"Home" Opens with Huge Weekend!

Everyone is smiling!

Whew!  After a really tough year, and an even tougher last couple of months, we finally had a reason to celebrate today.  Home earned double what it was expected to this weekend.  We actually didn't hit 59mil, we came in more around 52mil.  To put that in perspective, it's the 3rd highest opening for an original title released by DreamWorks - trailing behind Kung Fu Panda and Monsters Vs Aliens.  BuzzFeed had some interesting charts illustrating this:

Our director Tim Johnson, seen above during the Mon lunchtime toast, said he asked Fox to give some examples of what those numbers mean.  It means 7 million people bought tickets this weekend.  Pretty great turnout for the little movie at DreamWorks that, honestly, most people weren't paying much attention to because seemingly everyone was churning away on Dragons2.

It was so great to see everyone at work smiling again.  Just look back at that picture of the producers, director, and Katzenberg - everyone can't help but be grinning ear to ear.  So they held a toast over lunch, brought back the Slushious machines and spiked them, and we all took a moment to appreciate some good news for a change.

Theaters should be selling this at screenings

"Home" Opening Day!

With Oh and Capt Smek

My co-worker Dave ready to try the Slushious drink

Bubbles and bouncy castles

Capt Smek takeover

After starting on the film more than 2 years ago..."Home" finally comes out today!  We had a great lunch at work to celebrate, with decorations from the crew party overtaking the campus, so free giveaways, and lots of snacks/desserts on hand.

As of right now, the movie is looking to open stronger than most people thought.  This would be great - not just for the company, but because it's a endearing beautiful film that deserves to find an audience.  Our director, Tim Johnson, is a great storyteller to have shepherding this film along.  More than any film I've worked on, this production really because a little family out here - and it's always a little nerve-wracking to send that baby into the world. 

Heather Featured in Magazine

Once again I'm super proud of my wife Heather!  She was interviewed and featured in this months issue of Advanced Photoshop.  She talks about her approach and experiences creating Matte Paintings over the years.  We downloaded a digital copy earlier, but today arrived a hard copy we bought online.  Congrats hon!

"Home" Wrap Party & Screening

Notice the Statue of Capt Smek

Co-workers Will and Tanner

The Wife

Sampling spiked lemonade from a toilet bowl

Had a great time at the Crew Screening and Wrap Party for "Home" tonight!  So great to actually see the film on the big screen, with all the final bells and whistles.  The film turned out great - and the final music really added that last layer.  The songs by Rhianna and JLo really help take this movie to a new level.  It was a bit bittersweet watching the credits role by, as I saw so many names of co-workers that are no longer at DreamWorks.

After the screening we all headed over to Hollywood where a fancy club was all decked out for the party.  Great food, desserts that looked like urinal cakes (um, go see the movie) and spiked beverages served out of toilet bowls (yeah, go see the movie).  Really great party, and I loved the chance to catch up with some folks that I hadn't seen in months.  With the grandparents in town to watch our little ones, we were free to party the night away.  We are very proud that in our sleep-deprived-parenthood state we lasted all the way to 10:30....