Firefly Flanvention Short Report

[jedishampoo]

sharpeslass and I attended the 1st Firefly "Big Damn Flanvention" in Burbank, CA this last weekend. We only attended Saturday because (a) we had a work party to attend Friday and didn't get to leave until late, and (b) she couldn't afford to buy all-weekend passes. This thing was not cheap. I'm not used to these media cons!



For squeeing and gushing I shall have to refer thee to sharpeslass, who is a squeeing and gushing fan of Firefly, whereas I am only a casual fan despite the having written of a fanfiction. However, I did get to see a couple of fun little Q&A panels, one with all the male actors (Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Alan Tudyk, Ron Glass and Sean Maher) and the other with the ladies (Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite, and Summer Glau; Gina Torres was not there).

Really, the times I've watched the show I've never been a huge fan of Malcolm Reynolds, but after seeing Nathan Fillion speak I'll admit to warming up to him AND his character considerably. He really takes charge and keeps the conversation moving, and isn't afraid to act completely silly, and really seems to enjoy his fans. He did a little play thing with some fan guy who wanted to ask his girlfriend to marry him at the convention; he smiled in his photos, he teased Alan Tudyk mercilessly about the fact that his character (Wash) bought the farm in the movie Serenity; and generally made himself quite hysterical and agreeable.

The ladies' Q&A panel was a little more subdued and wandering, but I think the girls are all still pretty young and pretty new to this whole fan convention thing. The cast all together did a running commentary to "Out of Gas." Nathan, Jewel and Alan seemed to dominate the commentary but really that meant it was pretty enjoyable (despite the fact that wasn't all that keen on watching that episode again).

Joss Whedon must cast his actors on type. Except for the angst of his character, Nathan Fillion really seems to be the cast's "captain." Alan T. is cheerful, Jewel Staite is unafraid to speak her mind but seems very very nice anyway, Summer Glau is very eccentric and floaty, Morena B. seems very refined, Sean M. seems shy and blushes a lot, etc.

They had a karaoke/dance party Saturday night hosted by Andy Hallett (Lorne of Angel the Series fame) which we mostly lasted through and was enjoyable. I did not sing, though I was tempted to before I found out Andy was singing backup. I'm bad enough, thank you, without being shown up by a professional. ;)

The good: The panels and commentary; meeting other fans (among them vandonovan and randominity) and listening to them gush over the actors and their photos with them; the awesome little Vegetarian Mexican (no, really) restaurant we found in Burbank; the fact that at no point did anyone sing "The Man they Call Jayne" or say "Gorram" within my hearing; the easy though late drive from Vegas to Burbank; the Burbank Hilton night bartender named Julianne; and Sharpeslass getting her picture taken with Adam Baldwin and watching her become quite pale and shaky as she walked into the room to have it done-- she swears that she NEVER becomes star-struck, and while I was really afraid she was going to pass out or hyperventilate before the picture, afterwards it was fun to laugh at her about it.

The Bad: the prices-- $50+ a picture per actor, and charging for autographs and banquets and luncheons after you've already paid some ridiculous amount to attend the con?; missing Joss Whedon (apparently he showed up on Sunday after we'd already left); the Burbank Hilton bar prices; and being glommed on two nights in a row on by some traveling business dude who was not involved with the con in any way.



Overall I had a lot of fun, and realize now how much I miss attending conventions, though I'd really rather attend something fan-run and less expensive. :)

Comments

[knitress.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeee! How very cool. I came late to the Firefly party, but oh how I envy you now!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Well, it seemed like they might do it again! I'm sure at least they'll make an appearance at Wizard World (Chicago) or something. :)

[vann.livejournal.com]

Eeee, yay con report! Thanks so much for posting about it. It was great meeting both of you, too. :D I'm surprised you didn't hear anyone say "gorram" or sing the Jaynestown song, hahahaha.

It was very expensive but as I told randominity after ward, to me, the prices were worth it. Though, well, I do agree on one thing -- if everything is going to cost so damn much, daily admission should be cheaper. :/ $80 a day for what they had really wasn't worth it. :/ I dunno. :/ It should be $80 for a basic weekend pass (panels and dealers room) and then "Deluxe" ones that cost more but come with photo-ops and banquets, etc.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yah, I'm just used to Worldcons and regional and local Cons... where you pay like $150 for five days (Worldcon) or $55 for a weekend. And signings are free! Though of course they aren't usually actors, but authors and artists.

