[BillK]

I posted some pictures from the MINI Drive-In premiere of The Italian Job at Paramount Studios in my gallery. Quite a mix of MINIs!

The even was a publicity stunt, and all the news choppers were there taping away. Press was shooting and interviewing on the ground as well.

The line up going in to the studio was the world’s largest MINI traffic jam. (I think I'll trademark that phrase )

Paramount gave us large "Italian Job" stickers for the bonnet (most of us placed them on the dash instead, and the people in the front were asked to place them in the rear window, studio cars had one on each door).

They provided us with food ("In and Out burgers", a local popular chain, they have trailers they roll out to cook on-site), drinks, and popcorn. We could watch from the car, from our own lawn chairs if we brought them, from some bleacher seats, or in a screening room.

After viewing the film, I expect the American audience will like it better than the UK audience. It has definitely been made into an American film. Lots of plot twists, a few in-jokes, clearly a large MINI/BMW hand in the action (I got a kick out of a scene where the chase is continued with the bad guy in an old SUV, they even gave the SUV a clucky sound. Tell me BMW wasn't behind that.)

The soundtrack was good, the MINIs were great, and there was only one "yeah, right, can't really do that" scene involving an impossible parking job. (The most disappointing scene for me, it could have been done so much better by making it just a touch more real).

I'll see it again, heck; I'll buy the DVD when it is released. Overall -- well done.

[AprilWhine]

Great Pictures, Bill. Thanks!

[Paul]

Nice photo's!

[EBMCS03]

Sweet!! Nice pics...

My pics are here

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290105619

May I ask where ** u get the pics from the Port?

[Hat]

great pic of all the minis lined up watching the film! are those ramps standard at drive ins?

[BillK]

Quote:

Originally posted by UCSDxB0i
Sweet!! Nice pics...

My pics are here

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290105619

May I ask where ** u get the pics from the Port?

Nice pics yourself. You came in the other way (from the east). I took my kid to Gower Gultch (shopping center north-west of the studio) for dinner and came in from the west. I missed the stretch MINI. I noticed that the Image Station gives them full commercial rights to anything you post in your gallery. I don’t think I will be posting there, even if it is free.

The pictures of Port Hueneme were taken when the Manon docked with my MINI in November 2002. I was hanging out the window of a Cessna 152 with my friend “Capt.” Pete in the left seat. We also took some pictures of the backed up shipping traffic at the Port of Los Angeles following the dockworker’s strike during the same flight.

And yes, the MINI Chief picture is my car, and there is no Photoshop involved, the lightbar and signs are temporary though, and that is not MY parking space.

[BillK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hat
great pic of all the minis lined up watching the film! are those ramps standard at drive ins?

The ramps are not standard. Real drive-ins (if you can find one still operating) ramp the asphalt to achieve the same effect. It made cutting across the lanes interesting, and some folks seasick.

[EBMCS03]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillK
I noticed that the Image Station gives them full commercial rights to anything you post in your gallery. I don’t think I will be posting there, even if it is free.

Hummm ya... never really thought about waht they can do with that... thats why i usually put up low res pics...