I think I was to saturday. I deliberately avoided the Lucas throngs, deciding to save my hero worship for the characters he created.
Unfortunately I decided to tackle the Celebration Store line. After 45 minutes waiting in a line which had been capped for hours, I took my chances filling out a limited merchandise order form for items to be shipped after the closing of the show. I think this was a smart strategy for the show organizers, because I am sure I spent more using the form than I would have after six hours in line.
This plan of action allowed me to see the maddening crowd with the bowels of the central hall, waiting patiently for their chance to purchase a Darth Vader action figure. It also allowed me to realize that one problem, beyond questionable management, was a major shortage of volunteers. After placing my order I hightailed it to the volunteer booth and offered my services. For four and a half hours I watched the VIP, exhibitor and volunteer door (my first time in security). In between inhalations of the smoky, cold Indianpolis air, I met fans from Germany, New Jersey, and even Indianpolis. My volunteer time was some of the best I had at the convention.
I was exhausted and left early after that, deciding to take a drive around the city and get a feel for the place. The next morning I was on my way back to Ohio. I can't wait for Celebration IV. I think I will be much better prepared to really plan and enjoy the experience.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
Star Wars! Nothing but Star Wars!
Well I'm back from three days in Star Wars heaven and hell. Star Wars Celebration III was all about the lines. Since this was my first con since I was a kid, I suppose I should be grateful that I learned so much in such a short time. Chief among the lessons was that Indianapolis is a great place with a walkable downtown. If the weather had been better I would have seen a lot more of it.
Day 1-Arrived Thursday afternoon. Checked in at my hotel, six miles from downtown, and received maps to the Convention Center. I drove down, parked in the downtown mall's parking deck, and headed for will call. Bypassed first long line, entered the no line at will call, picked up my stuff, and was told to head back out to the entry line. I headed the other way and was in the main hall, ID in hand. The will call volunteer didn't mention that as a fan club member I could pick up a lanyard a couple of booths down, which would get me in an hour earlier every day of the show. Fortunately another attendee let me know. What I wish I'd done that first day was hit the store line. I never did get into the store. I did hear Matt Stover talk writing and Revenge of the Sith. I thought he made some good comments about Lucas and the fact that Lucas sees the force and the people/events of the movies as much more grey, much less black and white, than some of the fans do. I suppose you can't have a story of redemption if everything is black and white. Also checked out the art display that first day. And the Exhibitor Hall. And some of the fan hall. Still thought there was so much more I could have done.
Day 2-Friday was a long day, mainly because I spent so much time in lines. Met a couple of nice guys, John and Jason, in the line to get in. We stood in the rain for well over an hour and I shared my umbrella with John. We had a good conversation about the politics of the first trilogy and current American politics. I'm 99% sure he was a gay Republican. Both he and Jason were students in the midwest. I'd hoped to hook up again with them but never did. After that it was off to pick the best line in my soggy shoes and wet shirt. I went with the wait to hear a phone call from Hayden, who's in Italy filming the Decameron. I never would have thought a 30 minutes phone call would be worth a two hour wait, but it was. He was friendly and polite and seemed to really enjoy connecting with the fans. And the fans made waiting in line tolerable. Another highlight was Star Wars in 30. A small cast presented the moves on a bare stage with props. Shakespeare meets Star Wars.
There's more to come.
Day 1-Arrived Thursday afternoon. Checked in at my hotel, six miles from downtown, and received maps to the Convention Center. I drove down, parked in the downtown mall's parking deck, and headed for will call. Bypassed first long line, entered the no line at will call, picked up my stuff, and was told to head back out to the entry line. I headed the other way and was in the main hall, ID in hand. The will call volunteer didn't mention that as a fan club member I could pick up a lanyard a couple of booths down, which would get me in an hour earlier every day of the show. Fortunately another attendee let me know. What I wish I'd done that first day was hit the store line. I never did get into the store. I did hear Matt Stover talk writing and Revenge of the Sith. I thought he made some good comments about Lucas and the fact that Lucas sees the force and the people/events of the movies as much more grey, much less black and white, than some of the fans do. I suppose you can't have a story of redemption if everything is black and white. Also checked out the art display that first day. And the Exhibitor Hall. And some of the fan hall. Still thought there was so much more I could have done.
Day 2-Friday was a long day, mainly because I spent so much time in lines. Met a couple of nice guys, John and Jason, in the line to get in. We stood in the rain for well over an hour and I shared my umbrella with John. We had a good conversation about the politics of the first trilogy and current American politics. I'm 99% sure he was a gay Republican. Both he and Jason were students in the midwest. I'd hoped to hook up again with them but never did. After that it was off to pick the best line in my soggy shoes and wet shirt. I went with the wait to hear a phone call from Hayden, who's in Italy filming the Decameron. I never would have thought a 30 minutes phone call would be worth a two hour wait, but it was. He was friendly and polite and seemed to really enjoy connecting with the fans. And the fans made waiting in line tolerable. Another highlight was Star Wars in 30. A small cast presented the moves on a bare stage with props. Shakespeare meets Star Wars.
There's more to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)