From: greg_bradt@msmgate.mrg.uswest.com (Greg Bradt)
Subject: More Starcon report
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Date: 28 Sep 92 16:39:13 GMT

I was also at the convention and able to take in the Saturday
appearance of Joel and his cohorts, Trace Balleiu, Kevin Burton, and
Jim Ballon (apologies for misspellings, I haven't had time to look up
the correct ones).  I also apologise for any errors included herein. 
It is a combination of memory and hastily scribbled notes taken during
the presentation (frequently in the dark).

They started out showing some film clips, including the opening
sequence from the pilot episode.  This was only used to demonstrate
the concept, and included a version of the "opening doors sequence"
that used things like an electrical switchbox, a safe door, something
that looked like a submarine hatch, and other similarly absurd items. 
It had the audience in stitches.  They also showed the demo tape that
they had created for pitching the show to HBO, with endorsements from
various critics, including one that said something like "I can't hear
the movie with those guys talking!", with a presumably ficticious name
following.  That demo got them a 6month (26 episode) contract with
HBO.

They also showed some photos of the early production days, including a
shot of Trace under the table operating the original Crow, and a gizmo
for Cambot's original voice which consisted of a paper cup with a
microphone inside strapped over somebody's mouth.  It gave kind of a
"daleklike" voice effect.  There was also a picture of how the three
of them have to sit 2 feet away from a blue screen when filming the
silhouettes.  After a few hours this gets understandably tiresome. 
Finally, there was a shot of Trace operating Crow as it is done now
(only slightly more comfortable than before).

One more announcement that I was not previously aware of.  The show, 
now in it's 4th season, has a committment from Comedy Central to
continue through SEASON 6! (...and there was much rejoicing!!!!)

They then started taking questions from the audience.  As Ben
mentioned, they made a running gag out of the fact that they each had
a wad of crisp new dollar bills that they gave out to anybody that
said anything that they liked.  They also had some bumper stickers
and photos for a few "special" comments.

I managed to get in for one of the first questions and extended
greetings from their many friends here on the Internet, and our hope
that one day they might find a way to join us personally.  I noticed
immediate recognition from all of them, and I was told that they
appreciated getting the hard copy (70 or so pages of it) every few
months and *everybody* on the staff reads it.

(I tried to focus on questions I had not already heard the answers to
hereafter)

They were asked how many times they watch the movies.  The "cast"
watches it twice.  Each time takes about a full day (8 hours) since
they frequently stop it to discuss ideas.  A secretary frantically
copies down all their comments and their place in the film, and a team
of 8 writers, who sometimes watch the films as many as 8 times
(aaahhhhh!!!!!) then go over the comments and put together a final
script.

Someone asked what a "Fintoozler" was.  Joel said they came up with it
when they were "riffing" on the idea of those trendy restraunts with
cute names (like TGI Fridays and such) that like to make up similarly
cute names for their drinks.

When asked if the word "Pizza" is used when one of the doors is
opening/closing, Joel said "No, it's actually "Satan" backward masked.
  ;)

When a cute little girl asked what was their favorite movie to insult,
they each gave her a dollar and couple of bunper stickers.  The
general consensus was that their favorite was the "Fu Manchu" movie.

They were asked if the original local station shows would ever be
rebroadcast.  The answer was no, since the movies were only licensed
for local onetime use, and besides, they are somewhat embarassed by
the low quality of those first shows compared to what they are
producing now.

When asked if the show might turn up on the SciFi Channel, they said
it was being discussed, but that they were more interested in
discussions of putting the show into syndication, so that it could run
on broadcast channels, since quite a few markets don't have access to
Comedy Central.

Finally (at least, the last thing in my notes), someone commented that
"The Mads" should get their own spinoff show.  This brought an
enthusiastic response from a group in the center front of the
auditorium, which prompted Trace to throw his entire wad of dollar
bills into the air over them.

I regret that other responsibilities prevented me from attending the
presentation on Sunday.  Anybody who was there, or who picked up on
anything I missed from Saturday, please share it with us.  Also, I got
some excelent pictures of the gang on stage.  If anybody is interested
then drop me email and we'll work something out.  (Be patient, I'll be
out of town until the 4th).

Keep Circulating The Tapes,

Greg Bradt  aka  ()The Lensman()

P.S.  I saw a *lot* of dollar bills getting signed in the autograph
line.

P.P.S.  For my notes on Brent Spiner's appearance, see
rec.arts.startrek.info


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