This is a modified version of the "review" I posted in the Delphi X-Files forum the evening after the Austin X-Files Convention. I hope you enjoy reading it. :)
We had a great group for this outing. Besides the usual contingent of "TeXPhiles" from Delphi, we were joined by numerous non-online friends from Austin and even by friends from as far away as Chicago, L.A. and Atlanta, not to mention Houston, Dallas, Killeen, Baytown and other exotic Texas locations. On Saturday night, when most of our crew had arrived, we went to eat at Mangia Pizza and had 21 people in our party, much to the chagrin of the wait staff. ("We need this table." "Ma'am...there are people waiting!")
I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in the production and decor of the convention itself. The props exhibit and several boxes of stuff apparently were lost in shipping, and the vendors' room was bare bones; the auditorium wasn't decorated or spruced up in the least, and the sessions were filled with a lot of "bear with me while I change the slides" kind of stuff. Worst of all was the MC, who was sarcastic, rude and obviously burned out on dealing with fans. He's in the wrong profession. :) The guests, Frank Spotnitz, Nick Lea and Mitch Pileggi, were definitely the highlight of the day. We did, however, enjoy some of the music videos and clips that were shown during the early part of the program.
Needless to say, our group, with so many of us sitting together, was branded as troublemakers immediately. I am honestly not sure what we did wrong, but during a trivia contest early on, when several of us raised our hands to answer a question, the MC pointed at us and said "I'm not taking any answers from this pocket of resistance down here." We tried to make the best of it by proudly proclaiming for the rest of the day, to anyone who wanted to listen, that WE were the pocket of resistance!
Anyway, in spite of what I've said, I had fun. The dealers' room was what I expected, and I bought the "Official Guide," the 1996 calendar, and "Ground Zero." NOTE: the new novel IS available in paperback, contrary to what I had read before. I got it for $6. Another NOTE: Check your Official Guide, page 240. The TeXPhiles group from Delphi is mentioned! We got quite a thrill out of that.
The opening slide show and the music video to "Red Right Hand" were enjoyable. Most of the other clips I had seen before. It was a relief when they finally brought out the first guest, Frank Spotnitz. I have nothing but good things to say about Frank. He was a delight in every way. His presentation was very enjoyable, his answers to some of the crowd's inane questions were always tolerant and informative, and he seems to really love the show. He was very gracious when he signed my "Official Guide" for me, and he posed for pictures with the TeXPhiles literally on his way out the door to the airport. He had time to shake hands and speak briefly to each of us. Thanks, Frank, for being such a great guest!
Click here to view a photo of Frank Spotnitz with several of the Tex-Philes. (I'm standing up in the back row, second from left.)
The trivia contest - I can't say much about it; it was a big waste of time, and many of the answers shouted out by the audience were wrong. It was kind of annoying. During some of the middle portion of the program we ran out to get lunch at TGI Friday's across the street. We made it back just in time for the blooper reel and then Nick Lea's presentation.
Okay - I'm not a big Ratboy fan, but I have to say Nick Lea is drop dead gorgeous in person. He also was absolutely delightful. His talk was funny and interesting. He has a great sense of comic timing and told some funny stories. He said Mitch had been showing him the town for several days and that he was still trying to recover. Nick also endured with great patience inane questions from the audience and being kissed, hugged and plied with gifts. When someone asked him how he feels about being called "Ratboy," he said that it kind of bothers him to be called "boy" at the age of 33, so he would really prefer it if we called him "that cool Ratguy." LOL...but when he signed my Cinefantastique, he wrote "I'm not this cool" across his photo. (I disagree, Nick: you were cool as hell.)
Mitch Pileggi was the last guest. He looks strikingly different in person - he's much taller and thinner than he looks on TV. He has a balletic quality about him. He doesn't wear glasses in real life, and he looks much younger and acts much more genial and easygoing than Skinner. It's really interesting to watch him after watching him as Skinner so many times. He talked only briefly and then took questions. He let two different women kiss his bald head. I don't think he said anything that is a real surprise to anyone who has read the usual articles and information about him, so I won't post any details, except to say that he said he is surprised that people try to see flirtation or interest between Skinner and Scully. He said Skinner feels paternal toward both Scully and Mulder even though he is not much older than they are.
Here's a cute photo of Mitch addressing the crowd.
Check out that smile we rarely get to see on The X-Files.
Oh yes - one woman asked him if there was a famous stage role he would like to play that he didn't think he would ever be cast in, and he said "Blanche Dubois. I'd play the hell out of it, too." LOL
When it was my turn to get his autograph, I introduced myself to him and told him I was the Robin-from-Austin who had spoken to him on the phone and done a web page for him. He was incredibly kind and gracious and thanked me for my support and hard work, etc. I tried to tell him on behalf of all of us how much we enjoy his work and how highly we think of him as a person for doing all that he does for the fans. I asked him to sign a program that I have from a play he did here in Austin two years ago - the pictures from which can be seen here on my web page, somewhat to his embarrassment. :)
Mitch, Nick and Frank all signed the t-shirt that we TeXPhiles had bought in the f/x charity auction last spring, which was also signed by David and Gillian. The sacred shirt is even more sacred than ever now and we share custody of it, passing it around so everyone gets a chance to worship.
All in all, the con was a fun experience because of the people. The people I was there with were wonderful - it was a great pleasure for me to have my brother there before he is shipped off to enlist in the Navy - and the X-Files guests, Mitch, Nick and Frank, were absolutely the best. I can't say enough about them and I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go to one of these things to do it, and try to take a minute to talk to these folks and tell them how much you enjoy the show. They really appreciate it.
Note: you can view more photos from the Austin convention at the MPEB Home Page.
