BrandinsChick

I've met him a couple of times - and I know he's due to attend a German convention a few weekends after so maybe he could be pulled to this signing event :-) And he gives great hugs lol.

Happy burpday! Drinks on you then huh?!

Well, I only caught the episode last night at 2.00AM....and I am afraid that I got NO sleep whatsoever. I don't read papers or stay away from rumours on the net and now I've broken all my rules!!!!! I had to find out what was going on with DT, I know they were filming specials etc (my mate told me but i asked for no info - hence DT might not have been there!) and now I have spent the last two hours trawling for anything I can find. DT best not regenerate, I was totally gutted to see him light up like November 5th and couldn't believe what I was seeing So I come into this thread wanting to be at peace and then read Andrea's comment about the Doctor's hand. I think this may be a key here and I hope to God I'm right!! DT is my favorite Doctor since Tom Baker and I'm not ready to give him up yet So now I have a few days and sleepless nights before I find out who will live and who will die. I don't want to see Rose break the Doctors heart by dying, it would make a fantastic episode but I still blab at the thought of them originally being parted!! Get the beers in.

That's hilarious!! Love that idea. I wanna be his crew member. ROFLMAO!

Three cheers, hip hip!! I wanted to make this point earlier - but refrained from doing so as I was involved along the way with the another show. There was hardly ANYONE who knew there was a finacial problem here and with the exception of a few (who made it their business not to enjoy themselves and just bitch) everyone had a blast at both the events held. In 2005 Billy was the only "main guest", but he was announced approximately two weeks before the event actually happened - in effect a bulk of the tickets had already been sold to the public. Billy being added was just a bonus to a line up of over 25 guests, including Richard and Tania Taylor. What other event has had such a wealth of guest in the UK LOTR related?? The another show was a truely wonderful experience for me. It was a pleasure to have had fan contact through the forum boards and AA Events listened and delivered what they wanted. Guests, panels, scholars, feasts, dances and entertainment. I miss those days terribly. While it might get bashed and slated by those who know better, it was the best darn convention this country has had. Surely if there were "minor" guest added in the run up to Ring*Con UK, tickets here would have been sold, thus leading to larger amounts of cash to pull in the "big guys". It so easily could have been a case of "oh my god I can't believe I didn't get a ticket. Now *so and so* is going it's all sold out!" Which is what I thought was going to happpen. *Gets off soap box. I haven't used that since 2005 and it felt great* I am very disappointed with how this has turned out. If the event does go ahead, there will be negative vibes amongst some that will attend. After all, for those that have booked yet want their money back already, will surely feel begrudged if they have to attend the event if it actually does happen. I'm holding back on a little I want to say here as there may be no need for it soon, but I'm peeved to say the least. This could have been a fantastic event if only arrangements had been made for the helm to be in other people's hands. For me this isn't what Ring*Con is all about. I'm glad I'm going to Germany in a few weeks where it is done properly. There simply isn't enough time to fit eveything that needs to be done now. Especially as working out the event programme takes some real shuffling........ Sorry, I really will put my soap box away now. But I'd just like to wave at Ian *waves* and say hello stranger! Apparently, according to one of these threads, I run the TS *LOL*. I can't help it if I know how difficult it is to book The Tolkien Society, yet people don't listen you know!! It simply will not be right with out all of you - I should have come to Oxenmoot and remembered what the real spirit of Tolkien is about. Just my voice. I really wanted this to happen, still do if the right people are on board . It just hasn't been handled right. Lisa. Oops. I didn't realise how long this post was. My apologies.

YES!! Someone to back me up with The Tolkien Society - I feel exactly the same as you on this.

yeltz-lass - I really like you, you make me laugh!!! Just had to input that - now back to the discussion :-)

I think these are great guests - but I would still be hesitant to buy a ticket on the pretence I would get their autographs for one main reason. I know for a fact that guests can pull out at the very last minute, and if I've bought my ticket to see a particular guest then it can be a let down. But "Daisy" does need to add his picture and scribble to the "family album" (after all he does marry my daughter roflmao!) so it grabs my interest immensly. I go to these cons for the atmosphere and meeting my friends however, but would still like to see more announced before I make my final decision. P.S Hello Poppy <3

Concerning another show : Personally I would like to see crew members who have an interest and actually know something about Lord of the Rings, working at another show. The buzz from the fans is trememdous, and there is nothing worse than having an non-enthusiastic crew member at an event who doesn't know their Orc from their Elf!! I'm not saying that you need to be an expert on Tolkien himself, as many will be going for the film guests, but those with a little knowledge in other areas would serve the public much better in their enqiries that others may not be able to answer. Just a thought.

