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Happy SF Easter!
Welcome to our Easter
special issue of The Sci Fi Reporter.
How's your
television and DVD player faring?
It seems that every
day a new SF show is screening on one of our TV channels or another
DVD box set is being released at the many related stores around our
great nation keeping enthusiastic SF fans indoors trying to absorb
it all in!
I am amazed at the steady stream of new material
that is finding it's way on to the internet. Shows like Flash Gordon
and comic book vigilante - Pain Killer Jane are proving to be quite
the talk of their related forums with fans of each show. Another
great show to watch out for is British produced supernatural show -
Afterlife. A gritty and more chilling version of US TV show -
Medium, Afterlife draws you in to the life of a psychologically
depressed woman trying to cope with the uninvited ability to
communicate with the dead and is a show well worth
exploring.
We have a great selection of books to choose from
in our Read - See - Hear feature as well as a comprehensive first
quarter convention calendar. There are some great events to attend
around Australia over the next few months with some interesting
character actors visiting our shores. The Sci Fi Reporter is mobile
this month and will be covering some of these events and we look
forward to chatting with you about what you like most about
attending conventions and what you would like to see added to make
the experience even better!
If you are attending one or more
of the featured conventions, we hope you have a great time and
remember to let your event organiser know you heard about their
event in the SFR!
We would like to wish you all a great
Easter break and if you are travelling please take
care.
What are you doing this Easter Break?
With so much varied SF on TV and in film, where do you
think the next direction will be for the genre?
We would
like to hear from you.
Have a great month
ahead
Stuart and Maryanne
Want to receive Sci Fi Reporter regularly? Add your email
address via the "Join Our Mailing List" section of this
newsletter.
| Convention Listing Oz - valid @ March -
2008 |
 |
|
Note: Only new or updated listings are
given
Promoters: if your event is not listed here or
you have new information advise
us for inclusion.
Swancon 2008
The State of the
Art
Perth - W.A. March 20 to 24
Featured
Guests..
Zara Baxter, Glenda Larke and Ken Macleod
Swancon
information
Stargate / Star trek
event
Christopher Judge and Gary Graham- Live on
stage
Sydney - April 22, 2008
Melbourne - April 23,
2008
Babylon 5 and Smallville event coming soon!
Event
Information
Serenity
One day conventions
in Sydney and Melbourne
April 5 and 6
Special
Guests
Ron Glass and Jason Palmer
Presented by The Hub
Productions
Buffy event coming in June
Serenity
information
Supanova
Melbourne - March 28
to 30
Royal Show grounds, Melbourne
Brisbane - April 4
to 6
RNA Show grounds
Australia's largest Pop Culture
Expo
Now taking the show to Sydney and Perth
Activities
for the whole family
Supanova
information
Anime AU
April 7 -
Canberra
Exclusive Japanese Anime screenings
Free DVD
and Poster giveways!
Garema Place from 6pm
Anime
AU event information
Vegas Trek
2008
Departs Australia on August 5 - 2008
Tours in
Los Angeles and Las Vegas including your five day pass to the
Vegas Star Trek convention
Organised by Vortex Events
Tour
information
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| Read - See - Hear |
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 Great SF and Fantasy titles for
Easter.
Debatable Space
By Phillip
Palmer...
Flanagan (who is, for want of a better word,
a pirate) has a plan. It seems relatively simple: kidnap Lena,
the Cheo's daughter, demand a vast ransom for her safe return,
sit back and wait. Only the Cheo, despotic ruler of the known
universe, isn't playing ball. Flanagan and his crew have seen
this before, of course, but since they've learned a few tricks
from the bad old days (being particularly bad if you happen to
have been one of the myriad sons or daughters the Cheo let die
rather than give in to blackmail) and since they know
something about Lena that should make the plan foolproof, the
Cheo's defiance is a major setback. It is a situation that
calls for extreme measures. Luckily, Flanagan has considerable
experience in this area...
The Water
Weavers
By Kai Meyer...
"The Water Weavers"
concludes the thrilling piratical adventure begun in "The Wave
Runners". The battle for the coral city of Aelenium has begun.
