Not So FANTASTIC For Hundreds of Tired, Poor

FANTASTIC FOUR PREMIERE
Liberty Island
5pm press call

The premiere was slated for a 5:30pm start. Then when we get to the check in, we're told 7pm arrival. (We should have known something was up when they let EVERY photographer get on the ferry to shoot.)
So....well over 200 photographers/video/reporters board onto a 6pm ferry to Liberty Island.
Oh yea....there's a torrential downpour that occurs as we depart the ferry on the island. We are now 'held' on the dock until the storm passes. 6:15pm...6:45pm....7:15pm ...(aren't arrivals supposed to have started?)

When the rain subsides, we are moved to the tourist cafeteria and given a free meal (an evil ploy to make us full and tired so we can't complain...I swear by it!) By the way, the only food they served that was not fried was the water.

FINALLY...after about 40 minutes we are lead to the press area... where all hell breaks loose. There was enough space provided for at least 40 front row spots, and what happend? People complained! (Give them an inch...) The A-list is placed in the photo pen first, B-list 'tries' to call the list but some photogs start moving barricades around. After we place 45+ shooters, the park security move the barricades back to their original position. The list must now be recalled. photogs refuse to move for the recall, sneaks weasel into spots, it's 85% humidity and hot, we've been on this godforsaken island for 3 1/2 hours AND STILL HAVEN'T TAKEN A PICTURE!

The talent arrives and poses nicely for everyone. So...one would think you could leave on the next ferry back to Manhattan....WRONG. All the stills have to wait for video to finish, at which point ALL the media have to leave at once on the 9:15 ferry.

It's now 10:30pm and we finally board the ferry. And sit there. And wait. Now everyone notices hundreds of the guests heading for the boat. Why? The projector broke and only 5 minutes of the movie was shown. So now we have to wait for everyone to load onto the ferry. The media didn't arrive back on Manhattan until 11:15pm....for a "5:30pm" premiere.