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08/04/2007Staying afloat: Festival manager is not aloneBut Deb Lake is the only full-time employee
Traverse City Film Festival manager Deb Lake will begin working on planning next year's festival as soon as this one is over. TRAVERSE CITY — One glance at the list of the Traverse City Film Festival 2007 managers tells you all you need to know about Deb Lake. Her name is placed close to the middle of the sheet and yet, she holds the simple title of festival manager. Nowhere does it distinguish her as the lone full-time employee in a sea of volunteers for the film festival. That's really the only way Lake would have it. "There's no way I could do what I do without the volunteers,” Lake said. "Without them, you can't have a festival. Some have huge jobs (outside the festival) and they're really dedicated. It would be impossible without them.” Lake started out as a volunteer for the festival three years ago, and she was able to work full-time hours because she had just been laid off from her previous job. A couple months after that first festival ended, Lake was added as the first and only paid full-time staff member of Traverse City Film Festival. Since that point in time, she's spent most of her time mired in general administration, handling payment of the bills and making sure everything runs smoothly not only during the week of the film festival but also throughout the year. Lake, who will need some help come October when her first baby is due, said she enjoys working in a volunteer-oriented organization. She'd rather see funds used toward improving venues and equipment before the film festival board adds another full-time employee. "We're a brand-new festival,” Lake said. "We're basically breaking even, and I'd rather spend the money on projection screens and sound, and there's a certain spirit with a volunteer-based organization, a certain kind of environment.” Lake won't have much time to rest after this year's festival. Immediately following its conclusion, Lake has to start booking accommodations for guests and venues for next year. She also takes time to watch the new releases and help shape the film lineup, well in advance of the actual event. The workload Lake tackles during the year makes the week of the festival a welcome time for the manager. "Once the film festival starts, my job gets easier,” Lake said. "It's like when a train starts rolling down the tracks, there's not much you can do.”
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