Here's the non-panel portion of my Dragon Con remembrances, so feel free to skip!

( Thursday thru Sunday, not much happened on Monday. )

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: groggy

Well, it only took two weeks to post my first Dragon Con report! Worst part of typing this all up was I listened to the BSG panel recordings while sick, tried to transcribe key points, and now being of reasonably sound mind and body, I looked at some of my notes and went, “Huh?” But, I think this all (mostly) makes sense. So here is a wrap up of the three BSG panels I attended (I had to miss Monday’s panel), a few photos that don’t suck, and some highlights of my chats with Jamie.

( Friday’s Panel: Star Trek vs The New Battelstar Galactica (AKA the panel in which Jamie looked bored to death). )

( My first meeting with Jamie or how I’m sure I acted like a dork. )

( Chat# 2 with Jamie and still the dork. )

( Two Apollos, A Chief, and a Battlestar. )

( Final Jamie chat – still feeling like a dork. )

( BSG Reunion Panel )

Tags: dragon_con_2007, jamie
Current Mood: accomplished

I'm slowly recovering from whatever the con inflicted on so many of us. And, on and off today, I've been working on transcribing my interview with Jamie Bamber. Yeah, that was the big tease. I got to sit down with Jamie for twenty minutes and conduct an interview. After listening to the recording repeatedly (man, is transcribing hard work!) I lament the questions I forgot to ask and, also, the moments I sounded like a dork. :p And the interview was conducted on the Walk of Fame so interruptions and distractions were inevitable. Of course, when Jamie asked me if I had a place to do the interview I said, "No, because you never got back to me." Keep in mind, I'm the same person who has hollered at James Marsters, so chastising Jamie should be of no surprise to anyone. I had contacted Jamie's publicist about a month ago about doing an interview, Jamie confirmed he received the email, but admitted he's not good with following up.

Anyway, if any of you are interested in the interview it can be found HERE at bamber_news.

One thing I couldn't believe I forgot to ask about was if he had any projects on the horizon and as I was leaving the BSG panel on Monday, Aaron Douglas mentioned that Jamie wasn't there because he had to fly to Shreveport to start a film. D'Oh! But when I e-mailed Jamie's publicist Tuesday to thank him for putting a bug in Jamie's ear about the interview I also asked him about the film project. I won't go into detail about the film (long story), but, I have to say, the guy is not only amazing about getting back to people, he's quite funny. Either publicist's get a bad wrap or this guy is an exception to the rule.

Tags: dragon_con_2007

I feel really guilty because many people are already posting pics and reports and video footage and I'm just too tired to do so. I do have lots to share and I'll probably be doing it over the course of a couple weeks. I did audio recordings of all the panels I attended which means I took no notes. I don't think I'll do transcripts of every panel, but recap them and *hopefully* find a way to share my recordings with all of you. I might try the file sharing sites or I may have someone who is kindling willing to host the files on her web space. But, really, you all would rather hear the actors themselves then have me type it all out so I'll make something work.

My pictures are not fabulous accept a few closeups I got of Jamie, but I'll link all my DC buddies who have better cameras than I. And there be reports of people posting video later this week, at least of the BSG panels. I also attended the SG1 panels, one Star Trek, and one OMG CLAUDIA BLACK IS AWESOME panel. Sadly, I did not get to see Jamie at the Colonial Day Party due to a combination of the slowest dinner ever (though the company was terrific), the Hyatt being shut down by fire marshals, and the con putting the party in a tiny room that would only hold 115 people who apparently had to get in line at least an hour before.

It was a very weird con this year. Overall, I had a great time, but DC needs to seriously think about limiting ticket sales. People were *very* crabby this year which is understandable with up to four hours waits in the registration line (I managed to get out in an hour and a half because I was pre-registered) and having to line up hours in advance to get a decent seat/a seat in a panel. Seriously, lines went around the building.

