Star Wars Celebration V: Day 3, Saturday
Aug. 31st, 2010 07:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jedimara77Okay, Saturday. The big day. It's always the most crowded day of the con, and I had many, many things that I wanted to see on the schedule. Not to mention that was the day of the Main Event, and I was going to try to see it live.
I woke up at 4:30, cursed my love for George Lucas, listened to loud Star Wars music on my way to the convention center, and got in line for around 5:30. It didn't look like the line was very long yet, but I didn't realize they had a queue set up in front of the main entrance as well. But overall, the line was very organized and everyone was very polite. Much different from C3.
The line finally started moving (they opened the doors at 6 am), but it took about an hour before I actually got close to the main entrance (they were giving out the wristbands at the door so there wasn't any confusion or people getting skipped over). I kept hearing screaming, and at one point I heard the volunteer at the door say "you're still in the main room!" So I had hopes that I would get in...until the line stopped and we stood there for about 10 minutes. I knew that it wasn't a good sign. Sure enough, the volunteer came out and yelled at the main room was full and they were now filling the Digital Stage. I was only about 25 people away. Grrrr! Oh well.
I got my stupid blue wristband and they brought us up to the Digital Stage around 7. We had 4 hours to kill before the show. I started talking to the guys sitting behind me, and they decided to go to Denny's. I was bored and hungry so I asked if I could tag along. They were members of theforce.net boards, and I started posting there a bit recently (mostly in the EU and fanfic forums).
When we got back to the Digital Stage, they were playing "A Conversation with the Masters" documentary, so at least we were entertained. I also got a Wedge action figure from the guy running the official SWCV twitter feed. Yay for social media and Wedge!!!
The Main Event was AWESOME. I can't begin to go over it in detail, and many other websites (including starwars.com) have done much better play by plays than I possibly could have. But here are some impressions that I had.
One of Lucas's statements that I loved was "There is an inevitability in life, and that is death." (I believe it was said while talking about Obi-Wan, but I can't remember for sure.) As one who has a big problem grasping with my mortality, I found this very profound and inspiring.
Lucas said he hopes the first person on Mars says "I've wanted to do this ever since I saw Star Wars."
While talking about the 501st legions around the world, Stewart mentioned that the German 501st is the largest group other than the US. He then started joking about there being a lot of stormtroopers in Germany, and asked George "Does the Polish 501st ever get nervous?"
Stewart asked Lucas where Obi-Wan was from, and Lucas said the planet "Stewjon." In celebration of that, Hasbro made a special "John Stewart" action figure!
At the end of the panel, Mark Hamill came out. Mother-fer I wish I had been there! And Carrie came out, too! As Stewart say - "we're putting the band back together!" Even just seeing it onscreen made me grin like a little girl.
I would have loved to see the Main Event "live," but it was still awesome just seeing it as it happened with other fans. If I had that much of a high seeing it simulcasted, I can only imagine what it was like live! Next time, if they do something like this - I'm camping overnight!
Here is a really crappy video that shows the Blu Ray deleted scene. It's the only thing I could find on YouTube right now. It gives you an idea of the crowd reaction, at least. (The scene starts around 2:50 in the video.) I LOVE that everyone cheered for the lightsaber. GOD, we are SUCH NERDS and I LOVE IT!
After the high of the Main Event, I went back to the Exhibit Hall. I walked around for a bit, then headed to the Forcecast booth because they were doing a live show at 1. I left before they started the show, and just walked around some more. I think I ate lunch, but I can't remember!
Then I headed upstairs to the Fate of the Jedi panel with Aaron Allson, Christie Golden, Troy Denning and Shelley Shapiro. I haven't been reading FOTJ, but I was interested in it nonetheless. One thing Shelley Shapiro said stuck with me - she didn't like the idea of Jacen turning to the dark side. NO SHIT! Ugh, I wish they had listened to her. Someone asked about Wedge, and Aaron Allston said that Wedge is retired somewhere and writing his memoirs, but something will happen to make him strap on the gear again. Also, someone asked about Jacen and Tahiri and if they hooked up (the ridiculousness of that statement is one of the reasons why I quit EU for awhile), and Aaron Allston just deadpanned - didn't happen in my book! LOL! Anyway, their discussion of FOTJ made me interested in the series. I'm going to try to read it. I was also happy to hear that they are going back to standalones and trilogies instead of long series. I wish I had gone to the Del Rey panel, where they announced the new Wraith Squadron book coming out in 2012. YAY MORE WRAITHS!!!
