This weekend was Starfurys first Dr Who convention celebrating the eleventh
doctors time on the show with guests: Matt Smith, Mark Shepphers, W Morgan Sheppherd,Catrin Stewart,Frances Barber,Neve Mckintosh,Simon Fisher Becker,Jim Swallow, Tony Lee, Christina Chung and Dan Starky Sadly Alex KIngston had cancelled the event a few days before it began. The first thing that I noticed when arrived on the Friday was how busy the event was. Most conventions over the last few years average between 250- 400 attendees there was about 600 here and I recognised very few. This event was going to be different but would that be good or bad? The opening ceremony began as usual - delayed but that was fine for me as was rubbing late anyway. The guests appeared on stage one by one and gave brief introduction. This event was different as there were slot of guests only doing certain days so catrin Stewart, Matt smith and simon Milligan were not here yet Highlights were defiantly the guests who appeared to fully embrace their characters and the show itself- simon baker fisher I'm looking at you. Any guest that can make me laugh is defiantly a winner, then as just like that it was over and the quests all left to go to the gold passes meet and greet whilst rest of us got the party going. The next morning after very little sleep was off to the 1st photo shoot of the day - all very quick all very organised as per usual - quick hellos to the guests slight mockery as I had lost most of my voice. Then was off to enjoy the talks for the rest of the day, I wasn't sure what to expect from these as didn't know any of the guests other then the shepherds so went in completly unassuming and to hopefully enjoy. First talk I caught was the end of Jim Swallows and Tony Lee as they discussed how hard it is to write official tie in material when show stil ongoing as not to mess with continuity and future plans. The next talk was simon fisher baker and dan starky these two were very funny and egar to answer almost anything, Dan kept listing more and more silly jobs for sontarans - angry stationary staff, gardeners, stamp collectors. Simon was telling of his excitment working on the show and how shocked he was that he had the last line in the latest series of the show, you could see as they talked how much love they had for the show. Up next were Frances Barber and Christina Chong - frances stole the talk with her infectious warmth and happiness. With her long career she had many stories about other co stars and friends- how Ian mckellan was a big kid who collects, plays and breaks action figures She discussed the fun of acting with an eyepatch and the time she visited the Peter jacksons house with sylvester McCoy and that Peter Jackson has original costumes from dr who in displays. Christina Chong mentioned her family owned restaurant and that she liked her time on the show and hoped to return- but then the embarrassment happened someone asked her a question regarding k9 and she had no idea who he was. Very awkward moment. I'm glad frances had been paired up with her as I don't think Christina could handle a talk alone, having only done the one episode was hard to ask her Many things and she never came across as veryForthcoming with information. The next talk was the father son comedy duo of mark shepherd and w Morgan shepherd. They both been before mark pretty much lives on a starfury stage, their banter was hilarious and mark spent most of the talk walking around the room interacting with the audience and generally playing up to the crowd - which we all enjoyed- and the one question you never ask mark is " why do you always play bad characters " the one thing I always admire about marks talks is how passionate he gets about his job and how it comes across to the fans - including taking his name of credits at beginning of a show so his appearances can Neva surprise, and how he really answers a question in depth regarding how relatesto the medium. Morgan though a marvellous man great stories sadly couldn't hear most questions so his answers were hit and miss- always good but not always on subject. The final talk was between neve mcintosh and catrin Stewart both played great characters on the show and discussed the make up process and hopes of a possible but probably unlikely spin off. Catrin discussed her brief time on misfits. The autographs began as dan and Christina were only there the one day they had a separate room and queue which was steady dan seemed happy to chat and seemed very warm sadly Christina was head down sign move on even when it wasn't very busy was hard to get any reaction out of her which was a shame.After a long wait was through into the main auto room went steadily through mark,Frances and neve queues had nice brief chat with Catrin about misfits and simon about his character. The longest queue was at the end for w Morgan shepherd who loved my original star trek next generation trading card from his first appearance he discussed how he got the part when Gene Roddenbury himself saw him outside audition and they hit it off. And from there he guest stared in almost each spin- off of star trek. He also let slip that the W stands for William but he not like that name but can't say it too loud as marks son named William after him. Then had to rush off to get ready for my group entry for the fancy dress. We had decided to do the eleven doctors and a tardis but ten minutes before we had to meet we lost our fith and sith doctors and so we began to panic luckily i have friends easily bribed into helping. Can still hear the protests as we slipped on thier jackets and wigs and frog marched them out to the crowed. We did have a routine planned but when we couldn't have the music we wanted we were just going to do the standard walk around but last minute inspiration gave me the Idea that we should walk in shout out how very boring and un doctor like this was and then we all joint up and did the conga. The guests and crowd really enjoyed it which is why were awarded best group entry losing out to Lydia matts who won with an amazing entry though we won't applaud her too much as she dropped out or group to do it. The day I was dreading began - Matt Smith Sunday -I was expecting chaos, this many fans all wanting him in such short space of time was going to be mental. Arrived at the photo shoot prepared for the worse and was totally surprised at how well organised and quick the line was. Photo was taken at normal speed not felt like bring rushed through could see Matt taking time with each person and messing around and posing when asked, he seemed like he was having fun. I only had one more photo shoot that day with the guy who played Nixon - Stuart milligan which