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Alex Cabrero reporting Tickets for one of the biggest events in Utah went on sale this morning. But you had to be up bright and early if you wanted one.
Alex Cabrero got up and was still nowhere near the front of the line for tickets to the Sundance Film Festival.
I would've needed today and yesterday off if I wanted to be first in line. People starting lining up at about 10:00 Friday morning. But still, first in line doesn't necessarily mean the best tickets.
The line may be for Sundance, but there was certainly no sun, and it was way too cold to dance.
Fortunately for Skippy Jessop and his fellow film fans, at 1 am Trolley Square let them sleep inside.
Hundreds of people waiting to buy those popular tickets.
Jennifer Laidlaw/ Salt Lake City Resident: "It's just fun to be part of the whole scene."
Nadim Bikhazi: "I got here before noon yesterday."
That's right, noon Friday. Nadim Bikhazi of Layton wanted to be first.
Nadim Bikhazi/ Layton Resident: "We think they're crazy for not showing up for these tickets."
Patrick Hubley/ Sundance Spokesman: "Completely and totally impressed and thankful for the support we get from the local community and from the film-goers."
This is the moment when these fans knew their time waiting in line has finally paid off-- when Sundance representatives started handing out ticket order forms.
Nearly 24 hours of waiting, and Bikhazi finally got to make his picks, only to find out his top selections were already gone.
It turns out pre-packaged ticket sales already took place, meaning the first screenings of many movies were sold out.
Nadim Bikhazi: "First in line, and you get up to the venues and all of a sudden no tickets are available."
Steve Pedersen: "We ended up getting half our tickets."
Fans found out fast that they had to choose fast.
Patrick Hubley: "With tickets going on sale in various locations across the state, some tickets do become unavailable as people are filling out their orders."
Nadim Bikhazi: "It's a little bit frustrating. We ended up getting other movies, but when you wait in line and you're first, you think I'll get all I wanted."
Still, plenty were excited they just got some tickets.
Michelle Sorensen/ Salt Lake City Resident: "I'm kind of tired and need a nap, but it was totally worth it."
Forty-five thousand tickets were available for locals. But of course, it all depended on what you wanted to see, and when. More tickets will be sold on January 15th.
