PJ Report!

[shiredancer]

I did not get to deliver my heartfelt message to Peter Jackson while he was visiting my fair city -- alas. But I did get within about eight feet of him as we entered the theater for his award presentation -- he was on the other side of the red velvet ropes being photographed and interviewed while we were hustled past to get our seats. Lots of bright lights and fancy clothes and la-di-da star treatment (but not PJ, he was as casual as he always seems to be -- good for him!). And I *did* get a hobbit! Sean Astin accompanied him instead of Viggo or Liv or whoever else was rumored to appear. He looks like a kid close up. Just a gum-chewing, wise-cracking kid.

And I have to say, although I'm not really one for star stuff and interviews and awards and all that, I found it a very enjoyable evening. Sean introduced Peter and was very funny and kind about it -- you could tell there's a lot of respect and affection there. He made gentle fun of our town, saying what *vision* we had in recognizing this poor overlooked film and director... ha ha ha. And then the very beautiful Elvis Mitchell was introduced, some NY Times film critic and NPR host or something. But is he gorgeous! A lovely brown-skinned man with a head full of braids down to the middle of his back, all pulled back in a thick tail. So Elvis is the moderator and gets Peter talking about all his films and career, and we get to see clips of things I've never even heard of, things like DeadAlive and Meet the Freebles which were horrifically gross and bloody but hilariously funny too. I came away with a real, albeit odd, respect for PJ's work and his brilliance and his quirky sense of outrageousness and humor. My daughter was totally grossed out by the blood (even though it was patently fake) and horror stuff. It's not my cuppa, but the blatant outrageousness of it all appealed. And of course there was the Heavenly Creatures one -- that looks totally fascinating and I'd love to rent it. And then on to the LOTR clips and comments. PJ is an excellent speaker, although I daresay he's had plenty of practice by now and most of these stories have been oft-repeated. Still, it was great to hear him in person. He made a joke about how everybody there was in the same boat of not getting an invite to Oprah's birthday party on the other side of town. Ha ha ha, again. And a very neat finale -- he was praising Monty Python to the skies as his major influence as a kid, so as a surprise they had Santa Barbara resident John Cleese present the award. With a whole lot of poking fun at New Zealand, too. He gave him a stuffed kiwi in addition to the real award thingy! And likened the making of such a masterpiece as LOTR by a New Zealander as about equivalent to somebody from Bakersfield painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Ahahahahaha... you have to be a Californian to really appreciate that one, sorry.

Anyway, I'm glad I went. I learned some things, and appreciate the man who brought some of my favorite dreams to life even more than before. Great guy, that Peter Jackson. And that Sean Astin too. *Sorta wish I was the pushy type to elbow in close and get an autograph, but oh well... what do you do with an autograph, anyway???*

Comments

[nonniemous.livejournal.com]

Hah, I hope there was a HUGE laugh when he said that about Oprah's birthday party. I'd much rather have been where you were. Sounds like a fascinating evening! I've watched a lot of "Meet the Feebles" and want to watch Heavenly Creatures -- the author Anne Perry, if you read mysteries, is one of the girls involved in that.

I'm with you; in some ways I'd love to be the pushy type to elbow in and get an autograph. But on the other hand, what would I do with it besides love it and feed it and wish it was Billy's? :-) oh, fine, it would go in my LOTR scrap book along with a lot of other silly stuff. But that's about it.

Thanks for the report; it's great to hear from you!

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Hi you! Yeah, I know, I know, I've gone all quiet again. The Madness has come over me for awhile and sucks all my time and energy. Yes, the audience did laugh -- they were *most* appreciative and warm; you could tell everybody loved the guy. And we were all very glad to be there instead of at Oprah's. Much love was felt that night, oh yeah. I guess he got my message telepathically, at least.