GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

DreamCon - Meeting Jewel and Matt

POSTED BY: HIROSTONE
UPDATED: Thursday, June 17, 2004 14:19
SHORT URL:
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Monday, June 14, 2004 5:08 AM

HIROSTONE


Hello all,

It’s been a while since I posted on here, but I have a valid excuse. I was part of the committee for the inaugural DreamCon convention that was held in Jacksonville, FL over the weekend (June 11-13). It was a great time and we had some really excellent guest actors/actresses, authors and artists such as our guest of honor Ron Perlman, Erin Gray, Gary Graham, Jerry “the King” Lawler, George Lowe (the voice of Space Ghost and incidentally, the funniest guy I’ve ever met in my life!), Mercedes McNab, Elizabeth Anne Allen, Brian Thompson (all three from Buffy!), Peter David (great author! great guy! fantastic guy!), Larry Niven, Arne Starr, Debi Derryberry (the voice of Jimmy Neutron), and many, many more. For our first time out, we all had a stressful, but fantastic time.

The reason I’m posting today, after all the madness and insanity, is that I got the chance to spend a lot of time with Miss Kaywinnit Lee Frye herself, another one of our special guests, better known as Kaylee, Jewel Staite, as well as her husband, the most awesome guy to do karaoke with, Matt Anderson. I met the both of them as we were both coming out of the VIP room and waiting for an elevator. I happened to mention that I had the DVD set in my bag hoping I would get to meet her sometime on the weekend. She was very nice and I didn’t even have to ask her as she offered to sign it for me (luckily I had my trusty Sharpie with me, of course). Matt then asked me down with them to the lounge for a drink so I tagged along.

While we were there, all of us talked about a lot of things: sci-fi in general and how loyal sci-fi fans are, the Lord of the Rings movies, about Jewel and Matt were surprised by the amount of support Firefly got when it was cancelled and when fans tried to bring it back and then convince the studio to green light the movie, about Jewel’s career, all forms of Star Trek, about how I got involved in the convention and what I was actually in charge of, some mutual interests such as writing, music and reading (Dan Brown’s books were a hot topic with The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons already read, but I recommended to them the other two books as they were excellent novels as well), they were also interested in my own writings and wanted to hear my processes of how I write; we discussed a wide variety of things including Joss, of course, his fanbase and the genius that is him! And of course we talked about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wait for it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Serenity!

Of course, she couldn’t say much about the plot or any secrets of the movie itself (confidentiality contract and you know how Joss Whedon likes to keep things under wraps) and I actually didn’t want to actually hear the inside stuff anyway as I’d like to be surprised when the movie comes out, but I just asked her one thing about Blue Sun. And she just smiled that really cute ‘Kaylee’ smile and said, "it’s something better . . .” and I was intrigued but satisfied with her answer.

Incidentally, Matt, Jewel’s husband, is a fantastic guy! Very charismatic and funny, and really brings out the best the people around him. Talkative and personable, he was great to watch as we were doing karaoke in one of the con rooms on Saturday night. And as he was dancing and gyrating, giving the audience a great show, Jewel was laughing and shying away, pretending not to know who he was. I actually saw her give that ‘I am so over you’ look that Kaylee gives Simon all the time. But I can't say enough good things about Matt; he really made me feel comfortable hanging around him and Jewel, and everyone else (including Elizabeth and Mercedes)all weekend.

As we talked more, we got into talking about the cast. They had some great stories and little anecdotes involving Nathan and Alan and their antics (I actually put on my Mal-type Firefly costume and they took my picture. And there is a secret prank between them and Nathan about giving each other ‘the finger’ so I was happy to accommodate them about it when they took it). Also about Summer, as they had gone to the UK together to do a convention there as well, and some stories about the beginning production of Serenity in the desert and involving Morena’s sunburned cleavage (very long story!). There are more stories and inside jokes about the rest of the cast, but I don’t want to make this thread too long; least to say, I had a great time talking with both Jewel and Matt that night and saw more of them throughout the convention (some con related, some just hanging out).

