March 11th, 2009.
Is Reese Witherspoon pretty? Is Kiefer Sutherland fairly awesome? Is that lady on stilts tall? Does that guy REALLY provide the voice of the Gingerbread Man in the Shrek films? (Was I going to this premiere even though I had a Nightwish concert in about two hours to get to?)
The answer to all these questions?... Yes!
Here's how it went down...
Sure, it's from the people who brought you Shrek and Shrek2. But remember, they also brought you Shrek3. So.... you know... keep your excitement in check.
Could it be that Yellow Cap Guy is finally getting the media attention he so richly deserves?
I... hereby retract any statements I may have previously made to the effect of Reese Witherspoon not being pretty.
Kiefer Sutherland had to leave the premiere early to defend Democracy rather than promote an animated Dreamworks movie. (Actually, that's not true, but if any actor could do that, it would be him)
"What's that- there's trouble brewing in Zimbabwe and it requires subtle diplomatic skills rather than acts of carefully planned violence? Well, that kind of rules me out." Playing the role of Jack Bauer on 24, Kiefer Sutherland has limits.
"You want me to sign this authorisation to launch a nuclear strike against a rogue nation? Sure, but only so long as you use it for good and not evil" Jokes aside, Kiefer Sutherland is one of the nicest and most accommodating stars out there where autographs and photos are concerned.
This movie appears to have two directors. The bald one is Conrad Vernon. Oh, and apparently he not only has a voice in the movie, but he's the voice of The Gingerbread Man in the 'Shrek' films. You know what? I can honestly say I wouldn't have picked that...
This is Reese Witherspoon, who won an Academy Award for best actress for 'Walk the Line'. Which I didn't watch. But that's okay, she was also in Legally Blonde 1 and 2 and Sweet Home Alabama (which I also didn't watch) and Little Nicky and Vanity Fair (which I also didn't watch). In fact, the only movie I've seen her in is Cruel Intentions where she met her former husband whom she's since divorced. So I can't mention that either. Our non-relationship is kind of having a rocky beginning...
What I like about Reese Witherspoon (now that I've decided I like her) is her mercurially changing facial expressions even when she's not talking. It's very endearing and wonderful to watch. (In my defence, I'm not really being unfaithful to Charlize Theron via these comments given the current state of our relationship)
Transcript of my internal monologue: "Eye-contact!! Quick, brain, come up with something clever and/or funny and/or witty and/or original to say!!!" (Or, failing that, direct the finger to press the shutter on the camera.) (Sigh. Well done, brain...).* It's one of my most favourite shots every, and I call it "A Little Help" and a couple of years later, at the premiere of "This Means War" she actually signed the photo!
Just because this series is already overpopulated with Reese Witherspoon photos is no reason I shouldn't also include other possible celebrities who posed for the Paparazzi after I shifted location. Not that I knew who she was. Or, now that I do know, what she's famous for. Sigh.
<insert comment here>
Oh. Right. Kiefer Sutherland is also in this movie. I'd totally forgotten.
Tall? Sorry, that's all I've got.
Who are they, and are they relevant to this premiere, and should I just return to taking photos of Reese Witherspoon? (send your emails to "Ivealreadydecided@toolate.com")
Weird lighting makes Reese Witherspoon look evil. But she's not... surely?
(Left) They don't let Maggie Gyllenhall out to many premieres these days...
(come on, it raised a half-smile!!)
Two of the directors (Conrad Vernon and Rob Letterman) and a producer (Lisa Stewart) share a laugh in front of the Paparazzi. Or... well... two half-smiles and a quarter-smirk.
"It's like... like... THERE, man! Know what I mean?"
"No. I'm smiling to be polite, and that's all"
"I'm saying it's like... motion capture but without the animation!!"
"What, you mean, like... 'real life'?"
"Oh. Right. Yeah.."
"You've been working on too many animated movies, dude"
Well, that one was fun. Excellent position, a lot of luck, some very friendly stars, better lighting than usual, a spare battery when my first one ran out.
AND the evening wasn't over : I still had to race across town to get to a concert and try to smuggle both my stool and camera into that. Somehow. Photos to follow but until then...
Until next time!
PS. If you want to know whenever I post a new premiere journal, feel free to follow me on twitter @berndt2_photo oron facebook at premieres.co