It's no good hanging on to the last minute if all the interest has been lost in the months that are running up to this event though! I can however vouch for another deceased con (RIP - I loved you *lol*) that there was an influx of guest announced in the last two weeks before it. However though, there were guest announced every so often, as with Germany, so the interest was strong. So maybe a few big announcements soon would keep the wolves at bay?!?! Saying that though, to focus on guests is not the point of another show. The atmosphere is the thing that gives an event of this kind the heads up on it's competitors. I just hope that it can be created with flair and not with hostility. If the programming is done right (but you do need some guests in there) then it will be great fun. Especially as the panels will all be in English! And where are my beloved Tolkien Society members?? I would have been sure they would have been announced at somepoint as the "Experts!". (I thought I would throw that last bit in as I've already been dug in the ribs about them ROFLMAO!) Here's hoping that everyone with their fingers/legs/arms/eyelids/nosehair/facial hair/eybrows and whatever else crossed are not getting cramp!!

Oh that's nice - rub it in for the rest of us, why don't you... LOL, sorry hun!!! I wish I could bunldle you all up on a magic carpet and whisk you all away!! *right, back on topic* Any new guests?? *lol*

Because Craig and Mark aren't joined at the hip and they are two seperate people *LOL*. Craig had to cancel as he is now back acting in Shortland Street. Bless him. I know he's in the ING advert, but as for Orange I have no idea.........

*butts in* It is a test. If you go over to the boards on www.another show.de and click on the boards you can read for yourself what Dirk, Sandra and Marc have written. However, this is not a subject to be discussed on here - but maybe a mix of guests would get ticket sales bumped here too..... I'm all set for another show Germany and the buzz is an all year round buzz for me. For this event I am a little down hearted, and can only hope that Showmasters pull their socks up. But to be honest, with the exception of guests panels missing, the rest of the things going on sound like they will make a good con :-) Lady T, go on, you know you want toooooooo!!!

Same thing happen here?? If Mark Hamill turns up to another show he's gone to the wrong event *joke* bwahahahaha! Just because some of the actors have emailed and said they have never heard of the event doesn't mean that none of the actors have heard of the event. In my previous experience there is usually word of mouth about cons from actors, i.e one is invited and tells another one (yes some still keep in contact) and they then ask if they can attend. OR the next year it gets back to them how much fun was had and they want some! It's difficult not to be disheartened - I personally am going to another show Germany next month so my excitement is most probably not what you want to hear - but remember putting on an event of this scale takes a lot of planning. And sometimes even those plans need planning!!!! Hopefully a few more people will be announced soon -otherwise I can see Andy being swamped with crazed fans for the weekend......... Lisa.

I distinctly remember this!!! Was incredibly funny to see/hear!! Damn Craig eh?! bwahahahahahaha! Lisa x

I also have prior committments on this date and am very close to confirming them. I really wanted to go to this event as Showmasters asked us who we wanted to see and the option included all the big names. Havnt seen any announced so far though. (apart from Andy who ive met already) I think that everyone who has every heard of Showmasters has met Andy at least once LOL. He's a cool guy and has done lots since his last signing. But definately more of the background work needs to be added. It's not important how big a guest is, it's about Tolkien. The Tolkien Society would bring a huge part to this event, they know the real essence of this world that has been created where we can all escape to - not how drop dead gorgeous "the one who plays *insert name here*" is! In the few years that has passed, most of the LOTR actors have made themselves huge. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find windows in their busy scheduals and I think we should center on making this a Middle Earth event. Of course, if a top guest gets announced then this will only add to the excitement that the original announcement of Ring*Con coming to the UK generated in the first place.

