In case you didn’t know, David and I are huge movie buffs! Remember the groom’s cake at our wedding?
At the first UT London alumni event we went to, David and I met another young couple, Brad and Audra, who had also recently moved to London from Texas. They’re really into movies also, so last fall Audra and I did a girl’s night out at the Eat, Pray, Love premier in Leicester Square.
I have to admit I was a total nerd and brought along my copy of the book, hoping to get it signed by Julia Roberts. Well unfortunately Julia didn’t show up until about 15 minutes before the movie started, so she barely had enough time to sign a few autographs between posing for the paparazzi and doing a couple of interviews. While I was watching her walk the red carpet, I just kept thinking how weird it would be to be a movie star. For security reasons, they are escorted EVERYWHERE. When Julia stepped out of the car, there were hundreds of people in the crowded square screaming her name. An old man literally ran me over trying to get closer to the barriers for a better view. And her picture on the movie posters was also EVERYWHERE. How strange would it be to walk from your car to a movie theatre with hundreds of people screaming your name and photos of yourself staring back at you? It must be really hard to not get a big head in that business. By far the most bizarre part that I’d never thought about before actually going to a premier, is that at every premier, the movie is actually shown. Tickets were about £200/person for Eat, Pray, Love. So needless to say, Audra and I did not actually see the movie. Most people that are lucky enough to score tickets get them for free from friends and family that work in the industry. But for the stars, wouldn’t it get boring to sit there and watch your movie over and over and over at each premier? They must take naps or something…
But I digress.
Instead of getting Julia Robert’s autograph in my book, I got the author’s – Elizabeth Gilbert! Liz showed up over an hour before the movie started, which gave her plenty of time to meet her fans, sign a ton of autographs, and even hand out free books! I got a picture with her (which is really bad and will never be posted anywhere) and she signed my book!
SPOILER ALERT!
I have to admit, I didn’t really like the book that much mainly because of Elizabeth Gilbert’s character, which is kind of terrible to say since it’s an autobiography. But I felt like she was really self-centered and whiny. Plus I didn't think she learned a whole lot about herself because in the end, she just ended up with another guy anyway! But then I later found out she married the Brazilian and that made me like her a bit more, because it wasn't just another relationship she had jumped into. And then when I met her at the premier, she was sooo nice. So I totally forgave her for leaving and kind of cheating on her husband. And I eventually saw the movie on one of my many cross-Atlantic flights and thought it was pretty good!
Our latest claim to fame came in April when one of David’s high school friends, Camilla, landed the part of Princess Kate in the Lifetime movie about the royal couple. I met Camilla a few years ago during one of our visits to London for Christmas. It was surreal seeing someone we knew acting on TV, being featured in celebrity magazines and interviewed on late-night talk shows. We heard she’s going to be a regular on this season of Californicaction, but I don’t know if we’ll watch since it’s rumored she has some nude scenes! That might be too weird…
During the summer, somehow between all of our vacations and my work travel schedule, David and I managed to be in London for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 premier! The premier promised to be epic. The red carpet was rolled out in Trafalgar Square, with the road from Trafalgar to Leicester Square transformed into Diagon Alley. The alley was completely sealed off to the public so the actors could use it as their route from the red carpet to the theatre.
I had read in the paper about a week before the premier that because the event was expected to be so huge, wristbands would be handed out the day before, first-come/first-serve, to fans to watch the event from prime viewing locations in Trafalgar Square. What the paper didn’t mention was that the rest of the square would be totally blocked off by an eight foot wall. Apparently a lot of parents did not get this message. There were so many children dressed up in their Hogwarts costumes excited to see Harry, Hermione and Ron... but they couldn’t see over the barriers. Some even broke down crying in the street. It was really sad. I think they should have put up the small fences like they usually do, but not a wall!
Luckily I had David’s shoulders to sit on. He was nice enough to lift me up so I could see the action. I couldn’t see much, but it was still fun to be out with thousands of other people celebrating the movie’s release. The crowd was enormous and there was a real sense of community with all of our fellow Harry Potter-loving Londoners. It was a great way to close out the final chapter of the series (minus the crying children).
Last week before I headed back to Texas for work, David and I went to Leicester Square to see Hugh Jackman. Even though his new movie, Real Steel, looks like rock ‘em sock ‘em robots for the big screen (aka – not good), we still thought it’d be fun to see Hugh. Plus we had a craving for Chinese food and Chinatown is just around the corner from Leicester Square.
When we got there, Hugh was walking right towards us but I didn’t even recognize him. I had always imagined him as Wolverine – jacked! But he was a lot smaller in real life. I'm sure under his suit, he was still really buff but I couldn't help noticing his skinny arms and legs. I'd always heard what a nice guy he is, and he really did seem genuinely friendly. He arrived super-early (unlike most actors... Julia!) and said hello to everyone, signed autographs, and even took pictures of himself with his fans.
Then whatdayaknow, the next day I was reading People online and I swear I saw myself in the background of Hugh’s pic!
So now that I’ve made People magazine, I won’t be needing to attend any more movie premiers… just kidding! They’re one of the great things about living in London! It’s a fun night out and one day, we will actually get tickets to see a film with the stars. I’ve already asked David for Breaking Dawn Part II tickets as next year’s birthday and Christmas present!
At the first UT London alumni event we went to, David and I met another young couple, Brad and Audra, who had also recently moved to London from Texas. They’re really into movies also, so last fall Audra and I did a girl’s night out at the Eat, Pray, Love premier in Leicester Square.
