Ricky’s Farscape CreationCon Report and Picspam

Posted on by FrooniumRicky

“Thanks for the Memories”…

Ricky's Scaper Army blankie
Fans keep me warm! Photo by Dizzy.

Since 2000, Creation Entertainment has hosted annual Farscape fan conventions.

What’s a “fan convention,” you might ask? Simply this:

An opportunity for the cast and crew to meet the fans! 

And the fans don’t just pose for photos and sign autographs. They put on costume shows, panel discussions, and talent exhibitions, and they show off their amazing vids, fanfic, and other artistic creations.

I recently attended what was billed as the “final” Farscape con (but I don’t believe it; when it comes to Farscape fans, nothing is ever “final”) and was going to write up a con report, but I thought I’d instead share a few happy snaps and memories from a dozen years of congoing.

Here, for instance, is a gift I got at the most recent con: a fleece blanket, “handmade with Scaper love” by the talented SpriteLady, and made possible by donations from over 50 generous Scapers at TerraFirmaScapers.com!

(And I wasn’t the only cast/crewmember to get one of these beauties! Ben, Rockne, Wayne, Virginia, Lani, and Rebecca, to name just a few recipients, were just as gobsmacked and delighted as I was.)

Me & PKOL members
Dancin’ with the PKOL folk. Photo by MissyKat.

Costumes

They aren’t just conventions, they’re costume parties!

Here I am at the 2001 con with members of the “Peacekeeper Officers Lounge”… a group of online chatters, roleplayers, and Rockette impersonators.

(How cool is it that Farscape fans are so willing to mix and mingle with cast/crew and even pose for pictures!)
D’Argo, Sikozu, dork, Sikozu

More Costumes

Many fans work up not only costumes but also makeup and hair as well… and given how elaborate Farscape’s prosthetic makeup and crazy hair could get, that was often quite a challenge.

However, year after year, the fandom proved equal to the challenge, as this snap from the 2002 con illustrates.
These are simply AWESOME

Still More Costumes

Every con has a costume contest, and here are just a few of the astonishing entries in 2003.
Wayne Pygram & Rain-N-Sun
“PK Barbie” impresses Wayne. Photo by SunAeryn.

One More Costume

Rain-n-Sun poses as Scorpius’s assistant Niem (a character nicknamed “Peacekeeper Barbie” by the fanbase) with Wayne (“Scorpius”) Pygram.

This is a rare photo of Rain-n-Sun smiling while in costume; she seemed so solemn throughout the con that Wayne finally asked her if everything was okay… and she replied that all was fine; she was being serious because she was staying in character.
Talented and SMART! Photo from Karlsweb.

“Farscape on the Net” Panel

But it’s not all dress-up. Scapers are smart. Over the years, they’ve staged many fascinating and informative panels.

Here you see me in awe of Angie, Thinkum, AmyJ, KernilCrash, and un4scene as they explore the topic of “Farscape on the Net” at the 2003 con.
And they DID save Farscape!

“Saving Farscape” Panel

Also in 2003, Red, BritAngie, DaniMoure, and Voy discuss the campaigns devoted to “Saving Farscape.”

The series had been cancelled over a year earlier, but that didn’t deter the true-blue fans one bit; they mounted an incredibly persistent, thorough, and intelligent campaign to bring the show back.

And, unlike most save-our-show fan efforts, it worked; the Jim Henson Company produced a four-hour miniseries to continue the Farscape saga—and it was the Save Farscape campaign that made it happen.

But the fan efforts didn’t end there; websites such as watchfarscape.com are still going strong, bringing the latest Farscape info to the new fans who are discovering the series.
The Writers Speak

Fanfiction Panel

A series is nothing without its writers… and Farscape’s fanfic scribes are second to none.

Here, at the 2003 con, four of the finest—Cofax, UCSBdad, Shrift, and AerynCrichton—share tips, insights, and their favorite adverbs.

