Anonymous writes...

Have you seen the Final Fantasy movie? If so what do you seek of it?

Johnner writes...

While reading a book of "Unsolved Mysteries" today I came across the case where two English girls back in the early years of the 20th century made hoax photos of "fairies" supposedly living in Cottingley.

Many decades later they made an odd confession about how the photos were faked but they (at least one of them) *had* seen fairies...and the other had recently had some kind of supernatural experience so she believed her...and faked the photos so adults would take it seriously...anyway *realizes I'm rambling*...I was just wondering if in the "Gargoyles" series this would've ever turned up eventually...as the show seemed to draw on such supposed real-life strange events in addition to the legends & myths.

As I recall Conan Doyle was one of the believers in the photos...which brought up another question in my mind...did you ever have plans to integrate literary characters like Sherlock Holmes into the Gargoyles series?

Sapphire writes...

Dear Mr.Weisman

Certain minor things tend to really tick people off like me singing oprah in in shower which really annoys my father to people on this question server asking questions that already have been answered which proberly annoys you.
My question is what minor things could really annoy the following characters

Goliath

Hudson

Demona

Angela

Lexington

Brooklyn

Broadway

Oberon

Titania

David Xanatos

Fox Xanatos

Puck

Princess Katherine

Guardian

Gabrial

Ophilia

Talon

Maggie Reid

Fang

Elisa Maza

Taurus

Anansi

Coyote (Fay)

Yama

Kai

King Author

Griff

Una

Leo

Kelly L Creighton/Kya White Sapphire writes...

where can i read a copy of the gargoyles bible? or is it just the collection of your series development stuff?

The Souldier writes...

Okay, I understand why you made the banquet so short in your Gathering Ramble, but you didn't even mention Thom and Crispin's Gag War. It was one of the world's few good Wars. I'm not going into details, maybe one of those people that was at the table with one of them will step forward, maybe you'll give the details. I don't care which as long as somebody elaborates on the Gag War, and it's not going to be me. Oh and I did agree totally with the Best Couple Award at the Awards Ceremony.

Lexy writes...