The best part, by far, was when I told the both of them about stories from Fireflyfans.net. I told them about ‘Shindigs’ all over the country, Firefly discussion groups at cons that went on for 24 hours straight, the games, the roleplaying, Firefly ‘converts’ and everything fans were doing to ‘keep Serenity flyin’’. However, by far, they were really touched to hear about how fans sent DVDs of Firefly to the troops overseas and how many of them thoroughly enjoyed and became huge fans of the show. That the soldiers identified with Mal, Zoë, Wash, Jayne, Kaylee, Inara, Simon, River, and Book, and the aspects of the show including the hell of war, which side was the right side, and the darker aspects and social commentary it presented to them. Matt and especially Jewel were surprised to hear about that. She wasn’t sure if Joss knows about that, but I’m assuming she might tell him about it as well.

It was a great pleasure to meet the both of them and I’m hoping they keep in touch. Matt’s a great person to be around in general as he keeps everyone in high spirits and in stitches and Jewel was the sweetest, most amiable, genuine person I’ve ever met.


PS - Jewel really saved my butt by being one of the judges in the costume/cosplay contest I was putting together. She was really enthusiastic when I said I was running it and asked if she could be a judge. Shiny! I am forever in her debt!!!


-keep flyin’

-Hiro

JAYNE
Captain, can you stop her from bein' cheerful, please?

MAL
I don't believe there is a power in the 'verse that can stop Kaylee from being cheerful. Sometimes you just wanna duct tape her mouth and dump her in the hold for a month.

She grins and kisses his cheek.

KAYLEE
I love my captain.

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Monday, June 14, 2004 5:22 AM

SHINY


GREAT story, Hiro! Have you posted this over at the OB? If not, mind if I link them over here?

...sun-burned cleavage, hmmm...

"I left my heart in Serenity Valley"

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Monday, June 14, 2004 5:22 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.


Sounds like you had a great time Hiro. Hope you were able to get some pics to share. I always figured Jewel as the sweet, easy to talk to sort. Her hubby sounds like a great guy.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."


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Monday, June 14, 2004 5:56 AM

JAHZARA


Make the thread as long as you like. Awesome that you met her.

Awesome!

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Monday, June 14, 2004 6:11 AM

HIROSTONE


Quote:

Originally posted by Shiny:
GREAT story, Hiro! Have you posted this over at the OB? If not, mind if I link them over here?

...sun-burned cleavage, hmmm...

"I left my heart in Serenity Valley"



Not at all! Go ahead and link it over there. This Must Be Shared With Others!!!!

...yes... sun-burned cleavage... hehehehe... just how it sounds..... hehehe.... Jewel got sun-burned herself... but that's a whole other post altogether!!!!

-keep flyin'

-hiro

Kaylee
No power in the 'verse can stop me!


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Monday, June 14, 2004 7:20 AM

NICOLACLARKE


C'mon, Hiro, you can't tell half a story and then leave us hanging!!

/ pure intentions, juxtaposed /

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Monday, June 14, 2004 8:07 AM

FIREFLEW


Quote:

Originally posted by NicolaClarke:
C'mon, Hiro, you can't tell half a story and then leave us hanging!!

/ pure intentions, juxtaposed /



Exactly! Come on

And if you don't....



Capiche?

Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Monday, June 14, 2004 1:12 PM

HIROSTONE


Okay, I couldn't reply with another long post because I was at work and stuff got a little hectic. But I'm home now so.... any questions fire away.

I also hung out with Elizabeth Anne Allen who played Amy the Rat Witch on Buffy and Mercedes McNab, Harmony from Buffy and Angel. Elizabeth, Mercedes, Matt, Jewel, this fantasy artist Paul, and I all hung out in the lounge of the hotel after we did karaoke. THAT was an experience!

But any specific questions, I'll be happy to answer if I can. Just ask!

-keep flyin'

-Hiro

The Hiro of Fandom the man they call.... ME!!!

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Monday, June 14, 2004 1:16 PM

DARKHOOD


Did McNab say anything about what the cast are like on set? Also you have to give us every bit of info you can from your talk with Jewle. I never get bored of reading good things about our favourite cast.

