On December 22nd, the next chapter in the beloved Pitch Perfect series that has made more than $400 million at the global box office arrives in theaters.  Pitch Perfect 3  tells the story of a group of awesome nerds who reunite for an overseas tour with the United Service Organizations. 

Comcast NBCUniversal was excited to celebrate the reunion of the Bellas with two special advance screenings: one with Director Trish Sie in her hometown of Washington, D.C., and the second in our hometown of Philadelphia.  We were honored to have female thought-leaders and musicians, as well as members of the USO and military community, join us for these special events.

In D.C., NBC News’ White House Correspondent Kristen Welker quizzed Sie on the process of directing the film, working with actresses including Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, and why the series resonates with all audiences.  Sie discussed the power of friendship and its importance to the Pitch Perfect characters:

“You’re together, but you’re separate and you have to figure that out. You need each other, but you’re not going to be able to hold hands through every experience in life. So how do you get strength from your friends when you have to go it alone at some point?”

The cast of Pitch Perfect 3

The advance screening also featured an aca-mazing pop-up performance by Sarsaparilla, the female a cappella group from Sie’s (and producers Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s) alma mater, National Cathedral School. Following the D.C. Pitch Perfect 3 screening, nearly 300 guests gathered in Philadelphia to the tune of University of Pennsylvania’s a cappella group ‘Off the Beat’. Off the Beat is one of the most decorated collegiate a cappella groups in the U.S., having won more than 30 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards and performed for former Vice President Joe Biden.

At Comcast NBCUniversal, we are proud to support, produce and celebrate female-driven films and filmmakers. The importance of diversity in the film industry, both on the screen and behind the camera, is demonstrated by the success of hit films produced by Focus Features and Universal Pictures. The Pitch Perfect franchise is just one example – with the first two films grossing more than $400 million at the global box office. This year, Universal Pictures’ Girls Trip had the highest-grossing opening for a live-action comedy this year at the domestic box office, and the female-driven film has taken in more than $135 million globally.

Not only is Comcast NBCUniversal committed to telling diverse and powerful stories through film, but we also directly invest in and support local economies during the production of films like Pitch Perfect 3.  Nearly $20 million was paid to local small business – including local caterers, dry cleaners, carpenters, and hotels – and in local wages in Georgia, where the film was shot. Additionally, more than 6,200 local Georgians were hired to support the movie’s production.

And, as the film reveals, this chapter would not have been possible without the partnership and support of the USO.  Comcast NBCUniversal is committed to making our company one of America’s most military-friendly employers and workplaces. In fact, we have hired more than 13,000 veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses since 2010.

Need a Pitch Perfect refresher before heading to the theaters on December 22? X1 users can access the first two films in the series, as well as trailers, playlists, behind-the-scenes footage and character profiles of your favorite Bellas with one simple voice remote command:  “Watch Pitch Perfect”.

You can also join the #PitchPerfect3 excitement online at www.pitchperfectmovie.com.