Sign In Sign-Up

Welcome!

Close

Would you like to make this site your homepage? It's fast and easy...

Yes, Please make this my home page!

No Thanks

  Don't show this to me again.

Close

Woke up a bit early and made some coffee (The Holiday Inn was well stocked as a suite). No news on my luggage. Grabbed a breakfast sandwich from BK and strolled to the Hilton.

Very small lines at the preregistration area! Talked to Ben's brother Robert Yee (of Rodimus Primal fame - featured in ToyFare), he too got the royal Airline treatment. The 3H people were just recovering from the dinner enough to open the lines only a little late. I had my registration packet in no time.

I went upstairs to see what was showing in the video rooms. Some G1 cartoon was going on. I observed Beast Wars II a few times and each time, that buffalo was making a fuss of some kind - very unappealing. So I decided to catch some Masterforce. Masterforce is a very well done series. Consistantly great art and decent action.

Went back up to check on my luggage. Still no news on where it was or when I'd get it.

Then, the doors were about to open...
There was a distinct sucking sound as the doors to the Dealer room consumed the long line that had formed. However, the waiting line for the exclusives was near the Dealer Room entrance and eventrually the exclusive line grew and blocked off people from getting to the Dealers.

I waded thru and headed straight for the short credit card line to buy extra exclusives.
With that done, I waded thru the masses trying to find Fumihiko's bunch. They had less area but great prices. Last year, I made the mistake of waiting to get the Return of Convoy MicroMaster reissues. This year, he put some out and I nabbed several. Hours passed and I was able to check into the Hilton (for the rest of the two nights). I brought up my MicroMasters and Exclusives and dumped them into my empty room.

By now, the line for Pre-regs to get their exclusives was WAY down so I got my pre-paid for stuff pretty quickly. Again, a quick dump of merchandise to my room. I made my full rounds to all the tables. Plenty of Car Robots and Beast Machines! I was mesmerized by Trent Troop's CGI animation playing on a TV in the Dealer Room.

I wandered all the dealer tables this time. I didn't want to attend any fan panels but I wanted to go to the voice actor, Vince DiCola, and Hasbro panels.

I walked back to the Holiday Inn and checked out. I asked the front-desk guy about my luggage and he turned out to be the most helpful. Now, all the hotel staff were friendly and helpful but this guy called up TWA and pushed them. TWA promised to get the luggage in my 2:30pm so he took my claim ticket and said he'd drive up himself to get it.

-- Voice Actor panel --
The Voice Actor panel started at 2pm Saturday. It was a riot. Alec Willows (Tarantulas) stole the show with his frequently interjected humor. Ian Cortell (Cheetor) was very funny, especially his anecdotes about Gary Chalk (Primal) and Scott McNeil (Waspy, Silverbolt, Dinobot, Rattrap). Venus Terzo (Black Arachnia) is simply beautiful. I didn't get to see her in '97 but she is quite a sight. Most questions were for her too.
Men are from Mars, BlackArachnia is from Venus. OK, bad pun, had to put it in!
When open questions were given to all of them. Alec would ususally pipe up first with something witty. Either the guys were overwhelming or Venus is just a bit more reserved but she was content to let the guys do most of the talking.
All of the voice actors have a long list of credentials. Many related to cartoon voices but various other media accomplishments as well. Ian, for example, won a Gemini award for his writing in a childrens show. Venus has been in TV and movies. Venus will be the voice for Jean Grey in the upcoming WB X-Men animated series for this fall.

People were consoling Alec for the death of Tarantulas. He really enjoyed joking about his death and hopeful return. He informed us that Dinobot (McNeil's) character died the same work day and Scott was pretty bummed about that. Alec said everyone was too busy consoling Scott to worry about Tarantualas. It's these behind-the-scene insights that make these panels so much fun.

Ian jokingly claims his fame as just doing his own voice as opposed to Scott who voices a wide range of styles -- none of them being his natural voice. Ian -- "Dragonball Z, my own voice; Beast Wars/Machines, my own voice ..."

