CineVegas Film Festival...a desert joke! Trevor Groth fumbles, Staff insult Press & Filmgoers, Honoree Soiree a sham!

There must be something in the water at the Palms Hotel which makes people stupid.
A case in point.

By the 2nd day of the CineVegas Film Festival, it was quite evident that staff members were not dealing with a full deck.

CineVegas started off with high hopes with a big splashy red carpet extravaganza.

For instance, at the high-energy event, appearances by actor Raines Wilson and legendary Dennis Hopper wowed filmgoers there for the 10th annual celebration of excellence (?) in filmmaking.

Then, at a tony party the first weekend, Britney Spears made an impromptu entrance.

Consequently, the following day, there was a buzz around the planet.

But, by the third day, it was obvious that Trevor Groth fumbled the ball.

And - from the get-go - it was evident that employees at the Press desk didn't know their a**es from a hole in the ground. So much so, that one had to wonder whether they landed their posts in a horizontal position or on their knees. After all, they had no skills to speak of.

For starters, Kelly Frey somehow thought she was a hot shot PR maverick; but, it was evident right off-the-bat she couldn't publicize her way out of a paper bag - a wet one - at that!

Meanwhile, Francesca Torre - who was a designated press liaison (???) - was under the mistaken impression that she was a Beauty Queen.

Her nose was stuck so high up in the air that I surmise she has stretch marks on her vagina.

In fact - her attitude was so thick - I doubt it could have been cracked open with a crowbar.

At the press desk - when photographers and members of the press approached her for information - she was aloof, rude, and insulting.

So much so, that I was forced to reprimand the young lady (I use the term lady very loosely) about her lack of class and bad manners.

Later - on the red carpet - Ms. Torre made nasty faces - and shook her head this way and that - and showed her disdain for me. What happened to the old idea of "respect for one's elders?".

The concept is obviously lost to low-lifes like Ms. Torre.

When I complained to another employee - Taylor Banks - he didn't acknowledge the communication.

Instead, he passed on the hot-potato issue to Ms. Frey.

Imagine that, she actually zipped off an e-mail, asserting that I must have misinterpreted Ms. Torre's behavior.

What a whitewash.

Miss, I wasn't born yesterday.

Witnesses at the red carpet affair agreed wholeheartedly that Torre's immature, bratty, reprehensible (shocking) conduct was difficult to misinterpret for anything else than what it was: a temper tantrum from an irate staff member who was angry with the fact I lodged a complaint against her with her superiors.

Then, something odd occurred.

When I attempted to contact Trevor Groth about her misconduct - and the inappropriate way the press desk staff was treating photographers and other press members - the Troth's helpers refused to provide his e-mail address.

Suddenly, it became a "state secret".

One male member of the production staff was shocked.

"It should have been forthcoming," he lamented.

Well, that behind-the-scenes staffer happened to hail from Toronto, like me.

Us Canadians have a strong sense about what is wrong and right - what is ethical - and what is not.

As I thumbed through the Festival Directory, I stumbled across Trevor's smiley face, heading up a paragraph or two of requisite promotional bullsh** about the Festival.

But, guess what?

No contact information was published.

Obviously, Mr. Groth is not interested in feedback about the festival, or even willing to provide information as to how he may be contacted in the event of a complaint issue, whatever.

Does he care?

Don't you think a Festival Director should provide a contact number?

I think it goes without saying.

In fact, it boggles the intelligence of any normal person to fathom how Mr. Groth could be so blatantly ignorant of the fact.

Of course, I could have approached Mr. Groth at one of the scintillating parties we rubbed elbows at; but, I didn't for a couple of reasons.

One, I didn't want to throw a damper on the festivities by griping about staff problems around other festival-goers.

Two, I thought the issues should be discussed in private.

But, you see, I was properly raised and well-bred.

After observing Mr. Groth at the Festival, a couple of clues surfaced about his own background.

