Why am I a social media investor? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, say Rock&Roll for example, and you wish to stay informed and connected, there is no better medium. At the top of my radar, as you can likely guess, is the incredible talent of one of Rock&Roll’s greatest bands, Guns N’ Roses. Along with a few select champion gymnasts, GN’R Twitter feeds go directly to my iPhone text message screen, and their Facebook pages are programmed to notify me with any update. Technology rocks! From the same generation as GN’R, I feel we are learning together to take full advantage of mobile and social media technology, that I couldn’t have even imagined back in the days of soaring music sales in the 80’s and 90’s. Perhaps this is why I feel a very strong loyalty and connection to this iconic band, above and beyond my passion for their music.
So I’m delighted to share my latest advanced screening experience with Slash. Following my first two incredible experiences, The Witch, and 10 Cloverfield Lane, Slash delivered once again! I knew a third opportunity was in the works, but the announcement timing caught me completely by surprise, as the contest was announced Friday evening Memorial Day Weekend. I was already on a friend’s boat, sitting up top to be exact, with my cell phone charging down below. I should tell you that I had been on high alert for a month, waiting for this post. After all, how often do you have the opportunity to hang out with a legendary Rock&Roll Artist, not just once, but three times in the same year that his iconic band launches the reunion tour of the decade, and perhaps even the century? I saw the contest announcement about thirty minutes after it had been posted and I immediately sprung into action, quickly securing two passes to an advanced screening of “The Conjuring 2” with Slash and Director James Wan, Thursday evening June 9, 2016 at the legendary United Artists Theatre in the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles ! Thankfully I was right about the date, as I had been planning a list of activities around this particular event. Slash will typically tweet about the opening date of a horror film, and will follow with an advanced screening contest for the evening prior. For those of you wondering why a legendary Rock&Roll musician is inviting fans to watch a horror film, the answer is simple. Slash is a lifelong horror film fan dating back to the release of the “Exorcist”, that he saw as a child with his mom. Now branching into film production, he is building a film company called Slashfiction Films, with “The Hell Within” scheduled to begin production shortly. To generate fan interest and investment in his company, he has been teaming up with some pretty solid film industry veterans to offer up a unique experience to the legion of Rock&Roll fans he has around the world. It’s a two way street of promotion, as film studios and directors are always looking to generate buzz for new releases, and of course even film legends want to be in Slash’s orbit, as the very cool and legendary Hall of Fame guitarist for Guns N’ Roses.
“The Conjuring 2”, which opened nationally Friday June 10, 2016, is an American supernatural horror film, distributed by Warner Brothers Pictures, and directed by the very talented and energetic “Horror Maestro” James Wan. At the screening, we were treated to a live Q&A with Slash and Director Wan that was streamed lived through Facebook’s MOVIECLIPS page. Original “The Conjuring” franchise stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprised their roles as paranormal investigators, this time traveling across the ocean to England, to investigate terrifying and evil happenings in the real life home of the Hodgson family. Their involvement was critical to James Wan decision to take on this huge challenge, following enormous box office success of the lead film in this franchise, “The Conjuring” released in 2013. The plot and characters were carefully developed for this film, based on a true story, about a financially strapped single mom raising four children in a dilapidated home, where a previous owner had died. Their husband and father had abandoned them for another woman, and rarely lived up to his financial commitments to his family. You can clearly see the effect this had on this mother and her children, also raising some interesting questions as to the credibility of their story. The plot development was brilliant! Once the viewer was completely invested in this “underdog”, yet “hopeful” family, we were treated to a carefully crafted rollout of developing terror in this old English council house, that elicited a few screams from this screening audience. Thirteen year old Madison Wolfe landed the lead, quite ably so, as the second oldest child Janet Hodgson, the unfortunate target of the evil spirit terrorizing this poor family. Her loyal older sister Margaret was played by promising young Australian born actress Lauren Esposito, landing the role after a lengthy search in the U.S., England, and Australia. I also took notice of youngest child Billy, played by Benjamin Haigh, a boy bullied by his schoolmates, but showed tremendous courage in the face of some pretty terrifying stuff happening with his fire engine, in the home where he is trying to prove he can be the man of the house. Older brother Johnny, played by Patrick McAuley, rounds out the young talent pool. Their strong and determined mother Peggy Hodgson, also quite fearless, was played by Frances O’Connor, who delivered a convincing and gritty performance.
Our GN’R fan group outside the legendary United Artists Theatre at the Ace Hotel. Photo credit to our terrific fan leader Margott Hinostroza.
It was yet another Bucket List evening for the memory books, this one with many great surprises! When I arrived, the line was already forming and I joined Carlos, a new GN’R friend. Our fearless fan leader Margott arrived next. Soon we had a nice little GN’R fan group energy going as our friends started to arrive! Upon entering the theatre, a member of the lovely Slashfiction Films team handed me a poster. I immediately noticed a paper bracelet taped to the back. WOW! I knew exactly what that meant! The staffer smiled and said I was going to meet Slash. The screening contest awarded passes to more than 300 people, so I certainly did not expect a Meet and Greet photo. I later learned, that out of the 300+ guests that evening, only 30 received that bracelet. My friends Carlos, Margot, Meredith Ann, Tammy, and Doreen also scored one; what remarkable luck! We found seats in the first row and settled in with some popcorn. Eyeing the reserved seating section in the back of the theatre, we soon realized that every band member from Guns N’ Roses was in attendance, except Axl Rose of course, who was touring in Europe with AC/DC. Very cool! I first saw keyboardist Melissa Reese, the newest member to the GN’R lineup and the only female band member. I then spotted rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, then drummer Frank Ferrer. Later I saw bassist Duff McKagan arrive, who I had seen at the 10 Cloverfield Lane screening. It’s a very cool and humble group, our beloved Guns N’ Roses rockers!
Slash and Director James Wan soon came out on stage to thunderous applause, treating us to thirty minutes of Q&A about their personal experiences in this industry and the motivation that led them in the horror film direction. Slash shared with us that he just found a Director for his upcoming production “The Hell Within”. Terrific news! Soon, the lights dimmed and the film began! For the next two hours and 14 minutes, we sat on the edge of our seats, fully engrossed in this suspenseful thriller.
The lucky paper bracelet crew was instructed to meet in the lobby. As we stood there, I got to shake hands with drummer Frank Ferrer and rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus as they emerged from the theatre! We were then led downstairs to get our photo and say a quick and hearty thank you to our host, the one and only Slash. Jazzed with energy, our little GNR group then went up to the rooftop lounge for a celebratory drink, chatting up this incredible evening!
Our little GN’R fan group celebrating at The Upstairs Bar on the rooftop at the Ace Hotel!
Thank you to Warner Brothers Pictures, Fandango, Director James Wan, and to our beloved and humble Top Hat Rocker Slash for a great evening at the movies!
