ORAC (Blake's 7 convention)

ORAC was a fan run Blake's 7 convention held in in San Francisco, CA. The convention also had several actors and show writers as guests, along with fan run panels, a dealer's room, a masquerade, an art show, and a charity auction.
ORAC stood for: "Organized Rebellions Ain't Cheap."
==1988==
ORAC 88 was held April 9-10, 1988 in Millbrae, CA.
Originally, the confirmed and invited guests were: Michael Keating (Vila), Terry Nation (series creator), Paul Darrow (Avon), and Janet Lees Price (Klyn in "Blake"). 
Darrow, Price, and Keating had commitments and bowed out.
In the end, there were two guests: Terry Nation and Sally Knyvette. 
The program book contains 20 pages. The cover is by Greg Espinoza.
The con com was Joni Gillspie (chair), Michele wilson (Secruty/Guest Liaison), Melody and Jim Rondeau (Art Show), Liz Bowling (Dealer's Room), Keven Roche (Masquerade), Christina Hill (Registration), Jamie Nikkel (Publications), and Bob and Margaret Caloroso (Hospitality).
The Master of Ceremonies was George Sampson. From the program book: 
From a flyer: 
===1988: Programming===
From the program book: 
Programming included:
* individual and group Q&R panels
* art show
* dealer's room
* 24-hour video room
* photo and autograph sessions
* arts' celebrity auctions
* fan writer's panel
* props construction panel
* trivia contests
* masquerade
* video contests
* "weekend long Pictionary contests"
* a Blake Wake (Saturday night dance)
* filking
* fan fiction readings
* Half Baked 7; The Show, How We Made It, and How Long We Were Sentenced For ("The makers of Half Baked 7, a fan produced video, will discuss aspects of its production including but not limited to dull anecdotes by the actors. A display of props from the show will be exhibited. There will be several presentations of HB7 in the con video room.")
* Hostility Hour ("ORAC is pleased to present a paneling first, so with apologies to Chris of the Robin of Sherwood N.A.B. for idea theft, we offer you "Hostility Hour". Three times over this weekend you will have the opportunity to relieve frustration and let loose all that suppressed anger at people who cut in front of you in line, bought the very last photo you wanted just as you saw it or hogged the covers. The con staff has scheduled its collective nervous breakdown for the final session. You are welcome to bring photos of persons if it helps and we'll offer you plenty of things to punch, throw and kick. All we ask is that you refrain from using weapons and the things that you punch, throw and kick must be inanimate. Security will monitor this panel!")
* Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit ("What’s this? Mundane game playing at a science fiction convention? If you read your schedule you’ll find we’ve set times to play both Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary. If you have never played, we will teach you. If you have, you will know why we are doing it. See you there.")
* B7 Fandom: What Is It and Where Do You Go to Find It? ("Join some of the first U.S. B7 fans for a discussion on how this fandom has grown in the last several years.")
* Costume Presentation Workshop ("Strongly recommended for anyone planning to enter the masquerade. This is designed to help you get over the heeby-jeebies about going on stage and making a fool of yourself in front of a couple hundred people. If you have a costume but the thought of competing makes you quiver in your boots, come to the panel and maybe you'll change your mind by the time we're done. If you've already decided to enter, come to the panel and learn about some of the pitfalls to avoid.")
* So You Wanna Be a Costumer? ("A number of long-time fan costumers in attendance at the con will get together to answer questions from the audience. Topics might include: no-sew costuming. fabric sources, reproduction costumes, competition (the division system, etc.), "Rotsler’s rules", the Costumers Guild. We have left time slots available in the alternate programming room to give fan clubs and other groups a time and place to meet and promote their interests. Check with Con Ops to schedule a time.")
==1989==
Feb. 18 & 19, 1989 at the AMFAC HOTEL near the San Francisco airport.
 
Guests were to be Terry Nation, Sally Knyvette, and Brian Croucher, but according to a statement in the flyer for 1990, this did not occur. On January 25, 1989, Knyvette bowed out, and on January 27, 1989, Croucher sent his regrets. They were replaced by Jacqueline Pearce in "her first west coast convention appearance."
A flyer for Stardrive, the pro-con being planned by Terry Nation and Paul Darrow mentions that Laurie Cohen would be there and would be soliciting fans for their opinions about this for-profit endeavor. 
The Master of Ceremonies was George Sampson.
From a flyer: "In order to provide an uncrowded, high quality convention experience, attendance will be limited. Show your support for BLAKE'S 7, have a great time with other fans and help us help KTEH, our local PBS station."
From the first progress report:
 
 File:Orac1989flyer.jpg| flyer for the 1989 con, printed in a Timecon progress report 
Image:orac1989conflyer-1.jpg|page one of a flyer for 1989
Image:orac1989conflyer-2.jpg|page two of a flyer for 1989
Image:orac1989conflyer-3.jpg|another flyer for 1989, lists other guests
===1989: Progress Report 1===
 
