7. Premiere Of ‘X-FILES-I Want To Believe’ movie in London 2008
I arrived at the Empire Cinema on July 30th with my friend Carl (known as Requiem1013 on the X Files Universe website) and his mate Gavin about 3pm, after travelling on a hot and sticky tube train from the hotel.
I explained to the staff at the door about getting permission to be seated in the disabled section (via emails from Alicia, the contact on David Duchovny’s official X Files Blog who put me in touch with an organiser in London.) They found the appropriate FOX representative who led us over to the area. I had brought my little folding seat as requested as had a few other folk. Eventually some security came over and locked us in like animals in a cage! However before that, Carl and I went over to the All But One bar to collect the tickets from James. There was a rather large queue but after explaining to more security folk there that I can’t stand for long periods of time, I was allowed to get them straight away. That’s when a pretty young blonde American lady approached me, Shaun (SheIsOne) also from XFU . I had made a deal with her regarding a spare ticket I had. I was introduced to her father and brother then went back over to the disability ‘cage’ to wait for the first arrivals. I also briefly met Lisa (specialagentgizmo ) and am sorry we didn’t get to hook up again, though I know we both tried via mobile texts. Also noticed Gia from Big Light was happily chatting and filming the fans.
To our surprise the cars pulled up right in front of us! The first person to arrive was Chris Carter. He got out on the far side from where we were, but came over and after answering his mobile, he continued to sign autographs.
The lady beside me got an autograph and then he proceeded up the crowd away from me. I was intending to get his signature at the signing in the Forbidden Planet the following day but changed my mind. Tell you why later.
The next person to drive up was Frank Spotnitz who also got out on the other side of the car. He started towards the folks on the other side of us, but later came back. So I did get to meet him and he signed my autograph book that already had the Lone Gunmen’s (Tom, Dean and Bruce) signatures inside from a previous event in London several years ago! He found that amusing!
Not long after that David Duchovny arrived and to my delight actually got out on our side – so I called out ‘Hi David!’ as did this lady next to me. He turned and smiled but was obviously waiting for his publicist/agent/whoever to direct him where to go. So unfortunately he didn’t come over and sign any autographs for us. However he did look straight at me and gave me a lovely smile. So that was really nice!
Finally Gillian Anderson arrived and got out on the other side. She was whisked off down to the red carpet pretty quickly so unfortunately I didn’t get any decent pics of her. By this time it was gone 6.30pm and we knew we had to be inside and seated before 6.45pm. So we called a security person over to let us out of the ‘cage’, whilst showing them proof that we had tickets for the movie. We then walked down to the red carpet and I walked right past David who was still signing autographs.
Once inside the cinema we were ushered down a lot of stairs, down into the depths called Screen 2. Many fans were already seated and we noticed SKY was showing ‘live’ coverage on the screen of what was going on outside, with the stars doing interviews and carrying on signing autographs. Finally we saw them enter the building then later after hearing this euphoric screaming from outside we saw them come out onto the balcony on screen. Kind of reminded me of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace. LOL! Then we were shown Fight The Future and X File clips from the series.
What we weren’t expecting was an announcement introducing us to both Chris and Frank. Who then proceeded down the side aisle to the front of the stage.
I was near the back in Row S with Shaun and could see the doorway we had entered. I noticed both Gillian and David were now lurking there and then realised all four were here to say ‘hello’ to us!
Soon after, Chris introduced us to them both and they came down and joined them at the front.
After chatting to us (Gillian wanted to know where we were all from!) they said they hoped we’d enjoy the movie then left Screen 2 and the credits rolled.
Just to let folks who haven’t seen the movie yet, there are SPOILERS below.
After all this excitement I don’t like to admit this, but I ended up having mixed feelings about the film. There were some aspects I really enjoyed eg: the really weird creepiness which was pretty freaky even for X Files. But I had a hard time dealing with the Mulder & Scully connection. I could see they wanted to centre on their relationship of being together and the X File was driving them apart because of their different views on him accepting the paranormal aspect and her scepticism …and so on. But I felt it was some what disjointed in places. There were some snappy one-liners though. And I liked the fact they ended up together though felt it was rather in the style of James Bond at the end, both heroes in their bathing suits in a boat out at sea with Mulder rowing them to a better life, maybe? I think the best scenes in the movie were with Scully and the little sick boy. That was beautifully handled by both actors. I also liked the Mulder torture stuff but it took a little getting used to the changed Mulder and in-particular, Scully. I am taking several friends (one non-fan) and my husband to our local cinema next week. I for one would like to see it again to find out if I can enjoy it a little more next time around? Maybe I missed some stuff due to the excited atmosphere of the whole event?
