SIX-STRING SAVVY The filmmakers of Slamdance entry "Dill Scallion" may be top contenders for the filmmaking chutzpah prize. The makers of the mockumentary, which follows the rise and fall of a fictitious country singer played by "Mafia!" actor Billy Burke, managed to rope in appearances from Kathy Griffin, Jason Priestly, Peter Berg, Leann Rimes, Travis Tritt, and a looped-out Willie Nelson. According to director Jordan Brady, Nelson wasn't completely aware of his part in the movie's production. "He was totally high," Brady explained. As for Rimes, she initially thought Burke was a country singer when she agreed to filming, but proved a good sport and later let the filmmakers use her version of "God Bless America" in the film. The movie's Monday-night fete drew fans and stars such as Berg and Stewart Copeland thanks to a live performance by Sheryl Crow (who wrote the film's score), who jetted in on the heels of a TV appearance.

THE BUZZ Already some faves of the fest have emerged -- along with the already-snapped-up "Blair Witch Project," the Vietnam-themed "Three Seasons" has been winning raves, while the German entry "Run Lola Run" has gotten a consistent thumbs up from audiences. In the love-hate arena, "Treasure Island" had some leaving the theater in disgust while others offered tentative "weird but interesting" approvals.

GETTING PANTSED If the pitch for "Man of the Century" sounds a little familiar, don't tell director Adam Abraham. The movie, which follows a man who acts, dresses, and speaks as if it were the 1920s, bears a close resemblance to the Thirties Guy of recent Dockers ads. "We were way ahead of them," says Abraham. "Movies have a longer lead time than commercials, to say the least. When we started working on this script, it was 1995. I'm not even sure Dockers were a product back then." (They were.)

NO ALTERNATIVE Sundance and Slamdance aren't the only fests in town this year. While Scumdance, which showed up in Park City two years ago, didn't make a return this year, Nodance and Slamdunk did offer limited schedules. Unfortunately, they haven't made much of a splash. Most festgoers offer only blank stares and shrugs when asked about them.

BIG LOVE "The Practice"'s Camryn Manheim bares almost all in some bump-and-grind love scenes in the Sundance film "Fool's Gold," a move made easier by the actress' belief in making the political personal. "If I thought about people seeing this on an individual basis, I'd never be able to do it," says Manheim. "But not only was it the chance to have a love scene with the hottest actor ALIVE, Billy Gallo, it was a chance to show that a really good-looking, sexy guy can fall in love with a larger woman. It happens in real life."