A whole gob of event links over at theforce.net, including video of the Q&A.
UPDATE 5/22 7:25 a.m.
More screening coverage at CNN
o
UPDATE 5/21 4:30 p.m.
Celebrating the official ESB 30th Anniversary today! For anyone who really wants to geek out with us, here are a few more links:
IGN Movies
MTV
CNN
Star Wars official site
Wired
6:05 p.m. Sci Fi Mafia
o
And here is the official 30th Anniversary action figure montage poster, with a link to an article about its creation:
Article
o
UPDATE 5/20 1:05 p.m.
o
From ABC 7 Eyewitness News coverage - Derek's arm (holding our beloved camera):
Here's a link to the video: ABC 7 Entertainment News
o
UPDATE 5/20 11:30 a.m. Links to additional coverage:
Star Wars official site (good run-down of Harrison's Q&A)
BBC News
o
And thanks to Steve for this pic and more links:
Collider (a very detailed recap)
CelebrityPhoto.com (lots and lots of pics)
o
Original post:
o
It's after 2:00 a.m. Thursday morning, and I'm still trying to wind down from the events of this evening. I don't know if I'll ever completely wind down from this evening, though.
o
It's not every day you get to sit with Harrison Ford and watch The Empire Strikes Back.
o
Here's how it all went down:
o
5:00 p.m.: I inform Deacon that instead of doing homework this evening, he will be attending a 30th anniversary charity screening of The Empire Strikes Back (benefiting St. Jude's Children's Hospital) at the Arclight in Hollywood. Oh, and Harrison Ford will be there.
o
I must note that the first thing he said after lots of squealing was, with his voice deepening to imitate Darth Vader, "this will be a day long remembered."
o
5:45 p.m.: Waiting to check in at the Arclight. Deacon shows his Star Wars spirit by waving the flag he made very quickly before we left!
o
Deacon Alff, only you could be so bold! (as to take a picture with Darth Vader.)
o
Guess this is where we check in!
o
What's going on?
o
Deacon and I try to see over all the tall photographers...
o
Good thing we brought our own tall photographer, who took this pic of THE MAN!!
o
But there was someone taller than Derek, who was waiting patiently for Mr. Ford to notice him...
o
o
Waiting...
o
Right after Harrison finally saw him!
o
o
And here are a bunch of pics of them together: Peter "Chewbacca" Mayhew and Harrison Ford!
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Chewie and Han, back in the day (1976). This is Derek's all-time favorite picture of them.
o
o
But that wasn't the only big reunion...
o
Lando and Han (before all the betrayals and carbon-freezing), 1979:
o
No hard feelings, though!
o
o
Billy Dee and his scarf did not disappoint.
o
o
o
o
Ewan McGregor.
o
o
He LOVES Star Wars. But who doesn't??
o
o
How fun it was to see young Obi-Wan with these guys - and in person, right in front of our eyeballs!
o
Now to explain what happened next.
o
The screening and live Q&A with Harrison Ford sold out in five minutes on the day tickets went on sale. I was crushed.
o
A few days later, they announced they were adding a 2nd "overflow" theater, into which the Q&A would be simulcast. I got two tickets right away and was thrilled, even though we'd be seeing "simulcast Harrison" and not "in-person Harrison".
o
Then, shortly before showtime, I started having terrible feelings of guilt about leaving Deacon out of this once-in-a-lifetime event. There were a few tickets left, so we snagged one.
o
When we were heading into the "overflow" theatre, we were informed that one of our tickets actually got us a seat in "main" theatre. After offering it to our good friend and fellow Star Wars nut Steve, who was the obvious choice as he was "solo" (pun intended) and Derek, Deacon and I were a group, he graciously offered it to me instead, and I hope I thanked him before leaving him in the dust on my way to Theatre #1.
o
My golden ticket.
o
And when I got inside, my seat was 7th row center, and I was sitting among the celebs. Same row and within 10 seats of me were Harrison, Ewan McGregor, director Jon Favreau, and others.
o
The only problem, of course, was that I was so close I couldn't take pictures of them without being really obnoxious about it. So Here's the screen and some ladies from St. Jude's introducing the movie.
oFox fanfare and... BAM! the Star Wars title burst. Derek really likes this picture, so here you go, Derek.
oFox fanfare and... BAM! the Star Wars title burst. Derek really likes this picture, so here you go, Derek.
o
The movie seemed like it lasted 5 minutes. Here's how it looked from my seat when Ewan led the standing ovation for Mr. Ford, who was making his way down to the stage.
o
Wars stories.
o
o
o
All done. Here we are, reunited after the movie and Q&A.
o
o
STEVE!!
o
No more adventures for our little Jedi today.
o
So I once again have to thank Steve, who was so gracious in letting me sit in the main theatre - and also Susie and Molly, who kept Maren entertained all evening!
o
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!
8 comments:
Terri!! This is one of the coolest Star Wars Stories ever!!! I'm so happy that all 3 of you were able to go. How amazing of your friend to offer you the ticket to the main theater - what an experience!! So happy for all of you - couldn't have happened to a nicer Star Wars Family!!! Thanks for being so detailed about the event, and for sharing the GREAT photos and videos!!!
I feel bad for the Rebel Alliance; who would’ve thought that they only needed a red velvet rope to hold back the Empire.
That looked awesome! I love that Chewy sort of looks like Chewy in real life... So glad you 3 got to go!
He uses a lightsaber cane these days, too - so cool!!
Are you guys going to Orlando?
Before the whole health crisis, we were planning to go - but my treatment schedule (and my doc's orders not to fly) are going to prevent us from going, unfortunately. But Steve just called and said he's going - so he'll be our representative there!
We were very happy to share our evening with the lovely Maren.
My the force be with you all the time!
Thank you Susie and Molly! You guys are the best.
I think Maren has almost forgiven us for not taking her along. We've assured her that when Return of the Jedi celebrates the big 3-0 in three years she'll be included in the festivities.
Yub-nub!
Post a Comment