After the FOTJ panel I got in line for An Hour with Anthony Daniels. Oh dear God, that man is funny. REALLY funny. And such a diva. Seriously, if you have not seen Anthony Daniels at a con, you must remedy this NOW. He really love Star Wars and loves being at conventions. A lot of actors don't, so it's really nice to see someone who appreciates the fan love.
Those photos were right after his entrance - he posed for photos so we could all get our pictures out of the way and then pay attention to him. :D
After THAT panel was over, I ran over to The Art and Writing of The Old Republic panel at the Digital Stage. (Thank God the main theatres were close to one another!) It was already in progress (it started right when the AD panel got out), but I only missed about five minutes. Ugh, WHY can't this game be coming out on Mac?!? It looks and sounds amazing. One of the artists was drawing a piece of concept art during the panel, and it was really cool to see the drawing come to life. One of the writers said that there's about 240 "Empire Strikes Back" worth of dialogue recorded for the game. The developers said that "Chuck Norris cries himself to sleep every night because he's not as cool as Han Solo." The Smuggler class "is going to laugh at you after they pwn you." And finally, there will be lots of end-game content and expansions - players won't be forced to roll alts if they don't want to. Also, they played the "Deceived" cinematic trailer at the end of the panel (they also played the "Hope" trailer at the beginning, but I missed it). Oh MAN, those trailers are BEAUTIFUL. It also makes me wonder: why the HELL hasn't Lucasfilm done a photorealistic CGI cartoon yet? I mean, seriously! Gimme my X-Wing series NOW!!!! If they could capture the spirit of the books and comics in a TV show, I think it might be my favorite show evar!!!! (I also wonder the same thing whenever Blizzard releases a WoW cinematic trailer - why are they even bothering to make a live action movie?)
Here's the finished drawing:
And here's the trailers. Just watch them, even if you won't play the game. It's worth it. Trust me.
I had an hour after that panel was over before the Clone Wars: Behind the Microphone panel at 6. I used this much-needed time to get some food and go to the bathroom. While getting into line I saw this GONK droid:
And then he came and sat next to me in the line! Anyway, the Clone Wars panel was awesome. The actors are great, and it really got me interested in catching up with the show. I'm almost done with Season 1, and I really like it. I was really greatly surprised.
Matt Lanter (guy in green shirt) is freaking HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I posed this video before, but it never gets old - James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) doing impressions during the panel:
Another JAT quote from the panel I liked: "these aren't the actors you're looking for!"
After the panel I walked over to the Inside Star Wars Insider with the Editors and Writers. I heard someone call my name, and it was one of the guys I went to Denny's with. He was going to the same panel so we sat together. Also at the panel, who else did I see but theemdash's brother! Haha, small world. Anyway, the panel was alright, nothing spectacular but interesting nonetheless. I haven't subscribed to Insider in awhile, so I wasn't up-to-date with the newest features. The one thing I took away from that panel is that they are probably going to release the complete soundtracks for AOTC and ROTS, which would make me SO HAPPY. Especially for ROTS.
The panel was over at 8, so I quickly walked over to the Digital Stage where they were showing Empire Strikes Back (I got there during Bounty Hunter Scene since it had started at 7). The room was PACKED! It wasn't surprising since ESB is most people's favorite film, and the convention was celebrating 30 years of ESB.
Philip met up with me, and we stayed through ROTJ. Of course, it's my favorite! :) I loved that people cheered when Vader killed the Emperor. It's just such a powerful scene, especially after just having seen the prequels the previous day.
