premiere

May 6, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out ~ AFTER PARTY!

Ever want to know what happens behind the scenes at a movie premiere? A few days ago I got to experience just that!

If you missed Part 1 of Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out Premiere, you can read it here.

Part 2 is here. Part 3 is here.

So how did I get asked to be part of a Hollywood premiere?

In December I was asked to write the novelization of Moms’ Night Out. Here is the book with, like, the best cover ever! —> And take note of my name on the front!

I’ve been eager to tell you about the after party. When I got the invitation and saw that there was going to be one I literally squealed. It seemed so cool and “Hollywood” … something my everyday life is NOT!

Before I go into details, though, I have to tell you that I’m a novelist at heart. My fiction-writing self took it ALL in–the gathering at the Roosevelt, the car ride, the red carpet, the emotions coursing through me at the premiere itself. And I was especially taking notes as the movie ended and the movement to the after party began.

5 Things that Stick in My Thoughts

+ My 3 Favorite People

Things I remember …

1. Our “handler” was there, guiding is the right way. I’m so glad there was someone to tell me where to go and what to do!

2. We were given wrist bands to wear. I thought they were for admittance to the after party. NOT! They were admittance into the VIP area.

3. There is a secret passageway between the TCL Theatre and Lucky Strikes bowling alley where the after party was held. It was guarded by men in suits. (I’m NOT making this up!) As I walked those halls I was wondering who else had walked that same secret hallway. My mind was racing at the thought.

4. It’s hard hanging out in a VIP area when you don’t know most of the people. The actors and producers and such knew each other. People often looked at us as if to say, “Who are you?” Everyone got super excited when I talked about the novelization, though, and John and I had some nice conversations.

5. The VIP area was PACKED! And loud. And one could hardly move. It was literally “rubbing elbows” with famous people.

I did have a few favorite people I talked to though.

Favorite Person #1 Manwell Reyes. Manwell plays “tattoo parlor guy” in the movie, and I have to admit he’s one of my favorite characters. Mostly because he is GENIUS. How do I know? I had the script & I watched the movie, and nothing he said/did is in the script. I asked him about it.

Me: I wanted to meet you because what you did on film was amazing. I know what’s in the script, and all that was all YOU.

Manwell: Yeah, they let me just do my thing, man. It was cool. We had a fun time. I’m thankful they let me do that.

The premiere was the first time Manwell got to see the whole movie, and he loved it! We chatted with Manwell for a while, and later he helped John in the food line as John was trying to balance two plates. And before he left Manwell came over and shook our hands, telling us he enjoyed meeting us. An outstanding guy. And, yes, I did by this Group 1 Crew album.

Manwell is part of Group 1 Crew, and you can read about that here. He’s married to Angelah Johnson who also plays a fantastic part in the movie! Here is Angelah and Manwell on the Red Carpet.

Favorite Person #2 Sheila Erwin

While standing in line, waiting for my ride to the theater I overheard someone pointing out a a woman who walked by, “That’s Jon and Andy’s mom.” Jon and Andy Erwin are the brothers who directed Moms’ Night Out. Jon also co-write the movie.

The week prior I’d read an interview with Jon and I knew that Sheila Erwin had homeschooled her sons. I made a mental note to introduce myself if I had the chance.

The chance came when I was in the VIP section of the after party.

“From one homeschooling mom to another I just have to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me,” I said. (Okay, the truth is I’m pretty sure I gushed.)

The Erwin brothers are a perfect example of the type of men we homeschooling mamas want to raise up. Men who will use their talents to impact their world for the glory of God. I’m so thankful that Sheila homeschooled in a time when it wasn’t very popular … which made her one of my favorite people.

Favorite Person #3 Mandii Erwin

Also in the VIP room I had a chance to talk to Mandii Ervin, Andy’s wife. Even before I met her in person I knew I wanted to. Why? Because behind every great man is a great woman. I have no doubt that her influence is in every part of this movie.

Moms’ Night Out happened because of the real-life moms in these men’s lives. And it also happened because of wives who believed in their men–an inspiration to us all!

I’m bummed that Mandii and I didn’t get a photo together, but isn’t she pretty?

I also had a chance to talk to some of my favorite blogger/author friends … but I’ll save that for the next post!

How about you? Who have you been thankful to meet recently?

May 5, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 14 Comments

Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out Premiere, Part 3

Ever want to know what happens behind the scenes at a movie premiere? A few days ago I got to experience just that!

If you missed Part 1 of Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out Premiere, you can read it here.

If you missed Part 2, read it here.

So how did I get asked to be part of a Hollywood premiere?

In December I was asked to write the novelization of Moms’ Night Out. Here is the book with, like, the best cover ever! —> And take note of my name on the front!

John and I have been to the TCL Chinese theater before. We went on vacation in 2009, but never would I have dreamed that five years later I would have been there for a movie premiere.

