Hey there.
I know it's been forever and a day since my last post here. But I haven't forgotten my recap of my time out in San Diego for Comic Con back in July.
So here's part 3, recaping my second full day out on the coast (July 24):
The day started off pretty early, as me, my online friend Lance and his mate Tim all were heading out to the Con on that day. We wanted to get an early jump, since this was the first full day of the Convention and we knew the crowds and the traffic would be brutal.
After driving down there and getting a good parking spot inside the Convention Center, we had some time to kill before the Con opened up for the day, so we decided to grab some breakfast. We all grabbed some donuts and rolls and made our way to Petco Park, the home stadium of the San Diego Padres baseball team. The place had a park like setting around the field area that was open to the public during non game days, so we got a chance to sit down in the park to eat. This blew me away because this would never happen where I am. So this was pretty cool. This wouldn't be the last time I'd be at Petco, as you will read in a future update.
The morning view from my position at Petco Park.
After having breakfast, we made our way down to the Center for the day's activities as we split up and went our separate ways. My first stop was the CC Film School 101 panel. This was a four day session where those who attended would learn some of the ropes about putting together your own film through those low budget filmmakers who've been there. As a fledgling filmmaker, I definitely made it a point to check it out.
While I was at the panel, I noticed someone across the room from me who looked familiar. As it turned out, it was my good online friend Chase Langley from Plus One Pictures. Chase, if you're not familiar with MarkOne Films, was my partner in my first film effort, "Vanishing Act". He co-directed the film that I wrote and also starred in it. In spite of our collaboration, we had never met in person until that day. So, of course, we talked a little bit after the panel was completed.
It was cool to touch base with him and to know that we'll be working together in the near future.
When MarkOne met PlusOne: Me and my online friend and collaborator, Chase Langley from PlusOne Pictures.
After chatting with Chase, I went down to the exhibit hall and walked around a bit, getting some cool toys and swag until I met up with Lance and Tim, where we grabbed some lunch and dropped off our stuff in the garage. Then I made it back out to the Center to check out some more panels.
First one I caught was the Doctor Who/Torchwood panels. I had missed out on the first part of the panel, but was able to catch some trailers of what's planned for Doctor Who's annual Christmas special (which we won't catch here in the States till later in 2009). I did get to see the cast of Torchwood talk in their panel. I like this show, which reminds me of the early days of the X Files with a wicked sense of humor. And the cast was very funny in person as they talked about their characters, the show and what they are like off camera.
When that was over, I made a mad dash to another panel, this time for ABC Family's The Middleman. This was a quirky little show based on a comic that had a lot of humor and inside jokes to pop culture references. However, since the show was on this channel, the ratings for it weren't so hot and all of us in the room wanted to know if this would get the chance for a second season. An exec from the network was there and did notice that the place was packed. But as I type this now, I doubt that this funny, quirky comic book show would be back for another year. I hope I'm wrong.
After that, I walked over to the autograph area where stars from various shows and movies were there to naturally sign autographs. By the time I got there, there really weren't many stars around, but I did see some people that I wanted to meet.
The guys from one of my all time favorite shows : "Mystery Science Theater 3000" were there signing autographs, so I definitely had to meet them. Now the last time I had met these guys was over a decade ago when I had attended the MST3K convention in Minneapolis. So it was cool to see them again, as they naturally made fun of me telling them about the last time I had saw them (you were just a "wee lad" back then, one remarked) and they then signed a poster from one of their new ventures, Rifftrax, where they make fun out of hit movies through CDs you can play on while the actual movie is playing. They signed a poster of their spoof of "Raiders of the Lost Ark", which was hilarious. I look forward to getting that CD.
Then after that, I saw someone else from a show I watched when I was a kid, "Superboy". I met the star of the show's first season, John Haymes Newton. which was pretty cool. I had asked him if they had any plans to release any of the other seasons on DVD, he said it was doubtful, but you never know. Still it was pretty cool to meet him nonetheless.
Me with Superboy himself, John Haymes Newton.
Afterwards, I hung out at the Exhibit Hall some more and then I got into check out a world premiere. This was for the made for DVD movie, "Hulk vs. Wolverine" that's supposed to be out early next year.
Let me tell you flat out, this is a kick-ass movie. It's funny, action packed, and has some good wicked fight scenes between the Green Goliath and Logan himself. It's bloody, gory and damn good. It's not for the kiddies (with the violence and the language) and it doesn't disappoint. As a fan of both of these heroes, I know I'll be getting this bad boy when it's released.
After that, I met back with the guys and we went out to dinner at a good 50s style restaurant nearby. The burgers and especially the shakes were to die for. A perfect way to end the day.
Next up: Getting in The Spirit, getting lost in the crowds and meeting up with the WolfMan.
