Security staffers unfazed by craziness at Sundance
Actually, he answers only about three questions ... over and over and over.
"What time does the venue open?" one man asks.
"Where does the line form?" a woman asks.
"Don't you know who I am?" another woman says, with an attitude that she is someone important.
"I'm sure I'm on the guest list," another says.
Smith works security for the world famous Harry O's, 427 S. Main, a venue that once again is hosting many of the festival's biggest concerts and parties during the Sundance Film Festival. It's the place where many A-list celebrities will be — and top musical performances will be held — in the coming week, many of them during private events.
On opening night, hip-hop star Akon was the main performer at Harry O's. Opening was the DJ for both Jamie Foxx's show and the Miami Heat. Tickets were being sold for $100 each. Smith's job that night and every night is to keep people out until the doors open and to keep out people without passes.
One man tells Smith he needs to talk to his roommate, who is inside the club. Smith tells him sorry. Another woman approaches him, doing what she can to avoid waiting in line in the cold.
Smith, like all the security members of the private club, isn't fazed. He's already seen it all.
"You'll have people come up to you and say, 'Hey, I know you, AJ!' My name will be thrown out 50 times tonight. People want to get in. It's the place to be," said AJ Achekzai, one of the head security men at Harry O's.
For Sundance, Harry O's uses 35 to 45 security staffers each night, he said.
In addition to top name concerts nightly, in the basement of the building Chefdance is happening simultaneously. Each night, one of the world's top 10 chefs has been invited to cook a specialty meal. There is a second area for bands to perform in the basement level as well as a dance floor upstairs.
"It's a stressful job ... very stressful job. I was in the Marine Corps, but now, this is worse.... I think this is worse," Achekzai said, laughing.
But Achekzai insists he loves his job. The trick is to keep a level head.
"People (try to) bribe you (to get in). They say, 'I know you.' They say, 'I wanna kick your a--.' I just smile and laugh at them and say, 'Have a nice day.' You gotta control yourself, be professional. You have to be professional no matter what you do in this job ... because there will be people who will try to push your buttons. But it's not going to happen."
The most outrageous incident Achekzai remembers from previous Sundance festivals was when a woman desperately tried to get into the club.
Recent comments
I want to see Paris where is she? Oh, wait! Is that Britney! Oh my...
Paris Where? | Jan. 22, 2008 at 4:01 p.m.
What I don't understand why so much traffic after my ski lesson...
National Ability Center | Jan. 22, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.
I can relate to what D Fisher is saying. I grew up, and still live...
See me, see me. | Jan. 22, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