OK Last year I wrote a HUGE Gathering report. Then my comp fell on its face, and I lost all of it:P So this year I am going to just write about the stuff at the GATHERING instead of including all of my vacation. I will include a _few_ highlights, but that is all.
I went on this trip with three other ppl. Kaioto, Marisa and Jamie. We spent a week in California. Four days were for the con, two days before the con, and two days after. For the two days before hand we went to Little Tokyo, A Japanese Museum, and Santimonica beach. It was at Santimonica Beach that I A) picked up that Kimono I wore to the dinner and B) Got a definitive answer. I CANT swim in ocean water. When I was really young I went to the Pacific ocean , and I remembered breaking out. I went back, and it happened again. Doesn't that suck?? :(
Day one of the con: I remember things in sort'of a blur. So here they are that way! I signed up, and then asked if I could help. I was supposed to be volunteering after all! But everyone was really busy. All I really got to do was fetch some soda from the con suite. Greg popped in at one point while I was sitting on that couch near the gift shop. He waved and said hi, and I replied. After he left my friend JT, it was her first time to the Gathering, looked at me like,"who was that guy?". My third Gathering, and the third time I have been able to turn to a traveling companion and say, "Oh him? That was just Greg Weisman." *L* I never get tired of the reaction!
The next thing I remember I was setting up my sketches in the art room. Crispin Freeman was there with Izobel. One of my favorite memories for this con then occurred. There was just something about hearing Crispin explain to someone the story of Gargoyles that made me laugh. It was so great.
Right before opening ceremonies, Bill Fagerbakke came over after work to do some signing. He was so great! I got to hug him a lot longer then I had planned since Kaioto couldn't seem to figure out my complicated instruction of, "push the button". Thom and Greg arrived around that time, and I got my first G01 hug from Thom!*beams* *L*
Opening ceremonies. Hey what can I say that hasn't been said? I suppose I was just as eager as everyone else to find out what Thom had under his shirt! *L* I was fiddling with my tape recorder when my name was called. *sits trying to figure out what to type next* Geez. I'm still in shock. I seriously don't remember much exactly what happened. I remember getting my second hug though! Yea! Afterward a friend of mine said she thought he gave me a kiss on the cheek. Can anyone verify this? I was in lala land:P I'm sorry I had to make everyone suffer through, quite possibly, the worst Gathering speech ever! I had no idea what to say! -_-; I suppose I could have been even more annoying if I had asked Greg who Lexington's mate was going to be. I am, however, glad that Crazy D stepped in to tell everyone I wasn't really the worse speech giver ever, just surprised. *thanks her* My friends made sure that there were lots of pics of me recieving the award.-_-; yea... *hides face* I'm not fond of the pics of me, but Marisa caught a shot of Thom and Greg that is so perfect! The looks on their faces really ARE priceless. To me anyway. They are just smiling to eachother. SO CUTE! It just slays me to remember those first Autum days when Gargoyles premiered. *seems like only yesterday..* I could have _never_ imagined getting to meet those names flashing down the screen. To find out they were such great ppl is even better!
The rest of opening ceremonies was a blast. I never get sick of Greg's videos, or stories. Do any of us? After the ceremony I got Thom to sign my hat. I had it made in a Santimonica mall. As Thom was signing my hat I recieved a quick spank from Crazy D. Geez, Day one and I could already brag 3 VA hugs, a possible kiss and a spanking from the hand that has..well spanked a lot of cool ppl;) I can't remember anything much after this so I guess I must have gone to City Walk for some food.
After some excellent Chinese food Kaioto, Marisa, JT and I ran into Crispin Freeman and Taliesin Jaffe in front of Hot Topic. Kaioto had a lengthy conversation with Taliesin while JT got yet another picture of her with Crispin.
Day Two- ..duh Oh man. I can't remember! *checks her schedual* OH YA I went to the Voice Acting Technique 1 panel. Got to see Thom, Crispin, Taliesin, Jonathan Klein and Morgan Sheppard. Wow what a group! Crispin had brought some funky software with his comp, on accident, that would let ppl in the audience do some dubbing of their own. We ran out of time, but that was so cool of him to set that all up for us! Morgan, as he told us to call him, was a blast! What a cool guy! I loved that panel. At the end I finally gave Thom the Kimba pin and pen that I had bought him, but had forgotten to give him the day before. I got my third hug for that. :)
I can't remember where I went after that. I think there was Mug-A-Guest with Thom soon after this panel. Anyway I did get to go to that, and it was great. Thom told us about his past gigs, and even though I knew from last year that he had danced in some music videos I didn't know which ones to look for. Now I do! You can all check out Janet Jackson's video "Nasty". Thom stated that there were two guys, one on each side of her. He was, as he put it, "the white guy with a spikey hair doo". Crazy D came in at some point, and gave Thom a personalized Gathering T-shirt with the excellent picture of Lex that I purchased from the Art show. I'm sorry I can't remember the artists name right now:P But your pics ruled! Greg's wife Beth, and their son Benny came in also, and Beth chatted with us for a while. After this was all over with I got my forth hug. Not long after this we were all at the Story boarding panel. TONS of guests there! Getting to see those Storyboards was awesome!! Getting to see so many ppl that worked on the show was great. Knowing that it was only a fraction was even cooler. (Was it just me, or did that sound like Master Card commercial?) A little after this I was dead tired. I don't know why. I was fine the other days. But anyway I had to go back to our hotel and pass out. We were all rooming at a Holiday Inn not far from the con hotel. I passed out for a few hours and missed the Radio Play! Well actually we came back in time for the tail end of it, but I didn't want to barge in, and be annoying. While everyone was filtering out though I got to run into Thom and Crispin again. I got my fifth hug then. My friends and I got some more pictures of them, and apparently Kaioto asked Thom if he would go out to eat with us later. He agreed. What a sweet heart! I think by then Thom probably was figuring out who Kai was. Apparently Both Greg and Thom didn't know who he was for most of the con, and poor Kai kept scaring them by shaking hands, and giving Thom that hug. Now they know who he is..yup..now he's Lexy's boyfriend *LOL*. Guess he is in the same boat with Izobel who is now referred to as, "Crispin's Girlfriend." Hey Greg, if you are reading this, Kai was the guy who wrote that report on Brooklyn. I don't know *shrugs* I never got to read it, but he told me, back when he wrote it, that you made a comment in S8 that you liked it. I don't know if you recall this though:P