So that was Saturday. I got more sleep than most people did that day - some people stayed up all night for Lucas, and then went to the Last Tour to Endor on Saturday night. I kinda wish I had gone to Last Tour, especially knowing that Lucas was there, but I don't care much for Hollywood Studios and Star Tours makes me sick, so I guess I made the right decision. If C6 is in Orlando, I'll save up to go to an event at Disney though, just for the atmosphere.
Next day: Celebration ends, and I cry.
Next day: Celebration ends, and I cry.
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no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 07:17 am (UTC)(1) That sucks SOOOOOO much that you were so close to getting into the Main Event but just missed out. :( Especially after queuing for so long!
I'll never understand why events like this don't have seating adequete for the number of tickets they sell. Especially for George Lucas' appearance - surely they would have known that EVERYONE wanted to see that?
Still, at least there was the overflow room.
(2) Just watching that Youtube vid really made me realise what an impact STAR WARS has had on so many lives. I mean, it was one little movie over 30 years ago, and it's such a phenomemon!
(3) Um...who is Jon Stewart and why do STAR WARS fans care about him?
(4) their discussion of FOTJ made me interested in the series. I'm going to try to read it.
Have you read spoilers for it? i.e. Do you know in general what happens? There are certain plot points that cause me to NEVER want to read it.
(5) You know, I've seen Anthony Daniels multiple times, met him once (when I stalked Fox Studios in Sydney during Episode II filming!), but your post made me realise that I've never actually seen him do a "convention talk"! Now I wish I had.
(6) why the HELL hasn't Lucasfilm done a photorealistic CGI cartoon yet?
That's a good question! It would be fitting for them to do the first, groundbreaking series like that. (Although at times I forget that "Clone Wars" is a cartoon, until a human character appears on the screen.
(7) Like you, I'm working my way through S1 of Clone Wars and it's SO much better than I expected. (I guess it's STAR WARS, my love knows no bounds.)
(8) going to release the complete soundtracks for AOTC and ROTS
WOO-HOO!!! :D :D :D
(9) Philip met up with me, and we stayed through ROTJ.
Just curious - where was he all day? Running around at other panels?
Watching those movies with true fans must have been the most incredible experience. Argh, now I wish even more that I'd gone! Grr at my cousin who chose THAT weekend to get married.
no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 09:57 pm (UTC)I'll never understand why events like this don't have seating adequete for the number of tickets they sell. Especially for George Lucas' appearance - surely they would have known that EVERYONE wanted to see that?
They would never be able to have enough space for everyone, especially in a convention center. They'd need to rent out a stadium or something. Alas, when you go to conventions, you learn never to expect to do everything.
(3) Um...who is Jon Stewart and why do STAR WARS fans care about him?
Host of the Daily Show on Comedy Central. He's pretty popular. He interviewed Lucas back in January or February and they asked him to come to CV to interview Lucas, since he is a Star Wars fan.
Have you read spoilers for it? i.e. Do you know in general what happens? There are certain plot points that cause me to NEVER want to read it.
Yeah, I know all the spoilers. I still won't read Legacy of the Force. But I'm interested in what happens to Luke and Ben. I MIGHT be able to get over LOTF if they do something awesome with Luke.
Just curious - where was he all day? Running around at other panels?
We usually went to different panels.
Watching those movies with true fans must have been the most incredible experience. Argh, now I wish even more that I'd gone! Grr at my cousin who chose THAT weekend to get married.
It was pretty darn awesome. I want them to start doing movie showings at Star Wars Weekends!
no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 07:22 am (UTC)I think I may have hyperventilated.
AAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH NEW JEDI FOOTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 09:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 06:11 pm (UTC)He did that at CIV as well. :)
Complete soundtracks for AOTC and ROTS??? WOOHOO!!! That totally made my day. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-09-01 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 01:06 pm (UTC)So, this was announced at the Insider panel? What does the Insider have to do with producing soundtracks? Does that mean they're going to be a subscriber exclusive or something? If so, I have to resubscribe!
no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 10:00 pm (UTC)