It was great to meet you guys! :)

[ghanistarkiller.livejournal.com]

Sweet! Wish I could've been there with you guys! I must admit to being pretty disgusted about the prices, but that's an ongoing thing with me at every con. Eeeeeeeee! <girlish fangirl squee at the thought of Jewel AND Nathan AND Alan all in same room (missed 'em at Dragon*Con!) Sounds fb despite the prices! :-D Peace, Ghani

[lexsara.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm so glad you guys had a good time! I won't say how much I regret not being out there to attend with you, because you know that.

I won't go into how much I WOULD have gotten up there with Andy Hallett just to say I did it.

I'm thinking about finding a Veronica Mars con and attending, since that's my obsession at the moment. And with Cordy and Willow both on the show--I wouldn't mind chatting or meeting Allyson or Charisma. The shows star Jason Dohring (Logan) would be nice eye candy for me as well.

But I digress--so glad you had fun and tell Melinda it's okay...just remind her of the idiot picture I got with George Eads and Gary Dourdan in which I look like a raving (yet pale) lunatic at being sandwiched between those two hunks of men. The latter of whom I managed to hit in the face by accident with the boom microphone during the interview.

Boy, I miss you guys!!

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

First off, REALLY jealous that you were at a Firefly con. But those prices do sound ridiculous. But I really think the whole cast does a really good job at conventions. And they are really like their characters. (Well, except Jewel Staite is girly and Marena Baccarin is a tomboy.)

Second, tell Melinda that I remember one jedihealer having to be dragged up to meet J. Michael Straczinsky (butchering the spelling, I'm sure) because she went all star-struck. But I wasn't about to let her miss this opportunity to meet this man she worships!

You just never know who'll set you off. It's kinda funny.

[jedihealer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she is absolutely right! I remember being absoulutely petrified, but the photo now graces my office at home.

Glad you had such a great time! I hope some of the folks visit the East Coast sometime.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Melinda appreciates that sympathy! ;) I too can hardly laugh because once I went to a record store to meet Matthew Sweet. I had a massive crush on him in the mid-90s. I stood there and just stared. My friend Shannon finally had to say something for me. Then she ragged me all the way back to the car. How was I supposed to get him to fall in love with and marry me if I just stared at him like a moron? she asked. Guh.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

LOL, as I said below, Melinda appreciates the sympathy.

Morena really seemed cultured... talking about how she liked classical music and was home-schooled and stuff (as was Summer G.). And Jewel apparently has a running competition with Nathan F. on how publicly and innovatively they can give each other the finger. :) Though they all very girlishly discussed the cooking channel and the properties of the various famous chefs and their recipes. I wondered if they really ate the food they cooked. ALL the women were TINY.

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

Did they tell the story about The Great DragonCon Flip-Off?

Jewel had Peter David address the audience before the Firefly panel got there. He told them to let him ask the first question and then follow his lead.

So Peter's the only hand to shoot up when they ask for questions. Peter stands up and says, "Nathan, DragonCon salutes you."

5,000 people then stood up as one and flipped him the finger.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

They told it but didn't mention Peter David! I Heart Peter David from my old Star Trek and comic book days. :)

[patgund.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun!

Miss conventions as well, though that's mostly because I'm on the geographically challenged side right now.

[anirt.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm glad you had fun!

[loveflyfree.livejournal.com]

Agreed on the prices. My bank account is not happy with me. (And anytime I start worrying about that I look at my photo with Nathan and suddenly life is just fine again. *g*)

I wish I had been feeling better and could have lasted longer at the dance/karaoke thingy.

It was great to meet you and Melinda! Maybe next con that comes along we can meet up again. (Or you know, if I drag my ass over to Vegas sometime.)

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Drag the ass on over. We have a very geek-friendly house. :)

Those pics sure were expensive but M. is pleased with hers, especially after she had a friend photoshop-out the shininess in her face. Thank goodness, I was getting tired of hearing about it. ;)