Thursday, November 20, 2014

White Carpet Experience Mockingjay Part 1 L.A. Premiere


Hi Tributes! Welcome to the Los Angeles Premiere of MOCKINGJAY - Part I.

So as Courtney, Tiffany and Janine were getting beautified I was stuck at work until noon, scared that I would not make it down to the premiere this year. Thankfully, as I'm sure you know, the Hunger Games fandom is made up of the best people ever. As I joined some of my fandom friends in line one mentioned she had an extra ticket from Samsung! (Thanks Krista!)

Ushered into the fan bleachers

We are seated right at the entrance of the white carpet, guaranteeing first sight of the Mockingjay cast!

The entrance to the "White Carpet"

The white not actually carpet

While waiting for the celebrities to start making their appearance we are joined by some Peacekeepers.

This time I get to shoot a Peacekeeper...with my camera

The first sighting of the night belongs to one of the newest (and also one of my favorite!) cast members, Elden Henson who plays the Avox, Pollux, in the film.

Elden Henson shaking hands with producer Jon Kilik

Then after hearing some screaming, I see a vision in a red Emanuel Ungaro dress with bright red hair, Miss Johanna Mason herself - Jena Malone!

I do love a lady in red

Dancing to the screams of the fans

Jena made her way through nearly every single fan at the barrier. She posed and signed for everyone and was even sweet enough to make her way through to the fansites who were in the fan pen...

Courtney: Just down the white carpet, Janine, Tiffany, and I were watching the stars walk by in one of the fan pens. Not many people were able to come over to our side, but rockstar Jena Malone wasn't going to let the gold fence bar her way from meeting with fans. Jena ended up climbing THROUGH the fence to come take pictures on our side. 

American Ninja Warrior Jena

We watched her as she took photos with everyone and even climbing over the fan bleacher barricade on the south side of the carpet.

Jena with Courtney

Tiffany and Jena

Jena is such a good sport and we were so grateful to her for taking her time to make every fans' day.

Jena the wonderful

After Jena, Willow Shields joined the carpet in a beautiful green Christian Siriano gown. 

Willow Shields, looking as grown up as Prim acts

We were then joined by another new cast member, Evan Ross, playing Messalla.

Evan with wife Ashlee Simpson, his mother Diana Ross, and sister Tracee Ellis Ross

Then the brother to Pollux, Castor! Actor Wes Chatham was hilarious and so sweet! He was beaming constantly and was joined by his beautiful pregnant wife, Jenn Brown. I had to take a selfie with this awesome guy.

Wes and I - totally bros

Wes talking to fans

Then Courtney's father's doppelganger, Jeffrey Wright (aka genius Beetee) was his usual charming self.

Posing and signing autographs

Hanging out with Court's onscreen father

After Jeffrey's appearance, there was the sound that only a young male actor could cause - the screech of screaming young girls. It was none other than District 4 Tribute, the charming actor Sam Claflin. I met him last year at the Catching Fire fan camp and he is just the nicest human being ever, not to mention gorgeous!

I do find him disracting

Not even lying, this is my new Facebook profile pic.

Sam stepped away when he saw his onscreen love, the beautiful and sweet Stef Dawson and swept her into a big hug. Sadly they were mobbed by professional cameramen so I did not get this wonderful moment on film.

Stef laughing with fans

I would volunteer for Annie Cresta

Then the woman who made this entire story possible, the incredible Suzanne Collins!

Suzanne walking the white carpet

Getting ready for a selfie

I cried right after this photo was taken

I had to take pictures with producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik for bringing this film to fruition. Sadly my photo with Nina was completely drowned out by bright lights.

Such an awesomely sweet guy

Then the man that I have legitimately Wayne's World "We're Not Worthy"-ed (seriously Lionsgate filmed Court and I doing this), the man who made the film as amazingly incomparable as they are, director Francis Lawrence! 

Francis with family

I am not worthy

Meta Golding then came into view in a beautiful red gown, sans pointy Enobaria teeth.

How do you even?

I was stunned by how beautiful this woman was in person.

Then the boy with the bread, thankfully no longer captured by the Capitol, Josh Hutcherson!

Poor guy gets all the short jokes, but he's taller than me!

Liam Hemsworth then made his way onto the white carpet! So excited to see Gale get more story in Mockingjay.

Liam waving to fans high up in the bleachers.

Signing autographs for fans

The Mockingjay herself! Miss Jennifer Lawrence sparkles in a Christian Dior gown.

Signing autographs

Screaming back at yelling fans

Being perfect as usual

Then a fantastic duo of ladies, Julianne Moore playing District 13 President Alma Coin and Elizabeth Banks as our favorite Capitol citizen, Effie Trinket, graced us with their amazing presence. 

Julianne and Elizabeth signing for fans


I prefer red to grey

I can't get over meeting this awesome lady

Look at that awesome 'do of hers!

Elizabeth and Jeffrey hug it out

The real enemy was the next to arrive - President Snow himself, Donald Sutherland!

ROYALTY -- I will take it to my grave

FYI he does not smell like blood and roses

Then the woman I, in particular, was waiting for, the Queen herself, Miss Natalie Dormer! Now I know she's camerawoman Cressida in the films, but as I am a huge Game of Thrones nerd I had to let her know how much of a fan I am of her portrayal as Margaery Tyrell. She is so amazing and incredible that I might have taken about a million pictures of her.

How are there so many perfect human beings in this cast?

How??? What?? What am I even doing breathing the same air as Natalie? How dare I.

I didn't even recognize Patina Miller from real life to screen because of the crazy transformation she makes in the film. She is so glamourous in person while her on screen character Commander Paylor is too busy being a badass.

Someday I wish to be as badass as Patina

We also got some non Hunger Games related celebrities on the White Carpet!

Avengers director and Buffy creator Joss MFing Whedon. Joss is Boss, y'all

I was so taken aback by seeing him that I yelled "Mark Hoppus!" in his face. I'm pretty sure he knows he's Mark Hoppus.

Now as awesome as the HG cast is, DONALD FAISON WAS THERE!!! Pretty sure I can recite Clueless from memory.

Now go watch Mockingjay - Part I on opening night or this man will find you and everyone you love.