Before I finish writing and post my final blog, I wanted to update you all about what was THE highlight of my summer in LA...
My second to last week in Cali, the entertainment anchor at KTLA couldn't attend the movie premiere of Bandslam, Vanessa Hudgens' new movie. So, my producer asked me to go in his place and cover the event. Interviewing celebrities on the red carpet is something that I have always wanted to do (it is my dream job, afterall), so I was the most excited I have been in a long time. To prepare for the event, I researched all the actors in the movie: their biography, past roles, current jobs, and future films...not to mention their role in the film Bandslam.
Once arriving in Westwood for the premiere, I saw the red carpet rolled out, the media lining one side of it, and hundreds of fans behind a gated area holding signs and screaming. Once meeting up with my camera man, I shot a standup, which is an intro of the event, which went something along the lines of "I'm Bianca Goutos reporting for KTLA in Westwood at the Premiere of Bandslam, waiting for the stars to arrive.....etc". Lining the media side of the red carpet were reporters from different stations and magazines, ready to interview. All of a sudden, a limo pulled up and an announcement was made over loud speakers that Vanessa Hudgens had arrived, followed by screaming fans. This continued to happen for the more well known stars, as other smaller celebs made their way on the carpet without introduction. Among the celebrities present at the premiere were Vanessa Hudgens, Lisa Kudrow, director Todd Graff, Selena Gomez, and Aly Michalka to name a few.
I am a big Disney fan, so it was very exciting for me to get to interview Vanessa Hudgens and the other Disney stars. When I interviewed celebrities that were in the movie, I asked them questions regarding their character, such as to give a description and if they were like their characters at all when they were in high shool (which is when the movie took place). I asked the director what made this movie different than all the other Disney movies that are out lately. I also asked him to detail Vanessa Hudgens' audition process, and how much stock he put in her High School Musical performance. (I had read earlier that week in a magazine that she came to the audition with no song prepared, with the mindset that the director should just watch HSM to hear her voice, so of course I was curious to get Graff's perspective on this). He said he made her sing for him, because though she was right for HSM, he wanted to make sure she was right for HIS movie. When it came time to interview Vanessa, I was told to steer clear of any Zac Efron or nude photos questions (the interesting stuff aka lol), but I did ask her if she felt competition with all the other young girls on Disney who have been on the rise lately. Also, the day of the premiere, John Hughes, the director of such teen classics as Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles died. Bandslam was mentioned as a throwback to such teen films, so I asked her how she felt about Hughes death in relation to her film, to name a few of my questions.
After the red carpet, I got to see the movie, a week before it was released in theaters, just a few rows behind Hudgens and the other stars. Overall, it was a very exciting and eye opening experience. I was able to have a glimpse of the job I hope to have someday, and it definitely confirmed that I indeed want a career as a journalist.
Later that week, my mom and two of her best friends, Joanne and Annette, came to visit me. They were my last opportunity to tour the city and show people the place I had called home for three months before I left for the midwest (the east coast as so many Californians kept referencing Illinois and Missouri lol). Joanne and Annette flew back, and my mom stayed to drive back with me. Final post coming in a few days, as soon as sorority recruitment dies down. Cant wait to get a new Theta pledge class :)
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