________________________________________________________________________

Mal: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know... shoot 'em.

Zoe: Shoot 'em?

Mal: Politely.

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Monday, June 14, 2004 2:35 PM

HIROSTONE


Quote:

Originally posted by DarkHood:
Did McNab say anything about what the cast are like on set? Also you have to give us every bit of info you can from your talk with Jewle. I never get bored of reading good things about our favourite cast.

________________________________________________________________________

Mal: If anyone gets nosy, just, you know... shoot 'em.

Zoe: Shoot 'em?

Mal: Politely.



I'm sorry. I only had a chance to briefly chat with Mercedes on Saturday night and that was with a group and the conversation drifted from one subject to another, but it didn't touch on the cast of Angel or Buffy. Mostly we all talked about music and getting to know personal stuff about each other. Plus, Matt and Elizabeth were goofing around with the lounge's baby grand piano, so we were laughing and sang a couple of songs badly before they told us to stop! All of us were going to an indie rock bar, but then Jewel and Matt weren't up for it, and Mercedes and Elizabeth didn't want to ride in a car without a driver (which was understandable since they were visitors and we were practically strangers). I didn't want to go either, so we all went back up to the VIP suite.

As for Jewel, well, she spent most of her time in the VIP suite talking to the other special guests when she wasn't doing signings, Q&A's or on discussion panels. She and Matt usually came up to hang out right after the events at the con. On Saturday, after she graciously did me a favor being a judge in my costume contest, they went up to the VIP room and hung out and talked to the guests there. They did go and see the Art Auction room to check out the drawings and paintings there for sale. I know they also went to see Artist's Alley in the dealer's room.

Also, she spent alot of time talking with Peter David, the author, who slso worked with her on Space Cases years ago, and also his wife. Also, with an artist from Orlando, Paul. She and Matt were sooooo lovey-dovey too at times. It was adorable ;o) Except when Matt was being very silly doing karaoke on Saturday, and that's when Jewel was either laughing her head off or pretending she didn't know him. LOL. But practically throughout the whole weekend, they were inseperable.

I didn't see many of the panels, but the one thing I heard from some people was that during this one panel that had Jewel, Erin Gray, Elizabeth, Mercedes and a couple of other women, some feminist zealot were critizing all of them, Jewel especially, for their sexual overtones in sci-fi shows that they were on. I'm surprised that Matt, who I assumed was there, didn't shoot up from his seat and went at this woman. I mean, these panels are for healthy discussion, yeah, but also to be fun and light-hearted.

Um, when I talked to Jewel alone we talked about my experiences in college theatre, writing and various books and such. I really recommended Dan Brown's books, but Deception Point more highly than Digital Fortress. She was intrigued that the lead characters were women in both books and I said that Deceptoin Point was excellent and that she should definitely check it out.

I'll talk more about some cool stuff I found out about the Firefly cast and some stuff about Serenity. But I have some errands to do.

-keep flying'

-Hiro

-Are you familiar with the works of Shan Yu?

-Isn't that required reading for FOX and WB TV executives?

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Tuesday, June 15, 2004 4:07 AM

CSTEINME


Great retelling of your encounter with Jewel! We were at DreamCon too, and got to ask her lots of questions during the Q&A on Saturday. But next time, I'm hanging out with you...

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Tuesday, June 15, 2004 4:07 AM

CSTEINME


Great retelling of your encounter with Jewel! We were at DreamCon too, and got to ask her lots of questions during the Q&A on Saturday. But next time, I'm hanging out with you...

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Tuesday, June 15, 2004 4:29 AM

HIROSTONE


Sweeeet!

Glad you had a good time at DreamCon.

However, I am paying for it now, as I am sooooo DEAD TIRED!!!! And I'm at gorram work right now!!! I was on the committee and was on staff all weekend. Iran myself ragged during the day and hung out with the guests practically all night!!! Stupid, huh?

But everyone there had a fun time I think. Jewel, Matt, Mercedes, Elizabeth, Scott, Ron, everyone was great.

