For part 1, please click here.

Autographs and a very special photo session

Before I write about the highlight of the day – the joint panel of Bruce Boxleitner and Peter Jurasik – there are some more “goings-on” to mention.

First of all getting JCB’s autograph. It was a gut decision, I hadn’t planned it all, but after carefully re-calculating my budget … oh, there’s no point pretending: I loved her character and since she was already in Germany …

At FedCon, there were two different kinds of autograph sessions: there were the “permanent signers” who sat on the first floor when they didn’t have panels or other obligations and signed for as long as they liked. Among them were JCB, W. Morgan Sheppard, Kevin Sorbo and Steve Bacic. The other actors had a scheduled autograph session on Saturday and Sunday, about 3 hours each day and admission depended on the number of your convention ticket. I was #1045 and got in early on Sunday.

For the permanent signers quite some people were standing in line, but luckily just for the guys and only one or two for JCB so my turn came quickly. When I placed the poster in front of her, she said something appreciative and asked where I bought it. I told her I did it myself at which she took a much closer look. Since the poster had been rolled up in a tube to for safe transport, it was curling and she had me and her helper hold it flat so she could take a look at everyone I put on there. I apologized for her character not being on there (I felt weird about it, but I only had enough space for the main characters and I wondered where the best place would be for her to sign), but that was no problem for her. She scanned the poster again and then stated with a smile to me: “Well, I’ll sign next to Andreas, of course.”

Of course. Sometimes you don’t see the forest for the trees. So, I had the first signature on my poster (that was something else Julie Caitlin Brown was excited about, to sign first) and Na’Toth was re-united with G’Kar. Only 14 signatures to go ;)

Just a side note – when I put my poster together I contemplated which characters to put on it, but from the beginning it was clear to me I had to have G’Kar, Dr. Franklin and Zathras too, even though I would never be able get their signatures anymore. The first two were set because they were essential to the story and the B5 universe could not do without them and the last one because he just was so much fun. And to pat myself on the back … I think I put the three of them in the right place. “…in memory still bright.”

Around noon I went again searching for an electric socket to re-charge the batteries for my DSLR. Since I planned on taking LOADS of pictures of the Bruce Boxleitner & Peter Jurasik panel I felt I should better be prepared to not be let down by something insignificant as dead batteries. I ended up in the room right behind the one where they had the photo sessions and I could catch a glimpse or two. They had the triple-session going: Bruce Boxleitner, Peter Jurasik and Kosh. Not the real Kosh, but a fan in an absolutely awesome costume that just looks like the real deal. She’d made the costume for last years con and many, many fans requested a joint photo session with her in the costume and the two B5 actors and luckily it worked out. (Well, some fans didn’t want her on the photo and then she had to move to the other side of the room, knocking the open window shut and tackling Peter Jurasik more than once with the wide costume… as we all know, Vorlons are not tiny and obviously you can’t see anything in that costume.) Thanks again, Jessica, for going through all this for us!

I had not intended to get my picture taken as I already had the pleasure with Bruce Boxleitner and Peter Jurasik separately the day before. But when The Girl That Knows Everything About B5 came out of the session beaming and excited and the helper outside shouted:”Last call, who wants Bruce Boxleitner, Peter Jurasik and Kosh? Last call!” (he really should change professions and do that for a living, he was great) … well, my body suddenly took over and my legs moved quickly to the table outside where I bought my photo coupon. I think I was the last one (#187) and the guy behind me – and here I quote myself, tschilai – “looked a lot like Dirk, but with lots of tattoos on his arms”. *duh* Silly me ;)
By the time I took my place for the picture all three of them were completely tired. I don’t want to know how it feels to wear that enormous, hot Kosh costume for over an hour and Peter Jurasik asked for a water and Bruce Boxleitner said he just could not smile anymore. When Dirk told them he was the end of the line though the thought of being out of there conjured professional smiles on their faces … well, I don’t know about Kosh, but who’s ever seen a Vorlon smile?! And I decided to share that special picture with you … and no, it’s not your eyes, I blurred myself a little to retain at least a little privacy. Believe me, you’re not missing out on anything, I look dreadful anyway ;)

Joint panel: Bruce Boxleitner and Peter Jurasik

Finally, the main highlight of the day (not that I can complain about the lack of highlights, but this panel was the best for me!).

Once again I sneaked up front with my camera and the guests in the first row were very nice about tolerating us photographers crouching at their feet (Hello to Tino! We talked briefly about camera settings and met again when you were standing in line for dinner.).

Our Master of Ceremonies, Marc B. Lee (Marc, what does the B. stand for, anyway?), was building up the tension gradually and then motioned to a fan who handed him a G’Kar cardboard stand-up figure, the same one I had contemplated on buying earlier that day, and put it in the middle of the stage. He then announced over the increasing applause the President himself and the Emperor, who walked briskly on stage, both touching the stand-up affectionately before Bruce Boxleitner carried a few yards backwards. After the long applause had subsided they both expressed their gratitude in the gesture and their comfort in knowing that Andreas Katsulas, Richard Biggs and Tim Choate were not forgotten at all.

Both introduced themselves again shortly – after all, the Mainbridge was packed and from what I heard and read many people didn’t know them at that point but that panel made them pick up the B5 DVD’s to get to know the show (which just shows what an amazing panel that was!). Peter Jurasik apologized profoundly for not speaking any German, but offered to answer questions in Greek and Latin – which made me wish I had paid more attention in my Latin classes. That would’ve been quite something: “Peter, quam es vos?” ;)

After we had settled the language requirements Peter encouraged the audience:

PJ: “You can ask us anything.”
BB (giving him a very uncomfortable look):”Ah, now, Peter…”
PJ (completely unperturbed): “Come on, it’s after nine. We can do everything we want now.”