NB: After seeing it in Manchester I actually loved it much more the second time around.
My own personal thrill was seeing the scenes where Xzibit and the FBI (also I noticed Mulder was with them) screeched up in cars and dashed into the medical building. That was when my pal Anne Marie and I saw them filming on Homer St on Dec 12th in Vancouver, without David though. Then when I saw Mulder and Whitney chasing the bad guy through a building with all this scaffolding I realised that was the new convention centre being constructed on the Waterfront. We were there one night and a PA told us they were filming a chase scene (only he had said car.) So that was where Agent Whitney came to a nasty end!
End of SPOILERS
Anyway the very next day we went to the Forbidden Planet store where Carl and Gavin dropped me off at about 1pm and went to find a parking space. Here’s a funny story. Once inside I asked a staff member who told me Chris was downstairs. ‘Not MORE stairs’, I thought then began to descend them. I’d just got to the bottom when who should be walking towards me but Chris with a couple of security folk in tow. I smiled at him them said, ‘Oh so now we’re going back up the stairs?’ So he was right behind me while I had to take one stair at a time. I explained I was disabled and he was like, ‘Hey that’s okay, no problem.’ So I held him and Frank up… who followed behind. Then they seated themselves behind this table while I was told to go and queue outside. I did explain that Gia had forwarded an email to the lady who ran the place but she hadn’t got back to me yet. I was really worried I’d have to stand forever? But I explained to a staff member outside and he got me a seat. Then Gia came along with her camera and was filming me while I explained that they were helping me after all. Apparently I am on some fans footage she’s put out on her Blog. It was great to finally get to say ‘hello’ to her! She then told me she got her interviews with all four at the premiere! I was so lucky regarding this autograph signing as I was literally the last person in the queue! However when the guys came back the staff member let them in with me, which I thought was very nice. I also met this lovely Mexican girl who helped me as well, and held my handbag. About an hour later we finally got inside and then were told it was only one item per person. So I told Chris to sign the photo I’d brought (one recent of all four together) to Antonella (FoxpawzFBI – another XFU member ) (and he asked me how to spell her name?) I explained that she was a lovely Canadian lady who kindly gave me the premiere tickets she’d won as she couldn’t come over herself. I had managed to get Frank’s autograph at the premiere and also got him to sign for Antonella! Frank is such a lovely guy! I explained very quickly about meeting David online in the past and him showing an interest in my singing? I then gave Frank my CD demo and asked if he could possibly give it to him for me? As I hadn’t had chance at the premiere. He said, sure, of course he would and was giving me a beaming smile! I couldn’t be completely certain when I left it and some of my XF fiction at the studios in Vancouver, if indeed they would get sent to him? But now I know he’ll definitely get the CD!! I also thought of all the guys on the X Files Universe website I frequented now and then, as inside the cover I had written a brief letter and given David the web address (suggesting if he’d like to chat sometime with the fans? I then added that Robert Patrick and Frank Spotnitz were already members, and how Robert is also undercover! So, okay I didn’t get to talk to David or get his autograph. But I did get a lovely smile, and a nice photo when he was out of the car. AND the biggest thing of all, got my songs to him through Frank (bless the man!)
Must admit I was glad to leave the city of London and come home. I just don’t like the place. Yesterday was the scariest after the movie premiere. We got the tube to north London. But after calling for a taxi we were waiting forever in this run down creepy neighbourhood. The hotel wasn’t great either as workmen were refurbishing around you. We had no hot water the next morning at all! Well what do you expect for £20 per night? But hey, it was definitely all worth it!
