Graham's Last 3 days

I have not been posting as frequently as I had originally planned mainly due to the late nights and early mornings. So this post will cover Friday through to Sunday (the final day).

Friday started very early because Todd told us, that the lines for panels had gotten insanely long, and he was right.

Back in 2008 I got into every panel I wanted to see and was in lines no longer than a couple of hours, this year was different. There was a line just to get into Convention Center which was different to my last visit. This line snaked its way along the front of the convention center and double back on itself, the line moved pretty so I was inside after being in the queue for about 10 minutes or so. After getting into the building I headed straight to the entrance to Ballroom 20 (the 2nd largest room in the center). Ballroom 20 was where I had planned to spend most of my day, primarily to see the Warehouse 13 and Eureka (2 of my favorite shows) panels.

After starting at the entrance to Ballroom 20 I was very quickly outside in the beautiful San Diego sun, but the line was not done. The line went out the back on the center and into the Embarcadero Marina Park South, which was a nice little park with a marina near by, with some quite impressive boats moored in it. Once I found the end of the line, a convention staff member had been told that there was about 7000 people in the line for a room that seats 4000! So it was not looking good.

The only thing that was going to get me into the room was a high turnover between panels. The rooms are not cleared between panels so you can, in theory stay in one room all day. One very good change they introduced since my last visit are big tents to protect the attendees from the sun, which is a good thing. I spent about 4 and a 1/2 hours outside before getting back into the centre, but it was another hour before i got into ballroom 20. Joe had also got into ballroom 20 after joining the line about an hour after I did, I was able to save a seat next to me for him.

The photo below I took just as I re-entered Center and shows a small fraction of the line.

So I spent about 5 and a 1/2 hours in line and the obvious question is 'was it worth it?' and the answer is YES!!!

First up Eureka:
First thing shown was a trailer for the continuation of the current season, some very interesting things look like they are coming including the return of Wil Wheaton as Dr. Isaac Parrish, and the introduction of Felicia Day as Dr. Holly Marten. Both Wil and Felicia are very well known in the nerd/geek world and will fit into the show perfectly. There is also an appearance by Stan Lee the legendary comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher (he has done it all really)  not much was given away as to what role he may have.

The panel was then introduced and moderated by Wil Wheaton and they where:
Jamie LaPagila (producer)
Bruce miller (producer)
Colin Ferguson
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Neil Grayston
Felicica day

The panel had a brief discussion about the characters and the upcoming season, followed by a Q&A session. The photo below was best one I took, it is in the same order left to right as the above list with Wil Wheaton on the right.

 

Up next was the Warehouse 13 panel, which is made by same network and it seems that the actors enjoy being with each other so this was a very good panel.

The panel was hosted by Neil Grayston (from Eureka, right in photo below) and he was joined by the main four actors Alison Scagliotti (2nd from left), Saul Rubinek (3rd from right), Joanne Kelly (2nd from right) and Eddie McLintock (right) also joining them was Jack Kenny (left) who is the executive producer.

 

After leaving the Warehouse 13 panel I noticed a large group of people in the middle of the hall just outside the doors to Ballroom 20, I then noticed they were around Craig Ferguson who plays Jack Carter in Eureka. So I snapped a few photos and headed back to the show floor.

After wondering the show floor for a couple hours, I met up with Joe and we headed out to find some food. We found a restaurant/bar called Rock Bottom Brewery which is a micro brewery with restaurants all over the United States. I had been to Rock Bottom Brewery in Boston during my trip last year.

Saturday:

Joe and I needed health units, so we slept in today and got up at about 9. After catching the shuttle bus from the Hampton Inn we arrived at the convention center around 10.

My plan for today was show floor until early afternoon then to have a look at some of the offsite events then in the line for room 6bcf at about 4, hopefully to see mythbusters at 7:45 pm.

I was able to get both Comic Con official shirts in sizes bigger than I need because that is all that was left. After I wondered to the opposite corner of the show floor to the Xbox booth to play Gears of War 3. I got to play one round of horde mode. The game looks fantastic plays pretty much the same as previous games (which is a good thing) and I am really looking forward to it's release.

After the Xbox I went to the opposite end again (I didn't plan the order very well) to buy some posters. On the way there I walked past the fix booth (not on purpose) and there was a big crowd taking photos of the cast of Futurama so I was able to take a few pictures. I wasn't able to get autographs as it was a ticketed.

After buying some posters I grabbed some lunch, hot dog, fries and a coke it passes as food but that's about it.