Standing to the left of the panel is Adam Malin, co-founder (with Gary Berman) of Creation Entertainment (in 1971!). Adam’s been the indefatigable host for a zillion fan conventions ranging from Farscape to Xena to Stargate to X-Files to Star Trek to… you name it.

Together with a tireless crew of terrific people (special shoutout to Richard Arnold, with whom I toiled in the Paramount vineyards many eons ago on Star Trek: The Next Generation), Adam’s put on some frelling fantastic Farscape bashes, year after year after year.
Talented, smart, and FAST!

Fanfic Panel Q & A

Most of the panels take questions from the audience; we line up at microphones on either side of the stage and ask something probing and intelligent.

At least that’s the theory.

In practice, there’s always some tongue-tied, star-struck newbie who gushes over the panelists or—God forbid—asks for a hug.

For the 2003 fanfic panel, that star-struck newbie was me!

Yes, I knew better, and I think I had a real question to ask—but when my turn came, I couldn’t stop myself from blurting out “Can I have a hug?”

Wonder of wonders, Cofax leapt up, rocketed across the stage—so fast that I barely had time to snap this picture—and gave me an excellent hug!

BESTEST. CON. EVER.
“It’s a Cookbook!”

Pressies

(that’s Australian for “presents”)

As if faithfully showing up to cons weren’t gift enough, fans also make things to share with cast and crew.

In this 2002 pic, BOFQs BFFs BNFs (I’ve forgotten the applicable fanacronym) Maayan and Makikosab have just fed me a copy of Foodscape, a fan-compiled collection of favorite recipes with a Farscape twist.

Better still, M & M, as well as numerous other fans, were kind enough to autograph my copy.

(And the recipes proved to be even tastier than the book!)
Scaper Army card
I don’t think they got this from Hallmark.

And finally…

To bring us full circle to the 2011 con, here you see the lovely custom-made card that accompanied the gift blankie I was given.

I was especially moved by the very first name on the list: StevePalmer, a longtime and particularly devoted Farscape fan who passed away in 2006. Scapers presented a heartfelt memorial tribute to Steve at the 2007 con. (This is the kind of thing I point out when I tell folks that the Farscape fandom truly is a community.)

Thank you for the memories, everyone.

As DK once said, “Stay a community.”

Gallery of above pix (click for larger versions):

63 thoughts on “Ricky’s Farscape CreationCon Report and Picspam”

  1. That was a GREAT READ! Thanks for taking the time to put it together. I came regrettably late to the Farscape game, so it’s wonderful to see pictures from previous cons.

    Best always!

    marie

  2. (Urk! Someone caught me on film!)

    This was great, Fr — damn, but I’m sorry to have missed the past few cons.

    2. Thinky: (Well, when you get up on stage in front of thousands of Scapers, pix happen.)

      We missed you, too! Gotta find me a con of some sort on your side of the continent… or an institution of higher learning that needs a special guest lecturer… or some other entity willing to pay my way east.

      Cofax: Yeah, you too! (I need another hug. The first one finally wore off, and I washed the shirt by mistake.)

      1. I should hope you washed the shirt by now!

        It’s pretty funny looking at those pictures now: I have way less hair now, and it’s all grey…

      2. You also clearly need to come visit NYC before I zip off around the world. 🙂

        (My school *does* have a screenwriting and film program…)

  3. Thanks so much Ricky for wonderful memories and giggles a gogo.
    I know I will treasure my own memories of Farscape cons in the US and Aus, and it was great reading some of yours.
    I miss everyone already!!!!

    1. Thank YOU, Em, for all the fabulous artwork!

      To rewrite my above comment to Thinky, I gotta find me a con of some sort on your side of the POND… or an institution of higher learning that needs a special guest lecturer… or some other entity willing to pay my way to the UK.

      Oh, and BTW, how are the Young Scorpy hands holding up? Disintegrated yet?

      2. LOL The hands are still looking fabulous 😉 I had a perspex case made for them and have them protected from light too 😉
        It would be wonderful to see you over in the UK. A little group of us went along to the LFCC last November in costume to harass David and Paul. We’d be delighted to harass you too xxx

  4. Froon, if you expand the photo of the 2003 fanfic panel you can see that I’m clearly doing what any good Scaper does. Taking a nap to get ready for the bar that night. Gotta keep your priorities straight.

