Transformers contest winner
Our Transformers Contest Winner reports!
Vancouver’s Robyn McTague was the lucky winner of a trip for two to the L.A. premiere of Transformers. We asked her to tell us about the trip.
What a treat to be whisked away to sunny L.A. for three days and two nights to see the Transformers premiere. This was especially so with all the rain lately we’ve had in Vancouver.
I had a message on my voicemail at work after returning from the Easter long weekend. What a surprise to find out I’d won this trip. It also felt great to surprise a friend and take her along.
We flew to LAX and enjoyed a leisurely shuttle ride through UCLA and other local sites to our fabulous hotel, the Beverly Hills Hilton. No sightings of Paris. The lobby was gorgeous with all these huge flower arrangements. The staff were so friendly and courteous. Our room had a view of a lounge area with a fountain and lots of trees and a mountain backdrop.
We watched a movie on our in-room 52” LCD TV, just like being at the movies. We were within walking distance to Rodeo Drive and got to see how the rich and famous shop. The stores were beautiful themselves.
The next day we were off to Paramount Studios for our VIP tour. We spent two hours visiting the lot and seeing many famous places where both TV and movies were shot. We went onto Dr.Phil’s set and I sat in Robyn’s chair. We also got to watch a taping of Entertainment Tonight. They certainly have a lot of fun doing their work. Then off to Melrose Ave. for some lunch, people watching and shopping.
Many trendy, funky and pricey shops. Then quickly back to our hotel to freshen up and get ready for the big night.
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McTague’s shot of Jon Voight at the
Transformers premiere.
Above: McTague (left) with friend Sandra Rice.
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The premiere was held at the Westwood Village Mann Theater, a beautiful old theatre. There was a huge Transformer statue of Bumblebee right in front of the theatre. We saw Jon Voight up close on the blue carpet as we arrived into the theatre. We were seated in the upstairs balcony and didn’t get a good look at those below, though Shia LaBeouf was noted by others sitting close by.
The anticipation built as the movie started about 30 minutes late. There were lots of cheers and clapping as it opened. Despite nearly two-and-a-half hours in length it went by very quickly. The movie was action-packed and the special effects were great. The humour was also very enjoyable, not what I had expected. Both of us gave it a thumbs up.
Then we were off to the block party on the street beside the theatre. There were large crowds of people, lots of music, food, drinks and large screens showing movie clips. Various cars used in the movie were also on display. Then it was another limo ride back to the hotel.
We had a final nightcap at the hotel lounge, and a luxurious sleep in our soft bed. The next morning we got to relax poolside before checking out, and then back to the airport and to rainy Vancouver.
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It was a whirlwind adventure that was a lot of fun. Thank you so much to Cineplex and Paramount for the opportunity to enjoy a movie premiere in style.