BEYOND ONCE UPON A TIME

Author Nancy Holder

Building on the Tropes of Fantastic Fiction. If that was more than a mouthful to comprehend then leave it up to writers to be at the core of this topic, moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart (Angel: The Casefiles Vol 1). The room was filled to Standing Room Only capacity as she brought to the table a plethora of authors to debate what was a most interesting hour of fairy tales and classic literature. "Our culture is suffused with fairy tale icons and images from Greek, Roman, Norse, French, Arabian, Celtic, Chinese, African, Caribbean and other source oral translation stories, in current stories and integrating into our everyday mythos. Some contemporary tales of the fantastic still retain their basic structure as retold by Grimm, Andersen, Lang and Lovecraft, while some are nearly unrecognizable." The inspirational panel included none other than Nancy Holder, of numerous "Buffy" and "Angel" novels, Christopher Paolini, Greg Keyes, Terry Brooks, Margaret Weis, Peter David and Nick Mamatas. When asked where their inspirations and interests emerged from, each writer's answer was as diverse as their imaginations, "I remember when I went to London the first time and I went to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, the disappointing part was that most of the original wax figures were destroyed in a fire but one of the original sets that still exist is Sleeping Beauty. She's just radiant and she's lying in sort of a rose bed and the neat thing was, even back then in the 1700's, they had a clockwork in her so her chest would rise and fall as if she's breathing and it was magic, and so delicate and ethereal. That to me is what the draw of fantasy and especially writing about fairy tales, is this ethereal other world, it's transcendent." Nancy confessed a love for this more angelic side of writing, "I come from a horror tradition, very strong, extreme horror and then I kind of morphed into "Buffy" and "Angel". But I was a pretty tough spatter-punk, so writing about gentler, more delicate things is very cool," she laughed. Other influences ranged from the not so surprising J.R.R. Tolkien and CS Lewis to the Oz books. Terry Brooks spoke of unrelated history, science and empathy to enhance the story. Write about the human condition and commented upon examples such as Dumas and Charles Dickens. Every eager present or future writer in the room took notes of what these veterans had to say; still, more than a few laughs managed to mingle themselves into the mix.


DAVID FURY'S LOST

The Cast of "Lost" with Fury & Lindeloff, (left)

Saturday morning started off with a presentation of the new ABC fall series, "Lost" from executive producers/writers David Fury ("Angel") and J.J. Abrams ("Alias"). The audience was privy to a special preview of the first half of the upcoming 2-hour pilot and the response was more than positive. Along with the producers, including Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk, actors Matthew Fox ("Party of Five") and Dominic Monaghan (LoTR), who have established fan followings, and newcomer Evangeline Lilly, a charming actress who is the female lead in "Lost" were present for the panel. "Lost" follows the survivors of an airplane torn apart in mid-flight which crashes on a Pacific island. Soon, groups of friends, family, enemies and strangers emerge who must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain of this island paradise. With nothing at hand, the survivors scavenge what they can from the plane for their survival. But even heroes have their secrets, as the survivors will come to learn. While 48-passengers survive the crash, the main action of the pilot revolves around a small band of individuals in their first 24-hours on the island. Key characters include Jack (Fox) a physician, Kate [Lilly], Charile [Monaghan] former bass player of now defunct rock band, Shannon [Maggie Grace] and "Angel" fans will recognize Jin [Daniel Dae Kim]. The action is paced nicely; combine that with the quantity of characters and storyline possibilities, not to mention the mysteries surrounding the island, not all may be what it seems. Things begin to go bump in the night, this is Fury after all, and there is much to look forward to in "Lost", especially the special effects.

Damon offered a reassurance to the grand faux pas for a new series where your cast and location are limited and your major theme is reoccurring, "When J.J., myself, then David, and all the writers and actors were first talking about the idea, we all said, 'How do you do 100 episodes of this and not get stuck in a rut of being redundant?' Nobody wants this to be a 'monster of the week' show. All I can say is watch and see. We've figured it out and it's not the monster of the week show. I want to go on record as saying, 'There are no dinosaurs on the island!'" A question from the audience was asked if J.J. had been hanging out on the set of "Angel" with his business cards because he seemed to have snagged a lot of its writers. David responded with his typical humor, "He came and wooed everybody with flowers and candy in his sexy, sexy J.J. Abrams way. We were putty in his hands and we had to work with him. Joss [Whedon] took us for granted at that point. He's looking for a new girlfriend - not J.J." Later on Saturday afternoon, David, Damon, Dominic, Evangeline and Matthew joined fans at the Inkworks booth where they signed "Lost" posters and posed for photos.


