That’s why I was surprised on Monday.

I received an email from the Sundance Volunteer Coordinators.

Why? Because April 18-24th is National Volunteer Week. They wanted to thank the Sundance Volunteers (again! they did this several times throughout the festival). At first I thought it was a generic email, but then I as I read it has some comments from my various supervisors at the festival highlighting some of my personal contributions.

If you’ve been to my ACTIVE APPRECIATION workshop, you know how much I love this email:

A) The comments were incredibly SPECIFIC. I can’t believe that my supervisors had the time in their schedule to write these thoughts down. We were pretty busy during the festival–yes, there was a lot of fun–but it was a pretty hectic schedule.

B) The comments focused on the INDIVIDUAL. A generic email to all volunteers would have worked, but Sundance took the time to data-merge something to customize it for the recipient. It made me feel as if Sundance valued MY service.

C) It was so UNEXPECTED. I really didn’t expect to hear from Sundance again until August when the Alumni volunteer process begins, but there was an email for me on Monday just saying “thanks again.”

So my challenge today is to recognize those volunteers around you. If you can, volunteer a bit this week. Make something happen.

Who knows… you may bring a smile to someone’s face.

If you’ve seen my Active Appreciation workshop, you know that I’m a fan of thanking and recognition. The three major ideas of that workshop are to shift from Group to Individual, from General to Specific, and from the Expected/Traditional method to the Unexpected & Creative. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen all of that take place in such a fun manner.

The festival does a great job in recognizing its volunteers. There is a special volunteer jacket, opportunities to see films, a special volunteer appreciation day, and regular emails with links to articles whenever someone praises the volunteers in the press–it’s part of what makes the experience so fun.

my "happythankyoumoreplease" award

My special Racquetball Club Team B group took it to another level. The Theatre Manager and Assistant Managers began a tradition while at another venue a few years back called “The Honey Bear Awards” (Utah has been known as “The Bee Hive State”). A collection of small bear-shaped honey jars were brought out and a full awards show commenced. The dedication to the whole production is part of what made the short ceremony so fun. One by one, each volunteer on the team was recognized with their own Honey Bear–their award linked to an aspect of their task, personality, and/or contribution as well as the title of a specific film from the festival. Each recipient made a short speech and each award created more laughter, smiles, and photographs as we tried to celebrate these last few moments together.

I spent most of my volunteer time in the tent, communicating with ticketholders and those in the waitlist. For my efforts, I received the “happythankyoumoreplease” award.

I know its a bottle of honey, but there is meaning behind it. When I arrived back in Phoenix the following day, I took it out of my suitcase and proudly displayed it on the memory shelf I have in my office. I’ve already looked at it several times–it serving as a reminder of an amazing volunteer experience with new friends and a way to do appreciation right.

In between long naps yesterday, I chatted with a few friends about my Sundance experience. As I mentioned several times in facebook status updates, it is the best volunteer experience I’ve ever done. There are a few minor “lessons” in this blog post, but mainly it serves as a summary of the major things I did in Park City.

FILMS I SAW (listed in Alphabetical order)

I really did enjoy every film I watched, some more than others. I didn’t see a “bad” Sundance film. If any of these films, come to your local theatre, I recommend you check them out. There is a cool script, an incredible performance, great direction, incredible cinematography, or all of the above. Seriously, watch independent film–you’ll be amazed!

Animal Kingdom…..Director: David Michod…..Winner: World Cimena Jury Prize: Dramatic…..A seventeen year old ends up navigating the Melbourne underworld. This film drew me in from the start and didn’t let me go until its shocking last few moments. Absolutely incredible.

happythankyoumoreplease…..Director: Josh Radnor…..Winner: Audience Award: US Dramatic…..One of my two favorite dramas from the festival. Radnor (best known as “Ted” from CBS’s How I Met Your Mother) delivers an incredible story focusing on the lives of several couples in New York with a perfect blend on honesty and humor.

Howl…..Directors: Rob Espstein & Jeffrey Friedman…..It began as a documentary and slowly transitioned into a dramatic depiction of Allen Gingsberg, his controversial poem, and its trial.

Mother & Child…..Director: Rodrigo Garcia…..My other favorite drama focuses on the lives of three women, their relationships with men, adoptions’ affect in their life, and how all of this might one day intertwine. I laughed and I cried during this one. I’d do an injustice if I tried to describe how well Garcia creates his characters.

