POLLYWOOD | TRUSTING IN SUNDANCE

Glenn Close talks about Sundance and her role on the Institute's board

By GLENN CLOSE

On the set of "The Natural," while waiting for a shot to be set up, Robert Redford would, upon occasion, settle himself into a director's chair and join in on whatever conversation was in progress. He is very witty, highly articulate and an extremely good storyteller. More often than not, usually urged on by one of his fellow actors, the conversation would come around to one of his lifelong passions—The Sundance Institute.

It's hard for actors—I don't care how successful they might become—to believe that they will ever get another job. So we tend to be completely focused on where our next paycheck is coming from. By the time "The Natural" was shot, Bob had received a lot of significant paychecks, but he was compelled to give back and he was doing just that. I was impressed by the fact that Bob was actually putting his money where his mouth was. He had founded and had actually invested in a place for emerging, young independent voices. He was on his way to changing the landscape of American film.

Several years later, Bob asked me to become a member of The Sundance Institute's board of trustees. It took me a not inconsiderable amount of time to feel comfortable around the board table—to find my own, independent voice—but I eventually did and am proud to still be serving after 16 years.

On this, our 25 th anniversary, the thing that amazes me is that the energy and passion around the table and at the Institute is as vital and exciting as it was all those years ago— even more so. Sundance has definitely made its mark and is going strong. It's not any easier. The challenges remain. I was able to visit some of the labs last summer and I witnessed them every day. I wanted to stay to the very end, to hang out and see how the young director/ writers would solve the various issues with which they were all wrestling. Like other Board members, I was able to sit down with them at several meals, hear them talk, sense their excitement, and commitment as well as their frustration.

I was able to see them gaining confidence and occasionally witness their absolute exaltation when the work was going well. When their vision was manifest in a scene, a moment, a connection. That is the inspiring purity of the process that goes on at the Sundance Institute.

It is messy, often chaotic and frequently there is a quotient of despair, but for those who persevere, something unique happens. They find their voice. They are able to reveal something about the human experience original to them. They have put something palpably positive into our collective consciousness as they have become true artists. It is a privilege to be a part of that process, even if it is from the sidelines, urging them on. We have much to celebrate.