though smaller line seemed to take alot longer After this was much the same as yesterday great talks by all but each one stolen by mark shepherd and simon fisher baker who just so much fun. Before the main talk that everyone was eagerly awaited had a quick run around the auto room getting my Matt smiths and Stuart milligans done - nice brief chat with Matt about as he put it "the downfall of the ponds " and how in a show like this is very different to most as it's not carried by actors it's all about the doctor so no actors job is ever safe. Even though he had Been signing for a few hours he still seemed full of energy and took time to greet each fan. Then the main event the talk we had all been waiting for ... We took our seats and out came.... Sean Harry - at last i thought he going to tell us all about his acting past but alas no he introduced Matt smith to the stage to which the room erruptred - have not seen a response to a guest this big in a long time. With Sean being a huge doctor who geek he took the chance to interview matt at the start before opening the floor to questions. Was a fun talk with many varied questions and Matt trying his best not to let slip any spoilers especially regarding the new companion. Though he couldn't hide his smile when a certain alien rumour came up. Was great to see Matt change from himself to the doctor when ever a child asked a question. Was a good talk definitely worth the hype. Sadly I had to dash so missed closing ceremony. Overall was a great weekend good guests not seem as busy as it was, fun parties all photos came out well and matts autograph at £10 was a bargain. Starfurys first doctor who event was a roaring success and winning best group fancy dress entry helped sweeten the weekend
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On route home from a very exhausting day at collectormania. Arrived about 10am expecting that to be too late to get a decent virtual queue ticket and then I would be stuck there for hours waiting and waiting for my autos... I was half wrong. My first quest of the day was Finn Jones from game of thrones a very friendly chat and a good Start to the day. For a Saturday event this was very quiet open queues for most guests already so I stopped on my Jason momoa line to get my game of thrones Blu ray signed having met him previously I expected a nice warm reception to which he has always been with fans before as, the queue moved steadily I realised I couldn't hear him talking much as I approached I got my autos and tried to make conversation but he just wasn't really playing ball, was friendly enough but not a great meet, there was a no posed sign up but you know me always break the rules. Next was on to Brandon routh who I also met before and again was a friendly nice guy- we discussed his character in chuck and how was annoyed they made him evil as a cop out - he agreed but was happy he got to play him with all the different range this time there was no sign regarding posed photos so I asked as I had worn my nerd herd T shirt especially buy he advised he wasn't allowed and photos only when he was signing. A Shame and a practice getting more and more frequent. Michael dorn next who again met before so wasn't expecting alot as he cane across grumpy before and this time was no exception a quick hello signed my pix and refused a photo again no sign so embarrassing had to be rejected. Passing the tables I saw that most he quests were empty queue and this was not even 11am so met the warden from Alcatraz who was nice but not really seen the show so couldn't chat for long. As I left him I noticed phil lamarr sitting next to him - have met him before but didn't realise he was in transformers animated so I had to stop for a chat and auto. Next up was caitlin Blackwood from dr who - usually I not get autos from people younger the me but she was quiet and still looks like she did in the show always hate meeting someone who you remember one way but when meet them they so diff looking. She was nice but very quick meet as she was running off for photo shoot. My final auto of the morning was from the lovely Lena headly she was so sweet and funny and really cane across well. Was a pleasurable meet. As most of the guests had now gone for lunch and photos I walked around the dealers room- the only warm place in the who stadium- though there wasn't much there for me. After a spot of lunch was time for my photo shoot with lena was nice and rushed but the photo came out ok. The last autograph of the day for me was dead like me's callum blue who was so genuine nice and fun guy- telling me how much he enjoyed dead like me and how though the wrap up movie was good but with recasts etc was missing something. He told of how he didn't like his time on the tudars as he was ment to have a large part but due to a broken elbow - he showed us the scar- he had to drop out of filming. Discussed the film frenemy and how they missold it on zack galifinikas fame even though he in one scene. Really fun guy and best meet at this event. My friend Luke wanted to meet lance henrickson and get a severed hand prosthetic signed so along I went for photo. lance found it very funny and loved it. As i passed to auto line again i saw that Sophie Woo was sitting alone looking bored so i went over for a chat/flirt and photo with. My friend Emma recently at Inva2ion dressed as a steam punk Samwise from Lord Of The Rings so we went to meet samwise himself Sean Astin to get his auto show off a photo of her in costume. He was so nice loved the costume and even signed her Hobbit feet for free and with that i was done. just had to wait for my lena photo shoot to return it had been about 2 hours should be back by now shouldnt it?....No so what to do to spend the time other then walk around and around i got a photo shoot with brandon routh. This turned out to be a nightmare as they were delayed but didnt tell us till been queuing for a while then they kept moving us due to colour tickets after leaving us for ages. finally went through and photo taken. I then spent the next 2 hours plus killing time for my photo shoots to return - i finally got my lena at half 5 and gave up waiitng for my brandon one and will have to wait for it to be posted. Other then the long wait for photo shoots today was good but a few issues i had The Venue- its open planned football stadium its cold all the guests were complaining about it and had extra layers on. The Guests had open queues and yet still no photos at desk and no signs to say anything so made to look a fool when ask and get rejected. The photo shoot lines and distribution were all over the place and noone had any info to help they were mostly going by guess work. . |