* Was Tarrant Really Necessary?
* The Best Worst Moments ("A panel that will ask 'What is your favorite groaner? Avon sliding across the floor in 'Animals'? All of 'Animals'? The BBC's really spiffy cardboard spaceships?")
* To Zine or Not to Zine ("The hazards of collecting, editing, and publishing B7 fanfic")
* How-I-Go-Hooked-On-B7-Encounter Group ("My mother/boyfriend/husband just doesn't understand.")
* The Dead Travis Party ("No, we are still not changing the name.")
* Sunday Evening Party ("There'll be food, a no-host bar, and music videos.")
* props, costuming panels, masquerade
* Pictionary "with B7 modifications" 
* Video Room ("Due to popular request(aka death threats), this year the Video Room will have a set schedule with posted starting times and everything. We will show lots o fB7 selected from the favorite episodes survey we did in'88 as well as other TV shows and films featuring the B7 actors. There will be music videos and our favorite parody, Half-Baked 7.")
* The first West Coast B7 fanzine awards ("Enclosed in this PR, you will find a sheet on which to make your nominations in our first ever, soon to be annual, ORAC's 7 awards. Choose your favorites in the following categories: Best U.S. B7 Zine, Best Foreign Zine, Best Artist (Caricature), Best Artist (Portraiture/ Illustration),Best Short Story (Comedy), Best Short Story (Drama) and Best Fan Novel. Nominations must be received by December 31st and finalists will be announced in PR #2.")
* Auction ("We will once again be holding our charity auction for the benefit of Starcross Monastery's Morning Glory program. Starcross is an independent lay Catholic community that provides foster care for children born with AIDS.")
* Video Contest ("or Blake's 7 meets MTV). Do you harbor a long repressed desire to do a music video? Do you have some already sitting around just waiting to be appreciated by an audience larger (and more inclined to be appreciative) than your family and pets? Well, what better opportunity could there be than the ORAC Blake's 7 music video contest? Please do the tapes at two hour speed. You may put as many entries as you like on the same tape. We’d prefer TDK tapes but any high grade brand will do. No $1.99 specials, please. No slash, explicit or implied. If possible we’d like to view the submissions in advance. Just send them to the ORAC address and be sure to include your name and personal info. If you can’t, then just bring them along to the convention and turn them in Saturday morning to the yet-to-be-designated location. Sometime on Sunday, a selection of them will be shown in the video room and the winners will be announced. You will be able to retrieve your tapes Sunday afternoon.")
===1989: Progress Report 2===
 
===1989: Masquerade and Costuming===
From the second progress report:
==1990==
ORAC 90 was held April 7-8, 1990.
The original date was March 3-4, 1990 and the planned locale was the Amfac Hotel in Burlingame, California as per the first progress report. This was later changed to April 7-8, 1990 at the Dunfey Hotel in San Mateo, California. These changes were due to a recent earthquake. 
Confirmed guests were Terry Nation, Sally Knyvette, and Brian Croucher as per an early flyer: 
In the end, Knyvette did not attend. 
The concom: Bill Hayes (security), Lynete McPherson (guest liaison), Jim Rondeau (dealers' room), Melody Rondeau (art room), Kevin Roche (masquerade), Christina Hill (registration), Jame Nikkel and Jennifer Tifft (publications), Sherri Nix (Video Room), Jean Graham and Pearl Stickler (alternative programming), and Linda Madzel ("gofer mom").
The Master of Ceremonies was George Sampson.
All proceeds from the con were to go to KTEH, the local PBS television station.
There was a "Dead Travis Party." -- "We hope many of you will stay Sunday night for the infamous Dead Travis Party. Observe the dead come back to life as we celebrate the close of the convention. We'll have food, a no-host bar, videos, and a great time will be had by all."
===1990: Progress Report 1===
Programming from the second "Progress Report #1" (which might be #2):
Round Table Discussions:
* Was Tarrant Really Necessary? (Or should Avon have spaced him right after "Powerplay"? Join a lively exchange of opinions about B7's most disagreeable character.)
* Slash: The Pros and Cons (Both sides of a controversial issue presented in a moderated debate. No tempers, please; this is a friendly disagreement.)
* So You Want to Be a Supreme Commander. (How's, what's, and why's of fan clubs.)
*Fan Liar's Panel (At last a chance to ask those embarrassing questions, but can you trust the answers? Guaranteen hilarious.)
* Zine Editor Roast (Tell them what you like and don't like about fanzines.)
*Hurt Comforts, Bonks and Wallows (Why we hurt the ones we love.)
* B7 Onward and Upward (What happens next according to the fans.)
* Gauda Prime (Audacious resolutions.)
* Mary Sue in B7 Fanfic (Enough said.)
* The B7 Movie (If accountants did the casting.)
* Artificial Intelligence (What were Orac and Zen really up to?)
* Loose Threads (What did happen to Jenna, etc.?)
* Crossovers (Do they work?)
* The Obligatory Star Trek Panel (What caused the Klingon bumbs and others stuff you can't live without.)
* Servalan (Tyrant or PMS?)
* Drawing with Travis) (Bring your sketch pads for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to draw B.C. in the flesh.)
* Panels: (Costuming, Props)
* Games: (Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit and Trivial Pursuit-Ship tourneys)
* Filking
According to the first progress report, these would be included in the programing, but they do not appear in the program book (at least in this form): "Reading Circles (G-RandX): Bring your favorite zine story or a work in progress to read," "How to Start a Good Rumor. For instance, have you heard the one about the well-known San Diego fan writer who is going to England without her husband?," "The Slash panel Pictionary," "The Tarrant panel (yes, that one): What would you do if you were stuck on the same ship with Toothy? Would you do it with a gun. a knife, or an airlock control button?," and "Fan publishing: Do's. Don'ts and How-To's."
 
File:orac1990flyer-1.jpg|flyer for 1990, page one
Image:orac1990flyer-2.jpg|flyer for 1990, page two
File:Orac90pg1.jpg|Orac 90 progress report, page 1 click to read
File:Orac90pg2.jpg|page 2 of the Orac 90 progress report, click to read
Image:orac1990speaker.jpg|from the program book, the master of ceremonies for 1990 (George Sampson)
Category:Blake's 7 Conventions
Category: 1988 Conventions
Category: 1989 Conventions
Category: 1990 Conventions
Category:Conventions in United States