Day 2 – Addendum

Had to crash last night after we got back. Not a super late night or anything, but after all that activity being around all those people, and…well…we were all pretty wiped out. We ALMOST went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show…maybe tonight.

Today, we’re meeting up with our fellow high school classmate, Kim (pictures will appear later) today.

So it’s 7:00 a.m. and we’re getting ready to bail from the hotel room soon to see if we can’t catch the Stormtrooper parade this morning. AND get a damn closer parking place.

Rumor has it, it’s supposed to be super packed today and tomorrow. However, I’m wondering how they can sell out each day’s tickets in advance and it be MORE crowded today and tomorrow than yesterday. It WAS a crowd, but not unbearably crowded. We’ll see.

So, as for last night…and late yesterday…we got to see Kevin smith moderating “Scream Like a Girl” sponsored by the Spike TV Scream awards. The panel was to discuss strong women characters in sci-fi, fantasy and comics. Gayle Hurd (who produced Terminator, Terminator 2, Aliens…all which had strong female leads), Lucy Lawless (Xena and Battlestar), Jaime King (Sin City and The Spirit), and Pia someone (who is an amazing up and coming comic artist) were all on the panel (see yesterday’s pics).

There were a TON of people there yesterday. The crowd was bearable. There are also a TON of stars wandering around. However, what’s interesting is that the behind-the-scenes people (like Bear McCreary, composer for Battlestar) aren’t recognizeable except through their work. So you don’t know who they are unless someone points them out. I spotted Bear with his girlfriend looking at Manga art on the exhibition floor. I had already spoken to him earlier and thought about getting his photo, but I hesitated. Will try to correct that behavior today.

Rumor has it that Hugh Jackman was here promoting the Wolverine movie and Simon Pegg was here as well (yeah, okay Kristi, I missed him!). Now, you have to understand. This convention center is GINORMOUS! I mean at least 2 to 4 city blocks long. AND when it comes to these session (like Scream Like a Girl)… there were THIRTEEN OTHER sessions going on at the same time! Including one with Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connaley, Samual Jackson, Mark Walberg, Anna Paquin, and that’s not counting the stars that may be moderating. When we came into the end of the KING tv series session, one of the stars from Hero’s was moderating (the guy who plays the mind-reader; Matt Parkman.)

There are TONS of people blogging, filming, taking photos and you can find them online on Flickr and other photo places (thanks Stephanie!!!) And all the national news agencies are covering as well.

The people are all very nice, so far. Even as crowded as it is, people apologize when they give you too much of a jostle.

We had dinner at Mary Jane’s coffee shop. Very groovy stylin place in the Hard Rock hotel building. But, sorry, I may be too low brow, but it’s weird to tip a guy in the bathroom to hand me a towel and a mint. I ordered a “TV DInner” that came with a strip steak with onion rings, arugala salad and a brownie topped with blueberries and mint. All in an aluminum tray. Very groovy.

Back to the convention center for the 2008 Star Wars Fan Film Festival sponsored by Lucasfilms and Atom Films (Remember Mr. Wong Matt! The company IS still around). One movie highlighted (besides the submitted films) was a new one called FANBOYS that has been in distribution limbo for a year. If you had been one of the first 300 people in line (of at least 2000 that were IN line), you were invited to see a screening of the film. We weren’t in the first 300 (laugh).

We were surprised to hear that Kevin Spacey was one of the producers of Fanboys and suddenly…SHOWED UP! (see pic). Additionally, giving awards out was Rene O’Conner from Xena.

As for other things of the night that we DIDN’T attend; from the director of the Saw Movies was his latest creation REPO! The Genetic Opera, staring Alexa Vega, Bill Moseley, Paris Hilton and Terranc Zdunich (don’t worry…I didn’t know most of them either). 10th Annual Kung Fu Extravaganza, Adventures in Anime, Will Esiner awards, Comedy Central TV Funhouse, Lionsgate films promotion of PUnisher: War Zone as well as the World premier of Lost Boys: the Tribe. I have NO idea if it was any good…but…I have a guess…. (laugh).

Today we’re hitting the Watchmen session at 11:55. I wanted to see the Stargate Continuum panel (the whole cast of the Stargate show), but it starts at 10:45 and lasts until 11:45. And, trust me, you can’t ditch from one session and make the other one THAT fast. I may try, though. May get Troy and Chris to hold me a seat.

ALSO wanted to see SPACED with Simon Pegg…but that starts at 12:30, and the Watchment END at 1:00. Sheesh. 2:45 has Samual Jackson, Eve Mendes and Gabriel Macht to promote Frank Millers’ The Spirit. The Sci-Fi Ghosthunters are here today. At 4:30 I’d really like to see the cast of Bones. I had also wanted to see the panel on Sanctuary produced by Amanda Tapping of Stargate…but…starts at 5:30. AND…REALLY wanted to see the panel on “Kevin Smith Makes a ‘Porno'” with the Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.  FULL DAY!

Tonight? Events include: Myster Science Theater 20th reunion, SCI-FI Night with premeire of Eureka and Stargate: Atlantis, Will Eisner Awards, Spaced (with Simon Pegg) screening, and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog with Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, and Felicia Day. 10:45 tonight. THEN Rocky Horror Picture Show? (laugh)

Later! Oh…you can click on the thumbnails below (and previous post) to see bigger picture. I just figured out how to do that. Should save on load speed.

Well…that’s all the blogging for now. We have to get out of here soon!

TODAY?!