Volunteering with the TCFF

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Traverse City Film Festival and the year-round operations of the State Theatre! You can use this page to volunteer for either one, or both!

Applying to Volunteer

We prefer that you apply using our online application, which will allow us to honor your requests in a timely manner, and to place you most appropriately within the organization. We communicate with volunteers exclusively via email - volunteers who cannot get email announcements will need to have a friend with email who can contact them by phone.

TO SIGN UP FOR SHIFTS ONLINE, please:

1. Once you have registered, go to this web page:
http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org/volunteer/login.php

2. Enter your username and password, and click the LOGIN NOW button.
If you forgot your login info, use the "Forgot your password" link.

3. Follow the simple instructions on the welcome page to sign up for shifts:
-click on the MY ACTIVITES tab
-then click on the ACTIVITY SIGN UP tab
-scroll down and click on the dates and times and activities that interest you, and follow the on screen instructions to sign up

2009 Volunteer Meetings and Training Sessions

The 2009 volunteer training sessions will be held at the following dates and times. Training is not required, but it is very helpful. PLEASE attend one or more sessions based on the location of your shifts, if you can. Thank you!

Warehouse: Sunday, July 26 at 2:00pm
State Theatre: Friday, July 24 at 6pm, Saturday July 25 at 10am, and Sunday July 26 at 1pm
Milliken Auditorium: Sunday, July 26 at 5:00pm
Open Space: Sunday, July 26 at 3:00pm
Information Ambassadors: Monday, July 27 at 5:30pm at Lars Hockstad
Old Town Playhouse: Monday, July 27 at noon and 4:00 pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium: Monday, July 27 at 1:00pm and 5:00pm
City Opera House: Monday, July 27 at 3:00pm

Commitment

We will do our best to make the hard work of volunteering fun. Our goal is to provide a positive and friendly atmosphere in which everyone is treated with courtesy and respect while together we create an exciting event that celebrates the movies.
Flexibility and a sense of humor are excellent assets!
You must be 16 years of age or older to volunteer. Volunteers under 18 must have proof of their date of birth, and written permission of a parent or guardian, and job options will be limited. Volunteers between ages 13 and 16 must be accompanied for their entire shift by a parent or guardian.
Out of town volunteers are responsible for their own lodging, transportation, food, and other personal expenses.

Festival Volunteer Handbook

Download the Volunteer Handbook [Adobe PDF]

Festival Job Descriptions

Ushers
Assist in admitting patrons to venues
Take tickets at venues
Assist patrons in finding seats
Clean venues after showings
Respond to patrons' needs during showings
Straighten public areas during shows

Open Space Ushers
Assist patrons
Set-up and clean-up
Watch for prohibited items/activities

Concessions (during festival at movies only)
Inventory
Sales
Clean-up/set up concession stands
Popcorn and beverage preparation

Merchandise
(Before and during festival at special events, Friday Night Live, venues)
Inventory
Sales
Clean-up/set-up

Box Office
Staff box offices before and during festival

Information Ambassadors
The film festival strives to promote public transportation throughout the event to reduce traffic and parking impacts to downtown Traverse City. It is important to encourage festival-goers to use the shuttle to attend movies. These all important volunteers help people navigate the festival and Traverse City!
-Help festivalgoers use the free, green and easy festival shuttle schedule
-Answer questions about the film festival
-Offer other information as requested
-Help festival-goers board the buses

Office (before and during festival)
Answer phones/route calls
Staff office during festival
Typing/filing/administration
Run errands/purchase supplies and equipment
Relay information to and from venues/management/office
Volunteer support

Hospitality
Greeters
Staff green rooms/VIP areas
Set up/cleaning green rooms
Monitor catering

Transportation (must have valid, unrestricted DL or CDL)
Vehicle support for all areas
VIP transport to hotels, airport, appearances
Operations transport
Transport Board/Executive Committee members

Stage Services (construction/carpentry skills and heavy lifting, needed pre- and post-festival)
Lift, carry, move equipment, supplies, materials
Set up/tear down equipment, projection booths, seating, open space
Construction needs for all venues

Production Services (technical experience preferred)
Print traffic (moving films to and from venues)
Projectionist assistance
Operate spotlights
Lighting and sound support at all venues

Stage Support
Panel assistance
Stage management

Central Dispatch/Warehouse
Receive, sort, inventory and distribute festival merchandise, concessions and supplies

Volunteer Credentials

You will be required to pick up your volunteer credentials prior to your first shift. Dates and times will be provided closer to the festival. A picture ID will be required in order to pick up your credentials. If you are unable to pick up your credentials in person at the appointed time(s), you will need to visit the festival office to pick up your credentials.

Volunteer Survival Tips

WHAT TO WEAR:

Wear loose, comfortable, presentable clothing. At the time you pick up your volunteer credentials, you will be given a volunteer t-shirt identifying you as the most valuable asset to this event, and you should wear it while on duty, and only when on duty. Volunteer shirts should not be worn when you are not working. Khaki shorts, pants, skirts, jeans with no holes, and capris are perfectly acceptable apparel for the event. Keep in mind that you will be on your feet during your shift, so make sure you select clothing which is comfortable.

Clothing don'ts:

Half-shirts or belly-revealing tops
Skin-tight (lycra, spandex, bike pants, etc.) pants or shorts
Low riding pants (no unmentionables showing, please)
Very short or micro shorts
Muscle shirts
Anything with holes

FOOTWEAR SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE FOR WALKING AND STANDING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND IT SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

WHAT TO BRING:

You may bring your own water, juice or other beverages in plastic bottles, and/or soda pop in cans or plastic bottles. Water will be provided for volunteers. Consumption of alcoholic beverages while on duty is strictly prohibited.
If you are an usher and have an extra flashlight to bring along, it will come in very handy.
Bring rain gear and sun protection if you are scheduled to work at an outdoor venue.

OTHER TIPS:

There will not be any secure area for you to store personal belongings, so do not bring any valuables or large or bulky items. You should plan to only bring what you can fit in your pockets and/or a small fanny pack or backpack.
Cell phones and pagers must be off or silenced during movie showings.
Children are not allowed to be with you while you are on duty. Please make other arrangements for your children during your shift.