Rise To Stardom - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Premiere
Movie Premieres.

A public ceremonial event featuring the cast, filmmakers and other invited press, all of whom, come to witness the very first showing of a movie they were involved in before it finally released in theatres.

Functioning as a way to draw maximum media attention, the theatrical red carpet event, alongside having the actors starring in the movies themselves attend, usually invited the most famous actors and actresses, models, movie critics, reporters from various Hollywood publications and even a few popular social media influencers that could spread good word about the movie.

A lot of the times too, most of these people they had invited were people that they were either currently working with, or had worked with before at some point or the other.

Sometimes, when the budget for a movie was really high and it could be afforded, some movie studios could even host more than one Movie Premiere.

And that, exactly, was what BlackBox Films had done. This particular premiere was just the first of two.

Drama-themed movies were usually a hit or miss affair in cinemas and it seemed like this was going to be a bit of a miss for them.

Considering most of their executives had seen the movie and realized that they might not make back their investments, they had decided to go for heavy PR.

At least that way, they could make back their initial investments.

And so, as people crowded the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on the 19th of August 2019, fever-like excitement in the air, reporters energetically clicked photos of all the cast of [Bohemian Days] as they posed for pictures at the movie premiere.

Truly, the premiere was loaded with some of the most well-known faces in Hollywood, making it a treasure trove of sorts for the reporters on ground.

“Sir, do you think the movie will be a success? There’s been rumors that it might not live up to the hype?”

“I’ll make what I think of it once I watch it.”

That was the exchange between a reporter from a small publication and a very famous critic.

“Ava! Ava! Is it true that you had some creative differences with some of the actors on set?” another reporter from a respectable publication asked.

“You know the internet likes to embellish things like these but, I can assure you, people were just making a mountain out of a molehill.” Ava gave a polite smile, her response similar.

“What do you think about your role in the movie Taylor? Considering the movie’s centered around the lives of quite a number of individuals, do you think you were given enough time to flesh out yours as the male lead?” a well-known female reporter asked, her expression curious.

“There’s only one way to find out isn’t there? Be seeing you in the theatre.” Taylor Boon, one of the most popular A-listers whom had starred in a lot of hit movies, smiled as he replied.

“Oh. Who’s that? Haven’t seen him or her in a movie before?” a rookie reporter asked his boss, his eyes glued to the image of two individuals whom had come with their different dates to the movie’s premiere.

The boss, an older reporter with grey hair and beards who was clicking a photo of Skylar Young, a popular A-lister who was also the female lead of the movie, spared a glance in the direction of their rookie and then said;

“Hmmm. I remember seeing them in a few indie movies a few years back. Austin Wilde and Haley Woods I think? Both are actually related to the Director and Producer respectively.”

“Hmmm. You don’t think-” the rookie was about to say when the older reporter casually cut him off.

“Yes. Nepotism reaches everywhere and everything in Hollywood. Especially in the movie industry. Let’s just hope their acting skills are up to par.”

Like that, more and more discussions could be heard around the venue which was packed to the brim with all the necessary people.

However, as this was happening, a certain rented van was driving to the premiere of another movie at the AMC Theatre, NYC.

“So? How bad?” Kyle asked Oliver.

“Enough that you’ll be blinded for a few seconds at best.” Oliver replied with a thin smile.

“Shouldn’t that be illegal?” Kyle joked, his tone still a bit apprehensive.

“Reporters, do not care. It also doesn’t help that your song is still topping the charts. So of course they’ll bombard you with the flashing lights of their camera.” Oliver chuckled whilst replying.

“Just be prepared for it and try your absolute best not to make a weird face.” his agent added.

“Alright.” Kyle nodded, already spotting the red carpet and the multitude of reporters from afar.

When compared to the glitz and glam of [Bohemian Days’] premiere, the premiere of [Epoch One], was quite modest.

Dot Productions could only invite a few fairly well-known critics, most of whom weren’t even from a publication and were mostly independent individuals.

Along with that were mostly just actors, actresses and filmmakers, most of whom were friends with either Mark, Jeffrey or Bruce.

Still, most of them whom had attended the premiere were pretty famous in their own right.

As the van was brought to a halt before the venue, a lot of reporters paid little to no attention because truth be told, even invitees who weren’t particularly the wealthiest, drove to the venue in pretty nice and luxurious cars.

“Probably some small-time movie critic.” one of the reporters from a low-level publication said.

“Or an influencer.” a rookie reporter chimed.