Then there was the Walk of Fame headaches. Many of the Stargate actors, including Claudia, use Julie Caitlin Brown as their con manager. Julie is hated on the con circuit with good reason. She set up her own rules for autographs that included buying tickets ahead of time. Traditionally, it has always been just walk up to the actor's table or, in the case of the Firefly actors, wait in a lengthy line. For the most part, people are understanding and patient in this process. But to be forced to get in one line for a ticket (or thrown out of line when it randomly closed), then told you have to come back and are not actually guaranteed an autograph? People were not happy. To make matters worse, Julie yelled at people who had the nerve to ask her a question or not stand in line just as she told them to. Why people continue to use her is beyond me. I don't have a bad thing to say about the Stargate actors who seemed very nice and probably had little clue as to what she was doing.

That's probably enough venting for one night. I have a lot of good stories to tell. Like who knew Erik Estrada was such a morning person? When he walked by the line into the Walk of Fame he cheerfully patted people on the shoulder and said "Good Morning". After getting no response he stopped and yelled, "Good Morning!" It was pretty funny. And I let Lexa Doig cut in front of me in the line to the ladies room. I went into stall, found no toilet paper, walked back out, she had this confused look, I explained the situation and told her that she could go ahead to the next empty stall if she was in a hurry.

Also, if half these actors are reported to be in AA in the not to distant future, I won't be shocked. Don't worry about Jamie, I have reports he drank only water at the Colonial Day Party, there were no bar sitings that I heard of, and when we chatted about what we each did Friday night he mentioned hanging out in his hotel room to catch up on work, something that is hard to do with the kids around.

I mentioned I was exhausted, right? Yeah, shutting up and taking a cold shower now. I returned home to find a note that my water heater is broken. :(

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: exhausted

Sadly, my pics from the Star Trek vs BSG panel yesterday largely suck even though I was only about five or six rows back. I should have invested in a new camera. Hopefully, danceswithwords with her new camera scored better pics. And I'm going to collect links to anyone posting good photos. ( However, here are a couple from the Walk of Fame that came out well: )

I'm recording the Q&A's so I plan to transcribe as best as possible when I get back. My general impressions of the ST vs BSG panel were not great. It had nothing to do with the guests who tried to be entertaining. Jamie looked somewhat sleepy and very bored. Not that I blame him considering the bad questions or the people that rambled on without ever actually asking a questions. When he did find something to jump on he did an excellent job with his answers. Gates McFadden had one of the best moments at the start of the Q&A when no one was saying anything she turned to the BSG cast, said she had a question for them, and began rambling off every cliche question you can think of, "What's your favorite episode?" "What's a funny moment you can recall?" and the list went on.

As for my tease, I'm going to continue to tease. But the good news is I don't think Jamie is taking out a restraining order. Though he may role his eyes if he spots me again today.

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: sleepy

Just wanted to make a quick post to say BEST CON EVER and it's only Friday. In addition to meeting many awesome new LJers (names to be listed later) I spent some quality time with Jamie. More on that later. :)

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: excited

On top of being sleep deprived (long story I will explain when I get back), just found out my flight is delayed. Only 45 minutes, but it means I may have to miss my dinner plans tonight. Boo. :( On the brightside, I got confirmation carrielee will be checking into her hotel today as well and seeing her is a highlight of the Con for me.

Happy Birthday! to jennipher. :) I didn't want you to think I forgot about you amdist Con craziness. Hope you have a great one. :)

That's about it. I hope to check in at least once during the Con.

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: rushed

Hopefully, the final schedule. If anyone has anything they are looking for, let me know, I've become a pro at skimming tracks. ;)

Claudia is listed for the Walk of Fame. Woo! Since she, Shanks, and Judge have no panels scheduled until Saturday, I'm betting they don't get in until Friday afternoon/evening.

Friday:

1:00 Star Trek vs The New BSG – Centennial II and III - (The stars from both series appearing - Woo!)
James Marsters, Juliet Landau, & Elisabeth Rohm – Regency 6 and 7

2:30 SG Guests Megapanel – Centennial II and III

4:00 An Hour with Ron Glass and Mark Sheppard – Centennial I
Farscape Q&A - International South

10:00/11:30 The Buffy Horror Picture Show – International South

Saturday:

11:30 Two Apollos, A Chief, and A Battlestar - Centennial II and III (They finally changed the name!)