When we entered we were given tickets to assigned seats and we were ushered to the counter where sodas and popcorn was waiting. “Is this free?” I asked. It was!

We found out seats, and then the stars started trickling in. It’s something crazy when Trace Atkins pauses to have his photo taken three feet away.

I had many friends who were attending, so once we knew where our seats were we went to find them.

This is a photo of my friends Guy and Amber Lia. They have a production company, Storehouse Media, and have optioned many of my books. (ie They are trying to get them made into movies!) Guy, Amber, and I actually had a meeting with Hallmark earlier in the day, but that’s for another blog.

Aren’t they gorgeous?!

Guy, Amber, and I also connected with Logan Wolfram and Sarah Mae! Here we are chatting. (Girls, we totally should have posed!)

This is what it looked like inside the theater. If you follow that walkway around then John and I were sitting in the first, far row next to the stairs.

After a while the empty seat next to me was filled. By him:

Harry Shum Jr. plays Joey in Moms’ Night Out. I love his character! Here he is performing on Glee!

But I didn’t get to chat with Harry long. He and his fiance were taken to new seats. Hmm, who is going to really sit there? Two sodas and a popcorn were put there, and we were told, “Don’t let anyone sit there.”

I knew it had to be a special guest. It was! It was this guy: Alex Kendrick and his lovely daughter!

We only had 30 seconds to chat with Alex before the movie started, but he was kind and genuine. Just as I expected him to be.

I have to admit I was nervous sitting next to him during the movie … a real star! 🙂 But it was a blast watching the movie with all those who’ve invested so much in it. I felt so honored to be part of that group of talented, godly people.

It was also awesome to see the movie in its final, edited version. I’d spent a lot of time watching an earlier copy, and the final version looks amazing!

As the movie ended, I got a nervous feeling in my stomach, and I wondered if my name was going to be on the screen in the credits. It was!! I was so excited that I forgot to take a photo, but watch for it!

Overall, I’d say being part of that premiere is one of the highlights of my career. The people who worked on this project love God and have a passion for family-friendly media. Their hearts really shine. I’m praying even more that this movie will be a success so that others like it will be able to follow!

As a bonus, here’s a short video clip from the Premiere!

Post by Moms’ Night Out.

What about you? Who would you want to sit next to at a movie?

May 2, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 15 Comments

Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out Premiere (Part 2)

Ever want to know what happens behind the scenes at a movie premiere? Just a few days ago I got to experience just that!

If you missed the Part 1 of Behind the Scenes of the Moms’ Night Out Premiere, you can read it here.

So how did I get asked to be part of a Hollywood Premiere?

In December I was asked to write the novelization of Moms’ Night Out. What’s a novelization? Basically, I watched the movie (over and over again) and turned it into a book! It was such a great movie that I loved every minute of it.

Here is the book with, like, the best cover ever! —> And take note of my name on the front!

I couldn’t have been more pleased to share a ride to the TCL Chinese Theater with the screenwriter of Moms’ Night Out Andrea Nasfell.

Here is a photo of me and Andrea:

OK, that might be jumping a little ahead of ourselves.

Here is a photo of me and Andrea on the way to the premiere of Moms’ Night Out:

I’ve connected with Andrea a little over Facebook and Twitter, and she’s amazing! I can’t wait to see what she’s working on next!

When we got to the Red Carpet (<–deserves to be capitalized) there was what my husband called our “handler” waiting. Albert was there to lead me down the Red Carpet, and he did a fine job!

I posed for photographers, and I’m trying to get the “official” photos for those.

(They have this sweet girl labeled as Tricia Goyer. Maybe if I found the fountain of youth!!)

I posed for my husband, too. (That is my “handler” on the left.)

Then Albert took a photo of John and me!

Then I thought I was done, but no. Instead, I was interviewed!! I wasn’t expecting this, but it was fun. I talked about the novelization and what it was like writing it. Interviewers asked me about my other books and my kids. It was so easy to talk about all of it!

Everything was such a blur, but I was interviewed by 6–8 people with microphones and video cameras. I wished I would have paid better attention to who was interviewing me. John said one of the was CNN! (I also wish I could find a video clip online—let me know if you find one!)

Thankfully, my dear friend Tracey Eyster captured a shot!

Oh, there is so much more to tell! I’m just getting started!

Here are a few more things that I’ll share on upcoming blogs:

The inside of the theater and WHO I sat next to.
The after party at Lucky Strikes.
The privileges of a VIP Guest.
The three favorite people I met! (The list may surprise you.)
Red Carpet fashion
and more . . .

But until I can get to that, here are some more Red Carpet photos for you to enjoy! (These are taken from the Moms’ Night Out Facebook page. If you have not LIKED the page, please do!)