mae@aplpy.jhuapl.edu (Mary Anne Espenshade) (07/19/90)
"That's where my money's gone I spent it at the con I bought me everything a Trekker could want ..." - an old filksong, and the summary of my weekend at Shore Leave The Star Trek Association of Towson's annual Shore Leave convention is 12 years old now. As of the last count they announced on Sunday, over 1800 people registered for at least some of the weekend. Saturday the programming rooms and the dealers' room were packed. This was my 10th year there, I only missed I and IV. They continue to bring in unusual guests and an interesting variety of programming. I'll start with the Trek events, since it is basicly a Star Trek con, and then mention the non-Trek things that will be of interest to the Alien Nation, Quantum Leap and Beauty and the Beast fans over in rec.arts.tv, where this is cross posted. If you follow up part of it, please change the newsgroup to whichever is appropriate. The guests this year where Michael Westmore, make-up supervisor on ST:TNG, Suzie Plakson (Dr. Selar and Keylahr), Colm Meaney (O'Brien), assorted authors - Ann Crispin, Jeanne Dillard, Brad Ferguson, Bob Greenberger and Howie Weinstein (ST novels) and Dennis Bailey and Lisa White (2/3 of the writers on "Tin Man") and THE guest of honor - Jimmy Doohan. Tim's con report (article <1140@biar.UUCP> from lynch@biar.UUCP) already covered the major guests in great detail, so I'll just do the rest of the stuff. Michael Westmore - Started with a slide show of interesting make-up from various episodes with comments on how long it took, how parts were made, etc. Interesting tidbits: the Borg all have different eyes, the make-up dept. scrounged anything round to give them some unique features. For early episodes next season they have to open up Data's head again and part of his neck. ST novel authors - I only got to the Howie and Bob show this year. They had a list of the novels for the next year, but I couldn't write fast enough to get it all down. Howie has two TNG novels in that time, there will be two more books in the Lost Years time frame, a number of the other authors mentioned weren't familiar names. Dennis Bailey and Lisa White - Local writers make the big time. They pitched about a dozen story ideas to TNG and Tin Man, the adaptation of the novel Tin Woodman, was chosen for a script that they were then selected to write. They had a very positive experience (other than Lisa's name having to be combined with Dennis's in the writing credits) and got to visit the set while the episode was being filmed. It was an unusual situation, their script was OKed one week and filmed the next, with only very minor changes. They like the idea from first season of Data learning to paint, all their script ideas included some variation on the scene in his quarters where Tam looks at the painting. They were afraid that scene might be cut, since it has the least to do with the action part of the script. They have sold another story, but don't know yet whether they will script it or even if it will actually be used. The Costume Gala - 55 entries, with the largest number in the ST category, only a small number in SF and lots of Fantasy. Lots of incredible workmanship, especially some of the bead work. Costumers Guild in joke - the Deja Q costume being pulled for violating the "No Costume is No Costume" rule. Best in Show went to "Fairy Tales" for a zebra centaur that also won a workmanship award for mechanical design and for having the patience to piece the fake fur so that the stripes ran like on a real zebra. The Trek category winners were a mirror universe Saavik, a Gorn and "Evening wear for a party at the Klingon Embassy". The Shore Leave Showcase - an original play this year by Cheap Treks, with sets and everything, and they only had to consult the "fuel report" once. video - I didn't have much time left for video, though I looked in occasionally. They had a movie room and an ST episode room again this year. Art Show - WOW! I wish I had the money and space for art. Many nice Beauty and the Beast pieces, lots of Trek as always, some Alien Nation and a portrait of Sam and Al to die for. Filk Sing - all the ususal Shore Leave performers, with new stuff like Greg Baker's "Riker, Don't Push That Button" and the Denebian Slime Devils' "See You in September". The Boogie Knights had their own hour show Saturday afternoon. and yes, I did manage to drag myself out of bed in time for Rev. Trekwell's Temple of Trek service Sunday morning. This year they had a children's service for the next generation. Praise Trek! ***** non-Trek stuff: The non-Trek panels I attended were on Beauty and the Beast and Alien Nation, there wasn't a Quantum Leap panel, unfortunately, but I did get new information for all three of these fandoms. I spent loads in the dealers' room, all on zines, and none of them were specifically Trek (some Blake's Seven, Professionals, Beauty and the Beast, and mixed media). Alien Nation: No one had any new information, just the same rumors. It is *not* picked up yet. Pocket Books and at least one other company are interested in doing original novels and have approached FOX for the rights. Jean Lorrah, Jaqueline Litchenburg and Roberta Rogow (the last two were at the panel and provided this information) have all submitted story ideas to Pocket that are being used in their pitch to FOX. two AN zines I have flyers for are both looking for submissions: Sardonac (ed. Jean Lorrah) Susan Ross Moore 1115 N. Indiana Ave. Kokomo, In 46901 Alien Relations Laurie Huff 1111 Dartmouth #214 Claremont, CA 91711 so send in your stories. Beauty and the Beast: Fortunately this panel cut short the 3rd season debate to go on to better topics. The novelization of Masques should be out any day now. In the novelization of the pilot, Barbara Hambley put 12 references to other things (like she did in her ST novel Ishmael). The people there that had read it could only identify 3, I haven't read it yet (now I'm eager to, I had gotten it while I was quite fed up with B&B and put it aside), so if you caught any more, please send them to me. We also discussed the many other versions of the fairy tale that have been coming out lately in both books and film. zines: Quantum Beast - All's Well that Ends Well Lee Kirkland P.O. Box 420 Commerce City, CO 80037-0420 Yes it is what you think - and it solves everything! It is set up like a typical Quantum Leap episode, so we only see Sam's side. I would have liked to see Vincent's reaction in the waiting room. I've forgotten the specific price on this, send Lee a SASE. Tunnels Barbara L. B. Storey Artemis Press 95 Blenheim Court Yorktown Heights, NY 10598-1035 #2 is just out and huge, $21 by mail. Quantum Leap: Didn't find any T shirts, I'll have to break down and buy from Creation. A number of dealers had buttons. I already mentioned the wonderful zine "Quantum Beast" above, but I also picked up zine flyers for the following: Green Eggs and Ham Mystery Frank 1009 Honey Creek Ct. Lexington, KY 40502 Mysti is looking for submissions for her QL zine with a most imaginative title (remember your Dr. Seuss and finish the rhyme if you don't get it). CrosSignals #3 Sharon M. Palmer 3741 Evans Trail Way Beltsville, MD 20705 The newest CrosSignals is out, for $10.50 by mail. It has a lot of Quantum Leap and a number of Beauty and the Beast stories in this issue. I saw it at the con but I don't have my own copy yet, I'm a contributor. Next Con for me - OktoberTrek, guests DeForest Kelley and Gates McFadden. -- Mary Anne Espenshade UUCP: ...!allegra!mimsy!aplcen!aplvax!mae ARPA: mae@aplvax.jhuapl.edu -OR- mae@aplpy.jhuapl.edu -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Jim Griffith - the official scapegoat for r.a.s.i. Email submissions to trek-info@scam.berkeley.edu or ...!ucbvax!scam!trek-info