The TCM Classic Film Festival is a little more than a month away! Are you prepared for the best known classic film fest in the country? Whether you’re a first time or repeat attendee, here are the basic tips to keep in mind to navigate the festival with ease and maximize your enjoyment.
Get the Lingo Down
Since the festival’s name is long, people abbreviate it to TCMFF. If you’re on social media or on TCM’s discussion boards, search for TCMFF, and you’ll find what films and events have big buzz as well as breaking news, like added guests and films.
Stay in the Know
Sign up for the festival’s newsletter here.
Look for recent announcements on the official TCMFF website.
Follow TCM on your preferred social media platform:
Lodging
Book your lodging as early as possible. You’ll save on rates, which will go up as soon as TCMFF’s dates are announced. Local hoteliers know TCM fans are a dedicated bunch, willing to splurge on a vacation or share a room with buddies, for the communal experience of classics on the big screen.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is the festival’s central hub. Many events take place within its walls, and fans use it as a lounge. They hang out there, imbibe and nosh, rest their feet, and recharge devices.
The closer you want to stay to the main action, the sooner you must book. It’s not usual for the best located accommodations to sell out the day the festival’s dates are confirmed. The Roosevelt’s rooms go the fastest.
Even if your attendance is tentative, book your room. Most hotels have generous cancellation policies–unless you’ve booked a prepaid rate. Be sure to verify what policy the hotel has before finalizing your booking.
Cutting Down Stay Costs
If you need to economize and keep your lodging costs down, you have some options:
- Find a roommate or more than one.
- Book a hotel a little further out, dependent on whether you want to walk to the festival, drive, or grab a ride.
- Consider a higher rated motel or hostel. You will mainly be using your lodging as a place to crash, so it doesn’t have to be fancy or big
- Try getting a discounted rate through prepaying.
- Call the place directly.
- Book a block of rooms with friends.
- Use discounts like AAA membership or senior status.
- Cash in credit card points or airline miles.
- Book via a discount site.
- Check Airbnb listings.
About Airbnb
There are many rooms and complete residences for rent via Airbnb. If you’ve never used the site before, know all places belong to private individuals. The site calls them hosts. Previous guests rate hosts and places, so look for ones with long histories of good reviews.
A downside to Airbnb is you must prepay for your stay. If there’s a chance of you cancelling your trip, then only book somewhere with a lenient cancellation policy. Hosts set their own policies, so they will vary by place.
How Many Days to Book
Many first timers, particularly out of towners, wonder how many days to plan to be away. The festival itself lasts four days. This year TCMFF starts on Thursday, April 16, 2020, and it ends the evening of Sunday, April 19, 2020. The answer is it depends on how much you want to fit into your trip!
There is as much to do as you have time and interest for! There are unofficial festival events before and after TCMFF, and Hollywood is Hollywood. You can follow film history and go sightseeing and take tours, and you can shop, dine, and drink your way across the city. Do try not to exhaust yourself before the festival even starts!
What Pass to Buy
You have four pass options — The Palace Pass, The Classic Pass, The Essential Pass, and The Spotlight Pass. TCM made a handy chart that distinguishes what benefits are attached to which passes.
You have to decide how many days you want to go to the festival and which venues you want access to. Beyond that, the higher the pass level, the more perks. If you can afford it, The Spotlight Pass will make you feel like a film star with its opening night red carpet, gala party privileges, and swag bag.
If that’s out of your budget, I recommend getting a pass that includes Club TCM if possible. Inside the club special presentations and screenings occur in an intimate setting that doubles as a chill-out lounge where you might spot a famous face or chat with friends. It’s the site of the closing night party.
Can’t Afford a Pass
Don’t worry! There’s still a way for you to attend the festival. TCM sells a limited number of standby tickets. After passholders are seated, “open seats will be sold on a first come, first served, standby basis at the individual venue box offices, and be sold just prior to the individual program start time.” If you pick films not likely to “sell out”, you’re more likely to be seated.
Individual tickets are $20 for most screenings and events. If available, tickets to the official closing night presentation will be priced at $30. Students presenting valid student IDs will receive a 50% discount off all individual tickets. Previous years Backlot members received the same discount.
Some events and locations remain exclusive to pass holders. Tickets will not be sold for poolside screenings, Club TCM, and the opening night red carpet gala. If any of those are a must for you, you’ll have to buy the right pass.
Make Friends in Advance
Join the Facebook group Going to TCM Classic Film Festival. It’s one of the best things I did in advance of attending! Founded by Kelly J. Kitchens Wickersham, the group is a wonderful way to start friendships, get tips, find out about bonus events, and chat TCM all year long. The group organizes meet-ups at the Roosevelt, often involving classic film era guests.
