Written for Myles Kennedy World by International Correspondent Cynthia Drew
If you love Rock & Roll, have social media savvy, and are determined to network with some legendary music and film types, then Guns and Roses Hall of Fame guitarist Slash has your golden ticket! For the second time in a 30 day period, I had the incredible honor to see yet another advanced screening of a very well made suspense thriller, and hang with one of the greatest guitar legends of all time; this time courtesy of Paramount Studios and legendary film producer J.J. Abrams!
I first learned about Slash’s latest fan contest Friday night March 4 on Twitter, to win tickets to an advanced screening of J.J. Abram’s new film, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Thursday night March 10, 2016, in the Theatre at Paramount Studios in Hollywood!
How could I pull that off, less than a week away, clear across the country, during a work week, with a gymnastics judging assignment Saturday morning? First things first, you’ve got to seize opportunity when it presents, and you’ve got to be in it, to win it! Having already satisfied the FB, Instagram, and Twitter “follow” requirements from my incredible February 13 experience The Witch Advanced Screening With Slash , I simply had to send the requisite RSVP email to the lovely team at Slashfiction Films. Done. I spoke to an actor friend of mine who told me everybody wants to be in J.J. Abrams’ orbit. Got it. Hotel points, airline miles, Super Shuttle, Uber, and my laptop with 6 uninterrupted hours of work each way sealed the deal. So I was all set to spring into action when the “Winner” email flew Tuesday night March 8. My carefully crafted travel plan worked seamlessly, the first time in a long while I can say that. Thank you American Airlines ! Yes, Guns and Roses fans are serious people who travel the globe for a chance to be with their Rockers. One of the winners flew in from Japan!
10 Cloverfield Lane, the second in the Cloverfield franchise, which opened nationally Friday March 11, 2016, is an American science fiction psychological thriller produced by the very talented and versatile J. J. Abrams and his production company Bad Robot Productions, distributed by Paramount Pictures Studio. If you’re a fan of the Emmy Award winning television series Lost, or blockbuster movie franchises like Armageddon, Mission Impossible, and Star Wars, then you certainly know Mr. Abrams. As an Actor, Screenwriter, Director, and Producer, he has earned multiple Emmy, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, BAFTA, and Saturn Awards for his work in Film and Television. Dan Trachtenberg knocked it out of the park in his directorial debut! Three words. Go see it! 10 Cloverfield Lane’s success at the box office results from a brilliantly crafted suspenseful story line, written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stucken and Damien Chazelle, that sends your expectations in one clear direction, then completely surprises you and delivers a 180 twist; not just once, but consistently throughout the movie! A small, yet powerful ensemble cast, brought it to life and made it real. John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. delivered very unique and credible performances that brought the audience’s emotion and fear right on to the set. John Goodman in fact, delivered a stunning performance, the best of his career, in my humble opinion. It was a terrific film experience loaded with Oscar worthy talent! I hope the Academy is paying attention. I’ll say it again. Go see it! 10 Cloverfield Lane Tickets
And so it goes for lucky Slash fans, another Bucket List evening for the memory books! We were instructed to enter through the Bronson Gate on Melrose, beginning at 6:45 PM with the film airing at 8:00. We were greeted by the lovely Slashfiction Films team, and of course Bad Robot! I entered the theatre and quickly claimed a strategically placed seat near the Paramount Pictures and Slashfiction Films reserved seating in the back of the theatre. And what do you know, in walked legendary GNR Bass player Dufff McKagan, his supermodel wife Sue Holmes McKagan, and Slash’s lovely girlfriend Meegan Hodges! I had a feeling they would be there. These very talented and humble celebs casually moved about the theatre, hugging friends and saying hi to fans. It was quite the cool rock & roll scene! As the movie time approached, Duff, Sue, and Meegan settled into their seats in the very last row, and all eyes were now on the front of the theatre, as we awaited the arrival of our legendary host.
Slash appeared to thunderous applause, and joined Bad Robot to welcome all of us! A consummate and humble professional, highly committed to his craft and the fan experience, he delivered some brief remarks in praise of the film. As promised, a studio photographer took a wide angle group photo with Slash, Bad Robot, and all of us very lucky fans seated throughout this majestic theatre!
With rock & roll cool, Slash strolled down the aisle to take his seat at the back of the theatre, giving his adoring fans an up close and personal view of music royalty. Of course Slash’s personal post on the Slashfiction Films Facebook page a few days later, wrapped up the fan experience in signature style,
“Thanks to everybody for coming down to Paramount for the 10 Cloverfield Lane screening. It was a great turnout. & a great night. We’ll screen another cool movie soon enough. In the meantime, thanks again. #CloverfieldLaneMovie Rock N’ Fuckin’ Roll! iiii]; )”
Again, I simply must say, how appreciative I am for the very unique relationship this superstar seeks to build with his fans. As a veteran Rock & Roll fan, for which music fills my soul, simply listening to the intense emotion filled riffs this genius mind pens, would be enough! With keen intellect and vision, Slash’s thoughtful and creative energy builds upon this, creating a very special fan engagement. It’s exciting to be in the wake of it! Yes of course it benefits his career and wealth, as it should! I also think it serves as a model for all the struggling talented artists who are trying to make a living in today’s technology music age.
I am an early proud investor in Slashfiction Films. You see, Slash’s incredible portfolio of projects continues to expand, this time drawing on his love of the horror film genre, as he launches his own film company. I am quite excited to be involved in the production of their debut film effort, “The Hell Within”, which follows a woman from New York on a quest into the heart of the Brazilian jungle to save a missing girl, only to discover that the child was just the beginning! As a discerning analyst, this was an easy investment decision. Slash’s track record of success speaks for itself. As the iconic Top Hat guitar persona in Guns and Roses, to the critically acclaimed Velvet Revolver, to the exquisite collaboration with the amazing Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, and now to the successful launch of this fledgling film company that attracts legendary award winning film industry talent, thank you Slash for taking us on this great ride! Yes, you have brought us to the Paradise City !
