Behind the Scenes

As you step off the train and into the small town of Lidcombe (near Sydney) the very first thing you notice are the FSF (Friends of Science Fiction) signs directing you on your way: James Marsters 'Spike' Convention. You know that you are in the right place when you spy a que of fans quietly forming outside the convention's venue. Locals passing by give confused glances to the hundred or so James Marsters fans awaiting their entry into the 2001 FSF James Marsters 'Spike' Convention. I over hear a local woman questioning several people in line "what's going on?" Someone replies "it's the James Marsters convention". The woman just frowned and said "James who?" Everyone within earshot of the conversation, including me, smiled as a cheeky expression crossed their faces as if they held an amazing secret.

Amazing doesn't even begin to define their 'secret'. Immensely talented, intelligent, funny and charming would perhaps be a little closer. James Marsters, or Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer as he is better known, was the secret that drew many loyal Australian fans to Lidcombe on May 19-20.

James flew into Sydney Australia on May 19 only around 2 hours before he was due on stage at the Convention. He was originally scheduled to touch down in Oz on May 16, but couldn't due to other commitments (sources say UPN wanted him in New York for promotions). There was a possibility that the convention would be called off completely, however James went out of his way to get here. Now, as a rather large fan of the show, I made it my mission to attend this convention. Like many, there was no way that I was going to miss what would probably be my first and last chance to meet a person I had admired for so long. At around 10am on Saturday morning, we were let into the convention venue. James wasn't due on stage till 1:30pm, but there was much to do until then! I collected my media pass from Julian (the wonderful webmaster of FSF Online), which entitled me to more than I bargained for - basically all access, plus all the goss on exactly what was going on. From what door James would be entering from, to exactly how long it would be till he arrived, to where to stand to get the best possible photos of James.

I ventured about and found a willing fan to interview. Tia Gower had flown down from Coolangatta in Queensland to see James in the flesh. I spoke to her about her main reasons for coming "Just for Spike, James Marsters… obsession kinda brought me here!", she said with a laugh. I asked Tia what question she would ask James today, if given the opportunity. With a huge smile on her face she jokingly replied, "will you marry me?" I'm not entirely sure if she got around to asking that.

After several items of Buffy and/or Angel significance had been auctioned for charity, and the FSF Online 'live forum' Discussion Panel it was time for James to grace us with his magnetic presence. But, of course there was a delay, because … well, the man's gotta eat! So, a few of the FSF organisers started a Buffy quiz as a filler, which somehow managed to flow over into Star Trek talk. But finally, after a 5 minute Tribute to James Marsters on the large television screen, which included highlights from many of scenes featuring Spike, it was time for James to take the stage.

Camera's flashed from every direction and the crowd of 500-600 cheered insanely as James waved to everyone and walked onto the stage.

James spoke about his cast members throughout his time on stage, which he clearly has the up most respect and admiration for. He had nothing but sincere compliments for them. James would love to see Drusilla and Spike reunited again one day. "Juliet brings a passion to the set, it feels like you are working in a feature film when she's around."

James also gushed on the topic of another fellow cast member, Tony Head, who plays Giles. "He is the best actor, he taught me to 'cut back, stop acting, just be'"

"I think that's screwed" an opinion held by James on Sarah Michelle Gellar being ignored by awards such as the Emmys. He mentioned the episode Triangle after Riley departs, where Sarah Michelle Gellar must cry, but in a comical way throughout the episode. You may recall critics complaining about her ability in those scenes - saying that it was 'bad' acting. "Do you watch Party of Five?" (A collective groan resonated from the audience) James explained that if Jennifer Love Hewitt was to do the crying even half as good as Sarah Michelle Gellar did in those scenes, but on Party of Five, the world would come to a stand still, people would be raving positively about it for weeks.

James truly has nothing but admiration for Sarah, "She's taught me a lot, I love her to death" James gave an example of her talent - in the crossover episode 'I will Remember You', when Buffy and Angel's day is about to be taken away from them, when she is crying, he believes that, as an actress, "In that moment she became beautiful, she was real."

Then, at some point in the mad questioning time, I had the chance to ask my question. In my very good standing position at the front of the stage with rest of the media I put my hand up and was chosen…

"Hey James, rumour has it that you have brought your guitar today and that you are going to sing for us, is this true?" He replied "No, I forgot to bring it! But I really want to, if anyone has a guitar around I would love to!" He went on to say that he plays in clubs in LA and that he plays guitar all the time. He was given free cable about 4 months ago and he never watches it, he plays instead. "I've been playing since I was 10." Whenever he wants to break stuff, he just plays guitar. After saying that he went on to say - "What a freak!" There was silence as he looked at me and said "Oh no! Not you, honey - me!!!" The entire room proceeded to crack up laughing. On the second day of the convention James brought a guitar and played an original song, he then autographed the guitar and donated it to the auction where it sold for $800.

A recurring topic during the questions, and perhaps the theme of James's time on stage seemed to be just how much he respects and admires Joss Whedon (along with other writers working on the show) "I don't want to keep talking about my boss, but he's just so good." At one point he jokingly added, "Maybe I should marry him!"

He explained an element of the genius that is Joss. "Joss likes to prove people wrong. You tell him one thing, he'll do the opposite." People tell him he writes the best lines, so what does he do? He writes an episode of silence - Hush.