Blog Entry
This weekend was Starfurys first Dr Who convention celebrating the eleventh doctors time on the show with guests: Matt Smith, Mark Sheppherd,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 running late anyway. The guests appeared on stage one by one and gave brief introduction. This event was different as there were alot 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 still 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 very Forthcoming 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 relates to 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
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 running late anyway. The guests appeared on stage one by one and gave brief introduction. This event was different as there were alot 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 still 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 very Forthcoming 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 relates to 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