I ventured outside to check out Nerd HQ which has been one of the outside venues connected to Comic-Con but does not get listed in the program of events. Nerd HQ was setup by Zachary Levi (plays Chuck in the TV series of the same name). I spend a bit of time watching people play Gunstringer which maybe the first game that I buy that requires a Kinect. The Kinect is an accessory you can buy for Xbox 360 that allows you to play games without a controller, it uses for a clever camera setup to track your body movements in real-time and allow you to perform actions in the game.

After Nerd HQ I found the Xbox lounge which is the Hard Rock Hotel. After watching some yet to be released games (which I hope to come back tomorrow). There are couple of games that caught my eye, namely Crimson Alliance and Orcs must Die.

I headed back to the centre and join the line for Room 6BCF and Mythbusters.

I was able to get into the room at first break between panels, which surprised me, but I was in and that is all that mattered.  When you get into room well before the Panel you are aiming for, you have to 'put' up with panels that may not interest you, sometimes you get a surprise. I got both this time.

The first panel was for a show called 'The Secret Circle'. This show is about a group of US college students who have the ability to control the world around them. They can start thunder storms, start fires (voodoo style) which also means that they can kill people. The show centers around one student who mother was killed in a fire (started by one of a parent of a student at the school). They showed the entire premier episode and it looks kinda corny, I will watch the first few episodes to see if it improves but I don't hold out much hope.

The second panel (and the one before Mythbusters) is one that I am definitely going to watch. The show is Person of Interest. The show about is ex CIA operative and a scientist who worked for the Government. While working for the government he invented a machine that essentialy predicted future crimes, all though the machines original goal was to detect terrorist events. The show stars James Caviezel as John Reese (ex CIA) and Michael Emerson as Finch (the scientist). The machine only gives them the Social Security number of someone who is either going to be the victim or the perpetrator of a crime. The show looks great, the characters are really interesting the show premise is also fascinating one I will look for when is starts to air in September.

And the last panel of the night was one I had waited for Mythbusters. The Mythbusters is show a that as it names suggest 'busts myths'. The show hosted by Jamie Hyneman (left) and Adam Savage (right)

Also joining them are 3 others that also bust myths but have there own segments in show. From left to right, we have Kari Byron, Tony Belleci and Grant Imahara.

This panel was the best I saw during the entire convnetion. They showed a trailer for the upcoming season starting in October.  The Q and A session for this panel was the longest of any panel I had been to and had the longest line of people that wanted to ask a question. 

After getting out of then panel, I met up with Joe and Tony at DW's a bar within the Marriott hotel complex near the center. Also there where members of the Browncoats fan club. The browncoats are fans of the cancelled show Firefly and movie Serenity. During this meetup we chatted with Beth from Australia who has run fans sites for both Castle and Firefly. We also briefly chatted with Marian Call who was to perform at the browncoats panel the next day. On the way to our shuttle bus we spotted people who were sleeping out overnight to get into the centre first the next day, to see the 'One on One with Nathan Fillion' panel that was starting at 12:15.

Sunday and the last day...

Joe and I had a plan of getting to center and seeing how long the line was for Room 6BCF in the hope of getting into Nathan Fillion panel, but based on the fact the people had slept out overnight to get in we didn't have high hopes. We got the rooms entrance and noticed the room was about half full, so we found the line and decided we weren't getting in. We decided to head into the autograph to see who was scheduled to appear today as our plans for the day where fairly flexible. 

This turned out to be a good idea as I got to meet Lester Speight who plays Augustus Cole (aka the Cole Train) in the Gears of War franchise. I first heard about Lester about 6 or 7 years ago when he was in a viral ad campaign for reebok he played as a 'office linebacker' who tackled office workers who did the wrong thing not filling up the coffee pot after taking the last drop, not using the appropriate bin etc... I also bought the first book in the Gears of War series at his booth and he signed it for me! I have being trying to get this book for quite some time so that was a bonus. I also had my photo taken with him.

Joe also struck it lucky by seeing Richard Hatch from Battlestar Galactica and Erin Gray from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. After having his photo taken with both of them we hit the show floor once more.  Each time I went through the show floor, I was seeing stuff I hadn't seen or noticed before.  We both met up around 12:30 and headed to Room 32AB for our last panel of the show, the Browncoats panel. This turned out to be good panel as I didn't what they would cover in a panel about a show that was cancelled several years ago. we got a quick Q&A with creators of the Browncoats Redemption movie. This movie is a Fan Film, but has got the full support of Joss Whedon and the studio who made Firefly as long as all money made from selling the movie went to charity. After the Q&A Marian Call performed for about an hour which wrapped up the panel. Marian has an amazing voice. After panel both Joe and I bought her latest CD which see signed for us, before hitting the show floor one last time.

