L-TV Members at 2008 Comic-Con

[TheBigCat]

This thread is for any and all members of the board to post their experience, notes and observation on the events at the 2008 Comic-Con in San Diego, especially, but not limited to, things which pertain to the Viral Game begun with the Octagon Global Recruiting commercial during the S4 Finale.

[ZIA]

Good call, TBC! I wanted to start a Comic-con thread, but couldn't decide where to put it. :)

[truffula]

Well, ComingSoon.net has some pics of inside the convention center, but I haven't seen any shots of the Octagon Booths yet (they've been adding new pics all day - I think they have press passes or something to get in today). You can check em all out HERE (http://www.comingsoon.net/imageGallery/Comic_Con_2008). And some more horror related pics from ComicCon at Shocktilyoudrop.com HERE (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/imageGallery/Comic_Con_2008). :)
There's all KINDSA cool stuff there.
Man I wish I was going.

[flub]

Sorry but I had no idea where to post this so admins please feel free to move

Here are some videos from the Lost booth at Comic-Con that shows the season 4 DVD Bloopers and promo
http://livelost.blogspot.com/2008/07/season-4-dvd-promo-and-blooper-teaser.html

[RadioDave]

OK... game plan for the next 3 days:

1.Leave work
2.Go home
3.Turn on G4TV
4.Open up as many web browsers as I can
5.Make sure this thread is up on one of those web browsers
6.Get my popcorn ready
:popcorn:

[ZIA]

I might move it, but I'll leave it here for everyone to see it for awhile. :)

[jane_eire]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:pWXHdtuLiLQwLM:http://www.blackfilm.com/i3/other/comiccon/comic_con_logo.jpg

So I get into San Diego today, feeling really between the worlds. Didn't get much sleep last night, kept thinking of mirrors and conspiracies, lotteries and daddy issues - my daddy is a writer, teaches it, loves it. Anyways, I got a window seat, that was cool, row 17. 17 is one of those numbers, not one of The Numbers, but still, it's relevant. I don't get much sleep on the plane, but I get enough. I don't know why, but much of the flight I'm just shedding a small pool of tears. I wonder if the flight is ever going to come down.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:T4cBY68DdQ2V6M:http://bp3.blogger.com/_lm2JI7sGwYI/RwxQZFH1B1I/AAAAAAAAAsI/zxWjLz-mSDc/s320/AA%2Bairplane.jpg

The flight gets in safe and sound, I scoops up my luggage (they charged me 15 bucks to check a bag, the nerve!) and gets a cab to the hotel. I'm staying at the Hard Rock across the street from the convention center, yes it's real swank but I haven't been on a real vacation in years so sue me. The convention has swarmed out into the streets, they got a lot of turns shut down (it's a breach) so the cabbie ends up driving me all throughout town, trying to make it through construction and navigating the one-way streets. I swear, he was lost. But we gets to the hotel, and I makes my way in.

Disaster strikes. The hotel thought I was coming in on the 23rd (go figure) and since I didn't show up yesterday (obviously) they cancelled my reservation on account of being a no-call, no-show. Reminds me of work it does, don't show up and it goes on your permanent record, NCNS. Well, six-month record. Anyways, it seems travel planners didn't notify the hotel that I was coming in today. Furthermore, I forgot all my paperwork, so i have no documentation of my transaction. Thankfully they are quite accomodating, get me and my laptop set up in the lobby, and I furnish the required papers. The rock music blares in the lobby, constantly throbbing, i can barely hear myself think. I try calling travel planners, but all i get is an answering machine. Every hotel room for five miles is booked solid.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:n7D8C-uH6Z9goM:http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-03/37151265.jpg

I'm sitting in the lobby, perched over my computer, and wondering what I'm gonna do. All I can do is have faith in people, I think to myself, so I sit and stew and then I hear a bit of a ruckus by the concierge desk. Just a little bit I hear, mind you, on account of the loud music and the ringing in my ears. Eventually a service rep comes over and asks me for my CC and ID. Ten minutes later, I have my room. I love faith.