1:00 Pitch Black: An Hour with Claudia Black - Hanover C-E
Trek Trak Show with Gates, Frakes, and Spiner – Regency VI and VII
Glass/Sheppard – Centennial II and III
Farscape – International North

4:00 Star Trek Guest Stars – Centennial II and III (The only reason this interests me at all is John DeLancie is scheduled)
James, Juliet, & Elisabeth – Regency 6 and 7

5:30 SG Megapanel #2 – Centennial 1-3 (No Claudia)

10:00 BSG Colonial Fleet Party – Courtland
11:30 The Shindig – International North

Sunday:

1:00 Frakes, Gates, & Spiner – Centennial II and III (May not hit both ST:TNG panels, but certainly one of them)
James and Juliet – Regency 6 and 7

2:30 SG Megapanel #3 – Centennial II and III
Farscape Cast – Hanover C-E

4:00 BSG Reunion – Centennial II and III
Glass/Sheppard – Centennial I

Monday:

10:00 Star Trek v Stargate – Centennial II and III

11:30 BSG: Prepare to Cast off – Centennial II and III
Law & Order - An Hour with Elisabeth Rohm (Um, yeah, she's there for L&O too.)

1:00 ST:TNG Cast Reunion – Centennial II and III

4:00 - Farscape - International North


Now off to prepare for Mega Snake viewing. In other word, time to put the wine coolers in the fridge.:p

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: accomplished

I have to go meet a friend for lunch, but just an FYI that the Dragon*Con site has the Pocket Program posted (upper right hand corner). I didn't see any important changes, but will still update my schedule later.

In a WTF/Crap moment, Jamie and Aaron are seated *right* as you come in the door to the Walk of Fame and who is next to them? James Marsters. ::head desk::

On the bright side, Sorbo is on the other side of the room. :)

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: excited

To begin, Jamie is still on the schedule. I feel compelled to say that whenever possible. I also feel compelled to point out he could still cancel, but I remain hopeful.

I just checked all the tracks of interest again and we finally have a Stargate schedule. The Big Three (Shanks, Judge, and Claudia) are not scheduled to appear on any SG1 panels Friday and Claudia isn't listed for the Star Trek vs Stargate panel on Monday.

ETA: I forgot to mention that Jason Momoa has been added to the guest list.

ETA #2: greycoupon informs me/us that Claudia is doing a solo Q&A on Friday. Now if I can just find it!

ETA #3: According to this forum I found Claudia will be at the Walk of Fame signing autographs!

So, here's my amended list of panels and where you'll definitely find me in bold. :)

Friday:

11:30 Claudia??? (I noticed on the Stargate track schedule this time is left open.)

1:00 Star Trek vs The New BSG – Centennial II and III
James Marsters and Juliet Landau – Regency 6 and 7

2:30 SG Guests Megapanel – Centennial II and III

4:00 Firefly Panel – Centennial I

10:00/11:30 The Buffy Horror Picture Show – International South

Saturday:

11:30 Two Guys, A Girl, and A Battlestar - Centennial II and III (Ok, since Aaron is in and Katee is out, they *really* need to change the name.)

1:00 Trek Trak Show with Gates, Frakes, and Spiner – Regency VI and VII
Firefly – Centennial II
Farscape – Centennial II and III (I don't see Claudia listed for any 'Farscape' panels)

4:00 Star Trek Guest Stars – Centennial II and III (The only reason this interests me at all is John DeLancie is scheduled)
James and Juliet – Regency 6 and 7

5:30 SG Megapanel #2 – Centennial 1-3

10:00 BSG Colonial Fleet Party – Courtland (?) (At least for a little while)
11:30 The Shindig – International North

Sunday:

1:00 Frakes, Gates, & Spiner – Centennial II and III (May not hit both ST:TNG panels, but certainly one of them)
James and Juliet – Regency 6 and 7

2:30 SG Megapanel #3 – Centennial II and III
Farscape Cast – Hanover C-E

4:00 BSG Reunion – Centennial II and III
Firefly – Centennial I

Monday:

10:00 Star Trek v Stargate – Centennial II and III

11:30 BSG: Prepare to Cast off – Centennial II and III

1:00 ST:TNG Cast Reunion – Centennial II and III (Probably heading for the airport :( )

Either I'm fasting on Sunday or packing a lunch. :p


OK, why does the air condition decide to stop working properly at night when I'm at home and can't call anyone to fix it? And now I'm too tired and cranky to work on stuff I need to be working on because OMG 7 DAYS! And Brett Favre is still playing football? Really???

