Mog
07-20-2004, 10:47 PM
Well, like most Shyamalan fans I had the pleasure of attending In The Director's Seat With M. Night Shyamalan at my local Regal Cinemas. I paid for my ticket yesterday, and I have to say that was the best 10 bucks I have ever had to spend.
Being the second person in line, I thought this event was going to be jam-packed with film students, movie enthusiasts, reporters and internet critics. Well, I was dead wrong. I'd say about 20 people showed up for the event. And of course, all the rave before the thing started was that darn documentary on the Sci-Fi Channel. Every person I heard talking about it was a complete negative reaction. Having enough of the cynical attitudes, I spoke up and told them my opinions on it and how I enjoyed it. But oh no, these people were too cool to actually have a positive bone in their body, and just went on and on.
Moving along, one of the people in charge of the event were gracious enough to hand out Village posters, T-Shirts and a complimentary pass for two to see an advance screening of The Village. Getting sick of the two Hippopotamuses ranting and raving about M. Night the sell-out behind me, I moved to sit in front of the press seats, thinking I could get in on some kind of press action. Didn't happen.
The lights finally went dim, and a Joel Segal was standing before a live audience in New York introducing M. Night Shyamalan. The interview was great. Shyamalan talked about each one of his movies after presenting clips that he had specifically chosen that all had something in common: the human element of his stories. It was fantastic watching the scene where Cole finally admits that he wants to "communicate" on the big screen again. Not to mention the scene from Unbreakable where Dunn's son points a gun at him, or the scene from Signs where Gibson explains to Phoenix his outlook on the two groups of people in the world (Luck/Faith). They did show a clip from The Village, which he chose specifically and told Joel that he hoped it would be The Village's "Marquee Scene." I won't give any details because the movie isn't out yet.
During this particular time, when he was talking each film, you can really see M. Night's true character really shine. The man loves movies, loves to work, loves the audience and loves the people he works with. He would not stop bragging about the star of The Village, Bryce Howard Dallas. She was in the audience, and I have to admit...she was stunning. And after watching her performance in the clip that was featured, I am looking forward to seeing her grace the screen.
The Q&A portion of the show, to me, wasn't very special. The questions were obvious, and any of these questions could be answered by listening to a commentary on any of his movies, or in a making of featurette. I was hoping to hear original questions, but they were very basic. However it was cool to hear a certain Tom Lou (I dunno if that's how you spell his last name) ask a question on behalf of the Joblo Schmoes. Made me proud of being a part of this site. I can't really recall what the question was...maybe someone else who went could comment?
Anywho, all-in-all, I had a great time. As an aspiring filmmaker, I left inspired...yet discouraged. "Oh man, I really want to do something now! But I'll never be that cool..."
But that's just me. Did anyone else go?
Being the second person in line, I thought this event was going to be jam-packed with film students, movie enthusiasts, reporters and internet critics. Well, I was dead wrong. I'd say about 20 people showed up for the event. And of course, all the rave before the thing started was that darn documentary on the Sci-Fi Channel. Every person I heard talking about it was a complete negative reaction. Having enough of the cynical attitudes, I spoke up and told them my opinions on it and how I enjoyed it. But oh no, these people were too cool to actually have a positive bone in their body, and just went on and on.
Moving along, one of the people in charge of the event were gracious enough to hand out Village posters, T-Shirts and a complimentary pass for two to see an advance screening of The Village. Getting sick of the two Hippopotamuses ranting and raving about M. Night the sell-out behind me, I moved to sit in front of the press seats, thinking I could get in on some kind of press action. Didn't happen.
The lights finally went dim, and a Joel Segal was standing before a live audience in New York introducing M. Night Shyamalan. The interview was great. Shyamalan talked about each one of his movies after presenting clips that he had specifically chosen that all had something in common: the human element of his stories. It was fantastic watching the scene where Cole finally admits that he wants to "communicate" on the big screen again. Not to mention the scene from Unbreakable where Dunn's son points a gun at him, or the scene from Signs where Gibson explains to Phoenix his outlook on the two groups of people in the world (Luck/Faith). They did show a clip from The Village, which he chose specifically and told Joel that he hoped it would be The Village's "Marquee Scene." I won't give any details because the movie isn't out yet.
During this particular time, when he was talking each film, you can really see M. Night's true character really shine. The man loves movies, loves to work, loves the audience and loves the people he works with. He would not stop bragging about the star of The Village, Bryce Howard Dallas. She was in the audience, and I have to admit...she was stunning. And after watching her performance in the clip that was featured, I am looking forward to seeing her grace the screen.
The Q&A portion of the show, to me, wasn't very special. The questions were obvious, and any of these questions could be answered by listening to a commentary on any of his movies, or in a making of featurette. I was hoping to hear original questions, but they were very basic. However it was cool to hear a certain Tom Lou (I dunno if that's how you spell his last name) ask a question on behalf of the Joblo Schmoes. Made me proud of being a part of this site. I can't really recall what the question was...maybe someone else who went could comment?
Anywho, all-in-all, I had a great time. As an aspiring filmmaker, I left inspired...yet discouraged. "Oh man, I really want to do something now! But I'll never be that cool..."
But that's just me. Did anyone else go?