After a couple trips to the basement to print out my confirmation sheets again (you need them barcodes to get into the con) and my second shower of the day, I head across the street, amidst the throngs of beautiful people. I see Princess Leia, Darth Vader, several Stormtroopers, a Dharma T-shirt, Alice, and several other characters I don't think I ever knew. It's crazy, wild, a blast. And it's afternoon, so there's no line to get my badge, though it takes fifteen minutes to find the damn desk. They give me a bag of swag, including a box of Magic Gathering cards, which says I'm a Planeswalker, whatever that is. First card out of the box is Natural Spring, player gains 8 life. Sounds good!

This thing is huge! There's comics galore, practically a whole city block just devoted to the vending of comics and toys and videos and art. They've got light sabers and legos and i get an autograph from Barrowman, reveling in my geekiness, anything goes. I poleaxe some author (his words) for getting him to sign a book that's not his, a Signet Classic written 160 years ago.

I've picked up:
-- a Gaiman title: Death, The Time of Your Life
-- a Batman title for a guy named Page i played golf with last week (Hush)
-- a book of Swedish fairy tales
-- and a story about Niels Bohr.

My plan to attend the science presentation is thwart by a line that snakes down the hall, around the corner, down another hall, and out the patio, where it snakes some more. So much for the latest science in science fiction. It's a happy happenstance, for I end up in a small intimate conference about The Looking Glass Wars (http://www.lookingglasswars.com/). What can I say, the title appealed to me, even though I never heard it.

The creator of this universe, an Alice universe, is a fellow named Frank Beddor, and says he learned the art of epic storytelling from his father. Good thing Frank failed at acting. He tells stories, shows us some of his new art, including a fantastic painting of the Pool of Tears.

http://www.radiochildren.com/images/P1030682_2.jpg

Turns out he has a box, a magic mystery box sitting up on his podium. It's got these cards in it, the remaining cards to a peculiar set of incomplete cards that intrigued him at the British Museum. He opens the box, there's a map on the inside lid, but he taunts us, refuses to tell us the real story of these cards, other than they'll be explained in his next book. Great hook. His address at the con is 1717. I'll be picking up some of his stuff. Maybe I can get him to sign that book written 160 years ago.

[gertie]

Awesome!

So sorry you had the problems, though!

Man, I can almost visualize all that! I wonder if you've shoved TPTP, BigCat or Truffula yet!

[jandajohnson]

Thanks so much for the details!!!!!

[silver]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:pWXHdtuLiLQwLM:http://www.blackfilm.com/i3/other/comiccon/comic_con_logo.jpg

So I get into San Diego today, feeling really between the worlds.


Jane, the woman on the street reporter, awesome!

pls post updates w/ pictures of all the interesting stuff if possible...

[gertie]

Please, Jane! Hurry back!

Don't forget, all you fans, there's a show on tonight about LOST on G4

[jane_eire]

Okay, I met Gregg Nations outside the Dharma booth. He is a cutey! Very nice and professional, but too busy for more than a brief chat. Thank you Gregg, wherever you are!

Okay, down to business. The Dharma booth is creepy. I haven't been able to get in yet, but I've looked inside and interviewed someone after their experience. The test sounds weird. You pick one of eight moons of Jupiter, then answer some odd and non-sequiter type questions, like your favorite color, the sound of terror, that sort of stuff. They make you wear headphones, and look at images on a screen while asking you questions. A couple of Dharmites are in the booth with you, with a small bevy outside to take appointments for the day. I'll have to get there first thing in the morning if I want to play, unless I get lucky this afternoon.

One fellow said he was shown a picture of waving water, superimposed with another picture of a cow with its head cut off and the neck cauterized. Gruesome, huh?

Okay, now I've got some lunch in me. Back into the breach!

jane

[truffula]

That's AWESOME!! :blinkie: Thanks for the report, jane!! :D

Sounds like a really freaky test. Just they way DHARMA likes it.

