Great Gatsby Red Carpet: Snubs, Rain and Spider-man
Inside the red carpet maul
It begins when they check off your name and give you a media pass to wear like a dog tag. Standard response is mild disgust at being branded by the event, but secretly most Behind Ropers horde these as the geekiest of souvenirs. Next, finding your behind the rope spot. Thankfully tonight's rope possies were already predetermined with name/outlet cards (a spot inside rather than in the rain – score!) but this is often a bloodbath. Short Streetpressers like this writer do their best, but often get shunted. Uncomfortable but big footwear in one tactic to avoid this; steel caps are another.
Even with a spot secured there is still a hierarchy. Behind The Rope we are given a cheat sheet of expected carpeteers to help us out (headshots and descriptions) – and then it's just a giant game of 'Guess Who' as we work out which starlet with black hair, television experience or an interest in Dub Step that we want to target relative to our likely readers/viewers/listeners. As The Beauties wander past, we call at them, first with the tone of voice mum used when it was time to get off the swing (sing-song version of the target's first name like 'Deell-taaaa', 'Too-beeeey'). Then, like mum, if the target ignores, passes over or gets distracted, the call gets aggressive ('Delta!', 'Tobey!').
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Mostly, it works and the target turns, hands their stuff to their human bagrack (sorry, date) and chats/poses. However tonight there was one noticeable snub, as Sarah Murdoch passed our rope's edge no matter how many Mum voices were used. Conspiracy theories abounded. Did someone earlier on piss her off? (If so, $5 each way on an ABC 'stunt' program or breakfast radio duo). Or, did she have some deal to only talk to certain people (a major sponsor or particular media outlet, perhaps)? Maybe she was just wanted a choc top and a sit down.
There is also always one lonely kid wanting to be noticed – Richard Wilkins and random Voice contestants, for a while all cut lonely figures. At the other extreme are the Very Rope Generous. Tonight it was old school with Jack Thompson immediately noticeable as you could hear is famous drawl from down the line, but then as he came close his small 'drama mask' lapel pin was caught by small cameras that you'd never notice unless up close. Thanks for the detail, Jack – we had a moment.
There was also Ita Butrose, who brought it with a Gatsby umbrella (standard issue on the night) but subtly kept the logo side near cameras where she could – brand perfect – and Kerri Anne, who brought a camp warmth like only she can. The Big Names, Toby McGuire (aka Spider-man) and Carey Mulligan hid their likely carpet-fatigue well, smiling, standing close and in the correct light.
And then Baz, ah, Baz. Despite keeping us waiting as he talked to everyone all the way (think the doctor's surgery where you can see the big line and start timing the patients before you, cursing them and their needs), by the time he arrived he was both on message and charming all at once.
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