PART 3
The very last signing I wanted to get is Jonathan Frakes. My father in law is a huge fan of the Star Trek next gen. series. (he's in his 80's) I got him a signed Gates McFadden picture last year and was hoping to add to the collection.
we were 2 people from seeing him when he had to leave for his q and a. as luck would have it by the time i got back from all of my other commitmnents - he was gone and i never got him. He did pass by me and gave me a smile and a nod which was kind of funny He was also a very lively guest.. he was hollering at the other guests and the crowd from time to time to get them going. I was sorry i missed out on him.
The ear for Fear panel was coming up so I couldnt wait for Mr Frakes and popped upstairs to the room where it was held. At first it was just Chris. Another composer was supposed to join him as well as Maurizio Guarini but both were MIA. After Chris kept things going for the audience for about 10 - 15 minutes (nice job) Maurizio found his way in and proceded to give a great talk on Goblin and scoring for films in general. Also it turns out he's based in Toronto now .. very cool.
From there i rushed back downstairs to get another signing by Dario for a friend
and then rush back upstairs for the Robert Beltran Q and A.
All weekend long this guys line was empty. He's such a good actor it frustrated me that no one knew who he was and i felt really bad. I went to the q and A 20 min early to be the 1st in line not expecting anyone else to be there.
To my suprise there was a HUGE lineup.. i ended up sitting in the back !
Robert Beltran was visibly suprised as well when he walked into a packed room.
They didnt have a moderator for him and he immediately began to do a q and a by himself which turned out to be the best one of the con for me. the guy is very intelligent, funny, and honest enough to give a definate unglossy look at the Voyager series which horrified 90% of the crowd but had me laughing out loud the entire time.
this guy is one cool cat. I missed out on the Malcolm McDowell Q and A and bailed on the Argento/Romero combined Q and A (i would have been in the back again and i was getting tired and wanted to bail.) The Robert Beltran Q/A was the right one to leave on ..
I was fortunate enough to see him on the way out and told him so ... I said he must have alienated over half of the room and he laughed because he damn well knew what he was doing
So the only thing left to do was to pick up the Argento professionally done photograph (where he and my son look great and i look like an ass) and then head home.
Each year i learn a little more about how to make the experience a little better than the one before.
It can be like hard work at times ..but i really enjoy the brief meetings and building a collection of signed movies and pictures I'll one day pass onto my son. I look for the high points to remember ...and this year there were several unforgettable moments.
So as crazy and tiring as it gets, i'll be first in line for the tickets next year ... no two ways about it