After all this excitement I don’t like to admit this, but I ended up having mixed feelings about the film. There were some aspects I really enjoyed eg: the really weird creepiness which was pretty freaky even for X Files. But I had a hard time dealing with the Mulder & Scully connection. I could see they wanted to centre on their relationship of being together and the X File was driving them apart because of their different views on him accepting the paranormal aspect and her scepticism …and so on. But I felt it was some what disjointed in places. There were some snappy one-liners though. And I liked the fact they ended up together though felt it was rather in the style of James Bond at the end, both heroes in their bathing suits in a boat out at sea with Mulder rowing them to a better life, maybe? I think the best scenes in the movie were with Scully and the little sick boy. That was beautifully handled by both actors. I also liked the Mulder torture stuff but it took a little getting used to the changed Mulder and in-particular, Scully. I am taking several friends (one non-fan) and my husband to our local cinema next week. I for one would like to see it again to find out if I can enjoy it a little more next time around? Maybe I missed some stuff due to the excited atmosphere of the whole event?
NB: After seeing it in Manchester I actually loved it much more the second time around.
My own personal thrill was seeing the scenes where Xzibit and the FBI (also I noticed Mulder was with them) screeched up in cars and dashed into the medical building. That was when my pal Anne Marie and I saw them filming on Homer St on Dec 12th in Vancouver, without David though. Then when I saw Mulder and Whitney chasing the bad guy through a building with all this scaffolding I realised that was the new convention centre being constructed on the Waterfront. We were there one night and a PA told us they were filming a chase scene (only he had said car.) So that was where Agent Whitney came to a nasty end!
End of SPOILERS
Anyway the very next day we went to the Forbidden Planet store where Carl and Gavin dropped me off at about 1pm and went to find a parking space. Here’s a funny story. Once inside I asked a staff member who told me Chris was downstairs. ‘Not MORE stairs’, I thought then began to descend them. I’d just got to the bottom when who should be walking towards me but Chris with a couple of security folk in tow. I smiled at him them said, ‘Oh so now we’re going back up the stairs?’ So he was right behind me while I had to take one stair at a time. I explained I was disabled and he was like, ‘Hey that’s okay, no problem.’ So I held him and Frank up… who followed behind. Then they seated themselves behind this table while I was told to go and queue outside. I did explain that Gia had forwarded an email to the lady who ran the place but she hadn’t got back to me yet. I was really worried I’d have to stand forever? But I explained to a staff member outside and he got me a seat. Then Gia came along with her camera and was filming me while I explained that they were helping me after all. Apparently I am on some fans footage she’s put out on her Blog. It was great to finally get to say ‘hello’ to her! She then told me she got her interviews with all four at the premiere! I was so lucky regarding this autograph signing as I was literally the last person in the queue! However when the guys came back the staff member let them in with me, which I thought was very nice. I also met this lovely Mexican girl who helped me as well, and held my handbag. About an hour later we finally got inside and then were told it was only one item per person. So I told Chris to sign the photo I’d brought (one recent of all four together) to Antonella (FoxpawzFBI – another XFU member ) (and he asked me how to spell her name?) I explained that she was a lovely Canadian lady who kindly gave me the premiere tickets she’d won as she couldn’t come over herself. I had managed to get Frank’s autograph at the premiere and also got him to sign for Antonella! Frank is such a lovely guy! I explained very quickly about meeting David online in the past and him showing an interest in my singing? I then gave Frank my CD demo and asked if he could possibly give it to him for me? As I hadn’t had chance at the premiere. He said, sure, of course he would and was giving me a beaming smile! I couldn’t be completely certain when I left it and some of my XF fiction at the studios in Vancouver, if indeed they would get sent to him? But now I know he’ll definitely get the CD!! I also thought of all the guys on the X Files Universe website I frequented now and then, as inside the cover I had written a brief letter and given David the web address (suggesting if he’d like to chat sometime with the fans? I then added that Robert Patrick and Frank Spotnitz were already members, and how Robert is also undercover! So, okay I didn’t get to talk to David or get his autograph. But I did get a lovely smile, and a nice photo when he was out of the car. AND the biggest thing of all, got my songs to him through Frank (bless the man!)
Must admit I was glad to leave the city of London and come home. I just don’t like the place. Yesterday was the scariest after the movie premiere. We got the tube to north London. But after calling for a taxi we were waiting forever in this run down creepy neighbourhood. The hotel wasn’t great either as workmen were refurbishing around you. We had no hot water the next morning at all! Well what do you expect for £20 per night? But hey, it was definitely all worth it!