Dannyboy

That would be great and the lineup needs females! I remember someone mentioned Friday Wilson, she would be awesome! I suggested the third Security Guard as the convention guests site seems to be very busy, we already have 2 of their 3 guards and if we got all 3 at the same time it would be unlikely to ever happen again..

Im all for having more Hoth troopers but as far as im aware this will be the first time any Naboo Guard actor will be at a convention. The Convention-guests site also has Martin Boumansor and it would be great to have all three as guests at the same event if hes available too, definately a first, plus we could have our toys multisigned too. Anyone else agree? How about it Showmasters?

I think TFN had that reputation before rather than present, during the making of Ep1 and Ep2 they had a couple of guys working for them called Scott Chidwood and Josh Griffin, I know for fact that both of those upset interviewees and scoopers in some way shape or form, they were caught using sabotage practice to seal an exclusive or to deliberately discredit regular scoopers if they decided to contribute to a rival site (jedinet.com, TBone etc). They became well known for it within the Star Wars crew and they used to have competitions on who could get the wildest (fake) story accepted on the TFN site. Thats why you shouldnt beleive everything on that site as history has proved 9 times out of 10 that their 'exclusives' were bulls*** and anything acurate had originated from another site first. Harry Knowles and his partner Drew (moriarty) are well known to adopt the same practices and were caught many times over the years, notably one famous incident involving tapping into someones computer via an unprotected IP to steal scrips. I hear Drew is more at fault than Harry but they both colaborate, and they are both still around unlike Chidwood and Griffin. Drew was also at one time incredibly anti-British and had a running fight with a few film insiders over films like Band Of Brothers and infamous anti-British movie U571. I hear he still hasnt apologised to this day and was the reason no-one from the Aint It Cool site received an invite from Warners to a press set-visit to the Batman Begins Gotham City sets in Buckinghamshire, one that 30 other world famous and non famous sites and rags had invites to. Of course Knowles is now the studios' bitch and will give a decent review to anything if it involves a meeting with the director and actors or an invite to a studio..

Dont believe everything you see on theforce.net. They only copy other sites and I heard from a crew insider on the prequels that certain force.net people p***ed off a few key members of crew with certain lies and fake 'scoops'.

Belgium? Thats pretty cool! Which of the current guests are you most looking forward to meeting?

Any decent pubs nearby the venue? I couldnt hang about Cheshunt the last time as I had to travel back to Cambridge pretty quick

I saw Kamay Lau on the conventionguests site and also Martin Bou Mansor, can anyone familiarise me with what else he did? The name is very familiar and im told he did a segment for the dvd or Star Wars website aswell, will he be a guest anyway??? :)

Hmm 2 Hoth Troopers and 2 Naboo Security Guards. This could be a very military guestlist and I like it! We want more troopers!!!

I also noticed on Convention Guests that Martin Bou Mansor is on there and if I remember rightly wasnt he featured on one of the 'Making Of' documentaries? I may be wrong. Anyway it'll be good if he was at ED17 too as Id like to get my Naboo Security Guard Action figure multisigned by 3 actors!!

A couple of the guests for Empire Day 17 have returned as different characters, Toby Longworth and Mike Savva. Mike was recalled to Ep2 by Lucas as he was previously a Naboo Guard in Ep1. It always intreagues me how Star Wars have featured actors and production crew in such minor roles and they also return to play another small role. Its as if its a family thing where Lucas/Producer prefer to work with the same people. Isnt this why Gary Oldman pulled out of his part as Grevious? Lucas uses non-union actors (crewmembers, extras and family) in key roles, but I thought this was common with all films as you always see in trivia that a studio secretary or some extra guy was used if an actor failed to impress etc.. Intreaging!

Also, to the poster who asked about signing toys (sorry forgot your name), here is an image of the Naboo Royal Security Guard figure (Ep1 version). I remember reading on theforce.net or jediNet a while ago that the actual figure was based on Mike's likeness even though the photo on the carton isnt Mike. Looks like a decent match to me and i'll try and find the article and post it up.

I too would have a vast poster/toy/prop collection at a permanent location like the Barbican or a University where the public can come and marvel. The posters could be unusual versions and carry huge numbers of signatures, each poster would accompany a bio from the collector outlining the effort and mileage to all these shows around the world in order to create the final display. It would also encourage others to start their own collections and come to conventions

Thats sad if its true, the views of one are not shared by all. I spoke to a regular convention visitor from Australia who had a chat with one of the Episode 2 actors at a show (didnt say who), he said that most actors don't do conventions for profit if they are still actively working in film as the fee they get and the number of offers they are available for is pretty minimal. They only do it as their agents encourage them to (another form of public relations) and of course to meet genuine fans of their work. It must be pretty boring only talking to journalists all the time when they are not working, so its not only a good day out for the fans but a break for the guests too. For Jake to endure this is unfair, im assuming it takes a bit of guts to appear at a convention especially if its controversial like the SW prequels are as you are open to all the opinions the trilogy has faced. To maintain a fun atmosphere and keep the guests comming I think we owe our hobby a little manners I think! If you dont like a guest then dont ask for their autograph!

I got quite a few through the mail, including Mike Savva, but after the horror stories that another poster mentioned elsewhere on this forum about some using a signature stamp or a PA signing it instead, I kinda stopped requesting through the mail last year. I was going to get Toby's this way but now i'll wait till September. Its always better to get it in person, that way the autograph has some kinda connection with you actually meeting the guest !

Yes it'll be GREAT if she could made ED17, no females in the guest lineup so far! Please Showmasters make it so!

Well you have to take these rare opportunities when they come around!!

Sorry to change the subject but can I ask what software you use to take screen grabs?

That Sports Centre in Basildon is terrible for conventions! Its so open plan (theres a snack bar/gym overlooking from above) so its really echoey even when they are using mics. I thought Cheshunt was okay, maybe Showmasters can suggest doing a better job with the decor and lighting so the photos dont turn out orange again..

Mazzic he was a Jedi in ROTS, not AOTC. Dont think Geonosis was in ROTS? cant remember. Also, it may be impossible to see which Jedi he played as we see him clearly in the part he already played in AOTC! Im sure Lucas didnt want any continuity problems by showing the same actor in another role! He must be under a mask im assuming. He was also in Extras (Ricky Gervais comedy on BBC) playing Ben Stiller's assistant (also called Mike in the show!). His listing on IMDB also lists Batman Begins but I didnt spot him in that.

What a great guest, lots of opportunities on ED17 for us collectors to get RARE characters on our posters and not just the usual Prowses and Kenny Bakers like everyone else. Following on from what a few posters have already stated, we dont know if these first-time signers will ever do another convention again as is the case for many sci-fi actors so this would be a rare chance to get something more unique.. :)

Well you got to take your chance while you can! The thing with these first timers (im assuming they are) is that this may be just a one-off for them and may never do another convention, as was the case with the many Trekkie 'one time only' appearances by certain actors.

Didnt someone in another thread say that its Showmasters that charge per autograph and not the guest, the guests already have a fee to just be there so will happily sign anything you like..?

Just wondering what you would ask each of the guests at ED17? Heres mine Aitch: Did anyone know if a great movie was being made while on Star Wars or just a tacky Dr Who wannabe? Mike Savva: What Jedi did you play in ROTS? and who did you prefer working with, George Lucas or Ricky Gervais !! (Extras) David Sexton: During the making of TPM did you know the movie would be lighter than 4-5-6 or did the movie not reflect what people intended.

Ok how would Mike Savva act out his part? being blown away in that explosion!

Must remember to ask him which Jedi he played in ROTS, anyone know?