Watch this clip for an insider's view of the U2 3D premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Enjoy the band and crew interviews!
Travel: January 2008 Archives
Catherine Owens is a New York-based Irish artist known for creating U2's last four world tour video installations. She has also directed their music video for "Original of the Species" and recently premiered her feature film directorial debut, "U2 3D" at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Having garnered well-earned praise for the 3D concert experience, in between panels and press conferences, I caught up with the glowing director to wax poetic about life in Manhattan and her early influences.
Did you always know you wanted to be an artist?
Always... well I mean I was drawing, I was scribbling, I was a major scribbler when I was a kid. I suppose when I was 14, I finally took some good classes. I think I took art classes for the exams I was doing.
My father was quite a brilliant advertising man and great ideas person and great thinker and a lovely draftsman so I would take after him in my drawings and he would encourage me. We grew up in a house full of artwork. Every inch of every wall was covered in art.
Is your mother creative?
She wasn't visually creative but she was a very clever woman and would make sure we were all immersed in the arts.
What brought you to the States?
I got an Arts Council Grant after college to come here, to come to New York. It was a travel grant. I received it upon graduation and at that time, New York was the place for artists. It was post punk but during the East Village art boom. It was a very active arts group including Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat, and [Keith] Haring. You know, a very, very active group.
That was when fine art crossed over with street art and was also heavily influenced by music.
Yes, the former Talking Heads.
Deborah Harry. Madonna.
Danceteria! I clubbed for a whole year out there. Just clubbed. Area, Danceteria...
How long have you been in New York?
20 years.
So you're a New Yorker, is that the longest you've lived anywhere?
It's true but I have a house in Ireland so I come back [home].
Continue reading Interview: Catherine Owens, Co-Director and Producer, U2 3D.
Earlier tonight, we premiered U2 3D at Sundance 2008 for approximately 1200 people. Hollywood heavyweights, politicians, musicians, and rabid U2 fans packed the house. It was an epic night for many as hundreds witnessed a historical film event. Lots of amazing things happened throughout the evening. Following is a recap in case I wake up and think it was all a dream:
The evening kicked off at the Supper Club at Riverhorse on Main with a U2 3D Talent-Filmmaker cocktails and dinner. 3ality Digital filmmakers, National Geographic staff, Best Buy executives, talent, and guests enjoyed the exclusive engagement while Paddy Casey performed a soulful acoustic set. Members of U2 walked the floor mingling with guests, who for many reasons, had to keep pinching themselves in disbelief.
Acclaimed New Orleans chef, John Besh, created and served a scrumptious Bon Appetit-sponsored meal fit for rock gods and guitar heroes. Dinner notables included Former Vice President Al Gore, music mogul Jimmy Iovine, actor Woody Harrelson, and musical artist will.i.am.
Immediately following the exclusive dinner, Team U2 3D transported the whole crew to the Eccles Theatre. Once there, producers, directors, and members of U2 walked the Sundance red carpet. Flashes were popping off like fireworks inside. Director Catherine Owens looked radiant and the producers stood proud. It was electrifying!
The undisputed highlight of the evening immediately followed the red carpet. The crowd roared as Robert Redford and then U2 entered the theatre. As the lights faded, the excitement quickly grew. Many attendees moved to the music while participating as though they were attending a live concert -- waving hands in the air, shining mobile phones in lieu of lighters, and clapping passionately at the end of each song. Invited guest, Jeffrey Hopkins, Program Manager for Waterfront Film Festival was awed to see the theatre audience merge with the film audience, "It made the point that we experienced what the concert goers experienced during the show."
Many attendees walked away feeling inspired. Irish actor Kevin J. Ryan felt that U2 3D was more emotional, inspirational, and charismatic than 99% of films today, "It spoke for the Irish and it spoke for the people. It wasn't about 'I'm proud to be Irish', it's that I'm proud of being human." Hopkins agreed adding that he thought the 3D technology helped push Bono and U2's messages of positivity.