Day Three- Again. I can't remember anything! Highlights would be getting to "mug" Greg, and going to the VA's Q&A. Boy was that a riot. Everyone was great! Cree Summers *SP* showed up as a surprise, and it was cool hearing her story about how she landed her first gig. Apparently her father played the voice of Doctor Claw on "Inspector Gadget". The little girl who was supposed to play the voice of Penny didn't show up so Cree was given the role, and did so well she kept it. Jeff's stories about how he got started were a hoot. I think everyone got a crazy little mental image of Chibi-Jeff driving his parents nuts with his Dizzy Duck impersonation, and I'm glad somebody asked why Duke, from "The Mighty Ducks", sounded just like Brooklyn, because that was bothering me too. *L* It was great when ppl would try to ask Jeff questions about his characters, or, "what was it like switching between voices like that?", and poor Jeff is just like , "I..I don't remember.. Did I play that character?" *L* Keith got to field a lot of questions about the differences between Voice acting and other forms of acting. Loved his cute little roar;), and I couldn't help but wonder what that panel of doctors in the adjacent room were thinking when they heard someone bellow, "I've lost everything..EVEN MY REVENGE!" I suppose I have to mention Thom's input on how Sally Richardson (is this last name correct!?) bragged to him, so he says, that the animators used her 'eh hem' back end as a model for Elisa's. I believe it was Jeff who put in something to the effect of, "Yup, those guys love doing their research." Somebody from the audience asked Keith what he would have done with his character if he had had the chance. Keith just grinned and said, "You know." "-And it wouldn't have been a dream either." Somebody from the audience also asked Keith if anything about Goliath had rubbed off onto him. Jeff, once again, interjected with something I am not even sure I can say in Ask Greg. *wonders* Oh geez..better safe then sorry! (appologizees to all who weren't there) Hey! Someone with guts can fill that part in. Afterward was the autograph signing. Everyone who had gotten to the last panel early, including myself, ended up in the back of the line. By the time we got up to the signing a lot of ppl had to book it. While Crispin was signing a poster I brought from Slayers Keith David, just three guests from me, had to leave. I probably did not make some ppl happy when I left my poster with Crispin and ran over to Keith with the poster I had brought. I don't think I have ever groveled that bad in my life *L*. "Um..Please Mr. David..Sir..could you PULEEZ sign this for me?" *LOL* He was cool about it of course. I loved watching Jeff inspect that Owen doll someone brought to get signed. I really should know her name:P He thought that thing was great! "Oh man. Hey guys look! It's the Owen doll!"
After the VA's got their chance, the writers and I think some artists came up to sign. I got that panel to sign my poster as well. It looks great! I wake up to it right near my bed:) Now the first thing the sun hits in the morning is Brynne Chandler's golden autograph of , "Jalapena!"
After the autographs my friends and I prepared for the banquet. I didn't get to sit with Thom this year *L*, but I still had a good time. My table was near enough to Thom's and Crispin's to get the jist of what was going on. Boy, *shakes head* those two! They just kept going at it. First Crispin would brag about his excellent imitation of Broadway, then Thom would pick on Crispin's shirt. It escalated until the next time I turned around Crispin was sitting in Thom's lap, and this was after I had missed Crispin planting one on Thom. *shakes her head* wow..must have been a hoot to be at one of those tables!
After the, what? SIX COURSE? meal was done I believe the art show winners were read off, and Mhyr called!off ticket numbers for raffle prizes. I'm still not quite sure how I got an award for art, but it was funny that both Kaioto, JT and myself won raffle prizes. I had to laugh when Kaioto's number was called off, and I heard Thom call from behind me saying, "So Lexy, I guess you won twice!" I figured at that point he knew who Kai was! *L*
Next was the cosplays and costume show. Not as many ppl seemed to dress up this year, but we still had some good costumes. I think I lost a good portion of my film when two of the contestants, sorry I don't know your names!, forced Thom with a net, and by fake gun point, to take his pants off. I also spent a couple shots taking pictures of our "Best Couple". IE: Thom and Crispin. A prize well earned!
After the awards were given out ,and ppl were beginning to dance, I asked Greg and Thom if they would be interested, if they could make it, in attending a party I would be having in honor of my wedding which would be taking place around the gathering of 2002. They both agreed that they would come if they could. I earned yet another hug from Thom AND a kiss that I can verify _did_ occur:D Asking Greg if he would come was pretty amusing. It took me a while before I could get up enough nerve to ask him. After I asked him he smiled at us with a surprised look and said, "What are you guys?? Like twelve?!" *L* I tried to explain that we were a bit older then that, though I am certain I sounded confused. (FYI We will be 22 and dang near 20) ^_^V Soon afterward my traveling partners and I went back to our hotel to sleep.
Day FOUR!!- I remember getting up, going to the 3x3 eyes panel and hitting closing ceremonies. After closing ceremonies my friends and I met up with Thom and we all went out to eat. We weren't sure where to go so Thom suggested a Thai place not far from the hotel. He asked us if we had a ride, and we had to admit we didn't. (We had been thinking we could go to City Walk, and just take a tran. Thom was cool about it though, and said we could just use his car.*pauses for a brief moment to remember* EEEEEEE! As most of you may imagine, I felt guilty yet strangely happy with the situation;) After apologizing like 200 times that his car was a mess, ( for those of you with cars..is that a standard thing to say before you let someone get in? It seems to be to me! *L*), Thom took us on what I like to call the "Thom Tour". I joked with him that he could have made a couple of bucks putting that one the scheduled events. He showed us where he buys his dog food, where he used to get his hair cut and where Kath Soucie used to live. As we were driving Thom mentioned that the studio where they recorded Gargoyles wasn't far, and then decided to take us there! What a sweetheart! The studio was almost empty that day, and some friendly ppl out front told Thom he could take us right on in. We got to take pictures of where the VA's stood, and see the place where Greg set up the pictures for the VA's too see. We also got to go in back and see a poster with the autographs of many who worked on the show.
Afterward we went out to eat, and had a general good time doing so. Thom was kind enough to take us back to the hotel so we could wander off to Universal studios. There you have it folks..my disjointed and rambled G2001 diary!
A few last things I should mention:
Christine Morgan- You wanted one of my pictures from the art show. I will mail that off to you if you email me with your addy:) (izzolexington3@yahoo.com)