More on the sunburned cleavage and some inside info on quite interesting stuff on Nathan and the rest of the cast Jewel and Matt let me in on when we talked later today; at work now.

-keep flyin'

-Hiro

Jayne
Pain is scary...

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Wednesday, June 16, 2004 8:20 PM

MAKEROFPATHS


Did I miss the continuation of this report in another thread, or are you still tuckered out, Hiro?

:-)

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 3:14 AM

HIROSTONE


Quote:

Originally posted by makerofpaths:
Did I miss the continuation of this report in another thread, or are you still tuckered out, Hiro?

:-)



Dude.......!!!

The people that were at DreamCon or those who were behind the scenes with me on the committee or as volunteers, please, have my back!!!!

I am exhausted. Plus, I'm gearing up for my vacation and trying to get everything ready before then.

I'm going to try and do a post during my lunch hour, but it might be going to be a short one.

-keep flyin'

-Hiro

WASH
Oh my god, it's grotesque! Oh, and there's something in a jar.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:27 AM

HIROSTONE


Okay, now I have some time.


Alright, where to begin???

Since you all have been patient with me, I guess I should tell you about Morena’s sun-burned cleavage, huh? Okay, for those of you at DreamCon, you’ve probably heard this story already, but for those of you that weren’t, here’s the skinny:

The first few days of shooting for Serenity, as you know, are taking place in the desert. Now, Jewel told this story about Morena. She commented that she was a jeans and sweatshirt kinda gal that usually didn’t wear make-up because she was naturally beautiful anyway. However, as Inara, Morena has to wear those elaborate, beautiful gowns most of the time, which takes a lot of preparation to get in and look like a proper ‘Companion’ like she is in character. Because of getting into the dress, the make-up and hair, it took Morena the longest. And in the desert, when the sun gets high in the sky in the afternoon, everyone in the cast and crew put on sun block so they wouldn’t get burned. Morena did as well, but for some reason she didn’t put any on her cleavage, (possibly because it would’ve ruined the body make-up or something like that) which, as she’s in her Companion gown, really stuck out prominently. Because of that, her cleavage got burned and then started to peel as well! I just found that very amusing that with everyone else in the cast pretty much covered up, and poor Morena in her Companion outfit got sun-burned bad enough that he skin started to peel.

Okay, I may have screwed that up a little because I got to Jewel’s Q&A late and only started listening to this story two-thirds of the way through. BTW, I mentioned that Jewel got sunburned as well. The story with that was she was wearing sun block and her Kaylee jumpsuit so she was pretty well covered. However, she neglected to put sun block on her head, down where her hair parts. So, that thin strip of skin on her head got sun-burned and she said it really hurt. I found that amusing as well.

Thinking back to when Jewel, Matt and I were sitting in the lounge late on Friday night, I was pretty out of it running around all day and probably was a little incoherent and not as articulate as I usually am, but tried to make sense. When they asked me who my favorite character from Firefly was, I was tempted to say Kaylee, but I honestly answered Mal (but quickly said that Kaylee was a close second). They then started to tell me a little about Nathan and how silly he could be. On the set, Jewel described him as a little like George Clooney when he was on ER; that he was goofy, silly and played jokes all the time off camera, but once they started rolling, he was all business (though still somewhat playful, doing stuff in the moment). Nathan, along with Alan, always kept everyone in stitches. Not that Alan was Nathan’s sidekick, but they were more like ‘PARTNERS IN CRIME!!!’ They described them as a comedy act. So much so, they had a running contest to see who would make Gina crack up first on camera. However, when Nathan was being too silly and it really screwed up a scene they were filming, Joss made him stop and asked him, “Nate, what have we learned today?”

And Nathan would reply in a mutter, “Joss is Boss . . .”

I laughed so hard at that!!!!

Jewel went on to describe more of the cast in detail.

