Ok, to explain my previous post. I think I touched on this on a previous one, but here goes:
Several Months (almost a year ago), I met online a couple of guys (Darren Bousman and Terrance Zdunich) who had made a movie and were aggravated with the Distribution company that was supposed to be advertising and distributing their movie, "Repo! The Genetic Opera." The company claimed no audience for this movie existed, and that it was destined to be a straight-to-DVD movie. The guys disagreed. A few months later, they started a message board on their website and enlisted several fans of the movie (soon to be released) to go out and promote it. I was one of those few. On top of the street team effort, I also worked privately with Terrance to create a viral marketing campaign via website for the movie. That was a ton of fun in itself.
We on the "Promotions Team" have met some opposition. This movie is unique and one of a kind. it really isn't for everyone, but those who like it really love it. It has garnered a cult following, similar to the following of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some of us liken this movie to a modern day Rocky. Anyway, the guys were originally supposed to only get a limited release in 1 or 2 theaters, in New York, and L.A. Because of the efforts of this Promotional Army, the movie has been released into over 32, as opposed to Darren's previous movies, the Saw II, III, and IV franchise, being in 3600+ each. Lionsgate Films, the distributors, are now putting this movie wherever a theater asks, even though there are only 12 reels out there circulating.
Flash forward to Monday Night. It is Day 5 of the second Repo! Road Show, where the guys take the movie city to city, one per day, on their own dime. The first (7 days) was a sell-out success, and so they added 5 stops onto a second. The last stop was in Houston. I was not able to make it to Austin to the U.S. Premiere, or to L.A. for the Soundtrack Release Party, or to Vegas for the Theatre Release Party. So in considering their stops for the second road show, they added on Houston. Not solely because of me, but as a factor. I was going to be damned if I miss this one.
I spent two hours before Darren and Terrance's arrival putting up flyers and talking to people at the mall where the theatre was located, and talking to the manager about such things as merchandise tables and when cameras would be allowed during the show. I went outside to smoke a final cigarette before the line, and I saw a bunch of people outside dressed up as characters in a movie. Hell, those who dress up for star wars are fans who have seen the movie time and time again. These were people dressing up for a movie they had never SEEN. Then a cab pulls up and Darren somehow sneaks past me into a crowd of now-hyperventilating fans. I go over and talk to Terrance, who tells me how glad he is that I finally made it, and asked if my dad was coming. Darren is elated to see me too, but he is always running around like a mouse on speed, so we didn't talk but for a split second. Inside, they took pics of all of the people dressed up, and then of me, I guess because I am the only promotions member here in Houston, shockingly, and I was wearing my "Houston Army" shirt to prove it. While talking to Alisa, the theatre manager (Stacey, too!) giggled and told me the mall security guys told her the fliers I taped up everywhere needed to come down because any location other than the theatre's windows were forbidden except with permit. Oops. She told me not to worry about it, she'd get one of the theatre flunkies to do it, or something. Alisa said "Fuck 'em." Man I love these people.
My sister Wendy sometimes said to me how she thinks it is a complete fabrication inside my head how I know a (somewhat) famous director and people who have starred and acted in this movie. I've had multiple conversations with Terrance and Darren, and Terrance's girlfriend Alisa (who was in the film), as well as Anthony Stewart Head (Giles of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame), Bill Moseley (Choptop in Texas Chaisaw Massacre, original, and House of 1,000 Corpses), Alexa Vega (Carmen in the Spy Kids movies), Ogre from the band Skinny Puppy, Joe Bishara, a music producer, etc. And she didn't believe me. So once I introduced Dad to Alisa, Terrance, and Darren, he called Wendy to confirm that I do, in fact, know these people, and they do know me. Gratification major for me to hear my sister freak out. (Love you, anyway, Wendy!!)
Darren, Terrance, and Alisa did a little introduction of the movie, and then the movie started. Awesome movie. No words can express; you'll have to see it for yourself.
Afterwards, Dad left because he had to be up early. Then there was a Q&A where the fans who know basically nothing about the movie asked a ton of questions. There, Darren said the movie is like a good STD that needs to be spread, Terrance talked about how he likes porn and hot women, and thus came part of the plot, and they both said some weird things about reach-arounds (available with pictures and autographs!) and masturbation, all interwoven with tons of profanity and hilarity. Very unique guys, I tell you, but they sure know how to get the fans' attention.
Finally, there was an autograph signing line, and I got two posters signed, one for Hadley and for myself. Then my friend Billy and I went outside and talked to Alisa for a while because she was bored; her man was busy signing autographs. Then the rest of the message board people, including myself, waited outside for another hour and a half, until the signing was done.
By 3 a.m. Terrance, Alisa, Darren, and the Twisted Pictures guy, Chad, were ready to go back to the hotel and sleep (they were exhausted!), but they decided to head over to House of Pies with the ten or fifteen of us who had waited around. Terrance and Alisa rode with me, Darren and Chad with my friend Amanda. I was second in the caravan of about 6 vehicles. Alisa was falling asleep, Terrance was being impatient (T-"I thought this place was right up the road!!" Me-"It is, but the guy in front of us is going sloooooow." T-"Chad is fucking wasted and making a fool of himself." Me-"Holy Shit. HAHA!." Alisa-"Zzzzzz...."), and Darren was texting Terrance about how crazy drunk Chad was. Hell, they were all drunk (I was not!), but Chad was just being crazy because he had been so straight-laced the entire road tour, and I guess he just let loose.
Anyway, we get to the House of Pies, and we go inside. I sit beside Chad, with Darren across from me, and Amanda beside him. Eventually Darren and Amanda switch seats because Chad's gone outside to get yelled at by Darren for being boisterous. Or something. Terrance and Alisa are to the left of me in another booth; the rest of the forumers are down the row.
A lot of funniness happened that night, and I cannot remember exact words and phrases, but it was great. I had strawberry-rhubarb pie, I don't know what Chad ordered cause he was outside, Amanda had turtle cheesecake, and Darren had coconut creme pie. I don't recall what anyone else had, I was laughing too hard at Darren. He definately missed his calling as a comedy act. Wait, some girl had chocolate pie, because she was asking us at Darren's table if we wanted a bite because it was so good. I passed. I was eating badly enough with the burger during the movie (Love dinner theatres!!) and my own pie; I at least wanted to have something fruity and semi-healthy). Anyway, they invited all of us to come to L.A. whenever we can, and promised a night of fun and debauchery if we ever show up. Added to my Bucket List.
After we finished eating, Darren paid for myself and Amanda's breakfasts-of-pie, he said it was cause we are beautiful ladies (Aw!) and because we drove the guys (and gal) to the place. Then they all piled in with Amanda, since she was going to the same hotel, and left. I stuck around and waited for Q and Billy (who had locked his keys in his car at the theatre and missed breakfast :( ), talked with them while they ate, then headed home.
Picked up Hadley shortly thereafter.
Besides the day I gave birth to Hadley, that night was the *most* awesome night in my entire life. I had way too much fun than humanly possible.
