Kapow! Aka "We Finally See the Merlin 4 together in one room!"
I have returned from the depths of Islington where I met up evildrem and several other Merlin regulars ::waves to both old friends and new ones:: to attend the BBC Merlin panel.
Firstly, as to location, it was held at the Business Design Centre -- a short walk from Angel tube stop. It was my first time in the venue; not a bad choice actually. Everything was spread out over three floors with the talks taking place in rooms (actual rooms -- not tents!) and the signing taking place on the second floor; and since there was balustrade all around, it may for a great location to take pictures of the signing itself. ::heh::
I decided to forego the signing this time around as I have already have their autographs and I opted to start queuing instead for the panel. And I'm glad I made the choice I did; I ended up with a dead centre second row seat and considering how atrocious the lighting was in the room, if I'd been much further back, my pictures would have been of dubious quality indeed. Also, true to Merlin style, they were ca. 20 minutes late in beginning the signing and I doubt they even managed to finish half the queue. I know a number of my friends didn't get autos and they were in the middle of the queue. I suspect it didn't help that initially there were no limitations on the numbers of items being signed (to the best of my understanding). Anyways, onto the more interesting stuff -- pics!!
As I mentioned above, due to the existence of the third level balustrade, taking photos of the signing from above was easey peasey. And here's the entire gang.
Colin wearing headgear -- not of the Beanie type!
Colin deciding that the hat had to go -- and I personally agreed. Don't hide that lovely hair of yours!
The boys!! Oh boys -- never change.
I like the composition of this one.
There were no limitations on what the cast signed this time around in that it didn't have to be official merchandise; I presume they must have had a few interesting items being handed their way!
Finally, it was time for the panel.
Oh Colin, you were looking very sweet and adorable today. Although the "That" photos were exquisite art, this is the Colin I'm used to seeing. :D
And with his little smirky grin. During the panel Katie said that everyone *thinks* Colin is the sweet one. (Who thinks that -- not us!) Angel then mentioned a prank Colin pulled on her while he was in makeup for the Old Man; apparently he crept up on her and basically scared her by jumping out when she was concentrating on something else. Colin couldn't resist apparently -- he found the makeup (without the wig) really creepy.
The Boys!! Are back! Yay!!
Awwww, a little whispered conference. This happened immediately prior to the question of what was your favourite episode. I've heard this question asked so many times that the answers are starting to blur together. But this time around Bradley said that it's not so much a favourite episode as a favourite scene. And he has a vivid recollection of filming a scene last year where he was surrounded by his knights and just felt everything coming together.
Have some very, very pretty boy. I had to use a filter to remove some of the noise from this picture, but I'm rather taken by the effect; it almost has a watercolor quality to it! Sometimes good things come out of bad lighting!
More boys having fun. At one point they were talking about props on set; apparently Katie is forbidden from wielding swords when they're not filming as she has a habit of dropping them and/or people when she shouldn't be. Speaking of props, recently, while they were filming Tom Hopper had one scene where he was carrying a lighted flambeau. Well, apparently during a break in filming he just put it down -- still fully lit. He is now banned from carrying flambeaus after "cut" is called.
When asked about working with other actors, they all reiterated what a pleasure it was working with the creme de le creme of English guest actors and how they're constantly learning from them. Charles Dance was mentioned again by Colin -- he obviously impressed him. Katie made a comment that as she hadn't gone to drama school, the past three years have taught her a great deal.
They were asked about their favourite costumes that made them feel more like their characters but before the question was even finished, from the floor someone commented -- well, everyone except for Merlin! Katie replied by saying she loved her current costume from Series Four. Interesting. Angel didn't have a favourite and Bradley talked about being in chain mail, particularly when he was with his knights and they were all in chain mail -- how it made them part of a group.
When asked once again, what other character would they like to play, Katie didn't want to play anyone other than Morgana! Angel gave her standard answer of Arthur -- wielding a sword. And Bradley said someone opposite to his "good, non-magical character". When someone yelled out -- "Morgana then!", Bradley replied a 'male, evil, magical character'.
Johnny revealed that Series Four would begin one year after the series finale of three. And yes, they're all getting darker as the themes get darker. Will there be a magic reveal? All Johnny would say, "if you ask me this question same time next year, my answer might be different". Ergo, I anticipate no reveal this year (unless it happens at the very end of Series 4) but quite possibly the reveal being one of the main themes in Series 5. Time will tell.
And as for world wide release of Merlin, once again they're all chuffed at how many countries have picked it up -- more so than for Torchwood or Doctor Who. But not so surprising -- after all, the Arthurian legend has a classic, world wide appeal.
