Fantastic Mr. Fox Red Carpet

Preparing for first Red Carpet experience pays off!

I was excited and nervous covering the red carpet for the premiere of the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, because it was my first assignment as a Scholastic Kid Reporter. I didn’t know what to expect.

When I got to Bergdorf Goodman—a famous department store in New York City where the event was taking place—I saw paper markers on the sidewalk. Each had the name of a TV station, a website, a newspaper or a magazine that was also covering the red carpet.

The Scholastic Kids Press Corps was right next to The New York Times! I was worried that I had to compete with so many famous reporters. But I was also lucky. The stars’ assistants brought all the main actors over to me because I was the only kid there. (Once in a while, you get a break for being short.)

The actors patiently listened to my questions and gave me great answers. Meryl Streep, one of the most famous actors there, was wearing a beautiful shimmering gold dress, and came right up to me. I asked her how voicing a character is different from playing the role of a character.

“That is the most sophisticated question anyone has asked me in this entire press line,” she said.

I felt wonderful, because I had spent a lot of time preparing my questions. It made me feel like I was just as good as all the adult reporters there. (Here’s where hard work and preparation paid off!)

Red carpets always look glamorous on TV, but in reality, I had to stand in the cold for two and a half hours for just a few minutes of action. Also, you don't get to see the movie! However, fellow Kid Reporter Miranda Rector in California saw a screening and wrote a review.

Although, life was not so glamorous on my side of the red carpet (which is in front of a rope line and definitely NOT on the literal carpet), I didn’t care. For me it was exciting and fun!

—Grace McManus

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Grace McManus with actor Meryl Streep, who plays Mrs. Fox in the Fantastic Mr. Fox, opening November 25, 2009. (Photo Courtesy Grace McManus)

Comments

[Miranda]

Cool! I went to the press event for Mr. Fox. In roundtables, you get a break for being short there too! : )

[Michael]

Looking forwered to seeing the movie!!!!

[Erin]

Sounds like it was a really cool experience. Any chance we get to read the interview or see a video of it? It sounds too good to miss! :)