It's rather funny as I went to a few forums where the Shanks fans were sobbing sadly about him not going to the con. Don't get me wrong, he seems like a nice guy, but I prefer the 2nd tier guests, the not-big-name actors/actresses as they seem to appreciate their fans more (Well, except for Amanda as she was rather impressive at Shore Leave as she kept signing to ensure everyone got their allotted autographs.).

I am curious about their next guest to be announced, everyone's hoping that it's a BIG NAME like David Hewelett, but i keep refraining from reminding them about budgeting. You know One Mike Shanks = Two second Tiers people :P

You take wonderful photos, stop fishing for compliments, Mish. :D

I'm avoiding the forums. I've been away from them for forever anyway but I made the decision not to look at any of them because I did not want to catch the Boo Hoo Virus. And I know I would. I really do enjoy photographing Shanks. But you're right, the "2nd tier" guests are more generous with the fans. I'm still marveling over Peter Williams (speaking of men to drool over) sitting down with us in the lobby for several hours and chatting about anything we wanted. Don's affable, approachable demeanor is such a pleasure. I'd be thrilled to see them -- or many others.

I have no idea how much David Hewlett would cost, honestly. I suppose he'd be priced comparably but back when I bitched to Creation about the lack of guests, I got the sob story about the price of airline tickets and how all the SG-1 actors apparently raised their appearance fees by a lot last year. As I said, I think they'd be smart to develop the Atlantis side of it but I'd be perfectly happy if they don't.

There are so many fine actors I've seen on SG-1 and who also pop up regularly on other sci fi series that I love. Oh! Steve Bacic (Coburn, Camulus, Rhade on Andromeda) would be a WONDERFUL guy to have. He's totally, utterly drool-inducing, even more so in the flesh, AND a real sweetheart. Now, HE would have me glued to my seat.

(Honestly not fishing but I'm honored you think I am. Rocketchick/katiedammit takes mind-blowing photos. Seeing her Gatecon photos inspired me to invest in a camera that wasn't the point and shoot variety. Annie takes good photos. Maybe I expect too much from mine? I want in focus, engaging pics where one can see what was happening? Photos that don't take me endless hours in Photoshop? So far, that has only happened in Dallas. And I still screwed up most of the pics from there.)

>>I'm avoiding the forums.

I only use two. Gateworld and the one that's hooked with Selmak.Org - which is a very dead errr... ascended forum. :) And I rarely get indepth into any forum discussions on GW - except for the con ones - just so I know people attending them.

>>I suppose he'd be priced comparably but back when I bitched to Creation about the lack of guests, I got the sob story about the price of airline tickets and how all the SG-1 actors apparently raised their appearance fees by a lot last year.

No doubt the reason why the actors raised their fees so much was because they did what... TEN Stargate cons last year. Do I hear Ka-ching? Ka-ching?


>>There are so many fine actors I've seen on SG-1 and who also pop up regularly on other sci fi series that I love. Oh! Steve Bacic (Coburn, Camulus, Rhade on Andromeda) would be a WONDERFUL guy to have. He's totally, utterly drool-inducing, even more so in the flesh, AND a real sweetheart. Now, HE would have me glued to my seat.

That would be a great con guest. :) But yes, I agree with you. I'd be happy to see the Third Tier people if it meant more than four guests. I mean half the people that worked as secondary characters in SG work on BSG, so they'd be a good draw.


>>(Honestly not fishing but I'm honored you think I am. Rocketchick/[info]katiedammit takes mind-blowing photos. Seeing her Gatecon photos inspired me to invest in a camera that wasn't the point and shoot variety. Annie takes good photos. Maybe I expect too much from mine? I want in focus, engaging pics where one can see what was happening? Photos that don't take me endless hours in Photoshop? So far, that has only happened in Dallas. And I still screwed up most of the pics from there.)

well, you've motivated me to look at more than my current Point and Shoot camera - though I'm being realistic that I don't use my current camera THAT much, so I shouldn't run out and get a big honkin' camera.

I avoid forums because I tend to agree with their complaints about the show. Sadly, though, there's naught we can do about it but...sit around and bitch. That's cathartic for about 2 days and then it just stuck me in a, "I hate everything they're doing" frame of mind and killed any enjoyment at all I could get. So...I stopped. And while Stargate still has the same problems, I don't hate being a fan so much.

