T1 Convention Reports (Day Three )
Here's that awesome sketch by Georges Jeanty (S8 Artist) from the Saturday. He uses a couple of A4 reference sheets covered in screencaps of the character in various facial positions/expressions. It was great just to watch him work away at the strokes getting the lines so right, brilliant opportunity although mostly you shut up and watch rather than ask questions so as not to break his concentration.
On Saturday I'd had photoshoots with Summer, Adam and Tom (I'd actually missed my previous chances to get a photo with Tom at earlier cons so I had to go for it this time) All the guests looked great - hee! Denis the Menace jumper Tom, I've scanned the pics here.
It's always tough to get up early for photo shoots especially with parties and such.(I was being good and avoiding red wine all weekend in favour of vodka). It get's tougher every con. Needless to say Zach, Dichen, Miracle and Felicia all looked bright and sparkly.
Sunday started with a chance to watch the new episode of Dollhouse - Haunted, which received applause in the Hall. acrazywench had to vacate as she'd not seen all of episode 9 yet so she spent 45 minutes lounging around.
Good reason to get a front row seat though, set for that days Q&A. Next up was the 'Sunday Service'. Now, this is nothing new at Starfury Cons on the occasions where Jonathan Woodward is a guest (this is most of them - I think he asks each time to come). He arrives toting bags of biscuits and a couple of bottles of Tesco Value whiskey. (absteining I gave the excuse that I'm a single malt girl not looking to trade germs with the 400+ attendees) Georges Jeanty looks like a man who wonders what he did to upset the organiser Sean. To be put up on stage there with Jonathan and his british soulmate Dominic Keating. Paper papal hats were made and the whiskey vision is unveiled. A rather fetching videocam gaffertaped to one of J's gross bottle holders full of whiskey (made out of a hoof) So now you can not only have a drink, but the whole world can see your expression as you choke back the cheapest whiskey money can buy. I tell you, only in the UK! Not to say that underage drinking took place. There was a yoghurt drink and just biscuit option. Hilarity ensued and much adult humour, Georges took the opportunity to tell us that this was why he doesn't drink. It's always great fun if you don't mind alcohol and poor taste in jokes, and the session always carrys a health warning to Convention newbs.
.Next up (after what some may think was a tough act to follow) are the Dollhouse ladies Miracle Laurie, Dichen Lachmann and Felicia Day (yes, she's in Episode 13 but was very careful not to give anything away). They are limited with what they can discuss but they talk briefly about what who they would imprint as a doll and with whom. Felicia is a classically trained violinist and studied ballet, she likes to game online - Dichen likes to laze about (when not making bubbles in the shower), paint and cook to relax, and Miracle has her hula dancing & ukulele duo. Felicia off the cuff suggests that Miracle should dance now with her and Dichen as backing dancers. 'OK, let's do this' and on comes Miracle's fiance Chris who will accompany them. All three girls were extremely graceful except where Chris warns Felicia and Dichen not to hurt each other as they nearly collide. Felicia talks about her web show 'The Guild' and the deal with Microsoft who are sponsoring the next season.
.
Zach arrives to give us a briefing on operation 'Subway' - and we all set off to the NEC, phones, cameras and camcorders all on the go to film the event. Now I'd say there was in the region of 400+ people who went to Subway with Zach - The company had been warned and Zach arrived with all of us in tow announcing 'that these are my six hundred friends and we're gonna get sandwiches' then he got in there and helped make the sandwiches for everyone. Best way ever to spend lunch time.
.
We rushed back in time to catch the final Q&A of the Convention, a firefly reunion with Adam, Summer and Mark. Great to see all three of them together although I don't recall a great deal of what was said (I need my notes) Mark and Adam spoke about weapons and Adam says that his character in Chuck was one of the few who handles a weapon correctly - he has guns and plenty of experience. He had a favourite hand gun on firefly which was then copied by a gunmaker - 'Vera' he said, cost about 16K$ to make and was very clunky, cumbersome and pretty useless as a real weapon. Mark chipped in too and then there was much back and forth about firearms - with Summer looking from one to the other (spectator at a tennis match) and slowly sunk into her chair - very funny to see. With all the guests shows currently pending decision on renewal Mark commented about Joss Whedon should be working for cable and not network TV, as his work is better suited to that - also how it is nonsensical to try and string out a whole season to 22+ episodes and that it was better to have smaller season as they do in the UK and as an example one of his latest shows - Leverage on TNT. They also were asked about who they would have (or have had) a'fanboy' moment over - Adam says his heroes are George W, Clint Eastwood and (irrc) Gen. Petraeus. Mark Sheppard recalls the time he ran into a casting agent in a London Pub who was drinking with Peter O'Toole who recognised Mark and congratulated him on acting he'd done recently. All Mark could think was 'F*ck!ng Hell - It's Lawrence of Arabia!!'.