Favorite G2001 quotes that I can actually say in Ask Greg:
"I've lost everything, EVEN MY REVENGE!"-Keith David
"Thom Adcox everybody. A man who never misses the opportunity to take off his pants."-Greg W.
"Your going to be even sorrier when those pictures are all over the Internet!"-Greg W.
"What are you guys? Like 12?"-Greg W.
"Master of advertising."-Jeff Bennet
"Did I play that guy?"-Jeff Bennet
"Mommy...what's a 'con virgin'?"-Little girl sitting behind me
"I've got something under my shiiiiiirt."-Thom A. (fallowed by)
"Well at least he didn't say he had something in his pants"-Greg W.
"He got to look!"-Keith David
"Ya right. If I had gotten to make changes Lex would have been second in command. NOT Brooklyn."-Thom
"Thank you for giving that award to Lexy. It really meant a lot to her." *Hugs Thom* -Kaioto (fallowed by)
"Who _was_ that guy?"-Greg W.

Todd Jensen writes...

Here's a brief Gathering report of my own.

FRIDAY: Arrived at Los Angeles in the afternoon. I arrived at the hotel in the middle of the Bill Faggerbakke signing, but got to the Opening Ceremonies a little late (I took a little while to find my room and put my luggage away). Fortunately, I did get to hear the whole of your presentation and see the videos. (I especially liked the "Gargoyles" video with the "Glory/Power of One" music, with its showing the camera passing over the "Gargoyles" title several times at different points.) I finally got to see the "Bad Guys" leica reel (and was definitely astonished at the bit where Matrix was shown listening to a boom box), the "Dark Ages" and "New Olympians" pitches, and the edited "Gargoyles" pilot. (I missed the MSTing of "The Gathering", though).

SATURDAY: Went to a few of the panels on writing and researching for "Gargoyles". I enjoyed hearing some of the famous stories about it in person, as well as some of the new revelations (such as the one about the cast getting trapped in a live performance of "Macbeth"; I'd definitely have liked to see that "odd little two-parter", or the sad story about the Loch Ness episode of "Team Atlantis" that will never get made).

And, of course, the big highlight in the evening was the radio play (and I agree that Crispin Freeman did a great Broadway); I enjoyed the additional bits (such as the "breathing the air" line, which I hadn't even imagined was there in the first draft, as well as the scene in the clock tower between Elisa and Jason that I'd read about before).

SUNDAY: Served as part of a panel on fanfic with Kathy, Patrick, and Taleweaver (the one shame about it being that I missed another panel about the development of "Gargoyles", which was being held at the same time). And had the Sunday dinner with you, your wife, Greg Bishansky, Patrick Toman, and Tigris Euphrates up in the Rooftop Garden (though you know that I was at your table, of course).

MONDAY: No special memories for that day, since I had to leave early to catch my plane. Oddly enough, and rather appropriately, the movie on the flight home was one entitled "Just Visiting", about a medieval knight and his peasant-squire who get transported to the modern world by a wizard's spell (certainly evocative of the gargoyles' plight).

Craig "Voiceroy" Crumpton writes...

Hi, Greg. Sorry, my question isn't related to Gargoyles. I'm mainly writing out of curiousity to know the name of the actor replacing Jim Varney as the voice of Cookie in "Team Atlantis", for which I was told you're doing the voice directing. I spoke with Corey Burton, and he couldn't remember the guy's name at all, and Tad Stones says he can only remember his first name.

I know curiousity killed el gato, but I've always been a fan of Varney's work and would just like to know a little more about the actor chosen to fill those large shoes.

Todd Jensen writes...

Have you read Rudyard Kipling's two books about Puck, "Puck of Pook's Hill" and "Rewards and Fairies"? (I've read both and quite enjoyed them; oddly enough, I first read them about the same time that "The Gathering" first aired on television).

Anonymous writes...

Todd - Green also wrote one on Egyptian Mythology.

Lord Sloth writes...

The Wierd Sissies said that the Eye of Oden was fordged on Avalon. How is that possible if it came from Oden's head?

Sapphire writes...

Is Avalon in another dimension?

Lord Sloth writes...

What was Vinni's job from between "the cage" and "vendettas". Was it using that fork lift at the docks and he just happened to find Goliath and Hudson? If so, why was Mr.C with him? And did he lose his job again for sinking the fork lift? If not, was he hunting the Gargoyles?

Anonymous writes...

Did you develop the character of Fiona Canmore before Team Atlantis? If so what were your original plans for her?

Mara writes...

Hi! It was great seeing you again at this year's Gathering. (Insert tons of compliments, comments and the like, regarding that event).

Anyway, you wrote:
I don't have any more plans for the pie gun.

But I have very specific plans for the guy the pie gun was named after.

And I just, belatedly, realize that Carter is the alias that Jon Canmore uses in Hunter's Moon. If I remember correctly, that in your plans, Castaway was NOT Jon Canmore... is he (Canmore) the one you are referring to?

It always seemed to me that Jon having access to TV, via being a newscaster, had more influence to the public at large than being the head of an obvious Klan rip-off.

So, be oblique and witty about this?

Anonymous writes...

What do the majority of gargoyles in Pukhan look like?

Lord Sloth writes...

You just this second awnsered my question about Mr Catter, and now I have to ask, who was Vinni's pie gun named after?

Anonymous writes...

Is Fiona named after a relative of yours?

Tmansdc writes...

Hey there Mr. Wiseman uh I mean Mr. Weisman,

One question, what are you currently working on as of July 8, 2001? Thank you very much for answering my question and why didn't you answer my last one?

Cynthia writes...

1) As of "The Journey", was Brooklyn a virgin?
2) As of "The Journey", was Elisa a virgin?

Phil writes...

