The Wolf SG2 Stargate
Convention,
held in London on the 3rd 4th 5th November 2000.
Well this was my first convention, not just for Stargate but ever. I was so nervous and had no idea what to expect, but I had a fabulous time. This an account of what I got up to, some of the guest stories and stuff that will hopefully give you a flavour of the event from my perspective.
I arrived Friday about 7pm, after negotiating the underground, getting the wrong bus and dragging my case half a mile down the road. I finally made it. After a recon of the local Mcdonalds I found my Roomie Soo. Lovely to finally meet you Soo, we had a good gossip about Shadow didn't we?
I meet up with quite a few people, not from the list though. The first lady I talked to while looking for Soo wasn't even on the Internet, wow hard to believe I know. I chatted and spend the evening with a lovely group of people. Justin and Mary who were stewards and Kate and her mum. Kate is a fellow Danny fan so we got on straight away, she was filmed Saturday morning with her mum and apparently it's going to be used in the next Video/DVD releases.
9.30 am Saturday the opening ceremony. Richard Biggs, who played Doctor Stephen Franklin in Babylon 5, was the MC for the weekend. Wolf had built a Stargate, which I learned later was half size. Well the chevrons glowed red the ring of glyphs turned, the iris opened and out stepped Don S. Davis. All of a sudden it hit me, "Oh my god, it's really him, it's General Hammond. The audience went wild. Teryl followed, much prettier in Real life, blond now and yes she is short! Peter Williams next, Amanda Tapping, very pleased to be there, her mum was in the audience. There was by now a running gag about the Vancouver bear. Someone was supposed to bring it, each guest was asked, no, no bear. The bear appeared around the edge of the Stargate, held in the hand of the surprise guest, JR Bourne. Not only was it a surprise to us, it was a surprise to the other guests too. JR is wonderful, oh wow I have fallen in love, as did every woman in the audience I'm sure.
Well the noise and the excitement, the atmosphere was electric. I knew then that it was going to be a fun weekend. The Stars went off to do the photo sessions.
Peter Vogel, a German journalist, who had visited the set, gave a talk. He had some great stories, he called Upgrades, SG meets Power Rangers. He had met the entire Stargate cast, toured the set and been on location. His slide show showed some of the behind the scenes preparation that goes in an epiosde of Stargate. Ever wondered what those lines on the corridor floor mean? Blue is the toilet, Green the Cafeteria, Red the bar. The best thing he said was that visiting Hammond's office on the set he just HAD to sit in his chair, do you blame him? I think we all would like to sit there. Peter also gets to play a small part in Chain reaction standing at a Hamburger stand I'll have to look out for him.
As the Photo session ran on, they put ShowTime tapes up on the big screen, we saw Beneath the Surface. Great episode and it was cool to see Stargate on a big screen and share the experience of enjoying an episode with other fans. Everyone was laughing at Jack and ooing at the shippy moments. I missed half of the next episode in favour of lunch and shopping. I decided I would get to see that soon enough.
There was a room full of dealers, selling all kinds of Sci-Fi stuff, sadly not much Stargate, as it's just not available apart from movie stuff. The unofficial stuff was good; keyrings and I have my Cheyenne Mountain pass now. ;-)
Back to the packed hall for the first talk, Peter Williams, he told us he was a big soccer fan, supports Nottingham Forest. He expected his usual question, "do your eyes really glow," it wasn't asked; though the Americans ask it all the time.
The Video that was introducing all the guests was playing up so Richard Biggs told a very funny Joke, he claimed was his only one.
Then we had Teryl Rothery; she talked about her various hairstyles and the spicebunnies.
Don S. Davis introduced himself by referring to Teryl and himself, now you'd had one of the beauties here's the beast. I was impressed by his voice, very rich and deep. He talked about his art and golf. He is still hoping for some love life for General Hammond. He told us about the film he made with Michael Shanks, the artist's circle, which went to the Cannes film festival this year.
Then Amanda Tapping, first up she asked, "anyone from Essex?" Oh yes that's me, yeah I called out, and there were a few. She made the white stilettos reference. She was asked a lot about RDA, and when did she think Sam fell for Jack? The pilot, by Season 3 certainly, but although the chemistry is there military/team wise it's not a good idea, however when Stargate is over… She was hilariously funny.
JR Bourne came on stage to give her a kiss; lucky her <sigh> they joked who shot JR?
