True/False Film Festival Volunteers Keep Festival-goers in Check at Ragtag Cinema

Correction: The blog previously referred to the “Q” sign as silver, but has been changed to correctly identify the sign as rainbow.

As the True/False Film Festival kicked off its weekend stint in Columbia, volunteers worked to keep the traffic flowing at the Ragtag Cinema where six of the 10 films were screening Thursday night.

Armed with a headset, walkie-talkie and name-tag, Lex McNaughton said her role as a volunteer this year is to coordinate between venues. Her job Thursday night was to make sure every ticket and pass holder was in the correct line. Even with the gloomy weather, the “Q” had to be set up on the back patio. The “Q” is marked by a large and rainbow letter Q and is covered with two tents.

“To try to convince people that they don’t want to be inside has been difficult,” said McNaughton, whose official title this year is “Venue Captain” for the festival.

Festival-goers who weren’t able to reserve tickets to a certain film can wait 60 minutes prior to the film’s screening to receive a “Q” ticket, giving them a chance to purchase a ticket for any seats that become available.

McNaughton, 22, was extremely busy Thursday night, constantly answering questions from other volunteers and worrying about when and where to start lining people up. Nonetheless, she said Thursday had remained calm.

“The festival doesn’t pick up ‘festival mode’ until Friday,” McNaughton said.

-Brynn McIsaac

Three volunteers, including Lex McNaughton (right) chat while they wait for the first two screenings at the Ragtag to end.

One volunteer shows off her volunteer t-shirt, designed by David Friesen