The Steely's Take Manhattan: Opening Night

If you haven't heard by now, you haven't been paying attention...

My little brother was nominated for Best Cinematographer at the New York City International Film Festival. This is the sole reason I found myself all the way across the country one fine Thursday morning.

My sister, Heather, and I had crashed the party with the pitch that all that publicity would require our group to look their best. They needed a make-up artist and hair stylist! Luckily for Heather, she happens to be a brilliant make-up artist. Sadly for me, I am only sub-par in the hair department. So I was also asked to sign on as Press.
There were two problems with this...
#1. I haven't worked a DSLR once in my life, therefore I had to learn how to use my new camera essentially overnight.
#2. I've never worked as Press once in my life, therefore I had to learn on the job...o_0

Let's just say that I was feeling the stress. So let me lay out the day for you.

We boarded our plane at 6 Pm on August 17th, where I proceeded to panic-learn my camera. Thankfully my genius brother was there to remind me what stupid mistakes I could be avoiding if I had his brain.

A short layover in Salt Lake City saw my first disastrous attempts at good photography...very high class.

This was a fascinating moment for me

Jubie keeping herself deeply entertained

We landed in NYC at 6 AM on August 18th, 6 hours before we could check into our rooms to try and sleep/begin beautification process for that evenings opening gala. So myself, my sisters Heather and Jubilee (part of the DOTE film crew), my father (also part of the crew), and my brother (aka Star of the Show) all arrived at the hotel and invaded their lobby area. Much to our delight, this is the first thing we saw at the hotel desk.

One of the many signs that our film was, indeed, part of the festival.

We dropped of our luggage and did what any normal set of country-bumpkins would do in a similar situation. We scavenged the countryside for food.

Hunter-Gatherers in action.

When we had finally acquired the needed sustenance, we crashed on the couches lovingly provided by a hotel with a seriously lame early check-in policy, Heather, Danny, and Jubie were unconscious within moments. I was nearly there when dad came in and informed me that Good Morning America was filming right outside. I heard my camera mocking my lack of photographic skills, so I busted it out and went to investigate. Turns out I got to meet Robin Roberts.

She is EXTREMELY charismatic in person. o_0

When we finally checked into our rooms everyone hit the beds like dead people...although I suppose I've never actually seen a dead person hitting beds. Never-the-less, we got a couple of hours of sleep before the real fun began. Danny and dad went hopping off to their room for easy boy preparation (stupid boys). While Jubie began the 4-hour process of becoming even more disgustingly pretty than she is normally. As I was getting her dress laid out and prepped, Heather started putting out make-up...and more make-up...and more make-up. Her set-up took an entire hotel bed's worth of space. I felt very sorry for my baby sister.

Once all was ready we headed down to the Hudson Theater as a group and split upon arrival. Danny, Jubie, and Dad began their evening of looking good, shmoozing, and avoiding drunk Italians while Heather and I dove headfirst into the world of Pressertizing.

Long story short...I learned a lot, very fast. I went from staying quiet to hollering people's names. I went from giving way to other press to rudely holding my place. I went from trying to take low-light, no-flash pictures to desperately snapping any which way that I could.

So without further ado, here are my press shots. I don't want to hear about my lack of awesome camera skills...I am HIGHLY aware. 0_0

The Dancing On The Edge cast.

DOTE cast

Then came the big event (for me anyway). Dad, Danny, and Jubie!

The biggest frustration of my whole evening was trying to take pictures of these three. They FLEW through the red carpet like they had dragons chewing on their heels. This next photo will show you just how many people were trying to get shots of them, and just about everyone failed.

Blinded by public interest.

Then followed over two hours of people from all corners of the globe.

Two of the hardest people to photograph (due to a crazed crowd of pushy press) were Shilpa Shetty (Bollywood star) and Sally Kirkland (Academy Award Nominee).

It was one heck of an experience...but this was just the first night. 0_0 Stay tuned for the next installment of The Steely's Take Manhattan.