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Comments
I'm not the one using asterisks.
Finally someone talking sense! Why on Earth is everyone else acting like the only two choices are either NO press conference at all or press conference with questions?
I think they have decided that the whole exercise is simply not practical and can be replaced by something simpler, yet just as effective in getting their message out.
Without a doubt.
I'm being a bit negative but I'm not panicked and by no means thinking all is lost. Go read the section sequence it something positive and breath and relax..
STAY CALM
AND
SHOOT THE FULM
:D
I think it's more the point that rumours are in the aether and they'd rather not address them. A reporter says, "Is it true Christoph will play Blofeld", the press will use body language as clarification, even if they all sit their in silence, the slightest smirk or sideways glance and the press will read into it whatever the hell they like. If they want to keep a tight lid on the production this is a decent move imo.
In the history of mankind there have been many press conferences without questions being allowed. And who knows, maybe this photo call will be basically a press conference without questions.
I don't think you're wrong, and I do think the Waltz-as-Blofeld question, would play out just as you described, ie awkward non-answers; but I don't think the actual atmosphere would do much to further flame or douse the rumours. The whole thing is so staged.
Like something Elliott Carver would put out.
Personally my best guess, and its only a guess, is that based on the SF presser, Mendes probably does not want to go through such a dog-and-pony show again, when he really can't say much and would rather be working.
The guy can talk and talk, in the right setting. He likes to wax, so it might be doubly frustrating for him to have to engage such a muzzled environment,.
Photo-call serves the same purpose. We get a good look at everyone, and maybe some canned comments from those concerned about the upcoming production.
They'll do the press conference once they've got all that sorted out. Probably also adding to the cast list... maybe they are still lining up their British Bond girl (the one we keep talking about but have no info on) & want her present for the press conference.
I don't think it's a problem. I actually prefer it this way. They never really give anything away at the press conferences anyway. Keeps it exciting and our appetites whetted.
It depends on what Marketto means by "photo-call," but imagine this:
There is a press event. Someone, maybe multiple people, come out, read prepared remarks. Cast members come out, smile, and are photographed while staying a respectable distance away from the scribes and photographers. The scribes try yelling questions to see if they can a rise. The actors smile, nod, and then walk off when it's done.
They still get coverage, the pictures go out and they don't have to answer any questions.
Also, I think some on the Eon side don't even like being asked the questions in the first place. But short of having a mind-reading machine handy, there's no way to know for sure.
Here's what we'll miss:
Actors saying, "I've wanted to work all my life on a Bond film."
Sam Mendes saying, "I'd like to answer that, but then I'd have to kill you."
Barbara Broccoli saying, "All the money's up on the screen."
They should hold a press conference but not allow questions and they should talk about things like casting, cinematography, filming locations, the composer, the production schedule, the behind the scenes story of Mendes ruling himself out to direct Bond 23 and then accepting the job after all, the development of the script etc. There are plenty of things they can talk about without revealing anything about the plot.
IMO though - that is a big waste of time..... it becomes less a press conference, and more releasing an official statement - and something like that might work for 1, 2, maybe even 3 people... but with a Bond presser, you got Babs and Michael, Mendes, Daniel - thats already 4.... Waltz, Fiennes, Harris, Bautista, Seydoux.... so you're talking bringing in 8 people, to do nothing but talk for 2 minutes about how much they love Bond, love the franchise, are excited to work with everyone there, can't wait to start, this will be the best Bond yet, (insert whatever other presser cliche' you can think of)... when you consider that, and then add in that after that, they all get up and leave with the press not being able to ask a single question... god, what a waste of everyone's time..
you're better off just snapping the group photo on set (or during the read through) where they reveal the title of the film, and then moving on...
Seems he has also problems with people claiming he spoils the movies :
Mendes : "I'm just really excited to be coming back and working with such an amazing group of people again.. (motions to everyone sitting at the table).. and I wouldn't be coming back if I didn't feel we could make the best Bond movie possible, and I believe we will do that this time around."
Again, happens all the time. Such an event would still get coverage. And I don't think you need all eight. Broccoli, Wilson, Craig and Mendes give canned remarks. The other actors smile and wave from behind. The thing still gets covered. Also, I'd expect a press release with the title. Off you go.
those other actors/actresses have lives too - and unless filming is starting a day or two after, perhaps to fly halfway around the world, to stand in front of a placard and wave and smile for 5 minutes - then fly all the way back home, would seem a bit..... pointless??
It's true that the press conference of Skyfall was like that but that does not mean every press conference has to be like that. I can guarantee you that if I were the director the press conference I would hold would be very far from boring. (I would politely ask the producers not to attend for a start. :bz )
A press conference without Babs and Mike? Sacrilege!
It would make it seem like the director is completely in charge this time, which would create a lot of buzz.
My guess is this event would coincide with the start of filming, like in 2011.
blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/11/25/report-christoph-waltz-to-play-classic-villain-blofeld-in-bond-24/
lol - good luck with that.. they would be your boss, and the ones organizing the presser..
you're right, they don't have to be boring... but they are far from informative - they are more or less a meet and greet session than they are about talking about the film itself... and coming from a filmmaker, it is hard to talk about a film you haven't shot yet - you could only talk about what you hope to accomplish - which again, turns into a cliche' fest...
remember also, everyone involved with the production of these films sign "full non-disclosure" agreements, meaning they can't utter a word about the film itself, for fear of getting fired from production, lawsuit, and possibly blacklisted - these agreements are no joke..
so when you combine all that, with all the media rumor firestorm that has been going on, i don't want to sit through 5 minutes of "no comment." responses..
The Wall Street Journal is citing the Mail on Sunday story that said Waltz would play Blofeld. The Journal hasn't done any of its own reporting. The Journal story is also from two days ago.
I am the calmest person on earth right now.
Yeah, I'd agree. I definitely think it's a simple case of him not wanting to go through the usual protocol. After all, they're following up the biggest British Box Office hit in history, they don't need the usual pleasantries to drum up interest. Photos will certainly do the job and the title will almost certainly kick off a heated discussion.