    Thanks for taking the time to visit us over the years, and you’re right, there still hasn’t been a FINAL Farscape convention and there probably never will be.

    UCSBdad

  5. Ricky, thank you for being such a good sport and adding so much to the Farscape community. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you also for your fabulous episodes and hard work that made Farscape unique. And as we all know, unique is always special.

    1. Thank YOU for your longtime support! It wouldn’t be the same without you, either!

      (P.S.: Glad to see someone besides me has a Gravatar; I was worried that the darn things weren’t working. And a very cool avatar it is at that.)

      1. Glad to kick the tires. : ) I like gravatar. I run a small web design business and the logo is from that (and my anthropology degree). It’s fun and I love your Gravatar — but it’s wearing the wrong Mambo shirt.

        Please come east, that would be wonderful.

  6. D’aww your report is awesome! I approve of all the flail. It’s lots of fun when you get to meet people you are fans of. 😉 I’m glad your embarrassing fanboy ask for a hug was not made fun of. People are so nice! Heee

    I also want that cookbook…

  7. Wonderful report Ricky. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it. Loved seeing you at the 2011 Con in LA. And I too believe that Scapers never say or believe in FINAL. NO way! Looking forward to seeing you again and I’m so glad you like the blanket. Truly given with Scaper family love.

    Gin

    1. Back atcha! Yes, the blanket is terrific, so much so that I’m refusing to share it with the cats. SUCK IT UP, KITTEHS. NO CAT HAIR ON MY BLANKIE. SIT ELSEWHERE.

  8. Great read!

    The Farscape community goes on and on … and we’re fortunate that someone as fun as you is a part of it. Thanks for sharing the card! They did a fantastic job with it. Love your Captain Kirk pose they melded in there

  9. Oh, wow, I’ve just been hit with a real nostalgia shot! Even just reading the names, takes me back! I attended at least one con pictured, and had a total (jet lagged!) blast. Thanks for the memories, Froon, and thanks for helping to make them!

    1. Thank YOU! Indeed, it’s not a true Farscape con unless there’s a full contingent of BritScapers wandering about and talking funny. Sigh. I need to get to the UK sometime (see above comment)…

    2. I’ll see your wow and raise you an OMG! 😀 Thank you Froon for bringing back the lovely heartwarming and scrumptious memories of some wonderful times! (Though I’m still astonished they let me in the country!) (Thank you also Ellie for giving me this link! ) Who needs alchohol and christmas cheer to give you a glow when Scapers are around 😀

  10. This post was wonderful – I feel nostalgic for moments I wasn’t even there for, how does that work?

    Hope we see you at another con again soon. (Dragon Con, maybe?)

    1. Am looking into DragonCon, as it happens, because FANS ARE CLAMORING BY THE HUNDREDS.

      Okay, fans are quietly suggesting it by the twos.

      (Hope you don’t mind I borrowed your photo!)

      1. That would be wonderful. There already is some talk of a Scaper get together at Dragon*Con given that there is (or should be) a Farscape track in the Classic SciFi area. Talk to the head of the Classic SciFi group on Dragoncon.com about how to become a guest — then you can get paid and come to Atlanta. : )

      2. Not at all! 😀 Was quite fun to get a shoutout for it!

        I’m pretty sure Farscape fans could rustle up some clamoring for you… I’ve heard we can be quite loud when we want to be.

      4. We will shout—-just hope everythig can be worked out!!
        Can’t believe you have the web panel pic from Karl’s Web!!

  11. What a great report, thanks for sharing all the wonderful memories! 🙂
    And your right the card was not from Hallmark. LOL

    1. Thanks for being a part of those wonderful memories!

      And the card, like the blanket, was wondrous to behold, and I shall treasure them always, or until someone makes me a big offer on eBay.

