So much has happened. So much goodness and craziness. I hardly know how to organize my thoughts. I have a bunch of crappy phone photos so maybe I'll just paste those in.
On the "red carpet." When I first arrived I was the only one. I posed for photos. Awkwardly. Such a relief when the actors came and took the attention.
I have a photo of the three of us almost exactly like this from four years ago, the first time we three got together to talk about the movie. (I don't have a photo cred for this one but it's not mine, couldn't find the source, sorry.)
Jerusha Hess (Austenland director) and I backstage before the premiere in Park City. I love her.
The audience as I came up on stage after the screening with the cast, director, and Stephenie.Watching the film with a huge, sold out crowd, hearing their honest and constant laughter (and sometimes gasps) gave me goosebumps and made me cry. Surreal, beautiful experience.
On stage for the Q&A. The entire cast flew out for Sundance (Georgia King and Jennifer Coolidge didn't arrive till after the premiere due to filming their respective TV series) You can watch the video of that Q&A here.
With Jane Seymour (Mrs. Wattlesbrook) and her real life sister Annie (Patience the maid). These two were dear friends of mine on set and it was a joyous reunion when I saw them again. Annie flew in from England!
I got Ricky Whittle to eat a vegetable.
My agent Barry with Lady Jane.
More Ricky! With some amazing nachos. I love this boy.
And even more Ricky! Given some of the photos I had with me and Ricky on set, I thought it only fair that I get one with my husband and Ricky embracing, just to be fair.
The fabulous Jennifer Coolidge and Jerusha's assistant and my friend Erica. Great ladies. Hours of excellent convo.
How about some crappy, self-shot iphone photos?
With Ricky and Jared Hess (Jerusha's husband, Napoleon Dynamite director, and as you can see, ultra-serious and highbrow.)
Jerusha and JJ Feild (Mr. Nobley). He even looks good in this crappy photo. We think Jeru and JJ look like siblings.
Ricky, Steph, Annie, and part of Jane's face. Everyone was so happy to be together again! Lovely, lovely crew.
Jerusha and I after the Odgen screening last night (thanks for the photo, Rachel). So awesome to hear people laugh at lines I wrote, really enjoy something we worked so hard on. Truly a gift. When people read my books, they're alone. It is special to be present when people are enjoying something I've worked on.
After the Ogden screening, I ran into my former high school Drama teacher Cindy Hunt! So excited to see her. And when I got on my phone to show her a photo of my husband, I found a text informing me that Austenland sold to Sony for distribution! WAHOO!
BEST NEWS EVER!!! I was so sad when all the screenings were sold out (that I could attend). Now you can be SURE I'll be at the midnight showing when it's released!!!!! That'll happen, right? Soon?
Posted by: Enna Isilee | January 22, 2013 at 10:31 AM
congratulations on the Release--I was so sad I couldn't see it. I hope it comes to public theaters very soon. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by: kelley | January 22, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Shannon I have had so much fun seeing pictures of Sundance online and reading people's tweets about how awesome the movie is. And I am over the moon excited about it being picked up by Sony and look forward to it coming to a theater near me!!! Tally Ho!!!
Posted by: Connie Onnie | January 22, 2013 at 10:35 AM
It all looks amazing! It's been wonderful seeing the progress of your book and movie with you! What a beautiful journey, I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog and books and all you do! I feel they are a part of my life, dear friends that have always been there:)
I wish I could've gone, is there anyway that there will be DVD's produced?
Posted by: Allison Jackson | January 22, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Hearing about Sony picking up the movie made my day. So much congrats!
Posted by: Ilima | January 22, 2013 at 10:40 AM
We can't wait to see this. We love that you got Jennifer Coolidge to play "Miss Charming." She is exactly who we have always pictured in that role. My wife and I plan to dress up in our best Austen era finery for the event.
Posted by: Christian Gibbs | January 22, 2013 at 10:47 AM
Please tell me you are going to the showing tonight! I just got tickets and am so excited I could spot. Or cry. Or both! So if you are there and you see a spitting crying lady, please come say hi.
Posted by: Meg | January 22, 2013 at 10:56 AM
*spit. Autocorrect fail!
Posted by: Meg | January 22, 2013 at 10:57 AM
So incredibly exciting! So happy for you!
Posted by: SarahJ | January 22, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Wow! The event looks amazing! And I can't even imagine what it must be like to work with Jane Seymour! Congratulations about selling to Sony. I wish your Books of Bayern would become movies too. (Hmm. I might have a drop a hint about that one!) Congrats again!