She said that out of everyone the most serious actors were Adam and Ron, that although they could be silly too, they really took their craft seriously once the camera was rolling. I could definitely see that with Ron, but that kinda surprised me with Adam. But as I thought of it, it made more sense as his character was very intricate and so detailed (like the observances that Jayne would always have something in his hands, working on something). Jewel went on to complement Sean a little as they had instant chemistry onscreen between their characters. She also said that she was in awe with Gina’s presence and demeanor as Zoë, that she was always spot on in her cool and calm character performance and charisma. The most complements Jewel had, other than Nathan, was for Summer. As Jewel has been working as an actor for a long time, she was surprised at Summer’s easy transition from dance to acting. What impressed her most was during the rehearsals for the pilot episode of Firefly when they did table readings whereas everyone else was just reading off their scripts, Summer would read with such intensity and the ‘River’s crazy’ mannerisms one-hundred percent. When Joss went up to her and said to save that until they were filming, Jewel said that Summer really felt like a novice. She also complemented her with her movements on the set, the nuances of River as she walked or did various kinds of business. I made a comment as I noticed this as well with her various unique movements she’d made all throughout the show. My favorite being from Objects In Space where River bends down to pick up the tree branch and she’s bending from the waist.

Matt and Jewel went on to say out of all the cast, they really stayed in close touch with Nathan when the show ended. What I had mentioned earlier with that private joke between them is this: I was in charge of the costume/cosplay contest for DreamCon. I mentioned this to Jewel and Matt when I met them as we were waiting for the elevators and she had just come from UK convention, with Summer, and had seen several Firefly entries (including a couple of Kaylee’s: one in her regular jumpsuit and another, worn by a little girl in the ‘layered cake’ dress). Jewel was immediately ecstatic to volunteer to be a judge which really saved my ass because I still needed two judges out of the three I needed!!! Alright, I was going to wear my Firefly Mal-type getup I had thrown together, complete with gun belt and long blade, in the spirit of the contest, however, I couldn’t change into it in time. Later after the contest, I went to the VIP room where I found Jewel and Matt hanging out with the other guests. I went into the connecting room and quickly put on my costume just to show off. I kinda felt really self-conscious when I came out and walked back into the room. However, Jewel and Matt loved it! So, they wanted to take a couple of pictures. They took a normal one with me and my marshal gun out on display. And then the next one they took, they asked me to subtlety give them ‘The Finger’. Nonplussed, due to Matt’s sense of humor, I did so, hiding it with the gun in my hand. When I changed out of the costume into my regular clothes, they then confided that they and Nathan have this running gag about giving each other ‘The Finger’.

“Cool!” I thought to myself.

So, in essence, I, dressed up somewhat like Mal, am giving Nathan Fillion ‘The Finger’! I am giving Captain Malcolm Reynolds . . . ‘The Finger’!!!! I can’t get over that!!!! That is TOO COOL!!!! LOL!!!!

Well, that’s all I can recall. For those of you who want to read the Q&A’s Jewel did for DreamCon, there is a thread for that somewhere here linking to the OB. From what I heard, the panels and Q&A’s she did were all great. When it came to DreamCon itself, there were a few times I came to the rescue for some of the guests, even Jewel a couple of times when she did her signings. I’ll tell that story some other time. Right now, this thread is REALLY TOO long!

In the meantime, reply to this message; I think everyone has to read it!!! hehehe

-keep flyin'

-Hiro

One of my favorite Mal/Kaylee moments:

KAYLEE
These girls have the most beautiful dresses. And so do I -- how about that?

MAL
Yeah, well, just be careful. We cheated Badger out of good money to buy that frippery, and you're supposed to make me look respectable.

KAYLEE
Yes, sir, Captain Tightpants.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:28 AM

HIROSTONE


Okay, now I have some time.


Alright, where to begin???

