Friday, I posted my thoughts on the new film The Finest Hours. If you are interested in reading my review click here. This post is going to focus on my experience at the theater. I started my blog 5 months ago so I’m still pretty “green”. This was my first event as an official blogger. To say I was pumped would be an understatement. I am a person who fully believes in celebrating every moment and every accomplishment no matter how small.
Let’s start from the beginning. I learned of the opportunity about 3 weeks ago. I signed up for it thinking it was strictly a blogger event. I marked it on my calendar and kept it moving. The morning of the preview I had to drop my car off at the shop, get a rental, and all that jazz. So I kind of forgot about the event. Luckily I had written it down on my calendar. When I realized the event was that night I called the theater just to make sure the event was still on. I was completely unaware that the theater was having their own previewing event. When I called to verify the event, the guy on the phone asked for a confirmation number. I didn’t have one. I informed them of how I signed up and the instructions I was given. His response, “uhhhhhhhhh, can you hold?”. Now I’m nervous. He went to get who I assume was a manager who pretty much told me to come, bring the email I had, and give my name at the door. At this point I’m thinking this is some BS and I’m reconsidering if I should even go.
I talked to James (my fiancé) about it. He pretty much told me to just go and see what happens. I arrived around 6:50 and a lined had already formed outside the theater. I’m thinking “wow!”I find parking and head towards the line. The preview doesn’t start until 7:30. James meets me around 7:05. Our eyes meet, he looks at the line, and we both kind of tilt our head and shrug. Our attitude by this point is F’it, we’re here now. Let’s see what happens. I can’t lie, it was really fun to get out of our weekly routine and do something different. Something new that I couldn’t predict the outcome.
When we got close to the door, a guy named Marty came out to give announcements and instructions to the crowd to help the line move along smoothly. I grabbed his attention and softly told him my predicament. I didn’t want to embarrass myself by getting to the front of the line and being turned away. He told me to show whatever I had at the front and I should be okay. Marty was really nice and super helpful!
Now we’ve crossed the threshold of the first set of doors. Finally we’re inside and out of the cold. As James and I are talking I look to my left and what do I see. Posters for the movie.
At this point I’m getting excited. However since I am not officially inside I have to keep my composure just in case, I get turned away.
Guest had to relinquish their cell phones upon entry since this was an advanced screening. They let me keep my phone to show the email I got confirming my registration.
As we approached the table where they were collecting tickets and cell phones, I started explaining my situation. The girl is looking at me like I don’t know who or where you signed up through but it’s not looking good for you. I told her I could pull up the site I signed up through. She asked me to pull it up. Within seconds of seeing the site, a light bulb went off for her and she knew who I was. Instantly I’m getting the royal treatment. She called Marty over to help me. As I’m eavesdropping, I over hear her refer to me as “press”. Press? me? I get a little giddy but I must remain calm. I have to act like this is nothing new to me. Just to be clear I was as giddy as a kid in a house made of candy.
Marty escorts us to our reserved seats, yes reserved, James and I look at each other and snicker something serious. Marty had to double check our seats and sent the young lady over to finish helping us. After the lady showed us to our seats I had her double check the name on her list. I didn’t want anyone coming over to me down the line because I was in their seat. She pulls up the list and says “the studio sent your name to us.” The studio? Are you sure? The studio!? Clear as day is my name +1. As we walk towards our designated seats, I see “RESERVED Jackson”. WHAT!!!!!!!!!! I’m beaming with joy. At this moment I feel so official, so happy, and so appreciative that I stepped outside my comfort zone and took the chance on my blog, on the screening opportunity…… on everything!
Everything kicks off at 7:30 sharp. There’s a perky local newswoman there doing introductions, giving a brief overview of the event, and what to expect. After all the niceties, the theater goes dark, we put on our 3D shades, and hear the rumbles of the opening scenes. After the end of the film, I’m still on cloud 9. I can’t stop referring to myself as “press” when speaking to James. He is completely over me and my antics but I don’t care. Press, press, press, press, press. Who’s press? ME! <– This is just a taste of what I gave James for the rest of the night. He couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous I was. Of course I conducted myself with the utmost professionalism while at the venue. However as soon as I got home it was over! I completely succumbed to my inner excitement and just danced around the house with glee until I went to bed. If this is just a taste of what being an official “blogger” is. I could get used to this.
Major Morris 