I've enjoyed reading the G2198 proposal, but now I'm going back into the Ask Greg archive for a question. On 9/5/2000 you posted that the G2158 revamp forced you to go back and make adjustments to both DARK AGES and "Three Brothers." It also necessitated minor changes to TIME DANCER and clarified your thinking on PENDRAGON and BAD GUYS. (end of paraphrase) I can see where it would change TIME DANCER, but what kinds of things did you have to change in the other spin-offs? I'm not asking for specifics, just a general idea.

Anonymous writes...

How ofter does the London clan use magic? Are there any spellcasters besides Una? If so are they more skilled than her?

Lord Sloth writes...

Possesion:
1) When Puck(in the guise of Goliath) was telling the Clan about the soul trasfer spell, Lex was amazed that Goliath knew magic and Puck put his hand on Lex's shoulder, and some sparkaly stuff came over Lex's face. What was that all about?

2)What did Angella(or Desdemona rather) do when she pulled Coldfire under the water? She didn't come up for a lond time, not untill Puck called her.

matt writes...

1. Brooklyn and Katana will return from the Timedance with their two children and Fu-Dog, right?

2. are those two children their first two children? will they have another child in Manhatten? that would make Brooklyn's last child be in the same generation as Broadway and Angela's first.

Kelly L Creighton/Kya White Sapphire writes...

"As to Oberon's Children, you've seen one of their ancestors on the series. "

AHH~ THE TORTURE! come on, a hint! oh please oh please?!

Todd Jensen writes...

So we've seen one of the ancestors of the fay in the series? Do you mean the Will-o-the-Wisp in "Pendragon"? (To be perfectly fair, it was Aris Katsaris who suggested the idea first, but it made sense to me).

Anonymous writes...

What legends inspired you to put a clan there?

The Souldier writes...

Was there a one-liner you wanted to have in Gargoyles, but it just wouldn't find it's way in? Something like getting Owen to say Jalapena.

Anonymous writes...

Are there any other types of gargoyles besides the aquatic loch ness gargoyles, the animal headed gargoyles of the UK. the serpentine ones in Guatemala and the generic gargoyles of New York and Ishimura? If so could you describe a few of the unknown gargoyles?

Anonymous writes...

What exactly is Mount Thanatos? City?
Why did they name it after death incarnate?

Sapphire writes...

What is the New olympians role in the liberation of earth against Space Spawn rule?

Gipdac writes...

1) Do the Canmore siblings (The Hunters) know about Macbeth (What, with his still being alive and all)?
2) Have they, or any other Canmores, ever tried to hunt him?
3) Does Macbeth have any descendants living by 1996?
4) Do the Canmores (at least the ones descended from Jon) still hunt Demona in 2198?

Todd Jensen writes...

Have you ever read "Camelot 3000"?

Todd Jensen writes...

You've mentioned before that one of your favorite Arthurian works, and one which you've used quite a bit as a "primary source" (it clearly was at least a major influence for your handling of Percival and Blanchefleur) was Roger Lancelyn Green's "King Arthur". Have you ever read any of R. L. Green's other rehandlings of myths and legends (he wrote one on Greek mythology, "Heroes of Greece and Troy", one on Norse mythology, "Myths of the Norsemen", and one on Robin Hood)?

zakhur writes...

I know you've been asked this before, but because I don't know if it has changed, what else can fans do, to try to get Gargoyles back?

Tmansdc writes...

Hey everybody,

I would really like to attend a gathering convention, i really would, but I can't, i'm fifteen and entering the ninth grade so I wouldn't be able to attend any Gathering Conventions until the year 2007.

Anonymous writes...

Did the gargoyles contributed to the mermaid legends considering that there are actually amphibious gargoyles?

matt writes...

in the prize you sent to me you said that the "nearly amphibious clan" has lower bodies that "are positively dolphin-esque." i'm not revealing what clan that is cuz i don't want to reveal all the information in the prize too fast (if at all) but i'm sure you know what clan i'm talking about. anyway, are these lower bodies like one appendage like Zafiro's snake-like lower body or are they two appendages ending in dolphin-like fins, more like finned legs? if it is just one appendage how do they walk?

can they still glide even though their wings "have adapted into large manta-like fins" or are they strictly land and water gargs?

Shan writes...

REFLECTIONS ON GARGOYLES 2001
By Shannon (Shan) Muir

SATURDAY NIGHT ADDENDUM

How could I forget the highlight of the banquet? (I'm guessing because it was reported frequently...) That incredible game of upstaging between Thom Adcox and Crispin Freeman was even more worthwhile than the food! I was seated on one side of Thom, so everything literally took place right before my eyes. I take it such antics are atypical for the GATHERING the way people have gone on about it? Am I wrong?

Lord Sloth writes...

I guess Jully 4th was a bad guess. Is it perhaps Jully 10th now?

Now the question. What was Owen doing at the time Demona summoned him through the mirror?

Shan writes...

