The Movie Blog has been growing a lot over the last couple of months. Traffic has been slowly but steadily growing… got a few more listeners to The Audio Edition… and most importantly (at least to me), the studios have been recognizing that I exist and have been adding me to their press list for screenings and the like (I’m going to see Accepted tomorrow).
You’ve got to remember something. This site isn’t AICN. This isn’t some big massive corporate site with huge money or businesses behind it (like FIlmForce for example). This is just a blog that I started myself, sitting in my friend’s basement one night back in July of 2003. This site is basically just me (aside from the guests on The Audio Edition).
As such, I’m still just a fan really… which means I’m still at that stage where I get really excited about stuff. Going to press screening is HUGE for me. You should see me, I’m like a little kid I get so excited about going!
Last week I was at a screening for Miami Vice, and I was with about 100 other media and press people… and they all act so professional. Like it’s no big deal to be there… and some of them act like it’s a chore to be there. Not me.. I’m like a frigging 7 year old boy going to his first hockey game. I LOVE THE MOVIES! And for me… some nobody with a little website… getting to go to these screenings is a thrill. A totall thrill. I know that’s not professional of me… but fuck it… who cares.
Last week, I got my first chance to actually sit down and interview someone! OLIVER F’ING STONE! Me… John no-F’ing’ body Campea got to munch on some donuts with Oliver Stone and then sit down and chat about his new movie.
So there I was… trying to act all cool like this is no big deal… but inside I was FREAKING OUT! Because that’s me… a nobody with a website… getting to talk movies with Oliver Stone. WILD!!!!
Before meeting Stone I was sitting in this room with a girl from Entertainment Tonight which was kinda fun (man she was HOT)… and the whole time all I could think about was “HOLY CRAP! I can’t believe I’m sitting here”.
I can’t actually play you guys my review for World Trade Center or my interview with Stone until later this week… but the whole point of this was to tell you about how this experience reminded me that all I am is a big kid who LOVES movies and who happens to get to do some pretty cool stuff right now.
And make no mistake my international friends… I owe all of this to you. The million of you who come here each month… who read my stuff, join in the discussions and listen to the shows. Without you all I am is a nobody with a website. But because of you I’m a nobody with a website that happens to get a million visits a month… and THAT made the studios take notice.
A commentor said the other day that celebrities owe nothing to their fans. Well I may be no celebrity… but even I know I owe everything to you guys. THANK YOU SO MUCH… and let’s keep the conversation going.