What Clothes to Pack
TCMFF style varies greatly. Some folks turn up dressed to the nines. Red carpet strutters always opt for glamour. Others dress for pure comfort. However you like to dress, pack comfortable shoes. Films and events take place in multiple locations and you’ll be hoofing it as much as a chorine in a Busby Berkeley musical. Pack clothing that layers. Theatres will vary in temperature. Some are very chilly. Outside you may find sun or rain.
Make a Schedule
As the festival gets closer, TCM will release the schedule. Plan what you want to see in advance, but stay flexible. A lot screens at once, and not every film is timed for you to be able to attend your next choice.
Look at the start and end times of films and events, and then check where they’re happening. Do you have enough time to travel between venues? If not, pick which film or happening takes precedence. Have a back-up plan if you run late or if you’re shut out of a movie. I average one shut out a year.
The App
TCM has an app that acts as a guidebook for the festival. Download it for any cell phone operating system. You can put your schedule into the app and set reminders for events you don’t want to miss. If the schedule changes in any way, you’ll be among the first to know by an app alert.
The Venues
There are five main venues of varying sizes this year:
- The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, capacity varies by space
- TCL Chinese Theatre Imax, capacity of 920 people
- TCL Chinese 6 Theatres Multiplex, capacity varies by auditorium
- Egyptian Theatre, capacity of 618 people
- Legion Theatre at Post 43, capacity of 484 people
All five venues are ADA compliant.
Here is the map of where they are located. Four out of the five are fairly close together. The Legion Theatre at Post 43 is the furthest out.
Walk, Drive, or Ride
If you are not mobility impaired, you can get to most screenings without a car. The majority are within twenty minutes of each other. If you need assistance to get between venues, the area has great coverage by taxis, Uber, and Lyft. It’s easy to find other attendees to rideshare, too.
What to Carry
You’ll need at least one bag to carry useful items. An umbrella helps if weather turns rainy. You’re going to take a lot of pictures! Bring a battery booster for your cell or camera. Snacks and beverages are a must. Of course, you’ll want to patronize the theatres’ concession stands to support the venues, but you’ll be doing a lot of waiting and running around. You’ll need to refuel and stay hydrated in between meals.
Lines & Getting a Number
Screenings have a queue system. If you don’t have a Spotlight Pass with its priority seating privileges, you’ll want to get to the theatre at least an hour before a film starts. Arrive earlier for smaller venues with hot films. You won’t have to stand in line that whole time. A TCMFF staffer will walk down the line issuing numbered tickets. Once you have your number, you have a reserved spot in the line. You’re free to wander off to get snacks or visit the bathroom, but be sure to return before the line enters the theatre!
Make New Friends
There are plenty of ways to make new friends at the fest! Club TCM hosts a first-timer social. Don’t be afraid to talk to other attendees. Most fans are friendly, so put yourself out there first to break the ice. You might make a new friend in line. Practice good theatre etiquette. When the film starts, phones go away. Your newfound friends will appreciate your courtesy!
Get Social
TCM and its fans are social media savvy. If you want to add to your in person experience, see what others are sharing across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Everyone will be tagging their posts #TCMFF. Document your time at the fest, and besides having a record of your time, you might even end up on TCM’s social board in the Roosevelt Hotel!
Hollywood Boulevard Characters
The costumed street performers on Hollywood Boulevard are working. Only engage with them if you want to pose with them for a paid picture. They can be very aggressive, so if you do not want to hire them, do not make eye contact. Step around them, and they’ll find a tourist to target.
Dining
Dining is a challenge! If worst comes to worse, you’ll subsist on a diet of candy, popcorn, hot dogs, and nachos. You need more sustenance than that! You may have to skip a movie in order to eat. There are nearby restaurants that will fit any budget. They include Musso & Franks, Johnny Rockets, Pig ‘N Whistle, Mel’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Miceli’s, and In-N-Out Burger. The Hollywood & Highland mall has fast casual restaurants. The nicer the sit down restaurant, the more likely you’ll need to make a reservation.
Drinks
Looking for a beverage of the adult variety? The Roosevelt has multiple spots! They include the Tropicana Pool, Teddy’s Bar, The Spare Room, Club TCM, in their restaurant 25 Degrees. Musso & Franks, Boardner’s, and the Pig ‘N Whistle are nearby choices. The TCL Chinese Theatre sells drinks at their concession stands, so you can #LetsMovie and imbibe!
Sleep
You might have to force yourself to sleep! Watching so many movies in a day, will put you in a state of overstimulation. Your mind may be active, but your body will be exhausted, and you’ll be facing temptations like midnight movies and chatting all night. It’s easy to fall asleep in a darkened theatre when sleep deprived, and I’m sure you don’t want to miss one moment.
