Captains Table Con (Düsseldorf, Germany 10/11 Sep)

[Eddie Roth]

I didn't see any thread on the subject of this latest convention in Europe (this past weekend), and not much mention of it anywhere, so I thought I'd create a place for those of us who were there to share their impressions of Captains Table at Düsseldorf.

For those unaware, this was a two-day special edition of FedCon, arranged as I believe on rather short notice, emceed by Garrett Wang, with guests Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks and Sir Patrick Stewart (who brought his son Daniel, of "The Inner Light" fame, along).

This being my first con experience since 2000 (Expo Trek, if anyone recalls that distant memory) I was positively thrilled by the line-up and the enthusiasm with which the guests participated and responded to the fans. Avery Brooks did get mixed notices because, apparently, many in the audience didn't get his particular way of handling panels. (I hadn't known - and have to admit that his style is.... unusual, but I found him to be very likable and modest, giving the impression that being put on a pedestal is not for him.) Patrick Stewart gave two very good-natured, fun and funny panels, while Kate Mulgrew did that, naturally, but also touched on some welcome political issues.

A great experience. How was it for everybody else who was there?

 

[Valin]

Avery Brooks did get mixed notices because, apparently, many in the audience didn't get his particular way of handling panels. (I hadn't known - and have to admit that his style is.... unusual, but I found him to be very likable and modest, giving the impression that being put on a pedestal is not for him.)

I've never seen him on a panel; what is his "unusual" style?

 

[Eddie Roth]

As it happens, this is currently being discussed in the DS9 forum: Well, he has a way of answering questions by not answering them, evading them, or going off on incredible tangents that can either be read as highly philosophically profound or else completely insane. Needless to say that an audience that is mostly German-speaking will react with a measure of irritation to answers that not even an English-speaking audience would understand...

Then, he doesn't really put on a performance on stage as many others do, meaning he doesn't come with anything prepared, it seems. He gave a sort-of explanation for that when he said that he feels these things should be like normal conversations where one things leads to another and one party of that conversation isn't privileged over the other just by virtue of being the one with the microphone.

Besides that, he has these moments where his mind seems to drift off to some... other place... but those are just moments. In any case, it's... unusual.

 

[Valin]

^^^Thanks. That is an unusual style, indeed. I wonder if he was like with his coworkers on DS9, A Man Called Hawk, and Spencer:For Hire?

 

[barnaclelapse]

As it happens, this is currently being discussed in the DS9 forum: Well, he has a way of answering questions by not answering them, evading them, or going off on incredible tangents that can either be read as highly philosophically profound or else completely insane. Needless to say that an audience that is mostly German-speaking will react with a measure of irritation to answers that not even an English-speaking audience would understand...

Then, he doesn't really put on a performance on stage as many others do, meaning he doesn't come with anything prepared, it seems. He gave a sort-of explanation for that when he said that he feels these things should be like normal conversations where one things leads to another and one party of that conversation isn't privileged over the other just by virtue of being the one with the microphone.

Besides that, he has these moments where his mind seems to drift off to some... other place... but those are just moments. In any case, it's... unusual.

Man, I kind of want to see this guy at a panel now.

 

[cblmc1296]

I have a feeling his demeanor/behavior in William Shatner's excellent documentary "The Captains" probably gives a pretty good idea of what he must be like on stage at a con.

LLAP

 

[Alienesse]

I was at the Captains Table convention and had a wonderful time. The simple fact of seeing those three people together was amazing. It's not something that happens every day and, most of the time, it was hard for me to believe it was happening even while being there.

I found all three actors to be remarkable people. I loved the fact that they talked about things that matter and seemed genuine in their desire to communicate with the audience.

Avery Brooks was actually the nicest surprise. I loved the fact that he took his time to talk to the people who asked for his autograph. That actually caused a few problems in the schedule because he was always the last person to finish with the autograph session. He made a joke about that during his panels. Apparently the Fedcon staff people had told him to rush it a bit, and he said, 'Rush what? I'm gonna at least take the time to ask you your name'. I really enjoyed Avery's panels. His style is a bit different, indeed, but he had a lot of meaningful things to say.

Kate Mulgrew was very entertaining and got quite an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.

As for Sir Patrick Stewart, he was an absolute delight. My favorite part was when he agreed to read some Shakespeare to us. I consider that a superspecial treat. To see and hear Captain Picard reading Shakespeare live is no small thing.

If anyone's interested, you can find pictures from the event in my signature.

 

[Rocketeer]

I didn't hear about this. Too bad, I would have loved to have gone.