2013 Calgary Comic Expo Thread ! 3 days of Nerdom!

[chemgear]

Looks like we got the better photo ops/celebrities but C2E2 definitely got the all of the big exhibitors. Still it was better than previous years.Way better organized this year.

Some minor computer/server hiccups but hardly the end of the world. They didn't even bother checking photo op tickets a couple times as a result.

[Luder]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Ugh, spent so much. Only Fillion's autograph remains, but the only one left is at 10am. Crap. Anyone know where to line up for the best chance at that?

It will be interesting as I don't think the doors open until 10, we left at 3:30 today and people were already lining up for his 5pm autograph session. Gillian Anderson looked like she'd sooner get plowed by the Cigarette Smoking Man than be at her session. At least their prices were reasonable, Ian McDermid was charging something like $90 for an autograph.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Ugh, spent so much. Only Fillion's autograph remains, but the only one left is at 10am. Crap. Anyone know where to line up for the best chance at that?

If you're really keen I'd just get down there early and wait in the main lineup as the doors don't even open until 10am. Once they do just head straight for his booth and lineup there.

[czure32]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Ugh, spent so much. Only Fillion's autograph remains, but the only one left is at 10am. Crap. Anyone know where to line up for the best chance at that?

The first Fillion autograph session at 10am this morning was ridiculous. I got turned away 4 times before I finally managed to get in line at ~11am and even then it was almost 2 hours before I got to the front (missed the torchwood panel as a result which makes me a sad panda)

Best bet for trying to get Fillion signatures is probably going to be to show up stupid early to be amongst the first in the admission line. I got there this morning at 9:15 and was like 5 rows deep. During the photo ops line up I was talking to someone that said they showed up for admission at 8am even though doors don't open until 10.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Got down there today around 1:00pm and stayed till close. Had a blast! If anyone cares to read the following novel summary:

- Logistically way better than last year. If you stayed away because of the crowds and disorganization you heard/experienced from last year you no longer have to worry. More floor space, better system with the wrist bands lets you come and go as you please, wider aisles, etc. Still some smaller issues but they did a great job fixing some of the big problems IMO.

- Carrie Fisher spotlight was hilarious. Made fun of herself pretty frequently and I'd say at least 50% of her answers to questions somehow ended up involving a sexual reference of some sort. Some small kid asked how she got the role of Princess Leia and she replied "ever heard of the casting couch.....?" *audience laughs. Kid stands there perplexed still holding the mic* "well that wasn't how" and goes on to answer.

I think she's probably somewhat sick of Star Wars by now but she knows that's the big reason people show up so she still answers every question as best she can which was good.

- Boondock Saints panel was also awesome. Norman Reedus was quite late cause of his photo ops but Sean Patrick Flannery carried most of it by himself and was pretty funny and engaging with the crowd (often via numerous curse words). You can tell he's very passionate about that franchise. Had some funny behind the scenes stories about shooting the films and insightful comments.

Norman showed up and it was basically them trying to one up each other with wisecracks for 15 minutes. He was good about staying a bit at the end for some fans as he was late. SPF gave him big props for nailing the character of Darryl Dixon.

- Saw 15 minutes of Eliza Dushku's panel. In that span the host, some associate prof of media or something at Lethbridge University, eventually managed to ask maybe 2 questions while also hogging the majority of the mic time. Eventually someone in the crowd even half yelled "let her speak!". Kind of cringe worthy but apparently it ended well after I left.

- Left the Eliza Dushku spotlight early to catch John Rhys-Davies' spotlight but the line was already full. Should have known. So I basically got a 15 minute spotlight of the associate prof of something at Lethbridge College talking instead of John Rhys-Davies (and I suppose also Eliza Dushku).

- Exhibitors were great, costumes were great. Probably have wandered by Bertuzzied's booth twice or more already without knowing it as I've seen everything but I will do my best to stop by tomorrow make sure I know it's actually booth 1310 I am standing before!

Planning on doing a panel marathon starting at noon tomorrow. X-files, Game of Thrones, Nathan Fillion, Walking Dead and then maybe I'll meander over to Ian McDiarmid's spotlight to end the day. Should be good!

[BlackArcher101]

Yep. Gillian didn't look enthused, but she managed a good smile for my photo since I was 3rd.

I plan on being their early for the lineup, but my worry is which lineup. This morning I was at the corral which they said was the only lineup. However when I got to the autograph area it was full already. Somewhere there is a second line/entry.

[czure32]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Yep. Gillian didn't look enthused, but she managed a good smile for my photo since I was 3rd.

I plan on being their early for the lineup, but my worry is which lineup. This morning I was at the corral which they said was the only lineup. However when I got to the autograph area it was full already. Somewhere there is a second line/entry.

I've been lining up on the north side of the BMO center over by Cowboys Casino, when they let you in you are right at the entrance for Hall E and Nathan's table is the first on the left. I'm planning on being there stupid early tomorrow as well as I want to get my photo op picture signed, and I'm hoping I can get that done in time to catch John Barrowman's panel at noon.

[photon]

I should give up on seeing Nathan's panel then, if the lineup for autographs was that bad?

Seemed pretty well organized this year, but sheesh lineups still kill the experience.

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Just walking around during setup today, there is going to be so amazing product for sale at the show tomorrow!

