When it comes to wrap parties — and industry parties in
general—Kristi Schaffer, senior sales manager for Jillian’s at Universal CityWalk has seen it all. With her five
years of event-planning experience at Jillian’s, Kristi knows the ins and outs
of industry partying. Here, Kristi shares why Jillian’s is the perfect wrap
party locale for Southern
California.
“People are tired of the standard ballroom and restaurant
ordeal. They want something upscale, yet fun,” says Kristi. The venue offers a
restaurant and two full-service bars for the famished and parched. Jillian’s two dance floors in their
two-story, 22,000 square-foot space, have seen the likes of both cast and crew
shake their groove things. But the crux of what they do is two-fold; the reason
why studios like to come party here is Jillian’s Amazing Games Room and the Hi
Life Bowling Lanes.
The Amazing Games Room features hundreds of games, including
ticket redemption and arcade-style video games, sure to bring out the inner
child in even the smuggest of cast and crew. The Hi Life Lanes are a modern approach
to an old game, with giant screens above every lane – perfect for displaying a
production’s gag reels. Couple that with some loud music, and you’ve got a
bowling experience on steroids. It’s the combination of these things that make
Jillian’s in particular, a popular post-shoot refuge among a lengthy list of
loyal clientele including DreamWorks, Fox Television, MTV Networks, NBC, Disney
and Warner Bros.
“Studios come here for all their events, not just wrap
parties. But we do get a bunch every year,” points out Kristi. “They like us
especially because of the variety of things we have to offer. What’s neat about
Jillian’s is that you come here, and you have everything,”
“Basically anything you want, we can make happen,” says
Kristi. And that seems to be the general rule of thumb for places used to
hosting wrap parties. “Why people come here is the great food, great service,
but most importantly, the fun upscale and interactive bowling & games – and
it’s great for all ages, too!”
While Jillian’s may not have made it to New York yet,
productions shooting in the mid-West (where production seems to be moving these
days) will more than likely find a Jillian’s nearby.