REFLECTIONS ON GATHERING 2001
By Shannon (Shan) Muir

MONDAY

Monday Kevin and I did breakfast at Carl's Jr. at 9AM and showed up in decent time before the ROUGHNECKS panel. Got a brief bit of time to say "hi" to Dave Hartman and Jay Oliva, both of whom I worked with on the EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS series. Before the Q&A, the episode of ROUGHNECKS screened where they go to scatter Razak's ashes… Greg, did you run this because I told you during our Suite101 interview that I cry every time that episode plays? (I doubt that's the only reason but it sprung to mind…) Speaking of Suite101, Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky sat a few seats over from me and recognized who I was. Greg, thanks for your compliments. Especially after not finding a voice in the panel Sunday, you really made my day. Thank you.

Though I knew most of the ROUGHNECKS personnel and had heard some of these stories at San Diego Comic-Con the prior summer, it's always a joy seeing those folks. I regret I didn't bring my Eduardo figurine (still MIB) from EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS for Rino (ROUGHNECKS' Johnny Rico) to sign; Rino was Eduardo and Jason Marsden (Pvt. Brutto in ROUGHNECKS) played Garrett. But it wasn't clear there'd be a signing period at this panel, not after the separate Voice Actors panel the day before.

Then we went out to lunch… and also did some shopping at Sam Goody and the comic shop on the CityWalk. Kevin owed me some money for buying his Gathering T-shirt (beautiful shirts Aimee and Greg Guler!), plus Sunday breakfast, so he got me a VOLTRON tee and the videotape of SLAYERS: THE MOTION PICTURE - can't afford DVD yet. I know Crispin's not in this movie, but I was looking for a self-contained introduction to the concept. I want to see more, and definitely with Crispin!

Got back in time for Closing Ceremonies, and then off to the car. We headed to Al's Deli on Ventura Blvd. for lunch, and afterwards go home and do drudgery things like wash the laundry so I could be ready for work the next day.

All in all, it really was a good time. And a special thing I'd like to share with Greg and everyone else. I moved to Los Angeles in 1996 from a town of 8,000 people and three stoplights, determined to make it in this town and in animation. A promise I made myself was that if I survived five years in Los Angeles, on that day (or the nearest weekend) I would throw a party and do something really special to celebrate.

My five year mark in Los Angeles was June 20, 2001… the Wednesday before the Gathering. So, indirectly, you folks threw me that memorable event and never knew it.

Thank you - Greg, the guests, the staff, the volunteers, and the fans -- for an event to remember.

Shan writes...

REFLECTIONS ON GATHERING 2001
By Shannon (Shan) Muir

SUNDAY
The big morning, the one I'd been raising my courage for over the last two days. The panel. I'd been asked to be part of a panel on moving from Fan to Pro meeting at 10AM. So I wouldn't stress over being late, Kevin and I had the Sunday buffet breakfast at the Sheraton's restaurant. A wonderful selection, pretty decent. Unfortunately (for him) this meant Kevin having to arrive like 8:30AM this time. The other reason I wanted Sunday buffet was to eat very well, bypass lunch (but be sure to have water for medication), and then eat dinner at the banquet since that was a relatively early dinner. I cannot stress how much of a mistake that was.

People started arriving for our panel. I met Taleweaver (Rashaan Footman), a worthy last-minute addition. I think having someone well-known in fandom on the quest for a pro fiction sale was a much needed voice and I am glad for the opportunity to have met him. Karine (aka Kanthara) and Aimee showed up to voice the artists, and Christine arrived. Christine got things underway with Con announcements, even though I'd agreed to try to serve as moderator. In a way, we tried to stall for the still absent Meredith, but even after Christine finished Meredith still wasn't there. So starting with Aimee, everyone introduced themselves - and Meredith entered right on cue! We couldn't have planned that better. In the end, I didn't talk much on the panel, mainly because all the listeners were either artists or prose/poetry writers. There wasn't too much a scriptwriter/journalistic writer/animation production person could offer that crowd. Sometimes it goes like that. But I'm content with the knowledge if someone had been interested and showed up, I would have been there for them.

Afterwards, we headed for the Series Production panel. Again, the sheer amount of professionals available to listen to made this worthwhile! Some of those folks I'd met through Greg's class, and have even been to Advantage Audio where they do the effects and sound mixing, but other people were totally new to me. A few more of the faces were new to Kevin, but he'd come with me on the trip to Advantage Audio so we were both familiar with those guys. Names are starting to run together at the moment or I'd actually name them…

Then came the Voice Actors Q&A. I can't pin how far back my interest in voice acting goes, I think one of the most early and significant ones was when I saw Sue Blu guesting on a SIMON & SIMON rerun and realized "hey that's Stormer from JEM!" Or maybe it was Michael Bell's guest stint on MASH. Anyway, once I was conscious that on screen actors could also be behind the moving drawings, I've always wanted to identify who's who. Used to be very good, but I think I'm slipping, especially with talented people like Jeff Bennett who can sound like practically anyone. Thom Adcox was the only one I'd seen in person before, Cree I'd seen on TV in ATLANTIS interviews and in Lenny Kravitz's VH1 BEHIND THE MUSIC (though I didn't know it was her, I wondered about the name similarity though. I don't think she talked on camera) because he produced her music CD. I really enjoyed hearing their anecdotes of working on GARGOYLES and in the business. I'm the one who finally mustered the courage to ask the question on dubbing, which gave Crispin Freeman - who I was NOT familiar with prior to the GATHERING - a chance to shine at what was pretty much a GARGOYLES-centric panel. I'm really, really impressed with him. I understand Izobel is to thank for hooking him up at the event? Whoever, a big round of thanks.

