December 6, 2005

HARD TO FOCUS ON JOLIE

ANGELINA JOLIE

FOCUS FOR CHANGE GALA
THE SUPPER CLUB
December 5, 2005

This may have been one of the smallest arrival areas ever. It rivals the Sony 19th Street Theater premieres on the side entrance.

One stanchion was set up, with a small backdrop. Only 3-4 people could fit in front (with everyone else stacked as high as you could go.) PR informed us that Jolie would not be arriving thru the main entrance. While scouting out the other options, she arrived out of nowhere and went into the hotel lobby next door.... now the fun begins.

Everyone breaks rank and chases her into the lobby. Their is an entrance to the Supper Club via the lobby, but Jolie and her security couldn’t find it right away. Now she is roaming the lobby, looking for this door, as more and more fans, paparazzi and gawkers assemble.

They find the door, but by this time a mini riot has ensued. Jolie didn't go right into the door, in fact, she kept going back and forth in front of the elevators...which in turned created more insanity. Some security guard went after Video Dave, Dennis lost his footing, someone towards the back of the pack got in a shouting match, and it looked like Diane fell down in the front of the pack.

Believe it or not, we almost pulled off a shot. But a lot of people got too greedy. Angelina yelled for everyone to step back (to give us a shot). But every time the pack pushed back, some sneaky bastard ran around the side to the front. This happened about 3-4 times before Jolie (and us for that matter) just gave up. Jolie ran into the door flanked by 3 security guards.

I apologize to whomever I elbowed while I tried to move the pack back. But I was consistently getting screwed with people jumping in my way that I had to take matters into my own hands. I have no regrets, but I hope no one was hurt.


HERE'S UPI's REPORT ON THE INCIDENT:

Paparazzi swarm Jolie in New York

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Angelina Jolie's human rights benefit was marred by a flood of paparazzi who accosted the actress outside the New York venue.

Jolie was on her way into the benefit Monday night for WITNESS, an international human rights group, when she stopped to sign autographs for fans waiting outside, TMZ.com reported Tuesday.

She was immediately swarmed by photographers and even pushed one camera out of her face, the Web site said.

As the crowd grew more unruly, she pleaded without success, asking the paparazzi to "just back up." Finally, her security guards were able to dislodge her from the mayhem and escort her into a back entrance.

The actress made national headlines this week when it was revealed Brad Pitt had filed papers in Los Angeles seeking to adopt her two children.

...and here's a link to the VIDEO.



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