BOBW 12 - Michael shanks AUSTRALIA Oct 2001

[padders]

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

I think i know the person you are talking about, we used to chat in a room about 3 years ago, a couple of other people from here will know what i am talking about.

She is a lovely person but i havn't spoken to her for ages. You don't happen to have her email address do you?

 

[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.

Yeah, I'm a great visual aid. Poster child of being raised by a weird, reclusive mother and a father that wanted to know her entire life's goals at age fifteen. Just point to me and say "look at this woman." She's regretted not standing up and living life to the fullest! She was so traumatized by the special effects at the first live play she ever attended on a school outing, "Lord of the Rings," in kindergarden she hid under her Cubs hat. (God. Mothers, take your kids to some live plays early in life, I beg you. Movies are not the same!) At age eleven tried the talent search thing and got barked at by the uppity talent scout for ad libbing the line he gave her. (oh! If I'd known then it was a talent, FCOL! This guy had never heard of Second City?!) Frightened by that of ever standing up and doing public speaking. Age eighteen was onstage for an awards thing and didn't trust her mentor to mind the lightboard and left the stage in a blink. And after swearing she'd not do exactly that at the awards thing the year before! Then she majored in technical theatre technology in order to play with electricity without a licence, satify cravings of actor-ness without actually being an actor, and yet be out of sight behind scenery and control booth windows. Finally going to her first con at age thirty-two. You don't want to be like HER do you?

 

[Anni]

Actually darling, I am the exact opposite to you LOL......

Became a professional singer at the age of 13..... used to sing in nightclubs with my mother as a chaperone. Appeared on stage and sang with a guy called Herb Alpert who is now the A & M man for a huge record company.... Did amateur theatricals and was selected at the age of 17 for the junior lead in a nationally produced play in South Africa (got VERY good reviews and apparently showed great talent and promise!) and danced the part of Clara in the Nutcracker Suite with the University of Cape Town ballet school. Spent the time from 13 until 29 playing and signing professionally in a band all around Europe, then went into the military but kept my stage connection by going into studios and doing session work with people like Stevie Wonder

I was a bit like Sammy Davis Jnr..... when the fridge door opened and the light came on I started to perform.....I was unashamedly encouraged and then discouraged by my mother, who thought she'd created a Frankenstein monster. When I decided to try for the theatre at the age of 18 in London, she had a fit of the vapours. As it happened events occurred which made it impossible for me to do this, so I took to singing again instead.

Now I install and fix computer networks...... Go figure!

Now Padders, which lovely lady are we referring to? CynVision or Gaby?

 

[CynVision]

Originally posted by Anni
Actually darling, I am the exact opposite to you LOL......

Now I install and fix computer networks...... Go figure!

Now Padders, which lovely lady are we referring to? CynVision or Gaby?

I guess it's right to live a full life. I sort of have the idea that as people go on to retirment they return to stuff they did when they were young and it's all fresh again. I thought back to why I tried the talent search thing and all I can think of was a few school events we put on in the 4th-5th grade age and in one I was a grandma from Williy Wonka and all the kindergarders in the front row cracked up at me. That must have been the first electric charge of a performance that leaves you feeling a foot off the ground. For a few years I felt that when we had standing O's for musicals at Touchstone. And all I was doing was lighting and board operation then.

I know I shouldn't beat myself up and maybe I should run out and get some acting for the camera night school lessons. My whining about how badly I do on stages don't fix a thing with how I do it. I'm also thinking that it was a good thing to be looking down at the skits because I now remember we were under full stage lights and if I had looked out I would have been blinded enough to not be able to read the script So mebby I do know what I'm doing. sort of.

And I'm betting Padders is thinking of Gaby. I've not been on SG-1 boards for very long at all.

 

[padders]

yes, Gaby. Abydos will know how i am talking about, she is around here some of the time.

 

[Anni]

If her name is Gaby Schultes, then yes, I have her email address Padders. Just confirm that it IS the Gaby you're thinking of and I forward the address to you. She's an RDA fan.....

 

[jadar]

why is it, that all i hear from ppl nowadays, is how their perceptions, is the one true fact? it is amazing to me how much like children a lot of ppl are. I know there are some out there who feel that "their" stars owe them an apperance and then there are those who have to put down others to make their own stars and cons sound that much better. Now while some of you are going through the "can't we all just get along" syndrome, if we were really "fans" then why not simply support our "stars" and be glad if not happy for those who get to go to those conventions that our favorites are attending and leave the rhetoric out. But then that would not be human nature.
Our perceptions would not allow us to do so, nor allow us NOT to feel jealousy at not being able to attend certain conventions. I myself would love to attend other conventions, but am unable to. However I do have friends arouind the globe so am able to experience, albet second hand, the convention experience.
As for those who, like me, are unable to attend certain conventions, please keep the negative suggestions to yourself, or is it that you are just to insecure with yourselves that you have to put down other ppl in order for you to have a better outlook on life. with the tragedy happening in the US, i would have thought that we would be getting along just a little better, but instead no one, myself included, hasn't changed one little bit (with the exception of those directly involved.)
Think on this: Why go to a convention in the first place?
Me? I go to have fun with friends and maybe, just maybe meet someone who made me forget or remember what life could be or should be.
anyway that's sort of my two bits, rambling as it was.

