LEGION M INVESTOR BLOG WRITTEN BY: MeriJewel Burr

Ever since investing in Legion M last summer, I have been extremely optimistic for the company and where we are headed. Then, not too long ago, Legion M announced that our first movie was coming out! We had invested in COLOSSAL, starring Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, and Austin Stowell. Talk about blowing away expectations in under a year! Soon after, Legion M announced investor/member meet-ups that included watching the movie on opening weekends in NYC and LA. Yet another fun activity that Legion M had in store for all of us members and investors! I couldn’t wait to go to opening weekend in LA and started planning for it. However, shortly after, there was another announcement for a chance to win tickets to the Red Carpet premiere’s in NYC or LA! Legion M came through on their promise of bringing us fans behind the scenes. I, of course, entered with my fingers crossed.

NYC red carpet premiere came and went with five lucky Legion M winners meeting Director/Writer Nacho Vigalondo, Anne Hathaway, and Jason Sudeikis, after watching COLOSSAL. On Friday 3/31, I was stunned when I was notified that I had won tickets to the LA red carpet premiere the following week. Now I’m going to get a little personal here, because well, that’s just how I am. My mom was having major surgery that morning and we were at the hospital when I found out. She insisted that I go and enjoy this once in a lifetime event. So while she was in surgery, I was on my phone making arrangements for my trip to LA. Unfortunately, two days later my mom had a pulmonary embolism with clots in both lungs and a leg. She still insisted that I go to the event no matter what. She was telling all the nurses that her daughter was going to the red carpet. After making sure her procedures went fine, I listened to my mom set off for Hollywood!

It was only a one hour flight to LA. Once there I pushed down all anxiety I had. I have suffered from anxiety, panic, and depression most of my life. I am deathly scared of airplanes. Yet, I was on a mission to enjoy this with my fellow Legion M members. I got dressed in the only nice dress and shoes I have and ordered a ride down to the Vista Theater where all the action was. When I arrived it was lights, cameras, and lots of action! I was ecstatic to finally meet some fellow Legion M members that I had interacted with online for several months; Aaron Wheeler, Jonny McMahon, and Meredith Schindehette. We stuck together the rest of the night enjoying ourselves and taking in the sites of the red carpet, the barrage of photographers, the camera flashes rapid firing, and wondering who was next to walk the red carpet.

As we mingled with our Legion M group it became obvious that there were stars within our group. I immediately recognized Fon Davis, who had previously done a Shindig/Q&A with Legion M investors/members. As a Visual Effects artist he is known for his work on the Star Wars franchise, Starship Troopers, Guardians of the Galaxy and many more. Eddie Perez, actor and stunt coordinator, best known for work on Shameless, Deadpool, and a multitude of other movies and TV shows. Thunder Levin, writer of the Sharknado franchise. Sharknado!! And of course the Legion M execs Jeff Annison, Terri Lubaroff, Damian Beurer, David Baxter, and Jeff Bartee. What an amazing group to be a part of! I felt so honored to be there with everyone.

**Legion M members outside the Vista Theater for the COLOSSAL red carpet Premiere in L.A.**

I think my biggest fan girl moment was when Nichelle Nichols walked the red carpet. I was star struck and took some pictures of her. When Legion M co-founder Jeff Annison arrived, I eagerly showed him that I took photos of Nichelle, expecting surprise from him. He said, “I know. She’s here with Legion M!” Mind Blown! Are you kidding me? What a thrill!

***Legion M members with Nichelle Nichols and COLOSSAL Director/Writer Nacho Vigalondo***

Eventually we made our way inside the Vista Theater, a gorgeous theater full of history. Most seats were marked off for guests of the stars, but we found great seats. All of a sudden, Nacho, Anne, Jason, and others from the film were two rows in front of us, welcoming everyone to the movie and giving speeches. I face-timed my sister, Shella, a fellow Legion M investor, and let her watch Anne talk, since she is a big fan.

The movie was ….. Warning: Spoilers ahead in the next paragraph.

The movie is unexplainable. It’s something you have to see for yourself. People can view it in a variety of ways. I heard some people saying a variety of different things; it’s a film for female empowerment, the characters are metaphors, it’s all about alcoholism, etc. Personally, it has a lot of different meanings to me. Just three days before, I had attended the funeral of one of my dearest friends who passed away due to alcoholism, so while watching the movie she came to mind. I would think that most of us have experience with addiction, whether it be ourselves or someone we know. I know the “monster” it can be. Alcoholism/addiction is a monster that causes pain and suffering to everyone around you, even if you aren’t aware of it. You have a monster within you that comes out for all to see, whether you remember it or not. Eventually all anyone sees is the monster, and they watch in fear or sadness to see what the monster (you), are going to do next. It can be in the words you say or the actions you take. You can hurt someone emotionally or physically, or kill others. You can destroy lives like this move shows in a not so straight forward way. Female empowerment? I can see that. One point in the movie Gloria, (Anne Hathaway), is being belittled by Tim, (Dan Steven), because she of her new job. I instantly could relate to that mental abuse, from both sides, sadly. There is no excuse for putting up with someone like that. She gets up and walks out, then almost leaves town with him. What?!? No, Gloria no! Also her childhood friend Oscar, Jason (Sudeikis), helps her find her power, but not in the way you would imagine. He came across as a nice guy at first and I thought there could be a romance there. That came to a screeching halt when he then demonstrated a whole other type of abuse! The crazy psycho type! Yikes, he turned out to be freakishly scary. This is where the movie takes a different turn. Gloria finally realizes what she has to do to stand up for herself, empower herself, and throw certain monsters out of her life in order to take care of herself and for the safety others. But can she keep them out? That is the last question we are left with. For the record, I think this can be a film for empowerment for all genders as females are not the only ones that can be abused. I loved this movie. Nacho did an excellent job. It’s originality is unexpected. It’s a creative and artistic film that really makes you think. The more you watch it and discuss it with others, the more narratives you see hidden in the movie. I for one can’t wait to watch it again.

After the movie was over we met up outside and took a group photo with Nichelle Nichols, another huge honor! Then we headed over to the after party. The place was packed! We made our way around slowly and were fortunate enough to talk to Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, and Austin Stowell. Anne recognized the Legion M button right away and thanked us for our support with the movie, and when asked for a photo, she said, "Yes, let's do a Legion M photo". She was absolutely sweet and generous in person. Jason was a crack up and Austin very kind also.

**Legion M investors Meredith Schindehette and MeriJewel Burr with Anne Hathaway and Austin Stowell**

**Legion M investors Meredith Schindehette and MeriJewel Burr with Jason Sudeikis**

Having invested in July of 2016, and being a part of the Legion M Forum Team, I already had a great sense of community and pride in Legion M. However, having met even more of the members, having such a fantastic time, and the great success of COLOSSAL, my love for the Legion has been amplified. New friends with the same dedication and belief in our company, and new connections made will be life long. We are going to have a wild and amazing ride with Legion M! I can’t wait to see what this adventure has in store for us next! Onward and Upward!

Lights, Cameras, Red Carpet!