Soledad, Walker and Buenaventure arm themselves with pistols
and swords, ready for the armies of kobalins and cannibals set
to overrun the city, while Griffin mounts a flying ray, to
attack from the air. Meanwhile, Jolly and Munk - the
polliwiggles destined to try to save the world - dive to the
bottom of the ocean. They must travel to the Rift in the
sea-bed to confront and defeat the evil force known as the
Maelstrom. It is commanding the sea-monsters and the
cannibals. Its goal? To destroy all humankind. There will be
many battles, and many struggles - both inward and outward.
And more than one transformation. Can Jolly and Munk work
together after all they've been through? Who is the mysterious
Aina, and will Munk see her for who she really is - before
it's too late? Will the friends all survive this terrifying
and exhausting war for the survival of their world? And what
role do the enigmatic Water Weavers play? Be swept away by
this breathtaking torrent of adventure!
Captain
Kirks Guide to Women
By Bones
Rodriguez...
When it comes to legendary men of romance,
Casanova, Don Juan or James Bond might spring to mind. But
there is only one who can honestly boast that his powers of
seduction have taken him where no man has gone before --
Captain James T. Kirk. Captain Kirk's status as an
Interstellar Stud is proven by his ability to seduce any
woman, any situation, in any part of the galaxy. From high
society princesses to slave girls and from blood sucking
shape-shifters to emotion-deprived androids -- they all swoon,
acquiesce, and malfunction from just one kiss. But a single
question remains in the minds of millions of Star Trek fans:
how on earth does he do it? Whether your mission is To Boldly
Go in pursuit of conquest or in search of love, Captain Kirk's
Guide to Women will tell you how to Explore Strange New Worlds
by getting out of your current surroundings and how to Seek
Out New Life and New Civilisations by meeting new people and
listening to new ideas. And whether you're a guy who wouldn't
be caught dead in the self-help aisle or a girl looking for a
gift to give a socially- impaired male friend, this quirky
book has the answers.
Latest
SF titles here..
Fantasy Art Exhibition
The enchanted
forest - new gothic storytellers
Geelong Art Gallery -
Melbourne - Victoria
April 12 to June 9 - 2008
Journey
back to old world folklore and marvel at more than 30
individual works of superhuman creatures and fantastic
renditions of female werewolves. Unique sculptures will also
adorn the gallery for an exhibition not to be missed.
Gallery
information
Have your say!
We would love to hear
your thoughts on science fiction and fantasy, your likes,
dislikes and where you think the genre is
heading
David Nottage from San Francisco
writes..
It seems that Sci fi is going the way
of the Brits. With no Trek to speak of now we rely on Doctor
Who and Torchwood. Thank goodness we at least still have
Stargate: Atlantis and BG. Although BG is on the outs and we
can hope Atlantis will keep going for years to come. Don't get
me wrong... I love all sci fi and want it all!
It may
be that we the fans have done something to cause a decline.
Back in the 90 it was club in-fighting. They there was a
decline in conventions. Fans criticising the shows. Now the
writers strike that is causing cancellations at conventions of
the talent. But in reality is come to who can make the most
money and the fans loving it no matter what form sci fi
takes.
We need to be happy that it is what it is. Just
my 2 cents.
Thanks David... it's great to hear
from one of our friends from afar!
Margeret Middelmas from Perth - Western
Australia writes..
Dark or Light?
So,
how do you like your futuristic sci-fi? Dark, brooding and
destructive, or moral, uplifting with a bright future? Well,
boring as it may be, I enjoy the latter. I like my sci-fi like
my men, strong, handsome, witty, clever, and optimistic!! All
the things I am not. That is not to say I don't want conflict,
action, death and destruction along the way!! But, I don't
want to know about apocalyptic events that wipe out humankind,
I want the future where money is redundant, I can press a
button and have dinner replicated for me and where the
uniforms seem to get washed by themselves!
Life and
work has a way of numbing the senses, beating you down,
sucking your energy, making you cynical. Why would I want to
embrace that feeling when I watch or read sci-fi?
Give
me Star Trek any day over say Dark Angel or Mad Max. I want my
grand children to live that future, even if I won't be around
for it.
