European Premiere of Toy Story 4

It was an early start for me yesterday as I was heading to the European premiere of Toy Story 4 at Leicester Square. Participating in a movie premiere can sometimes be challenging as very often there is limited information available on the Internet about it.

I am going to write a separate blog post about how to attend movie premieres to avoid disappointment and how to take the most out of it, so keep an eye of my website, subscribe for my newsletter or simply follow me on social media.

Early Bird Catches the Worm

Given, I am a veteran movie premiere attender, I know the golden rule of red carpet events: early bird catches the worm. So, I set the alarm at 3:30am (!) to get to Leicester Square as soon as possible in the morning.

Toy Story 4 European Premiere poster early morning

 

Getting Wristband

Before red carpet events it is most likely that some fans start writing a list. On your arrival, you better find other fans around the cinema gathering, and ask them who is writing the list. Once you have written your name on the list, you must write your number on your hand, as later the security will give out the wristbands in numerical order. And your number is important: the lower number you have, the better place you have behind the barriers.

Behind the Barriers

Wristbands were handed out at 8am and the premiere was scheduled to start at 12pm. Scheduled… But it didn’t. We had to go back to the cinema by 12pm, only to wait for two and half hours to finally be let into the scene. Since, I had a good wristband number (I was 16 and had got that number at 5am), I was standing in the first row. I settled myself and get everything ready: photos I wanted to get signed, I made sure my phone was fully charged and a shot a couple of test photos and videos (this is important, believe me).

Toy Story 4 European Premiere

 

Gossips. Who is Coming?

Meanwhile, lots of different information were circling around about who would be coming and who would not. I told you: there is very limited information about movie premieres. Sometimes fans don’t even know who has been confirmed to come.

Who Attended?

As it turned out later, only Tom Hanks, the director Josh Cooley, some producers and the musician: Rag & Bone Man appeared. Sadly, neither Tim Allen (the voice of Buzz Lightyear) nor Keanu Reeves (the voice of Duke Caboom) showed up.

Normally, at a movie premiere stars come to their fans and give autographs and take selfies. That’s why fans are there, right? Well, this is what NOT happened at this premiere.

Autographs and Selfies

It’s always the actors’ and actresses’ choice if they want to give autographs and take selfies or not. Yesterday, seemed like all of the attending celebrities decided not to greet their fans. Only Rag & Bone Man signed a couple of photos and took a couple of selfies. Tom Hanks signed at the disabled section (there is a separate section behind the barriers for disabled people) only and then went to give interviews.

Bittersweet Experience

All in all, Toy Story 4 European Premiere was quite disappointing. It‘s important to know, however, that every premiere is different. You might not have any luck at one premiere, but you can be the luckiest at the next one. We never know. Although, I feel a bit of disappointment now, I can’t wait my next movie premiere because even if you don’t get autographs or selfies, it still an incredible experience to be part all of this. This has been my second time to see Tom Hanks. I saw him at The Post premiere in January 2018 the first time. At that premiere he was more willing to give autographs to his fans. So, I wouldn’t say he was rude this time. Also, I heard he hadn’t sign at the world premiere either a couple days earlier in New York. He might have had reason for that. Who knows?

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