Baz, Rocky, Sarandon and Me
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 1:03PM Editor's Note: Faithful reader and frequent Best Shot participant Derreck (see his tumblr here) attended a special film event that we desperately wanted to make it to last week, a screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with everyone's favorite red curtain Aussie auteur hosting. I invited Derreck to share his memoir of the event, so here he is to do so! - Nathaniel R.
I've never seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard about it. I’ve seen images of Tim Curry in a corset, fishnets and makeup, heard about shadowcasts and seen its enduring cultural presence in movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but I’d never actually watched the film. I was born way after it was released and even though to this day, it is one of the longest theatrical releases in the history of cinema, it never made it to theatres in my homeland of the Bahamas. Rocky Horror ended up in my “I’ll get to that eventually” pile along with other much-discussed 70s movies like Apocalypse Now and Xanadu.
Fast-forward to me living in New York. I was doing my daily blog readings and saw that Rocky was playing at the IFC Theater in Manhattan as part of Super Week leading up to Comic-Con. I thought “oh, that’s nice. Maybe I’ll go.” Until I read on and saw that Baz Luhrmann would be there in person to conduct a Q&A about the film and speak about how it influenced his work.
Baz Luhrmann. The man behind the film that remains forever close to my heart and inspired my ridiculous obsession with love: Moulin Rouge!
I immediately left my apartment to get a ticket.
Fast-forward to the big night. I was sitting in my chair shivering with "antici--
….
pation" for the film to start but mostly to see Baz. In the meantime, someone came to the front of the auditorium to welcome the audience, tell us that this was one of the fastest sellouts that they’ve ever had (I silently thanked God that I snagged a ticket) and that the film first got its start as a cultural phenomenon in the same space that we were sitting in back when it was known as the Waverly Theatre. It was then announced that Baz would be joining us after the film to conduct the Q&A with a special guest: Susan Sarandon.
I always wanted my first time to special.
The lights dimmed and it was time to begin. A pair of red lips started singing and then we were introduced to Brad (“Asshole!”) and Janet (“Slut!”). I was taken aback. People were shouting at the screen! Not only that, but there was one guy shouting and making jokes while the movie was playing. I thought “he’s going to get thrown out!” before I remembered that this was exactly the kind of behavior that happens at these showings. After I got over the initial shock, I settled in and found myself constantly laughing and waiting for more hilarious jokes and commentary.
Audience: “Janet, did you bring your waterproof dildo?”
Janet: “Yes.”
Audience: “Why?”
Janet: “Because it’s raining.”
The film went on and I heard mention of the Time Warp. I was thinking “oh, this song sounds familiar!” when people jumped out of their seats and began performing the dance. I just stayed seated and watched them, feeling like the most unhip 25 year-old ever. After the Time Warp ended, I turned my attention back to the screen to see Tim Curry (who I loved as a child in Home Alone 2 and as an adult in Clue) in all his Dr. Frank-n-Furter glory and found myself moving in my seat along with his song.
Fast-forward to the end of the film. I'm still trying to process everything when Baz Luhrmann walked up to the front of the auditorium. There he was. I was sitting in my chair excited like a little kid who just saw Walt Disney. Baz began to talk about how he wanted to do this screening as a tribute to his friend, fellow Aussie and director of the film, Jim Sharman. Baz mentioned how he recently looked back at the film and other musicals like Fame (1980) in order to do research and preparation for his next project. (I wanted to holler “OH MY GOD, BAZ, ARE YOU DOING ANOTHER MUSICAL???” but it didn’t seem like the right time.) Baz also commented about how one of his young relatives was obsessed with the film (his wife, Catherine Martin, shouted from the audience correcting him about the age of the young relative) and remarked on how the film remained so ingrained in popular culture.
Baz then introduced Susan Sarandon who casually walked in and took a seat at the front of the auditorium.
Fun Facts learned from the Q&A with Baz Luhrmann & Susan Sarandon:
- Sarandon would be interested in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film next year.
