Stand By For Action !

Hi Marc and all,

As you know, the Gerry Anderson fan club ('Fanderson')
held a convention entitled 'Stand By For Action' in
the Allesley Hotel, Allesley Village, Coventry in the
U.K. over last weekend (18th and 19th May 2002). I had
the pleasure of being able to attend it, and here is a
broad sketch of the con.

The convention was of particular interest for 'U.F.O.'
fans because so many of the guests worked on the
series. Naturally, being a 'Fanderson' con, Gerry
Anderson - the show's executive producer - attended.

The actors present were Ed Bishop, who of course
played the lead role of Ed Straker; Dolores Mantez,
who played Nina Barry in 23 of the 26 episodes; and
Shane Rimmer, who played various roles - a SHADO
pilot, a U.N. security guard, and an alien - in the
series.

(One guest actor scheduled to attend who couldn't make
it was Gito Santana, the series' "resident alien". He
has just landed a part in a film being shot in
mainland China - a part specially written for him ! -
so was unable to attend the convention).

Of 'U.F.O's directors, David Lane - who directed
episodes including 'Sub-smash' and 'A Question of
Priorities' - and Alan Perry - who directed episodes
including 'Survival' and 'Kill Straker !'- attended.

Several guests had worked behind the scenes on the
series. They were - Bob Bell, Art Director on the
show; Terry Curtis, of the 'Century 21' props
division, responsible for the computer instrumentation
seen in the series; Alan Shubrook, model-maker for
'Century 21', whose detailed miniatures appeared in
the show; and Mike Trim, whose creations for the
series include the Space Intruder Detector satellite
(SID), the SHADO Mobiles and Moonbase.

Two of the children of the late Derek Meddings,
director of Special Effects on the show, attended the
convention. They brought with them examples of their
father's artwork, and were happy to talk about him and
his work with visitors.

For those interested in the models used in the series,
various originals were on display; the SHADO
interceptor, lunar mobile, and Sky One.

Episodes of the series shown in the screening room
were 'Destruction' and 'The Responsibility Seat'.

The charity auction items included videotapes of
episodes autographed by Ed Bishop, Gabrielle Drake and
Peter Gordeno; an original shooting script by author
Alan Patillo of the episode 'The Square Triangle'; and
a 'Fanderson'-produced book including shooting scripts
of 'U.F.O.' episode 'Timelash' and 'Space:1999'
episode 'Breakaway' (which I won, and Zienia Merton
was kind enough to autograph for me :> ).

Michael Wolff and Kez Wilson of the U.S. company
'Miscmayhem' did a presentation on comic books they
will be producing based on various Gerry Anderson
shows - including one on 'U.F.O.' ! (their website is
at http://www.miscmayhem.com ).

The last 'Fanderson' convention, 'Century 21' in 2000,
raised over £1700 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Peter
Gordeno's illness may have influenced the organisers'
choice of this particular charity on that occasion
(Peter of course played Skydiver pilot Peter Carlin in
the first six episodes of 'U.F.O.'). Happily, word is
that his condition is much better now :D

I had the privilege of being able to shake hands with,
and speak to, Ed Bishop, Dolores Mantez and Alan
Perry. They were each kind enough to let me take their
photographs, which - along with some other photos, and
scans of autographs - I will upload shortly.
They all looked happy and well.

The charity this year's convention supported was
Diabetes U.K. (their website is at
http://www.diabetes.org.uk ). Convention guest Zienia
Merton, who played Sandra Benes in 'Space:1999', spoke
about her experience of living with type 1 diabetes
(which is treated by daily injections), and drew the
tickets for the prize draw raffle on Sunday afternoon.
The auction raised £2676, which with the raffle and
other fund-raising came to a total of over £3300 - a
fantastic total for a very good cause !

Thanks are due to all the guests at the convention, as
well as the organisers and volunteers, for giving up
their time to attend, and so providing a great deal of
pleasure for the convention visitors. A great
convention !

Andy




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>U.K. over last weekend (18th and 19th May 2002). I had
>the pleasure of being able to attend it, and here is a
>broad sketch of the con.

Thanks Andy!

Sounds like it was a good convention. Hopefully more
details (and photos) will follow!

Marc

--- In SHADO@y..., Andy Lovie <andy_lovie@y...> wrote:
> > Michael Wolff and Kez Wilson of the U.S. company
> 'Miscmayhem' did a presentation on comic books they
> will be producing based on various Gerry Anderson
> shows - including one on 'U.F.O.' ! (their website is
> at http://www.miscmayhem.com ).

Hi, Andy!

You should have come by and introduced yourself. Of course, how are
you supposed to know I lurk here on this list?

Regardless, the show was great and we're tickled pink that we are
being given the opportunity to continue the "UFO" saga.

I also had a great meeting with the reps at Carlton in London, and
should soon be able to "leak" some information about new "UFO" toy
releases in the US (I have to be vague until all the contracts are
signed, but it should be no longer that 6 weeks or so).

Be sure to give AT and Yuctar big pats on the back as their story
concepts were what sold the proposal to Carlton!

