|
"What's Star Trek Dad?"
As an Icon is celebrated, a younger generation
wonder - why?
With Star Trek 40th anniversary celebrations in full
swing around the globe, young members of
communities in major cities are bewildered at all the
fuss and ask the question "What's Star
Trek?"
The Sci Fi Reporter had representatives attend
Science Week in participating Cities around our great
nation during the month of August 12 to 20. Science
Fiction activities we're conducted at venues in some
of the participating states and I had the chance to
be a part of the action at the South Australian
Museum in the City of Adelaide.
I was amazed at the crowd attendance over the
nine days but what really caught my attention we're
comments being made by young children as they
visited the Star Trek exhibition operated by Adelaide
sci fi fan club the Shuttle Mawson.
"What's Star Trek Dad?" was one of many questions I
witnessed throughout the week and to rub insult in
to the injury came - "You know Son, Darth Vader and
the robots." Momentarily stunned, I decided to
approach the family and give them a three minute
lesson in Star Trek 101.
Not being exclusive to Adelaide, reports we're sent to
me from some of the other states with the very same
remarks being highlighted.
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Star
Trek? Surely that will be a hard pill to swallow for the
diehard fan but with no new series being drafted and
a movie production that seems to be decreasing in
it's momentum, these really are uncertain times for
this TV show recently voted the number one cult TV
show by U.S. publication TV Guide.
Here in Australia, specifically Melbourne, a PHD in
related science's using Star Trek as the reference
material for the assignment, has seen a Universities
highest award being given to the gifted Student. An
exhibition of Star Trek art work will open at the
Victorian college of the arts in October and local fan
clubs Downunder are doing their collective best in
trying to raise the awareness of Star Trek within
their communities but are they fighting a losing
battle?
A recent survey of age group related attendances at
Sci Fi fan clubs showed the average age of the
regular attending fan being in the mid to late Thirties
and beyond.
Star Trek must surely be credited as one of the
originating Sci Fi TV shows that set the standard for
all future Sci Fi TV shows to aspire to, but Sci Fi
continues to evolve with a large High quality stock of
Sci Fi TV shows on offer to viewers, Star
Trek seems to be remaining in it's comfort zone and if
the eleventh film is indeed presented to us in 2008, it
will have to be dynamic and innovative to attract the
younger generation to keep the franchise alive.
We would like to hear from
anyone who has a comment or experience they
would like to share on this subject.
Have a great month ahead-Stuart
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 @ Sept-October 2006 |
 |
|
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.
2006 A Melbourne Odyssey
September 24, Astor theatre, St Kilda - Melbourne
Exclusive 2001 movie screening, autographs and
guest Q&A
www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/
Buffy convention
October 14 - 15 Sydney and Melbourne
Actors from the hit TV series including a special
guest appearance by Amber Benson "Tara," will be
live on stage for guest Q&A and more.
Information at.
The
Hub Productions
Supanova - Pop culture event
October 27 - 29 Exhibition hall 2, Sydney Olympic
Park.
Live on stage - Mira Furlan, John Schneider,
Summer Glau, Dirk Benedict and more!
www.supanova.com.au
STOP THE PRESS
Star Trek 40th Anniversary event
Jonathon Frakes and Richard Hatch "Live on stage."
November 19 - 20 at the Avillion Hotel, Worly square,
Pitt St - Sydney
Tickets now on sale
www.scifiextreme.com
|
| Our look at SF Music - Theatre and Collectable news |
|
|
Star Trek Rocks!
U.S. based Star Trek rock band Warp 11 has a new
CD now available.
Titled "Boldly go down on me," this band is all about
fun!
The CD includes the hit single "She makes it so" and
is a great lead in to a most enjoyable and "must
have" CD in your music collection.
The bands website is full of great images from past
concerts as well as details of their upcoming
appearances. You can download material from the
site as well as order the bands products.
Warp 11 was featured as part of the Star Trek
documentary "Trekkies Two " along with a selection
of other SF bands that are taking music where it
really has not gone before!
A cross between Indie and classic Rock & Roll and
with past hits like "Suds me up Sulu" and "Suck my
Spock," this band is worth checking out.(Warp 11
pictured, opposite)
www.warp11.com
Sci Fi live Theatre
We are about to experience all the nostalgia of live
radio theatre when Insight Presents, Australia's only
live radio theatre company, conducts two Sci Fi
plays as part of their 2007 calendar.
"Big Big space" and "War of the Worlds" will go live in
April in what will be an exciting time for all "Theatre
Buffs" especially Sci Fi fans.
Insight Presents website has detailed information on
their 2007 calendar and can be viewed here.
www.insightp
resents.com
Collectable Dealer news
Gateworld Collectables
Stargate fans can enjoy a fantastic range of
collectables and rare autographed memorabilia for
purchase at Gateworld Collectables.
Officially launched on Sept 8 2006, Gateworld
Collectables is proudly owned by "Big Jason" from
Melbourne - Victoria.
New stock arrivals include complete sets of the
latest Stargate action figures as well as Master
Replicas official stargate replica weapons.
View Gateworld Collectables website here.
ww
w.gateworldcollectables.com.au
Dees Comics
This Canberra based comic and collectable store is
now in it's fifteenth year serving the people of
Australia in providing quality comics and
collectables.
Specializing in standing orders and "in house" shop
service, Dees also offer a fast and efficient mail order
service.
