Donna in Hollywoodland

Documentary Awards Gala

After work, I rushed over to The Directors Guild on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood.
I was volunteering for the International Documentary Association's Gala Event.

I was there very early. The lobby of the Directors Guild was buzzing with activity.
A full bar - and tables with all sorts of delicious food.
I had the glamorous job of Guarding Seats inside the theatre.
Making sure that the people who sat in certain seats, were the people who were supposed to be sitting there.

The event was extremely full. It was very crowded.
Some of the volunteers did not get the concept, as far as the celebrities went.

Sheryl Crow and Laura Dern arrived.
One of the volunteers almost didn't let them sit down.
I ran over.
"Oh, right this way - I know exactly where your seats are", I said.
They smiled and said Thank you, and followed me.

Haskell Wexler was getting a life-time achievement award.
And there were special seats in the front row for him and his guests.
A woman came by, and she was wearing a Name Badge that said her last name was "Wexler".
And once again, the volunteer was not letting her sit down.
I ran over, and said "Oh, you are with Haskell Wexler. Right this way, and I can show you to your seats."
They followed me, and sat in the correct seats.

This was getting a little irritating - because the other volunteer should know who these people were.

The theatre was full. And we were told that there would be no place for the volunteers to sit.
I was disappointed, because I really wanted to see Al Gore speak.
I mean, how many times does one get to see a Vice President ?

But I was told that we could watch on the screen in the Over-flow room.
So I was disappointed that I could not see Al Gore in person.
And since it had already been a long day, I decided it was just time to go home.

Labels: filmfestival, hollywood, volunteer