Drop by my island booth, 1310, and say "Hanowski's Hair" for an extra 10% off!

We just got in one of the biggest graphic novel collections ever!! all brand new.

I went to your booth and I guess you were on break. I said "Hanowski's Hair" to the guy and he looked at me as though I was an alien. I said, "Where's Bertuzzied? That secret phrase is supposed to get me 10% off", and he said, "Yeah, that sounds like something he'd do." I'm sure they thought I was insane.

Good long day at the show today. So tired. Will post photos later (probably tomorrow). So many great costumes.

edit: Good Lord is John Barrowman a handsome man.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I went to your booth and I guess you were on break. I said "Hanowski's Hair" to the guy and he looked at me as though I was an alien. I said, "Where's Bertuzzied? That secret phrase is supposed to get me 10% off", and he said, "Yeah, that sounds like something he'd do." I'm sure they thought I was insane.

I showed up to and did not get the discount. For shame!

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by photon

I should give up on seeing Nathan's panel then, if the lineup for autographs was that bad?

Seemed pretty well organized this year, but sheesh lineups still kill the experience.

Well it's in the Corral so there's ample space.

However to be safe I'm pretty much camping in there from the first panel at noon onwards...

[czure32]

Originally Posted by photon

I should give up on seeing Nathan's panel then, if the lineup for autographs was that bad?

Seemed pretty well organized this year, but sheesh lineups still kill the experience.

I don't even want to think about how ridiculous the line up for his panel is going to be. They started lining people up at 2pm this afternoon for the 3:30 photo op, as there was 700 of them sold.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by The Goon

I went to your booth and I guess you were on break. I said "Hanowski's Hair" to the guy and he looked at me as though I was an alien. I said, "Where's Bertuzzied? That secret phrase is supposed to get me 10% off", and he said, "Yeah, that sounds like something he'd do." I'm sure they thought I was insane.

Good long day at the show today. So tired. Will post photos later (probably tomorrow). So many great costumes.

edit: Good Lord is John Barrowman a handsome man.

hahahaha. i totally needed a break and was probably at lounge burger.

Crap. i've been so busy i totally forgot he cut his hair! haha

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I showed up to and did not get the discount. For shame!

What? Did you say the code word? What did you buy?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by The Goon

edit: Good Lord is John Barrowman a handsome man.

He was out and about Downtown Calgary yesterday afternoon prior to the parade, walking along Stephen Ave.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

What? Did you say the code word? What did you buy?

I said it when i bought a walking dead trade. I needed a few others but wanted to see if the code word worked first!

[Yeah_Baby]

Barrowman can really belt out a tune as well.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by FlamesAllTheWay

- Carrie Fisher spotlight was hilarious. Made fun of herself pretty frequently and I'd say at least 50% of her answers to questions somehow ended up involving a sexual reference of some sort. Some small kid asked how she got the role of Princess Leia and she replied "ever heard of the casting couch.....?" *audience laughs. Kid stands there perplexed still holding the mic* "well that wasn't how" and goes on to answer.

I think she's probably somewhat sick of Star Wars by now but she knows that's the big reason people show up so she still answers every question as best she can which was good.

- Saw 15 minutes of Eliza Dushku's panel. In that span the host, some associate prof of media or something at Lethbridge University, eventually managed to ask maybe 2 questions while also hogging the majority of the mic time. Eventually someone in the crowd even half yelled "let her speak!". Kind of cringe worthy but apparently it ended well after I left.

- Left the Eliza Dushku spotlight early to catch John Rhys-Davies' spotlight but the line was already full. Should have known. So I basically got a 15 minute spotlight of the associate prof of something at Lethbridge College talking instead of John Rhys-Davies (and I suppose also Eliza Dushku).

I thought Fisher's panel was kinda lame. A lot of "I'm fat now" and too "I liked killing Jabba".

I was planning to do the same as you with the Dushku/Rhys-Davies scheduling conflict, but I saw the line for Rhys-Davies and saw that Dushku's thing was running late so I skipped hers. He was an interesting guy, likes to tell stories, often only vaguely related to the question. If you imagine an author forced to express himself through answering fan questions rather than writing books, that's basically the vibe I got from him (and indeed, he told us that he thought early on that he thought he'd be writer).

I also watched Lexa Doig's. She talked about her kids and husband a lot. It was okay. And moderated by Chima (for those of you who know they mayor's chief of staff)!

Star Wars Origami was terrible... the "A-wing" was a paper glider and the "Death Star" was a cube.

Costume contest worked out okay for me (I got lucky) but it was really silly of them to put it in Palomino. Should've been in the Corral. Many of my friends couldn't see anything from the back of the room.

Yesterday, I did zero panels because I didn't line up early enough for the Princess Bride... but the parade was a great addition to Expo.

Tomorrow I'm aiming for Nathan Fillion and Ian McDiarmid's panels.

Edit: oh yeah, there was a couple who got engaged on stage during the costume contest.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I know the potential conflicts and everything... but they really need to start renting out the Dome Saturday and Sunday for the bigger guests.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I know the potential conflicts and everything... but they really need to start renting out the Dome Saturday and Sunday for the bigger guests.

After a certain point, you might as well just be watching a livestream.