 

[Anni]

Jadar...... In a way you are right..... we ARE all children..... and it's that childlike devotion which very often keeps a show like Stargate up and running..... because without the fans it would have gone to ground long time ago. Long live the diversity of the human race, that we don't all have the same perceptions of anything.

Tragedy in the shape of terrorism has been happening all over the world for decades .... and it hasn't changed people for the better or made them pull together more at all. Just because America has now finally joined the rest of us in the world of terrorism won't change basic human nature. It was a good point to make that the only people who are likely to radically change are those directly involved with the tragedy.

I am sure that there are those who envy the people going to BOBW and Wolf SG4 because theoretically MS will be going. Wolf SG4 is happening near to me, but since I will be going to SG3 it is unlikely that I could make the one in February, but I do not envy those who will be going to that at all. Let them have their fun.... and let those who attend BOBW have their fun too. I hope they have a blast.

I won't comment on the 'stars owing the fans' other than to state, once again, that ALL actors owe a debt to the people who do put them in a place where their popularity can grow to such a degree that their career is significantly advanced. Again, no actor owes his/her fans explanations about their private lives or behaviour... but they should maintain a communication with them and grant them the courtesy of letting them know that they appreciate the fact that these fans are admirers. Attending a convention where the fans are en masse would be a good way of doing this. Peter Williams, Don Davis, Amanda Tapping, Tony, the two Jays and Eric seem to have taken this on board and so it appears has Alexis Cruz.... But then they appear to be people who are confident and secure in their lives, enough to share some time with those who admire them. And they receive the admiration of the fans back for that a thousandfold.

Some people go to conventions to meet friends..... others go to try to talk to the objects of their admiration, to let them know, by being there and by perhaps getting to talk to them, how much they enjoy the work they do and that they appreciate the pleasure brought to them by that work. There is nothing wrong with either reason in my view. Both are valid reasons for attending. It isn't an expercise in oneupmanship...... although I did wonder sometimes at Gatecon listening quietly to some of the comments which were made by various people. I shall be interested to see if the same thing happens at Wolf SG3. The advantage to that one for me is that if I got fed up I don't have so far to go home!

Hopefully this will all die down once BOBW and SG4 are over and everyone knows which direction the show is taking after Mr Shanks has left..... Everything is up in the air at the moment, both within Stargate fandom and the world outside. It's no wonder everyone is overreacting.

It's all just a storm in a teacup.

 

[xst]

Anni, I agree....

Pass me the milk.... for my tea!

I went to Gatecon to see and hear the talented people who are or have been involved in the creation of my favourite show, a show that has and is giving me "time out" from my hectic and very hectic and extremely hectic life. I paid homage to them by going to Gatecon. And I had a terrific time meeting people that I have only met on-line who also admire the show as I do or in other ways that I don't. It's neat. It's a way of reaching out and connecting with life and re-affirming life. (.... getting metaphysical here. Time for bed...... zzzzzzzz....)

 

[Anni]

Night night me duck!

 

[sha'uri's smile]

cons

Hi, I just have to put my two cents in here. I was at Gatecon 2000 and 2001. I went because my friend wanted to go and I liked the show, but was a bigger fan of the movie. When I went to 2000 I had the best time ever. I go to lots of cons and stuff and had never had as much fun as I did at that con. I thought there was no way I'd have a better time this year but I was wrong. I had the best time at a con ever, and when I missed seeing Michael at Virgin recods on wednesday, I was a bit depressed and wondered why he didn't come, but when I learned he was leaving the show and wasn't filming anymore and was off on vacation, I realized why and had no hard feelings towards the man. I was also glad Amanda decided to take the con off and spend her anniversary with her husband, the fact that she showed up anyway just shows how devoted she is to the show, the fans, and her fellow castmates, and the fact that she was still here and filming made it of course much easier for her to come and spend an hour with us.

I don't care who comes to the cons as long as they come cause they want to, they have fun, and they make it fun for us. I think that's the whole point. For us to be able to get together, talk, laugh, party, and enjoy the show with friends, and the people involved with the show itself, isn't it.