- Baz has a habit of not sitting down in the director’s chair when working. He likes to remain on his feet.
- There was a fire on set that claimed all of Sarandon’s personal wardrobe.
- Sarandon was surprised that there’s a “slut” label thrown onto Janet. She never saw her that way.
- At a past screening of the film, she saw a shadowcast with second generation members that really spoke to her about the enduring legacy of the film.
- Sarandon was fascinated the most by an audience member who admitted that she first saw Rocky Horror as a toddler which led to a lifelong obsession with the film.
- The man doing most of the audience response jokes during the film is making a documentary called Rocky Horror Saved My Life, with loads of interviews from fans speaking about how Rocky Horror has touched their lives.
I raised my hand to ask a question even though I had no idea what I was going to say so it was probably for the best that I went unnoticed. After the Q&A was completed, I walked up to the front of the auditorium hoping to at least meet Baz or Susan but they got surrounded by a crowd and headed to the exit. I thought “Ah, well, at least I got to see them”.
I was blocked trying to exit by a group of girls in costume taking a photo. I stopped and to my right, once again, there he was. Baz was just standing there quietly. This was my chance.
“Mr. Luhrmann?”, I said in a in a quiet, soft voice that I didn’t know I was capable of. He didn’t hear me.
“Mr. Luhrmann?” I said, sounding more and more like Michael Jackson.
I was heavily debating about gently poking Baz to get his attention when he noticed me standing next to him with an eager glint in my eyes and a finger pointing at him. A girl standing nearby, threatening my window with the director, made a beeline for him until I channelled Medusa with a glare that stopped her dead in her tracks.
Derreck & Baz
“Would you mind taking a picture with me?” was the first thing I managed to croak out. He immediately agreed and I put on a big smile for my camera.
a magical talismanAfter we took the picture, I finally whipped it out: one of my prized possessions, my Moulin Rouge DVD. I brought it on the chance that this moment would happen and even packed two markers just in case he didn’t have any writing instrument on him. He signed my DVD and I couldn’t help but say, “This means the world to me.”
Honestly, it did. He got called away but not before he smiled and gave me a gentle pat on the back. I left the theater overjoyed at the whole experience and my world seemed just a touch more rose-tinted
Reader Comments (13)
A Rocky virgin. You sweet, sweet thing.
I first saw Rocky Horror just after it came out and before audience participation was the rule. I had no idea what was going on on screen, I just knew I liked it. I really, really liked it.
I managed to catch the original stage show in London (original location, sets, etc). It was very different from the overly produced versions you see now. Very much an "I've got a barn, I'm got some sequins and I know a tranny. Let's put on a show!!" The Frankenfurter was drunk (and still managed to work those heals) and the Rocky was.....well....he makes the guy in the movie look like the guy you kick sand at. The band ROCKED!! It is still one of my favorite stage show experiences.
I've seen it in 6 countries (always with sub titles, not that anyone cares or needs them), I spent every Friday midnight in Houston the summer I worked there watching it...I was even there the night someone threw a lighted flare off the balcony into the crowd below and they stopped the show. I've seen it under the influence and stone cold. Just seeing an ad for it makes me smile.
Favorite moments are still the opening credits, Nell Campbell's performance and "I didn't make him for you."
That's sounds like a very cool experience. I'm glad you got to see it with some audience participation, it adds so much to the film. My first time was the full experience with water bottles being sprayed and paper towels being thrown by the audience as well as dancing in the aisles and a troupe performing the movie under the screen. So jealous that Susan Sarandon was there.
Cool! Brings me back memories of the first time I saw it in Denver back in 1993. I've seen the DVD at home a couple of times and it also works for me, but I'll admit it's not quite the same.
