For die-hard Manhattanites, it's hard to know which is scarier: Seeing M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller The Village, or sitting in the middle of Brooklyn's Prospect Park with little knowledge of how to get out. Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Disney Studios, took 800 guests to New York's other great park for the premiere party and screening of the new Touchstone Pictures film.
While not as centrally located or convenient as Central Park, Prospect Park was the planners' first choice. "The location suited our needs best," said Diane Connors, vice president of special events, who planned the party portion of the event. "We have a good relationship with [the Department of] Parks and Recreation because we did our Pocahontas film premiere in Central Park 10 years ago, so when we went back to them for some suggestions we did a lot of research in various places to find the best location for the party."
Reversing the usual screening-then-party drill, Disney fed guests Great Performances' buffet dinner in a rustic village-like setting next to the Prospect Park Carousel with long banquet tables set with dried flowers in metal containers and orange wax candles in mason jars from Flowers, Sticks and Stones. More seating was available beneath a tent from Starr Tents, which was decorated with leaf-shaped projections. Old photographs decorated the buffet stations where hearty fare like sliced roast beef, chicken breast and salmon was served with wheatberry salad, roasted corn and white bean salad and grilled veggies.
More mason jar candles were suspended from the main bar area erected from logs, sticks and branches. Rustic touches, like drinks served in metal beer mugs, a station where artisans made bracelets from dried flowers and desserts served from wooden crates stacked atop a wagon gave the event a Old World atmosphere. Following dinner, an actor in a yellow cloak (reminiscent of attire worn by the film's characters) rang a tower bell—an actual prop from the film set—to send guests to the specially erected screening area in the Nethermead area of the park.
Torch lights and more yellow-cloaked actors holding old-fashioned lanterns lined the walkway to the screening area. Special sound effects—like the sound of an animal stirring in the leaves—spooked guests as they walked to theater in the middle of the field. Caterwaiters handed out soda, water and popcorn in Village-branded plastic buckets.
Following the screening, Shyamalan and guests such as Julia Stiles, Adrien Brody and Sigourney Weaver headed to Figa for a top-secret after-party. While the park was a little out of the way for some people—buses shuttled many guests back to the Essex House—it certainly proved a novel venue. One comment overhead several times: "I've never been here before."
—Suzanne Ito
Read our Impresario Q&A with Lylle Breier...
While not as centrally located or convenient as Central Park, Prospect Park was the planners' first choice. "The location suited our needs best," said Diane Connors, vice president of special events, who planned the party portion of the event. "We have a good relationship with [the Department of] Parks and Recreation because we did our Pocahontas film premiere in Central Park 10 years ago, so when we went back to them for some suggestions we did a lot of research in various places to find the best location for the party."
Reversing the usual screening-then-party drill, Disney fed guests Great Performances' buffet dinner in a rustic village-like setting next to the Prospect Park Carousel with long banquet tables set with dried flowers in metal containers and orange wax candles in mason jars from Flowers, Sticks and Stones. More seating was available beneath a tent from Starr Tents, which was decorated with leaf-shaped projections. Old photographs decorated the buffet stations where hearty fare like sliced roast beef, chicken breast and salmon was served with wheatberry salad, roasted corn and white bean salad and grilled veggies.
More mason jar candles were suspended from the main bar area erected from logs, sticks and branches. Rustic touches, like drinks served in metal beer mugs, a station where artisans made bracelets from dried flowers and desserts served from wooden crates stacked atop a wagon gave the event a Old World atmosphere. Following dinner, an actor in a yellow cloak (reminiscent of attire worn by the film's characters) rang a tower bell—an actual prop from the film set—to send guests to the specially erected screening area in the Nethermead area of the park.
Torch lights and more yellow-cloaked actors holding old-fashioned lanterns lined the walkway to the screening area. Special sound effects—like the sound of an animal stirring in the leaves—spooked guests as they walked to theater in the middle of the field. Caterwaiters handed out soda, water and popcorn in Village-branded plastic buckets.
Following the screening, Shyamalan and guests such as Julia Stiles, Adrien Brody and Sigourney Weaver headed to Figa for a top-secret after-party. While the park was a little out of the way for some people—buses shuttled many guests back to the Essex House—it certainly proved a novel venue. One comment overhead several times: "I've never been here before."
—Suzanne Ito
Read our Impresario Q&A with Lylle Breier...
At The Village premiere party in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, rows of long tables paired with mismatched chairs and benches served as the dining area for the pre-screening buffet dinner. Flowers, Sticks and Stones decorated tables with rustic cans and watering pots filled with flowers and herbs.
Candles in mason jars hung from the roof of the central bar. Drinks were served in metal beer mugs.
Antique photographs decorated Great Performances' buffet stations.
Leaf patterns were projected onto the inside roof of the tented dining area.