I have to admit I was a total nerd and brought along my copy of the book, hoping to get it signed by Julia Roberts. Well unfortunately Julia didn’t show up until about 15 minutes before the movie started, so she barely had enough time to sign a few autographs between posing for the paparazzi and doing a couple of interviews. While I was watching her walk the red carpet, I just kept thinking how weird it would be to be a movie star. For security reasons, they are escorted EVERYWHERE. When Julia stepped out of the car, there were hundreds of people in the crowded square screaming her name. An old man literally ran me over trying to get closer to the barriers for a better view. And her picture on the movie posters was also EVERYWHERE. How strange would it be to walk from your car to a movie theatre with hundreds of people screaming your name and photos of yourself staring back at you? It must be really hard to not get a big head in that business. By far the most bizarre part that I’d never thought about before actually going to a premier, is that at every premier, the movie is actually shown. Tickets were about £200/person for Eat, Pray, Love. So needless to say, Audra and I did not actually see the movie. Most people that are lucky enough to score tickets get them for free from friends and family that work in the industry. But for the stars, wouldn’t it get boring to sit there and watch your movie over and over and over at each premier? They must take naps or something…
But I digress.
Instead of getting Julia Robert’s autograph in my book, I got the author’s – Elizabeth Gilbert! Liz showed up over an hour before the movie started, which gave her plenty of time to meet her fans, sign a ton of autographs, and even hand out free books! I got a picture with her (which is really bad and will never be posted anywhere) and she signed my book!
Elizabeth Gilbert greeting her fans
SPOILER ALERT!
I have to admit, I didn’t really like the book that much mainly because of Elizabeth Gilbert’s character, which is kind of terrible to say since it’s an autobiography. But I felt like she was really self-centered and whiny. Plus I didn't think she learned a whole lot about herself because in the end, she just ended up with another guy anyway! But then I later found out she married the Brazilian and that made me like her a bit more, because it wasn't just another relationship she had jumped into. And then when I met her at the premier, she was sooo nice. So I totally forgave her for leaving and kind of cheating on her husband. And I eventually saw the movie on one of my many cross-Atlantic flights and thought it was pretty good!
Our latest claim to fame came in April when one of David’s high school friends, Camilla, landed the part of Princess Kate in the Lifetime movie about the royal couple. I met Camilla a few years ago during one of our visits to London for Christmas. It was surreal seeing someone we knew acting on TV, being featured in celebrity magazines and interviewed on late-night talk shows. We heard she’s going to be a regular on this season of Californicaction, but I don’t know if we’ll watch since it’s rumored she has some nude scenes! That might be too weird…
During the summer, somehow between all of our vacations and my work travel schedule, David and I managed to be in London for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 premier! The premier promised to be epic. The red carpet was rolled out in Trafalgar Square, with the road from Trafalgar to Leicester Square transformed into Diagon Alley. The alley was completely sealed off to the public so the actors could use it as their route from the red carpet to the theatre.
Thousands of Harry Potter fans camped
out in front of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
I had read in the paper about a week before the premier that because the event was expected to be so huge, wristbands would be handed out the day before, first-come/first-serve, to fans to watch the event from prime viewing locations in Trafalgar Square. What the paper didn’t mention was that the rest of the square would be totally blocked off by an eight foot wall. Apparently a lot of parents did not get this message. There were so many children dressed up in their Hogwarts costumes excited to see Harry, Hermione and Ron... but they couldn’t see over the barriers. Some even broke down crying in the street. It was really sad. I think they should have put up the small fences like they usually do, but not a wall!
This sweet girl in her Hogwarts uniform was waiting patiently for her turn
on her dad's shoulders to catch a glimpse of Harry
Luckily I had David’s shoulders to sit on. He was nice enough to lift me up so I could see the action. I couldn’t see much, but it was still fun to be out with thousands of other people celebrating the movie’s release. The crowd was enormous and there was a real sense of community with all of our fellow Harry Potter-loving Londoners. It was a great way to close out the final chapter of the series (minus the crying children).
Last week before I headed back to Texas for work, David and I went to Leicester Square to see Hugh Jackman. Even though his new movie, Real Steel, looks like rock ‘em sock ‘em robots for the big screen (aka – not good), we still thought it’d be fun to see Hugh. Plus we had a craving for Chinese food and Chinatown is just around the corner from Leicester Square.
Hugh Jackman being interviewed on the stage in front of us
When we got there, Hugh was walking right towards us but I didn’t even recognize him. I had always imagined him as Wolverine – jacked! But he was a lot smaller in real life. I'm sure under his suit, he was still really buff but I couldn't help noticing his skinny arms and legs. I'd always heard what a nice guy he is, and he really did seem genuinely friendly. He arrived super-early (unlike most actors... Julia!) and said hello to everyone, signed autographs, and even took pictures of himself with his fans.
Then whatdayaknow, the next day I was reading People online and I swear I saw myself in the background of Hugh’s pic!
So now that I’ve made People magazine, I won’t be needing to attend any more movie premiers… just kidding! They’re one of the great things about living in London! It’s a fun night out and one day, we will actually get tickets to see a film with the stars. I’ve already asked David for Breaking Dawn Part II tickets as next year’s birthday and Christmas present!
How fun!! I always thought that it would be fun to go to a movie premiere. I feel so honored that I can tell people that I know someone that was in People! =)
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Not sure that is you in the picture though (sorry, but not as pretty). Who knows, maybe you will get to a premiere some day. SO sad about the little kids and the big fence! What the heck is 'Breaking Dawn'? I barely heard of that one in the past.
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