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Highlights from Dragon*Con 2007
Atlanta, GA
August 31 - Sep 2, 2007
This was my first time attending Dragon*Con in Atlanta,
GA. This is probably the biggest convention that I have ever attended.
The Las Vegas Star Trek 40th Anniversary was big, but I think this one is
bigger.
On Thursday (Aug 30th), I pre-registered for the Con. I had to wait in line about an hour or so before I was waited on. Once I got my badge, I was set for the weekend.
On Friday morning, I explored the three hotels (the Marriot, the Hiltons and the Hyatt Regency) that the convention was held. I looked for conference rooms that the Main programming events were to be held. I also looked for eating places etc. The Con did not start until 1:00 on Friday.
First up was Star Trek vs Battlestar Galactica event at 1:00PM. The panel was made of several of the new Battlestar Galactica cast members and Richard Hatch from the original series. It was also made up of a few cast members from Star Trek The Next Generation (Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden and Jonathon Frakes). I thought it would be interesting, but the first 15 minutes I did not think was done very well. I think there needed to be moderator or something.
Next up was Erik Estrada in the Hanover room in the Hyatt at 2:30PM. He spoke about getting into law enforcement. He stated that he would be getting his Sheriff's badge in Bedford County, VA on Nov 5th and later on he would be receiving his Federal Marshal's badge. He is also in the Police reserves in Muncie, IN working one week out of the month.
He spoke about some of the programs that he is involved
in. One of those is
Internet Crimes Against Children.
Mr. Estrada spoke again on Sunday at 4:00PM in the Hanover room of the Hyatt and I decided to catch him again. He spoke some about being in a Mexican soap opera and how he got involved in that. He also spoke about his experience on the Surreal Life. He really did not want to do that show, but he says his wife forced him to do it. She said that people do not know Erik Estrada and it was time they did..
Next up was Jonathan Wesley Shipp in the Hanover room
of the Hyatt at 4:00PM. Jonathan several questions about The
Flash and Dawson's Creek. He also indicated that there were plans for
a second season of The Flash, but did not go into any detail on that. I am
betting the Trickster would have been back. It was my impression that the
network executives did not let the producers know that they were canceling
the show until late into the first season.
Next up was William Katt from the Greatest American Hero also in the Hanover room of the Hyatt at 5:30PM. William answered some questions on a couple of movies he had done - House and Carrie.
He also spoke about his time on the Greatest American Hero. According to Mr. Katt, Brandon Tartikoff had guaranteed two more seasons of the Greatest American Hero on NBC around 1986. However Mr. Katt had already had some commitments and could not commit to the Greatest American Hero at that time. He also mentioned that he had written a 2 hour reunion script for the Greatest American Hero. This was before the rights were sold to Disney who now has the rights. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Mr. Katt also appeared again at the International North room at the Hyatt on
Monday at 1:00PM which I caught. This time when he arrived he made it a
point to greet everyone that come to the session. He did talk about his
Theatre work and also his audition for the first Star Wars movie. I had
planned on getting a picture and autograph from him on Sunday, but I missed him.
I checked in the Walk of Fame on Monday, but he was not there. At the end
of the session, someone asked him if he would be signing autographs, etc.
He said he would not, but he would sign autographs and take pictures with him in
the room at no charge which was pretty cool.
Next up was Gil Gerard and Erin Gray from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century at the Hanover room at the Hyatt at 7:00. He and Erin also appeared on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, Felix Silla joined them. Needless to say I caught all three sessions. One question (What was your favorite episode?) was asked in all three sessions. Gil's favorite episode is the 2 hour movie followed by Satyr from the second season. Erin's favorite episode is the Space Vampire.
According to Erin, both Gil and Erin will be working together soon on a movie. I cannot remember the title of the movie. If I do, I'll post it here. Also there may be a Buck Rogers movie coming in the horizon. Not a lot of details were given due to legalities.
Gil touched on his obesity problem. He said he weighed around 350lbs at one time. He has lost 150lbs since then due to a new procedure called Mini-Gastric Bypass.
On Saturday, the Dragon*Con parade took place at 10:00am in the morning.
After the parade, I headed toward the Walk of Fame. I went by Claudia Christian's table. I had seen her at AdventureCon. She remembered me and her assistant remembered the convention. That was pretty neat that she remembered me. I then went by Lou Ferrigno's table and had a picture made with him.
I then stopped by Gil Gerard and Erin Gray's table. I purchased one of Gil's Buck Rogers shirts. Its really a nice shirt. I also found out that they were doing a Photo-Op. I got signed up on that. Gil suggested I wear the shirt at the Photo-Op.
After the Photo-Op, I headed for Nichelle Nichols session. Nichelle talked about what she has been up to. She is in a movie called Lady Magdalene's that was screened on Sunday morning. She will also be joining the cast of NBC's Heroes.
After Nichelle's session, I headed back to the Photo-Op area to get my picture with Gil and Erin. I took the picture down to get autographed by Gil and Erin.
Next up was Star Trek: New Voyages panel. This was held in the Baker room at the Hyatt at 5:30PM. The panel discussed different aspects of the fan based film. At 7:00PM they screened the latest webisode - World Enough and Time. This webisode is by far the best one to date.
After attending Gil Gerard, Erin Gray and Felix Silla's session Sunday morning, I headed off to the Walk of Fame. I went by Herb Jefferson Jr.'s table and noticed that there was a picture of his character on Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. I did not realize he was appearing on that production. I asked him about the status and he stated that they are still working on it. I dropped by Gil and Erin's area and chatted a bit. Some may not think anything about, but Gil remembered me. That was cool.
After lunch, I attended the Star Trek TNG cast reunion. Those appearing was Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes. When they come out, Jonathan Frakes sneaked out and went back in the front entrance and got to one of the microphones and started asking a question. It took a moment before everyone realized it was Jonathan. During the whole session Brent Spiner was hilarious. They did speak briefly about the new movie and all of the cast was in support of the movie. I saw no negativity toward the new movie.
After that, I went to the dealers room. That was a one big dealers room for sure. I then headed to Erik Estrada's session. After that, I called it a day.
On Monday the last day of the Convention, I attended Gil Gerard and Erin Gray's third session. Gil again remembered me. While Erin was talking, Gil was looking around and noticed me and he called my name out and I gave him a wave. That's probably the coolest part of the convention. At the end of the session, Gil wanted to take a moment to give credit to Felix Silla (Twiki). He was in a suit and you could not see his face and/or expressions, but with his movements he made Twiki come alive.
