Monday, August 18, 2003

New York Premiere Yesterday I went to the New York premiere of “American Splendor.” First you go to the theater and there are all these photographers and they’re always yelling at you to turn toward them, or change position. That can get pretty irritating after awhile, but these people have to make a living too, so I try to be accommodating. Then there are some newspaper reporters you have to talk to, then finally you get to go inside the movie house and sit in a chair with your name on it. Since we’ve already seen “American Splendor” a number of times, I cut out of the theatre early with some of the other cast and crew and went directly to the premier party a few blocks away. I got a nice plate of vegetarian food to eat, including macaroni and cheese, vegetarian chili and onion rings. For a while, until the film ended, I made small talk with the “American Splendor” people at the party. Then all the people from the film came over. A lot of them came up to me and were thanking me for having made the movie, like watching it had healed them or something. That was simultaneously flattering and embarrassing. I like to make people feel better, but I don’t want them thinking I’ve got magical powers. As the evening went on, I got more and more tired of talking to everyone who crossed my path, though I should’ve been grateful for their support. But the event finally and I went back to the hotel to cop some Zs, feeling pleased that so many people there seemed to like it, but still anxious about it would be received when it went into general release. 11:05:54 AM