Cool TIFF moment # 43 - Danny Boyle

Sometimes cool things and brushes with famous people happen at the Toronto Film Fest. This one was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it kinda is to me.

I saw "The Hurt Locker" at Ryerson tonight and spotted UK director Danny Boyle ("Shallow Grave," "Trainspotting," "28 Days Later," "Millions" "Sunshine" and this year's "Slumdog Millionaire", which I'll be seeing Wednesday) sitting in the row in front of me.

Normally, I'd be quite content to have a look and simply leave it at that but I felt compelled to meet him after the show. He was super nice, very gracious and I got his autograph too. As I explained to my buddy Peter who was there, I haven't asked for an autograph from ANYONE for over ten years... I'm NOT easily star struck. But in this case, I figured, one of these days I'll get to work for him and I'll be able to show him that I was a big fan all along... if nothing else, if I were him, I'd appreciate the occasional recognition and encouragement. So I gave it to him. I also jokingly offered to be his apprentice... but I will be calling his office when the festival's over.

P.S. On a completely side note, when Peter and I were walking down Yonge to the subway after a couple of pints, playing the part of a couple respectable, sober and TOTALLY harmless looking guys, some obviously deranged, but semi-normal looking woman took a look at us, waved her fingers towards us in the air, up & down then left to right then decreed, "bad guys... couple of bad guys."

Needless to say I'm firing my publicist in the morning.