THE 'VERSAL SHINDIG - JULY 12 HOLLYWOOD by ironcladotter

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

THE 'VERSAL SHINDIG - JULY 12 HOLLYWOOD

POSTED BY: IRONCLADOTTER
UPDATED: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 17:18
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Thursday, July 8, 2004 8:13 AM

THE 'VERSAL SHINDIG - JULY 12 2004
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS THEME PARK, HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA

The shindig: An informal fan gathering at Universal Studios Hollywood, where SERENITY is being filmed on the backlot. Come around to meet other FIREFLY fans, ride the studio tour (over and over and over), and hopefully catch a glimpse of sets, extras, cast, or anything else related to the filming of the Big Damn Movie. No RSVP necessary, wear any FIREFLY gear you've got, and bring as many friends as you like... the more the merrier!

Schedule/events: We'll be meeting up at around 11:30am at the Things From Another World shop on the Citywalk. Look for anybody in FIREFLY gear, or specifically seek out Wiley in the very Jayne-esque hat. For anyone who wants to arrive earlier (the park itself actually opens at 9am) or later than 11:30, you'll have another chance to meet up with the Browncoat contingent at 2pm, when we'll all hopefully congregate at Doc Brown's Fancy Chicken (inside the park) to grab some lunch, share any sightings we've made on the studio tour, and kick back for a bit before hitting the rides again. This Shindig is loosely organized by the seat of our tightpants... I expect folks will split up into groups to hit the different rides, but I hope we'll be able to meet up again and spend some time getting to know each other.

Tickets: Regular one-day admission to Universal is $49.75. You can buy tickets online at:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/hollywood/website/ush_tickets_v
acations_index.html
Universal also offers multi-day passes, as well as the "VIP Experience" and other premium tickets which may afford better backlot access; details on those are also available at the URL above.

Venue: We'll be meeting up at Citywalk (which is a kind of mall area outside the theme park; you'll walk through Citywalk to get to the gates of Universal) and then moving on into Universal Studios itself. You will need to pay for parking ($8). The park has a couple of new rides, "Revenge of the Mummy" and "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula." Maybe next year they'll hook us up with "Serenity: The Ride." ;) There's also food and shopping inside the park itself, and the park is open until 9pm.

Address and directions:
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
For directions check out:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/hollywood/website/ush_park_hour
s_directions.html

Contact: wileythewolf[at]comcast[dot]net

Relevant websites:
http://www.citywalkhollywood.com
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/hollywood/website/index.html?__
source=USMN.GNAV

Thanks everybody, hope we'll see you all there!

Wiley

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Thursday, July 8, 2004 11:13 AM

BRITCHICK

Have a Shiny time everyone :)

From a UK fan. At home. In England. Where it is RAINING as though it was Autumn (Fall).

Like fireflyfans.net?
Help keep the site running.. Why not donate?
see links on homepage

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Monday, July 12, 2004 7:13 PM

IRONCLADOTTER

Here's my short recap of our day at Universal...

Okay. So. Having trouble articulating. I'm just going to post whatever quick notes come to mind and let the others post something that's actually, you know... coherent and intelligent.

Somehow we missed the rest of the shindiggers... dunno if they opted not to go, or arrived late, or what, but I met up with three of the girls (who I hope will post some fabulous accounts of all the fabulousness) at the store, and we waited until about noon at our rendevous point and then set off into the park. We'd all been inside already and taken the studio tour tram on our own, and decided that there wasn't much to see... went on a few rides when we entered the park, then moved down to an area a little closer to Stage 12, which is the main Serenity soundstage.

I'll let the girls describe exactly how we ended up loitering in a shrubbery (they are so much braver than me in so many ways), but I can tell you that we saw some very cool-looking extras... one of them was wearing a zany zebra hat. Summer walked by on her way to somewhere and waved at us. At one point, a PA noticed that the shrubbery was talking, and he came over to visit us. He then left, and came back with Nathan Fillion. Nathan chatted with us, we took some pictures, then he left and came back with Alan Tudyk. Then Jewel Staite was walking by, and was no doubt wondering why Alan and Nathan were over there talking to a shrubbery, so she came over to say hello too. (Everybody likes a talking shrubbery.) They all had to get back to work, so they moseyed away...