Ian had an interesting commentary on Beast Machines season 2. Without too much spoiling, he commented that Season 2 had "more bickering and less story". Having seen it, I agree. But crucifying the writer as some fans attempt -- no.

When asked about their favorite cartoon voices, Ian liked Dr. Hiss from a little known toy line/cartoon "ZZ Bots" or "Dream Patrol". Alec actually liked imitating Gary Chalk! Venus likes Megatron's voice when he used his "yeeeesss". The voice actors actually try out for various characters. Ian and Alec both said they liked Rattrap.

Then, they were asked to use their Beast Wars voicing as if ordering out from McD's. (Which was more effective than just soliciting a phrase from them like "I like pie"). I'm sure people have an audio clip of this but it's my personal favorite part of the panel.

Favorite Episode:
Ian liked a BM:S2 ep where he basically experiences "Road Rage" as Ian put it.
Venus likes the S1 ep where Rattrap finally is able to transform.
Alec said, "the next one". Referring back to his hoping to come back some time. That one got a good response. :) These guys are just the greatest!

Ian told the Gary Chalk "coke story". I recommend getting a video copy of this. I think they are offering the official BotCon video again. The Voice Actor panel ALONE is worth the cost of the tape! Oh, I guess Gary falls asleep during tapings.

A Reboot movie is on the way! Yeah!

For the Beast Wars video game, Venus wasn't there for the taping so that's not her voice in the game. And Ian and Al did most of the voicing (even for the other characters).

They really admire Scott's energy, enthusiasm, and talent. They mentioned it several times. Since we were treated to Scott's many faces at last years convention, many could relate to the stories about Scott. They commented that Scott would talk to himself and would get all his character's voices going at once. He was also very sad when he only had a few lines in an episode. He'd try to milk it but the director would tell him to get it over with. Yeah, but a ham like that deserves the spotlight. :)

-- Hasbro panel --
Hasbro panel started early so I had to get out of the autograph line. Don't worry, you didn't miss much. They didn't have much to say. Especially since they didn't have any comment about any next series. Fan's told me there was "more to come" so when Hasbro didn't comment, it was secrecy not because no series existed. Last year, they said as long as the toys sell and the networks like the show, there will always be some kind of incarnation of Transformers -- it just makes business sense.

Anyway, they fielded questions that most fans could answer for them. There were questions about Unicron, Japan's "Car Robots" line, returning G1 toys, Headmaster Arcee with Daniel as the head. Ya know, the typical.

There were some really stupid questions too (OK, the Arcee question falls under "STUPID"). Someone tried to make a slam on the Japanese toys VS American toys not realizing we got most of S1 and S2 G1 from Japanese lines. Even now, BW toys are sculpted and produced in Asia. And Takara seems to be the one innovating. Also, a lot of people voiced that the Japanese know how to color and re-color. And that Hasbro should get a clue on coloration.

Unfortunately, some of the better questions were met with some pretty broad, general answers; even worse, some "no comment" answers were given too easily. I was disappointed in most of it. Since I attended last years, having Ace and that other guy was so great. They were really the brains behind everything. The ones sent this year were mere lackies who didn't seem that well informed. But they did solicit and record feedback regarding various lines.

There was an outright slam on the Beast Wars Mutants (beast to beast, no robot mode). But I feel that the Mutants were a great idea with a very good backstory! I bought all four. Now, Icebird is the best. Poison Bite is simply ferocious looking.

But I can find fault in all of the toys:

• Icebird's wings, the outward side could have been painted white so there aren't those gray ribs on the bear mode
• No fish or scorpion has Poison Bite's colors
• RazorClaw should have been brown since that's the color of a wolverine and no one has seen a real raptor -- they could have been brown
• SoundWave, probably the weakest in all modes. Those gator feet are too big

But it was a very unique transformation idea. They were their own faction with a struggle and a purpose. Returing to the "backstory", certainly the virus could have affected fuzors like that. What a great progression of a part of the Beast Wars story! For the record, I only liked about 4 fuzors. I like Tigerhawk for those who correctly percieve him as a Fuzor. Getting off Soapbox ...

