I've started this thread as virtually half of the posts on this site are asking questions like "... how can I get Premiere Tickets to see...". Hopefully some of the points below will help you understand why tickets to Premieres GENERALLY aren't available to the public and what, if anything can be done to get them.
Maybe the Forum Mods will see fit to place this at the top of the list with other helpful threads??? If I'm inaccurate with any of the statements, then I sincerely apologise to all those connected with the industry and will amend any errors if you’d care to post a reply, pointing out any mistakes. OK... here we go....
1. Rule #1... Not all Movies have a Premiere.
2. Generally the purpose of a Premiere is to obtain the maximum amount of
pre-release publicity as possible for a Movie... bottom line! That’s why
they’re held.
3. If the Leading man/lady or other newsworthy member of the Crew or Cast isn’t available to attend, due to ‘other commitments’ or quite simply they just don’t want to be there, then you can bet your bottom dollar that there won’t be a Premiere! No Stars = no press coverage = no point holding a Premiere (see point 2).
4. The Distributor of the Movie books the venue for the event (typically a Leicester Square cinema, although sometimes Premiere’s are held outside of the West End).
5. The Chosen Cinema WILL NOT have tickets for sale. These are private events hosted by the Film Distributor. (Would you allow the Hotel where you’ve booked your birthday party to sell tickets to your event? I thought not... same principle applies).
6. Invitations will be issued by the Distributor or the host, however guest lists will be compiled by the Distributors, the Studios and anyone professionally connected with the production of the Movie.
7. The Guest lists are GENERALLY restricted to those involved with the Production or Distribution of the Movie. Cast, crew, their families, Distributors and their guests, etc. will all take priority.
8. Additional Celebrities, not directly associated with the Movie will also be invited (again, see points 2 & 3). A nice scattering of high profile Celebrity will attract attention and subsequently good press coverage.
9. Distributors will allocate some Tickets for Promotional Partners. Brands often develop associations with appropriate Movies (i.e. ‘Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen’ & T-Mobile, Panasonic & ‘James Cameron’s Avatar’, JD Sports & ‘St Trinian’s : The Legend of Fritton’s Gold’, etc.)
10. Tickets allocated to Promotional Partners will be used either for those directly involved in the preparation of a Promotion, or as competition prizes. The number of tickets given over to a promotional partner will generally be commensurate with the level of exposure that a promotion generates (again, see point 2).
11. Sometimes a Distributor will allocate a number of tickets to be used as fund raisers for a nominated charity or cause (i.e. ‘Disney’ recently sold tickets on the open market to the World Premiere of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in aid of Gt. Ormond St. Hospital).
12. There are some Corporate Hospitality companies that do sell tickets to Premieres. These aren’t cheap, but they are generally the only way that you can buy them if you’re outside of the industry. (The best I’ve found is Mark Butler Associates– Google them for more info).
In Summary...
If you want to get a hold of tickets to a Movie Premiere, you have to...
• Be connected with the film (or know someone who is) and get an invitation
• Win them by entering a competition
• Buy them from a Corporate Hospitality company (not all films are available)
• Hope that some are being offered up for charity and buy them
I hope this helps...?
Posted: 2010-01-08 16:00:14