And in somewhat non-documentary news…

We can’t help noting that our friend Chris Sparling has hit paydirt at Sundance. The film he wrote, “Buried,” was the first film sold at the festival, going to LionsGate for a reported $4 million.

Ryan Parsons at CanMag notes the lesson, one that’s worth considering by documentarians:

it should be noted that a new type of marketing strategy is being employed at Sundance this year. Instead of getting big studio execs to see their movies, filmmakers are focusing on filling their showings with general moviegoers. The ability to get word of mouth and prove the marketability of a film typically results in a better pickup; even if it may take a bit longer.

Chris, while a writer of fictional films, nonetheless is a model of DIY, get-your-stuff-out-there work ethic. We served on a panel with him last summer at the Rhode Island Film Festival, and he was heading to Spain that very night, for work on “Buried.”

Cheers to his success, if we may say so ourselves.