The Hasbro reps admitted that their attempt to synch up the show and toys this year didn't go that well. They assured us that they will keep trying and that they were learning from the mistakes from this year.

One disappointing answer regarded the distribution of TM2 Black Arachnia. Disregarding the "bra" thing for now. They gave some really strange answer regarding production of TM2:BA. But it really didn't answer the relative scarcity of her toy. I guess Canada didn't even get her! While some people want to concieve a scandelous notion of why she was not widely produced, it is a valid mystery why we didn't get more of her.
BTW, she was being sold for $90 at the convention! Eventually that shop lowered her to $75. I guess her rarity and Venus's presence accounted for this level of scalping. I still feel ripped off by ShopKo for charging $25 for her (a $15 toy).

At least they just had a "no comment" on Takara's Neo Unicron. To me, it meant they were aware of it and (from hasbrocollectors.com feedback) know the fan's loved it. I guess I'm saying, at least they weren't ignorant of this toy.

So Hasbro left assuring us that they are hearing us. They want to constantly innovate but satisfy fans as well. They know we like vehicles. But they know G1 toys are just blocks. Kids and fans all enjoy the BW poseability. I'm sure they are working on a like Japan's Car Robot line. In fact, Car Robots may be showing up on our shores next year. BUT, Hasbro's not talking.

My suitcase did arrive. I went to get it and give the hotel employee a generous tip.
I finally had the Quintesson project for Sebas. Now, to track him down. I talked to the BotCon official in the Art Room to see if I could display the Quint's package so Sebas could get in touch with me. Instead, they found his last name so I could get the hotel to call him. On my way up, I let Robert Yee take a gander at the Quints. Robert finally got his luggage (+ his BotCon diorama display) as well. Sebas was quite happy to get the pictures. I was quite happy to be commissioned for another project.

Robert Yee finally got his luggage so he set up his Rodimus Primal display. As I mentioned before, his kitbash toy was featured in ToyFare. He made some additions to Primals armor and supplied a very elaborate multimedia display.
First off, he enclosed the whole display in a black case. He had a lightning platform with electricity streaking through it. Rodimus Prime stood on this platform. To the right, the trailer was open deploying all the artillery and missile pods. Below the trailer was the awesome shield proudly displayed. Now, on the right was a laser show shot from an emitter above. The lasers danced on the covered laptop keyboard. The final touch was his multimedia display. With music from Gladiator, he had a beautiful slideshow presentation about Rodimus Primal (the pictures were synched with the music). Backstory and Techspecs were displayed. He showed the evolution/comparison from Hot Rod to Rodimus Primal. He showed Primal in his orangutan mode. The thing that impressed me most was the viscious bike mode! I really liked this one. The bike was not only an unexpected suprise but it was very well done. His shield made up the windshield (whole front) of the bike.

later, I "interviewed" another client regarding their web site. Hopefully, I can do some good work for them too. We ordered out Pizza. Then, the Transformers: The Movie" showing was quickly upon us!

-- Theatrical showing of Transformers: The Movie --
Even tho it was raining, the theater was across the street connected by a walkway. We grabbed some balcony seating and had a great view. The Hartman's told us how they struggled to finally get a place to show the movie. This turned out better since we could all enjoy it at once. Fortunately, the crowd kept their rowdiness to a respectable minimum. Well, except for the crying baby in back of us. Geez, get rid of the kid. The parent's probably didn't know it but the sound may have been to much for the little one.
I digress, the movie was in all it's glory. People cheered at Spike's cuss-word. Typical Decept fans cheered when an Autobot died. Eh, it was still a great experience. Yes, I had to hold back from singing with every song. :)

You all can probably quote every line of the Movie so I'll skip any commentary.

I just want to echo earlier sentiment from the BotCon folks:

• I hope this becomes a BotCon tradition
• It's great to see the younger generation mesmerized by the Movie just as we were
• Vince's music is absolutely spectacular! The louder the better! :)

Stayed till the end credits were finished just to bask in the music. Walked back to the room in a kind of dreamy, satiated state. Ah, wonderful to enjoy the Movie yet again.

©1999 Mark Wong
Didn't bring a camera, needed material from other people.