Posted by: Caitlin | January 22, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Saw you right after all this on Sat at the Provo Library and my book club and I REALLY enjoyed your presentation (and I am still chuckling about your funny pictures there); we are SO happy for all your success and super excited to see the movie now! (ps. I hope you have gotten some sleep finally!)
Posted by: Shiralea | January 22, 2013 at 11:23 AM
What fab news!! I hope the movie is released soon--I can't wait to see it after reading all those great reviews.
Posted by: Biel | January 22, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Finally, we get to see your beautiful smile! I've been cyber stalking Austenland, googling "austenland" "sundance" about ten times a day for the last four days, trying desperately to see how it was received and whether it was picked up. Joy, joy, joy! I can't wait to see this film. Sometimes I feel like watching your stories grow from idea to contract to draft to novel to optioned screenplay rights-- now to movie!-- is like watching a miracle that unfolds slowly and beautifully over the course of years. I'm reminded that the stories of our lives are slow to unfold as well, and we can't usually judge them based on the moment we find ourselves in. :)
Posted by: Meredith B. | January 22, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Fun pictures! I was at the screening last night in Ogden and loved everything about it. So darn funny, and I could definitely detect your "voice" in a lot of the lines!
I just have one question. During the travel agency scene, the audience's reaction made me think I should recognize the actor playing the travel agent. After seeing these pictures I'm wondering, was it Jared Hess?
Posted by: Shayla | January 22, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Congratulations, Shannon!
Posted by: Heather Moore | January 22, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Huge-o congrats! Haven't read Austenland yet (I know, I know, but it's on my reading-ASAP list...), but that's wonderful, fantabulous, happy-happy news!
Posted by: Diana | January 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM
SO HAPPY FOR YOU. Thank you for sharing all the lovely photos! I am just grinning and grinning at this dream of an experience you've had/been having/are having.
Posted by: Miss Erin | January 22, 2013 at 12:07 PM
That looks like so much fun! What an incredible moment to know that your hard work and talents were allowing you to enjoy and touch people you never would have met otherwise. That is so exciting.
Posted by: Regina Sirois | January 22, 2013 at 12:14 PM
I was there last night. Loved it! Favorite book come to life! Way to go!
Posted by: Bekah | January 22, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Oooh, I am just so excited to see this! I couldn't stop smiling, reading your tweets from Sundance. :D
Posted by: Alysa (Ruby Diamond) | January 22, 2013 at 01:16 PM
So happy to hear it will be in movie theaters or dvd soon. Please let us know. I love your books
Posted by: Dawnelle | January 22, 2013 at 03:31 PM
I was one of the lucky few locals to get four tickets to the Ogden screening. We all loved it, even my husband. He wants us to read the book together out loud (working on The Host now before the movie comes out). I ran into you right after you found out that it was picked up by Sony. Congratulations! On the way back to Salt Lake, we were all talking about getting a big group of friends and family together to go see it again when it's released. Way hoo! The movie is a blast, and the cast looks like they are having the time of their lives with their parts. Thanks for a fun book and film! I hope you get the Audience Favorite award.
Posted by: Nancy | January 22, 2013 at 03:42 PM
Gah,I'm so excited to see it!
Posted by: Kylie | January 22, 2013 at 04:02 PM
lovelovelovelovelove
So glad you're having such a good time!
Posted by: Taffy | January 22, 2013 at 05:36 PM
Congratulations! I can't wait to see it!!!
Posted by: A | January 22, 2013 at 05:46 PM
Congrats! Great camera capture photos! Just can't wait to see the film :)
Posted by: Joyfay | January 22, 2013 at 06:47 PM
So happy for you! And Stephenie too! Can't wait to see it!
Posted by: MelissaPete | January 22, 2013 at 08:34 PM
I hope to see the movie in local theaters soon! Oh, I wish your Books of Bayern would be made into movies too...They are my favorite books of ALL TIME! And you're my favorite author of ALL TIME :)
Posted by: LilyG | January 23, 2013 at 05:47 AM
I really want to see the movie in theaters soon. So bad! Congrats!
Posted by: Ashley R. | January 23, 2013 at 08:24 AM
Yay! I am so excited for this movie! I just watched the cast (and you) on stage for the Q&A. Looks like everyone had such a great time! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Hilary | January 23, 2013 at 10:27 AM
What a great post! So happy for you, and really looking forward to seeing the film! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | January 23, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Hilarious movie. Loved all of the actors, especially Jennifer! Proud for you Shannon!