STARGATE SG-1 & STARGATE ATLANTIS

While waiting for the "Stargate SG-1" & "Stargate Atlantis" panels to begin on Saturday morning, we took a moment to talk with a couple of the younger fans of the series to find out what the appeal of Sci-fi and 'gate' travel was for them. "I've been a fan of "Stargate" since, I think, the very beginning," said Meghan Willis (17), "we live overseas in the Middle East so it's really fantastic that the show actually comes on television there." Meghan's parents are teachers with the American Embassy abroad and the family returns to San Diego each summer. "This is our second time coming to Comic-Con and our first time going to the "Stargate" panels so it's going to be a lot of fun, I'm really looking forward to it." Certainly "Stargate" offers an array of unique and interesting characters and there's always one who will stand out among the others for any given fan. "I love Col. O'Neill [Richard Dean Anderson]," confessed Meghan, "just his sarcastic remarks that he makes all the time. I love the relationship between him and Sam [Amanda Tapping], how she'll go on saying something smart and the facial expressions she gives during her conversations. For the new show ["Atlantis"] I think my favorite characters would be Rodney McKay [David Hewlett], who's also on the original "Stargate" for some time and Maj. Sheppard [Joe Flanigan]." In regards to a favorite episode, seven years of quality storylines offer more then enough to choose from. "I love the ones where it has Martin, the Alien, those are always so much fun. Both the Wormhole Extreme and the first one where he was introduced." And then there are the apposing 'bad guys' and the mysterious yet sometimes helpful alien allies. "Apophis is always so evil," Meghan laughed, "I definitely love the Asgard, they're so cute, [Thor's] so adorable." If Meghan covered all the bases, her brother got to the essences of the series, both in the television and film version. Andy Willis (13) told us his favorite elements, "I like the idea of ancient Egyptian and other Gods." Would he want to travel through the gate if the possibility was actually a reality? "Yeah," he stated without pause. After all, what young boy wouldn't follow Jack O'Neill who thinks anyone who wouldn't want to go is, "equally as wacked."

This season promises to take the SG-1 team into uncharted territory, in terms of both the characters and the stories. The cast members of Michael Shanks and Christopher Judge, [Amanda Tapping was absent due to a family emergency], along with key creators were on hand to discuss the past, present, and future of the series, plus expanding on the Stargate universe; the all-new original series: "Stargate Atlantis". The show will bring together a new team for the adventure of a lifetime in a previously unexplored region of the universe. For their very first public appearance, the main cast of SGA, Joe Flanigan, Rainbow Sun Francks, Torri Higginson, Rachel Luttrell, and David Hewlett, surprised and delighted fans along with series creator Brad Wright, writer Martin Wood and producer Robert Cooper. Gate fans can be doubly excited this season not only with the return of SG-1 for its phenomenal 8th season, but also for the premiere of its first spin-off series in SGA which achieved the highest rated premiere ever on the SCI FI channel for an original series. SG-1 also gained its highest premiere rating for a series return. And if that were not enough, SCI FI channel executive Tony Optican (V.P. of development and programming) all but confirmed during the panel, although under some very heated pressure from Michael and Christopher, that a "Stargate SG-1" 9th and possible 10th season were not 'out of reach.'