Since you all have been patient with me, I guess I should tell you about Morena’s sun-burned cleavage, huh? Okay, for those of you at DreamCon, you’ve probably heard this story already, but for those of you that weren’t, here’s the skinny:

The first few days of shooting for Serenity, as you know, are taking place in the desert. Now, Jewel told this story about Morena. She commented that she was a jeans and sweatshirt kinda gal that usually didn’t wear make-up because she was naturally beautiful anyway. However, as Inara, Morena has to wear those elaborate, beautiful gowns most of the time, which takes a lot of preparation to get in and look like a proper ‘Companion’ like she is in character. Because of getting into the dress, the make-up and hair, it took Morena the longest. And in the desert, when the sun gets high in the sky in the afternoon, everyone in the cast and crew put on sun block so they wouldn’t get burned. Morena did as well, but for some reason she didn’t put any on her cleavage, (possibly because it would’ve ruined the body make-up or something like that) which, as she’s in her Companion gown, really stuck out prominently. Because of that, her cleavage got burned and then started to peel as well! I just found that very amusing that with everyone else in the cast pretty much covered up, and poor Morena in her Companion outfit got sun-burned bad enough that he skin started to peel.

Okay, I may have screwed that up a little because I got to Jewel’s Q&A late and only started listening to this story two-thirds of the way through. BTW, I mentioned that Jewel got sunburned as well. The story with that was she was wearing sun block and her Kaylee jumpsuit so she was pretty well covered. However, she neglected to put sun block on her head, down where her hair parts. So, that thin strip of skin on her head got sun-burned and she said it really hurt. I found that amusing as well.

Thinking back to when Jewel, Matt and I were sitting in the lounge late on Friday night, I was pretty out of it running around all day and probably was a little incoherent and not as articulate as I usually am, but tried to make sense. When they asked me who my favorite character from Firefly was, I was tempted to say Kaylee, but I honestly answered Mal (but quickly said that Kaylee was a close second). They then started to tell me a little about Nathan and how silly he could be. On the set, Jewel described him as a little like George Clooney when he was on ER; that he was goofy, silly and played jokes all the time off camera, but once they started rolling, he was all business (though still somewhat playful, doing stuff in the moment). Nathan, along with Alan, always kept everyone in stitches. Not that Alan was Nathan’s sidekick, but they were more like ‘PARTNERS IN CRIME!!!’ They described them as a comedy act. So much so, they had a running contest to see who would make Gina crack up first on camera. However, when Nathan was being too silly and it really screwed up a scene they were filming, Joss made him stop and asked him, “Nate, what have we learned today?”

And Nathan would reply in a mutter, “Joss is Boss . . .”

I laughed so hard at that!!!!

Jewel went on to describe more of the cast in detail.

She said that out of everyone the most serious actors were Adam and Ron, that although they could be silly too, they really took their craft seriously once the camera was rolling. I could definitely see that with Ron, but that kinda surprised me with Adam. But as I thought of it, it made more sense as his character was very intricate and so detailed (like the observances that Jayne would always have something in his hands, working on something). Jewel went on to complement Sean a little as they had instant chemistry onscreen between their characters. She also said that she was in awe with Gina’s presence and demeanor as Zoë, that she was always spot on in her cool and calm character performance and charisma. The most complements Jewel had, other than Nathan, was for Summer. As Jewel has been working as an actor for a long time, she was surprised at Summer’s easy transition from dance to acting. What impressed her most was during the rehearsals for the pilot episode of Firefly when they did table readings whereas everyone else was just reading off their scripts, Summer would read with such intensity and the ‘River’s crazy’ mannerisms one-hundred percent. When Joss went up to her and said to save that until they were filming, Jewel said that Summer really felt like a novice. She also complemented her with her movements on the set, the nuances of River as she walked or did various kinds of business. I made a comment as I noticed this as well with her various unique movements she’d made all throughout the show. My favorite being from Objects In Space where River bends down to pick up the tree branch and she’s bending from the waist.

