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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

Chinese Influences Dominate Karate Kid Premiere and Parking Lot Party

Alesandra Dubin
June 14, 2010

Over the weekend, The Karate Kid won a box office battle against fellow '80s revival The A-Team. But before the theater doors swung open to the public, the Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan picture debuted with a big-scale Westwood premiere that drew upon an array of Chinese influences for its snaking red carpet and production-heavy after-party. (The remake brings the action to China, instead of Japan.) Columbia Tristar Marketing Group senior vice president of special events Alison Bossert oversaw the event, along with Mary Powell, Dori Golod, and Sasha Pace. Bossert's team tapped 15/40 Productions for the production.

The evening began on a 210-foot arrivals line on Broxton Avenue, which took inspiration from the Great Wall of China, as well as from Chinese rooftops and urban landscapes. About 1,900 guests then moved into simultaneous screenings at Broxton's two theaters, now operated by Regal instead of Mann, for screenings of the movie that began earlier than is typical for premieres. "We knew that since the movie is a little over two hours and it was a school night that we would shoot for a 6:30 p.m. start time," Bossert said of the effort to accommodate so many kids in attendance for the family-friendly film.

After the movie, about 1,400 guests walked a few paces north to the party, which transformed a parking lot into a colorful event space filled with paper lanterns, foliage, and a giant cutout of Smith's character, as seen in the movie's marketing imagery. Among the standout decor elements were a wall of bird-shaped lanterns, which evoked the festival at which the two young leads in the film share their first kiss. Farthest from the entrance were a V.I.P. area for guests like the Smith and Chan camps, plus an arcade for kids, and a photo op.

As to the scale of this premiere against the studio's other releases this season? "Ask me again at the end of the summer, when I can see what we did for all of them," Bossert said.

E18576standalone
Photo: Line 8 Photography
A 210-foot-long arrivals line for The Karate Kid premiere took inspiration from the Great Wall of China.
A 210-foot-long arrivals line for The Karate Kid premiere took inspiration from the Great Wall of China.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
The premiere party for The Karate Kid took over a parking lot in Westwood.
The premiere party for The Karate Kid took over a parking lot in Westwood.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Scenic pieces at the party mimicked urban streetscapes in China.
Scenic pieces at the party mimicked urban streetscapes in China.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
A giant cutout of Jaden Smith's character served as a centerpiece in the party space.
A giant cutout of Jaden Smith's character served as a centerpiece in the party space.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Red lanterns hung overhead in the outdoor party space.
Red lanterns hung overhead in the outdoor party space.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Red pillows popped against white seating groups.
Red pillows popped against white seating groups.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
A wall of bird-shaped lanterns at the party borrowed from a first-kiss scene in the movie.
A wall of bird-shaped lanterns at the party borrowed from a first-kiss scene in the movie.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Red cloths covered tables and lighting illuminated foliage from below.
Red cloths covered tables and lighting illuminated foliage from below.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
A troupe performed a dragon dance for guests at the party.
A troupe performed a dragon dance for guests at the party.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Guests included Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, whose parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, produced the film.
Guests included Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, whose parents, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, produced the film.
Photo: Line 8 Photography
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