Martin Wood began with, "As you know this is a very exciting opportunity for us to thank you, the fans of "Stargate SG-1", which is now the longest running Sci-fi television show. And we know that part of that is because, not only does it have a very loyal fan base but it's also found an outstanding home on the SCI FI channel." After his introductions of Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, Martin stated, "And the reason we're running a little late is because Teal'c was growing his hair," upon which Christopher entered and revealed he was indeed sporting his new look to a big round of applause. MGM executive, Hank Cohen gave additional opening greetings and then confessed that MGM had been trying to get the producers to allow Chris to grow his hair for the past few years and they finally agreed. "I have hair!" Chris exclaimed and tossed his baseball hat into the audience. "I spend the first half of the season naked and I want to thank you, for making this year a dream come true," he joked. "Actually, Chris asks for hair every year," confessed Brad. "We'll re-enact the first meeting of the year, every year, 'Ah Brad?'" "'No!'" Chris turns to Michael to ask a question and upon getting a blank stare informs the crowd, "He's still sweating out the booze from last night!" As Michael responds in a quite, low voice, "Here we go." Amid all the joking, Robert admitted that, "This is much like a day on the set actually." Chris interjected, "See, they're up in the tower where it's all air conditioned and nice. It used to be the happiest place on earth and now there's so much tension up there. But you go into their offices and everyone still laughs. And that's what the whole Stargate thing is all about, we laugh more than on any other show that I've ever been around." The teasing returned to Michael who quipped, "Talk amongst yourselves."

Christopher Judge signing at the SCI FI booth

And so the adventure began with what was to become a most enjoyable and humorous panel. "You have no idea how long it takes to get a shot," conceded Brad by the end of it all. Tony gave a comment from the Network's side of things and beyond, "What do you think; do you want a Season 9?" he asked the audience. "It's a great honor to work at the network that gets to air this show and that gets to bring so much pleasure and enjoyment to all the fans. For all intensive purposes it's you out there that are keeping the channel going and we're really looking forward to Season 8. It's gotten off to an unbelievable start and with the continuation of the franchise with "Atlantis"; we're all really excited about it at the SCI FI channel and looking forward to many more years to come of "Stargate". Robert fielded a question regarding the crossover of Dr. Weir to SGA, "She was the ideal character to be set up for both "Atlantis" and the opening apart of Season 8, New Order. It would seem silly to just create a whole new character when granted recasting was the easier choice for us. But we liked the character a lot, we liked her strengths and we liked what she brought especially to the transition between SG-1 and then onto "Atlantis"." Asked if he would be writing another episode this season, Chris responded, "I wrote an episode called..." Robert stepped in to remind him, Sacrifices. Chris tried to save face, "Robert is our resident encyclopedia, we went back and forth trying to figure out a name for it." Brad offered that, "Originally it was, My Big Fat Jaffa Wedding."

When Michael was asked why he left the series in season 6 he joked, "Because I hate Rob Cooper." After the laughter died down he followed with the more serious response of, "I needed to take a brake from the show. I had a really good year off and then we decided to work together again, it was as simple as that. Nobody expected the show to go on so long and we had options in season 7 and now season 8, and who knows after that." Robert added, "Tony already knows, I don't want to rile anybody up but he already knows." The upcoming episode entitled Avatar is a Chris-heavy episode fans can look forward to. Martin offered up a little set prank he pulled on Chris during shooting. "What had to happen was [Chris] had to be injected with a needle and so I came in that morning and he's in one of the game keeper chairs so he's strapped in, he can't move. I showed it to him, and I had the props guy give me a real needle. I said, 'Okay Chris this is what we've got to do'. I'm showing him this thing and he's going, 'Jesus Christ man, what are you doing?' As I'm talking to him I change it to the fake one and I say, 'And then they're going to stab you like this!' [re-enacts thrusting the needle into Chris's chest] And he's yelling, "Ah!" Hank Cohan returned to close out the SG-1 panel with some extra exciting news for the audience. "We are in discussion internally at MGM about a lost episode that we think we have dug out for home video in addition to we are exploring a "Stargate SG-1" feature [film]." The storyline would take place during the time frame of Season 2 and has all the characters that were around at that time. Brad added, "The reason we're doing it is so Chris can cut his hair again." Chris replied, "I'm just looking forward to the eye shadow."

The SGA panel took over the dais for their first ever appearance on stage together. Hank addressed the cast and asked them to begin by talking of their characters and "Atlantis". Torri began by speaking of Dr. Weir's strength and diplomatic relations but who immediately got a bit overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, "Oh, there's a lot of you here." Brad gave her the mental suggestion of a dark room. "I'm in the dark room, I'm in my happy place," she joked. "But she's really enjoying the challenge and she's learning a hell of a lot and that's exciting to her. I think she's going to make some mistakes and she's already made some mistakes and learning from those..." Joe interrupted, "Oh yes she has!" Rachel spoke next about her character, "Well, Teyla is the leader of her people so she is a warrior. She's very strong but I think there is also a lot of naivete in there, as well. She is having to make the decision of staying with her people, being predominantly their leader and joining this crew of foreigners, earthlings and joining the larger quest which is to get rid of the Wraith. Which is a larger journey for her so she's stumbling across a hell of a lot of new things. She doesn't know anything about earth so she's constantly thrown for a loop in terms of what some of the guys up here have to say," she laughed. "So similar to Dr. Weir she's learning new things and she's kind of learning as she goes, just like I am, Hello everyone." A big supportive applause followed.