And then another PA came over and invited us in for a tour. We were taken into stage 12, where we got to wander through Serenity: we went up into the cockpit area, down through the corridor where everybody's quarters are, through the dining room, out to the lounge and the infirmary. We didn't go into the cargo bay, because they were shooting in there, but we did get to look in between takes; Summer waved at us and Sean gave us a funny look like "what is Summer waving at?" ;D Once we'd seen pretty much everything, the very kind PA led us outside again, and we ran into Alan again as we were leaving; he was on the phone so he just waved goodbye at us. Then we went back out and, you know... gibbered incoherently at each other. It was a good day.

I'm sure the girls will have better photos to share (one of them got a jawdropping shot of Alan and Nathan), but here's the few salvageable ones I took:

(This is the trailers outside Stage 12, which is the main soundstage and the place they were shooting today. You can see one of the zany-looking extras going into a trailer.)

(Alan talking with a Shindigger. Look! It's The Fabled Outfit!)

(Alan again)

(Jewel, tragically out of focus)

(Our big damn heroes walking away)

(And more walking-away action)

(And the best for last... a photo of me and Nathan, only with the "me" part cut out. You can see why I found his shirt so distracting.)

Okay, that's it for me. I've got to scrounge up some dinner. Hopefully the rest of our merry party will show up and share what will undoubtedly be more interesting anecdotes and pictures.

Wiley

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Monday, July 12, 2004 7:32 PM

OOG

Alan looks great, and Jewel looks just as good slightly out of focus as in.

Oh. Dear. God. That picture of Nathan. It's so beautiful I could cry. I have died and gone to Heaven. I'm sure if I'm a good little Angel they'll let me out to watch the BDM.

_____________________
Great. Another exciting adventure in sitting.
Loni

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Monday, July 12, 2004 8:04 PM

APEX

Did it make you feel special when they came over? It makes me feel special for you (and whoever else was there). Witnessing how friendly and familiar this cast is towards its fans makes me like them even more, especially since they seem to realise that small things that take not much effort, like this, posting on fansites etc. means so much to a lot of people.

/me takes his hat off to the cast & crew.

Hope y'all had a shiney time.

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Monday, July 12, 2004 10:06 PM

IRONCLADOTTER

Yes, special and slightly mortified. I'm not very good at the being-a-fan thing. It conflicts with my being-a-professional instincts. (It is terribly difficult to do both.) On the up side, my companions were charming and made up for my speechlessness and raging internal conflict.

My companions, by the way, were fabulous and wonderful people, and I only avoid naming them here because I don't really know how much they want to be exposed on the Internet. ;) I'm a pretty private person and I don't like having my own info out there on the Net, so I'll let them speak for themselves on the day's adventures. :)

Wiley

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Monday, July 12, 2004 10:17 PM

ERIN9277

Darn it. I was going to meet up with you all today, but I had to compete my stupid English papar. I hate college! We should plan another day. If anyone is interested. :)

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Monday, July 12, 2004 10:44 PM

POLGARA

WOW!!! I was going to Universal Studios that day!! and I changed plans at the last moment!
I also hope we can arrange another 'versal shindig!! and a shrub meeting ofcourse!
Who else is interested? I was thinking on July 15 or 16 (Thursday or Friday) will the cast be there? and one little question to the person who found the place where thay met the cast, where is it?? (unless you can join me hehe)

Bye and keep flying!

polgara

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Monday, July 12, 2004 11:02 PM

ERIN9277

I might be able to go to Universal on Thursday or Friday. Hopefully other people will be interested too. But, I have to wonder if we have any chance of being as lucky as the group that went yesterday. I went to Universal the first week of filming (I have a season pass) and saw nothing. But, it would still be fun to go. You never know. :)

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Monday, July 12, 2004 11:29 PM

HAUFEL

Friday. I'll be there. I really wanted to go today, but couldn't make it (cuss cuss cuss). But I've decided that I have to at least make the pilgramage. I'm up for a meet up.

Yeah, and if wishes were horses we'd all be eatin' steak.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 2:39 AM

SWAMPPIRATE

Oh My! I just had to come out of lurk mode to thank those of you that attended the Shindig for taking the time and making the effort to share your adventures. The post was delightful, gotta love a talking shrub and the pictures were amazing. The cast seems very personable, as does this site and forum. I've enjoyed wandering around in here and appreciate this site. Thanks again and I hope that more of you get to visit the set!