The problem with Mr. Groth is obvious: he was left sitting around in shi**y diapers as a child which resulted in the personality disorders which have manifested in his adult life. (Psychology 1; Personality Profiles)

If you want a true take on Mr. Groth's character, listen to this!

When a press person complained about his staff earlier in the week - in spite of the fact he had ample opportunity to contact the individual by e-mail or telephone - he waited until last night's Honoree shindig to have one of his silly bonehead minions (Ian Jankelowitz) inform the person he didn't like their "tone".

For that spurious reason, he barred the newsie from the event, last minute.

Obviously, Mr. Groth's intention amounted to a bold-faced effort to embarrass and humiliate the person at the door of the celebration as party-goers and press arrived for the much-anticipated event.

What a nasty piece of work, eh?

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, other press members and a couple of "Flush Pass" Patrons were denied entrance to the Murakami Art Event so that Mr. Greenspun (Festival President) could savor what was being billed as a - "major cultural event for the Las Vegas Art scene" - for himself and his elitist friends.


And - he did so - at the expense of press members with tickets in tow and filmgoers who paid for their admission in advance!

These are the kind of scuzz-balls who are running CineVegas Film Festival.
I don't now what rock they scurried out from under - but as far as I am concerned - the whole scruffy lot can slither back from whence they came.

After all, they are not only a disgrace to the local Art community, but a discredit to the entire legitimate Festival Circuit.

Ironically, the reprehensible conduct of Terry Groth, Robin (and Amy) Greenspun, Kelly Frey, Francesca Torre, Taylor Banks, and Ian Jankelowitz - caught up with them as key members of the press stayed away from screenings this past week, held back press coverage - and quite generally - stewed on the sidelines vowing never to return to CineVegas again.

Yes, CineVegas was hit with a knock-out punch this week.

And, it is doubtful the annual Fest will recover from the lethal blow.

In the final analysis, CineVegas became a desert joke this week.

Worse than Ishtar, if you can possibly imagine it!

Can you hear the laughter, Trevor?

http://www.julianayrs.com

CineVegas Film Festival...gossip & scuttlebutt. LA TIMES stinker & screw-ups.

Yesterday, I checked with the staff at the ticket office, and they informed me that Box Office for the CineVegas Film Festival has been boffo this year. A number of features have been either booked fully or sold to near capacity.

"Sales are higher this year than the past couple of years," one CineVegas volunteer proudly announced.

So, the fest is steaming ahead and garnering stature on the Festival circuit.

But, as I trotted around behind-the-scenes and covered red carpet events in recent days, it has become evident to me the Festival is experiencing some growing pains; consequently, there are issues that need to be sorted out if CineVegas is to continue to surge ahead (and gain respect from the Industry).


Mr. Hopper (Chairman of the Festival), Mr. Greenspun (President of CineVegas) and Trevor Groth (Festival Director) have been dotting on the festival-goers - attending screenings, circulating the events - and ably fulfilling their roles as good-will Ambassadors of the event.

But, it appears that staff in the lower levels of management and in the publicity department are either slipping or not experienced enough to professionally handle their tasks.

A case in point.

Last night, I attended a chi-chi function at Dos Caminos (at the Palazzo Hotel & Casino) and proceeded to engage guests in a bit of dialogue to rustle up feedback about their CineVegas experience.

At one point, I alighted next to a lovely couple at the warm outgoing event.

The smartly-attired well-manicured woman was curious as to who I was, and subsequently, lifted up my press pass to get a gander at it to determine my association with the Festival.

At this juncture, we engaged in a spirited discussion, and I learned they were contributors to CineVegas.

Sadly, the woman informed me that her and her hubbie felt a little out-of-sorts that day at the "Get Smart" screening. In spite of the fact they were sponsors of the festival, staff placed them in lousy seats near the rear of the theatre; consequently, they felt neglected.

Another woman I have become friends with at the Festival also ran into the same problem. In spite of the fact she paid $600.00 for a Festival pass, the local art dealer was placed in a spot "outfield". Boy, was she miffed!

