Almost 12 months since Bristol - Times Flies

[TV21]

Hello all,

Can it be just on 12 months since we (well me), were attending the 2010 Fanderson Bristol event.
Think we need another one :)

[TonyB]

The time certainly flies past, I would not have said in was a year until you pointed it out.

[Dunc1]

Goodness, a year has passed quickly. It would be lovely to know another Convention was being planned, however the organisers may not have recovered from last year's yet. Since the puppet works were covered in such depth, maybe the next time Gerry's live action work should be concentrated on, although every aspect of his career should be represented if possible. What we must remember about Fanderson Conventions is the tremendous amount of work which goes into organising one. Like everyone else I love them and they are great fun and yes I cannot wait for the next one but it is so easy to forget just what a strain these events are on those running them.

There are several conventions I have seen, past and future, where private cameras and spontaneous snaps of guests are banned on the grounds that it is discourteous to them, replaced with professional photo sessions where you can be photographed with guests for a very expensive amount of money. Different tickets can be purchased to get faster up the autograph queues etc. What is wrong with first come, first serve? I have probably opened a hornets' nest as some organisers may very well read this. What I think is so wonderful about the Fanderson conventions is that they make money for charity and there is a family atmosphere. Guests are available for informal chats and it is a different world from some other conventions. In this difficult economic climate it is nice to have a convention also open to non members at a reasonable price, run by friendly and helpful people.

I think it might be a nice idea to set up a section on this forum for people to discuss what they would like to see at the next convention. What did people think of the hotel in Bristol? For my own part I was not that impressed and wonder if we could go back to the one in Borehamwood. The hotel layout is easier to move around in and there are all the locations used in several of Gerry's shows nearby. When the next convention takes places we know it will be up to Fanderson's usual high standard.

[capt_ochre]

I have never been to a convention before but plan to come to the next Fanderson one. A big drawcard for me would be the chance to have my photos with the special guests, however I doubt charging a "very expensive amount of money" is a good idea. The special guests probably don't think photo requests is rude, otherwise they wouldn't be there in the first place!

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

What did people think of the hotel in Bristol?

I thought the convention areas were perfectly functional, though the guest rooms were much nicer in the nearby Mercure hotel, and considering Fanderson was able to negotiate a special rate for them, they were excellent value.

[lightcudder]

The 'plus' point for me was that the hotel in Bristol was so close to the railway station ..(and the 'picture route' to the hotel was a brilliant idea!) The downside was that the hotel was pricey. But it would be great to have a less formal 'convention' somewhere up north!!

[Dunc1]

I have never been to a convention before but plan to come to the next Fanderson one. A big drawcard for me would be the chance to have my photos with the special guests, however I doubt charging a "very expensive amount of money" is a good idea. The special guests probably don't think photo requests is rude, otherwise they wouldn't be there in the first place!

I may have given the wrong impression. I was saying that charging large amounts of money for photos with people or anything else was bad and that the good thing about Fanderson Conventions is that they do not go down that road. Guests are delighted to oblige with fans requests to have their photos taken with them

[capt_ochre]

Forgive me Dunc, that'll teach me to reply at 1am half asleep! :P

[Dunc1]

No worries Jason. Look forward to meeting you at the next convention.

[Purupuss]

Having spent most of the weekend trying to get internet (I'm at the family bach where we don't have electricity or phones - only tank water and a long drop) I finally get to say:

I find it hard to believe that a year ago today I was on the other side of the world, let alone in Bristol surrounded by people who loved my favourite TV show as much as I do! Not to mention those who actually made it!!!

It was an F-A-B time.

Thanks again to all the Fanderson crew who put on such a fun event.

[Autumn Cottage]

I've finally been able to start editing and uploading videos from TV21.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGhNakDV-gY

Having only recently joined YouTube I had to make a few re-edits for correct lengths etc, but I've uploaded Gerry Anderson's interview in 3 parts so far.

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

I've finally been able to start editing and uploading videos from TV21.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGhNakDV-gY

Having only recently joined YouTube I had to make a few re-edits for correct lengths etc, but I've uploaded Gerry Anderson's interview in 3 parts so far.

Thank you SO much for uploading this! I was sitting too far back to get a good video of Gerry's interview, so it's really nice to be able to see this again :)

(Just search youtube for "ACtheLegend TV21" for the parts of interviews I've uploaded)

Did you take any other videos in discussion rooms/at the disco?

[Autumn Cottage]

As it was such a full weekend, I never did get to the discussion rooms. I was able to record a lot of the main talks though, which meant that I simply didn't have any spare video storage for other things as well, such as the disco.

All being well, I'll be uploading the other talks which include Gary Files, Shane Rimmer and Matt Zimmerman.

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

As it was such a full weekend, I never did get to the discussion rooms. I was able to record a lot of the main talks though, which meant that I simply didn't have any spare video storage for other things as well, such as the disco.

All being well, I'll be uploading the other talks which include Gary Files, Shane Rimmer and Matt Zimmerman.

Fantastic! I'd love to see Gary's interview again, since I was once again badly placed to get any good footage after his introduction.

[TonyB]

I missed a fair old bit of the panels and interviews over the weekend as I was working on the sales desk, so this will be a nice chance to catch up.

Thanks for posting them up.

[douglogger]

Dunc1,
Every late August in the City of Toronto there is the growing semi-corporate Comic-Con-nish fanExpo Canada drawing a weekend crowd upwards of 70,000 people. This is a great event but the emphasis as you and others is like the guests love seeing you but don't forget to pay $80 to have William Shatner sign across your undotted line!
Martin Landau charged 'alf that price but let's face you come up with that $um cuz he's "one of us!"
At the July Godzilla fests in Chicago we have just over 1200 people,more relaxed approach mild emphasis on paying for a cheap autograph and from what I remember no fee4photos..
Our Japanese guest stars blend in quickly a la Ed Bishop and Shane Rimmer and spontaneity Rules....for impromptu signings beyond the stated in the programme guide....two items per guest.....via a $5 ticket available at the G-Fan magazine /DKE table....so the damages are slight...Veteran G-Fest goers such as I are experienced in sniffing out sudden opportunities that pop up to grab one signature on the run apart from the cattle call assembly lines.
I'm rather sure that a con that is flexible as G-fests are and perhaps the Fanderson ones I've been generate more good will this way as far as guest access for signings,takin' snaps, chumming around.
NEXT!