One thing I had being tried to find while I was comic con was a series of graphic novels written in the Halo universe (Halo is series of games available on the Xbox 360). I had not being able to find it until both Joe and Tony went to the Mile High Comics booth (which I have never seen while walking the floor!) where much to surprise I found all 3! and at 50% I was even happier still.

So there it is the final post for San Diego Comic Con 2011. I hope you enjoyed reading these posts (even if a little late).

Joes Sunday

Well after going to bed at 3 am waking up at 8.30am it still feels wrong. I would like to make Nathan Fillions panel but I fear the line will be too long. People were sleeping overnight to get into this one and it doesn't start till 11.45am. There are other things I would like to go to so I will see how bad it is when I get there. So we wait for the shuttle bus and takes forever to get here. Finally see it and were on.


We get there and head for the room for Nathan Fillion and check out the line which is way to long.
Never know who you might see on an escalator though.


Thus we decide to head back to the showroom floor. On the way we pass the autograph booths and I see Richard Hatch from BSG and Erin Gray from Buck Rogers. I could not pass up the opportunity to get them to sign something for me and enquire about podcast interviews. Both were happy to be interviewed so that was cool and I managed to get audio sound bites for the podcast.!!!


So now to the floor and I pass by Carla Speed McNeils booth, she is the author of the Finder graphic novels, excellent scifi/fantasy. She agreed to a podcast interview for us later.

While I was at her booth I met another author called Josh Finney and his partner and illustrator Kat Rocha. They introduced me to their cyberpunk graphic novel at Archaia Press. I have his details now and hope to organize an interview with him in coming weeks. It's been a very productive day.

I saw lots more cosplay on the floor and Danny DeVito signing.

Afterwhich I met Graham and we headed for the Browncoats meeting, ofcourse there was a line already but doable and it's about 1 hour before it begins. Some cosplay in the line too.


Well now in the room and it has filled up to capacity of 500 people which included this stunned duo.



One of the main acts was cast and crew for Browncoats : Redemption who have q&a for their movie.


Then Marian Call who is an Alaskan songstress (and fan of Firefly) who sang some humourous geek and fan related songs that she wrote for an hour. Simply awesome. Looking forward to buying her album.


Hoping to get a sound bite from Marian Call after I buy her album. Got it including the possiblity of an interview!

Con is basically over with one hour to go. Would like to go to the Browncoats booth after. Well that was a treat saw Nathan Fillion in flesh very briefly so no photo. Ok one final stop at the Browncoats booth and were out. Here are some pictures I took on the way there


That's it standing in one more long line to get on to the shuttle bus back to hotel, drop off our bags and go out for some eats.


Had some food at the British Pub in Little Italy around the corner (yes the irony alludes me too) and walked down to wharf afterwards to walk off the meal. Saw this Hummer while we were walking.


We will probably not do much tomorrow had plans to pack, possibly zoo or Aerospace museum
I will probably not post anything about that.

See you back in Australia.....

Joe Friday

Wake after 4 hours sleep, a continuing pattern. Get to con and have to get into the first long snaking line just to get into the convention centre. Found room for Shatner but line is long already.


Waiting in long long line for shatner hoping I get in. Talked to two canadians one dressed in a starfleet uniform from the 1960's star trek show.


Got in with room to spare and found a single seat closer than I thought would. Cheers for shatners entrance. Moderated by Kevin Smith in typical smith style. Avery Brooks from Deep Space 9 part of panel. Scott Bakula makes surprise visit with very popular cheer.



So now I go to get in line to see some tv panels in ballroom 20. Christ almighty this is the longest line ever, it snakes out of the conference centre down the stairs right alongside the marina. Graham SMSed me that he's been in the line for an hour and is still outside. I feel like we are moving now although the line is still long and really long behind me. So I have been on line for nearly 2 hours and I am only halfway. 3 hours now and no movement for 1/2hour. I'm reconsidering waiting in line now.

Finally in to see Eureka yay with Will Wheaton, Felicia Day, cast and crew. Jaimie Paglia, Bruce Miller, Colin Ferguson etc. Was Colins birthday so all sang birthday song. Good fun panel.


Now waiting for Warehouse 13. Need to take a leak but have to wait till next panel starts otherwise I won't be allowed to go in again. Warehouse 13 has began Neil Grayston, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek, Alison Scagliotti, Eddie McClintock, Jack Benny. Trailer looks awesome for next part of the season. Look out for the Tesla. Crossovers btw Eureka and Warehouse 13. Another good panel.

Back on the showroom floor. Have had enough got some free stuff and books from Dave Dorman.


Now having dinner at a pub with some exceptional microbrewed beer. Went home to sleep