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ozfroggirlMy little sister and I took a little trip to the city to see Jason Palmer, Ron Glass and Nathan Fillion.
For those who want to know more follow the cut.
Had to be up at 6am to catch a train into the city. The train ended up being about 15 minutes late - probably because it was rather foggy - but that didn't matter much as we'd still make it a good half hour before the doors were set to open.
After a little catch up nap on the train we walkied the two blocks from Flinders St Station to Spring Street and found the venue without much trouble. There was even a person who came out and told us that they'd only be using the back entrance that day and that we could access that from Flinders Lane.
Getting in the building and picking up the tickets was done very smoothly and it was then that I noticed a sign stating that the theatrette in which we'd be spending most of the day sat only 200 people. I love these smaller fan-run type conventions a lot better than the bigger coporate events. They're always so much more intimate and personal than the bigger ones could ever hope for.
We pulled out the tickets to see where exactly we'd be sitting and found out that we were in Row C (third row from the front), seats 9 &10 (which just happened to be the direct centre of the row). Also because of the smaller size of the theatrette (that of a medium sized lecture theatre or movie cinema) we were only about 2-3 metres from the stage. They were possibly the best seats I've ever had for anything - and they were the 'cheap' seats too, not the flashy several hundred dollar seats. I guess it really does pay to book as early as possible. :)
After the official welcome and the propsed run down for the day it was straight on with the photos. That way there would be plenty of time for them to be printed and prepared for us to get signed and take home at the end of the day.
My sister was happy enough just being there for the Q&As but I just had to get a photo with Nathan. It would almost be a shame to gone to all the trouble of getting to the Con and then pass up the opportunity for a photo, even if it would cost an extra $40. I would have had one with Ron as well had I not been so limited in the moneys.
Up in the photo room (just a little room across the hall from the theatrette) things went really smoothly. After sorting things out it was clear that Nathan was doing a lot more business that Ron - who was just standing off to the side and didn't seemed to bothered by it all. Nathan however turned out to be just so wonderful and polite. For every single person in line for a photo, when it came to their turn he'd look them straight in the eye, shake their hand (and very soft his are too), introduce himself and ask their name.
My turn and after the introduction he pulls me right in and we smile for the photo. He didn't let me go until after the photographer okayed the shot (she works with a digital camera so every photo is guaranteed to look good) then it was a quick goodbye and straight onto the next person.
And even though the whole thing was over in a flash, whenever I see that photo I remember just how warm and genuine he was with so many complete strangers, and can't help but smile. :)
I suppose that's what that photo will always mean to me. That even though you may become famous doesn't mean you have change and stop being so sweet and down to earth with people you've never even met before - and probalby never will again. Count me in as a fan for life. :)
After all that excitement Jason Palmer was the first guest to hold his Q&A. I didn't know all that much about him apart from seeing on or two of his paintings around the place. He is in fact a really sweet and friendly guy. For those who don't know who he is he just happens to be the only officially licensed artist for Firefly/Serenity (which I didn't know myself). If you'd like to check out some of his work (it really is quite good) go to his website http://www.jasonpalmer.net/
Some highlights:
- As he also has an official license with Lucasarts he's allowed to produce whatever art he wants from the Star Wars universe. After a lot of thought he decided to see if he could draw every single one of Amidala's costumes not realising that throughout the three movies so wore no less than 38 different costumes. He went and did them all anyway even though it meant he had to complete at least one item a day and spent quite a few nights going to bed with hs hand on ice.
- He's also working on some artwork for the new Indiana Jones movie which should be fantastic.
- His favourite character to draw is Han Solo, and if he could work on any project at the moment it would be to do some work for Iron Man - a movie which he has seen and really enjoyed.
- He also talked a lot about how the big American movie/TV companies screw around artists in much the same way they do writers. He told one story how he'd done a bunch of work for one company and had them ring him back to inform him that his work wouldn't be needed as they'd found a young art student who would do the work for only $100. Fed up he offered to charge them nothing at all so long as they'd let him keep the original (for copyright purposes) and allow him to make a few copies of the finnished artwork himself in order to be able to sell them to the fans. They flat out turned him down stating that they were not a 'Mom & Pop' operation.