Posted by: Bonnie | January 23, 2013 at 01:10 PM
I'm so excited about this that it brought tears to my eyes!!!! :) I can't wait to be able to go see it! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Rachelle | January 23, 2013 at 01:29 PM
It's been so exciting to follow this whole Austenland movie thing, thanks for sharing so much of the process with us. It's especially fun to know that this means we'll actually get to see it!
Posted by: jenelcc | January 23, 2013 at 03:56 PM
You got to meet JJ Feild!!!!!!!!!
So super excited to see this one. If it doesn't come to my area, I'll just buy it anyway. Loved the book, sure I'll love the movie!
Posted by: Darth_Chic | January 23, 2013 at 06:11 PM
I was at the Ogden showing the other night and LOVED it! Also loved getting to see you and Jerusha after the show. Thanks for a great night!
Posted by: Amy | January 23, 2013 at 08:16 PM
I can't even imagine how exciting this must be for you! What a triumph! (I had to giggle at the 'cast on stage' picture...there are a LOT of boots in that pic!)
Posted by: amie | January 23, 2013 at 08:59 PM
Scene from five minutes ago:
La la la...just little old me going through the pictures of the Sundance Film Festival when suddenly I see Keri Russel at the "Austeland" premiere.............hmm..."Austenland"...that sounds familiar.................................
Wait...
AUSTENLAND?!
It was then that it hit me like a Mac truck that your fabulous novel made it to the big screen! Congratulations! I'm so excited to watch it!
Posted by: Yehieli | January 23, 2013 at 09:08 PM
My husband and I saw Austenland in Park City tonight, and we both loved it! So fun to see a book I really enjoyed brought to life so well...that doesn't happen very often. I'm already plugging it with family and friends and hoping this will open the doors for of your books to come alive on screen :)
Posted by: Wendi | January 23, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Congratulations! I am so happy and excited for your success! I cannot wait to see the film myself:).
Posted by: Jessica | January 24, 2013 at 07:17 AM
These pictures are such a treat! I love how you are able to have all this awesomeness and yet there are still days full of cheerios and little toddlers threatening to sprinkle your floor with yellow rain. It gives me hope that maybe doing something amazing with my stay-at-home-mom existence isn't impossible. Thanks for that! I am incredibly happy for you and your incredible success. Can't wait for the movie!!!!!
Posted by: Christy | January 24, 2013 at 02:46 PM
Holy cow, do you feel like Becky Jack?!
Posted by: Heidy | January 24, 2013 at 03:21 PM
Shannon, I am just so thrilled for your successes with this project that it makes me all sniffly happy for you. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I've loved being along for the ride. My daughter and I can't wait to see the movie ourselves!!!
Posted by: Anna | January 24, 2013 at 06:15 PM
I just went with my SIL and saw it this afternoon!! We laughed so hard! Crap copper package! Thank you so very much!!
Posted by: Emily | January 24, 2013 at 08:43 PM
YAY for Sony! That means regular folks like me out in Virginia can see it!
I only saw one movie last year (The Hobbit). But if Austenland comes my way, I will BE there on opening night!
Posted by: Sondy | January 25, 2013 at 02:27 PM
Don't know if you read comments this far down but.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21036818
Posted by: F | January 28, 2013 at 07:05 AM
Your affection for Ricky Whittle reminds me of this great book I read about an actor and a housewife.... I'm sure the irony is not lost on you. So, reiterating what Heidy said above, "Do you feel like Becky Jack?!"
Posted by: Marielle | January 29, 2013 at 08:08 AM
Oh when I heard it was playing at Sundance I was so excited for you! I am extremely jealous that you were able to work with JJ Feild! I am out in Virginia for school and when I found out he was in Utah I was pretty bummed! Still I am so happy for you! I have been reading reviews and am so very excited for your show. I anticipate the day when I will have the opportunity to see it for myself! Congratulations!
Posted by: Amanda R | January 29, 2013 at 09:35 PM
I have been a fan of yours since Book of a Thousand Days and I am so happy to see you get this kind of recognition and experience all this fun stuff! Congratulations on it all!
Posted by: Maria | January 30, 2013 at 09:04 AM
I just heard that this was being made into a movie. I am a huge Austen fan and I turned around and read the book in one day. So excited for the movie!
Posted by: Wen | January 31, 2013 at 07:47 PM