A Utopian Society where people work for
self betterment and the acquisition of wealth is not the
driving force behind one's existance..
A dream we all hope
one day comes true..
Thanks Margeret and great to hear from
you!
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| Fan Club Focus |
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 Australian Costumers Guild
New members most
welcome.
Costumers Guild are conducting workshops regularly
in 2008 as well as attending costumed events around
Australia.
Costumers
Guild
Les aventures de Tintin
Tintin in
cyberspace is a group for fans of the classic comic and
cartoon Icon by Herge.
The group meets online as a resource
for Tintin memorabilia and upcoming events.
You can contact
the group here.
Tintin
in cyberspace
Terra Australis
Garrison
The 501st TAG boasts over three thousand
members worldwide and now have member bases in all states of
Australia. Star Wars fans can feel right at home with this
group of dedicated Storm Troopers and you can contact them via
their website at.
www.501tag.com
"Out there Social club" Adelaide
You find a
lot of queer things in outer space, so it's only natural to
have a queer Sci Fi group for all the "Homo" sapiens who are
out...there.
The group meets monthly to share a meal and
indulge in a little Fantasy! Members range from 30+, Contact
Rod on 0402027891, they are also located on Yahoo Groups
at
Out
There Sci Fi Group
SA Dr Who fan
club
Club meetings
April 19
Adelaide High School
- 3pm till late
Pub Meeting - April 5
Buckingham Arms
Hotel
Meeting at 5pm
SFSA
info
Star Wars Costume Alliance of
Australia
Actively recruiting new members around Planet
OZ
Star
Wars Costume Information
Austrek Club
Events
Actively recruiting new members.
Club
Meetings
April 5, 2pm to 5pm
Club Away Mission
March
21 - Royal Childrens Hospital
March 29 and 30 - Supanova,
Royal Melbourne Showgrounds
Logon to their website for
regular updates and activities for 2008.
Austrek
Events information
Dr Who Club of
Victoria
Details contact Peter on Mob:0417322326 or
e-mail Dr Who club on..peterrosace@hotmail.com
Star
Walking
The Star Wars Appreciation Society of
Australia. Ph 05005 Jedis
Club Meeting Sydney - March
23
Club Meeting Melbourne - May 10
See national website
for meeting venues.
Starwalking
Information
StarshipMawson.com - Adelaide's Sci Fi fan
Organisation
Latest online newsletter out
now
Special Easter Club Meeting!
March 23 - Exclusive
Star Trek screening
Pancake Meeting dates for Summer
2008
March 28 and April 11
From 730pm
Pancake Kitchen
- off Hindley St, Adelaide
Starship Mawson is a member of
The International Federation of Trekkers - The Official Star
Trek fan association fully endorsed by the Roddenberry family
and The Official fan club of Star Trek New Voyages.
Club
Hotline is Ph: 0431262257
Explore the Starship Mawson
website
Starship
Mawson Information
Quest - sci fi fan club,
Queensland
Join the most active club in the
state!
Club meetings held on the second Sunday of each
month
Club Contact - President, Mary
Kemp
Ph:0732904243
E-mail:
jmkemp@bigpond.net.au
Colonial Defense
Forces
Australian Battlestar Galactica Chapter
Free
membership!
Part of the world wide BSG fan
organisation.
CDF
Information
Lost in Space
association
One of the largest fan clubs in the
world
Informative website and active e-mail group
Lost
in Space Information
South Australian Fan
Force
Very active Star Wars club with a great selection
of bloggs!
SAFF
Information
Aus sci fi
Shore leave is on
April 13 at 4pm
Hillcrest Community Centre
27-31
Queensborough St - Hillcrest
Information at Ph: 08
83962517
E-mail: UFPclub2@bigpond.net.au
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| In the next edition of The Sci Fi Reporter |
|
|
-- Our focus on new SF DVDs!
-- Another exclusive
interview!
-- Fantastic Manga review!
And a plethora of
news ....
The Staff at the Sci Fi Reporter wish all our
subscribers a fantastic month ahead and remember....If you
like what we are doing, please forward a copy to your
friends!
The Sci Fi Reporter...
Suggestions
for our next issue - tell us!
