Advanced Screening of Serenity – May 5, 2005
Joss Whedon Summer Glau
Wow, what a great opportunity. I was so excited that more Browncoats were finally getting the opportunity to see Serenity. I had already seen a rough cut in December and not being able to talk about it was difficult. I was online as tickets went on sale. I did not buy any tickets myself. The screening was in Vegas and I had to work the day of the screening and the next day. Vegas is about 4 hours away and the screening was at 10pm. There was just no way I could do it.
All 10 cities sold out in a few hours. It was wonderful and amazing. I was proud that we sold out all 10 showings for a Thursday night 10pm screening of Serenity. I knew how long folks had been waiting to see this movie and waiting was not an option. We had already waited for over 2 years for this. I was a little sad thinking I would miss out on the unique opportunity, then James called with an extra ticket, he was offering it to me. I met James almost a year before at the LA Comic Con when I met Alan Tudyk. He was at Wonder Con and Wizard World and was our contact for the San Diego Comic Con. I told him I would get back to him.
Everyone said I should go and I wanted to go, I just couldn’t get the time off. They give points at work for taking a day off or calling in sick. I explained everything to James and he said we could drive up and turn around and come back after the movie. So that is exactly what we did. I drove to James’s place after work and left my car there and we left around 5pm on Thursday May 5th. James drove and made great time. We arrived at the Palms Casino where the screening was just before 9pm. We met folks in line we knew and grabbed some food. I received a call that Joss was scheduled to attend our screening. It was awesome seeing a long line for the screening of Serenity.
Universal had people there getting interviews and covering the event. They provided us with Serenity buttons and key chains. Getting official Serenity stuff was amazing. Finally we go in and take our seats. Now from my first experience watching Serenity I knew I could not eat popcorn and watch it at the same time. The movie is just too intense for me to relax. There were a lot of people I knew there from various other shindigs and cons. There were folks from Portland, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, California and someone from Oklahoma. This is a movie worth traveling any distance to go see.
At last Joss and Summer walked in. We all stood to give them a standing ovation. Summer looked beautiful and had a great smile. Joss looked great! He was happy and excited maybe a bit tired but he looked great. He said a few words but mainly said he already had an intro at the beginning of the screening. The lights dimmed and the intro started. Joss spoke about how this movie really should never have been made. But it was made because he loved it and the cast loved it and the fans loved it so much we couldn’t let go of this verse. At the end of the clip he had this great smile like a little boy about to share something he loves and is proud of.
Serenity rocked and it was definitely easier watching it the second time. I did brace myself for the difficult moments, especially when Serenity is landing. Afterwards the folks around me were surprised I had kept quiet about it for so long. Others were visibly upset and really mad at Joss. I felt bad for them but I knew how they felt. I did tell them it would get better with time. Then Joss and Summer sat down and started giving autographs to everyone in the theater! I was truly blown away. Getting so see Serenity early was great. Having Joss and Summer come in person to enjoy the movie with us was amazing. Then to have them sit down at midnight and sign autographs for us was just incredible. The generosity of our BDHs never ceases to amaze me. They just keep giving and giving and giving.
We got our autographs said good-bye to our friends, got gas and left around 1am. This was James first time watching Serenity. We arrived to his place by 5am and I hopped into my car and drove to the Starbucks closest to my work. I grabbed some coffee, changed in the restroom and took a short nap. My shift started ant 6:55 am. Luckily I was able to get off by 11am. I was starting to fall asleep.
It was definitely worth the trip.
Advanced Screening of Serenity – June 23, 2005
Joss Whedon
Today was Joss’s birthday and we were getting to watch Serenity once more, this time in Riverside about an hour away. This was the third advance screening and there were 35 cities all sold out in minutes. I was able to attend the second advance screening as well and that was also due to an invitation. This third screening was my 4th time seeing Serenity. This was my first time buying tickets to a screening. I bought tickets for my sisters. Serenity just keeps getting better with each viewing. Joss was scheduled to appear at this screening.
Again there was a long line. Some folks had a big birthday banner for folks to sign for Joss. Being in line for Serenity with other Browncoats is lots of fun. We had trivia contests for prizes. A friend won a Wash button for me. When Joss arrived I heard folks singing Happy Birthday. Joss was at the center smiling, tired and happy. He looked great; he spoke a few words and took a few pictures and signed autographs.
The line was moving and it was time to enter. My sister Perla and her husband Zhong arrived just in the nick of time. My other sister Carol and her friend were ahead of me. Joss came in as we entered. Zhong tried taking a picture but he did not know Joss. He couldn’t identify him since Joss dresses so unassuming. Joss walked in and we walked in after him to take our seats. Carol had already seen Serenity back in December. This was Perla and Zhong’s first time. I sat in between both sisters.
Various friends told us that Joss was signing autographs outside as folks entered. Carol and her friend decided to go, Joss was on his way in. They wished him a happy birthday and gave him a hug. Then came back in all happy about their encounter. The whole movie theater sang Happy Birthday to Joss. Joss said he spent his birthday working on the score for Serenity. The orchestra played Happy Birthday for him. It was a long day for Joss, which made his presence there even more special.
Watching Serenity just keeps getting better. It is still very intense and funny but it feels better each time. The difficult moment for me in the movie came and Carol and I were holding hands in order to brace ourselves. I did not warn Perla since I did not want to ruin the experience for her. I did feel badly for it. Perla and Zhong enjoyed it. I looked around and found a co-worker that is a big Joss fan and he just shook his head in disbelief and denial. He was upset. I am happy to report that by the time I saw him at work he was better and able to say Serenity is great.
I stayed around a little after the screening since the folks from Universal were interviewing folks. Adam had already interviewed me at Wizard World. Other friends were interviewed and I stayed to watch. As we walked back to our cars we talked about how great the movie was and how great it was to hanging out with other fans waiting to watch it.
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