A couple years back, there was Star Wars on Trial, a great collection of essays arguing about whether or not George did right by us. Now there’s a documentary doing the same thing premiering at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, next month.
The People vs George Lucas strives to figure out whether or not George is the devil disguised in all his evil marketing glory or the Great Flanneled Creator of all things good.
They interview the grand and the not-so-grand, alike. And just a wee bit of silliness thrown in. If nothing else, it will serve to stoke the fires of fanboy debate for a while. And that’s always fun. (via)
A year-long auction of Stargate memorabilia has begun. The auction, run by the same company that did last year’s Battlestar Galactica sell-off, is supposedly of items that the production company knew they’d not need for future movies. (via)
Of course, this only reinforces the fan perception that the new straight-to-DVD movies will never happen. MGM has been unable to gather the funding to launch them in the current economy. But after 15 years, one can imagine that their prop storage is full to busting at the seams. Still, Stargate fans enjoy some good angst, so the worry continues.
Star Trek writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtman appeared at a screening of Star Trek for the Writer’s Guild of America. Amazingly, most in the room hadn’t seen it. (Really? Catch up, people!)
Some interesting analysis of why they chose to go the way they did. And maybe some insight into how they’ll be tackling the next one. (via)
Fandom celebs (mostly Harry Potter) are gathering for an online fundraiser for Haiti on Saturday, January 23rd at 2pm, Eastern. (That’s New York City time for those out of the country.)
Some pretty nifty items up for winning, plus lots of appearances and Wizard Rock bands. Might be worth checking out!
Bottom line, no decisions have been made as to what will be pulled upon next. So let’s not anticipate Khan before his time. And JJ won’t commit to directing (sometime in 2012) until he sees a script. Way too long to wait, people.
In honor of our Slacker Friday the 13th here at Club Jade, I give you some sci-fi-related time wasters:
Captain Jack falls to the Beyonce’ side. (Does this ever get old? Well, yes, but there’s also the Glee version right below it.)
Sex is what brings female fans to Stargate conventions? I’m shocked! (Not so. I lie.)
If you’ve ever thought about taking a vacation to marathon Star Trek, you’ll need a lot of days! (Speaking of, did you hear they found an alternate cut of the pilot? Yet another reason to pay Paramount’s exorbitant prices to get the series on BluRay.)
SpiderMan has maybe had one too many on this wacky day?
Alrighty. Thanks for playing. Dunc will probably wake up soon. And we expect James out of quarantine sometime in the next week or so. (Or maybe he’s just trying to marathon Star Trek?)
In the meantime, go and play on our open post. Let us know what you’re up to on this wacky day of days. And go support sci-fi tonight. There are plenty of offerings on tap.
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).
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!”
WB didn’t do terribly much to help their cause when they insulted the existing fans with their press release announcing a new demographic was being targeted. Oh. And did we mention this came out the day after they cancelled Stargate Atlantis? This started a wave of angst at levels not previously seen in the franchise. (And fans are capable of some great levels of angst.) One can assume (or at least hope) this was not intended as an insult, but that’s how it was received.
The cast and crew have done quite a bit to reach out to the fans with a whole-sale assault on Twitter and Facebook. But unfortunately, the segment of fandom who can’t seem to phrase an opinion without a personal attack have gone after these folks in a major way; forcing one of the main actors (Brian J. Smith) to decide he’s stepping away from an online presence. (Definitely for the hiatus. Possibly longer.)
Producer Joe Mallozzi, who has long allowed people to express a certain level of these opinions on his blog, has spoken out about this. He stands up for his cast and crew (and their families) and reminds people that you don’t have to like a show, but you don’t personally attack the Stargate family.
To that I say “Bravo.” Enjoying the anonymity of being online is no excuse for not behaving with civility.
