The essential ingredients for attending a ComicCon are stamina and a good pair of shoes. There is a lot of walking and a lot of queuing which is inevitable when you realise there are 50,000 attendees. This was probably the largest Liverpool event yet staged though its only one of a number around the country. In common with most events these days everything is done on a large scale while the guests are front of camera people so if you're after insights into production, direction or writing then you won't find them here. For those willing to pay there ae photos or autographs with the stars of some of your favourite tv shows. Plus its not unusual to see Darth Vader or Davros or Spiderman walking around.
As ever the event is slickly choreographed with any niggles due more to the geography of the site than anything else. Yet where else would you get a massive auditorium for the panels, an expansive space for the merchandise and autographs and then have an actual arena left for props, displays and some lighter on stage entertainment. So here's some pictures I took during the weekend though this is only some of what was going on in a packed event.
(above) There are plenty of cosplayers roaming the venue, some in character for much of the time. This year the costumer makers seemed to pivot back to traditional franchises as well as some anime inspired ones.
(Above) The Eleventh Doctor's team were present though Matt Smith and Karen Gillan didn't do an on stage panel; Arthur Darvill did (see below). About half of the guests chose this approach.
(Below) Some of the Cobra Kai cast were present and seem to have a
real bond with each other. Their panel was one of the best as they really
engaged with the questions and seemed to enjoy the experience. I later spotted Griffin, Dallas and Brandon in The Pumphouse pub nearby sampling Guinness and English pub food!
Brandon H Lee , Yuji Okumoto
Robyn Lively, Alicia Hannah Kim
Dallas Dupree Young, Griffin Santopietro
(above) Noah Schnapp had his own panel and photo / autograph sessions separate from the other Stranger Things cast and was an interesting interviewee. One attendee who asked about Will's coming out scene ended up with a hug! Also one kid seemed determined to promote his parent's pub Three Piggies as a must see place for Noah to visit. As this is only a few minutes' walk from my house I'll keep a lookout should he decide to pop in!
(below) Other Stranger Things alumni were split into two panels, one on each day. On Saturday's panel Joe and Jake vied for who was the most drily witty!
The Wheelers! Joe Chrest, Cara Buono, Nell Fisher
Amybeth McNulty, Jake Connolly
(above) Arthur Darvill gave a great interview with a mixture of memories, opinions and observations. If your wondering why his hair is so long, he's appearing in the forthcoming Beatles biopics playing Derek Taylor.
(above) It wouldn't be entirely accurate to say that I met William Shatner but I did stand beside him, which was probably enough for both of us. It was flagged as a no contact panel anyway. Besides what do you say to someone who was a tv icon when you were a child? Considering his age it was quite a feat for him to spend the whole two days either posing for photos, signing autographs and doing a stage panel. He seemed somewhat detached during the photo sessions; if you look at anyone else's photo his expression is the same. However I think he planned it right - his photo booth seemed to be the only place in the whole building with air conditioning and that calm detachment enabled him to summon enough energy for his panel...
(below) Defying expectations, William Shatner walked on stage and proceeded to entertain us with his own brand of meandering theories. He established a rapport with the audience fielding some odd questions with ease. Sometimes he seemed to have lost the point yet this seemed to be a well practised diversion so he could more or less say what he liked. The only guest without an interviewer or moderator he proved sharper and livelier than most ninety five year olds. Indeed he had so much to say that he didn't even mention going into space!
(below) While William Shatner seemed to summon unexpected energy, The X Files panel struggled to match his vigour. Probably a combination of jetlag and exhaustion. Its hard work enough being an attendee!
Nicholas Lea, Gillian Anderson
Annabeth Gish, Brian Thompson
Stranger Things panel 2- Shannon Purser, Caleb McLoughlin, Priah Ferguson
No comments:
Post a Comment