Earlier this week I attended the premiere for The Shannara Chronicles, a brand new MTV series that’s set to air this January. I knew absolutely nothing about the concept until a few days ago, but after attending, I’m obsessed.
You may or may not have heard about this new MTV series called The Shannara Chronicles. Based off a book series by Terry Brooks, this new drama is actually a futuristic dystopian high fantasy series. Yes, you read that right — a high fantasy dystopian series is coming to MTV. Weird, right?
I thought so too, especially when the show was first mentioned to me by fellow Hypable writer Donya Abramo. But hey, this is also the same network that managed to make Teen Wolf work. When initially told about it, I thought futuristic dystopians had been so over done, but when I heard about the fantasy element, my ears perked and my attention was caught again.
Hypable was invited to the premiere, but the writers who cover the show, Karen and Brook, were unable to attend. Since I live so close, I offered to attend and represent us and this, my friends, is how I went from complete newbie to total and dedicated fan of the show.
Location, location, location.
When I got to the theater in Los Angeles, not only was there free valet parking, but the theater itself was absolutely gorgeous, and perfectly set for the show. After only a few minutes there, I was compelled to Instagram the place.
Right when you walk in you’ll notice the red carpet where the cast of The Shannara Chronicles and other MTV shows talked to the press, answering various questions and promoting the show. Afterwards, you walk into this movie theater that really didn’t look like a theater at all — it was like a fancy restaurant that also happened to be a high-end theater somewhere upstairs.
There were tree branches everywhere, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but the setting was so perfect for this show! The Shannara Chronicles takes place mostly in the woods and centers around a gigantic magical tree, so having wood everywhere just made sense.
The area with all the wood was to be the gathering place for the after party, and the space was huge. Free alcohol was provided at the bar before and after the screening, and there were fireplaces setup for warm cozy conversations for everyone that was in attendance. Plus, there was also a GIF booth hidden away in the corner! People who regularly attend premieres are probably scoffing at how impressed I was, but it was a great welcome to a show that I was just beginning to become familiar with.
The 2-hour premiere
After the initial welcome and wait for the red carpet to end, it came time for the actual screening to begin. Attendees were ushered upstairs where there were several theatres provided for the screening. Why several? Well, it turns out these were luxury dine-in theaters, so while the seating was limited in each theater, every room was equipped with leather chairs that reclined all the way with a table in the middle of each pair so you could order food and booze while you watched.
Did I mention there was free alcohol? Yeah, it was also delivered by waiters that took your order before the start. I ordered my vodka redbull (because I still had to stay up later for the drive home) and as it was delivered, the two-hour premiere began.
You can read our review about the premiere if you want a true analysis of the show, but this two hour span is where I fell in love. The story was so well done and enriching, and the cinematography was glorious. Sitting there for two hours surrounded by people who were involved with the making of what was in front of me was such a surreal experiences, and it definitely took some time to sink in.
In the first two minutes of the preview, the guy I was sitting next to had exclaimed under his breath, “It looks like a damn movie!” And rightly so, because it absolutely did. Granted, we were watching it on a screen fairly larger than most viewers will be seeing it in come January, but the beautiful introduction of The Shannara Chronicles will still translate well on your television screen, I’m sure.
By the last two minutes I was gasping at the cliffhanger, not wanting it to end because I’d become so enthralled with the story. The theater was suddenly filled with thunderous applause and hoots from the cast and creators, everyone clearly proud of what they had put out there — and it was easy to see why after witnessing the pilot. After the commotion and excitement from the finished premiere calmed down, everyone got ready to enjoy the rest of the night, and boy did they deserve it!
And then came the party
A photo posted by Sonar Entertainment (@sonarentertainment) on
So MTV had essentially drawn me in with the venue, gotten me hooked with the show, and now to finish it all off, there was an after party to send me home in style. There were so many amazing people in attendance — the cast of The Shannara Chronicles, as well as those from other MTV shows like Awkward, Teen Wolf and Finding Carter.
Meeting several of these people was great, as they were all genuinely nice and easy to chat with, and I’d had fun bumping into random celebrities all night long.
You’d think that at a premiere party you’d meet these actors and celebrities and think, “Oh, they look so different in person,” but no. I don’t know what it is about MTV and how they cast their shows, but they all looked almost exactly as they do on screen — they were jaw-droppingly gorgeous and managed to make it all look so effortless.
Having gone alone, I was worried I would spend the majority of the party walking around aimlessly, but I’d managed to meet up with a familiar face who introduced me to the people he knew. After that point, we had fun talking about the show, MTV and various other subjects of conversation. We took part in the GIF photo booth and enjoyed the fireplaces that had been empty mere hours ago, and it was just all such a great way to end the night.
At the end I walked away having had some great conversations and met several new, amazing people. But what really stuck with me was the love I found for The Shannara Chronicles. Never in my life after watching a screener have I felt more of a withdrawal than I do now, and I can’t wait for this show to premiere in January! I’m sure I’d be in love with the show even if it wasn’t the premiere that introduced me to it, and I’m sure you will love it, too.
If you’re of sound mind and body, then you will clear your schedule for January 5 because this is a show you won’t want to miss.