"This Is It" Red Carpet Closer to an Award Show than a Movie Premiere
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
A massive red carpet setup took up all of L.A. Live's Nokia Plaza on Tuesday night. Built for the "This Is It" premiere, the staging and attention felt more like an award show.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — L.A. Live is more familiar with hosting award shows than movie premieres, but the complex was right in its element on Tuesday night for the premiere of "This Is It." Staging and media attention for the event rivaled that of shows like the GRAMMY Awards.
The complex had what was likely its busiest night, hosting the film premiere, a concert at Club Nokia, an opening night match-up for the Lakers and Clippers and the debut of the 14-screen Regal Cinemas.
The massive red carpet setup on Nokia Plaza attracted roughly 100 photographers, not even counting the multitude of TV crews.
As attendees made their way around the press line, they passed a variety of Jackson items, including pieces of Jackson's "This Is It" staging. The items had been at Staples Center for rehearsals when Jackson died in June.












MOCAlosangeles














This was an awesome ending to an awesome career. Great movie, great man.