If you're attending a movie premiere without a ticket (to watch the red carpet arrivals), be sure to check out this post:Top things to know if you're going to a movie premiere without a ticket.
Jen on the Finding Dory blue carpet at the El Capitan Theatre
1. Wear something that makes you feel like a star.
If your invitation does not specifically mention a dress code, then you will be on your own to decide how dressy or casual you want your outfit to be. At the premiere, you will likely see some people wearing extremely dressy outfits and others wearing surprisingly casual ones, and so it is generally very easy to fit in.
If you'd like to get an idea of what type of attire some of the other attendees might be wearing, you can do an image search online for recent celebrity red carpet photos for similar movie premieres in the same city or theater or venue as the premiere you will be attending. Daytime premieres (eg. for animated movies) are often more casual than evening premieres. Non-celebrities are usually dressed in outfits that are a little less formal than celebrities, however, if you have a red-carpet look that you'd like to wear, go for it.
2. Bring a photo ID and a copy of whatever confirmation information you have to the will-call tent.
Unless you are a big-name celebrity and your limousine will be dropping you off on the red carpet, you will need to check in at a will-call tent to receive your tickets. If for some reason your name is not on their list, you will need to provide information to allow your invitation to be confirmed. I always make sure to have something in writing (including the name and contact details of the person who confirmed my invitation) to give me piece of mind.
Will call area at the Planes premiere
3. When you check in at will call, find out whether you are invited to the afterparty.
After the premiere, an afterparty is usually held at a nearby location. Generally, not everyone who is invited to the movie premiere is invited to the afterparty. If you are invited, you will usually be given a special pass when you check in at will call. If you receive a pass for the afterparty, you will need to present it to the security personnel at the afterparty venue in order to enter.
4. Be prepared NOT to walk the red carpet.
You might be surprised to learn that not everyone who goes to a red carpet premiere gets to walk the red carpet. I was. At my first premiere, I was ushered into the theater lobby through a side entrance.
Unless you're a celebrity, you will most likely bypass the red-carpet area where the news media and photographers interview the celebs. At some premieres, you'll be escorted into the theater through a side entrance; at others you may walk a roped-off portion of the carpet that directs you away from the reporters.
Celebrity drop off area at the premiere of Red Riding Hood at the TCL Chinese Theatre
(Most non-celebrity attendees entered the theater through a separate entrance.)
The view while walking down the roped-off portion of the Planes red carpet
Bonus thing to know: The red carpet might not be red!
Don't count on the red carpet being red. Nowadays, carpets come in all colors. For example, white (Disney's Frozen), black (Divergent), green (Lion King 3D), light-blue (Finding Dory), red with an airplane runway (Disney's Planes).
Black carpet at the Divergent premiere in Westwood
Overhead view of the white carpet at the Frozen premiere at the El Capitan Theatre
Bustling green carpet at the Lion King 3D premiere at the El Capitan Theatre
5. If you bring your camera or cell phone, be prepared to check it.
Before you enter the theater auditorium, there may be an area where security staff collect cameras and phones. They return these after the movie. Guests must often pass through a metal detector and get "wanded" before entering the theater. If small bags are allowed, they are usually searched.
6. Beverages and popcorn at the concessions stand are probably free.
The buckets of popcorn and beverages that you'll probably see sitting on the concessions stand counter at a red-carpet movie premiere are usually free for the taking. If you're not sure, stand back and watch for a minute.
7. Inside the theater, celebrities do not expect to be approached by fans.
Once inside the theater, you will see celebrities socializing with their friends and colleagues. Because cameras, press, and fans are not generally allowed inside the theater, celebrities are usually not approached by people that they don't know.
8. The movie screening IS the event.
When it's time for the screening, there might be a quick introduction by the director, and then the film, without any preview trailers, is screened in its entirety. Generally, everyone remains seated until the very end of the final credits.
Jen on the Planes red carpet after the premiere
9. If you are invited to the afterparty, GO!
Even if it's late. Even if you have plans the next day. If you are invited to the afterparty, GO!
Every afterparty that I've attended has been amazing. Generally, they have special theming related to the movie, entertainment, and a tasty buffet. Sometimes, small movie-related gifts are given out as party favors. Cameras are sometimes allowed at the afterparty. Most people don't take too many photographs, however taking an occasional photo shouldn't raise eyebrows.
The afterparty entrance at the Planes premiere
10. Relax and enjoy yourself.These were the only words of advice given to me before my very first movie premiere. They came from a friend of a friend who is a Hollywood publicist (coincidentally, she happened to be at that premiere with one of her clients). It was probably the advice that I needed the most. She told me, "Relax and enjoy yourself!"
My first movie premiere was very important to me because I was in the movie (I had a small speaking role). I was extremely nervous because I wanted it to be special, and I didn't want to embarrass myself. Because I forced myself to follow the publicist's advice, the experience was magical … even though I had to figure out tips 1-9 by myself.
May your movie premiere experience be magical too!
~ Jen (California, USA)
