Serenity Movie Bloggers

FULL DISCLOSURE: This post is influenced by a blogger perk offer: free screening of Serenity for bloggers.

When I first came across Instapundit’s post about bloggers getting into an advanced screening of Serenity I wasn’t sure what to think. There are a lot of strong feelings about bloggers getting perks and being used to market various wares. I haven’t paid much attention to the idea of “reviewing” products unless they are something I use as a regular consumer. I figured it couldn’t hurt to signup and see what the deal is. So I signed up for the Sacramento showing of Serenity at Century Stadium on September 27th at 7:30pm to see what would happen.

This morning I got an email Tara Shaffer from Grace Hill Media indicating that I was “chosen and confirmed” for the screening, but that this did “not guarantee” a seat at the screening. I’ve never been to a press preview for a movie so perhaps this just how things work, but these seemed like conflicting statements to me. Maybe they are just trying to cover themselves just in case no everyone gets in. The are course some additional conditions to this offer (directly from the email):

• You MUST include the film’s synopsis on your blog (synopsis below) and you MUST link your blog to the SERENITY website (which has the trailer and production notes) http://www.serenitymovie.com and featured artwork. After you have screened the film, please discuss it on your blog. Please provide us the links to all of your blog posts on SERENITY at serenity@gracehillmedia.com
• Print out and bring a copy of this confirmation.
• Arrive at the theater AT LEAST 45 minutes before the show begins.
• Upon arrival at the theater, please find a UNIVERSAL PICTURES representative and inform him or her that you are part of the SERENITY BLOGGER BONANZA. The Universal rep will then instruct you as to what to do next.
• DO NOT bring in a camera or a cellular phone that takes pictures. They WILL be confiscated, and you will NOT be allowed into the screening.
• Have a great time!

START MOVIE PITCH
Joss Whedon, the Oscar® – and Emmy – nominated writer/director responsible for the worldwide television phenomena of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE, ANGEL and FIREFLY, now applies his trademark compassion and wit to a small band of galactic outcasts 500 years in the future in his feature film directorial debut, Serenity. The film centers around Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran (on the losing side) of a galactic civil war, who now ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family –squabbling, insubordinate and undyingly loyal.
END MOVIE PITCH

So expect another post after the preview date to find out if I got in or not and what I thought of the movie if I did 🙂

Now you know the reason for the full disclosure line at the top of this posting, my opinions are my own, but I would probably have never mentioned this offer if I handed signed up for this offer.

UPDATE Sat 24 Sep 2005 @ 6:15PM : Keith is also going to a blogger screening. That reminds me, any other bloggers from Sacramento going to this? Drop me a note if you are, might be fun to share notes.