Gerard Butler at the TIFF
First I must apologize for getting this post to you so late. I had no problems downloading the software for the new camera, nor did I have problems downloading the pictures themselves. But I wanted to watermark my pictures and after 2 different software programs that are so unclear on how to do this I didn’t want to waste any more time ( contributing factors could be I haven’t had enough sleep and I’m stressed over not getting this to you sooner).
I’ve posted a very long post so to read it (and I would suggest you do, lol) click on “continued reading”
First of all let me say the mood in the Elgin Theatre was electric. I am so glad I was able to experience this. I was so excited and acted like a school girl, lol. Some of it is a blur because it was so surreal.
We were Visa patrons which meant 175 of us got to go into a room 1 hour before the show and wait and have first picks of the seats in the theatre. That was great as we managed to get about 8 or so rows from the stage.
The celebs were ushered through the red carpet and from what I have read this morning Thandie Newton and Gerard Butler were whisked and spent very little time on the red carpet. They were all brought backstage where they then came out and were introduced one by one.
First up was Joel Silver, followed by Susan Downey who told us to watch for the director in the film. I never found him, lol. Then Toby Kebell was introduced and although I can not remember what he said, I remember him being very funny. At this point I’m just dying to see Gerry Butler.
Next Idris Elba was introduced and my husband was very happy as he watches and loves The Wire. Idris said if anyone was caught pirating the movie while watching they will be dealing with him. He had a great personality and great energy.
Next came Jeremy Piven which everyone went kind of crazy. He seemed surprised himself and humbled by it, but also very pleased. He joked that his speech was 20 minutes long and asked if they had the time. He seemed nice.
Next Ludacris was introduced and everyone went crazy. I think people were pretty surprised he was there. He is on the short side. A little shorter than Jeremy Piven, who actually isn’t that short. Again, can’t remember what he said, lol. I don’t think he said much other than he was happy to be in Toronto.
Next came Thandie Newton and of course the guys were pretty happy about that. She said this was really “the first premiere” (meaning London didn’t count, which I doubt she meant, lol). She then went on to say she wished she could “shag” everyone, and everyone laughed and cheered of course.
Next came THE MAN Gerard Butler. Everyone (women in particular) went NUTS. He smiled and seemed both thrilled and shy. He then took about some papers in his hands, which you can see in the pictures and was mentioning he had lots of people he wanted to thank. He told us it was a great movie and to tell everyone it was a “great f*cking movie”, put it on the internet that it’s a ”great f*cking movie”. He was very happy to have made it.
He also said he considers himself to be an honourary Canadian seeing as he lived here (Montreal) for a couple of years with his father.
Next came Guy Ritchie and everyone went crazy again. He seems very down-to-earth. I can’t remember everything he said except after the applause died down he was at a loss for words and said “I haven’t felt that much love” and as he was grasping for words Gerard Butler piped up and said “Ever”.
Everyone laughed, Guy Ritchie said “thank you Gerard” and Gerard kind of looked at Thandie Newton and then had the expression like “oops, perhaps I shouldn’t have said that”. It was very funny. Gerard was in a great mood really enjoying the moment it seemed.
Guy talked about the movie and then said “After Thandie gets finished f*cking all of you, I’m going to f*ck all of you”. It was hysterical and the last thing you would expect out of his mouth.
They then proceeded down the aisle and my husband being the great strategist that he is had already asked around to the ushers and situated us PERFECTLY for when they walked down our isle. We were in seats 1 and 2 so we were right there.
And guess what? My husband got Gerard Butler to sign one of the pictures I brought with me. He only signed GB but he signed it!!! My only job at that point was to take an up close picture of Gerard Butler, but do you think I could? I was SO nervous I was actually shaking, plus it was a 250 mm lens and I couldn’t get it focused for the right distance it was so quick. Everything was so surreal and moving so fast yet slow at the same time. All I could hear was my husband to my right ask Gerry “Please” sign the picture and emphasized the please and the guys behind me (to my left) asking Gerry to “hug it up”. All the while I’m thinking, “he’s not going to freaking hug you dude”. It was too funny.
And because I was looking through the camera I didn’t even get a good glimpse of him. I’m so disappointed about that, but hey, I got as close as I am probably ever going to get. He has a BEAUTIFUL smile.
The movie was a great f*cking movie (ha ha just like Gerry wanted us to say it), but the only thing is I have a hard time when I hear accents understanding what they were saying and so I had that problem with this film because everyone except Ludacris and Jeremy Piven had an accent. Even with that, it was amazing. Very funny. LOVED Gerry’s character.
So now on to the autographed picture: I am going to be having a contest whereby someone will be selected to win the autographed picture of Gerard Butler. I am going to announce the details of the contest (as I am working out the schematics) and will announce everything by Sunday. I will even include one of the tickets from the event itself, but not the pen he signed with. THAT I’m keeping all for myself!!!
Thank you SO much for sharing your experience with us! Love the pics, love the story, love everything! I’m sure it is a great f**king movie and I can’t wait til it comes to the US!
What a thrill for you and all the others who got to be apart of that event. Thanks for sharing with us.
as Gerry might say” you were so f*—–g lucky to be there to see him and the great cast. I can’t wait until the movie comes to N.Y. It looks like a blast!!!
ps….keep us informed about your contest for GB pix!!
