If you get your first choices, congratulations. Last year was the first year in five years I did not get all of my first selections, and being from Michigan, I have to do the Advance Draw every time. This year marks my second.If you don’t get your first choices, like myself, then you have a few options. Be content with the second choice, or if after considering it for a few days and decided you MUST see that first choice selection, you can begin the quest for the golden tickets. This quest can consist of many things:
- Try to buy them when the individual tickets go on sale. This means waiting all morning in a line around multiple blocks, or logging onto the website to make the purchase. But many hardened festival veterans will tell you: Don't count on individual ticket sales. The online system is notoriously unpredictable and has been known to crash for long periods of time. I would tend to agree with this sentiment, but its still worth a try if you have the patience. But, I would still say do your best to get your choices in early for the advance draw and use the option for backup purposes only!
- Go to the festival box office routinely. When you get there, you will see a large board with a list of every title screening, listed by date. The films with red crosses over them indicate they are "off sale". This board can be very intimidating! But don’t put a ton of stock into it. I have discovered that tickets will become available throughout the week for films that were previously sold out and the Big Board will not reflect the addition of these newly added tickets. Ask a sales agent or call whenever possible.
- It is frowned upon by TIFF, but you may have luck trying the websites Tiffreviews.com or eBay. Many people who no longer can attend their films want to get rid of their extra tickets and use this as a forum to do so. But as with any internet based purchase not affiliated with TIFF, you run the risk of scams and bogus tickets. Buyer beware.
- Try the Rush lines. Rush lines are formed at the sold-out film’s box office prior to the film’s screening time. Moments before show time, empty seats are filled and any spare tickets are made available to the public. I have only had to do this once and had great success with it. The line was much longer than expected and I will admit, after taking one look at the line, I had my doubts. But it moved quickly and we got our tickets with time to spare. I have also spoken to many other attendees that swear by them. Attempting the Rush line is an underused and under appreciated option that I can recommend for those that have exhausted their other options.
What did I forget? Please add your suggestions in the Comments section below!
1 comment:
Great post, lots of rockin' practical suggestions there. The only thing I would add, especially if you are doing a combo of pass, single tix, and rush is - secure all the tickets you can for the latter end of the festival and try your luck at Rush lines early in the festival.
As the festival goes on and on, more and more people will be in the rush line. Also, early morning shows are often less busy and are good picks to rush.
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