For me, the first two days of Cinequest were volunteer days. I had planned it that way, figuring it would be better to ease into the festival feet first (focusing only on reacquainting myself with the box office), instead of diving in head first (trying to volunteer and watch movies on the same day).

On Wednesday, I got a refresher course on working at the box office. The nice thing was that almost everything was the same -- the sales system, the ticket printer, the credit card machine, will call.

The only major change from last year was the discontinuation of the ten-pack (10 tickets for a discounted price) and the introduction of matinee tickets (weekday screenings before 5 PM). With so few changes, it was easy to get back into the rhythm of things.

The first day was also the day I received my volunteer t-shirt, which looks exactly like this:

Since there was only one film showing that night (Wake), most of my shift was spent filling will call requests, helping patrons buy advanced tickets, and selling festival passes. I also spent a great deal of time telling folks how to get from Camera 12 (marker A on the map) to the California Theatre (marker C), where the opening night film was showing.

I started the night giving people street directions, but quickly resorted to giving them the landmark version after receiving several puzzled looks. "See the Johnny Rockets sign? When you reach it, cross the street, turn left, and walk until you see Original Joe's. Cross that street and keep going until you see the building with the word 'California' in bright lights."

On Thursday, I actually spent half of my shift over at the California Theatre, selling tickets for the hugely popular Capers. It's a gorgeous theater. Even its box office is gorgeous (and has a view):

I have yet to watch a movie in the California, but have every intention to catch at least one before the festival ends.

And that sums up, messily and incompletely, my first two days at Cinequest 19.