I even volunteered this year and got to see how things were run, and believe me they really stressed to all the volunteers to keep it fun and light and only get involved if there's serious trouble. I think the security did a great job, and wasn't in anyone's faces unless the guest wanted to be left alone for some reason. I know there are times when they had to get from one place to another and couldn't stop to talk to anyone and that's when security had to keep them moving. If it was up to the guests, they'd spend so much time talking to the fans that nothing would ever get done and everything would run late. I think mot of the delays were because of the guests but hey it's their con pretty much, so they can do whatever they want. If they want to finish signing all the autographs, then they will. If they want to talk a few minutes longer, then they will. It's hard to stop them when they get on a roll. I know first hand how they'll do whatever they want no matter how much security has a cow. I think the guests have gottten to know us enough that they trust us to be alone with them. I know I'm on a first name basis with several of them and when they'd see me in a line or something, they'd come over and talk to me when they were supposed to be doing something else.

I also worked the charity auction and let me tell you, the guests didn't do anything they didn't want to do or brought up to do themselves. They were all so great and were maybe a little embarrassed at times but they brought it on and enjoyed it more than anyone will know. They had so much fun that they made it run too long and we didn't get to finish auctioning everything off. Next year guys we gotta keep it moving!! All the stuff they did to raise the price of items was worth it, and that's why they do it. I got lots of pictures and so did my friend Robin and believe me there was more laughing than ever. And since I was right up there with them I could see how much they really enjoyed it. I talked with them and joked with them and believe me, they love it. Even the newbies, Alexis and Erick, had the best time and are looking forward to it next year too. Maybe Erick will wear the wig!!! They are all such truly great people and would never let themselves be taken advantage of, and I know that none of the con committee would ever let it happen, and neither would I. I put myself in a security position a few times for them when they were running around the audience showing off items, but it wasn't needed. They had every confidence that they were safe and that's due to the con security and organizers. And as far as I knew, they were, and we all were completely safe.

I give big kudos to how well the con went this year with all the stuff happening in the world right now, it could have been canceled, but instead they carried on and had to make alot of last minute changes, and they did a fantastic job of keeping it all together. Of course things went wrong, like I said they had to make all kinds of changes for people not coming and stuff, and reselling tickets and upgrades, and it could have been a disaster. But it went of spectacularly and I put the test to anyone to do a better job!! They made this con the best ever for me and I'm looking forward to working it next year too. See ya then guys!!

Oh, and if I could afford to go to the England and Australia cons, I'd go there too, in a heartbeat. No matter who showed up.

:rolly2: SS

 

[Anni]

Where there you are......... one person's comprehensive, yet not exactly impartial view of a convention.... any typical convention.

I think in all honesty too, you have to be a certain kind of fan to enjoy these events. There ARE people out there who are fans of the show and like to watch and even post on forums, but who are just not into huge gatherings of effusive folk listening to actors and production crew ramble on. People who don't get any particular rush from listening to the little in jokes and who are not particularly bothered about being part of it to that extent.

People who just like the show and aren't into any of the characters or even the actors particularly.

I do however think and say again..... that the staffing of these events should be looked at very closely. I realise that the lady who posted before me had a most positive experience. But that may have been BECAUSE she was a volunteer and was involved in everything a great deal. It appeared to me as one of the 'great unwashed masses' that the majority of the staff were not experienced in dealing with people and dealt with them very badly indeed. In fact, on occasion, there was an almost 'military recruit' feel to the shepherding of the attendees. Which is unfortunate, since they were NOT recruits but adults who in their usual day to day lives hold down responsible jobs and look after families.

This is not a destructive piece of criticism, it is a valid view put forward by someone who was there.... i.e. me, based on MY, and quite a few other people's experience. Some of these people were newbies to the convention and told me they wouldn't attend again.... and some had attended last year and a few were a little dubious about all, but said they would still come to the next one.

I heard no adverse comments about guests.... or about any other aspect of Gatecon itself. In fact, as has been mentioned before, the organisers did a very good job of both setting it up and trying to make sure it ran smoothly, despite the tragedy of just a few days earlier. There were comments about the banquet and cocktail party being disrupted and it was inferred earlier that this was some sort of omission by the organisers, but perhaps those in other countries who did not travel during that time to the American continent do not realise just how disrupted everything is there and it had a knock on effect on the convention. People cancelled at short notice and this must have made it well nigh an impossible task for Allen and the others to get completely right when it came to numbers.

Perhaps what you need is a logistical advisor Allen! Presumably neither the BOBW nor the London conventions will have these problems.

And someone to run a tight ship with your staff.

Shauri's Smile may not have found them to be officious, but then why would she? Since she WAS a volunteer she was seeing it from the other side of the fence!

