It’s hard for movie stars to show up fashionably late for their own premiere parties since everyone leaves the screening for the party at the same time, so they often leave fashionably early instead. But at the premiere of Sony’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, cast and crew—including Will Ferrell, Sacha Baron Cohen, and John C. Reilly—reveled among the checkered V.I.P. tables until the bitter end at 1 AM., surprising even veteran planner Craig Waldman of 15/40 Productions, who created the event with Alison Bossert, Sony vice president of special events. “That was a late party for a premiere,” Waldman said. “The talent just didn’t leave. It was a beautiful evening. It was just a good energy.”Perhaps the credit goes to Nascar or even to Wonder Bread, two of Middle America’s uncomplicated enthusiasms, which provided the backdrop—and
snacks—for the new comedy about race car driving. Before the film, cast members zoomed down the red carpet in Nascar vehicles. Afterward, planners borrowed heavily from both cultural institutions to simulate a racetrack with tasty amenities on the 50,000-square-foot lot across Hollywood Boulevard from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where the screening was held.
Along one side of the party was a large arc formed by several 20- by 40-foot custom-made screens, against which 15/40 projected footage of Nascar races. There were 11 Nascar vehicles positioned around the lot, including two retired vehicles that planners had outfitted with simulated racing visuals from video arcade games. Fifty more arcade games were available to any of the 1,500 guests who like their premieres interactive. Partyers who preferred a more realistic ride could try one of the racing simulators in the Nascar trailer parked at one end of the party.
“Sony’s really good about having activities for everyone, so every Nascar game we could find, we brought in,” Waldman said. “The movie was geared to older kids and teens and adults, so we knew it was the right demographic to have all that stuff there.”
For those who preferred a more adult form of play, there were billiard tables in two bar areas inspired by the Unfriendly Possum speakeasy in the film, which stood on raised platforms flanking the V.I.P. section. Guests gathered their strength for all that activity at buffets groaning with Wolfgang Puck-ified trailer cuisine. Amid rented garage racks of car jacks and tires, they dined on Hollywood-style cocktail weenies, Wonderwiches of peanut butter and jelly, and homemade Twinkies.
—Irene Lacher
Posted 08.10.06
Photos: Line 8 Photography
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snacks—for the new comedy about race car driving. Before the film, cast members zoomed down the red carpet in Nascar vehicles. Afterward, planners borrowed heavily from both cultural institutions to simulate a racetrack with tasty amenities on the 50,000-square-foot lot across Hollywood Boulevard from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where the screening was held.
Along one side of the party was a large arc formed by several 20- by 40-foot custom-made screens, against which 15/40 projected footage of Nascar races. There were 11 Nascar vehicles positioned around the lot, including two retired vehicles that planners had outfitted with simulated racing visuals from video arcade games. Fifty more arcade games were available to any of the 1,500 guests who like their premieres interactive. Partyers who preferred a more realistic ride could try one of the racing simulators in the Nascar trailer parked at one end of the party.
“Sony’s really good about having activities for everyone, so every Nascar game we could find, we brought in,” Waldman said. “The movie was geared to older kids and teens and adults, so we knew it was the right demographic to have all that stuff there.”
For those who preferred a more adult form of play, there were billiard tables in two bar areas inspired by the Unfriendly Possum speakeasy in the film, which stood on raised platforms flanking the V.I.P. section. Guests gathered their strength for all that activity at buffets groaning with Wolfgang Puck-ified trailer cuisine. Amid rented garage racks of car jacks and tires, they dined on Hollywood-style cocktail weenies, Wonderwiches of peanut butter and jelly, and homemade Twinkies.
—Irene Lacher
Posted 08.10.06
Photos: Line 8 Photography
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Snow Falls on Hollywood for Fox Premiere
Guests like Talladega Nights star Will Ferrell kept the Nascar-theme premiere party going until 1 AM.
Guests dined on Wolfgang Puck’s trailer-inspired cuisine at black-and-white-checkered tables.
There were 11 Nascar vehicles positioned around the parking lot on Hollywood Boulevard.
Along one side of the party was a large arc formed by several 20- by 40-foot custom-made screens showing car races.