Rainbow gave a quick snapshot of Lt. Ford, "I think the thing about Lt. Ford is he came into the pilot the second in command under Col. Sumner, rest in peace. He came in a very hard military man and "Atlantis" is like a really big adventure for him. One of the things that he's learning as the series goes on is that Maj. Sheppard, who's not exactly the most military, military man..." Joe jumped in, "I'm still your commanding officer." "Yes, sir," Rainbow returned on command. Hank expressed the origins of their lead character and actor, "When you set out it's hard enough to launch any show to be successful, and of course it all starts on the page but then it's those people who go into your living rooms each week that tell the stories. And when you're trying to do an addition or compliment to a show as successful and as powerful as SG-1 the cast has really got a challenge, and I think we've been very, very fortunate to find such talented actors, especially the star. Maj. John Sheppard was a character that Robert and Brad wrote who brings a lot of the same qualities that everybody likes about Jack [O'Neill] but he certainly is his own voice which is what they were really striving for and I think they found the perfect actor who's delivering his lines." Joe began with, "It's okay to feel like a virgin right? My character is less shell shocked in "Atlantis" because I'm too ignorant," he joked, "And I'm like a kid in a candy store; there're all kinds of new technology and I'm just having a blast. Essentially I am really a very ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances who has the pension of getting ourselves into a lot of trouble. It opens up a lot of possibilities."

Torri was asked how she felt about taking on a role that had already been established by another actress. Jessica Steen had portrayed Dr. Weir in the final two episodes of SG-1 during Season 7 leading into the new series. "I was offered the role before I knew that so after I found that out it was a little bit intimidating at first. I went to look at those episodes because I wanted to get the background of Dr. Weir but I was nervous too. I was hired based upon my audition which were my own instincts and I was worried if I saw the original Lost City that I would let [Jessica's] choices influence me and eventually I did watch it for the information." Brad fielded a lot of technical and show related questions ranging from whether the Replicators would make an appearance in "Atlantis" to which he explained no, as they'll play too large a role on SG-1 in Season 8. The similarities to "Voyager" and Brad adimently stated that SGA will return home. And any foreseeable romances within the characters, again he said there were none planned but Joe's final comment was, "Those Wraith women are getting interesting." Certainly this young cast has a lot to look forward to as does their fans. The quality and attention to production on "Atlantis" will not be lost and only insures fans that this series will be its own show with ties back to "Stargate SG-1" but that this cast will certainly be fresh, exciting and full of new adventures.


SG-COMMAND.NET

Randy Burks of SG-10

Randy Burks, SGC detachment leader for San Diego, was manning the SG-Command.net table and proudly representing the California SG-10 unit who took a few moments to talk about all things "Stargate". "In California we have such a large state that we're spread out all over the area and we're actually divided into four different detachments. We also have a detachment in Orange County, the L.A. area, then up in the Bay area where we originated from. That's where most of the core members started and basically where SG-Command got its start," he explained. Dan Kim who is the team leader for all of SG-10 as well as the SG-Command website had been involved in other fan groups such as "Space: Above and Beyond", offering a natural extension into the "Stargate" world. "Not only do we have a love for science fiction," offered Randy, "but we also have a love for the military and the two mesh together for fans such as ourselves." There are also several members who are active in the Air Force, or former military from such branches as the Army and Marines and Navy as well. SG-Command.net has proven to be a very popular magnet for "Stargate" fans. "It grows as much as regional teams get the word out and meet new people to gain membership, we started out as one of the biggest groups, but SG-2, SG-7 and SG-11 have been growing leaps and bounds because they've been signing up a lot of new people." The SGC members at Comic-Con also had the proud honor of Escort duty for the cast members of "Stargate SG-1" and "Atlantis" during their autograph session providing the perfect atmosphere for Gate fans.