We got to the convention center at about 9 o'clock. The first thing we did was make our way to the autograph hall, because I wanted David Prowse and Richard LaParmentier to sign my poster. These were the two SW celebs I ultimately chose because 1.) the poster I had with me was a big one sheet (on cardboard, still sealed in the plastic wrap) of Darth Vader. If you want to know what it looks like just take a look at the 1995 trilogy vhs box art. I know most people would have chosen a different poster, but this was the only one I had, and it was still sealed in plastic--so I thought it would up the price (not that I plan on selling it mind you). My mom wanted me to take it out of the plastic so they could sign the picture, but its been in the seal for over 10 years and its still in very near mint condition, and there was no way I was about to take it off now. But now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I did the right thing. What do you guys think? And the reason why I chose Richard LaParmentier to sign it is because I liked his character. This was the first time I've ever been to a SW convention, and the first time I've ever seen a celebrity in person (well....a celebrity in my book). It was a weird experience I must tell you. They really are just normal people. When I met David Prowse I asked him to write "I find your lack of faith disturbing" on my poster. Right away he said "no"; and I just mentally went "huh?". But I quickly blew it off and just let him write what ever he wanted. When he was done I asked him about his work on Stanely Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange". First I asked him "were you in a clockwork orange" (even though I knew he was, I wanted to be sure). Immediately he cracked a smile and said "yes". I think maybe he was happy that somebody remembered him for something other than Darth Vader. I asked him what it was like. He didn't go into detail and just said "It was marvellous, simply marvellous", and, "stanely kubrick was a fascinating director to work with". Of course we had to keep the line moving, so our short conversation was ended and I shook his hand and moved on. I asked my mom why he said no to my personalized request, and she said he thought you were asking him "do you find my lack of faith disturbing?". That brought a big smile to my face.
Next up was Richard LaParmentier and he is a great guy. His line was very short as were most "1 coupon" celebs. He was standing up and chatting with his aid--instead of sitting down like most autographers--and he seemed to be having a fun time, although a bit hyper-active. I asked him what it was like to work with Peter Cushing (because it was the only thing I could think of), and he started going into detail about Cushing's strange habit of wearing surgical gloves when he smoked because the cigarettes he smoked were more stain-inducing. He also went on about how Cushing was interested in the occult and remained endeared to his deceased wife up until his death. I then did the typical fan boy suck up by saying his character in SW is one of my "favorites". He told me thank you, and let us take a picture together for free. When he signed my poster he signed it on part of the Death Star, which greatly pleased me. Again, the conversation was cut short because of Richard's hyper-active habit of moving around and talking with everyone.
We then walked around the autograph hall to gawk at all the actors and take pictures of them. At first, when we were in David Prowse's line, we noticed that Billy Dee Williams's line (which was right next to his) wasn't doing any business because Billy, I guess, postponed his booth about 40 minutes later than schedule. When he got there, his aid went around telling people not to use the flash on their cameras, and that he wasn't going to take any pictures with people. I thought he was being stuck up, but my mom wondered if he had a hangover or something, as he was also wearing sunglasses. Peter Mayhew's line, which was on the other side of Prowse's, was doing hardly any business at all. His line was open but nobody was coming, and the poor guy sat there looking bored until finally another fan came along. I wanted to get his autograph too, but I didnt' have much money--so I opted to get one big guy (prowse) and a little guy (Richard LaParmentier). My mom and I stood around the "little guy" section to see the actors as there weren't as many people as there were for the well-known stars, and thus you could actually see them. Bai Ling (from Episode II) was hosting the booth next to Richard's, and let me tell you, she looked like a SKANK! Seriously! My mom was the one who noticed it first. When she told me to look, I couldn't believe my eyes. She was wearing no braw under her shirt and her nipples were rock solid! Just as skanky, her skirt looked like it was on the verge of falling off. She looked like a street whore from Vietnam, with the sign "Me so harny!" virtually engraved in her forehead. And I dont think I need to tell you that she had a line of guys waiting to have their pictures taken with her. Would I have jumped onto that in a heartbeat? Of course I would, but this was a family event, and I thought it was disgusting being dressed like that with so many kids running around. And what was worst, somebody actually let their 4 year old daughter take a picture with her skank ass. There's a big difference between looking sexy (like the Leia slave girls walking around), and looking like a 5 dollar lot lizard like Bai Ling did. I would also like to point out that her boobs were saggy as hell, which added more effect to her slutty image.
Other actors we looked at were the woman who played the Tonniker sister; she had white hair from age, but she was still very attractive; Leeanna Walsman from EII who looked very beautiful with her brunette hair. I envied the guy working for her who seemed to be talking up a storm with her, probably hoping to get laid. We also saw that bald chick from EII; she looked just as weird in person, and dressed like a guy. Eeek!
After we got done in the autograph hall we walked around and took pictures with guys in costumes. I took a picture with a stormtrooper with my hands in the air like he was about to shoot me. We then went into the fan fair hall to look around. In the middle of the room they had a bunch of guys building real remote controlled droids (including artoo and that little black roller from EIV). Also in the room were a bunch of models that combined real SW toys on a set that resembled each important scene in the films, from the death star trash compactor, the blockader attack, the Queen amidala escape from Naboo, Jabba's palace, the imperial carrier landing on the new death star, and a lot of others I cant even remember at the moment. They were all very realistic and very cool looking. In the back of the room were a bunch of cars that fans had decked out with SW memorabilia modifications. One car, I think an 88 cutlass, had a model tie fighter for a hood ornament, and two other cars had replica artoo heads sticking out of the trunk to resemble the X-wing. Speaking of X-wings, in the middle of the room was a large model of one. There was a large Emperor Palpatine statue (complete with throne chair), and I took a picture with it kneeling on one knee pledging my allegiance to the dark side.
After that we went to the sellers room to look at the toys and stuff. Naturally, everything was double, sometimes tripple marked what it would really be worth--although a few vendors were offering their stock cheap so they could get rid of it (mostly 19