The Runaways…..Director: Floria Sigismondi…..The story of Joan Jett, Cherie Currie and the rest of The Runaways is depicted in this drama. No doubt that this will be the film that forever transitions Dakota Fanning from child star to actress.

The Shock Doctrine…..Directors: Michael Winterbottom & Mat Whitecross…..Naomi Klein’s best-selling book is depicted in this incredible documentary that focuses on disaster capitalism and our need to resist policies that develop through fear.

Skateland…..Director: Anthony Burns…..A nice personal growth story set in 1983. It’s a time in transition and and the characters are no exception. Great performance from Twilight’s Ashley Greene (she definitely proves she has what it takes to succeed in this industry).

Sympathy for Delicious…..Director: Mark Ruffalo…..Winner: US Dramatic Special Jury Prize…..A musician in a wheel chair realizes that he is a faith healer who can’t heal himself. Gritty tale that focuses on finding meaning amidst tragedy.

Tucker & Dale vs Evil…..Director: Eli Craig…..I saw this one during the midnight showing at the Egyptian theatre. Absolutely hilarious. Take your standard college-student-road-trip-car-breakdown-crazy-hillbilly horror movie and flip it on its head. Just a fun film!

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN…..Director: Davis Guggenheim…..Winner: Audience Award: US Documentary…..An incredible documentary about the current state of the US Public School system. This one has been picked up and will be out this fall. It’s going to stir up a lot of debate in this country, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens because of it.

Waste Land…..Director: Lucy Walker…..Winner: World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary…..My favorite documentary from the festival! I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t sure about it from the description, but 15 minutes into the story I was sold. What begins as a story of artist Vik Muniz’s attempt to make profound portraits of workers in Brazil’s largest dump becomes so much more. I’m still thinking about lines from the film and the strength of his subjects. See this movie!

Winter’s Bone…..Director: Debra Granik…..Winner: Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic, Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award…..It feels like film noir set in the Ozarks. From the opening shots, it’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed by the barren landscape and the hopeless situation facing the teenage protagonist. However, her strength and determination as she goes deep into the underbelly of clan rivalries and crime to uncover the mystery of her missing criminal father, makes for a film that resonates with the viewer.

CELEBRITIES I SAW (in alphabetical order by last name)

I have no photos of me with any celebrity/famous person from the festival. In my role as a volunteer, I was there to support them at my venue. I tried to take on this same philosophy if I met them outside the theatre. I did have personal conversations with some of the names listed below, but not all. Some I just saw during the Q&A session after the film or because they were seated right by me in the theatre. I will say that EVERY celebrity I ran into was incredibly kind. I point this out because with their fame and success they still treated me like a human being and took time for their fans. If you happen to be in a leadership position right now and you treat anyone else like they are beneath you, take a note from the kind celebrities associated with the films at Sundance and be kind to those around you.

Malin Akerman, Bob Balaban, Orlando Bloom, Adrien Brody, Geoffery Canada, Brett Cullen, Cherie Currie, Dakota Fanning, Bill Gates, Tony Hale, Samuel L. Jackson, Joan Jett, Kate Mara, Melinda McGraw, Josh Radnor, Robert Redford, Jason Ritter, Joan Rivers, Mark Ruffalo, Bob Saget, Jimmy Smits, Morgan Spurlock, Kristen Stewart, Kerry Washington, Naomi Watts, and Treat Williams.

I probably left off a few names as it became difficult to keep up. The above list is limited to actors. It doesn’t address the many directors, editors, cinematographers, screenwriters, etc. associated with the great films or the many critics from major magazines and newspaper or heads of studios that I came across.

Again, ALL were nice. ALL.

THE OTHER FACTOR

As much as I enjoyed the films and the celebrity sightings, the thing that made this festival so much fun were my fellow volunteers. They ranged from current film makers to business owners, from retirees to college students, from young singles to happily married couples, from first-time volunteers to those associated with the festival before it was even called Sundance. They were from all parts of the US and all parts of the world. Friendships were formed so quickly. We’d laugh a bunch and/or go into some deeper conversation inspired by a film. I’ll continue writing about aspects of the volunteer experience in the next few days. Seriously, the most fun I’ve ever had volunteering and some of the coolest people I’ve ever met.