Then we decided to find out where the Roof Garden Ballroom was, because we didn't have anything for the actors to sign. We thought we might get dropped outside a set of doors and at least know we knew where the right place was. Kevin and I certainly didn't mean to actually be IN it that early. So, after trying not to be tempted by the incredible view, we went downstairs ASAP.

We went back and sat in the back of the big room, where the Charity Auction got underway on one side and crew signings on the other. Watched the first of the Carl Johnson CDs go for well over $100, the invite to a TEAM ATLANTIS voice record taken at over $200 (by one of my former classmates, it turned out), but really surprised at how low most of the other stuff went. Not that I know what it was all worth, but it just seemed strange. After a while, the crew signings wound down and then we decided to head out towards the dinner though the auction was running behind.

So we went back to the Ballroom and waited for over half an hour, since the banquet had been delayed. But we figured a lot of people wouldn't know and would show up early too, which they did. Now that "no lunch" mistake started catching up to me, I was just short of doubling over in pain. Dinner was fair for a hotel, I've had worse, though. A funny part was when I got up to go to the restroom, and came back to the pasta. Not remembering the full menu I asked Kevin, "This isn't the main course is it?" He said yes, I'm not sure if he meant it as a joke (I have a horrid time telling joke from serious, and I grew up with a Dad and Grandfather who loved to joke). And I believed him, shaking my head because I have seen hotels do worse. So I was pleasantly surprised when the main course did show up! The Sheraton did make good desserts though. I wonder how it stacked up to other banquets.

Myhr and the awards section proved OK but not terribly interesting. I had no familiarity with the fan fiction, but had at least seen the art show. No idea how I missed the World Map everyone's raving about though. Sounds like that one was a sight to see!

My biggest regret was not being in any shape to stay for the Masquerade/Cosplay/Dance. Several weeks before (not with pneumonia like Greg, something different) I'd had problems related to my medical condition and too worn out to stay. Despite the fact I'd chided Kevin for weeks about dragging him on the dance floor, that was not to be. I'd also wanted to encourage him to dress him up as Owen, which would NOT have been hard. The way he dressed at the Gathering (polo shirt and slacks) is casual for him; let's put it this way, even Kevin jokes of being "born in a suit." Unfortunately, that's all relegated to what might have been.

Shan writes...

REFLECTIONS ON GATHERING 2001
By Shannon (Shan) Muir

SATURDAY
Kevin met me at 9AM the next morning at Carl's Jr. for breakfast. We made it in time for the Series Development panel, which we were both looking forward to. I hated the fact Christine's reading was at the same time, since I wanted to meet her. But writing for animation is my first passion and Kevin would love to work in development, so the Development panel was the obvious choice. A lot of what Greg discussed had come up in my class, but it was all new to Kevin and I also got to hear from people such as Greg Guler who had not been guests to our class.

Next we stayed for Writing for TV Animation. In hindsight, I wish I'd gone to Voice Acting Techniques (though granted it was Part Two!) and left Kevin on his own, especially after hearing about Crispin's ADR workshop. I would have LOVED that! Kevin got the benefit of hearing Gary Sperling and Michael Reaves' thoughts and views on the craft, which were very nice and all, but I'd heard Gary in my class and Michael I've run across elsewhere. So there really wasn't much new here for me.

The next panel was phenomenal… Writing for Gargoyles. The multi-year attendees probably have heard all the stories, and Greg had told some in class, but to have the input and interjections of so many of the writers, story editors, and staff who worked on the show made it all the more fun. And all of it was new to Kevin, so most of my joy came from his reactions.

Lunch came next. Unfortunately for me, I have a medical condition that requires me to take medication on a regular schedule. So we opted out of Michael Reaves' book reading and the Music for Animation panel (I would have found this interesting) to eat. So we went back to the CityWalk - back to Jerry's but this time for sandwiches.

We got back in time for the Research panel with Tuppence, Monique, Michael, and Lydia Marano. Finally I met up with Christine Morgan beforehand and introduced myself, promised to bring my books on Sunday to have her sign them… they were back at the apartment! I learned a lot about how much more difficult research was for the staff back then (pre-proliferation of the Internet), and how they matched locations and story ideas for the World Tour (cards on a large corkboard). Afterwards, I managed to meet Lydia Marano, whose work I knew from ROUGHNECKS before having seen all of GARGOYLES, but had never run across before at any other event. I learned she owns a bookstore in the San Fernando Valley, and struck me as a strong and incredible person.

Having had a late lunch, there was no point in dinner so early. And, since we weren't staying at the hotels, had nowhere to go crash. I believe this was when we checked out the Art Show. I enjoyed so much of the art, amazed at the ways the fandom artists express their interest in GARGOYLES in so many ways. I'm not sure what Kevin thought, I think overall he liked it but since he is a Narrative Illustrator he may have a more critical eye. I didn't ask.

