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1. New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves

2. 6 New Venues for Los Angeles Holiday Parties

3. $4 Million MOCA Gala Breaks Fund-Raising Records

4. Us Weekly Takes to Voyeur With Scantily Clad Models, Burlesque Feel

5. American Music Awards Begin With Redesigned Arrivals, End With Downsized After-Party

6. Bouchon: Thomas Keller in Beverly Hills, With Indoor/Outdoor Dining, Private Room

7. MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute

8. 8 Handy Gifts for Meeting Attendees

9. Masked Raconteurs Tell Tales at Moth Ball, and I Have a Blast

10. Mandarin Oriental: High-End Lodging With 12,000 Square Feet of Function Space

FROM WASHINGTON

Obama's First State Dinner Calls on Marcus Samuelsson, Jennifer Hudson

Eldon Luxury Suites: Spacious Penthouses for Receptions

National Geographic Debuts Exhibit With Chinese Dragon, Tented Lounge

P.C.M.A. Honors Wardman Park, Fairmont at First Nighttime Annual Meeting

8 New Venues for Washington Holiday Parties That Won't Break the Bank

MSNBC and Rodale Fete Jeff Corwin's New Book and Documentary at the Occidental

Againn: A Modern Gastropub in Penn Quarter

Café Milano Offers Corporate Catering

More Photos From Fight Night/Knock Out Abuse: Stogies, Laser Shows, and a VW Bus Bar

Fight Night/Knock Out Abuse: Joan Jett for Men, Shirtless Hippies for Women

FROM NEW YORK

Morgan Loft Penthouse: Temporary Venue for Holiday Season

Sustainable Label Opens SoHo Pop-Up With Community Center Sensibility

Clinique and Teen Vogue Bring Young Women to Beauty Tour, Send Them Online

Masked Raconteurs Tell Tales at Moth Ball, and I Have a Blast

Gap, Banana Republic, American Eagle Open Stores With Musical Performances

MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute

3 New Hotel Restaurants for Business Entertaining, Private Groups

Nintendo Launches New Mario Game With Look Back at Franchise History

Scripted Models Play Up Key Notes at Victoria's Secret Fragrance Preview

Ad Age Looks to Boost Conference Interaction With Beer Tasting, Lounge Seating

News Archive for Juno

NEWS 04.23.09 1:06 PM

As Hollywood Slogs Through Recession, Studio Events Go On—Cautiously

A flaming car served as eye-popping decor at the premiere for Hancock last summer.
Photo: Line 8 Photography

“Hollywood is recession proof.” That old, familiar sentiment dates back to the Great Depression, when the unemployment rate was greater than 25 percent, but the movie industry endured as people still seemed willing to spend what little they had on entertainment—also known as escapism. The popular theory is that the entertainment industry can survive any economic hiccup, including the current recession; so far this year, domestic box office numbers are up from 2008.

But how about the events that support and promote Hollywood’s movies and shows? They’re plodding along in the current economy, too—but more thoughtfully and less flamboyantly—according to their organizers and producers. “We are busy, but like with everybody else, it's really about corporate responsibility,” said Warner Brothers Studios special events director Hillary Harris, indicating that putting forth a targeted message and being mindful of perception are the keys these days. “What it boils down to is putting your money where the focus of your project is. The message is the most important thing. If you do that, you'll not only be successful, but you'll be politically correct.” MORE >>

Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, Budgets, Fox Searchlight, Warner Brothers, Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, HBO, Grey Gardens

EVENT REPORT 12.04.07 5:39 PM

Juno Premiere Nods to Changing Seasons—and Trimesters

Wintertime on a Westwood sidewalk.
Photo: BizBash

Even Fox Searchlight event chief Ruth Busenkell was surprised at the response to the premiere and party for Juno last night. Four days after the invitations had gone out—over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, no less—the RSVP line was closed and the 1,341-seat Mann Village Theatre was overbooked.

"In all my years of doing premieres, this is the first time any filled up this fast," Busenkell said, adding her theory that the movie fills a niche of light but not too light, and sweet, but wise, too: "The buzz on this film has really caught on. It's the only kind of movie of its type right now—fun, younger, less heavy than some of the other things that are out, but also a little more sophisticated than some of the family films."

The guests who made it inside the screening seemed to agree, laughing and clapping emphatically at appropriate times—even staying seated clear through the end credits (a premiere-audience rarity) to listen to a short set from the band the Moldy Peaches, who contributed to the movie's soundtrack. When they did make their way out onto Broxton, guests were met by a team of runners in high school uniforms reminiscent of those worn by one of the movie's adolescent male leads. MORE >>

Fox Searchlight, Juno