SwampPirate
Took a long time to get here but I'm right on time.
A good friend will show up at the jail with bail money. A great friend is sitting in the cell beside you saying, "Damn! That was fun!".

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 4:03 AM

RAWDEAL

Wow, great pics and a great story. Just wish I could have joined you there, but I'm yet again reminded of the fact that I live thousands of miles away.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 6:18 AM

RIVERGIRL

thanks for the report
THANKS for the pictures

Also, I can kill you with my brain.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 6:49 AM

PEARLAT32

Quote:
Originally posted by ironcladotter:
Yes, special and slightly mortified. I'm not very good at the being-a-fan thing. It conflicts with my being-a-professional instincts.

I've so been looking forward to hearing what happened yesterday, as I am part of the BDECC (big damn east coast crew, I just made that up because I'm slightly manic right now). This ranks up there with The Coolest Things Ever. Thank you so much for posting and sharing!!! I have NO frikkin' clue how I would act so I feel you. I'm pretty sure I'd be shaking. And they'd be like, what are you shaking for, I pay bills and burp just like the next person! Yeah, but you got purdy eyes... I usually say something extremely dull to celebs/personalities and want to hit myself like Chris Farley afterwards. I'm sure you did just *fine*.

And... you got that sweet photo with Nathan. It was surreal, right?! He's just GORGEOUS. But we knew that. They're such a good looking cast.

Quote:
Originally posted by Swamppirate:
Oh My! I just had to come out of lurk mode to thank those of you that attended the Shindig for taking the time and making the effort to share your adventures.

"Me too." I don't think I'm going to be able to get back to work now. I'm going to have to jump around or have somebody slap me.

OK, y'all are going Friday? Dude, I am ready to hop on a plane now from Maryland!!! I am so totally on the wrong coast.

----------------
They were little geisha dolls with big heads that WOBBLED!

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:04 AM

KATI

Thank you very much for the photos (Nathan looks really fantastic!) and the report. You are such a lucky one! I'm stuck here in the middle of Eu and Rope... and can't even imagine how it would be to be there.
So thanks again for sharing your BDM-adventures!
Kati

Time for some thrilling heroics.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:52 AM

BLUESUNWORSHIPPER

Quote:
Originally posted by ironcladotter:
Yes, special and slightly mortified. I'm not very good at the being-a-fan thing. It conflicts with my being-a-professional instincts. (It is terribly difficult to do both.) On the up side, my companions were charming and made up for my speechlessness and raging internal conflict.

My companions, by the way, were fabulous and wonderful people, and I only avoid naming them here because I don't really know how much they want to be exposed on the Internet. ;) I'm a pretty private person and I don't like having my own info out there on the Net, so I'll let them speak for themselves on the day's adventures. :)

Wiley

Dude,

I just gotta say, I understand completely. I'm a HUGE Farscape fan, and I went to the Science Fiction Museum Grand Opening on June 18...and ran face-to-face into Ben Browder. Just about had a fanboy coronary. All I could say was "No f&^%*&g way." Interesting choice. Of course, y'all had WARNING that Nathan, Summer, Alan and Jewel were going to be in the area...I had no idea. Of course, imagine my surprise an hour or so later when I met Stephen Spielberg. Autograph and everything. At least I saw him coming, so no "No f&^%*&g way." But, I do understand about the conflicting with the professional instinct. I was embarassed for days.

I think they secretly dig it, though.

- T

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 8:19 AM

JENCHRISSYM

I am so excited for all of you. Damn being all of the way out in Kansas! I am shaking with giddyness just from reading about it. I hope the others that venture out are as lucky and come back with stories for us non-west-coasters. Hehe, I said coasters.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 2:55 PM

ANNEKE

Ohhhh. Those pics. And the Jewel-unfocused picture is still great. *thud* ;)

Great pictures, great story. WooH!

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 3:50 PM

PINGJING

Oooooo. Shiny. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to actually meet our BDH. Actually, I imagine I would be both mortified and deliriously happy. They sound like such kind and welcoming people. And to walk through the set! Wow. What an awesome story, thanks for sharing.

Julia

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Tuesday, July 13, 2004 5:18 PM

BLINKSGURL

http://www.geocities.com/blinkcheer@sbcglobal.net/versalshindig.html

hey here's the site for the Versal Shindig complete with pixz of Nathan, Alan and Jewel
- carol

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