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PENNY's STARFEST ADVENTURE Mike had to work, so I drove solo to Denver, bright and early Sunday morning. As it turns out, I got there about 5 people after Vicki, and had a nice long conversation while waiting for Sean to show (his flight was delayed). Big cheers signified his arrival, and then he buckled in for autographs. Despite the "autograph tix" running $35 US Dollars apiece, the line posed logistical nightmares for the event coordinators, and they were continually trying to improvise line logistic solutions! It moved quickly, but at the expense of personalization. We spent our wait trying to decide which of Vicki's stuff she should get signed. I only had the Red Book, but juggled cameras to take pics while waiting in line (I'm sure Emma would have done this more successfully!). Finally, we neared the front. Vicki first, finally having to decide which pieces to get autographed! My 35mm had the telephoto lens on it and I was too close to get really good pics. Regardless, she handed him her poem (in case he actually hadn't been the one to read the one she sent, though I think he was!), and some NZ premiere pics, and he said, "You were there? What's your name?", and personalized her stuff!!! So happy for her!! I finally got to the front and had the Red Book signed, and shook Sean's hand to thank him for his phenomenal performance. Turn to find Anita (who I had no idea was there) had taken my pic!! Then, I hid out on the wall where Anita had taken pics, and took a few more pics to eventually post on the website!
We walked the art and vendor halls, and then decided it was time to get in line for the Sean Astin photo session (he really was the star of this convention!!).
Anita already had a ticket, but by this time, the line was already wound around the entire convention center and out the door, and GROWING! Vicki and I had no particular agenda outside of seeing Sean and linking up with each other, so we waited in line with Anita … and eventually Vicki caved and bought a photo ticket too. I decided to position myself next to the photo area, and snuck into a chair on the edge of the "blocking the isle/fire hazard" area, and waited for Vicki and Anita to arrive. The coordinators had earlier posted a "no outside flash photography" sign, to which the photographers had lined through most of the signs to make them say "no outside photography." There were still a couple signs they hadn’t modified, so as soon as Anita moved up to Sean, I rushed up and took a digital pic with the tiny digital spy cam (35 mm & telephoto lens too obvious!). Alas, I was spotted. "Your digital camera sends a laser signal that messes with our camera". Yeah, right ... not a problem w/ the 35mm telephoto, and I could get a better pic with that … seemed like such a BS excuse to keep people from taking pics, since they already had money from everyone in line! Regardless, I didn't get a picture of Vicki with Sean since she was right after Anita (while I was feigning ignorance about picture-taking rules). However, the professional pictures turned out great :) It just took them all afternoon to print them ... making them too late for the 2nd autograph session :(
After lunch, we came back to check the table every 5 minutes HOPING the pics with Sean would be printed ... wearing the carpet thin between the autograph line and the area where the pics were being printed. Meanwhile, Anita bought a couple of very nice LotR prints, and had Sean sign the Sam portrait. The line was a lot more lax and afforded a little more personal time, but Vicki's picture printed out just after the line closed :(
We moved on to the main auditorium area to scope out our seats for Sean's talk ... which turned out to be standing room only! He came out in hobbit fashion (barefoot), and talked about a little bit of everything with no particular agenda. He expressed his appreciation for art ... particularly all the fan art and poems that he'd received. Vicki was glowing :) He also mentioned a number of projects he’s involved in, to include his book coming out this fall, some directing experiences, rumor control on some other directing he hadn’t been picked up for, prospective future projects, presidential commission on community service, a trip to China, celebrity poker, celebrity racing, an interview with his mother that (I think) airs Mother’s Day, and probably a bunch of other stuff I’m forgetting right now. The most memorable thing though was when a girl from “The Misty Mountain Smile” presented him with an “Oscar” – which became known as, “The Golden Coney.”
All-in-all, he seems like a very good person trying to do good things with his popularity, who hasn't let his success go to his head. Yet another reason to appreciate the cast and crew of these films, for more than just their work in bringing us these wonderful films! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other folks were also there besides Mr. Astin. Pics follow of the inimitable Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson, SG-1)
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