One minor correction in your post, the web site is:

http://www.mischmayhemprods.com

I'll be putting new pages up concerning the "UFO" book as soon as I
get back to the US (we're still in England and plan to take in the
sights in London tomorrow).

Later,

Kez Wilson

http://www.miscmayhemprods.com/ufo_comic

Kez Wilson wrote:

<<Hi, Andy!>>

Hi Kez !

<<You should have come by and introduced yourself. Of
course, how are you supposed to know I lurk here on
this list?>>

Yes, that's the problem with 'real world' conventions
-how do you recognise people you may be on e-mail
'speaking' terms with ?

<<Be sure to give AT and Yuctar big pats on the back
as their story concepts were what sold the proposal to
Carlton!>>

Ah... that's 'Yuchtar', say again, Yuc_h_tar... don't
want you getting flamed by her, it's not a pretty
sight <g>...

Her _stories_ sold to Carlton ? Um... have you
actually _read_ her stories ? They're a bit, um, well,
racy... (blush)

<<One minor correction in your post, the web site is:

http://www.mischmayhemprods.com>>

Damn, does this mean the payment for the 'plug' won't
be sent to my Swiss numbered account after all ? <g>

Keep up the good work, and don't just 'lurk', keep
posting info on what's going on with Miscmayhem ...

Best wishes,

Andy




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[hidden email] wrote:

> [hidden email] writes:
>
> << Be sure to give AT and Yuctar big pats on the back as their story
> concepts were what sold the proposal to Carlton! >>
>
> Hmmm, seems to me I've heard the name Yuchtar somewhere, not sure where.

Can't imagine, dear. <casually filing finger nails>

> Amelia (with a big grin at the Klingon) You *rule*, Klingon!

Of course I do, <nose in air> I'm Klingon.
{{;-)


----------------------
Andy Lovie wrote:

We should all wear special T-Shirts or pink carnations or something when
we go to cons so we can recognize eachother ...

> <<Be sure to give AT and Yuctar big pats on the back
> as their story concepts were what sold the proposal to
> Carlton!>>
>
> Ah... that's 'Yuchtar', say again, Yuc_h_tar... don't
> want you getting flamed by her, it's not a pretty
> sight <g>...

LOL! My eyes just glanced right over that - I hadn't noticed ....

> Her _stories_ sold to Carlton ? Um... have you
> actually _read_ her stories ? They're a bit, um, well,
> racy... (blush)

ROFL!
No, dear, THOSE stories haven't sold - a story I helped write for the
comic book may have. I won't consider it a done deal until I have the
finished book (with my name on it) in my hot little hands and can say -
"wow" .......

Then, I'll probably kerplop, but I have plenty of cushions, so that's
okay. ;-)

> <<One minor correction in your post, the web site is:
>
> http://www.mischmayhemprods.com>>
>
> Damn, does this mean the payment for the 'plug' won't
> be sent to my Swiss numbered account after all ? <g>

Heh - in your dreams - LOL!
(I've already diverted that payment to MY account - sorry)


-- Y

--
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Yuchtar zantai-Klaan | [hidden email]
I am not a number! I am a FREE FAN!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"An apple a day keeps the, uh ....
No, never mind."
-- Doctor Who
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
http://yuchtar.users4.50megs.com/
http://nunzie.users2.50megs.com/

>supercarkez" <[hidden email]>
wrote:
>Hi, Andy!
>You should have come by and introduced yourself. Of course, how are
>you supposed to know I lurk here on this list?

>Regardless, the show was great and we're tickled pink that we are
>being given the opportunity to continue the "UFO" saga.

Kez,
I missed meeting Andy too, which is a shame. Where were you most of the
time, Andy? But I'm so glad I got the chance to meet you, Kez. Love what
you're doing with UFO! Just wait until the entire SHADO e-group sees what
you've been up to with those comics!!!!! *grin* BTW, is Mike going to join
the e-group? I really wish I could have talked with him more about
character development. I want to pick his brain! (We writers who lean
heavily on the character development side of things have to stick together,
you know.) Would you do me a favor and send him my e-mail address? That
way if he wants to continue our interesting conversation anytime, he can.
Thanks!
Denise

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Hi,

Checked out the covers of the comics -- very nice -- now, is there any time
line for their release (UFO and the others)?

Also -- any chance for Space:1999? :)

Anthony
-------------------------

Denise Felt wrote:

<<Where were you most of the time, Andy?>>

All over the place, in more ways that one... sufficiently big-headed
to think that with a couple of photos in both SHADO and Ed Bishop
Fans including yours truly, people would recognise me and come up for
a chat (big mistake, obviously)...

Did you get a chance to talk to (or photograph) Ed Bishop or Dolores
Mantez ? What were your favourite sessions from the con ? Hope you
had a good time anyway, and if you're coming over again, e-mail me
beforehand so we can get together !

Best wishes,

Andy

Hi Anthony:

Supercar --- Fall 2002

Fireball XL5 --- Spring 2003

UFO --- Summer 2003

Space: 1999 --- ummmmmmmm . . . we'll see.