One hour to Burn Notice, that's something to look forward too.

Oh, and for the Michael Shanks fans, he'll be starring in SciFi's Mega Snake this Saturday. I wish I was making that up.

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: restless

There was some positive news earlier today that Jamie was still attending. Someone at the SciFi forum spoke to someone who spoke to his agent (I suddenly feel like I'm in fifth grade) and said he was still scheduled to attend. As confirmation of that, I just checked the DC site (as I do every night regardless of this) and noticed it had been updated. Aaron Douglas has been added, Jamie is still listed as a guest, and the cancellations have been updated as well - Virginia Hey is no longer appearing. Darn, no soap and candles for me this year. ;) Jamie could still bow out in the next two weeks, but, right now, he's still going.

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: pleased

This isn't an addition to get me excited, but Elisabeth Rohm has now been added to the guest list. I'm guessing they'll squeeze her into a couple of the Spike/Dru panels. No offense, but I don't think there was enough interest in her or Kate to warrant a solo Q&A.

Also, Ellen Muth is back again this year. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the Dead Like Me DVD film that is forthcoming.

And, yes, I may be obsessively checking the site for updates with it being less than three weeks away. Eep!

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: restless

It’s only Tuesday, technically Wednesday, and I cannot wait for this week to be over. Work was a nightmare today (and it wasn’t awesome yesterday), the 'highlight' of which was me almost making a secretary cry. I think. It’s hard to tell when you’re on the phone, but she was getting extremely agitated. Is it my fault I’ve given her the same information repeatedly (and later found out, so have others) and she just can’t absorb what is being told to her? Sigh.

Then there is the fandom upheaval. Here’s the deal, I’m not leaving LJ. Nor am I cross-posting using Semagic. Not now and not any time in the foreseeable future. When it comes to PR, LJ/Six Apart has exhibited gross incompetence. But I deal with that, short-sightedness and just a general lack of giving a damn five days a week. So I guess I just can’t work up a lot of emotion with the current situation. This is something that (unfortunately) goes on in every single business and, yes, LJ is a business. All the other journals may seem like safe, happy places now, but it’s just a matter of time before they encounter their own problems.

A bigger concern for me than my personal LJ, is what the heck I’d do with bamber_news should there be a great migration. I know people who don’t even have LJ’s use it as a resource so, down the road, I may look into something independent of a journaling site to host it. But that means work and I think we all know I like to avoid that. ;) I did archive it as I did my LJ because, even if LJ was a perfect place for fandom to gather, they could suffer some sort of catastrophic technical failure.

Anyway, should people get fed up and leave I have every intention of trying to stay in touch. All the journal communities have friends lists and I’m certainly willing to make the effort to use them even if I have no plans on posting there. I’m asta77 on IJ and GJ. If I get a Journal Fen account I’ll, hopefully, be able to retain MY name there. I’ve already friended people who I’ve seen post links in regards to GJ and IJ, but if I’ve missed you friend me and I’ll make sure to friend you back.

In happier fandom news, Dragon Con is not too far away. Woo! I’m trying to not wait until the last minute to organize and make plans this year. But besides danceswithwords, brynnmck, and sdwolfpup who I’ll be sleeping with…so to speak…I’m starting to lost track of who all is going this year. So give me a heads up if you plan on attending. As far as sharing contact info I’m leaving this a public post so if you have any interest in meeting up feel free to e-mail me at asta77@livejournal.com.

I’ve also started looking at the programming tracks and making a tentative schedule. I know guests and panels can change even once the Con has started, but much of this will probably remain the same. It would *really* help if the Stargate people could get their act together and get a preliminary schedule up on their site. Trek Trak is totally kicking your asses!

No surprise, my priority will be the BSG panels. Or, more bluntly, if Jamie is on a panel, I’m there. In order of importance behind BSG/Jamie is Stargate, Star Trek, Firefly, and Farscape. I have no plans to attend James and Juliet’s panels, but I included a listing of them below for those who do wish to see them.

Bits of oddness I noticed in scheduling…some genius scheduled a Farscape and Firefly panel in the same room at the same time…the Firefly panels may force others to readjust since in addition to Ron Glass and Mark Sheppard, Adam Baldwin is now appearing…Mark Sheppard is not listed on a single BSG panel. Huh?

So, as of right now, without a clue as to when the Stargate panels will be, this is what my Con is looking like:

Friday:
1:00 Star Trek vs The New BSG – Centennial II and III
James Marsters and Juliet Landau – Regency 6 and 7

4:00 Firefly Panel – Centennial I

10:00/11:30 The Buffy Horror Picture Show – International South

Saturday:
11:30 Two Guys, A Girl, and A Battlestar (Hee! Love the name. :) - Centennial II and III

1:00 Trek Trak Show with Gates, Frakes, and Spiner – Regency VI and VII
Firefly – Centennial II
Farscape – Centennial II and III
(As you can see, it’s a busy hour. Wanna bet they schedule a ‘Gate’ panel too? :p)

4:00 Star Trek Guest Stars – Centennial II and III (The only reason this interests me at all is John DeLancie is scheduled)
James and Juliet – Regency 6 and 7

10:00 BSG Colonial Fleet Party – Courtland (?)
11:30 The Shindig – International North

Sunday:
1:00 Frakes, Gates, & Spiner – Centennial II and III
James and Juliet – Regency 6 and 7

2:30 Farscape Cast – Hanover C-E

4:00 BSG Reunion – Centennail II and III
Firefly – Centennial I

Monday:
10:00 Star Trek v Stargate – Centennial II and III

11:30 BSG: Prepare to Cast off – Centennial II and III

1:00 ST:TNG Cast Reunion – Centennial II and III (though I’ll actually be heading for the airport. )


OK, on a totally unrelated note, I've been watching repeats of Season 4 of The O.C. on SoapNet. Two questions: Did the Cohen's ever officially adopt Ryan? I know they thought of him as theirs, but there seems to be a lot more "our son" and "my son" statements and I swear I heard Ryan use the term "our dad". And did they decide to write Ryan as being happier or was Ben Mackenzie so thrilled to be rid of Mischa he just couldn't stop smiling?

Tags: dragon_con_2007
Current Mood: drained

It's already been linked here, there, and everywhere. Well, there and everywhere and now here. TV Squad posted the BSG Q&A that took place yesterday on the set of the show. Part 1 can be found here and Part 2 here. Aaron, Jamie, Grace, Tahmoh, and Michael Hogan participated. Aaron was in top form. Jamie actually looked a little bored at times. And Michael Hogan is nothing like Tigh, thankfully. No spoilers past the season finale and some really wonderful discussion of the characters and show.

TV Week is reporting that the two hour episode/movie 'Razor' will be supersized for the DVD release. They'll be at least an additional fifteen minutes of footage. Woo!

In one degree of separation from BSG, did anyone know that Jamie's sister, Anastasia Griffith, is appearing in the new FX series Damages? I stumbled across that bit of info the other day while reading a review of the show. Sounds like she could be at least a semi-regular playing the lead's boyfriend's sister.

In other casting news, Sophia Myles, AKA 'The Girl in the Fireplace, AKA David Tennant's girlfriend (I think still) has been cast in what I'm guessing is a retooled Moonlight on CBS this fall. The Televisionary is asking her to reconsider. ;)

And I *finally* booked a flight to Dragon Con. Another Woo! Barring bad weather or being bumped I'll be arriving on Thursday afternoon. danceswithwords and I will be scouring the program for all BSG and SG1 panels and having a mini SG1 marathon. Unless of course we run into actors from either show in the lobby of the hotel then who knows!

Oh, almost forgot, check out Burn Notice tomorrow night on the USA Network. Jeffrey Donovan of the too short lived Touching Evil and Bruce Campbell of the too short lived The Adventures of Brisco County Jr star. ::crosses fingers it's good::

Tags: battlestar galactica s4, dragon_con_2007, tv_musings
Current Mood: hot