NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL - Opening Night

What an awesome experience! The incredibly kind and generous folks at NBFF treated us like royalty and gave us a night we'll never forget.

My mom arrived with my son Josh at the Island Hotel around 6:00pm, just before we were to head down to a private reception before being whisked away via awaiting limos to the theater. Tom was already in the room with me, cursing the fact that the hotel was completely non-smoking -- even out on the room's balcony. Joaquin was stuck in Hollywood on a soundstage shooting his series SWINGTOWN, and wasn't going to be able to make it, which really bummed me out.

Mike arrived from NYC with his buddy Jordan about noon, and seemed really happy with his surroundings. Newport Beach, after all, is pretty up-market!

Now it was just a matter of being joined by Brooke, James and Lacey. 

Down at the reception I was introduced to NB Mayor Ed Selich, sports manager/legend Leigh Steinberg (the guy Jerry Maguire was modeled after) and the VIP's from the festival including CEO and total mensch Gregg Schwenk as well as the ever-energetic Leslie Feibleman (who has been so great throughout the entire lead up to the festival).

Brooke arrived at the reception just as we were being taken to the limos, and boy she looked stunning as usual. What a star! Still no word from James, who was hoping to wrap a shoot in time to make it to the screening. Ditto for Lacey.

Pulling up to the theater I was thrilled to see our picture's name on the giant marquee and even more thrilled to see a HUGE line of nearly 1000 cued up for the film. We were guided to the red carpet, where for the first time at one of these events, I wasn't asked to step back a bit so as not to be in the shot!
As I escorted my mom down before the flashing bulbs, a reported asked (shouted really) who my date was. "This is my mother. She's the only date I could find shorter than me." My retort got a lot of smiles, but only one audible "aw" and courtesy chuckle from a female reporter who also appeared vertically challenged.  Awkward. Step and stop. Flash. Step and stop. Flash. All the time I knew the photographers and reporters were wondering "Who is this guy?" 

Mike and Brooke walked the carpet and I could tell both were having fun. They did great. Big smiles all around. Then, we were ushered down another line, this time to chat with reporters one on one. "What's the film about?" "How do you find Newport Beach?" "Is that Armani you're wearing?"  Um... "It's a road picture that goes nowhere. More of a pitstop movie." Chuckle. "I used MapQuest." Chuckle. "I can't even spell Armani, let alone afford it." Cricket. Oh well, I never said I was a pro at these things.

Brooke and Mike handled the press with much more grace and ease than I did. They chatted with the gorgeous Jennifer Galardi, host of The OC Juice show, Ross King from Channel 5 news and various other new media folks. 

It was such an impressive sight from where I stood, I couldn't help whip out my cell phone and snap a few pics of the reporters -- who seemed to eat it up.

Inside, the cavernous theater was packed -- nearly 1300 in all. After an hour or so of intros and sponsor thanking,  Joaquin bolted down the isle! He made it! And dressed all in black too! So when I took the mic, I was able to introduce our two leads, our writer, our editor and our DP. I couldn't have been happier. Well, maybe if James, Rico, Lacey, Donna and Thomas had been able to join us. 

The screening went well, but it was hard to really gauge how the film played in such a large room. There were a lot of laughs, but not nearly the riotous reception we got in San Jose. Older crowd here. But I really think it was a matter of expectations. Opening a festival is a huge honor. But it does position the film differently and I think puts certain expectations on its playability. 

At the HUGE After Party Gala, we were all swamped with well-wishers and everyone said how great they thought the film was and how funny it was and boy it's going to be a huge hit in the theaters. Of course, the free alcohol was flowing and no one was being shy about enjoying it.

Thank you Gregg, Leslie, Todd, Erik, Meghan, Riki, Karen and Saba for an evening we'll never forget. 

For VIDEO from the Orange County Register, click here.