While Bruce Boxleitner had a ‘What am I getting into here’-look on his face, Jurasik grinned while the audience went wild. The panel was starting out very promising …

One fan requested that they both impersonated the character of the other one from the show. Boxleitner jumped at that request and strolled up and down the stage, nose high up on the air … and it didn’t take much imagination to see the Londo behind that. Peter Jurasik just added indignantly with his best Londo accent: “I didn’t play the emperor, I am the emperor” – and sent the whole room into hysteria.

He was also amazingly straightforward when it came to questions regarding the change of command on »Babylon 5«. Jurasik explained his openness with the end of the 10 year statue of limitations regarding the show. Though he didn’t go into details, he said that Michael O’Hare (Commander Jeffrey Sinclair) had come from a theater heavy background and had been virtually thrown into the TV production, having to play the leading role as well (he just stated it, he didn’t judge it or anything). For me personally that cleared things up quite a bit: I myself did not really like the performance of O’Hare as a commander but liked him much better as Valen. Considering his theatrical background his acting was just on another level that didn’t really agree with TV. But like I said, this is just my personal opinion.

Boxleitner added that he received quite some hate mail after taking the job, but “after thinking about it for a couple of seconds, I said ‘Aw, hell’, I don’t care”. Now, who does that sound like? ;)

Jurasik took the chance of pointing out how much Bruce Boxleitner had added to show, praising not only his skills to play the leading role but that he was a leader off the screen as well. While he elaborated on this, Bruce must have found something extremely interesting on the floor … or maybe it was just modesty that made him study his shoes intensely :D

The Klingon from the previous day had another question and after Peter’s sursprised “Who are you?” exclamation Boxleitner took the opportunity to boast with his knowledge, once again commenting on Star Trek’s trouble with the race in his best John “Nuke ’em” Sheridan demeanor. One really could see what JMS means (in his script books) when he says that he incorporated the actors’ personality traits into their characters. There were many sudden flashed when you had the impression that Londo Mollari or President Sheridan were on stage and not Jurasik and Boxleitner. Fantastic panel, have I said that already?

Both made fun of their age, once when a fan asked a question and her excitement muted her voice down to a whisper. After straining to hear something, Boxleitner turned to Jurasik: “I can’t hear anything. Can you hear something? Am I deaf?” They were really great with all fans and caused another roar of laughter when Peter spoke of the bloopers which happened on the set:

PJ:“…but you can see all that on tape now.”
BB (in a deep voice):”Peter, they are called DVDs now!”

After recovering from their own laughter, they went into playful bickering about their age, Bruce Boxleitner calculating how much older Peter is (2 weeks) – that was cool, I don’t know many men who can remember birthdays! (Don’t you comment on that!) Feigning shock about the fact that another centenary birthday was not far for either one of them, the hooked arms like old men and hobbled across the stage – giving yet another great photo opportunity. “Senior President and Senior Emperor coming through … make room!” ;)

Before the panel was over I noticed with great delight yet another of my wallpapers on the screen behind them, one of the funnier ones, though I guess some people didn’t get the joke (photo // original).

When Bruce and Peter finally exited the stage, the cheering wouldn’t subside so they had to come out again and again and then a large group of costumed »Babylon 5« fans met them on stage: PSI Cops, Rangers, a couple of Delenn’s and even a Centauri lady. Both actors seemed overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of the fans, but their panel really had been excellent.

But even though that was the last panel of the day, the fun was far from over.

“The wisest men of the world” – Babylon 5 Fan Video

After the panel Marc rushed on stage once more, asking everyone to remain seated for a special treat: a Babylon 5 fan video by tschilai!

Needless to say, the audience just loved it!

Saturday Night Con Party

We were still hovering a couple of inches above the ground when we exited the main convention area and went to the hotel lobby. While we were excitedly exchanging highlights of the day, I suddenly did a double-take: Peter Jurasik and Bruce Boxleitner were slowly walking through the lobby, each of them with an almost empty beer in their hands, chatting with fans. I didn’t even have all the words out when tschilai took off. She got the chance to talk to both actors, mentioning that is was her who made the fan video. Both Jurasik and Boxleitner had watched it on a small screen back stage, completely delighted and pointing familiar scenes out to each other (so I was told by someone who knows ;) ). Well, after that tschilai hovered a couple inches higher ;)

The party itself was a lot of fun, though I wish the music hadn’t been quite as loud. It made talking in the Piano Bar almost impossible. Speaking of which: it was packed. In the spur of the moment I enlisted klti’s help to clear me a way. I balanced two cocktails and had the strong wish to keep the glasses as full as possible while maneuvering through the dancers.

We sat a little aside where we could at least talk without getting hoarse from shouting over the music and enjoyed the elation after this grand day. At some point the Apple-Friend dragged me to the dance floor, which was a great idea. Not only did Peter Jurasik hit the dance floor as well, but who can claim to have danced with Klingons, Vulcans or Starfleet personnel at the same time?

Shortly before 3 am we were defeated by our exhaustion, though. Wide grinning but utterly tired we took a taxi to our hotel and fell in our beds. After all, the next con-events were only 6 hours away.

Coming up: FedCon Sunday Report (part 1): if you’d like to know what happens when you put Sorbo and Bacic on stage together, what Julie Caitlin Brown shared about her personal beliefs, why Peter Jurasik got a standing ovation and why Marina Sirtis impersonated Mary Hopkins … stay tuned!

For pictures, please visit my galleries.

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