And I know much more was said -- but that's all that I can remember right now! I fear that Bradley and his lips and his fingers are rather distracting!
Firstly, as to location, it was held at the Business Design Centre -- a short walk from Angel tube stop. It was my first time in the venue; not a bad choice actually. Everything was spread out over three floors with the talks taking place in rooms (actual rooms -- not tents!) and the signing taking place on the second floor; and since there was balustrade all around, it may for a great location to take pictures of the signing itself. ::heh::
I decided to forego the signing this time around as I have already have their autographs and I opted to start queuing instead for the panel. And I'm glad I made the choice I did; I ended up with a dead centre second row seat and considering how atrocious the lighting was in the room, if I'd been much further back, my pictures would have been of dubious quality indeed. Also, true to Merlin style, they were ca. 20 minutes late in beginning the signing and I doubt they even managed to finish half the queue. I know a number of my friends didn't get autos and they were in the middle of the queue. I suspect it didn't help that initially there were no limitations on the numbers of items being signed (to the best of my understanding). Anyways, onto the more interesting stuff -- pics!!
As I mentioned above, due to the existence of the third level balustrade, taking photos of the signing from above was easey peasey. And here's the entire gang.
Colin wearing headgear -- not of the Beanie type!
Colin deciding that the hat had to go -- and I personally agreed. Don't hide that lovely hair of yours!
The boys!! Oh boys -- never change.
I like the composition of this one.
There were no limitations on what the cast signed this time around in that it didn't have to be official merchandise; I presume they must have had a few interesting items being handed their way!
Finally, it was time for the panel.
Oh Colin, you were looking very sweet and adorable today. Although the "That" photos were exquisite art, this is the Colin I'm used to seeing. :D
And with his little smirky grin. During the panel Katie said that everyone *thinks* Colin is the sweet one. (Who thinks that -- not us!) Angel then mentioned a prank Colin pulled on her while he was in makeup for the Old Man; apparently he crept up on her and basically scared her by jumping out when she was concentrating on something else. Colin couldn't resist apparently -- he found the makeup (without the wig) really creepy.
The Boys!! Are back! Yay!!
Awwww, a little whispered conference. This happened immediately prior to the question of what was your favourite episode. I've heard this question asked so many times that the answers are starting to blur together. But this time around Bradley said that it's not so much a favourite episode as a favourite scene. And he has a vivid recollection of filming a scene last year where he was surrounded by his knights and just felt everything coming together.
Have some very, very pretty boy. I had to use a filter to remove some of the noise from this picture, but I'm rather taken by the effect; it almost has a watercolor quality to it! Sometimes good things come out of bad lighting!
More boys having fun. At one point they were talking about props on set; apparently Katie is forbidden from wielding swords when they're not filming as she has a habit of dropping them and/or people when she shouldn't be. Speaking of props, recently, while they were filming Tom Hopper had one scene where he was carrying a lighted flambeau. Well, apparently during a break in filming he just put it down -- still fully lit. He is now banned from carrying flambeaus after "cut" is called.
When asked about working with other actors, they all reiterated what a pleasure it was working with the creme de le creme of English guest actors and how they're constantly learning from them. Charles Dance was mentioned again by Colin -- he obviously impressed him. Katie made a comment that as she hadn't gone to drama school, the past three years have taught her a great deal.
They were asked about their favourite costumes that made them feel more like their characters but before the question was even finished, from the floor someone commented -- well, everyone except for Merlin! Katie replied by saying she loved her current costume from Series Four. Interesting. Angel didn't have a favourite and Bradley talked about being in chain mail, particularly when he was with his knights and they were all in chain mail -- how it made them part of a group.
When asked once again, what other character would they like to play, Katie didn't want to play anyone other than Morgana! Angel gave her standard answer of Arthur -- wielding a sword. And Bradley said someone opposite to his "good, non-magical character". When someone yelled out -- "Morgana then!", Bradley replied a 'male, evil, magical character'.
Johnny revealed that Series Four would begin one year after the series finale of three. And yes, they're all getting darker as the themes get darker. Will there be a magic reveal? All Johnny would say, "if you ask me this question same time next year, my answer might be different". Ergo, I anticipate no reveal this year (unless it happens at the very end of Series 4) but quite possibly the reveal being one of the main themes in Series 5. Time will tell.
And as for world wide release of Merlin, once again they're all chuffed at how many countries have picked it up -- more so than for Torchwood or Doctor Who. But not so surprising -- after all, the Arthurian legend has a classic, world wide appeal.
And I know much more was said -- but that's all that I can remember right now! I fear that Bradley and his lips and his fingers are rather distracting!