  12. Awwww this was lovely!! I’m now really wishing I wasn’t so late to the party! 🙁 So many wonderful memories. I am still glad I didn’t have to stress between season though. I’ll hold tight to that to get me through the sadness of missing out on conning with everyone for so long!

    IT IS NEVER THE END.

    or something like that.

      1. And really that’s the best part. Well that and all the times John and Aeryn make out.

  13. Lovely remembrance! You and your fellows gave us a wonderful creation, so thank you for more than ten years of good memories of a fantastic world and the friendships we made sharing it.

  14. You know the plan for Fi’s Big Birthday (can’t say more on pain of death by Budong)? We’re going to Comic Con. I’m hoping to lure Teri et al., plus Em (now in SF), over there as well. So get your fine self down to San Diego this summer.

    1. I like this plan quite a bit, and have already marked the calendar.

      I would point out that the train ride from L.A. to San Diego is pleasant and scenic (well, the last half is scenic), but I’m reticent to suggest anything involving trains to you, given your timetable dyslexia…

      1. Isn’t there a statute of limitations? I’ll put Fi in charge of the timetables.

        Training it sounds great, though I imagine we could hitch a ride with the LA contingent…

        1. For prosecution, yes, the statute’s expired. For merciless reminders, I think we still have about 60 years to go…

          How large a contingent is there? Maybe we can charter a bus!

          Singing!
          “Every day I filk a song (Too much, the Scaper Bus)
          To sing on the bus that takes me to con (Too much, the Scaper Bus)
          I’m so nervous, I just sit and smile (Too much, the Scaper Bus)
          San D’s only another mile (Too much, the Scaper Bus)”

  15. Ah, memories! Dunno which was better, seeing all the old faces or the relief that none of them was mine ( just remember I’ve got my own evidence bag 🙂

    And yes, let’s all geek out at Comic-con (provided we’re able to get bloody tickets!)

    1. Oh man… if you guys happen to stop off in NYC on your way to/from, you have a place to stay. I’m likely going to be there as long as I can snag an internship or new job.

    2. Evidence? LESSEE! Pix or it didn’t happen!

      I hear that once tix go on sale, they’re available for at LEAST an hour. Shouldn’t be a problem.

  16. Thanks for sharing. I honestly believe that the Farscape Convention organizers never truly appreciated the uniqueness of the show or the fans. They paid lip service to it but it was just another fandom to them.
    I can’t begin to count the number of friends I’ve made over the last 10 years or the many ways in which Farscape stretched my creativeness to the max. It was an incredible journey and an amazing community to be involved with and we did astonishing things together. I don’t think Rockne or Brian had a clue how true it would be that Farscape really does leave you “irreversibly contaminated” when that line showed up in Premiere! The cast and the writers not only got into our heads but most importantly, our hearts. That’s why Farscape left such a lasting impression – unlike any other show before Farscape or since. We love them all… Ben, Claudia, Francesca, Anth, Gigi, Wayne, Virginia, Paul, David, Lani, Jonathan, Raelee, Rebecca, Tammy, Alyssa-Jane, Kent and even Melissa as well as many others too numerous to list. They were a part of our lives for close to 6 years, much of that time on a daily basis especially as we campaigned to get PK Wars. The cast at conventions has always been exceptional – unlike any other show’s cast and we can’t fail to love them with the trust they placed in us. Thank you Farscape cast you are amazing. Thanks for making us one big (sometimes dysfunctional) family.

  17. Froony, you mentioned the memorial tribute we did for Steve at the 2007 convention. I was wonder if you were actually there to witness that. If not, mayhaps I can arrange for you to see a non-existent video that wasn’t taken because we aren’t allowed to do that at the cons, but somehow made it to a few certain people.

    1. No, I believe I missed the 2007 con, so I’d love to see such a video, if it existed, which alas it doesn’t. Too bad you can’t, for instance, DM me a link to it on Twitter or something…

  18. It was great to see you again this year. I don’t remember taking that pic of Wayne and Rain-n-Sun but hey thanks for the credit. 😉

C'mon, say something, you know you want to