Destination Star Trek 2019 a review
Last year I went to my first Star Trek con and I enjoyed it. It got me excited for Trek once more ... this year... not so much.
The guest list wasn’t as strong as last year most of the shows were represented but there was no stand outs.
For me the main guests were the new Pike and Spock from Discovery. I had a few cancellations which are always disappointing but you get used to it over time, but luckily none I was too bothered about.
I arrived just after opening and walked right in. I went straight over to the guests to get my VQ tickets, many didn’t have them and the ones I managed to get I never actually needed to use anyway.
One of the negatives for this event is that you have to buy the 8x10s for signing separately £4 each or 4 for £10. The reasoning is that it is an official event. But I honestly don’t understand why that is different to signing events especially as they use the same images with the same logos at other events.
I wandered around and it did seem smaller than last year. It’s hard to tell if that was because there seemed like less stalls or because it was laid out differently. The photos studios were at diff sides of the hall. With stalls and a shuttle in between so luckily I didn’t have any clashes to run between.
The video game section seemed less than last year and I saw on the map that the board game area had been crossed out.
I was advised the Klingon chair and other seats were near this area but other than one visit to the toilet I never went near that section.
The shuttle- they had hyped that there was a shuttle prop that was to be unveiled at the event. Was it perfect ? No but it looked good enough for some free photos with. They were doing celeb professional photos with it as well which I haven’t seen but I’m glad I didn’t buy one as I don’t think I would have been happy with them . Especially as it is very next generation design so many guests it wouldn’t make sense to have.
Last year there were “selfie” points - which were limited this year ... again limited but they were different than last year.
The shuttle and the Borg regeneration booth - with locutus. This was a fun interaction.
I didn’t see any of the panels - mostly because I’ve been at events so long now panels have kind of lost their impact on me and I don’t like to pay for them. I caught a few bits of some of the free talks on the small open stage. This was very small, only a few rows of seats and in the open. When any of the guests were talking there were many standing around watching. Though same as last year the sound wasn’t great.
All my photo shoots ran to time but were noticeably quieter than last year. Photo area A had about 40 min delay in the middle due to late running costume shoot but they managed to catch up and get back on track. Which was good for me as my last shoot was late in the day and I had a train to catch.
There were 2 prop displays - 1 for general props and the other dedicated to Captain Picard. There were some cool bits in there including the exclusive unveiling of the new admiral Picard costume.
And before anyone says anything - yes there are no photo signs in the prop room but I was told by a crew member that selfies were allowed as they weren’t as clear and the detail on the props wasn’t shown as much so it was ok for the copyright. So me being me I snapped away.
I will get to my usual review of the guests in a moment as there isn’t much else to really comment about this event.
It was all by the numbers , no drama , no issues but overall ... I was bored. I didn’t get the excitement for meeting the guests and spent most of my time walking around in circles killing time until my next photo shoots. It may have been the event being quiet or that the calibre of guests that although lovely to meet ... weren’t exciting and most I only met as they were there and cheap.
Tracee Coco - she was a recurring Ensignon next generation and she was lovely. Bit crazy but the good fun kind. Had a brief chat about how many eps she was in and wow it was quiet an achievement. She maybe the most prolific recurring crewman.
Micheal Ensign - he was lovely talking about his many varied roles and about the make up process for his next generation episode, how they had to make the face piece fresh each time as it wasn’t a full cast. He was a nice meet.
Suzie Plakson- we had a quick chat about how I met your mother and how the story arc with the loss of her husband was very good and emotional. Alas she refused a selfie. I had my photo shoot with her later in the day and she was fun and interacting with the room. She likes my red shirt t shirt and asked why there weren’t many red shirt cosplays.
Alice Eve- i has met her before briefly and she was nice. This time I had meant to discuss Iron Fist but my mind went blank so we had a brief interaction and joked that as she did the Vulcan symbol in my selfie she was a bigger Trekkie that me. She was kind and interacted well will all I saw.
Scott MacDonald - we had a good chat about his make up and alien roles . How he was lucky with many of the roles as they had been great looking make up but not all as complicated as they looked. Was an interesting meet.
Harry Judge- another alien costumed actor. He showed me a time lapsed video of him getting into costume. Discussing the process and how it can be claustrophobic. I do love to hear about the process as they are such thankless roles sometimes and they are so much
Levar Burton - I have met him many times before but I wanted my pop signed , I wanted a short quote but he didn’t think would be possible as his signature is so big , he offered to either write the quote or sign his auto. I wasn’t going to pay £30 for just words so we compromised with auto and a “quote” he wasn’t mean or negative and he came across well but it just felt weird and kind of ruined the meet for me . Then his pen wasn’t v good so the auto isn’t great.
Anson mount - was quiet but I told him I liked his black bolt and he seemed to perk up and thanked me
Ethan peck - amazing , taking time with all attendees. Making each meet feel personal . He really seems to give back. In Photo shoots he was doing any poses and it’s the small touches like the raised eye brow etc that make you feel like you are meeting Spock.
Alan van sprang- I met him at his table when a friend gave him a gift, a 3D printed model of his characters ship. He was over the moon and loved it. Was a sweet fan moment. In the photo session he was taking longer with the fans meeting and interacting.
The JG Hertzler In costume photo shoot was fun. He was really getting into character and loving it . In my photo he is telling me that I’m a red shirt and I should get outta here cause I’m
Gonna die.
Dominic Keating - Met him many times over the years but weirdly never had a photo with him. He was ok but there have been a few negative reviews about him and Conner from this weekend.
Robin Curtis - was a quick meet as she had been delayed with photo shoots and had built quiet the queue. But she was lovely
Overall for me the event was a 5/10. By the numbers but nothing special. Would I return again? If they have the guests I need them yeah . But to me it’s only a done in one day event.