Yes, I was there right next to him. By "him" I mean the person shouting all the jokes and commentaries. I was open-minded about having that kind of experience since I'd never been to a screening of the movie even though I had seen the movie many years ago. If there had been others doing the same thing and if more than 50% of the jokes had landed, I would have enjoyed that aspect of the screening. However, this person (who really smelled bad) kind of spoiled the experience for me. I had an earache afterwards. From what I could focus on this time around, Curry's performance was definitely the best part of it. He elevates the movie into something special. It is one of those performances one is both mesmerized at its marvel and also completely immersed in it (like Ledger's joker).
One interesting comment Baz made about Fame and other movies about young people from that time was that he didn't remember how bold they were in showing sexuality and dramatic moments.
"One interesting comment Baz made about Fame and other movies about young people from that time was that he didn't remember how bold they were in showing sexuality and dramatic moments."
That's right!, Goodbar! Blanked out on that one. I also remember Sarandon mentioning that she's watched a few episodes of Transparent.
Sorry to hear about the shouting, smelly guy! I was far on the other side of the room so I could only imagine how loud it must have been to be right near him.
I also agree that Curry is completely magnetic. You can't take your eyes off him...but then again, with a costume like that, it's hard to not notice him. lol.
I dont think anyone forgets their first time with Rocky Horror. I never became a regular but I have seen it about six times at midnight screenings and it's always an... um...experience. But the first time I was totally petrified -- a sheltered Mormon boy in high school attending this very very shocking (to me then) movie with so much call back and response in the audience and back then people threw rice and toast and all manner of food items in the theater at certain moments in the screening (though I understand they don't allow that anymore from pest concerns in movie theaters.)
Six times at midnight screenings and not a regular?
What would you say the regularity is in order to be accepted in that category? Just curious…
I forgot to mention and don't know if this is a new thing or not, but the individual mentioned before also has a laser pointer and flashlight. The laser interventions were actually funny, with the characters interacting with it.
I still need to see this in a theater, but like Derreck, I'm scared I'd be the weird one NOT doing the dances or showing up in costume. If they ever did this with the Sex and the City movies however...I could quote every line and show up in a Vivienne Westwood wedding dress + bird.
I love how un-celebrity like Susan Sarandon is, spotting her just doing stuff in the city is one of those weird but great pleasures. Like seeing the Empire State or Central Park...it's things like "oh hey, it's Susan Sarandon (again) carrying a baguette!" that make simply me adore this town.
Jose, posing and preening along with Carrie during the wedding dress montage and ending with a giant twirl in a Vivienne Westwood gown sounds fantastic.
You can keep the dead bird though.
and that's the thing with Sarandon. She just seems so...chill. I can't remember who thanked her for being there but she was like "oh yeah, i mean, i only live a few blocks away."
Mr Goodbar -- well those six times are spread out over like 15 years -- so no, not a regular. I knew people in high school and college who had gone like 40 or 50 times... and some who went every weekend.
Jose-Derreck. Do not worry about not participating. About half the audience are spectators (myself included) and half are participants. It's part of the fun. The secret is accepting that the person next to you may be higher than God, trying vainly to light their bic (and failing spectacularly while cursing to the heavens) and then forgetting about it all together as the next song starts........and just enjoying everything because it is a circus. In a way it's sort of liberating. I mean, I want to scream at the screen at a lot of films I see (although it's often not because I am enjoying them).
I do not want to see participants at Sex and the City (I can only take so many drag queens in wedding dresses at one time. Talk about Bridezillas!. Besides, none of them will match the guy who showed at the KC Halloween ball in an exact replica of Princess Di's wedding dress (including train). Poor thing had to stand in the corner all night, but he won the costume contest.)........unless it's that shower scene from #2.
Given the right circumstances and the right people, I can imagine really going with it and enjoying the experience. Based on Hedda Lettuce's Oscar screening, I would love to sit through any movie (I mean it - any) if she provided the commentary. Really bold and unexpected comments often leading to cheek soreness.
Nathaniel - which movie would you say is the one film you cultivate and idolize the most, closest to the same way Rocky fans do?
This was a lovely read, thanks.