Read on Twitter
Three years ago tonight was one of the coolest experiences I had during my time working for @IMAX. @colliderfrosty hosted a #colliderimax screening of The Last Jedi, followed by a 90 minute Q&A with @rianjohnson. While these screenings were always fun, this one was special.
I remember @colliderfrosty saying that this was the last event Rian was doing to promote the film, that there were no publicists there, no Disney people, just Rian coming to talk. This was the lengthiest Q&A I ever saw in this series and it FLEW BY.
What happened after was even more incredible. Oftentimes there'd be a table set up for the talent to sit at, sign some mini posters, give a quick hey and hello to the guests. Even though the table was there, @rianjohnson wouldn't sit behind it.
Instead, he stood there in our lobby for the next couple of hours as he interacted with each and every single attendee. He talked with them, actual conversations, took photos, signed anything and everything that was put in front of him. He treated these people like family.
Since I worked for the company, I always felt like the attendees were guests in my home. I wouldn't take a seat during the screenings, instead I'd sit on the bleacher behind where we ran the projector. I let every other person chat with Rian and only then did I approach him.
By this point, it was somewhere around 1 AM. Rian didn't care. He hung out with the few of us IMAX employees who were still around. My buddy @MarcAspinall had done the cover art for @bmoviesd's magazine on TLJ. He'd managed to get someone at @MondoNews to send me two copies.
I told Rian that and asked if he'd sign one for @MarcAspinall. He did me one better. @MondoNews @bmoviesd @rianjohnson
After that, I asked him something I rarely ask when it comes to filmmakers: for a personalized autograph using one of my favorite lines from the film. He graciously did. I'm looking at it now, framed and up on my wall as I write this. @rianjohnson
The whole point of this story is that not only do I believe @rianjohnson is a remarkable filmmaker, he's just damn good person. He went SO far above and beyond for people that night and that's what I'll always think of first when I think of him.
A huge thanks to @IMAX and @colliderfrosty for so many great memories.