View their website here for their current range of
products.
www.deescomics
.com
|
| Fan Club Focus |
|
Australian Costumers Guild
New members most welcome.
The Costumers
Guild will be conducting workshops on costume
making at the Region 11 International Sci Fi
conference in November, (see Shuttle Mawson
information below)
www.australiancostumersguild.org.au
Les aventures de Tintin
Tintin in cyberspace is a brand new 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, including the
Tintin exhibition and film festival planned for Feb
2007 in Adelaide.
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
September 16, General meeting from 1pm to 10pm at
the Adelaide High School.
Cost is $3.00 for members and $4.00 for
others.
October 7, Pub meeting 5pm at the Buckingham
Arms.
SFSA info
Austrek Club Events
Austrek is proud to present it's 30/40 Costume Ball
on Saturday, 25th November from 730pm at the
Saville
on Russell, 222 Russell St, City of Melbourne.
Austrek Events Info
Dr Who Club of Victoria
Scienceworks/Planetarium
Saturday October 7 - 14 2006
Scienceworks Museum, 2 Booker St, Spotwood
(Melways ref 56 B1)
From 10am - 430pm.
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 Website
www.starwalking.net
Shuttle Mawson – Adelaide Sci Fi fan
club
Region 11 International Sci Fi conference, November
5 as part of the "Ultimate Sci Fi weekend" at the
South Australian Writers centre.
Visit Adelaide for this unique event with Adelaide's
Stargate convention,Terra Nova four to be held on
November 4 at the Stamford Plaza Hotel -
Adelaide.
Explore the Shuttle Mawson website for Stargate
Convention and Sci Fi conference information as well
as their current online
newsletter.
Shuttle Mawson Events
The Shuttle Mawson invites you to Chat Online with its members
every Sunday evening at 8pm AEST & every
Wednesday evening from 7pm AEST.
Register for Shuttle Mawson
Chat
Quest - sci fi fan club, Queensland
Actively recruiting new members.
Club Contact - President Mary Kemp on Ph:07
32904243
|
| In the next edition of Sci Fi Reporter |
|
|
-- New Sci Fi TV shows for 2007
-- All the latest on Star Trek Manga release
-- Another exclusive interview
And a plethora of news ....
The Staff at the Sci Fi Reporter wish all our
subscribers a great 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 2006
The Sci Fi Reporter. All Rights Reserved. No material
contained herein may be duplicated without express
written consent of the owners.
|
|
A special interview with Robin Atkin Downes |
|
|
|
We are pleased to present a recent interview we
conducted with Robin Atkin Downes, guest star on
cult TV shows, Babylon 5, Buffy, Charmed, Nash
Bridges and others.
Robin is also a talented
Musician and man of
a thousand voices!
SB: Robin it's great to be chatting with you
again, How did you enjoy your time Down Under and
your on stage convention appearances?
RAD: We have many fond memories of our
time in Adelaide, Sydney and NZ...We look forward to
coming back at some time in the future.
SB: Your journey into musical theatre at the
Adelaide convention proved to be a real highlight for
your fans, Have you performed anything similar lately?
RAD: I have performed quite a bit
throughout the U.S. I love music and love sharing it
with others. Music is a great challenge and I look
forward to growing as a musician and sharing my
growth along the way...
SB: Robin, Can you tell us a little about
what you are working on at the moment?
RAD: There are many exciting projects in the
works at the moment...I recently Guest starred on
the popular CSI Miami...It will air in the States in
October...I had a wonderful time working with the
actors on the show...David Caruso was a funny
guy...I also worked alongside a Bengal Tiger. Other
projects include many of the top new titles for the
upcoming PS3 and X-Box 360...There are quite a few
that I can't talk about at the moment but I will list
them on my website and IMDB as soon as they are
released. Keep your eyes out for "Gears of War" if
you're a 360 gamer...It's going to be great! If you're
into PS3...Look online for "Lair" and "God of War." For
a
full list of my recent work please check my website
http://robinatkindownes.com. Other voice campaigns
include Bombay Sapphire, Samsung, McDonalds and
Newcastle Brown Ale...Another exciting musical
venture I've been working on is coming to
fruition..."Kozy Bear & The Feefers"...A musical
system
for children all over the world to learn English, has hit
some markets...Mainly in Japan at the moment.We're
having a lot of success with it and we have some
exciting projects on the horizon...If you know anyone
who would be interested in distribution Down
Under...Please contact me.
SB: The last time we spoke Robin you
mentioned your interest in Anime drawing and art
work, Do you have a favorite piece you would like to
describe for us?
RAD: I think overall I am amazed at the
artistry involved in Anime...Unfortunately most of the
V.O. Work is non union work so I can't be involved in
it...Working on Steam Boy was a great honor...I am
amazed at the detail that was put into that
film.
SB: Can you give us a rundown on what's
happening in LA at the moment? Is the Reality TV
thing still a force or are there signs of it dissolving?
RAD: I think we'll be getting over reality TV
at some point...Hopefully sooner than later...Some of
the shows are getting quite ridiculous...But they still
seem to be making a lot of money...So as long as the
money comes in and people are watching...reality will
be reality...There are a lot of exciting dramas coming
out in the fall so we'll see what happens!
SB: Do you have a message for your fans in
Australia Robin?
RAD: Thanks for making our stay a terrific
one...Please keep in touch and keep checking the
website...You can e-mail me via the website
too.
SB: Thanks Robin and all the best to you
and Michelle and future projects.
You can view more about Robin here.
|
|