LOL I was very f*****g lucky indeed
The movie was fabulous !!!!
Yes I will definitely be doing another post for the contest
You are all so welcome!!! It was an absolute pleasure sharing with you and if truth be told I went with the hope/intention of getting an autograph for this contest and thanks to my husband it happened!!!
It makes me very happy that you all enjoyed the story & pics!!!
I wish I never had to work Thursday - I so wanted to go. Lucky gal. When he’ll be in Toronto again….who knows? “Honourary Canadian”, I like that - sure! Maybe he’ll come back sooner rather than later!
Thanks for getting a more up-close and personal take of TIFF. The media coverage can be so knit picky and schmoozey. This is fun! Cheers
What a great experience for you, very exciting. Thanks for posting it. It sure does look like Gerry was having a great time. The part about Guy Ritchie\’s reaction to his reception was very sweet.
He seems like a great guy.
Thanks for the report and superb photos.
It is a great movie, a lot of fun.
xxx
I’m glad you are all liking what I wrote. I forgot one part and that was as Gerard Butler was walking to the podium a woman (from the audience) handed him what appeared to be, a satin sachet (you can actually see that in Picture 20 (from the top). He thanked her for them and referred to them specifically but I can’t remember exactly what he said..uggghhhh.
One thing is I walked away from this experience thinking: TAPE RECORDER next time, LOL.
Hello, and thanks for sharing that. I was at the prem in London, couldn’t believe I was seeing THE MAN! I then saw the film yesterday.
I too consider myself an honorary Canadian, my son lives in Toronto, just off Yonge St! We came back to England last Thursday, wish we’d arranged a different date and had included TIFF.
You are welcome Linda!! It’s surreal to see a celeb in real life when you see them on the big (or little) screen all the time, isn’t it?
The London premiere looked very glamorous!
I’m sure next year he’ll be doing the premiere thing as he has many projects and no doubt will continue to have many.
Thanks for you comment
Anne
Thank you for sharing your pictures and story.
Next time, MOVIE Camera LOL, but you took some great pictures. I love them!
Woow!!!!
Wonderful!
Thank you SOOOOO much for the pics!
I can\’t wait \’til the movie comes to Brazil!!
It seems to be nice!
Gerry are very very gorgeus at this!
Yes, I should have had a movie camera, lol. As long as my husband operated it
You are welcome for the pics and story. You will love Gerry in this film. He is hot and funny and adorable.
Love the pictures. I envy you, in the same room as “The Man” ……….
You’re so lucky you didn’t faint!!!! I would have!!!! Were you able to see how tall he was next to your husband? If I had looked into those eyes…I literally would have died on the spot!!!!! I just got chills. Thank you for telling us about this..any more to add? And thanks for the pictures!
Betsy
In the pictures, Gerry is at the end of the stage that they come down. And because we were only 8 or so rows from the stage we had very little time to react and my job was to get a picture of him signing the picture because I wanted to include that with the picture as a prize, but I screwed up….ugggghhhhh.
It all happened very fast, and it was dark where we were sitting and I was trying to get the camera focused. I didn’t even get a good look at him which I’m upset about. I only saw through the camera which, because it wasn’t focused I didn’t see him clearly. His head was down as he was signing the picture.
It was very surreal, and I was just shaking. I’m not normally starstruck like that because celebs are no different from you or I, just their job is different, but being in that room I turned into a lunatic, LOL.
One thing I forgot to put in was when Ludacris walked out, my second thought was how BIG are those diamonds in his ears. They were huge. I have later read they were 4 carats (in each ear).
After Gerry talked at the podium he returned to the line and was beside Thandie, he put his arm around her and kissed her temple. It was really very sweet, affectionate and respectful.
Thanks for your comments
Anne
I was there, but it was great reading this and recapping the nights events in my head. I think I was too much in a daze to actually remember half of it! By the way, great pics also =)
I was also at the TIFF that evening and met
Gerry because I was sitting four rows behind
him.
I think I looked at him throughout the whole
movie. He was grand. I walked up to him,
shook his hand and took a picture with him.
What a wonderful experience.
He looks one hundred times more handsome
in person, if you can believe it.
Mary Jean - if you want I would be happy to post your picture with Gerry on the site. Let me know.
Hi Anne - I just wanted to let you know that I was the lady in the front row who gave Gerry the gift. I couldn\’t believe he walked forward for it. It was a hammered sterling silver medallion profile image of a spartan head w/helmet (exactly like he wore in 300-helmet that is) on a black leather cord necklace. It was in a jewelry pouch from Wheat Jewelers in Lansing, MI (Home of the MSU Spartans). I want to thank you so much for getting that picture because I now have actual proof that it happened. My mind too was not operating fully. I also jumped up and kissed his right cheek (he bent down and forward for me to do it) as the entire ensemble was coming down the steps. He said \"Thank you\". Don\’t know where I got the courage to do any of it but thanks again for catching at least half of my experience on film. At least I have a record of it.
OMG Vickie THANK YOU so much for writing. I am so happy for you that you got to meet him and give him that. You are brave indeed!!
It was an electric night, wasn’t it??
I am so happy for you to have a record of that. Was it surreal for you? I bet it was.
You’ve just made my day