The film received a boisterous standing ovation at the end with the audience enjoying the credits on their feet. Congratulations to the U2 3D family. You should be so proud of being a part of filmmaking history! U2 3D launches in IMAX theaters on January 23, 2008.
More premiere night images can be found on the U2 3D movie website here.
The evening kicked off at the Supper Club at Riverhorse on Main with a U2 3D Talent-Filmmaker cocktails and dinner. 3ality Digital filmmakers, National Geographic staff, Best Buy executives, talent, and guests enjoyed the exclusive engagement while Paddy Casey performed a soulful acoustic set. Members of U2 walked the floor mingling with guests, who for many reasons, had to keep pinching themselves in disbelief.
Acclaimed New Orleans chef, John Besh, created and served a scrumptious Bon Appetit-sponsored meal fit for rock gods and guitar heroes. Dinner notables included Former Vice President Al Gore, music mogul Jimmy Iovine, actor Woody Harrelson, and musical artist will.i.am.
Immediately following the exclusive dinner, Team U2 3D transported the whole crew to the Eccles Theatre. Once there, producers, directors, and members of U2 walked the Sundance red carpet. Flashes were popping off like fireworks inside. Director Catherine Owens looked radiant and the producers stood proud. It was electrifying! The undisputed highlight of the evening immediately followed the red carpet. The crowd roared as Robert Redford and then U2 entered the theatre. As the lights faded, the excitement quickly grew. Many attendees moved to the music while participating as though they were attending a live concert -- waving hands in the air, shining mobile phones in lieu of lighters, and clapping passionately at the end of each song. Invited guest, Jeffrey Hopkins, Program Manager for Waterfront Film Festival was awed to see the theatre audience merge with the film audience, "It made the point that we experienced what the concert goers experienced during the show." Many attendees walked away feeling inspired. Irish actor Kevin J. Ryan felt that U2 3D was more emotional, inspirational, and charismatic than 99% of films today, "It spoke for the Irish and it spoke for the people. It wasn't about 'I'm proud to be Irish', it's that I'm proud of being human." Hopkins agreed adding that he thought the 3D technology helped push Bono and U2's messages of positivity.
The film received a boisterous standing ovation at the end with the audience enjoying the credits on their feet. Congratulations to the U2 3D family. You should be so proud of being a part of filmmaking history! U2 3D launches in IMAX theaters on January 23, 2008.
More premiere night images can be found on the U2 3D movie website here.
The air is electrifying. Interviews are in session. Filmmakers, creatives, and fanatics are all hyped up for tonight's world premiere of U2 3D. For many first time attendees, Sundance has been hyper surreal. Nothing beats an environment filled with joy. And we are feeling the love. Thank you everybody!
Mike Lewinsky (EMV, Vice President of
Creative Affairs), Lisa Truitt (National Geographic Cinema Ventures,
President) , Ted Kenney (U2 3D, Supervising Producer), Sarah Carragher
(mPRm Public Relations, Director), Jenny Sireci (U2 3D, Production
Manager) and Steve Matthews (Principal Management Ltd., Director)
One of the pitfalls of flooding a city with tens of thousands of visitors in a week is that more often than not, cellular service is poor at best. So when a hot spot is found, people stop dead in their tracks to work, work, work, and work! We spent most of the morning and afternoon dealing with dinner and party location and transportation logistics with the A-Team. A lot of progress was made by furiously tapping away. Don't believe for a minute that the photo captured above is unique to our crew. Everywhere you look at Sundance, this is what you'll see.
It’s freezing outside but we’re still feeling warm and fuzzy from all the recent rave reviews. Our team’s arrived in Park City, Utah for Sundance 2008 and we’re excited! Can’t stand the sub zero weather? No patience to wait hours in line for next year’s surprise box-office hit? Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for — to report to you all the cool behind-the-scenes action that will happen at this indie cinema showcase. Watch everything unfold as we roll out the red carpet for U2 3D’s world premiere on Saturday, January 19, 2008. Sundance is going to rock!