Ron Glass was second off the bat and the first thing he did was remove his shoes. He did apologise to everyone but explained that he had been doing a lot of walking the past couple of days and the shoes themselves weren't all that comfortable. I thought it was rather cute as whenever he'd approach the edge of the mini stage (more of a step than anything else) he'd hang his toes over the edge and wriggle them (photo not mine).
Some highlights:
- When asked how he got into character for the show, when even he knew so little about Book's past, he said that most of the character for him was in the costume. The first thing they gave him was a pair of thick black socks and some sturdy boots. Those combined with the coat that he wore in the pilot when Bokk is first introduced gave him all he needed to begin to understand the character. In fact he said he loved those socks so much that when the show was cancelled he managed to sneak three pairs off the set that he still wears at home.
- He also tried to take home the little cravat he wore during the movie because he quite liked it and thought it would be small enough to go unnoticed. He left it on under his clothes when he changed to go home and made it all the way to his car when one of the costume people flagged him down from his trailer asking if he knew where it was. Knowing full well where it was he said he'd have a look in the trailer for it. Once in the trailer he removed it and came straight out with it in his hand saying 'Here it is'.
- When asked if he had any current projects going he said that he'd just auditioned for some show in the states and that he almost wasn't going to make it to the convention. Apparently the auditions for the show were on the same weekend as the convention and he luckily was able to organise a video audition - just so he could spend the weekend with us fans instead.
- He also claimed that he loves doing the conventions and meeting the fans because they are always such a positive experience. He said he noticed that when he was having his photo taken with the fans earlier - or at least watching Nathan having his phot taken with the fans - that not one person who entered the room was not smiling. That pleased him a lot.
- He has not read the new comics but was very happy to find that Book is alive in all of them. He also revealed a few clues that he's been told about the upcoming series on Book's past called 'A Shepard's Tale'. These are that a) Book found God in a bowl of soup (I'm guessing it's similar to the Nun in Wonderfalls and her cheese); b) Something about Book is artificial; c) Book's greatest victory was his worst defeat; and d) Book took his name from a man that he had killed.
- Right at the end of Ron's Q&A a familar voice asked which, out of all of the actors he worked with on the show, was his ultimate favourtie. The voice belonged to none other than Nathan who had just decided to crash the Q&A. Ron was really amused but Nathan wouldn't let him move on until he told him he was his favourite. It wasn't until Ron was packing up to leave and Nathan had left the room that he told us all just how much loved and respected Nathan for making them all feel so home both on the set and everything afterwards. 
And last, but most definately not least, was Nathan and his little Q&A. Before even looking for any questions he commented how much he liked Australia - from what he has seen - and that it's very similar to Canada except that we have much more things that can kill you. Later he mentioned three things he was afraid of: heights, sharks and bears. The latter two because he'd hate for his last thought to be 'Shouldn't have gone swimming' or 'Aaaaahh, It's eating my face'.
Some highlights:
- When asked about how he first got involved in the show he told a story about how, when he first started his TV career there were three things he wanted to do before he retired. Those were a) Shoot a person; b) Be shot; and c) Ride a horse. After reading the script how found that he'd have the chance to accomplish all three in the pilot alone - plus shoot a horse. He named the horse shooting as one of his favourite moments ever from the show. Another favourite moment was when, during the tense standoff between Simon and Dobson also in the pilot, Mal just strides right in and shoots Dobson in the face. He always wanted Dobson to reappear somewhere in the show so that Jayne could give Mal this real dirty look and Mal could be all 'What? I shot him in the face'.