Matt and Jewel went on to say out of all the cast, they really stayed in close touch with Nathan when the show ended. What I had mentioned earlier with that private joke between them is this: I was in charge of the costume/cosplay contest for DreamCon. I mentioned this to Jewel and Matt when I met them as we were waiting for the elevators and she had just come from UK convention, with Summer, and had seen several Firefly entries (including a couple of Kaylee’s: one in her regular jumpsuit and another, worn by a little girl in the ‘layered cake’ dress). Jewel was immediately ecstatic to volunteer to be a judge which really saved my ass because I still needed two judges out of the three I needed!!! Alright, I was going to wear my Firefly Mal-type getup I had thrown together, complete with gun belt and long blade, in the spirit of the contest, however, I couldn’t change into it in time. Later after the contest, I went to the VIP room where I found Jewel and Matt hanging out with the other guests. I went into the connecting room and quickly put on my costume just to show off. I kinda felt really self-conscious when I came out and walked back into the room. However, Jewel and Matt loved it! So, they wanted to take a couple of pictures. They took a normal one with me and my marshal gun out on display. And then the next one they took, they asked me to subtlety give them ‘The Finger’. Nonplussed, due to Matt’s sense of humor, I did so, hiding it with the gun in my hand. When I changed out of the costume into my regular clothes, they then confided that they and Nathan have this running gag about giving each other ‘The Finger’.

“Cool!” I thought to myself.

So, in essence, I, dressed up somewhat like Mal, am giving Nathan Fillion ‘The Finger’! I am giving Captain Malcolm Reynolds . . . ‘The Finger’!!!! I can’t get over that!!!! That is TOO COOL!!!! LOL!!!!

Well, that’s all I can recall. For those of you who want to read the Q&A’s Jewel did for DreamCon, there is a thread for that somewhere here linking to the OB. From what I heard, the panels and Q&A’s she did were all great. When it came to DreamCon itself, there were a few times I came to the rescue for some of the guests, even Jewel a couple of times when she did her signings. I’ll tell that story some other time. Right now, this thread is REALLY TOO long!

In the meantime, reply to this message; I think everyone has to read it!!! hehehe

-keep flyin'

-Hiro

One of my favorite Mal/Kaylee moments:

KAYLEE
These girls have the most beautiful dresses. And so do I -- how about that?

MAL
Yeah, well, just be careful. We cheated Badger out of good money to buy that frippery, and you're supposed to make me look respectable.

KAYLEE
Yes, sir, Captain Tightpants.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 11:11 AM

DUG


Great news from DreamCon. I REALLY wish I could have made it, but for some reason my wife felt her back surgery was more important. All of my friends who were there raved about Jewel, even though most of the one's who were there still haven't been converted to browncoat status.

Don't worry...my dvd's are making the rounds.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 12:51 PM

FIREFLYGAL


Ok, I'm slow. I finally got an article together on Jewel's appearance at DreamCon and while it duplicates some of Hiro's stuff I'm posting it anyway (so there).

The very first DreamCon was held in Jacksonville, Florida this past weekend (June 11-13) and pulled in some BDS (Big Damn Stars) – Ron Perlman, Erin Gray, Chase Masterson, Sam Jones III, not to mention popular authors and artists. The BDS I specifically went to see was Jewel Staite. I had the opportunity to interview her at various times throughout the con and trying not to repeat what others have posted I place my experience here for your enjoyment (I hope).

For you guys out there, yes, she is just as pretty in person. She’s about 5’5”, without the 4” heels she was wearing and she’s skinnier now than during Firefly since Joss approved her NOT putting the extra weight back on for Kaylee. She’s also as nice as Kaylee, yet Jewel admits she has “a sick sense of humor” and is “not as childlike as Kaylee”.

