Brand Experience
HBO Max Friends Reunion LA Premiere
Friends Reunion LA Premiere
year
2021
capabilities
Show Development & Production
Event Production
Vendor Management
Technical Direction
Production Management
Event Logistics & Permitting
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the much-loved sitcom Friends, HBO Max wanted to throw an epic celebration for the screening of their much-anticipated special Friends: The Reunion. TAIT was tasked with getting the top-secret event ready for prime time in under a week.
We partnered up with Civic Entertainment Group to create a COVID-compliant superfan screening experience, transforming LA’s Forever Hollywood Cemetery into a broadcast-ready, red-carpet extravaganza. Things warmed up with a friendly trivia competition before the big event. As the theme song kicked in, attendees donned their headsets, sang along, and readied themselves for the epic reunion.
Surprise celebrity guest appearances ignited fandemonium – the crowds roared with delight to see Justin Bieber wearing Ross’s Spud-nik costume and to hear Lady Gaga singing Phoebe’s song ‘Smelly Cat’. Food trucks and a DJ were on hand to help kick this reunion into high gear, and recreations of iconic elements of the Friends set provided the perfect backdrop for fan photos.
To make the magic happen, we installed giant trusses and decking to create a stage outfitted with LED screens, lighting, and audio. We brought in a generator to ensure a stable internet connection, ensuring the show flowed without a hitch. Over 200 competition-winning superfans and VIPs were on hand for this momentous occasion. The world watched the live-streamed red carpet before the broadcast, and an incredible 29% of US streaming households tuned in to see their favorite Friends reunited.
Credits
produced by
productionglue, now tait
Theater de Maagd
Retrofit
Carnival Cruise Line