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Tom attended Medium Cool at the Paley Center in New York City on February 12th and was kind enough to share his enjoyment of this exciting event with me. I asked if I could share the news with all of you and Tom said sure. Thanks, Tom! I’m sure everyone else will enjoy an inside peek at the night as much as I did:
The showing took place in the concourse theater which had stadium seating. There were 200 seats in the theater and on the stage, there were two chairs which would be occupied by the moderator, Marilyn Stasio, a crime and mystery columnist for the New York Times Book Review and Patricia Arquette after the screening of the new episode.
I was fortunate to get a seat in the second row. Before the episode was shown, Patricia and her agent Molly Madden came down the aisle along with a few others and occupied the first row. After some introductory words from Paley Center personnel, they showed the episode directed by Patricia. It was another great episode of Medium which I am sure you will all enjoy. I will share with you 2 comments about the episode without giving anything away. First the beginning starts out with Patricia narrating, which I really enjoy and the ending was not as fulfilling as last weeks episode where she got to show a little of Allison’s attitude in the diner, however you judge for yourself. For some reason I thought Patricia would not play such a prominent role, since she was the director, but she did. What a great job, she did and I think everyone who will see it will agree with me.
After the screening Marilyn and Patricia took their seats on stage. Marilyn said a few words and said she has 3 questions for Patricia, and then they would open up the questions to the audience. Every time I see Patricia in person, I am amazed how much different she looks from her character on TV. I mean, the actual appearance, because she is tiny, she does not look like a soccer mom in person. Even her voice is different.
Marilyn did state that this was being recorded which implies that at some point in time others may view it. So when people asked questions they were handed a microphone. Before the questions Patricia talked about her role as director. The implication was although she was directing, that Glenn ultimately had the last word in a lot of things. Actually she made it clear that he was creatively involved and approves everything. I sure hope you can hear this eventually, because it was well done and very interesting.
I was finally recognized but my question started out with a commentary and went like this. I said, I am a big fan of all your work. Then I said, several years ago you did a podcast with Joel Marshall, At this point she knew exactly what interview I was referring to, because she said, yes from Fat free films. I continued and said and you discussed in length, all the directors you worked with. What they each brought to the table with their directing style. You then talked about how you prepare for a role, the research, the trying to understand who these characters are and their mindsets. When I listened to this interview which lasted about 45 minutes, I knew right then and there you were destined to direct, just by the way you were talking about it. I said, Patricia, at the end of the interview they asked you what you thought would be important for a director to pay attention to. Do you remember what you said? I paused and could see the gears starting to churn, so after a few seconds I said, you said to feed the cast. So patricia, my question is, did you feed the cast for this episode? She laughed and said food was brought in but not by her.
She went on to say, that at fat free films, their interviews are of substance, not like what are you wearing, or what is your favorite …
A few more questions were asked and then it was over. I would say the episode was about 40 minutes and her discussion and questions lasted about an hour. It really was a great night and was sorry it ended so soon. When it ended there was no way to get to her, because they lined up the stage with Paley Center security people. So I will get to her at the NBC Experience store on Monday.
Image – PR Photo
Thanks so much for sharing that, Katelyn, and thanks for the awesome first-hand account, Tom. Sounds like it was a great night. (Wish I could have been there.)
But at least we’ll all get to see the episode on Monday night. I’m anxious to see how Patricia did directing and to see how her son does in this episode.
You did know that he was guest-starring in this episode, right?
Dawn,
Doesn’t it? I wanted to go, too, but this is almost as good. Yes, she mentioned that he would be guesting at the fashion show and she also told us about another guest star this season. I have the post about it set to appear at 2 am for some reason.
[...] case you missed it, Tom has provided us with an eye witness account of the Paley Center [...]
I read that Anjelica Houston is coming back, is it true?
Mike,
Yes that is the other star she mentioned. It is in TV Guide, so it is pretty likely to be true.
Tom, I was there too, in the second row in the cordoroy jacket. It was a blast, and it was great to hang with Patricia after, get another autograph outside the paley center and a photo with her. She was a doll, and I had fun chatting with her manager Molly and assistant. They were lovely as well.
Yesm Patricia said whgen asked if Angelica would be on this year, said, ‘You must be psychic to ask that question!”
Hi mwa, I was on the end seat, left side looking toward the stage.
The way the Paley Center security people surrounded her after the interview, I didn’t think there was any way to get to her. I planned on going into the city on Monday to see her at the autograph signing.
I remember your question Tom, and it was great. Patricia loved it and so did the audience.
I agree, the security was tight. Luckily, I waited outside after with a group of others and had a great time. It was nice to chat with her, get a photo with her, an autograph and chat with her manager mand assistant. They were dolls too.
I’m so jealous you guys! Wish I could’ve been there, but thanks to Tom and Katelyn for sharing with us here.
If Katlyn provides me with an emaila ddress, I can send the pics I have from the paley event to post….I have them uploaded to shutterfly.com
That would be wonderful. I know everyone would appreciate seeing them. It is katelyn@b5media.com. Thanks!
[...] Michael, who most of you know of as MWA, also was at the Paley Center for Patricia Arquette’s talk about her directorial debut. He was gracious enough to share his experience and some photos of the event: [...]