Now, can anyone who is able please give a summary of the G4 interview with the DHARMA people later after it airs? The show is on from 7-10pm est (live) and I won't be able to catch it cause I'll be at band practice. I don't think it will be anything worth youtubing (though you never know), but a quick recap would be appreciated. Thanks! :)

Also, if any of you guys stumble on different reports of what these "tests" consist of (images shown, questions asked), post em here so we can compare em. Probably just weird freaky stuff, but I dunno what the website "tests" will be compared to the booth "tests", so we might wanna have an edge and be ready for whatever they throw at us on Monday when the site goes live. ;)

[jane_eire]

Just saw Darlton at the Dharma booth. Damon was taking the test, and they were showing us his responses on the overhead screen. He kept grinning, cracking up, and maybe even looked a little bit nervous.

[gertie]

Jane, are you taking any pictures? Please?

Your experience is wonderful. Keep it coming. More, more!

[jane_eire]

Jane, are you taking any pictures? Please?

Your experience is wonderful. Keep it coming. More, more!

Alas, the battery in my camera is pooping out, and it's a rather old camera, so what pictures I did take (yesterday) won't be available until I get back home. In the meantime, words will have to suffice!

More later this evening.

[jane_eire]

At the showrunner panel, Darlton shared the stage with Josh Schwartz (Chuck), Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) and Josh Friedman (Sarah Connor Chronicles), with moderation provided by Jeff Jensen (EW Lost blog.) The Q&A was dominated by Lost questions, and at one point we had to be reminded that other interests were present at this particular panel.

There was praise for the ground-breaking work of Joss Whedon, who helped the early explorations of "new media" with the Buffyverse, increasing mingling with fans via the internet. Josh Schwartz was warned that divulging any more Lost secrets on Chuck might lead to his demise, but Darlton were keen to know where 815 went down. Bryan Fuller said his favorite show not his own was Project Runway, and Friedman had praise for the Fox network, which seems to have gotten its act together after totally missing the ball on Firefly. The phrase of "the rabbit-hole" for discussing the "mythology" of these fantastic universes (as opposed to the specific characters therein) was used by more than one panelist. Mythology is icing on the cake of characterization, except on Pushing Daisies where it's all pies.

Okay, Lost goodness. "It's all true," said Damon, but I forgot the exact context of the question.

Producing the mobisodes was cast in the analogy of a Big Band that usually plays huge sold-out amphitheater venues, only to change their name for a small intimate gig in some neighborhood bar for their die-hard fans. Interest choice of words, but it's a nice metaphor. Yes, the mobisodes are like love-letters to those of us who live, breathe and eat Lost. Revel in their delightful goodness!

Carlton brought up how important it is to keep some things mysterious, rather than letting the cat out of the bag. What really matters is the impact on the characters, not the"real-world" mechanics of the storyverse. It lets our imaginations flow freely rather than being constrained by techno-babble.

The Pie-Man says that Mystery can lead us to Awe.

[jane_eire]

I'm wondering if the video of people taking the test will end up in the series. Just something to keep in mind for all you test-bunnies. ;)

[TheBigCat]

Awesome stuff, Jane. Keep it coming. :D

Also, any word on when they might spring the announcement of the official kick-off to the Octagon game?

[truffula]

Awesome stuff, Jane. Keep it coming. :D

Also, any word on when they might spring the announcement of the official kick-off to the Octagon game?
If we don't get live action like when Rachel Blake showed up at CC 2006 and at that instant, www.hansoexposed.com (http://www.hansoexposed.com) went live, then I think we'll be waiting til Monday to take "the test".

Now, if we do get live action, here's the info on the LOST panel (where something is definitely going to happen):
12:00-1:00 Lost— If the most recent season finale was any indication of things to come, you will not want to miss this panel. Co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse will discuss season 4 of Lost, leading up to the season finale. They will answer your questions and maybe even offer up some surprises of their own. Hall H

That's 12-1 PST, so I'll be here on the east coast at 3pm (actually earlier cause the HEROES panel is right before the LOST panel :D) waiting for something to happen. :hyper:

[yung23]

i am so jealous.


jane, tell them yung wants an application.

