supplemental coverage! Here is where you can find us:
- Spellbound by Movies’ Twitter Account (Updates and news)
- My Twitter Account (I am chattier on this one.)
- Spellbound by Movies’ Facebook Page
- Spellbound by Movies’ Instagram Account (Movies 24/7!)
- My Instagram Account (Not just movies)
- Spellbound by Movies’ YouTube Channel
In addition to official festival events, I’ll be attending other film-related talks and activities intended to appeal to TCM fans. Each year the festival is bookended by offerings for those arriving early or staying late. Some are open to the public, and some are organized by private individuals for their personal social circles. I’ll be attending a mixture of both. I have a forthcoming post on ones open to any festivalgoer or Angeleno!
For this year’s festival, I’m reviving my “The Road to TCMFF” series. Posts in the series are meant to share advanced TCM Classic Film Festival news and help readers make the most of their time at the fest and in Hollywood. If you have any questions about the festival, please feel free to comment below. I’d love to learn what you want to know!
While at the TCMFF, I’ll be keeping a diary here. Even if you cannot make the festival, you can live vicariously through me and see what it’s like to attend such a large event with so many other classic film fans from all over the world, including TCM hosts, celebrities, and historians. As a repeat attendee, I’m looking forward to reuniting with old and new friends.
My secondary goal is to expand upon the strength of my live reporting by doing more post-event pieces. Look for film reviews and a wrap piece. I hope to get these out while impressions are fresh, but let’s see how well I bounce back from the fest! Pacing myself will be key.
Stay tuned to this blog as your festival guide and as a record of its happenings!
Mark Gallagher
Very nicely written