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

[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. :)