To be honest - I think that Showmasters are being very generous with what they have already said. It's not very often you work a con AND get paid for it. It is usually that you give up half your day to "work" then the rest of the day you are free to enjoy the talks/get your autographs - and of course you have to pay the full con fee. Others, including the Wembley one, didn't require you to pay for your ticket, but the hotel was given at the discount rate if you booked through the event organisers. And yes, when it was over, the guests did indeed give out autographs for the "t-shirt" collector I think for now that Showmasters have given us enough to go on. If you want to attend another show as a guest then buy your ticket, reserve your hotel room, stick that cotume on and party! If you want to crew then do as was suggested and buy your ticket/reserve your hotel room (you don't have to pay anything for this at most) and get in that crew email when it's sent out. Doing both is extremely hard, I know for one, and I think it's a case of deciding which best suits you. Or course, if half days are offered then that is an option, but personally speaking I'd prefer to do the whole con and get my room paid for. It's a reward at the end of the day to know you've worked your socks off and Showmasters appreciate your efforts

Actually I didn't think of scholars - you are right!! They make an event. Their knowledge of the world/works of Tolkien is never ending and can educate those who are only familiar with the film aspect. Maybe we'll have some Tolkien Society members announced soon, I think a balance of both film and book, is needed.

I agree. Much as I love Andy, so far this is a non-event for me, which is a shame. I am sure that is a post has been made for a new guest then a new guest will be announced soon enough. It takes time to work out contracts etc, and these have to be perfect before any guest will sign and officially announced..... That said, it's all now part of the waiting and guessing game. I just hope who ever gets announced doesn't get the same cold reception as Billy Nighy did when he was officially added to the LFACC. I'm sure all those that moaned will be happy now he's no longer attending!! And as for those booking for the German event - many of us did that at last years another show because we know what we are getting for our money - big guest or no big guests it's worth every penny

German another show is October 12.-14.2007. (Wonder if any of their guests will be able to hang around in Europe for 6 weeks?) I'm going to both so no worries........ .......On the other hand Craig might be available in November????? Craig won't be available - he's pulled out of another show Germany because he now has a "proper" job *LOL* and is back on the set of Shortland Street. I very much doubt that he will be on the convention circuit for a good few years if not at all. It's a shame, another show and Craig Parker go hand in hand but there comes a time when people have to move on :'( Karl has only been to one other UK convention where a few of us were lucky enough to have the honor of having photo's and a chat, he will be appearing in Germany, but six weeks before as mentioned above. I'd love to see Thomas and Andy together again, they just bounce off each other and they present wicked panels. Also Thomas' directing work is very interesting and on a totally different level from LOTR which will bring something fresh.

Rachel your costumes are always so fantastic!! Let me know if you are going to Germany too - I'm in need of your help my dear for a secret project!!! Lisa x x

I back this too - he's like my favourite person EVER! (Well I mean my favourite actor/celebrity before I get told off *LOL*

I've probably never noticed you around shouting because I don't speak much French either LOL. But I do speak more French than German.... If the German another show is anything to go by there should be many languages at this/these convention(s) so a few more translators like you wouldn't go a miss. IMO.

I know that at another con which shall remain nameless, you worked the full three days but didn't get paid for it. If you already had your ticket then it did get refunded, but you were expected to work the full days to be able to enter the convention. Also the hotel wasn't part of the crew package either. I hope to god Showmasters still keep to their policy of paying and accomodation as this makes a huge difference to some. I am sure they will though as it's a tried and tested method and bonus for those working. As for the working of another show, I personally hope that the crew will be well informed and know what they are doing. Some run like they have no lubricant on the chain - and this is where bad reports will come into effect. Everyone will need to know what's going on as MANY questions get asked at events like these and you will get shot down if you can't answer them!! I know I think also that there should be at least a few foreign speaking crew members - the biggest complaint at Ringcons German counterpart is that the English speakers don't get looked after well enough. I'd like to see flag badges on those that can speak German etc so the foreign guests know where to go for help. I personally do not have a problem in Germany though I don't speak much German - and I think most visitors to the UK know our language as well as we do, but there will be a few who will want to attend these events who aren't as fluent.

I have solved the problem of ending up like a pack horse. I take my daughters pushchair and stick her in the cloakroom. No I am only joking, I leave her outside.