Ready for Your Closeup? Filmmaker Networking at SXSW 2011

Memo for those who plan to attend SXSW 2011: If your goal is networking, go early to South by Southwest’s filmmaker panels and sit as close to the front as possible.

Panelists often arrive a few minutes before the start of their sessions, and it is sometimes possible to engage them in a little bit of conversation from the first couple of rows while they are getting settled. Don’t try to pitch them a project unless they ask what you are doing or what you have. But you may get an opportunity to exchange business cards and the chance to follow up with them after SXSW.

More opportunities for networking often occur right after the end of a panel. But be forewarned: The first few people who rush forward and get a panelist’s attention may eat up all of his or her available time.

Also, some of these “first responders” may be friends or acquaintances of the panelist. Indeed, they may expend all available time catching up on each other’s news or arranging to meet later for a drink.

Or, the panelist may not be in a mood to socialize and may have pre-arranged for a couple of friends to sit up front and serve as buffers when the session ends.

If you don't get to meet your hero, you will at least get some good information during his or her panel session. Indeed, some of the other panelists may share things that are more interesting and helpful than what you were hoping to learn from the panelist you can't talk to. And while everyone else surges forward, hoping to talk to the panel's "star," you may be able to connect with one or more of the other speakers.

--Si Dunn