[irishcoffee]

Bah, is just started, and here I am stuck in Annapolis, MD.

Bah.

[EnigmasAbound]

Found a live blogging link of the panel! (http://www.popcritics.com/2008/07/the-lost-panel-live-blogging-from-comic-con/)

[truffula]

Found a live blogging link of the panel! (http://www.popcritics.com/2008/07/the-lost-panel-live-blogging-from-comic-con/)
AWESOME!!! :blinkie: Thanks for the link!! :D

[ZIA]

If anyone has the G4 cable channel; they're covering Comic-con during the day and then showing highlights the same night for three hours.

[Winston Smith]

Thanks for that link!!!! That was awesome. New Candle vid sounds great. Can't wait to see it!

[truffula]

Good panel. :D Several things were said that got me all amped for S5 now. :hyper:

Thanks again for the linkee, EnigmasAbound!! That was very cool to read along as it was happening live. :)

[EnigmasAbound]

AWESOME!!! :blinkie: Thanks for the link!! :D

You're quite welcome! I was searching all over to find live streams, but that site was the best I could do. It was cool! I'm so excited to see Marvin Candle again! I wonder how many hours it will take before it's online? :nanabobo:

[jane_eire]

I want you all to know the lengths I went to to get into this circus of a "panel", solely for your benefit, of course. Below is a map of the convention hall:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/jane_eris/conventionmap.jpg

Now, keep this map in mind. For most events at this center, it's customary to wait in line. Suppose I wanted to see something in one of the rooms in the upper right hand corner of this map. The line might snake down the entire hallway, maybe even around the corner. Standing in line is both tiresome and time-consuming. So, just so you know.

Now, the Lost panel was shown in Hall H, which I believe is located at the bottom left-hand corner of the above map. To get into this section of the center, you actually have to go outside to stand in line.

This assumes, of course, that you know where the end of the line is in the first place. See, this takes some foresight. I'm glad I had no foresight, for if I'd known where the end of the line actually was, I might not have had the fortitude to actually get there. Curiosity may kill the cat, but that's nothing compared to how far I walked just to see where this line ended... or began... it's all rather confusing for me at this point. The map below might give you a better picture than my words:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh191/jane_eris/map.jpg

[jane_eire]

It might have been further, I'm having a hard time remembering now. My legs feel like they might be ready to fall off! But, this is the important thing, I got in!!! Woo Hoo!!!

This makes up for my failure to get an appointment scheduled with those pernicious dharma initiative types. See, i got to the convention center first thing in the morning, i was waiting right outside the doors to get over to the dharma booth and get on the list, and when i got there... the line was officially ended and the list was pretty much filled.

Bummer, i have to say. But then, I realized that this was actually a gift, for as it turns out i really needed to get some exercise, as evidenced by the light sheen of sweat i accumulated find the end of the line to get into Hall H.

Okay, here is my report. Something terrible has happened.

A breach has occurred. Well, more than one breach as far as I can tell. First off, one of the specially selected people from the Dharma Initiative Recruitment Effort (DIRE) managed to sneak a video camera into the Dharma booth for the secondary protocol of the DI's presentation. He managed to tape a transmission played only for these specially selected recruits, and daringly brought his videocamera back to the convention hall for his 6500 new friends, before his bravery was tragically cut short by security goons. The revelations presented were shocking.

The video was of the illustrious Dr. Marvin Candle, who was revealed to be a particle physicist from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He said his name was something like Francois Chou, and that he was a member of the DI, and that he knew he was going to die in a horrible purge. On the Island. Soon. And he also knew that thirty years later, this footage would be seen by a newly reconstituted Dharma Initiative. He implored all of us to do the upmost to resurrect the DI, that the fate of all humanity was in our hands.

Unfortunately, Dr. Hans Eeghan (who was sponsoring this year's panel) was not amused. Decrying the whole fiasco as some kind of a circus, he promptly withdrew the DI's support of Darlton. It seems a breach of trust has occurred, and I seriously doubt that the DI will be funding any future efforts by our heroes.

