Last week saw a 'first' for the promotion of a James Bond film when Sony Pictures invited representatives from thirteen world-wide movie blog sites to a press junket in London to meet actor Daniel Craig, director Marc Forster and producer Barbara Broccoli in conjunction with the upcoming release of Quantum Of Solace. Cinema Retro's Dave Worrall, co-author of the best-selling book The Essential James Bond, was chosen by Sony and Eon Productions to be the resident "007 expert" during part of the activities. Here is his first report...Press junkets are normally held for both the print and TV media brigade, but with the ever-increasing audiences for web-based movie sites, this was a wise move by Sony and Eon, who obviously realized these sites have the power to reach more fans than the conventional media. Initially, Sony had intended for Craig, Forster and several cast and crew members to attend the San Diego Comic-Con in July, but logistical problems prevented this from happening. Hence the prominent bloggers were flown to London by Richard Branson's Virgin Airlines.
The group included six sites from America:
UGO.COMIGN.COMCOMINGSOON.NETCHUD.COMCINEMATICAL.COMAINTITCOOL.COMAnd representing the rest of the world were -
BLOG.SCREENWEEK.IT (Italy)
ELPAIS.COM (Spain)
MOVIEMAZE.DE (Germany)
AFISHA.RU (Russia)
CINEMACAFE.NET (Japan)
ALLOCINE.FR (France)
GUARDIAN.CO.UK On the eve of the first day's activities, we were all taken to a preview theatre in Soho, the heart of London's movie world, where we were greeted by Bond producer Michael G. Wilson before seeing a 10 minute show reel from Quantum Of Solace. The verdict? All I can say is, "F@!k me! Waiting for the premiere will seem like an eternity, since this could be the best Bond film ever. Here I am at 55 years of age and I'm still like a kid waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve."
After giving the footage a sterling round of applause, the group retired to our very opulent London "home", The Grosvenor House on Park Lane to relax before the hectic schedule resumed the following day. However, the "young at heart" (i.e- me!-) joined the lovely ladies from Sony for a sumptuous meal at a Japanese restaurant. Here I was surrounded by seven gorgeous females who initiated me in the delights of sushi in one of London's most fashionable Japanese restaurants. It was like an episode of
Sex and the City - with the sushi substituting for the sex!
A more detailed report of the following day's activities will be posted later. In the meantime, if you would like to read what Daniel Craig, Marc Forster and Barbara Broccoli had to say to the bloggers during a 2-hour interview session, check out their respective web sites above.
Dave Worrall Will Return....