Closing ceremony ran a little late(!) and finally all the guests made their farewells (Summer was a little emotional) and the Convention ended. Many guests hung around as they were staying at the hotel, there were rumours of Felicia dancing on stage at the party in the early hours, but I was fast asleep.
.
On Saturday I'd had photoshoots with Summer, Adam and Tom (I'd actually missed my previous chances to get a photo with Tom at earlier cons so I had to go for it this time) All the guests looked great - hee! Denis the Menace jumper Tom, I've scanned the pics here.
It's always tough to get up early for photo shoots especially with parties and such.(I was being good and avoiding red wine all weekend in favour of vodka). It get's tougher every con. Needless to say Zach, Dichen, Miracle and Felicia all looked bright and sparkly.
Sunday started with a chance to watch the new episode of Dollhouse - Haunted, which received applause in the Hall. acrazywench had to vacate as she'd not seen all of episode 9 yet so she spent 45 minutes lounging around.
Good reason to get a front row seat though, set for that days Q&A. Next up was the 'Sunday Service'. Now, this is nothing new at Starfury Cons on the occasions where Jonathan Woodward is a guest (this is most of them - I think he asks each time to come). He arrives toting bags of biscuits and a couple of bottles of Tesco Value whiskey. (absteining I gave the excuse that I'm a single malt girl not looking to trade germs with the 400+ attendees) Georges Jeanty looks like a man who wonders what he did to upset the organiser Sean. To be put up on stage there with Jonathan and his british soulmate Dominic Keating. Paper papal hats were made and the whiskey vision is unveiled. A rather fetching videocam gaffertaped to one of J's gross bottle holders full of whiskey (made out of a hoof) So now you can not only have a drink, but the whole world can see your expression as you choke back the cheapest whiskey money can buy. I tell you, only in the UK! Not to say that underage drinking took place. There was a yoghurt drink and just biscuit option. Hilarity ensued and much adult humour, Georges took the opportunity to tell us that this was why he doesn't drink. It's always great fun if you don't mind alcohol and poor taste in jokes, and the session always carrys a health warning to Convention newbs.
.Next up (after what some may think was a tough act to follow) are the Dollhouse ladies Miracle Laurie, Dichen Lachmann and Felicia Day (yes, she's in Episode 13 but was very careful not to give anything away). They are limited with what they can discuss but they talk briefly about what who they would imprint as a doll and with whom. Felicia is a classically trained violinist and studied ballet, she likes to game online - Dichen likes to laze about (when not making bubbles in the shower), paint and cook to relax, and Miracle has her hula dancing & ukulele duo. Felicia off the cuff suggests that Miracle should dance now with her and Dichen as backing dancers. 'OK, let's do this' and on comes Miracle's fiance Chris who will accompany them. All three girls were extremely graceful except where Chris warns Felicia and Dichen not to hurt each other as they nearly collide. Felicia talks about her web show 'The Guild' and the deal with Microsoft who are sponsoring the next season.
.
Zach arrives to give us a briefing on operation 'Subway' - and we all set off to the NEC, phones, cameras and camcorders all on the go to film the event. Now I'd say there was in the region of 400+ people who went to Subway with Zach - The company had been warned and Zach arrived with all of us in tow announcing 'that these are my six hundred friends and we're gonna get sandwiches' then he got in there and helped make the sandwiches for everyone. Best way ever to spend lunch time.
.
We rushed back in time to catch the final Q&A of the Convention, a firefly reunion with Adam, Summer and Mark. Great to see all three of them together although I don't recall a great deal of what was said (I need my notes) Mark and Adam spoke about weapons and Adam says that his character in Chuck was one of the few who handles a weapon correctly - he has guns and plenty of experience. He had a favourite hand gun on firefly which was then copied by a gunmaker - 'Vera' he said, cost about 16K$ to make and was very clunky, cumbersome and pretty useless as a real weapon. Mark chipped in too and then there was much back and forth about firearms - with Summer looking from one to the other (spectator at a tennis match) and slowly sunk into her chair - very funny to see. With all the guests shows currently pending decision on renewal Mark commented about Joss Whedon should be working for cable and not network TV, as his work is better suited to that - also how it is nonsensical to try and string out a whole season to 22+ episodes and that it was better to have smaller season as they do in the UK and as an example one of his latest shows - Leverage on TNT. They also were asked about who they would have (or have had) a'fanboy' moment over - Adam says his heroes are George W, Clint Eastwood and (irrc) Gen. Petraeus. Mark Sheppard recalls the time he ran into a casting agent in a London Pub who was drinking with Peter O'Toole who recognised Mark and congratulated him on acting he'd done recently. All Mark could think was 'F*ck!ng Hell - It's Lawrence of Arabia!!'.
Closing ceremony ran a little late(!) and finally all the guests made their farewells (Summer was a little emotional) and the Convention ended. Many guests hung around as they were staying at the hotel, there were rumours of Felicia dancing on stage at the party in the early hours, but I was fast asleep.
.