Michael


>Checked out the covers of the comics -- very nice -- now, is there any time
>line for their release (UFO and the others)?
>
>Also -- any chance for Space:1999? :)

--- In SHADO@y..., "Denise Felt" <neesierie@h...> wrote:

BTW, is Mike going to join
> the e-group? I really wish I could have talked with him more about
> character development. I want to pick his brain! (We writers who
lean
> heavily on the character development side of things have to stick
together,
> you know.) Would you do me a favor and send him my e-mail
address? That
> way if he wants to continue our interesting conversation anytime,
he can.


Well, this is as good a place as any to jump in. I just got back
home and joined SHADO, so now that puts me in the e-groups for each
of the series we're doing comics on.

It was great talking with you Denise (and yeah, conventions can
sometimes be non-conducive to extensive conversations. Plus I was
still fading in and out due to incipient jetlag (although Kez will
tell you that fading in and out is pretty much my usual state . . .
and he might have a point).

Still getting things organized at this point but I'll be happy to
answer any questions anyone has (without blowing the gaff on the
actual plot of the initial mini-series). Kez and I are really
pleased that there's a lot of interest in the UFO comic (as a fan of
the series I'm admittedly pretty excited about it myself). If you're
an indication of the sort of fan who'll be watching for the comic,
then we'd all better be on our gingerbread.

I can assure all of SHADO that UFO: The Comic will be like UFO: The
Series . . . Only More So!!!! Just imagine new episodes of the
series set a bit further in the future, and take it from there.

I'll start issuing weekly updates soon on the comic (along with
continuing news on the Supercar and Fireball XL5 titles as well . . .
and hope to have you people on board for those too!), and will
provide more details not only on the initial plotting, but on the
development of characters, changes in setting and such . . . giving
you people a peek into what can be expected.

And I'll try to sound less like a press release and more like an
actual person in the future :)

Anyway, Denise (and others), like I said, feel free to post
questions. I personally came to depend upon the feedback from the
Black Rock people in the course of working out the Supercar comic, so
just letting you know your comments and suggestions won't fall on
deaf ears.

Michael

Michael:

Thanx for the update on the previously announced titles -- will they
be widely available in comic shops or online only?

Also -- while I'd love to see a Space:1999 comic, I wouldn't want
the addition of any comic series to your lineup to affect what's
already "on the table"...but, if you need to tap into any Space:1999
fan groups, etc., let me know. :)

Anthony
==================

--- In SHADO@y..., "Michael Wolff" <phydeaux44@h...> wrote: there any time
> >line for their release (UFO and the others)?
> >
> >Also -- any chance for Space:1999? :)

Hi Anthony,

>Thanx for the update on the previously announced titles -- will they
>be widely available in comic shops or online only?


Hopefully they'll be available both in shops and online. It's been
discussed to have the titles listed via Westfield Comics so, presumably,
other distribution outlets will be similarly notified (admittedly this is
more Kez's rabbit than mine).


>Also -- while I'd love to see a Space:1999 comic, I wouldn't want
>the addition of any comic series to your lineup to affect what's
>already "on the table"...but, if you need to tap into any Space:1999
>fan groups, etc., let me know. :)


Mucho appreciated!

Michael





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>"andy_lovie" <[hidden email]>
wrote:
>Did you get a chance to talk to (or photograph) Ed Bishop or Dolores
>Mantez ? What were your favourite sessions from the con ? Hope you
>had a good time anyway, and if you're coming over again, e-mail me
>beforehand so we can get together !

Andy,
Yes, I spoke with both of them and got plenty of pics. They're being
developed now. My favorite sessions from the Con were Gerry and Arthur,
Alan Shubrook, David Lane with Alan and John Hough, and Ed Bishop with
Francis Matthews. But I nearly fell out of my seat laughing when Chris
showed us the hilarious video shorts. Didn't you?
Yours,
Denise

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Anyone know what toys were supposed to be announced about two months
ago?

And what's happening with the comics -- UFO, Joe 90, Supercar?

Anthony
=============================

--- In SHADO@y..., "supercarkez" <kezwilson@m...> wrote:

Hi Anthony-
I will let Kez Wilson confirm or deny any announcements regarding toys but
as for the UFO comic book, it is well in hand.
I have turned in the script for issue one, which is now being edited by
Michael Wolff. I am currently working on issue 2 and plotting issue 3
(which will have many explosions, Derek Meddings would be proud!).
There are several other bits of news regarding the book that may not be
ready for public consumption just yet, but they are pretty exciting. Kez
will keep the list up to date, hopefully.
The #0 issue Yuchtar has written will be for sale next July or August, and
then the 6 issue miniseries will follow, beginning a month later.
Supercar #0 is being pre-solicited by Diamond in the U.S. this month, and
will be on sale in November. No Joe 90 book, but Fireball XL-5 should be
out in the Spring of next year.
Hope you enjoy them.
Anthony Taylor

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Anthony [hidden email]
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 03:08:37 -0000
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] UFO Comics?


Anyone know what toys were supposed to be announced about two months
ago?

And what's happening with the comics -- UFO, Joe 90, Supercar?




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