 

[sha'uri's smile]

cons

Hi Anni, I know what you mean about the security being a bit overbearing sometimes I've found them to be downright rude. Believe me I've seen a con from all sides and I still feel these guys have done the best job so far. I've been to Star Trek, X-files, Highlander, La Femme Nikita, and other assorted sci-fi cons in my 33 years of age and I know good cons when I see them. The only bad thing I could possibly say is how laid back and slightly unorganized some things were. The security wasn't overbearing all the time, mostly only when they had to be and I got some of it too if I wasnt' working and they didn't know who I was, I had to follow the rules of the con too, so it wasn't like I had immunity or anything. I've seen both sides of the fence, very definately because of my familiarity with some of the guests, I got glares and stares by some of the guys because their guest was stopping to talk to me, but hey, again, when they realized I wasn't the one starting alot of the things and the guest was the one that wanted to be there, they backed off. These guys and gals do have a job to do and yeah maybe I think it goes to their heads sometimes, but then there were times when they didn't do a great job at all of watching their guest, depending on the situation, they really didn't even need to be there. I saw them all kidding around and stuff at times but that's because they knew things were cool and the guests were comfortable with the situation. But if they needed to, they would jump into action to protect any one of them if they needed to, without hesitation, and I'm glad they are there for that reason. There are alot of insane people out there and I'm sure some bad things have happened at cons that's probably why the whole security thing started. So now, I feel security is good but just don't get in the way of the fans or the guest having fun, and don't let the power go to your head. Relax, enjoy it, make it safe and sane as they say, and for god's sake, SMILE!! I've got so many pictures of the security people around the guests and they look like they're miserable. If you hate it that much, don't do it. Anyway, enough ranting from me, that's just my experience.

SS

 

[imported_Fiona]

:rolly2:
Just a short note that let all those who were unable to attend the BOBW12 SG1 Con last weekend with Michael Shanks what a good time was had by all.

The organisers ran a great function and as usual the guests were all fantastic.

Although it was Michael's first Con he was at ease with everything, a pleasure to meet and to hear speak.

Thanks Michael.

I'm sure those going to future Cons where Michael is attending will be just as pleased and impressed as we all were last weekend.



:rolly2: :rolly2:

 

[missySG2]

hey Arthur!!!

So i finally found the post you were talking about on the weekend - ROTFLOL... i dont think i've laughed so hard in a long time. You were right.. much the pity. Still wondering if gatecon will be worth the several grand it will take me to go over there..

anyone want to convince me it will be....? cause from what is being said here, i'm not wsure i really *want* to go...

missy

 

[squire]

Well, Ive only heard great reviews about Gatecon. Everybody Ive talked to that went said it was brilliant, except for the bobw people, I wonder why?????????????
I know I wont be going back to another bobw, its gotta be Gatecon for me...
All of the bobw reviews Ive heard (from past conventions) were all pretty bad.....
I heard more than a few people saying "you think they would have learnt by now" and having been there on the weekend, I know what they mean.
But with Gatecon, I keep on hearing better and better reviews...

Squire

 

[imported_Fiona]

Squire,

Its a shame your prepared to bad mouth something but not game enough to do it with your real name so all can see who
is talking !!!!!

Couldnt get a question in at Q&A time or missed out on buying
the merchandise you wanted ?????

Its easy to hide behing an alias.



Hi Missy - BB sister


Cheers

Fiona:rolly2:

 

[squire]

Well, as you would see on here, most of us dont use our real names, but if you must know, my name is Jesekah, and there is even a pic of me in the Aussie section if your so interested in knowing who I am!

And, I did actually get the merchandise I wanted, one of the signed Wormhole X-Treme signed scripts.
And I didnt WANT to ask MS a question, I was more than happy to listen to the others!

Squire ahem, I mean JESEKAH!

 

[Anni]

I think that I might be one of the few who actually does use my real name..... Anni is what I get called by friends and family (name Anne).

I just admit to being rather disturbed at the tendency of folk to expect that you should not criticise anything to do with this show. Whether it be the show itself, the actors, the production team or even something like a convention.

Not everyone will have the same expectations, the same experience and the same feelings.....yet ALL people have a valid viewpoint. Just because someone didn't like BOBW12 does not mean that they shouldn't put their points forward. I didn't like Gatecon....I thought it promised much and gave nothing (except to those who were directly involved). But I am sure that others had a better experience. This does not make my opinion invalid. And I fail to see why folk who have a grievance should keep quiet just to keep others feeling comfortable and happy.

 

[ShelbyS]

BRAVO ANNI!!!!!


Well said, girlfriend. I couldn't agree more.