Seattle International Film Festival Opening Night
May 23, 2008 | Almost Famous
Last night was my big film debut! SB, Erik and Mary and I had an excellent time at the fancy opening night gala for Battle in Seattle.
Earlier this week I got an email from a very nice guy who works for a PR firm that was promoting the film with Brotherton Cadillac. It read:
“…I saw your recent Tweet saying that you are going to the opening night premiere of “Battle in Seattle” and that you were an extra in the movie. GM would like to provide you with a car and driver to take you to and from the premiere.
If you agree, you and a guest would be driven to and from the premiere in one of the Yukon Hybrids. You’re also invited to a post-screening VIP party hosted by Brad Brotherton Cadillac, which is supplying the cars.”
WHAT THE HELL? Are you freaking kidding me? Um, yes please. And that’s how the four of us ended up being picked up in a Yukon Hybrid, whisked up to Seattle, and dropped off on the Red Carpet. When we pulled up, dudes in vests and bowties scurried up to open the doors for us and everything.
Here we are, enjoying the plush environs of the Yukon:
And here we are on the Red Carpet…
Before the movie Hottiepants Stuart Townsend, the director, came out on stage and said some lovely things about the power of the people to make change in his dreamy, dreamy accent, remarking how maybe it was the eight centuries of colonial rule of his country that made him so drawn to protest. Then he brought some of the other stars from the movie out on stage, Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Andre Benjamin, and CHARLIZE THERON. (Holy Glamazon! I. LOVE. HER.)
I enjoyed the movie. The crowd was very supportive and excited, and they cheered and booed throughout the movie at appropriate times. I love that! SB thought the characters weren’t developed well enough, he just didn’t care about them. I saw it differently, though. I thought there was just enough of the characters in it, I even got a little irritated when their character-y scenes ran on too long. I felt like the movie is more about the event, the story of the city and the protests, not so much about the love story and dead brother, etc.
Best line from the movie, at the end when they’re in jail:
Andre: Look at the bright side, a week ago, no one even knew what the WTO was. And now? Well, they still don’t know what it is, but they know it’s bad!
I’m sad to report that my big scene was cut. Clearly, the movie suffers because of it. I was wearing a gas mask, anyway, right? My name was in the credits, though, and so was SB’s! His for providing the extras, and mine for being a talent wrangler one of the days. That was cool!
There was a fancy party afterwards that was suitably glamorous. We didn’t go to the VIP thing mentioned in the email above. Partly because our driver didn’t know where it was (?) and also because they’d told me we could only have two tickets. We preferred to hang out with our friends, rather than stare at famous people from across the room, who may or may not have been there.
Afterwards, our driver picked us up at the end of the Red Carpet. We commanded him (no not really, he didn’t mind) to take us to Dick’s on the way out of town, so we capped the evening with quality burgers, shakes, and fries. A good time was had by all!
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May 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm, jamie Says:
Awesomeness. I’ve been waiting for your account of the event all day. Sorry your big scene was cut, but glad you made the credits anyway. (And isn’t making the credits one of the big reasons why it would be awesome to have a job, any job, at Pixar?)
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm, tacomachickadee Says:
Awesome!
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm, sizzle Says:
How cool! Bummer that your scene was cut though. Phooey.
Dick’s and seeing Charlize (and Michelle, I love her) sounds pretty awesome to me.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm, NEAL Says:
Double Awesome, times two, plus three.
May 24th, 2008 at 2:28 am, hliv Says:
RAD!
May 24th, 2008 at 11:37 am, dahli Says:
what a fantastic night!
May 25th, 2008 at 8:48 am, ~e Says:
What a sweet time. I’m a big fan of Charlize. Where was Woody?
May 25th, 2008 at 10:40 pm, Tacoma Friend Says:
I’m sorry your big scene was cut! You both look fabulous on the red carpet!!
May 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, Camille Says:
You guys look fabulous, and LOVING the red carpet!
(Please say hi to Mary for me, I haven’t seen her in such a long long time!)
May 26th, 2008 at 10:18 pm, dahli Says:
okay, so I just now put something together.
The Mary pictured above is the mary from college who was from the wisconsin town that my grandpa came from & a lot of relatives (okay a few) still live. funny.
tell her hi from me (if she remembers).
xo
May 27th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, JR Says:
This is so insanely awesome! It sucks that they cut your scene, but you got a driver! And red carpet! And your name! SO COOL.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am, Noreen Says:
Just a fabulous post! I love it. Sounds like a grand time with wonderful company. And, too cool about the Red Carpet pick-up and arrival. That’s just beyond beyond! Can’t wait to see the movie (and your family names in the credits!). Whoo hoo!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:08 pm, Jenny Says:
jamie: Yes! These credits were not quite as entertaining, unfortunatley.
chickadee: I know, right?
Sizzle: Your girl Michelle was having a great time. A really great time, *hiccup* if you know what I mean.
hliv: I know!
dahli: Yes!
e: I totally wish he’d been there. He looks so cool in this movie, all bald and buff and whatnot.
Tacoma Friend: Thanks, doll!
Camille: Thanks! Will do!
dahli: I’m sure she will! Afterall, how many people are from the town with the Midwest’s largest earthen damn (if you don’t count the one in Illinois)?
JR: I know!
Noreen: I’m interested to hear your opinion of the movie.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:15 am, Jenny Says:
oops! Thanks, NEAL!