The Star Wars Press Conference was a first… the first time I’d gone to a press junket without having seen the movie. Then again, it was Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a film so shrouded in secrecy it’s amazing cast knows what’s in it!
I arrived at the Los Angeles Convention Center around noon. Other activities were taking place in the same building, but no one attending them were aware that the Star Wars junket was there too. All the journalists were sworn to secrecy about the location of the press conference for security purposes, even asked not to ‘geo tag’ when going on social media while posting their photos while at the press event.
The Dark Side or The Light Side?
I was escorted to a white curtain and I passed through it into a mini-Comic-Con. The first thing I was asked was if I wanted to be part of The Dark Side or The Light Side, ie: did I want a white or black wrist band? I chose to wear a white band. My journalist friend, Rick, said to the PR person, ‘I’m a critic, what do you think?’ He was immediately handed a black wrist band.
The press conference didn’t start until 2 p.m., but there was plenty to do; costumes from the movie and Star Wars toys to peruse, making your own t-shirt, photos to be taken – even Star Wars inspired ice-cream to be tasted from Ample Hills Creamery. Continuing in my force for good, I went with white marshmallow with crispie clusters. I have to admit I was tempted to sample The Dark Side, dark chocolate ice cream with espresso fudge brownies, but you know what happens when you cross into the Dark Side, and I wasn’t sure the force was going to be with me and I’d be able to stop eating.
The main event
Finally, the main event. Two press conferences with the filmmakers and stars of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, moderated by Mindy Kaling – yes, that Mindy Kaling from The Mindy Project.
The big news coming out of the press conference? Producer Kathleen Kennedy pronounced no Jar Jar Binks, no Ewoks in the new movie. Hey, what other news are they going to disclose about a film that nobody has seen for a good reason?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Press Conference Gallery
Click on an image for a larger view. Use arrow keys to scroll through the gallery.
