Donna in Hollywoodland

AFI Film Festival Day 1 - Gala at The Manns Chinese Theatre

The opening night Gala for the AFI Film Festival .
It was the Premier of "Bobby" at the Mann Chinese Theatre .

The volunteers were told to wear all black. And I ended up doing Guest Check-in right on Hollywood Blvd all night.
So I am glad I wore a jacket. It got chilly.

I mainly dealt with the Celebrity's "people". The red carpet was far off to my right. And if I peaked over everyone else, I could see
William H Macy or Freddy Rodriquez giving their interviews on the red carpet.

I had the letters R and S at the check-in table .... so I got to handle Freddy Rodriquez' and Sharon Stones' tickets to be given to their "people".

After all the guests were checked in. I was given a ticket to The Mann 6 Theatres , which was serving as the Overflow Theatre, and was told I could watch the movie over there.

I went into the Mann Chinese and and stood in the back and listened to the speeches.
I heard the Mayor of Los Angeles, mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speak.
And then Harvey Weinsten. And then Emilo Estevez, the director.

In the Chinese Theatre, Emilio Estevez had all the Cast Members come up on the stage.
It was a long line of actors, going across the front of the theatre. Everyone from the cast seemed to be there.

After he was done speaking, I ran over to the Mann 6 Theatres.
I was just in front of Emilo, who was on his way over. But I had to stop at the ladies room, and the concession stand.
I got into the theatre, just as Emilo was finishing his second speech. This time, he did not have any cast members with him.
I thought it was really classy of Emilio Estevez to go give a speech to the overflow theatre as well.

I had a wonderful seat to watch "Bobby" in the overflow theatre at the Mann 6.
I could have squeezed into a seat in the Mann Chinese, but I would have had to crawl over people and be squished against the wall. So I was happy that AFI gave the volunteers tickets to go watch it in the overflow theatre.

I loved the movie "Bobby". Its definitely one my favorites this year. I especially loved the performances of Demi Moore and Helen Hunt.

After the movie was over, I ran back to the Mann's Chinese Theatre, and I hung out in the lobby.
Harvey Weinstein was chatting with people. I briefly thought of going up to say something to him - but I didn't have any idea of what to say.

Also in the lobby, milling about :
Fay Dunaway , Laurence Fishburne , Harry Belafonte .I stood next to Lawrence Fishburn for the longest time. I need to figure out what to say to these people when I run into them!
Movie Stars can be intimidating, so its fun for me to just stand by them and watch.

One of the volunteers said to me "Did you see Heather Graham ?"
I said No.
They said "You were walking up the red carpet right in front of her before the movie started !"
I had no idea, I was just rushing to hear the speakers.

After it was all over, I thought about trying to crash the party over at the Hollywood Roosevelt.
But I was to tired.

I went to the underground parking, and drove up the Garage Cashier.
Even with the Validation that AFI gave to us - my parking was going to cost me $10.
I had been there a really long time.

I dug around in my purse. I could only find $6.
I said to the Cashier "I only have $6 - does that mean I have to go back up to the ATM ?"

The Cashier looked at me "No, you look to tired. I don't want you parking again, and go all the way up to the ATM.
You need to go home and go to bed."

And he let me short pay for my parking with only the $6.

Pictures are here on WireImage.com :

Bobby Arrivals
and
Bobby Gala

Labels: afi, afifest, arclight, celebrities, chinesetheatre, film, filmfestival, hollywood