Tonight’s episode of Stargate Universe is Earth. The cast are all a-Twitter about it; calling it one of their favorite episodes to shoot. Joe Mallozzi says that Telford finally plays his hand. (I am highly suspect of that character.)
In related news, another interview with actor David Blue who is doing his first con ever this weekend. Be kind to him, UK! (I always hear good things about Chevron, though. I bet he’ll have a great time.)
And finally, the lovely, charming and much-beloved Amanda Tapping has started a new charity drive called Sanctuary for Kids. (Get it? She stars in Sanctuary. Sanctuary for kids?) And to kick it off, there’s a really cool auction (just in time for your holiday gift-giving).
There was a printing error — the printer used an ink that backfired and made some of the pages stick together, so the book was recalled after it was released. It will be reprinted using a more stable ink and will be released in October 2011. Many of the books found their way to market, so if you have one and the pages stick to the point that you’re not comfortable with it, you can return it and get the new one when it comes out.
I guess it’s kind of hard to get a new printing slot this close to the holidays?
If you’re still waiting your turn (or trying to decide if you want to spend the money on an upcoming show), it is SO worth going! I won’t spoil it. (Although really, can you spoil it?) But the multimedia is mind-blowing. The montages really make you look at the story in a different way. And hearing a live symphony so obviously well-rehearsed on the music is magical.
Anthony Daniels spins a magical tale. Yes, we all know the story. But the way he tells it is a wonderful take on the individual characters and the overarching saga. And, as anyone who has seen him at a convention knows, he knows how to work a crowd.
The only negative I would give (at least at our show) was that the micing for the choir was a bit off. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a choir snob, but there was a mic near one tenor that made him stick out SO much. (Thankfully, he was correct and in tune the whole time.) But they sounded amazing, even for all that.
Some tips:
Seating Recommendations – If you have yet to buy tickets (and Atlanta was only half-full, so you may not be too late), I’d go with the floor, but in the second or third section back. Too close to the stage and you won’t get the full effect of all the, um, effects. Plus, there is fire, people. Major fire. I was in the back floor section and it was hot back there!
If you can’t afford the lower seats, go for closer to the stage. The way it’s set up, you’ll still see everything, but still get to see some detail.
Get there as soon as the doors open. – This is people-watching at its finest. I saw everything from toddlers to someone who had to be in his mid-80’s. Every five minutes or so, a kid would excitedly yell out, “Star Wars!” (And we adults happily took up the call.) There are also archive set-ups featuring stuff I have never seen at the many exhibitions I’ve been to. With the crowds, it will take a while to see them all. Plus, watching the 501st work the crowd is always amusing.
Save up your pennies for the store. – There are some wonderfully clever designs to be had that don’t come across on the website. Having tried on all of my goodies, I would recommend buying up one size if you don’t like tight-fitting shirts or jackets.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It did my little geeky heart good. I will end with a quote from my friend (and Dragon*Con Star Wars track director) Brandy Roatsey: “Every time you watch the Saga or hear the music it’s like renewing your vows and falling in love all over again!”
Just a reminder of tonight’s special showing of the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode, ‘Landing at Point Rain’ – the first of a four episode arc – debuting a few days early on Cartoon Network tonight at 8 PM (ET/PT). DVR users: My DVR didn’t have the updated scheduling from Cartoon Network, so be prepared to record whatever your schedule says is in that time slot (possibly “Destroy Build Destroy”). Or, if you’re patient, it’ll rerun on the regular time Friday.
StarWars.com sheds some light on this opening chapter in a larger story arc, hoping that the action to retake Geonosis is “intense as any live-action movie about the assault on Omaha Beach.” Leading into this story is a prelude script set before ‘Landing at Point Rain’, read at the Fan Days in Dallas and now available online. In addition to setting the stage for ‘Landing’, it wraps up the events of ‘Senate Spy’ with some wry banter.
We’re still waiting on word of Sean William’s The Old Republic novel – as yet, Sue Rostoni is “unable to either confirm nor deny.” (Don’t panic: That’s pretty standard.) Though audio versions have shown up on RandomHouse.com.
Eddie found a listing on Amazon.com for a Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle, a Dan Wallace hardcover for DK Children. The blurb:
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back in style!
Four decades of Star Wars history come together for the first time in a highly illustrated year-by-year format. Star Wars Year by Year pulls together a vast array of information from the films, comic books, novels, merchandise, and computer games. Star Wars Year by Year provides fans with everything they need to know about the phenomenon that is Star Wars, from the first Star Wars release in 1977 through the most recent plot twists in the animated television show Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
The book is chronologically arranged from 1973 to 2009, and includes stunning chapter openers for each decade, highly illustrated articles for each year that delve into important events in the creation of the movies and comic book art, and fascinating facts about the influence of Star Wars in the real world.