Frankly, the breach is starting to get out of hand. I noticed some distinctly Islandish elements in the screening of the Heroes Season 3 Premiere - religious undertones, time travel, and the clever placement of mirrors. Their entire cast was on hand, by the way, though Lost countered with the inimitable presence of Matthew Fox, whose looming countenance cast a shadow over the entire proceedings. I also heard a report that at least one - perhaps several - of the writers were hearing voices, which makes me wonder if they're starting to develop the Miles Straume syndrome themselves.

God help us all.

[jane_eire]

p.s. I did not get a chance to ask my question, which was whether Frogurt would actually appear in a broadcast episode. I'm so sorry, I knew you all wanted to divine this very important insight, but I failed.

However, I do have scoopage.

Lost will be back in February.
Kate will see Sawyer again.
We don't know whether Jack and Kate will end up together.
We may find out why Faraday wears a tie on a damn beach.
We will see Rousseau again, but it won't be a "flashback," technically speaking.
We will see Jin again, but again, the context of such a visitation isn't exactly clear.
We will see Locke again, but I don't know if he's gotten out of the box.

Finally, Heroes is going to kick everybody's ass.

[Lab]

Awesome!

Thanks, jane!

[EnigmasAbound]

The video of Candle Pierre Chang from Comic Con:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dn_dNsaz-AA

dn_dNsaz-AA

Thanks, Lab!

[LoonyLuna]

what thread has the information thats being revealed about the new season at comic con? i dont wanan venture into the spoiler sections :O

[sexy baby mama]

Jane, awesome blogging! Way to get in there! I bet you're having so much fun!

[WASTE]

Awesome video! I'm really hoping all this DHARMA stuff means we'll be seeing a new DHARMA Initiative in season 5.

[Mellis12]

The panel was really, REALLY fun.

Damon and Carleton gave out prizes during the Q and A and that was how they ended up bringing on Foxy. They were arguing over whether the Lost action figure really looked liked Fox, and whether or not they should give it away as a prize. About then, we figured Fox was there and the audience started screaming. Then Foxy came out to help them "determine the accuracy of the action toy." It was awesome!

A few other things regarding the video and their comments but it's hardly spoilerish: (I REALLY stay away from spoilers and I think this is all safe stuff but just in case:) )



Darlton said that this year the flashback/forward things were changing. They were doing something new. I think it has to do with the fact that the video takes place 30 years in the past. The island must have moved 30 years back and so flashback will be different because they will show stuff far into the past, not just a few years. (They also said something along these lines in their panel comments.

Notice that Candle says something about "There is no point in continuing THE GAME." And "Time IS the essence."

We also know for sure that Daniel is alive because you can hear his voice in the video. And who else? Is that Hurley?

Who is the baby crying? It's not Aaron... he's with Kate. Right? Or is he? Who else had a baby in the past? Is the baby perhaps someone we know? Miles? Charlotte?

You'll notice that Candle is rubbing his left arm/hand. In fact, the camera pans down so that you can see this specifically. So he still has his left arm when this video was taken. When did he lose his arm, then?

I've forgotten something else important. I'll be back to post more.



One guy from the Q and A was hilarious. He comes to the Con dressed the same every year. He wears these big Hollywood sunglasses, sports a huge brown mustache and wears a coat and funky tie. Think Bob Dylan stoned. He went up and asked, "So guys. Just between you and me. What happens at the end?"

The audience cracked up and so did the panelists. Damon said, "Well, we can't answer that one."

"Okay," said Bob. "Can I have <a prize> something with Jin? I really like Jin."

Carleton: Jin is your favorite character?

Bob: Gin's a character? (Everyone totally cracked up again.)

They gave him a six-pack of Dharma beer.



Then another guy came up and said to Matthew Fox, "Hey actor guy. You're really good." The audience gasped/laughed that he didn't know Foxy's name.

Damon said, "Wow, Actor-guy. That must make you feel GOOD!" (It was funny.)