Website
coming soon - what would you like to see?
Need to unsubscribe?
Simply click on the "safe
unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the newsletter and you will
be removed from our mailing list.
The contents of this
newsletter are copyright 2008 The Sci Fi Reporter. All Rights
Reserved. No material contained herein may be duplicated
without express written consent of the owners.
|
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In the green dimension - with Vitina
Marcus! |
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The Sci Fi Reporter's Stuart Blair recently caught up
with one of the great characters of the cult sci fi classic TV
show, Lost in Space. The show produced many memorable episodes
and we are delighted to present our exclusive interview with
the original Green Lady - Ms Vitina Marcus.
SFR: Vitina, Can you tell us about your dance
and modelling career, and how you got started as an
actor?
Vitina: Perhaps it all began as a young
girl with the early morning walks in the foggy mist. I could
feel within me the search for new adventures. I enjoyed
walking, running, swinging from ropes tied to the trees in the
empty lots, lifting weights. I liked being strong and active,
and yet reading a lot of books. My quest for Independence took
me over the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan in New York,
where I studied Ballet, and worked as a model after school
& summer vacations. I then heard of an audition for the
Jackie Gleason Show, a weekly musical on TV, I was lucky and
became one of the dancers. I had just graduated from High
School so it thrust me into a whole new world. Sometime after
that I was introduced to the great acting teacher Lee
Strasberg, whom all the important Actors studied with. I
joined his workshop and studied with him for almost 4
years.
SFR: How did you land the role as the
Green Lady, and did you create your own impression of the
character when auditioning for the role?
VM: I
had worked for Irwin Allen in "The Lost World" and some of his
other shows. It was he that felt I was suitable for the role
of "The Green Lady" and I was called for an interview to his
office to meet with him and a few other executives and then
notified I had the role. After "Wild Adventure" was aired I
was told the Investors wanted me back again for another
episode "The Girl From the Green
Dimension."
SFR: How did you find working with
Jonathan Harris, What was he like on the set during your time
on the show?
VM: I enjoyed working with Jonathan
Harris because he was such a wonderful Actor. I also enjoyed
observing his relationship with Bill Mumy. It appeared he took
him under his wing to impart his knowledge to
him.
SFR: You appeared in several episodes of
Time Tunnel and Voyage to The Bottom of The Sea, Can you
describe the challenges you faced as an actor in a sci fi
television series?
VM: I was suited for Sci Fi
since I read my first UFO book as a young teenager and then
another one a few years later at about 17 or 18, and had many
thoughts that I had come from another planet prior to being
here on Earth.
SFR: How does it feel to have
starred in some of the biggest western television shows like
Gunsmoke and Wagon Train, and what do you consider was your
favourite western role that you played?
VM: It
is only recently so many years later that I realise what an
honor it was for me to have played the roles in those classic
and historic westerns. The reruns and the internet have
brought me communication from wonderful fans throughout so
many countries, including my own.
SFR: What do
you like most about your convention appearances, do you have a
special moment you can share with us?
VM: What I
like most about my convention appearances is meeting actors
I've known and worked with, like a school reunion. Then, most
of my fans were little kids when the shows were originally
run, here they are, 40 and 50ish & on, meeting me. Of
course they expect me to be ancient, and I get a lot of
compliments like "You still look good, I thought you would
look much older now." Although I feel there are a lot of
benefits to the wisdom & knowledge that accrues with
time.
SFR: As a Yoga teacher, did you practise
the art during your acting career?
VM: Toward
the last part of my Hollywood days I seriously practised Yoga,
meditation, the way of life, and went off to live in an Ashram
and eventually teach in Arizona, Canada, and Las Vegas,
Nevada.
SFR: Thanks Vitina... do you have a message for
your fans in Australia?
VM: To my sci fi fans in
Australia, I send you my love, and I have this to say, now the
Population see it's for real the ships and sightings from so
many people around the world. Stay safe during this period of
planetary Earth Changes.
My very best wishes to you
always.
Vitina Marcus
The Sci Fi Reporter
wishes Vitina continued success, and you can keep up to speed
with vitina's appearances via the website link below.
Vitina's website can be viewed
here! |
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