The auction followed, oh this was great fun, highlights, JR modelled a stunt vest, doing the whole Catwalk thing, Amanda miming the 2010 Script. A lady near me shouting out £500 for the first bid on a crew jacket. The Jacket went for £1500; the script £500, well over £5000 was raised for the Charity.
I spent Saturday night with Jack and Daniel, oh yes I did. I was looking for James; he had posted his pic to my eGroups UKSG1 list so I knew he and his mates would be in the full military dress. I found them in the Bar Saturday evening. James was certainly Jack, same warm brown eyes, Tim however much you want to deny it mate, definitely Danny, blue eyes blonde hair. Though Season six hair I think <EG> the German Danielites certainly thought so.
I have to just mention this here Simon told me exactly and I wrote it down, it's not am MP5-A5 anyone James, they use P90s now, Amanda herself said it. And yes I do know the other one was just your side arm mate <VBG>
It was great to meet you guys, I guess all pretensions of shy retiring Listmum have been thrown out the window I think. <VBG>
I also bumped into Russ, Rosie and Bel from the list. I have since found out that I saw and was seen by many more people, next time name badges I think.
The fancy dress was held that night. Chulak priests, Kendra, Kynthia and a couple of Sha'res. Two sets of cute kids as SG1, my favourite. The winners were SG1 from an alternate universe Dr *John* Fraiser was little taller than our Doc so he went down on his knees. Their Sam had a better wig than the one of Point of View.
Then we got down to some serious boogying, with a couple of dodgy anorak tunes, Dr Who by the Glitter Band, Star Trekkin' and the Timewarp. The bar prices were to say the least a bit scary but I still managed to consume far too much. I fell in bed at 1.30am but I know others went on much later, Soo crawled back around 3am. Reckons I was muttering in my sleep. I'm sure it was Danny or JR's name.
Sunday morning after what I what I wished was intravenous coffee and cardboard toast, there was a fan discussion on Sex in Stargate, plus more episodes while the photo sessions went on. It was a bit quieter that day empty seats in the hall.
More Guest Talks and Question and answer sessions.
Amanda was hilarious and outrageous too, I was ROFTLOL with her stories. Asked if she thought Sam should have a relationship with Danny instead of Jack, she suggested why not both.
The gate activated and JR came though with flowers and there was some banter, Narim was mentioned, JR got jealous.
Teryl again we all sang Happy birthday for the 9th, more fun stories from the set.
Richard Biggs said he would love to be in Stargate, I'd like to see him too. I was desperately trying to think of a Babylon 5 question to ask but my mind was just so Stargate focused.
Peter Williams dropped his trousers; he wears Calvin Kleins <g> this was something from Gatcon I believe. He said when you see Apophis in skirts think Scotsmen. He is a reggae fan and sang some Bob Marley for us.
James got to ask Don S. Davis a question, "Did he have any input into the background of his Characters" yes was Don's reply. There was a mention of a fanfic that had Janet and Hammond in the shower together; the author was there. Teryl sneaked back in the room, ducked down out of sight and with a very convincing English accent she asked Don about it.
Now this next bit was just surreal, Amanda and JR wanted up the aisle humming the weding march, we all joined it.
They MUST bring Martouf back.
I so wanted to win the raffle, a cocktail with JR, no not a sausage. One of the raffle winners was Kynthia from the Fancy dress, Don had been very impressed with her and her marriage cake, and he kissed her. A full on snog, wow bet that was better than the raffle prize.
There had been an Art competition over the weekend and one of the winners had gone home but her mum was there. The stars all phoned her. Later while queuing for my autographs I met her, Culpepper, who is member of my list and others. She had been stewarding. Her daughter is on cloud nine.
I was nervous getting my autographs but they were all so nice, I asked Peter if I had to bow, but he said no, he did say he'd started asking everyone to kneel but it was holding the queue up.
I said my goodbyes, collected my case, and lugged it on to the bus, sadly back to the rain and real life.
Wow what a ride, what a weekend, I'd recommend it to anyone. The actors were fabulous and I met some lovely fun people.
I must apologise to everyone who had to put up with my anxiety about going, yes you were all right I was fine and I did enjoy myself. I want to go again next year but it's a big financial commitment so I will think about it. Though not the same I think I may just go for the day if I did.
Mr Wolf I expect you were totally shattered but I must say and I'm sure the others agree with me that the weekend was fabulous the organisation was smooth, the atmosphere brilliant. Well done sir and congratulations to you and your wife for the new baby.
© Katana 2000
For another report with photos check out....