Her con appearance started at 10:30 AM Saturday morning in a not so air-conditioned room (yet I never heard her complain). As with all cons it’s never easy peasey, the next problem was no pictures for Jewel to sign. Jewel sat patiently in the autograph room with husband Matt and a couple of con volunteers who were there to help. The photos were still on the way when the fans were led into the room and we were treated to an impromptu Q & A session with Jewel. She prefaced the session by saying she had a “contract signed in blood” and she couldn’t reveal anything about Serenity. The fans respected her position, so while this article contains no real spoilers, there are a few tidbits that Jewel was able to share. I am going to be mentioning them very shortly, so skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want to learn anything about the movie. If you’re not skipping down now, it’s not my fault what you read next. We know that Serenity takes place about 6 months after Objects in Space. Says Jewel “Kaylee has grown up a bit. I think it was time for her to grow up”. Kaylee will have a new skinnier, sexier fitted look, gone from her ever-present jumpsuit is the bunnies and teddy bears. Kaylee will be doing a lot of crying both the happy and sad kind. Her quarters will still look basically the same. The sets had to be remade, so Serenity “looks the same but a bit newer”. Jewel adds “the more tweaked the set is the angrier Joss gets”. Inara will have beautiful new costumes. In fact, Jewel mentioned Morena wanting to attend DreamCon but needing to do some costume fittings. Jewel confirms the challenge “Inara doesn’t dress as one ethnicity and it’s difficult to do”. The characters will change during the movie but Jewel feels the fans will be happy with the result. Another Serenity tidbit came forth during the Q & A session with Mercedes McNab and Elizabeth Anne Allen of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Elizabeth Anne Allen has known Nathan for a while and he mentioned he had been doing some serious training, including ballet, for the BDM to handle some stunts and the abundance of action in the film. One thing that was not a surprise was when Jewel pointed out that “Nathan is a clown, way worse than Alan. Alan laughs at everything Nathan says and Alan’s laugh is really infectious, so the two of them together are brutal”. Jewel was able to share her feelings about the first day everyone was together on the set. “I was shaking, I was in such anticipation to see everyone as a group again. I was so excited to sit down and read the script with everybody. We hugged a lot and cried a lot. When Gina said her first line, everybody kind of laughed and sort of looked at each other, like ‘oh wow’ she delivered it like Zoey. Everybody just became these characters again. It was an enormous sense of relief. Just to hear that script out loud felt really amazing”.

You can come back now. Jewel gave us the bad news that Fox has the television rights to Firefly for 10 years and has no plans to reshoot the series. On the happy side, Jewel reports that” Universal Studios ‘gets it’, they are gung ho and truly behind the project.” If the money is made on Serenity, one or two more feature films is not out of the question. Perhaps, if the fans can make Serenity a big enough success (this is where we come in, right Browncoats) maybe even Fox will sit up and take notice (oh yeah, and get a clue). Initially, the cast members had the same emotional roller coaster as the fans, with the film being on again, off again. Jewel had even asked Joss to please not say anything until it was definite. She got the call while traveling to Toronto to film Wonderfalls (another victim of the Fox guillotine) for Tim Minear. Joss personally gave the Jewel the news that the BDM was a go!

DreamCon was Jewel’s second con appearance. Blackpool, UK was the first. Jewel’s observation was “the UK fans are more subdued and shy. Here they’re more talkative”. She is geared up to do more cons. “It’s a great way to meet people”. I mentioned DragonCon in Atlanta which occurs over Labor Day, Jewel had never heard of DragonCon before, but she’s game. Let’s keep writing/calling the DragonCon staff to request our BDH, dragoncon@dragoncon.org or 770-909-0115. Jewel has also been trying to convince other cast members to attend. Jewel’s favorite part of the con? “I love doing the Q & A, those are the most fun because we actually get to interact”.

Jewel had a message for the fans:
“Because of you our dreams are coming true and this movie is going to change our lives for the better and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the fans”.

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 1:30 PM

SERENITYSSON


Well I can back you up Hiro as to how tired we senior staff from the con are. I think we got an average of 7 hours of sleep from Thurs afternoon until Sun night but hell, if I had my choice between hanging with Jewel and Matt, or sleeping, I'll still choose no sleep every time. Was a blast Bro I can't wait untill next year when we have Jewel and Matt back, as well as a few of the other Firefly cast. I can't wait to here back from Jewel and Matt about the T-shirt I made for Adam, and sent a copy of the Blue Sun Beer Intermission comercial I did for the RP staring Jayne. Jewel and Matt were awesome!

Serenity's Son

The Hero of Canton, the man they call... Meeeeee!

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 2:09 PM

RAWDEAL


All I have to say is I'm living in the wrong country and the wrong continent, Damn Why didnt my parents move


-----------------------------------
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Thursday, June 17, 2004 2:19 PM

SERENITYSSON


Start saving for next Dreamcon RawDeal

The Hero of Canton, the man they call... Meeeeee!

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