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A screening that was out of this world
22-02-2011A movie screening with Kevin Spacey. Out of this world? Geddit? Because his surname is Spacey. Space - y.
Bad jokes aside, apologies to those of you who also read the mad ramblings of the other half as I am more than just a touching on the same subject as he already has. But you can't really blame me. Such an occasion deserves a double hit.
Last night we had the privilege of being two of a select group of people who got to attend a special screening of the 'Usual Suspects' with a Q&A with Kevin Spacey afterwards. I had heard about the screening a number of weeks ago through work and had been calling in favors (of mine and other work colleagues) all over Dublin since to get a pair of tickets as this film is one of the other halves all time favorites.
Sponsored by Jameson this event was epic. Working in PR means I get to enjoy one of the biggest perks of the jobs which is to attend film / art / social events like this every once in a while, but last nights topped the lot. The abandoned warehouse had been turned into a replica of the boat in the film, with several huge screens and a surround sound system to die for. The AV at this thing was amazing, lights, smoke machines, DJ booth and so much more. The bar staff (at the free bar might I add) never left anyone standing without a drink for more than a few minutes. The food was tasty yet flexible enough that you could eat it without needing a table, not to mention they even had chicken wings from the infamous Elephant and Castle. The same Elephant and Castle that point blank refuses to do take out. The crowd was buzzing, the music was not too over bearing and suited the setting perfectly. The toilets were port-a-loos that somehow rivaled my bathroom at home! The branding of the sponsors was subtle, yet effective. It didn't take away from the room design but rather added to it. Which, speaking from experience, is no mean feat.
The film itself had every seat taken with a few crowds at the back. The sound was impressive, the screen was huge. They even added the nice touch of having real life actors acting out selected scenes of the movie throughout the film. Again nothing too over bearing, things such as at the start the five guys lined up, mimicking the line-up scene from the movie, and gave out the usual "Exits are at the back. Turn off your phones." message while in character. Or at another point when the robbery was happening they had actors running around the aisles acting out the robbery. It all added to the effect.
The moment of the night was, as you can imagine, the arrival of Kevin Spacey onto the stage. Not content with a simple walk on, he initially appeared as a silhouette behind a white screen as 'Kaiser Soze' smoking a cigar. He walked to the edge of the screen and walked out as Verbal Kent, with the necessary character limp and everything. Once he got to the middle of the stage he stood upright, came out of character and give a little bow. It was quite an entrance. Obviously a show man at heart.
His Q&A session lasted over 40 minutes during which he regaled us with tales about the group when they were shooting the movie, told some stories from behind the scenes and some jokes and industry facts.
The highlight of his interview, for me, was the impressions he did of other actors such as Morgan Freeman, a pissed Al Pachino, Jack Nicolson and Christopher Walker. We foolishly didnt take a video of this however I managed to track one down on Youtube (kindly uploaded by Darragh Doyle) so pop along and have a nosey.
All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable night and if you haven't seen the film apologies as I may just have given away one or two spoilers :o
Tags: pr stuff shortie news
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