Here's a pic of a Hurley look-alike who won an extra large tub of Dharma Ranch Dressing for his question:


http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1931/022sp6.jpg


BTW, JJ and Bryan were there signing for Fringe. It looks like an awesome new show and I was able to talk to them and get them to sign. Fun!

[ZIA]

Awesome! Thanks for updating us, everyone! :)

[DHARMA815]

OMG!! This is sooo exciting. I can't wait until Feb. Why, oh why is Feb so far away. Why do they make us wait so long? Thanks to everyone who is there! :Cheers:

[yung23]

this is awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!

we have to continue the research...



I'll do the antisymmetric tensor field study and also the bosonic gravitational field study.


:)

I've already done all the work

the answer is Z2 grading.

[snakey]

So is the baby that's crying in the vid, is it Charlotte?

[casual-viewer]

So is the baby that's crying in the vid, is it Charlotte?

I couldn't tell if he said, "Jennifer can you just take him/her outside please?"

I'm absolutely crestfallen at that video. Here we go with the Orchid all over again. Everyone who has seen it, no matter how careful they are to not specifically refer to it or to spoiler tag it, is going to carry the knowledge into the discussion and analysis of every episode this season. "But we actually know, it's all about time travel now ;) " There will be the group of people who haven't seen it and generate ideas about other possibilities and then folks with a wink and a nudge totally dismiss them because they know the "truth."

[truffula]

So is the baby that's crying in the vid, is it Charlotte?
That's what I was thinkin. Especially if the cameraman is Daniel.
Could connect Miles' comment to Charlotte in the S4 finale about being on the Island before.

[time is a river]

I'm absolutely crestfallen at that video. Here we go with the Orchid all over again. Everyone who has seen it, no matter how careful they are to not specifically refer to it or to spoiler tag it, is going to carry the knowledge into the discussion and analysis of every episode this season. "But we actually know, it's all about time travel now ;) " There will be the group of people who haven't seen it and generate ideas about other possibilities and then folks with a wink and a nudge totally dismiss them because they know the "truth."

I agree. I would like to discuss the things hinted at in the video, but where can we do it? The Spoilers section is all walled off, so only the brave (or foolhardy) go there. Plus there is no reason to go in the off-season. It would be better for discussion if everyone knew about the video.

[casual-viewer]

tiar, I'm actually distressed that they made that video. I'm one that would like to see this go away from time travel as a plotline and am hoping for this to be something that develops only in the spinoffs and not be a major focus of the show. That could still be the case, but now that the video is out there, I'm afraid that it will influence the thinking and viewing of every episode, the way the orchid video did. It was like anytime I tried to come up with a theory to replace time travel I'd get this condescention like, "you must not know about this spoiler video." The canon/non-canon concept stinks, because you can't unsee something, whether it is supposed to be "really" true in context of the tv show or not.

[snakey]

That's what I was thinkin. Especially if the cameraman is Daniel.
Could connect Miles' comment to Charlotte in the S4 finale about being on the Island before.

yep, that's why she went there in the first place to see where she was born, but who's her ma & pa? that will be interesting.

[Long Con]

CC2008 sounds like a BLAST!!!! Wish I were there, as I am sure many here do.

CV brings up a good point. Is the new vid cannon or non-cannon? It is tough trying to discuss new episodes when some use non-cannon material. It will make next years threads interesting for sure!

Just throwing it out there now..... Christian will be Charlottes father. Thats my guess!

[yung23]

where do most believe the candle/daniel video was shot ?

on island or on mainland ?


I think it was the mainland..

[snakey]

Yung I assumed it was on the island, why do you think it isnt?

[yung23]

because, it seems like daniel may have done a desmond flashback, consciously travelling back in time.. where he told himself to go see candle and make the tape, for us at this point in the future.. where it gets released...


I simply got the feeling candle was at home on the mainland..
where daniel would have been at that point in the past.. (30 years in the past right?)

so that video may have been done before candle even left for the island.


but, like hawking knew of desmond & daniel must have also known of candle, he had to go to the island

hence him cherishing his arm before he knows he will lose it..

this MUST be how it happens..
candle would not have been alive at any point where daniel was on the island..