- He also told the story of how the whole 'finger' joke started between him and Jewel (if you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up). Initially it was just a way to keep them entertained on set between shooting but soon had them trying to find more and more elaborate ways of giving each other 'the finger'. He said the best one was when one day he found an odd letter in the mail and he thought some creepy stalker fan had somehow found his home address. He decided to open it anyway and found a card with something - not exactly scrawled but still pretty creepy looking - written on the front about them having a gift for him. Really starting to get freaked out now he opened the card to find a phot of Jewel flashing him the finger. He really could have strangled her at that moment but now he has the photo framed and hanging in his house - above the toilet according to him. He also jokingly said that if you ever want to get into a celebrities favour, find their home address and start sending them creepy stuff. That kind of thing always works. :P
- Another person asked if he'd taken anything from the set of the show himself as they'd heard Jewel say that he took a few of Inara's dresses home with him. All a joke of course but he did say that one of the things he did grab was the catalyser from the episode 'Out Of Gas' because 'It's only a nothing part until you don't got one'. :) He also has a whole bunch of Alliance money and one of the prop rubber guns he used in the show - the original being much to expensive to be dropped on set or given away. He also mentioned how he used to compliment the prop guy all the time on the gadgets he'd make for the show in the hope that the guy would offer them to him when they were finished using them. That's how he got most of his little mementos from the set and in fact after they'd finished filming the prop guy gave him a whole box full of random stuff from the set for his birthday. The box included both Kaylee's hammock and the sign from her bunk - both of which he gave to Jewel. The sign came in real handy when the movie was greenlit as Jewel was able to bring it back in for the new set.
- When it came to the last question of the day he told us all that it better be a good one, and to save us all from thinking of one Jason Palmer - who'd snuck in the back to watch - asked him about his experience as 'the other Private Ryan'. I'd love to recount the whole story but I wouldn't be able to do it justice. I think it's one of those that you really have to hear straight from the horse's mouth. For me it definately was the best question of the day simply because I found it a rather amazing story and the amount of detail he recalled made you feel as if it were happening to you. If anyone ever get's the chance to meet him at one of these convention type things, be sure to try and ask him about this so you can hear the full experience complete with impersonations of both Tom Hanks and Steven Speilberg and the extra story of how both of the remembered him very fondly when he auditioned for 'Band Of Brothers'.
Nathan also did this thing right at the end of his Q&A for charity that he calls 'the shirt off his back'. Basically he's given a plain white T-shirt to put on and a permanent marker - which he then uses to draw on the shirt while auctioning it off. Everytime the price rose he'd draw a little more which would increase the price and also make sure that the winning bidder was getting their money's worth. For this one on one sleeve he drew a love heart tattoo with a scroll underneath that said 'MOM' and one the other he drew an anchor tattoo. On the chest he drew a cool little sailing ship tattoo before adding in some pecs and a six-pack complete with belly-button and chest hairs. Nathan claimed he based the tattoos off ones that Ron actually has - except for where the scroll read 'MOM' he'd had his done upside down so it read 'WOW'.
It was so funny watching him do it while trying to keep track of the bidding and he's actually quite a good at the drawing. Partway through the auction Jason Palmer came down with a marker of his own and added a rather awesome pair of wings to the back of the shirt. I think the shirt finally went for about $400 and both of the boys signed it. Really was the item to have.
After that the show was basically over save for the autograph session. I decided not to get anything signed as it would save me the money and that way we'd be able to make the earlier train and not have to hang around in the city after dark. With only 15 minutes until the train left we had to run to make it, and after a bit of confusion in finding the right platform we made it with only a minute or two to spare. With that train we were home and dry before 6:30 that night. All in all quite the fantastic day. :D
I'd visit this page this page if you'd like to see some better pictures then my own - including many from the shirt auction.
On Monday I was even able to impress my Awesome Aunt (everyone has one of those right?) by showing her my photo of me with that new guy from Desperate Housewives. She even made me photocopy it so she could take a smaller version home to put on her fridge. :)
Drive was very entertaining. I thought it had much 'Lost' potential. I can't see why on earth it was cancelled except that we all know what network it was on. >:(
I absolutley loved Pushing Daisies. I can't wait until it starts up here so I watch the whole season.
Reaper though didn't interest me at all. It seemed rather average to me and none of the characters were all that interesting. Does it get better?
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no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 06:53 pm (UTC)The picture came out looking great. :D
no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 05:18 pm (UTC)It really was. I've been to other Conventions run by the same folk before and they always put on the best most relaxed events. :)
The picture came out looking great. :D
Thanks. I really love it too. Probably should get it framed. :D
no subject
Date: 2008-05-16 07:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 05:34 pm (UTC)I loved reading this. Like I was there :D.
Thank you so much. I actually thought I may have gone a bit epic with the whole thing, so hearing that is the best compliment I could ever have received. :D
(I really must make myself a *hugs* icon. :P)
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Date: 2008-05-17 04:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-17 04:51 pm (UTC)