Apologies for not doing this sooner. Batteries were still too low!
While my bro and I arrived at the Hilton on Thursday and were met by so many of the friends and faces we only normally get to see at TFN already settled in and having a grand old time, for me the convention-associated shenanigans didn't start until the next day.You see, on Thursday something just as important was yet to happen: Godzilla.
Shin Godzilla was getting a one-night-only screening at select cinemas throughout the UK. If you know me well enough you know that Godzilla *probably* pips just about everything else as the thing I'm the biggest fan of. And the Japanese films have never had a UK cinematic release in my lifetime, until now. I was going, even if I went alone.Luckily I didn't have to. A small group of about seven of us all ended up going, which made it a happier experience for me. Thanks to all of you guys who came, hope you don't just bin the little figs I handed out in appreciation. ;)
For those who may not know, I'm a staff member for TFN. So a great deal of my weekend was spent flitting about doing different jobs here and there, whilst also trying to do a decent showing at the Forge table I was sharing with my bro and our Transmasters UK buds and cohorts Gav and Andy. AND trying to make sure I got to see some of the panels I was most interested in. So it was a very tiring but very satisfying weekend altogether.
Thank you, by the way, to everyone who visited the Forge and supported our arts and crafters (not just our table). I get the impression that it was a much more successful performance than it was last year, and I look forward to reading feedback from those who had stalls and getting a better sense of it all. But honestly I can only see it getting bigger and better in the future, for as long as it is desired.
Speaking of things getting bigger and better: the side panel room. I have to confess that we simply did not expect some of the events going on in there to pull in the numbers of audience that they ended up doing. Again you overwhelm us with your support and enthusiasm, and while we ended up having to repeat some items and relocate the panel room entirely to the next available room of greater size I hope we did so and informed you all promptly enough for it to have not had too negative an impact on your weekend.
Similarly, thank you all for making the Trial And Error comic a resounding success. Thanks in particular to Jim, Chris, and Andy for bringing me aboard to work on this project, and also to Gav and Herz for being wonderful collaborators who ensured the book remained of the highest visual quality throughout and bringing their own visual flair to proceedings. I was honoured, humbled, and very proud to have worked on this project and equally so with this team. I hope you everyone enjoys/ed the comic, and that those who attended the panel on it didn't find my mumbling too incoherent.
The guests I found to all be delightful as well.While I didn't get to speak to her as often as I would have liked in my free time, and didn't get to see her panel at all due to duty, Venus Terzo seemed very much to be a person where to meet her is to love her. She was very enthusiastic and seemed to be riding the wave of general good vibes on quite the high throughout the whole show. And much like Richard Newman last year, just hearing her speak in-character was enough to give me chills.
Mark Ryan was equally as enthusiastic and welcoming, and probably played the audience the most of all the guests. I think he'd be back in a heartbeat if he were asked.
Hal and Maggie were like a whirlwind of voices and energy. There was never a dull moment if you were even in earshot of them. I think it's safe to say that Hal stole the show in the script reading (which I was lucky enough to sit in on rehersals for). Given that he was often holding entire conversations with himself with three very different and distinct OTT characters, he was genuinely a sight to behold.
Maggie also got to create a Transformer for the script reading, giving a voice and personality to the convention's exclusive figure Rune (which I bought one of for her). I think she got a kick out of that, as she signed some things for people on the Sunday with Rune as a credit.Happily I did manage to make sure they all got copies of the prints I did, as well as the original art, very early on. Also managed to get my own copies signed too.
It was an honour and so very satisfying to FINALLY get Bob Budiansky to one of these things. He has probably got the dryest wit I ever met.
Jack Lawrence has proven himself to be a great bloke and very much OUR kind of guest. Fully expect him to become a regular.
Sara Pitre Durocher, sadly, I didn't get to spend much time with at all. I introduced myself, gave her a Starscream drawing, and got a couple of autographs, but otherwise I don't think I made her feel very comfortable in my presence. Sorry about that.
And Josh Perez. Oh, my god, Josh Perez.You ever meet someone for the first time and just hit it off? Within half an hour you feel like you've been besties forever? THAT'S Josh Perez. For every-fucking-one. If he doesn't become a regular I will rage-quit my life and go live in his drains or something.
As ever, it's great to see Nick, James, Simon, Geoff, Jim, and Stephen in any capacity. Although I didn't see anywhere near as much as I would have liked of Alex, Kei, and JP. But that goes for in life in general, not just the show.
I don't know where to begin with my friends, though. I was so SO happy to see and be around each and every one of you, no matter how fleetingly. Some of you are my anchors, some of you I knew before but started to get to know better, some of you i'm only really starting to learn about now. But you are all my heart and my family. I can only apologise for the little time most of you got, or that I didn't get the chance to give many goodbyes. Sadly my intorvercy and low self-esteem got the better of me as I watched all these people I loved laughing and joking with each other, and I began to feel somewhat surplus to events and had to make an unnoticed exit. Nothing upsets me more than being that guy, so next year I might handcuff myself into a group and not let it happen.
Because there WILL be next year. Wheels are turning, rooms are booked, invites are written.
Don't forget your shades.
Peace and Respect.
Ed Pirrie
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