To say Stephanie Mesplay is excited about the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival would be a bit of an understatement. The 10-day event was reason enough for the 42-year-old Missouri school secretary and her husband, Scott, to get passports for what will be their first trip north of the border.
The planning started in February.
“We are fully committed,” Stephanie said ahead of their Wednesday flight into Canada’s Tinseltown.
The main reason they’re coming: English actor Tom Hiddleston, who’s best known for his role as Loki in Marvel’s Thor films.
He has two movies premiering at TIFF. And you better believe the Mesplays will be staking out the red carpet in hopes of seeing him.
“My job is not to pass out and [my husband’s] job is to catch me if I do.”
Her hubby is all for it. For him, just seeing his wife’s reaction if she gets to meet Hiddleston would be a highlight.
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“I get a big kick out of seeing her have a lot of fun with this stuff.”
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He’s also on camera duty, something he doesn’t seem to mind either. After all, he has the height and long arm advantage. Plus, he enjoys people-watching, so he has that to look forward to.
The pair hopes to fit in “some touristy stuff” as well. Scott confessed he’s actually looking forward to checking out the city’s shoe museum. But ultimately, they realize it’ll be a lot of waiting around, so they plan to come equipped with their own chairs. And, of course, snacks.
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The couple is also excited to meet up with other Hiddleston fans, including Angela Chivers from Toronto.
The 40-year-old got hooked on TIFF after hitting a couple red carpets two years ago. Last year, she said she made the mistake of not taking the full day off work. By 2 p.m., all the “good spots” along the red carpet were already taken. So this year, Chivers plans to get there as early as 8 a.m.
She’ll be armed with sunscreen, card games and lots of batteries (because you obviously don’t want to run out of juice and miss a photo op with your favourite star). Joining her will be 39-year-old J’aime Maynard, who will make the eight-hour trek by car from Maryland to TIFF.
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“I have heard wonderful things about how the City of Toronto runs the festival. Not every large city I’ve been to handles large crowds very well, and Toronto gets a big plus on that front from many people who’ve been to the festival.”
Of course, not everyone is in it for the red carpets. One self-described cinephile is flying in from Paris for her first TIFF; for her, it’ll be all about the films. She hopes to fit in 10 in one week. Others are even more intense.
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, the chance to see a film before it premieres to the rest of the world can be part of the attraction of TIFF.
The festival runs from Sept. 10 to 20, and it’s still not too late to get tickets.
You’ll be able to follow our TIFF 2015 coverage here.
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