My coverage of the red carpet at the Orange BAFTAs [Feature]

For Blogomatic3000

When receiving an email asking whether I wanted to attend the red carpet event for the BAFTAs, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind. When the official invitation came through, I think the words “I’m going to the BAFTAs” were repeated several times, causing much annoyance to my friends. 

Here’s what happened on the night:

After arriving early in the very wet, windy and cold London, I headed straight for the very posh hotel “The Strand” and was greeted by the other bloggers who would be joining me right in the heart of the red carpet. We were there to tweet about what happened and to live blog. Once given our passes, we were sent to The Royal Opera House to take our places.

But before actually getting to the “pen” as the promoters like to call it, we had to walk the red carpet. Surrounded by cameras, fans and photographers, us humble bloggers who were wrapped up as best we could be for a black tie event, walked quickly to our spot. (You tend to find writers aren’t so comfortable in front of the camera, but walking the red carpet was quite a highlight for me)

Once we were placed, the action began. We saw Kimberly Walsh, Claudia Winkleman, Rachel Steven, Edith Bowman and Steve Jones all setting up, getting ready to present the show for various different audiences. Mark Kermode was also among them, but took the time to come speak to us. He told us he really wanted Made in Dagenham to win best British film, even though he knew The King’s Speech would clean up. 

After watching a few unknown faces walk down in some very suggestible clothing, the real stars that drew the screaming crowds started to turn up. Rupert Grint arrived nice and early and was snapped up by the press almost immediately. His ginger hair stood out in the crowd, and when the fans spotted him, chants of his name began, along with the lyrics “Ron Weasley” to the famous Youtube video.

Tim Burton looked surprisingly smart for his usually casual look and was soaked up in the crowd’s affection. We then saw the likes of Kevin Spacey, Minnie Driver, Dominic Cooper and James McAvoy all wave to the adoring screams. Cooper in particular seemed to not shy away from having his photo taken by the hormonal teen girls. 

Surprisingly it was Jesse Eisenberg that struct most popular with the fans. As he was going from one interviewer to the other, he ignored the loud yells of his name. But once he’d finishes, he shyly made his way over telling the crowd to “calm down”. After posing for numerous digital cameras, he strolled back to the carpet, leaving some to claim “oh my god, I love him so much”. 

But then, just when we thought a reception couldn’t get any better, a faint cry said “There’s Andrew!” and it all kicked off. Anticipation rose as he came closer and closer centre of the carpet, and when he finally greeted fans, he was genuinely lovely as always. Just to wind them up even more so, he waited a few minutes, came back and stood by the fans, went to walk over but paused, causing them to scream, then he smiled his smile and allowed even more autographs to be signed. At that point I fell in love with him, but that’s another story...

After this we were greeted with the uber cool Samuel L Jackson waving, Aaron Johnson and his partner looking loved up as ever, Emma Stone wanting so desperately to talk to the crowd but having to do interviews, Gemma Arterton smiling graciously, and a timid Jessica Alba not really knowing whether to approach the mental screamers or not. Eventually she gave in and signed very few pieces of paper. 

I looked over in the distance of the arrival area on the red carpet and thought I could see Paul McCartney. What I actually saw was a great looking McCartney talking to the main man himself, Colin Firth. What a duo to have together on the red carpet, ay? They signed and took photos very quickly as at this point, the stars were being rushed to be inside for the main event. 

After the last few unfamiliar faces made their way inside the magical room, we were  allowed to leave the pen. But what was most unsettling was the fact we’d all been standing in the freezing cold for so long, our feet were frozen and numb causing us all to walk back down the red carpet not so elegantly. I’m not going to complain though - Getting to attend one of Britain’s greatest award ceremonies turned out to be as fun, exciting and crazy as I’d imagined. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [Review]

Director: David Yates


Writers: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling


Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter


British wizardry just upped it's game again; the first saga of the final instalment of this prestigious story is finally with us with a great impact. The actors have found themselves in their roles, the action and special effects are darker and increasingly more exciting; Plus, we've even got some old friends back. Although long, the time passes quickly catching you off guard with quick moments of intensity through the narrative. 


David Yates (Director of Half-Blood Prince and Order of the Phoenix) has really pulled everything out that he could. There's some interesting detail to his cinematography that really makes your eyes bulge. Particularly with the editing, the attention of effects for the magic makes the film seem more mysterious. Something I thought was lacking in the previous two was the wizard theme running throughout. But here we see these mature young adults use their powers in a much more knowing way, giving them more of an appeal to an older audience. Added with this, the way he has choreographed the film to flow and pause in certain parts and speed up in others brings with it a real sense of a movie-going experience. It flows brilliantly and stops leaving you wanting more - Which is handy because the story hasn't finished being told as it cuts half way through.


The books were something that skipped my life somehow, but as a film goes, this is probably the best (besides the first, because I'm one of those ones who always has a soft spot for the first) one yet to come. You know the characters and the story leaving you to sit back and enjoy the ride. 


Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) is actually believable as his character. Before I found his performances a bit stiff, but now he's the man and accepting his responsibility as a world known wizard. Emma Watson (Hermione) is just as beautiful as ever, and Rupert Grint (Ron) still remains the cheeky one, but a little more masculine now. It's just wonderfully British. Their accents, the location and their attitudes will all live up to what audiences around the globe want to see, and what England loves to witness - A film close to their hearts that they can be proud of. 


Helena Bonham Carter stands out in her role this time. We haven't got as much appearance from the dark side as you'd expect, but a funny feeling in my guts tells me that their team of nut jobs will be haunting our dreams in the next one - Probably from the film ending on Voldemore and not the three main characters. It wasn't a satisfying end, but one of anxiousness.


[Spoiler Start] What kind of sick, messed up fairytale would ever kill an Elf, especially Dobby?! That did make me genuinely sad. I then told myself that this character was made from imagination and a computer so I soon pulled myself together. [Spoiler End] But that's what Harry Potter is great for - creating characters that would never even be in your dreams, and giving them this sense of life where you can connect with them in an enchanting  setting. 


I went into the cinema with a low expectation and came out pleasantly surprised. A perfect winter film (If you've managed to stick with it for the past 10 years). 


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Here's a fun little parody you can enjoy, based on the song "Like a G6" we have "Likes it's Quidditch: