Lucky, I Am
Sometimes I have opportunities to do things that even I can’t believe I get to do and I have to pinch myself and say “is this my life?” Growing up the Star Wars franchise was huge and watching the films was my first experience with space fantasy. Having the opportunity to attend the Star Wars The Force Awakens Global Press Conference was a serious honor and I feel very grateful for having taken part in such a monumental affair. There are many articles written about this monumental press conference and this one is from my point of view about my experience, all opinions are my own.
BB8 and Me
Shrouded in Mystery, the Invitation Came
The invite to the Star Wars The Force Awakens global press conference came as a surprise to my inbox one morning. Shrouded in secrecy and a promise of more information in the future, the invitation to attend the press conference set the precedence for the entire experience. As members of the media we typically see the film we’re going to the press conference for a few days in advance, but not for this film. Every member of the media was kept in the dark about not only the film, but also as to the location of the press conference as well. The day before the conference we were finally given an address and then we were under strict embargo to not share where we were going with anyone. My favorite secret of the entire experience was the directions to enter the press conference hospitality room. They went as follows: “park, enter the lobby on the opposite side of where you parked, go upstairs, turn left and enter the white curtain.” I’m not kidding. But this Funny Mom is always up for an adventure and I had the time of my life.
Big Event, It Was
Unlike other press conference I’ve had the honor of attending in the past, the Star Wars The Force Awakens global press conference was a huge event in and of itself. There were merchants lined up against the walls, cool picture opportunities, technology like Google Cardboard (SO rad!), The Force Awakens movie costumes, artwork, sculptures and plenty of food. All of the trappings of the event made the wait for it to begin amazing.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Merchandise
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Costumes
Excitement Was Felt, Eager We Were
There was no bell or loud announcement that the press conference was ready to be seated, we casually walked over to the line and luckily got a seat in the second row.
Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project, The Office) moderated the press conference, she had the ability to keep the atmosphere light and jovial. Since the Star Wars franchise is such a huge deal to people and much more than a movie, it’s become quite a culture the tension and excitement in the air was palpable.
Carrie Fisher (“Leia”) JJ Abrams (Director/Producer) Daisy Ridley (“Rey”) Adam Driver (“Kylo Ren”) Lupita Nyong’o (“Maz Kanata”) Lawrence Kasdan (Screenplay By)
I am always most keenly aware of the actors nonverbal language while up on stage. Not judgmental at all but I do keep a close eye to see if I can catch a glimpse of the real them. I was most excited to see Harrison Ford in person of course, but I was taken aback the most by Gwendoline Christie’s presence. She is as dynamic in real life as she is on the screen! Carrie Fisher came across as real and unfiltered and Daisy Ridley seemed very proper (or perhaps nervous?!). My favorite line from the conference came from the even unrelenting and unscripted Carrie Fisher when she described her Star Wars The Force Awakens costume as a “classy gas station attendant look”.
Harrison Ford (“Han Solo”) John Boyega (“Finn”) Oscar Isaac (“Poe Dameron”) Gwendoline Christie (“Captain Phasma”) Kathleen Kennedy (Producer)
Wise Man, He Is
The majority of the questions from members of the media during the press conference were somewhat general in nature – giving that none of us have seen the film this is to be expected. There were several tid bits of fun information but nothing was given up about the plot of the film, each of the actors and filmmakers were very tight lipped. However, Harrison Ford summed up his experience nicely:
“It’s hard to say what the difference is (between previous Star Wars films and The Force Awakens). I can tell you how it feels. It feels familiar. It feels good. It’s good to be home, as Hans says in the trailer. I’m aware of the value that’s placed on these films by the audience, and I’m gratified that they’ve been passed on, the first three have been passed on generationally through family, and that there’s still an audience for those of us that were in the original film. There’s still some value to them in interpreting life somehow. And it’s a bit of a mystery, but it’s very gratifying to be part of that.”
Stars in attendance included:
Carrie Fisher (“Leia”)
JJ Abrams (Director/Producer)
Daisy Ridley (“Rey”)
Adam Driver (“Kylo Ren”)
Lupita Nyong’o (“Maz Kanata”)
Lawrence Kasdan (Screenplay By)
Harrison Ford (“Han Solo”)
John Boyega (“Finn”)
Oscar Isaac (“Poe Dameron”)
Gwendoline Christie (“Captain Phasma”)
Kathleen Kennedy (Producer)
The Star Wars The Force Awakens global press conference was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was filled with an electricity and eager anticipation and I simply cannot wait to see the film!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theater nationwide December 18th, 2015
*All of these photos were taken by me – steal them and I will cut you
