Walking the Green Carpet | Pete’s Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

There are truly times you must pinch yourself to see if you are dreaming.  When I reflect back on my life, in my wildest dreams I didn’t think I’d ever make it to a red, errr green carpet, yet on Monday, there I was, a special guest of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures hitting the green carpet at the world premiere of PETE’S DRAGON held at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

I love that life’s circle has brought me such unique opportunities in my writing career to experience such magical moments, it’s truly a blessing!  Sharing the memory is also very special, and I’m glad you stopped by to take a peek behind-the-scenes of the green carpet.  In the words of nostalgia from my childhood days, “Welcome the dragon while you have a chance, give him his moment to rise up and dance!” (“There’s Room for Everyone” lyrics from the original Pete’s Dragon)

PETE’S DRAGON Pre-Party

The theme of the day at the Pete’s Dragon pre-party celebration was definitely “green!”  The room had the aura of a dragon’s lair with the grand rooms where vaulted ceilings and green lighting offered a cavernous-like backdrop.

Celebrities and guests mingled throughout several rooms full of PETE’S DRAGON- inspired activities including a virtual reality experience where guests could fly with Elliot, have fun green-screen photo opps, get a dragon airbrush tattoo, make various crafts or enjoy a delicious bite to eat including a “dragon’s breath” dessert (a flash-frozen crispy rice treat that emitted smoke when eaten.)

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

Celebrities from the film including Wes Bentley, Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard and Oona Laurence joined by many other Hollywood stars including Mario Lopez, Beverley Mitchell Pete Wentz, Tiffani Thiessen, Rachel Roy, Matthew Lillard, Scott Speedman and more.  A treasured moment for me was meeting Lou Diamond Phillips, an actor I’ve long admired since his early role in “Miami Vice” and film appearance in “La Bamba.”

PETE’S DRAGON World Premiere

 

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

After the exciting pre-party, it was time to walk the green carpet for the world premiere viewing of PETE’S DRAGON at the famous El Capitan Theater.  This is only my second experience on the red carpet and it was equally enchanting as the first.  The nice thing was that I was more relaxed this time and able to immerse myself into the experience more fully, which made things even more fun!

Bryce Dallas, Oakes Fegley, and Oona Laurence arrive at the world premiere of DisneyÕs PeteÕs Dragon at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PeteÕs Dragon opens nationwide August 12, 2016..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
Bryce Dallas, Oakes Fegley, and Oona Laurence arrive at the world premiere of DisneyÕs PeteÕs Dragon at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PeteÕs Dragon opens nationwide August 12, 2016..(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 08:  Actor Wes Bentley arrives at the world premiere of Disney's "PETE'S DRAGON" at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PETE'S DRAGON opens nationwide August 12, 2016.  (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney ) *** Local Caption *** Wes Bentley
HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 08: Actor Wes Bentley arrives at the world premiere of Disney’s “PETE’S DRAGON” at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on August 8, 2016. The new film, which stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Wes Bentley and Karl Urban and is written and directed by David Lowery, has been drawing rave reviews from both audiences and critics. PETE’S DRAGON opens nationwide August 12, 2016. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney ) *** Local Caption *** Wes Bentley

Again, green was the theme, with a lush green carpet sprawling down Hollywood Boulevard to the entrance of the El Captian Theater.  Celebrities walked the left side of the carpet to take a moment for pictures and press interviews, guests (like me) walked the right side of the carpet where we were greeted with plenty of greenery and fun photo opps.  Everyone converges at the end for more fun photo opps and a chance to mingle a few minutes before entering the theater.  At that intersection, I had a very special moment meeting Auli’i Cravalho, who you will soon get to know well as she is the voice of Moana (in theaters 11/23/16), and her wonderful mother.   They have amazing spirits, such an honor to have the gift of spending a few special minutes with them.

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

After our dazzling time on the green carpet, it was time to settle in and enjoy Disney’s re-imagined PETE’S DRAGON take flight.  The film is truly a delightful, heart-warming family film and I’ll be sharing more thoughts soon in a full review, so stay tuned! 

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent
Oakes Fegley (Pete in Pete’s Dragon) sitting on the photo opp prop at the Pete’s Dragon World Premiere event

Inside the El Capitan Theater

The day following the world premiere of PETE’S DRAGON, our group had the opportunity to get a special behind-the-scenes tour of the El Capitan Theater which was a real treat! The El Capitan Theater is an exclusive first run theater for Walt Disney Pictures. 

Most impressive is the architecture and luxurious decor details that make the theater so magical.  The restoration process for the theater was intense.  Designers took measures to ensure the theater was returned to its original glory, going so far as to match the pigments in the paint.

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent

We learned the theater opened in 1926 and is considered to be “Hollywood’s First Home of Spoken Drama.” The building has a Spanish Colonial exterior and a an East Indian interior designed by San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh.  Though the theater now is restored to its original elegance, there are some modern additions for movie-goers that truly enhance the experience like the Dolby ATMOS sound system featuring over 100 speakers and Christie Solaria series digital projectors.   With the exquisite decor, innovative technology and dramatic curtain opening for films, an movie experience at the El Capitan is certainly like no other!

Walking the Green Carpet | Pete's Dragon World Premiere #PetesDragonEvent
Backstage behind the curtain at the El Capitan Theater

Be sure to continue to follow my coverage via @ruralmoms (Twitter) @Barb_Webb (Instagram) and RuralMoms (Facebook)- look for the #PetesDragonEvent hashtag.

PETE’S DRAGON flies into theaters everywhere on August 12th!

Disclosure: I attended the #PetesDragonEvent My expenses were covered by Disney. All opinions are my own.


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by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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Comments

    • Linda Kinsman
    • August 11, 2016
    Reply

    I couldn’t wait to see your first coverage post on the blog Barb. I’ve been following along with you as you shared this magical movie event. Lovely photos and interesting facts about the El Capitan Theater. Great coverage!! Now I want to see the movie even more.

      • Barb Webb
      • August 16, 2016
      Reply

      Thanks Linda! You are always so sweet and I’m so glad to have you in my life! Glad that you enjoyed the first piece of coverage, more to come, for sure!

    • Gwendolyn Mulholland
    • August 12, 2016
    Reply

    I am so glad that I was able to meet and spend time with you. The premiere was incredible and I loved our tour of the El Capitan Theater.

      • Barb Webb
      • August 16, 2016
      Reply

      Meeting you was definitely a highlight of my trip, Gwendolyn. So glad I got the chance to know you better, the only redeeming part of our airport woes lol Totally a wonderful trip!

  1. Reply

    This was such an amazing experience! I’m so happy I got to share it with you <3 You looked AMAZING!!!!

      • Barb Webb
      • August 16, 2016
      Reply

      You are so sweet, Rachel! So glad I finally got to meet you in person and you looked absolutely stunning! Hope to connect again soon… for sure in October!

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