Volunteer Hall of Fame

The SXSW VolOfame is is special club comprised of past volunteers. Membership is highly sought and can only be had by going on to do really cool, un-slacker like things like: actually making a film instead of talking about it, making your band practice enough to be noticed by record execs, or making truckloads of cash by exploiting the computer industry. If you know of anyone who deserves membership in The VolOfame - email us or call us at 512.467.7979. Consideration for membership is totally arbitrary and bribes can influence our decision making process.

Hall of Famer: Kris DeForrest (interviewed Nov. '98)

How many years have you volunteered for SXSW? I think it was 4 years, but I'm having a memory lapse.

What years ? 1995-1998, if my memory lapse serves me.

What crews? Film Runners for 3 years (eek!) and I was a judge of entries for 2 years (fun!).

Why did you volunteer? I wanted to meet people who were interested in independent film in Austin, I wanted to be inspired, and I wanted to be able to see movies for free. Oh, and I wanted to make Nancy Shafer smile. (Never happened...)

Did you obtain your volunteer goals (i.e. make contacts, meet a filmmaker, get a job, resume padding, drink heavily, etc.)? Yeah. Even though I worked my *&! off, I kept coming back for more! You get to meet amazing people, attend special events, work for a good cause. After a while, it all sinks in, and maybe it inspires you to actually get off your duff and do something with your lazy "I really want to be a director" self.

Best thing about your volunteer experience? Completely losing it in the Tomb of Doom with Peggy, et al. Drinking gallons of Odwalla everyday and peeing neon yellow. Oh, yeah, and when Greg Gilpatrick turned away Kim Deal from a screening because she didn't have a pass. Woo hoo! (She was nice about it...)

Any advice to future vols? Wear comfy shoes and drink lots of Odwalla.

What are you doing now? I'm the assistant to Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan.

Hall of Famer: Tony Scalzo (interviewed Dec. '98)

How many years have you volunteered for SXSW? Two years.

What years ? 1995-1996

What crews? Golf, Pre-conference, a little this, a little that, helping Nanette and Robin.

Why did you volunteer? For a badge, duh!

Did you obtain your volunteer goals (i.e. make contacts, meet a filmmaker, get a job, resume padding, drink heavily, etc.)? Yep, gotta badge and saw some bands.

Best thing about your volunteer experience? The badge.

Any advice to future vols? No, nada.

What are you doing now? Nothing.

(Editors note: Don't let him fool you, Tony is the great bassist/vocalist/songwriter in the band, Fastball, who went Platinum with their 2nd major label release, "All The Pain Money Can Buy". Then there's that whole Grammy thing. I'd call that 'nothing' allright.)

Hall of Famer: Dean Simpson (interviewed Dec. '98)

How many years have you volunteered for SXSW? Thirty years....no wait, five.

What years ? 1994-1998

What crews? Pre-conference, Film & Interactive Panels, Information, Hospitality, Platinum Lounge.

Why did you volunteer? To see great movies and panels, meet filmmakers in a casual setting, make new friends, attend film premieres and have fun.

Did you obtain your volunteer goals (i.e. make contacts, meet a filmmaker, get a job, resume padding, drink heavily, etc.)? Yes, made friends and contacts, experienced many one-of-a-kind-only-in-Austin events.

Best thing about your volunteer experience? Peggy, Nancy and Pati. (Thanks Dean!) Also the anticipation of each year's events and helping to make it happen.

Any advice to future vols? Try volunteering for different crews and get as many pre-conference hours as you can.

What are you doing now? Software consulting in Seattle.

Hall of Famer: Mocha Jean Herrup (interviewed Dec. '98)

How many years have you volunteered for SXSW? Four, if you count 1997.

What years ? '96, '97, '98, '99

What crews? Interactive Panels, audience solicitation, de facto party planning.

Why did you volunteer? To meet sex partners, see free movies, basque in the glow that is Paul Lister.

Did you obtain your volunteer goals (i.e. make contacts, meet a filmmaker, get a job, resume padding, drink heavily, etc.)? Oh, yes!

Best thing about your volunteer experience? The margarita machine at the Frog Design party.

Any advice to future vols? Always approach Peg at the last minute about getting out of bag stuffing. She loves the intimacy of this kind of connection.

What are you doing now? Playing the classifieds, strategizing my next haircut, working on my next movie.