She proceeded to request better seating elsewhere in the theatre. And, got it.

The couple in question didn't venture down the same path because they didn't want to cause a fuss or throw a damper on what they surmised would be a satisfying cultural experience that afternoon.

So, there I was smoothing over the waters trying to make things better.

What else could I do?

As the old saying goes, "That's not my job!"

Also, it appears that staff in the publicity department have made some poor judgments calls which reflect negatively on their integrity and ethical standards.

For instance, when members of the press or photographers arrive at the CineVegas Headquarters lounge - Kelly Frey, Francesca Torre, and Taylor Banks - don't even bother to introduce themselves as staff in the Publicity Department or welcome guests to the festival. Imagine that!

Another problem occurred when one local Vegas press person went to pick up his ticket for the feature film - "Your Name Here" - and was informed that last-minute an LA TIMES reporter swooped into the press room requesting a ticket.

Instead of noting that the screening was sold out, they gave the man's ticket to the columnist without batting an eye, nor did they show any remorse for their questionable conduct.

That su**s.

The press are required to submit RSVP's for special events and request tickets with appropriate advance notice. If the Los Angeles daily screwed up, or arrived late, why should the other man suffer?

Last minute - I decided to attend that screening - but was told the theatre was sold out.

That was okay in that circumstance as far as I was concerned; after all, I was just going on spec an hour or so before the curtain fell - so I was forced to accept the consequences for not planning farther ahead.

But, in my case there turned out to be a Feature Film God!

At the event last night, I nonchalantly slipped into a seat at the bar next to the marketing person (Jennifer C. Lai at Everstudios) promoting the film and she proceeded to arrange for a copy of "YOUR NAME HERE" to be delivered to me so that I could screen it privately.

Other press folks didn't get tickets to events they registered for. For example, when a few media types arrived at the PR Office, staff coldly informed them that their paperwork was either lost or had not been processed for some inexplicable reason. They were SOL.

Oops!

Someone is not going to get coverage from a handful of media outlets due to staff error, negligence or incompetence.

And, that hits home.

Two weeks ago, I personally notified the PR Office that I wanted to attend the Murakami Event, scheduled later today.


I covered Murakami's Los Angeles show, so as a matter of continuity, I desired to follow through with an in-depth analysis of his exhibition in Vegas.

No one has followed through or confirmed if my ticket has been processed.

So, Mr. Murakami loses coverage because of staff oversight?

Then, there have been some problems with staff getting in the way of the photographers at red carpet events.

A handful of paparazzi complained to me that as they are lining up to shoot the stars at the premieres, staff stand in the way and screw up the shot.

One photographer noted that when he complained, the staffer shrugged casually and remarked in an off-handed way, "Just photoshop it."

As a professional photog pointed out, when shots are submitted to editors at magazines and newspapers, they are inclined to pick the stills that are ready to publish. So, the photographer may lose out on a sale because the publicity shot has a hand, shoulder, or back of "someone" in it.

And, the star may not get coverage as a result, either.

It appears that staff in the PR office are not familiar with the Hollywood publicity machine or how it works.

Another filmgoer expressed her dismay that a film she took in was quite ragged and that the production values were poor.

"A festival of this stature should not have such low quality films," she argued.

Personally, from a critic's point of view, I will sometimes overlook the fact that a first-timer's project is a little rough around the edges - if the message is strong, the material is highly original - and it impacts on a deeper level than that of the purely visual.

But, the woman did have a point.

Another film - "South of Heaven" - was rife with images of women being beaten or tortured. As the tale unfolded, I cringed. Ironically, as the thought crossed my mind that the project might offend women, a few ladies got up and walked out.

It is one thing to make a statement about a relevant social and/or political issue, but when a film exploits torture and violence and has no redeeming value, one has to wonder...what is the point?

Orson Welles once said,

"A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet."