BOBW 12 - Michael shanks AUSTRALIA Oct 2001

[Anni]

Allen...... I think Michael may find that he is actually doing too little too late as far as many of the fans are concerned, and of course, with him now more or less leaving the show, it has radically changed it for these fans. And fans were hurt that he hasn't attended conventions even prior to this. It might sound like just so many excuses to them. After all, the other actors also have families yet they take valuable time out from those families to take notice of and care for the people who support them so unequivocally.

What IS it about this man Michael Shanks that gets everybody so bent out of shape? I seriously question this. All I have seen since joining Stargate fandom is arguments and World War 3 and people constantly defending him even when he doesn't actually need defending. Because I am quite sure that this man is more than capable of defending himself if necessary.

I for one will NOT be sad to see him leave. I don't particularly rate him as an actor.... and as a man I personally think he is most unmemorable. Although this is I stress my personal opinion and preference in men and I do not expect anyone to feel that way just because I do.

And Arthur, I was trying to point out that ALL actors do owe their fans something...... They DO NOT owe the fans an in depth look into their private lives of course.... but if you think that the continuing fame of an actor is not, in part, due to the attentions of the fans, then I would like to know what planet you have been actually living on! Yes it's a job of work, but they have actively chosen to enter a profession which relies for a large part upon the goodwill of their admirers, and there is a price to be paid for that. Just like the price I had pay for choosing to be in the military was the inevitable eventuality of having to fight in a war.

A few years ago I worked for Polygram Filmed Entertainment in Beverly Hills and had the opportunity through my boss who was the Vice President of Post Production to socialise and talk to people like Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and Dustin Hoffman.... all HUGE names in their own right. They all said, at some stage or another, that their fanbase was immensely important and although they got scripts offered to them, the thing that kept them fresh in the minds of people like Sherry Lansing (head of Paramount) were the people who simply went out and bought tickets to see the movies.

The box office success of a film depends on people who do that. And they do it for a couple of reasons.... because they like the concept put forward in the film (or the action) and because they like the star(s) who is the box office name. And actors are graded in their ability to be a box office opener.

In TV it's the ratings system which to the networks and production companies decide whether a series is successful and its the viewers, in the case of Stargate, who have made it so. All of us here are viewers and because we are passionate about the show and the actors.... that makes us fans. When we watch, we put the ratings up. If we didn't watch the damn show, it wouldn't be successful and people like AT, RDA, CJ and Michael himself wouldn't get the attention they are getting.

So please don't tell me that actors don't owe something to the fans. They do. So do musicians..... and I was a professional musician for 20 years prior to joining the military. So I KNOW how much the success of a performer stands or falls by whether the audience like them or not. As a performer, getting people to like your performance is what you try to do best.

I do know however that I for one, am getting rather tired of the Michael Shanks saga and I just wish he would now actually go and disappear into Hollywood or wherever he is planning to go. The whole thing is becoming rather tedious and as far as I am aware the sky is NOT falling because he will not be Daniel any more.

And I am perfectly sure that the man himself is probably rather stunned (and gratified I imagine) to see the stricken reactions across broad Stargate fandom since the announcement at Gatecon.

My favourite character bit the dust last Season, so I don't give a damn really, I just watch the show because I like it. Not because an actor gives me goosebumps.

But that's just me.... and I am too bloody old to change.

 

[gateking2000]

>On another note...to all those who would DARE think that I >would begrudge them MS at their local con when he did not >appear at mine....obviously u can't read very well
>
>Did he actually talk to Amanda and Chris and everyone else >from this year and last about how great Gatecon is?


Hi,

I'm so glad I can read in my 'exotic and remote' place overseas.

If MS was not doing these conventions elsewhere in the world would these same criticisms have come up because of him not being at Gatecon ? I think not.......

Let's look at this from another angle ?
CJ was not at Gatecon this year ?
RDA has never been to Gatecon ?
I don't see any criticisms pointed against other actors ?


Now let's take this another step further:
What's so great about Gatecon:
Apparently, from what I've seen on various message boards:
- There was not enough seating or catering at the banquet ?
(And I saw some posting about the volunteers being thanked for giving up their banquet places/food to cover this.....)

- Every guest had at least two security guards around (well volunteers...) who glared at anyone who even hinted at looking at the guests !

- People missed out on talks when the autographs were on at the same time.

- Guests were being mis-treated during the auction. where were the 'security guards' at this point ? All we have is people asking the full unedited video tape of the auction, where guests like Peter Williams were getting 'violated' by some fanatic who bought an auction item (I didn't want to mention details because it sounded disgusting).

The issue here is that certain groups and bodies in the fan-area all over the world, have the need to form an image around themselves and present themselves as the 'one' ! Is Gatecon one of these ? I think so, and people who hold Gatecon in this regard have been brainwashed into believing this as so !

If you intend to book for the next one, then ask them what are you booking for ? ie., what actors/guests have they lined up now ? What expectations are people given about the potential guests at Gatecon ?

Personally I would never go to a Gatecon no matter who they had or didn't have, I wouldn't want to be around so many fanatics in one place.....





Regards,


Arthur

 

[Gatecon]

Arthur,

I'm so glad you can make critisisms based on heresay of others. And from your tone, I can see you are not of the convention type.

The seating at the banquet was a screw up in numbers by the hotel, and those who gave up their meals did so voluntarilly. If you care to know, the seating AND meals was rectified within 30 minutes of discovering the problem, and everyone that wished to eat DID SO.

I'm amused at reports that the guests were mistreated during the auction. Actually I find it laughable. The guests ran the auction on their terms, and everything that was done was done lightheartedly, and with their full permission. These so called violations were non of the sort... granted some were lude, but instegated by the stars themselves.

And because you weren't there... You obiously wouldn't have noticed the security present, all of which were in plain clothes for this event.

Now, the people who missed out on talks during photo and autograph sessions..... There were 2 talks that were voluntarilly done by the guest speakers so those who weren't in those lines wouldn't be bored to tears and have nothing to do. They were simply time fillers.

I suggest that if you have a beef with Gatecon, then contact me personally and speak your peice... Otherwise I suggest you refrain from making judgements based on others views (however biased).

If this came from someone who attended the con, then I would seriously listen to them... But from someone like you... Forget it.

 

[ColJ]

Obviously Arthur has never been to gatecon ,or any other Stargate con, and doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. I attended gatecon this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is always going to be someone who has complaints no matter what you do. I think the gatecon staff do a great job, and if there are any legitimate complaints they will be remedied for next yr. Btw, I didn't see any fanatics at gatecon. They must have stayed at home.

 

[Gatecon]

Thanks ColJ,

Of course there will minor problems and hitches... And there will always be people who complain. It's a fact of life... You get them at any con... It just wouldn't be the same without them LOL

Actually, the people who make ligitimate complaints (lets just call them constructive opinions) really do help by helping us to fine tuning the event.

And you are correct about the fanatics... They didn't show themselves at all. Even those that we know could be a tad over zealous behaved themselves fantastically.

Many of the guests actually comented on how mellow and friendly the attendees were this year.

My hat goes off to you all.

 

[JJacksonSG1]

Okay, i know Allan has already responded to this post, but i read it and just got so pissed off i had to say something


<<Now let's take this another step further:
What's so great about Gatecon:>>

Speaking as one who has gone to Gatecon last year and this year, Gatecon is great for tons of reasons, seeing friends whom i've talked to online but have never met, seeing friends again i havent' seen for almost a year, getting to hang out for a week with fans of an awsome show who all know what i'm talking about when i mention an episode name or an alien. Getting to listen to JR become a talk show host <g> Getting some inside info straight from the guys who make the show, watching the sg1 radio drama unfold, seeing the men of stargate put on lipstick and kiss some scripts to raise mucho money for an awsome charity, getting to see fans of this awsome show being able to do something for such a great charity ($45,000, WHOO HOO!!!!!), watching Alexis, Peter and everyone else try and "read" the hieroglyphics, seeing Allan in his Tokra costume <g>, Meeting tons of new friends and getting to spend an entire week forgetting about problems at home and just having fun...... I could go on and on and on, and if you want to email me personally i'll be more than happy to spend hours talking to you about the time of my life i had last weekend

<<Apparently, from what I've seen on various message boards:
- There was not enough seating or catering at the banquet ?
(And I saw some posting about the volunteers being thanked for giving up their banquet places/food to cover this.....)>>

The problem at the banquet was just that, it was a problme, not a disaster, not a huge situation, it was a problem that, at least i felt, was dealt with quickly and well by the gatecon staff and volunteers. We're talking about a con w/ over 500 fans, volunteers, staff, and guests, sh*t happens, it gets dealt with and we move on, considering what an amazing job Allan, Richard, Fryn, Sue, Carol, and everyone else who was essential in putting this con together, i would say a mix up in seating that was taken care of right away as one of the only problems at the con, thats pretty good, lets face it there are always going to be problems and mishaps at an event with this many people and this many events going on, but what makes a difference between good one and a bad one isn't how many problems there are, its HOW they are dealt with, and from what i saw any problems that arose were dealt with swiftly

<<- Every guest had at least two security guards around (well volunteers...) who glared at anyone who even hinted at looking at the guests !>>
K i dont know who you heard THAT one from, but i never had any problem with any of the security people (from what i understand if their were actual security there i didn't even notice them all weekend) just the guest service people, and they didn't give me or any of my friends any problems at all

<<- People missed out on talks when the autographs were on at the same time.>>
I think there were like two talks during this time, and they were there to give the people not in the autographs something to do, from what i remember, during photo's and auto's most of the time they played sg1 episodes (which was a totalyl awsome idea, it was great getting to see an episode w/ a couple hundred people who love the show as much as i do!!!!)

<<- Guests were being mis-treated during the auction. where were the 'security guards' at this point ? All we have is people asking the full unedited video tape of the auction, where guests like Peter Williams were getting 'violated' by some fanatic who bought an auction item (I didn't want to mention details because it sounded disgusting).>>

Well considering the guests themselves RAN the auction, you might want to talk to them about that stuff. I'll admit that some of the stuff the fans got up there to do i sure wouldn't have done, but hey for $1000 for charity i dont think unbuttoning someones pants w/ there teeth is to big a deal. And it wasn't the fans that came up with that stuff, it was the guests themselves (If i remember right i think Erick Avari was quite the culprit when it came to speaking up for ideas to raise the bids higher <g> but i think he got his own when they got him down on the floor, lol) The whole auction to me was hillarious, tons of fun, and it raised a TON of money for an awsome charity!!!

<<The issue here is that certain groups and bodies in the fan-area all over the world, have the need to form an image around themselves and present themselves as the 'one' ! Is Gatecon one of these ? I think so, and people who hold Gatecon in this regard have been brainwashed into believing this as so !>>
Yes thats it, Richard, Allan, Sue and Fryn have all put sublimanal messages in the programming we watched at the con :: BUY MORE GATECON TICKETS.....::: geez, we go to gatecon cause we want to hang out with friends, hear from some of teh stars of teh show, and have a great time

<<If you intend to book for the next one, then ask them what are you booking for ? ie., what actors/guests have they lined up now ? What expectations are people given about the potential guests at Gatecon ?>>
I (who have already reserved my VIP ticket for next year) dont really care who they get for next year, judging from the last two years turn outs, the guests have a great time and WANT to come back (i think i can quote JR on that one!) and even without any guests, getting to hang out with an AWSOME group of people, and have a blast for a few days is WELL worth the con ticket price and me flying out to Vancouver. Sure i go to the talks, and i love seeing the guests, but what i love even more is meeting up with friends i haven't seen for awhile, and meeting new friends there, who share a love for this awsome show and get a chance to hang out for a weekend and have a blast at a con that is put together by four amazing people who i hope realize that people like you Arthur don't speak for the majority and that I and my friends had a blast this year AND last year and fully expect to have a blast next year to!!!!!!!!!!

<<Personally I would never go to a Gatecon no matter who they had or didn't have, I wouldn't want to be around so many fanatics in one place.....>>
Well you know what, good, cause with your attitude i can't say that i or anyone else who went to the con this or last year wants you there. And as far as classifying us as fanatics, if you consider a fanatic someone who loves a show and wants to talk about it w/ other people who love the show, and meet some people who are in the show, then yeah i guess we are. But if your talking about fanatics that harass the actors and basically go insane at a convention, no we are not. I dont think anyone displayed any behavior that would be considered crazy or insane at the con, and i think if there were one or two, they were dealt with swiftly and quietly. out of all the actors/actresses that were there last year only one didn't make it back this year, and a whole slew of new people came (Hell from what i hear Alexis called and ASKED if eh could come!!!) what does that tell you?

I just want to say that the post that Arthur put up really made me mad, because it totally disregarded all the time and hard work that went into this convention by some amazing people. and I want to take this time to personally thank all the con organizers and volunteers that helped make it a convention that i'll never forget!!!

Jamie

 

[thanatossg9]

the apparent density of gateking

I was aware of just why CJ would not be at Gatecon and RDA does not do cons anymore because a few idiots ruined it for us all! As for the "other actors" speaking for myself only I can say that everyone I hoped to see was at Gatecon. (my problem with MS was the apparent inconsistency)
The banquet problem was a minor glitch, the autograph and photo sessions were well organized, and no one was "mistreated" during the auction. I don't know where u got your info. from but it obviously wasn't from someone who actually attended the con. So what if the security volunteers were taking themselves a little too seriously? Security is very important and I think they did a good job
On a final note...nice misquote there...When I said "....how great Gatecon is...." that was not meant to imply that Gatecon is the best con or the only con worthy of Stargate or some other such drivel!!!!! It was meant in terms of fun!!! Gatecon was the most fun con I have ever been to, and I think that those who choose to absent themselves are missing out on a great time!!
But you, Arthur, you can stay home.:evil:

 

[thanatossg9]

Hey Allen!!!!
Small suggestion for next year ( and sorry if you've heard a thousand times already) : On our i.d. cards perhaps our aliases should be larger than our mundane names...I had a bugger of a time finding people I knew! It's hard to be polite to someone when you're getting indecently close to read their alias

 

[CynVision]

My first con and first trip to Vancouver will always be special to me. I heard good and bad comments from a mix of people (both quad and VIP, experienced con folks and newbies) as I drifted around. And I myself only one close encounter with a guest service guy who prolly was driven out of his mind by the wild and crazy stuff the stars were improving at the auction. The gritty details are already fading into "that's how Gatecon staff does Gatecon." My mind is still pretty open because I saw it from the standpoint of it being and working like a four day theater show. The most that the public saw did seem to go off rather well.

as a con newbie I find it a bit weird that VIP tickets are on sale a year and a day in advance. And seem to sell out almost that fast. That has to say something about the con. Good for the atmosphere of some very open and enjoyable guests (all rose to answer some very interesting questions with great panche. Like, "What does the walls glyphs say?"), however bad for the cliquish <sp?> quality of the ranks of the "I was here last year" VIP. I'm still on the fence on whether to aquire a VIP pass in the next year or stay a quad pass. Some people complained that there were no quad events. We are shy folks, I think, and while "you make your own fun" and those complainers should have made their own fun, some sort of event would be useful to gather all together and find some of those net people you've been longing to meet. And believe me, people with roommates had more fun and pub crawling than I did. Maybe it didn't help taking the con to Richmond. The immediasy of being in Van and near pubs and casinos was missed by a few folks. The B-line bus is good, but maybe not the same as being closer in to city center.

Like thanatos said. We needed a few more ways to connect. I had a bugger of a time meeting people I knew would be there. What about a list of Internet handles or something? Can Gatecon invest in a honkn' huge white board and a few pens so we can scribble room and contact info on something more than scrap paper?

As for who came, who didn't? Hold firm to the idea that you'd rather have a happy, willing guest than a cranky guest forced to attend by studio or peer pressure. And a few do ascribe to the school that you are only loved when you make yourself meet the people who watch your show. Then you have some that try to steal the con as a forum for returning to the show.

 

[thanatossg9]

Hiya Cyn...did I ever mention how nice it was to have finally met you? Even tho we didn't have a chance to talk much I was still glad we ran into each other
Now onto topic...I'm glad I wasn't the only one who found it a bit "clique'ish" at Gatecon this year. I did notice but after a while I made myself stop noticing ( mainly 'cause I was still kicking myself for not going last year). And just think..next year we could be the ones saying "well last year......." :laugh2: :coolyello

 

[CynVision]

Originally posted by thanatossg9
Hiya Cyn...did I ever mention how nice it was to have finally met you? Even tho we didn't have a chance to talk much I was still glad we ran into each other
Now onto topic...I'm glad I wasn't the only one who found it a bit "clique'ish" at Gatecon this year

Hey there! Yeah, no time during talks and line standing for stuff to really talk and then I lost people who rushed off to do more stuff.

Well, on the groups thing. You had so many darn groups that I'd never heard of. I'd been sticking to ascifi.com lists since hearing and planing my trip to the con and I get there and there were all these folks that never spent much time here. I'm running into H/C, Danielites, Teal'conians, Jackites, shippers of all ilk, the stuffie SGCC fic writers, Brits, Aussies, the fantastic dressed to the nines group from Denmark and points around there. Even with the lowered attendance I was totally out of my depth at how many groups are out there. On top of it all was the "subgroup" of the VIPs that I guess could be seen as the hardcore fans. I sat at the back and while I had the VIP spirit and whooped at stuff, I was in a pretty stuffy group of Quads that seemed more puzzled than enthused by the "boxers or briefs" questions. So there you go.

As for being able to say "well last year.." I guess I'm going or Roxie will have my butt in a sling for stiffing her on the skits. If they approve skits again...

 

[Anni]

I'm a bit confused by the rumour that the guests were badly mistreated during the auction!! Where on earth did that come from? I don't think that the guests were mistreated at any time. In fact they were practically wrapped in cotton wool! As far as I could see the guests were having an absolute whale of a time. Don S Davis had seemed tired earlier in the day when my friend and I saw him in the bar and for that reason did not go up and speak to him, although I have no doubt that being who he is, he would have rallied and been charm personified. However during the auction he was full of beans.

Now I am not a particular fan of conventions, Gatecon was fine for what it was... things did go wrong, as they will as something this large, and I personally found the Gatecon Staff, with the exception of Allen, Katherine and Richard, two people who I did not get names for a rather nice young man called Travis, rather officious, overbearing and full of themselves and my one big criticism would be that next year, they pick their staff rather more carefully. Adults, as we all were supposed to be, do not spend huge amounts of money to come to something like this, to be treated like an unwashed rabble by people who only displayed their own immaturity by their rather hostile behaviour and seemed to indulge in a lot of very verbal oneupmanship amongst each other over who knew what star and how well.

Perhaps of course it was because those of us who felt that way had never attended Gatecon before and were not known to anyone else. But I was not alone in my opinion. The one thing that did finally put me off was when I went into the hall for one of the later Q & A sessions, the guest service staff member on guard by the door took one look at my quad ticket and snarled "Get to the back of the room" very rudely at me. I was not impressed with being spoken to like that at the age of 50 and did not attend another session.

Apart from that it was as it probably should have been. Not that I have ever attended a fan convention so I don't know really. The amount of organisation Allen and the others undertook, in addition I might say to their REGULAR jobs and seeing to their families was rather tremendous and they deserve credit and praise for that.

CynVision.... you may find that the group of stuffy quads were perhaps newbies like me and had been taken aback by the whole thing. Also some of them were from Germany and there were also some from Spain and their command of the English language, while better than mine in German, was very good, many of the quick repartee from both guests and English speaking fans was lost on them. One such group had one person who understood English really well and she spent most of her time trying to translate for her friends.

I spent the weekend in the company of a very confused young woman from Germany who I met on the stairs after the first day. She was in tears because she couldn't understand anything that was being said and she like me had been treated rather with contempt by the staff (even though she had a VIP ticket) so we hung around together and I translated what I could. She refused to go to either the banquet or the bus trip, no matter how much I tried to persuade her that she had paid for it and should go because she might find she would enjoy it.

I think this has maybe come down to a straight case of BOBW versus Gatecon, and this is very childish and immature. Neither of the cons are any better OR any worse than each other.

As an aside, I did hear a klOT of slagging off about the London Wolf SG cons from Gatecon staff people also, which is I feel VERY bad form indeed. Even IF the Wolf con has negative things which happened during the last one, the Gatecon staff should have been well above commenting on it. It was neither tactful NOR diplomatic of them. Again, Allen and his directing staff may want to get a grip on their future staffing of this event.

However, as Allen said..... constructive criticism is good because then the organisers can take it on board and ensure that things are different next time.

and perhaps BOBW also need to take some of these things on board so that they can avoid the pitfall themselves.

People...... we are ALL fans. No matter where in the world we come from. Why are we dividing ourselves like this? Can't we just be united in our love of a good show and the tremendous people who work with it?

And instead of sniping at each other about the pros and cons of Gatecon Versus BOBW perhaps we can just be adults and accept each event for what it is.

An entertaining event....

 

[CynVision]

Originally posted by Anni
CynVision.... you may find that the group of stuffy quads were perhaps newbies like me and had been taken aback by the whole thing. Also some of them were from Germany and there were also some from Spain and their command of the English language, while better than mine in German, was very good, many of the quick repartee from both guests and English speaking fans was lost on them. One such group had one person who understood English really well and she spent most of her time trying to translate for her friends.

I spent the weekend in the company of a very confused young woman from Germany who I met on the stairs after the first day. She was in tears because she couldn't understand anything that was being said and she like me had been treated rather with contempt by the staff (even though she had a VIP ticket) so we hung around together and I translated what I could. She refused to go to either the banquet or the bus trip, no matter how much I tried to persuade her that she had paid for it and should go because she might find she would enjoy it.

Oh yes, you mentioned his young woman on another thread. The bus trip was one of my highlights and the girls I met from Denmark that went on it were very happy. So, too bad she felt so inhibited. I know that feeling. This was the time I forced myself to go to the Foggy Dew party even while my mind was crying that I didn't know anyone there. Overcoming the fear was a big part to having as good a time as I had. It is hard to "dance as if no one is watching." Thank goodness for people like yourself, Anni, stepping in to comfort someone very far from home. I'm sorry I missed meeting you.

As for stuffy stuff. I was delighted the star guests were so humorous. That's why I was making noise in the back. I was out and out delighted no one who came minded being a goof and basking in the good vibes directed at them. I never expected it to be so humorous and maybe that's just me incorrectly thinking the cast is like their characters in RL. I think it was the change in media that formed this misconception. I'd known from 10 years in the theater that when the makup goes on the attitude changes. I thought that somehow TV actors aren't as grandiose as stage actors and so must be stiff and cut off. I also thought that years of RDA lamenting cons are dangerous had poisoned everyone's minds, too. I never thought they'd be that relaxed for a room of strangers. But then again they are actors and playing like that is their thing.

It was a lot like how we'd chat up the cast before a show in Chicago. When it's your job to bury an actor in shredded rubber chips and their only source of air is a tube in the floor, they want to know you're not a looney and will check you out. Of course, I come across as a looney all the time because I really only talk when expounding on my favorite TV shows. That, and cracking bitter cynic jokes like Jack does. The rest of the time I'm stagehand invisible. Thank goodness for my stagemanagers and them trying to get me to open up! I think I said more to the stars at the con autograph line than I had in seven years with TV talent drifting through the theater in Chicago. But the key is I braved it out and did it. Even if I might have babbled. It helped to have friendly people in line with me. I think full in my mind was the NY and DC stuff and the idea that I might never have that oppoturnity ever again.

 

[Anni]

Cyn..... you sound like a lovely lady and I greatly regret not managing to meet up with you at the con. I think that you and I together would have persuaded Gaby to forget her woes and have a good time. And as for taking time out to comfort her, well, I guess that's what I do best. Maybe it's because I had to take care of all of those baby soldiers and look after the people in my command, along with being the mother of two sons that does it. That and the fact that I have travelled the world and know what its like to be alone in the middle of a strange place.

I think your point about having some sort of meeting point for people coming to the con is very valid... I wonder how many people like myself and you missed actually meeting people because there was no point of contact. Losse arrangements got made beforehand, but I for one was very confused when I got there because nobody, including the staff seemed to know what was going on. What they needed was someone to pull that side of it together overall and it just didn't seem to be happening.

I shall be in Vancouver next year, although perhaps not at the con, because I am working on a project and don't know how much time off I will have. We have to install new network systems and software and troubleshoot it all and a lot of that will be done in silent hours when the company folk have gone home for the night. But I will keep in touch and let you have my phone number there. Maybe we could meet up and chat? In the meantime we can talk on here!!

I too found the stars to be funny, understand and generally good sports all round. They put the audience at ease which was goo, but guys like Don, Tony, the two Jays and Eric Avari are experienced men of the world and know how to handle the public and they did it very well indeed.

I do think that RDA might have had a negative influence regarding cons and I have no idea why that should be so unless of course he went to one and had a bad time. But the fact is that he is missing out on meeting some great people who really like him and what he does and that is HIS great loss. EVeryone seemed to have a good time whether he was there or not....

 

[CynVision]

Originally posted by Anni
Cyn..... you sound like a lovely lady and I greatly regret not managing to meet up with you at the con. I think that you and I together would have persuaded Gaby to forget her woes and have a good time. And as for taking time out to comfort her, well, I guess that's what I do best. Maybe it's because I had to take care of all of those baby soldiers and look after the people in my command, along with being the mother of two sons that does it. That and the fact that I have travelled the world and know what its like to be alone in the middle of a strange place.
----
I do think that RDA might have had a negative influence regarding cons and I have no idea why that should be so unless of course he went to one and had a bad time. But the fact is that he is missing out on meeting some great people who really like him and what he does and that is HIS great loss. EVeryone seemed to have a good time whether he was there or not....

Well, you prolly saw me hanging around the lobby. I had a big mouth when I'm talking about fic and TV. And I tried to hide on stage behind my microphone in the banquet skits. Duh... Everytime I get the chance to be onstage I blow it. However, there is something satisfying about saying "kree!" That I didn't expect.

It is rumored that RDA had a bad experience at some con somewhere. Or many cons many places. Who knows? I don't think cons are the same now as in 1985. I was way to young to go to anything back then. Once bitten, twice shy. I do know where RDA is coming from. While chatting the autograph line, two young women just passing through the Best Western hallway caught sight of some of our cast photos and squeeled, "MacGyver? He's here?!" He's like Shatner. He's haunted by his successful primetime 1980's TV role. I think fans from that sort of thing have a few less brain cells rubbing together in their heads than your hardcore SF fan. And he did play heavily on the image and got the expected result. And while we in SF act mature and say 'oh he's got family things to do' in the back of our minds is the question if he cares at all about us.

I think we have to credit the star guests who did come to Gatecon abilities to 'ad lib' through the Q&As to their contact with RDA. It is said that he excells at that so it must rub off. They wouldn't be the type of people they are if the atmosphere they work in isn't like what they gave us at the con. Horseplay, practical jokes, humor and then buckling down for the fantastic effort to play realisticly to green screens.

I guess you are right HE'S missing out. He'll never really know first hand what we think of him and his role. And won't know the insiteful kind of questions some of us might be thoughtful enough to get past the drooling, fawning questions to ask. Once we're past "boxers or briefs" and "we love you" we just might have some thought or idea to give to him!

 

[webmouse]

Cons Ain't for the Squemish

Been goin' to various cons for 25 years. Those actors who were not aware of what they were getting into should have checked the "fine print" more closely. Some never do cons, some appear whenever, wherever and are marvelous at it.

Michael Shanks may be a fine actor, but not a comfortable con-guest. Actors get scripts, blocking and closed sets under the watchful eye of a director and crew. Alone on stage at a con (and yes, I have been a con-guest) -- no script, no idea what will be asked next -- its no place for the shy.

Let the lad be. I, for one, will miss him if he leaves the show.

 

[ColJ]

I doubt we'll ever see RDA at a con ,unfortunately, thanks to some very persistant stalkers who have ruined it for him and us too.

 

[Anni]

That is a great shame ColJ...... that a few spoil it for everybody. I am not an RDA fan, but I know that there are many loyal fans of his out there who would have loved to meet him face to face and have an opportunity to tell him how much they admire him.

However, from what I could see of Gatecon, he could have come and been quite safe.... the security was tight..... perhaps even a little too tight, but that's as maybe.

He is missing out on not being in touch with his fans and I have to say, that like most stars even big name stars (in which league RDA is not I'm afraid) still believe in keeping their fans happy. Of course that doesn't mean there aren't some prima donna's also!

 

[gateking2000]

Amendment to Gatecon Response for CJ !

Hi,

I noticed this morning that the lines:

"You are correct, CJ was not at Gatecon this year, he felt that the huge amounts of money we offered him weren't big enough to pay for his ego, but I'm not going to get into a slanging match over any of the reason why stars did or did not come. "

were taken out of a Gatecon post made yesterday. Information at the end of the post shows that the post was edited last night.


Can anyone shed some light on this development ?



Regards,

Arthur

 

[Gatecon]

Arthur,

I removed it because it was something I said in the heat of the moment, and totally unprofessional of me to make comments as such.

Regardless of what my personal opinions may be of any stars, I should not have made comments as such, and so I withdrew it from my earlier post, and also apologise for the comment I made regarding Chris Judge.

Actually, I quite like Chris as a person, and we got on famously last year when I met him, and would have him back to Gatecon anytime.

Frustrations crept through, and unfortunately it was a bad choice on my part to make that comment.

But still, like I said, I don't wish to get into any sort of slanging match why some stars decide not to attend some events. I personally think it's great that Michael Shanks is going to both BOBW and Wolf... It's just a shame that he is starting his appearances just prior to leaving the show.