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07/27/2007VIPs add glitter, depthDirectors, producers, actors, film critics among those attending this year
Terry George, director of "Hotel Rwanda" and a member of the Traverse City Film Festival Board of Directors.
Brett Morgen, director of "Nimrod Nation," which is showing at the Traverse City Film Festival.
TRAVERSE CITY — He woke up at 6:30 a.m. to answer calls from Malcolm McDowell about the chances of squeezing in a round of golf before a 10 a.m. panel, closed downtown bars with cast members from "Air Guitar Nation” and regularly slept about two-and-a-half hours a night. That was all in the average day for Charlie Wilson during last year's Traverse City Film Festival, when he volunteered as the talent shepherd. That's a position designed to cater to the needs of the guests, or celebrities, set to attend the festival. Still, he's not so quick to label his job impossible. "It's not as exciting or outlandish as you might think,” said Wilson. This year Wilson, along with Courtney Rader serving as guest and event manager for the film festival, will coordinate travel and accommodations for the estimated 27 festival guests. Wilson's duties begin once the VIPs confirm their attendance. He contacts the guests, inquires into special accommodations, sends out itineraries and arranges for transportation from the airport and around the area. Wilson said about two-thirds of the VIPs request drivers, mostly because they are unfamiliar with the area. Rader has 24 volunteer drivers ready and waiting to take guests wherever they wish. "They're pleasant to work for. People ask me if it's like the shows on 'E!,' but these people are really down to earth.” When the VIPs arrive at the Cherry Capital Airport, Wilson and his team meet them and either assign guests to drivers or rent them a car. The VIPs then ride to their hotels or condos, where a gift basket filled with Traverse City-based products such as bags of dried cherries, cherry salsa, coffee and wine awaits. Last year, the Tamarack Lodge hosted the guests. But being the height of tourist season and with some last-minute tweaking of the guest list, Rader said the festival branched out to various hotels and private condos and houses this year. Most of the celebrities stay in town for just a couple of days rather than the entire week, spending a majority of their time taking in movies and attending panels. That leaves little room for leisure activities, Wilson said. "They basically eat out,” Wilson said. "Some like to go exploring and check out the shops and bars, but they mostly go to the question-and-answer sessions and spend time with Michael. They don't have that much time around town.” But when opportunities for fun arise — like McDowell hoping to shoot a quick nine holes at dawn — Wilson and the drivers are ready to make it happen. "Last year was crazy,” Wilson said with a laugh. "We didn't have enough people. ... We're trying to avoid that this year, so I can sleep.”
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