So that’s the major summary. If you can, volunteer or attend the festival in 2011!

So I’m standing there at baggage claim. Tired. Wait, tired doesn’t even begin to describe it. I’m completely exhausted. For the past week I’ve slept only about three hours a night in hour and a half spurts. I’ve been at the Sundance Film Festival, and I’ve loved every second of it.

My summary blog will come soon; that isn’t the purpose of this one.

No the purpose of this one was getting to ask a variation of favorite Sundance question one last time.

“What did you like?”

I could tell the couple had been at the festival as well. They had the standard green Nalgene/Brita water bottle hanging off their carry-on.

“Winter’s Bone was my favorite,” the man replied. He went on to list some of the other films he really enjoyed. They asked about the movies I loved and we ended up talking for 3-4 minutes until my suitcases arrived and I headed on my way to the parking shuttle.

I rarely talk with people at baggage claim, and if I do, there seems to be a few moments of “is this person crazy?” that delay the initial conversation. Last night, the conversation was instantaneous. It was quickly evident that we all enjoyed film, that we had some common connection, and that we could enjoy a brief visit.

I’ve been experiencing this since January 20th. Anytime I stepped on a shuttle, waited in line at a restaurant, visited the post office, or even waited in line for the men’s room after a film, you could begin a conversation with anyone by asking:

“So what have you seen?”

“What did you like?

“Which film excites you so far?”

“What are you going to see next?”

In my position as a Crowd Liaison at the Racquet Club Theatre, I had this same conversation multiple times a day with ticket holders for the next film or people hoping to purchase a ticket through our waitlist line. It was always the instant conversation started.

Sometimes I’d end up talking with first time festival attendees hoping to see that “great” film, sometimes I’d talk with couples that had been coming for over a decade. I’d have this conversation with critics for major newspapers and magazines as well as the presidents of major studios. The question always worked–it always started a conversation.

With several people that conversation would transition out of film into regular life. I learned about high school students taking a break from class, former medical professors, a group of women celebrating their “girls weekend tradition,” or a mother and daughter taking a trip before the daughter heads to college this fall. I learned about Park City locals enjoying a Saturday matinee, or the film student hoping to get inspired again.

I was spoiled in my volunteer position, experiencing these interactions throughout my eight hour day. Often during my “off” time, I’d run into one of these faces at a film, on a shuttle, in a restaurant, and the conversation would pick up again with them initially giving me film updates and then maybe introducing me to their friends.

As I exited security at the Salt Lake Airport, I happened to run into three girls from USC who had wait listed for Blue Valentine at my theatre a few days prior. Again, that conversation picked up. They had enjoyed the Waste Land, a documentary that I recommended to them, and told me about the rest of their time in Park City. We visited for another few minutes and then headed to our respective gates.

It was interesting to live life like this for a few weeks. I know I’m a social person and do initiate conversations with others, but if I’m honest with myself, I don’t do it nearly as often as I could. I want to do it more now. I want to begin those conversations because I believe there really are cool people out there if we believe in the possibility of that interaction and that connection. No, I’m not going to talk to every person I meet. There were a bunch of people I never visited with during their time in line or during my days in Park City, but I can strike up a conversation with at least one “stranger” each day…

and I think you can too.

Let’s make the world a little bit more friendly.

Today I did.

As you’ve probably seen from my status updates on facebook, I’m spending 10 days volunteering at the Sundance Film Festival. Today, my duties included clearing some walkways near my assigned theatre.

I really had fun.

Yes, I know those of you that grew up shoveling snow in the winter may disagree and I might join you, except that today had a purpose.

I knew I need to clear that snow, so that tomorrow when my theatre starts screening films, the filmmakers, cast, crew, members of the press, and the AUDIENCE can safety enter and exit the theatre. Yes, it’s not the glamorous task of the festival, but it is quite important.

Sundance made this obvious. In almost all of my communication with the organization they highlight the importance of volunteering and how each task contributes. It makes each task important.

We need to be sure that we do this in our organizations. Often, we focus on WHAT people need to do and HOW they need to do it, but the WHY is the most important. Give people a sense of purpose, and they’ll always go above and beyond.

I’m loving Sundance so far. It snowed 18 inches last night. I worked up quite a sweat shoveling. I wouldn’t have it any other way.