Avengers Premiere LA

April 11 2012

Avengers World Premiere in Los Angeles at the El Capitan Theatre.

After a great experience as an Avengers Extra in Cleveland, I decided to attend the Avengers World Premiere in Los Angeles at the El Capitan Theatre. It’s not every day that a Clevelander gets to see himself on the Hollywood big screen as an Avengers Extra. Since this would be my first major movie premiere, I had no clue what to expect. As they say in the movie industry, I was “green.”

In the past, I experienced a few software product launches with Microsoft, Apple and Google. Perhaps the Avengers premiere would be similar? Believe it or not, software development and major movie production have plenty in common. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people are essential to create software and movies. After the ideas are in place, it takes many years to bring them to life. Whether it’s a launch or premiere, there’s an overwhelming sense of relief among the developers, actors, directors and crew that their part is complete.

After the filming is complete, it’s usually time for the Marketing team to get to work. However, the marketing of the Avengers started long before the filming began with the cast assembling at Comic Con in 2010. In the comic book world, web sites like www.comicbookmovie.com began writing droves of articles and stories to speculate on what the Avengers film would be like. Each article sparked lengthy discussions and debates amongst fans. Folks from all over the world have been eagerly anticipating the Avengers premiere for a long time.

The Avengers has been heavily promoted online using social media and email marketing. Utilizing sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, marketing professionals created a huge buzz around the blockbuster. On top of social media, The Avengers was promoted with TV ads and billboards in various cities. Since I promote websites for a living, it was interested to see how Marvel and Disney worked their magic.

The Avengers premiere was over the top. It was nothing like any movie or product launch that I have witnessed before. Hollywood Boulevard was closed in front of the El Capitan Theatre. The red carpet was rolled out, but covered by a large tent due to a chance of rain.

Guests arrived at 5:30 for the premiere which started at 7 pm. Armed with cameras, thousands of fans lined the streets hoping to snap some shots of the stars. Like me, most of the people were from out of town. I chatted with a few folks from Vancouver and Toledo, Ohio. Even with a gray sky, the event was colorful since many Avengers enthusiasts dressed up like their favorite characters.

Hundreds of journalists, media professionals and paparazzi surrounded the red carpet. Reporters were on hand from all the major entertainment news channels. It was impossible not to be caught up in the bursting excitement happening on the Red Carpet.