Last year I went to my first Star Trek con and I enjoyed it. It got me excited for Trek once more ... this year... not so much.
The guest list wasn’t as strong as last year most of the shows were represented but there was no stand outs.
For me the main guests were the new Pike and Spock from Discovery. I had a few cancellations which are always disappointing but you get used to it over time, but luckily none I was too bothered about.
I arrived just after opening and walked right in. I went straight over to the guests to get my VQ tickets, many didn’t have them and the ones I managed to get I never actually needed to use anyway.
One of the negatives for this event is that you have to buy the 8x10s for signing separately £4 each or 4 for £10. The reasoning is that it is an official event. But I honestly don’t understand why that is different to signing events especially as they use the same images with the same logos at other events.
I wandered around and it did seem smaller than last year. It’s hard to tell if that was because there seemed like less stalls or because it was laid out differently. The photos studios were at diff sides of the hall. With stalls and a shuttle in between so luckily I didn’t have any clashes to run between.
The video game section seemed less than last year and I saw on the map that the board game area had been crossed out.
I was advised the Klingon chair and other seats were near this area but other than one visit to the toilet I never went near that section.
The shuttle- they had hyped that there was a shuttle prop that was to be unveiled at the event. Was it perfect ? No but it looked good enough for some free photos with. They were doing celeb professional photos with it as well which I haven’t seen but I’m glad I didn’t buy one as I don’t think I would have been happy with them . Especially as it is very next generation design so many guests it wouldn’t make sense to have.
Last year there were “selfie” points - which were limited this year ... again limited but they were different than last year.
The shuttle and the Borg regeneration booth - with locutus. This was a fun interaction.
I didn’t see any of the panels - mostly because I’ve been at events so long now panels have kind of lost their impact on me and I don’t like to pay for them. I caught a few bits of some of the free talks on the small open stage. This was very small, only a few rows of seats and in the open. When any of the guests were talking there were many standing around watching. Though same as last year the sound wasn’t great.
All my photo shoots ran to time but were noticeably quieter than last year. Photo area A had about 40 min delay in the middle due to late running costume shoot but they managed to catch up and get back on track. Which was good for me as my last shoot was late in the day and I had a train to catch.
There were 2 prop displays - 1 for general props and the other dedicated to Captain Picard. There were some cool bits in there including the exclusive unveiling of the new admiral Picard costume.
And before anyone says anything - yes there are no photo signs in the prop room but I was told by a crew member that selfies were allowed as they weren’t as clear and the detail on the props wasn’t shown as much so it was ok for the copyright. So me being me I snapped away.
I will get to my usual review of the guests in a moment as there isn’t much else to really comment about this event.
It was all by the numbers , no drama , no issues but overall ... I was bored. I didn’t get the excitement for meeting the guests and spent most of my time walking around in circles killing time until my next photo shoots. It may have been the event being quiet or that the calibre of guests that although lovely to meet ... weren’t exciting and most I only met as they were there and cheap.
Tracee Coco - she was a recurring Ensignon next generation and she was lovely. Bit crazy but the good fun kind. Had a brief chat about how many eps she was in and wow it was quiet an achievement. She maybe the most prolific recurring crewman.
Micheal Ensign - he was lovely talking about his many varied roles and about the make up process for his next generation episode, how they had to make the face piece fresh each time as it wasn’t a full cast. He was a nice meet.
Suzie Plakson- we had a quick chat about how I met your mother and how the story arc with the loss of her husband was very good and emotional. Alas she refused a selfie. I had my photo shoot with her later in the day and she was fun and interacting with the room. She likes my red shirt t shirt and asked why there weren’t many red shirt cosplays.
Alice Eve- i has met her before briefly and she was nice. This time I had meant to discuss Iron Fist but my mind went blank so we had a brief interaction and joked that as she did the Vulcan symbol in my selfie she was a bigger Trekkie that me. She was kind and interacted well will all I saw.
Scott MacDonald - we had a good chat about his make up and alien roles . How he was lucky with many of the roles as they had been great looking make up but not all as complicated as they looked. Was an interesting meet.
Harry Judge- another alien costumed actor. He showed me a time lapsed video of him getting into costume. Discussing the process and how it can be claustrophobic. I do love to hear about the process as they are such thankless roles sometimes and they are so much
Levar Burton - I have met him many times before but I wanted my pop signed , I wanted a short quote but he didn’t think would be possible as his signature is so big , he offered to either write the quote or sign his auto. I wasn’t going to pay £30 for just words so we compromised with auto and a “quote” he wasn’t mean or negative and he came across well but it just felt weird and kind of ruined the meet for me . Then his pen wasn’t v good so the auto isn’t great.
Anson mount - was quiet but I told him I liked his black bolt and he seemed to perk up and thanked me
Ethan peck - amazing , taking time with all attendees. Making each meet feel personal . He really seems to give back. In Photo shoots he was doing any poses and it’s the small touches like the raised eye brow etc that make you feel like you are meeting Spock.
Alan van sprang- I met him at his table when a friend gave him a gift, a 3D printed model of his characters ship. He was over the moon and loved it. Was a sweet fan moment. In the photo session he was taking longer with the fans meeting and interacting.
The JG Hertzler In costume photo shoot was fun. He was really getting into character and loving it . In my photo he is telling me that I’m a red shirt and I should get outta here cause I’m
Gonna die.
Dominic Keating - Met him many times over the years but weirdly never had a photo with him. He was ok but there have been a few negative reviews about him and Conner from this weekend.
Robin Curtis - was a quick meet as she had been delayed with photo shoots and had built quiet the queue. But she was lovely
Overall for me the event was a 5/10. By the numbers but nothing special. Would I return again? If they have the guests I need them yeah . But to me it’s only a done in one day event.