When I was an undergrad student at Texas State a few years ago, I volunteered for SXSW during the music showcases for a couple of years. It was always a lot of fun, and I got to learn about a lot of new artists from all over the world. Through those experiences though, I never really got to explore what the Interactive festival was about. I always heard through friends and classmates that they saw a lot of big names speaking and wandering around Austin, so I was really excited to be part of the SXTXState project. It definitely helped me to expand my boundaries and work on my journalist skills as well. At first I was really nervous to talk to people, but by the end of the week my nervousness disappeared, and I was able to talk to anyone.
Each day was such a whirlwind of possibilities, and I started my week off by sitting third row for Bernie Sanders. I'm so incredibly glad I brought my long lens with me because I got some pretty great pictures. I loved the message that he was promoting, which was mainly focused on unity in the coming years. He was very passionate, as usual, and as someone who voted for him in the primaries two years ago, it was absolutely thrilling to be in the same room as him.
It was also very exciting to be in the same room as some of the cast from my favorite TV show, "This Is Us." A few minutes into the panel, they showed the preview for season one (they're in season two now), and there was not a dry eye in the room. I've honestly never watched a show that made me feel so many feelings, besides maybe Parenthood. It was great to be able to hear these actors talk about their own emotions, and the special memories they've made as a cast. We shared laughs and tears together, and we all agreed that this show is perfect to unite people with common feelings and common experiences.
Experiencing this festival, attending so many panels, and finding so many different events to go to was overwhelming at times, but it was so great to be able to see so many different things. I had no idea the interactive festival was so busy and had this many things to do. I also got to go to the SXSW Marketplace, which features dozens of artists showing off their really amazing art. This is probably one of my favorite parts of SXSW, because I'm a total geek for art. I could have spent hours in there, but my friends and I wandered over to Rainey street to check out some music at the bars.
Overall, the Interactive festival was full of experiences that made me think, "I never thought I'd do this" or "I never thought I'd be here." I definitely recommend for all of those considering coming to SXSW in the coming years to experience all aspects of the festival. Throughout every panel I went to, I knew there were people in that room who shared the same interests as me, or the same views as me.
