It is finally time for you to go downtown and experience True/False. Be sure you know what you (and all those around you) are talking about.
The Q – This is the single most important part of True/False for those without a pass. Short for “The Queue,” these are the lines you wait in in order to get tickets for a movie. This is the line for those festival-goers who do not have a ticket reserved for a certain documentary. Although the Queens ­—more on that later— begin handing out numbers exactly an hour in advance, make sure to arrive even earlier in advance to ensure being near the front of the line, as these numbers determine the order in which available tickets will be distributed later.
Most of the shows are nearly sold out, but there’s almost always room for the first few Q-ers to get seats. After receiving your Q number, you are free to do whatever you please for 45 minutes, this is the best time to eat at the festival. 15 minutes before the show, you arrive back at the venue, get back in your order in line and hope you’re close enough to the front to get a seat!
Meeting people in the Q is one of the hidden gems of T/F.
Queens – These lavishly costumed volunteers distribute Q numbers and also help confused festival-goers. They’re not hard to miss, so if you’re ever in need of guidance simply find one and ask for help. Don’t feel shy because you won’t be the only one who’s confused.
Be kind to these people. They’re helping festival-goers while you’re watching movies.
NRT – This is an acronym you may hear dropped in conversations; it stands for “No Reserve Tickets.” Shows at T/F are never really sold out because the festival makes it a point not to sell to capacity in order to allow Q-ers in. Also, even if the show is actually sold out, it’s likely someone with a reserved ticket may skip a film.
If you really want to see a certain show, arrive early (really early: at least one and a half hours before Q-time and definitely earlier if it is a small venue) and wait. People watch. Read a book.
Passes – There are many different levels of passes festival-goers can purchase. In descending order of price, the main passes include: Super Circle ($700), Silver Circle ($400), Lux ($175) and Simple ($75). All passes are currently on sale except the Lux pass. The high-rollers with the upper levels of passes can get into pretty much any event, even without reservations.
Buskers – Busking means essentially the art of street performance, though that’s not the only place you’ll find musicians at T/F. While they’re not the first thing you might think of when you think of a film festival, buskers are a core part of the festival. There will be more than 40 groups coming and T/F has added an additional pass. The main component of the Busker Band pass ($30) is admission to the approximately 15 concerts done by buskers, and it looks like a great addition to a Simple Pass or if you plan on Q-ing all the way.
Tip the buskers, whether they’re performing before a film or on the street or anywhere else.
Secret Screening (SS) – Secret Screenings are a type of film shown at T/F; there are three this year. Generally referred to by a color – the 2014 films are SS Amber, SS Burgundy and SS Orchid – Secret Screenings are documentaries that are not ‘officially’ premiering, and viewers of those films are told to not publish any reviews until the official release date.
Often, these films premiere at other notable festivals like South by South West.
By Brett Stover