Webworm Birthday Bash: Jurassic Park on 35mm
December 22nd, New Zealand, you're invited.
Hi,
I am lucky enough to be spending some of the holiday period back in beautiful Aotearoa. While I’m there, I’ve decided to put on a little Webworm party on December 22nd, doing something I’ve wanted to do for about 30 years now:
Hire a cinema to play Jurassic Park on 33mm film.
This year marks my favourite film’s 30th anniversary — so what better way to celebrate than to watch it the way it was meant to be watched? On an original 35mm film reel from 1993.
I’ll be there to present the film, we’ll do a little informal Q&A straight after, then we’ll open the cinema bar after so we can all hang and chat more casually. A little Jurassic Park party. A Jurassic Parky.
For those Webworm readers who can’t make it due to timing or geography: I’m sorry! I want to do more meetups in other places in NZ, and the US (and elsewhere when I end up there) in the future.
The Details:
What: 1993’s Jurassic Park, on film
When: 7.30pm on December 22
Tickets: You can get them right now, here for $19 (this goes towards cinema hire and Webworm!)
Where: The Hollywood in Auckland, New Zealand: 18-20 Saint Georges Road, Avondale, 0600.
To be fully transparent, paying Webworm members have access to free tickets. They help keep this thing running, so it’s a way to say thanks to them! Those free tickets, and a Mister Organ blu-ray giveaway, are accessible to paying members here.
I will be there in person with Jurassic Park on 35mm. This isn’t digital — it’s an original film print, as Jurassic Park was originally intended to be watched back in 1993. Plus we’re in the gorgeous old Hollywood theatre. It’s the perfect vibe.
This will be a one-off, very special night for a few reasons.
First off, I want to all gather in the same space, as friends, to say hello. You to me, me to you, you to each other.
Also — Jurassic Park means a lot to me! It was the first film I saw in a cinema, and it remains one of cinema’s greatest delights. A perfect fusion of CGI and live action, this thing is gonna look fucking great on grainy 35mm film. I can’t wait to watch it with an audience of kind humans that I usually just hang out with online.
This is the first time I’ve seen this movie in this format since 1993. That was 30 fucking years ago.
The Night:
7pm — Arrivals at The Hollywood in Avondale, Auckland. I will be in the lobby milling around. Yummy snacks and beverages will be on sale at the box office.
7.30pm — We all get seated. I’ll intro Jurassic Park inside. Some trailers I’ve curated will play, and then the main event!
9.15pm — When the credits have rolled, I’ll jump back on the stage, and happily answer any questions in an informal Q&A. We can chat Jurassic Park, Webworm, documentary, journalism, anything.
9.40pm — We open up the Hollywood bar, where we can buy some drinks and mill around and chat with each other. We’re all friends here at Webworm so I really want everyone to meet each other! Please be kind to me with my face blindness if we’ve met before.
11pm — The night wraps up!
For those that can make it, but are perhaps apprehensive of being indoors, you’re welcome to come say hi to me outside beforehand, or after. I’ll be around!
See you there. Again, that ticket link is:
https://jurassicpartytickets.eventbrite.co.nz.
See you there!
David.