I know Creation faced some difficulties when they wildly expanded the Stargate con offerings but sometimes I wonder how they've survived as long as they have and not gotten savvier about the business.

I mean half the people that worked as secondary characters in SG work on BSG, so they'd be a good draw.
Absolutely. I hope they're smart enough to play that angle, too. I'm surprised that they make no attempt to better balance the con between SG-1 and Atlantis but I'm very happy for it.

well, you've motivated me to look at more than my current Point and Shoot camera
It's a virus! The camera-lust virus! Seriously, though, we took our digital point and shoot to an air show over the weekend because it was likely to rain on us. This was no slouch of a camera (Sony 5 megapixel CyberShot back when that was a big deal) but the difference was shocking! I've gotten spoiled by a much better field of vision. We finally gave up photographing planes because by the time you got back far enough to fit the plane into the photo, the pic was mostly tarmac and sky. :( I was quite bummed about that because they had a Stealth Fighter there and I *wanted* pics.

>>I know Creation faced some difficulties when they wildly expanded the Stargate con offerings but sometimes I wonder how they've survived as long as they have and not gotten savvier about the business.

Well for me, it's because in my next of the woods, they're the ONLY game in town. The closest cons to me (with the exception of Chiller Theatre which is a general free for all & a NYC con and ICON) are four-five hour drives. This con is close enough for me to drive each day.

And I only attended the first time because I was going to be in town to visit jalabert and we looked at the weekends I was choosing amongst and realized the con was one of them. :) Now I attend because Creation IS smart about seating. Fans are invested in returning to get good/better seats.

For all that I bitch about Creation and for as much as I hate the (usually) paltry guest offerings? I VASTLY prefer the seating arrangements and the access to ALL the guests to what I experienced at Gatecon. Gatecon had plenty of rude people snapping at me, wasted hours and hours of my time as I cooled my heels, offered excellent access to "2nd tier" actors and none to main cast. Well, not precisely true. I paid for the opportunity to have lunch with Chris Judge (and 5 other fans). But if you weren't a lucky fan with deep pockets, you had no access at all.

In the end, I'd rather pay for a sure thing that doesn't have me sitting on my butt in a hall for hours every day. But it seems like there is a middle ground between the two shows.

>>But you're right, the "2nd tier" guests are more generous with the fans. I'm still marveling over Peter Williams (speaking of men to drool over) sitting down with us in the lobby for several hours and chatting about anything we wanted. Don's affable, approachable demeanor is such a pleasure. I'd be thrilled to see them -- or many others.

Yes. I keep telling the sobbing Shanks fans to buck up, and go to the con. If they go with an open mind, they might be delighted to find out a new favorite. I never thought much about Dougie Arthurs until he jumped into my arms at Dragoncon and posed. That was after he yelled, "Photo op" and jumped into my sister's arms.

I mean, actors do not jump into my arms and pose. The most I get is a hearty hand shake (from Don and Tony) and I usually get a hug from Carmen. So I have a soft spot in my fan heart for Dougie. :) He's so over the top that he's inoffensive. :)

I'll have to show you my photo from him. It's a little too racy to put online but I was amazed that he treated all his female fans the same way. Some of the top tiers only like the cute thin fangrrrrls.

Dougie! I love Dougie! He showed up to Gatecon and was always charming to every guest. Always quick to do what he could to make it a successful con. He charmed ALL the women without ever seeming to overwhelm them. He pulled lots of money in at the auction. He invited fans to join him for dancing after the con was over. He was always, always engaged. Loved him.

One of my fondest memories of Gatecon was the nadir of the photo shoot disaster. We waited HOURS - 7 of them to be exact - to get our photo shoot. It was hot and the hotel a.c. wasn't really up to the challenge of that many bodies. Watching Heru-ur playing waiter, carrying cups of water on a tray and offering them to fans in line? THAT was what convinced me that the actors were genuinely wonderful people. It wasn't just a put on. Sweet, sweet man. Love him.

Absolutely do show me the photo. I adore Dougie! :)

well, after I explain the story behind the photo, you'll understand why I think Dougie is an equal opportunity letch. :)

I mean,I got BEADS from him. :) Will say more later. :)

I hope he washed them first.