“Oh please. Even if those guys needed to rent a Ferrari from the devil himself just to show off, they definitely would.” another reporter who was killing the butt of his cigarette said.

“Yeah. A van actually seems very unlikely when you think about it.” a female reporter nodded her head in agreement.

Not that she still wasn’t curious as to who had just arrived.

And so, as Kyle alighted from the van, dressed in a sleek, three-piece navy blue suit that stuck to his body like second skin, it took a while for the reporters to fully come to the realization that it was him.

Immediately they did though, they blasted him with the lights of their camera like hawks hunting their prey!

Truth be told, since most of the reporters had gotten their fill of Bruce, Jeffrey and Mark a few minutes back, along with a truly unexpected guest, there was only one person left in the movie’s cast that they had been yet to click pictures of.

The amount of money they would make alone from the pictures they had taken this night was already pretty nice but getting those last few pictures right now was truly the icing on top.

Although they still had it in the back of their minds that Kyle’s role in the movie wouldn’t be anything major, the young star was still currently one of the hottest topics in the Hollywood space.

Add that to the fact that the pictures of Kyle on the internet were actually few and far in between, most reporters on site knew they could make some good buck if they sold his pictures to some lower-level Hollywood publications and maybe even a few agencies still looking to recruit him.

“Kyle! Look this way!” the female reporter called out, taking a perfect shot of the young man as he turned over to face her.

Quickly, the reporters from that angle took the opportunity to get some truly nice shots of him.

Oliver whom had already walked up to his side during all that, whispered into his ear;

“Just move slowly till you’re out of sight. Ensure to maintain your smile as you do so.”

Giving him an ‘ok’ sign with his fingers, one that was expertly hidden from the sight of the reporters, Kyle proceeded to do as he was told.

Doing his best to maintain his charming smile, the young man slowly moved forward, intent on escaping the area as quickly as he could.

This was somewhat strenuous for some reason but Kyle pushed through and soon, finally walked out of sight and straight into the theatre.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Kyle then took in the well-designed reception lounge of the theatre, one which had been redesigned for the meantime to fit the occasion.

Bathed in soft, ambient lighting, a lot of famous actors and actresses could be seen mingling in the stylish lounge areas, enjoying a healthy amount of pre-screening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Red carpets lined the pathways and the velvet red curtains framed the windows and entrance whilst the large posters for [Epoch One] framed the walls.

There were a few reporters on ground inside too, but these seemed to be from more renowned publications.

Currently, they were engaged in a few, short interview discussions with some actors and actresses here and there.

As Kyle took this all in, he soon noticed a very familiar face speaking with Jeffrey, Mark and Bruce.

“I still can’t believe it was him! So glad I left a good impression the last time we spoke.” Kyle whispered to Oliver, his star-struck eyes staring at the man from afar.

“Yeah. You should get to greeting them though. I’ll be around if you need me.” Oliver gently pat Kyle on the back and left to greet Hank who was currently laughing with a friend of his.

Walking over to all four whom were conversing, seemingly invested in whatever it was they had been discussing, Kyle quickly exchanged pleasantries with them.

“Kiddo! You’re here!” Jeffrey gave him a warm hug and then immediately added with a serious gaze;

“Stay away from my granddaughters though. Whatever spell you cast on them, I don’t like it!”

“They will eventually get married at some point so… maybe be a little less, overprotective.” Kyle gestured with open palms and Jeffrey’s eyes twitched a bit.

This caused the rest of the men around them to share a warm and hearty laughter.

A few minutes later though, Bruce, Mark and Jeffrey dispersed to greet a few other people, leaving Jon and Kyle together as they exchanged words.

“You seem to have updated your knowledge about me Kyle.” Jon smiled with a slightly arched eyebrow.

“That I definitely have Mr. Quentin.” Kyle responded, a genuinely polite smile and a strong hint of respect in his tone.

Truly, he couldn’t help but feel lucky to have met the man way back then and also leave a really good impression too.

At least he felt he had.

“Judging by the way Jeffrey has been talking about you these past few months though, I’m really looking forward to seeing your acting chops.” Jon said, after which he then added;

“Hopefully you’re as good as he says.”

“Hopefully I am.” Kyle simply replied with a confident gaze, one that caused Jon to stroke his chin a bit.

‘I like this kid.’ he inwardly stated, loving that subtle balance between humble, smart and confident that Kyle exuded.

A few minutes later after all that though, everyone, including the reporters, were ushered into the cinema itself to watch the movie.

And so, as the movie started, hooking the audience with the first few minutes with the sudden explosion that killed Pierce, their attention became undivided.