We STILL had time to kill. Kevin wanted to go outside for a bit so we went to sit on the far side of the pool outside the gate - passing Jordan, W. Morgan Sheppard, and Greg having dinner but being courteous enough not to interrupt. We sat by the pool and talked until the chlorine started getting to me and we headed back in and to the lobby (where we wound up sitting ABOVE same aforementioned dinner). In retrospect, I have no idea why we didn't go up to the Con Suite. My only thought is when we'd gone up before, we'd been escorted by staff and just felt awkward going up unaccompanied. We're innately shy.

Anyway, we stayed for the Radio Play at 7 PM. It was the original script version of "Hunter's Moon Part Three." Frankly, after hearing about some of the things that have been debuted at the Gathering, I was let down. That said, I feel a GARGOYLES-centered Radio Play was COMPLETELY appropriate for the fifth anniversary radio play and was VERY well-performed. I guess it's because I've written and worked in production and know cut scenes are a reality. Maybe I'm just jaded. In that respect, maybe it's good I wasn't cast.

Afterwards, still being fairly early, we took the tram back up to CityWalk and had dinner at Tony Roma's. Saw Christine and her daughter Becca Morgan go out as we came in. The waiter was slow but the ribs ruled! Another exciting day came to a close. Kevin dropped me off at my apartment (about 15 minutes away) then drove back home (an additional 30 minutes or so). What a trooper. I love him.

Shan writes...

REFLECTIONS ON GATHERING 2001
By Shannon (Shan) Muir

I'm a first-time Gathering attendee who played the roles of both attendee and panelist, who also lived locally and didn't stay in a hotel, hoping I can give some kind of useful perspective to Greg and others. I also tend to ramble and like asides, hopefully I've kept both to a minimum.

FRIDAY
My boyfriend Kevin Paul Shaw Broden and I showed up around 11 Friday. Everyone was gathered around a large screen TV opposite the registration desk watching "Enter Macbeth," though I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't recognize it at first. Hadn't seen GARGOYLES on anything larger than maybe a 15" inch screen to that point. (I've only been a real fan since 2000, though I saw a smattering of episodes before then, too busy in college). Anyway, we got our tags and gorgeous shirts and, social butterflies we are (not!), took the tram to CityWalk for a meal instead of meeting people. Grabbed a brunch at Jerry's Deli.

We didn't attend either of the noon panels. Mainly because Kevin knew I wanted to audition for the radio play and we didn't want to rudely leave in the middle of the contest readings, which is where we would have gone. So that's when we scoped out the Dealers' Room and I briefly chatted with Tim Morgan. Saw Christine's books but didn't pick them up (all three) until later that day. That was all I bought, frankly I could barely afford to come to the Gathering and the banquet. Then right at 1:30 I was one of the first six in line for the auditions. Came in to see Greg and Thom (who I'd met when taking a screenwriting class from Greg at UCLA), and also Jordan who was new to me. Took a shot at Elisa, mainly because it was the new "side" to me. We'd done mock auditions in the class and I had done Demona, and frankly - sorry Greg - I've never liked the Angela "side." Elisa's "side" hadn't been a choice then. But mic-trained me got too much into what I was doing and forgot to project at one point. In the end I wasn't cast, but at least I got to try the experience again with new material.

Having gotten out much earlier than planned, I picked up Christine's books and then we went to Meredith Patterson's 3PM reading. Very good but also very graphic, a little above my poor weak tolerance level (I can't, sadly, watch 3x3 EYES either for similar reasons. It sucks.). Meredith noticed, but took it all in stride - it means she did an effective job, so that's a compliment! Afterwards, I introduced myself and Meredith escorted Kevin and I to the Con Suite where we met the Wittenbergs, Wingless, and some others whose names I didn't catch. After Greg, Thom, and Jordan arrived to discuss casting, we left and eventually had a light dinner of pizza.

Got back in time to see the Opening Ceremonies, actually a little earlier. Talked briefly to my friend Monique Beatty - we used to work together at Sony Animation - and she introduced me to Tuppence McIntyre, the Deputy DA who had helped Greg with his Scottish research. I'm really glad Tuppence in particular took the time to come out. Monique introduced Kevin to Tuppence as Kevin Paul Shaw Broden, then looked at his name tag and saw only the "Kevin Broden." It was just a funny moment as everyone who knows him in the industry knows him as "the man with too many names," as one fairly well known writer dubbed him. Gathering Staff, no worries, we figure it was just the software limitations even though he put all four names. Heck, ComiCon always files him under Shaw, thinking he has two last names.

At Opening Ceremonies, I recognized most of the folks, but it was neat getting to see many of the voice actors for the first time (especially Bill Faggerbake; he voiced Alan on the JUMANJI series I worked on and I always wondered what he was like in person). I'd previously seen most of the tapes Greg showed in our class, but the GARGOYLES "preview reel", as were the pitches for the spinoffs (which was the most fun tape of the evening, BTW). The BAD GUYS leica reel made far more sense, since I didn't really those characters the first time I saw it. It like an "OK" action-adventure series on the surface with lots of potential before, but now that I understand who the characters are, it's really fun.

Kevin and I bailed for the evening after that. Not that events like "MYST"ing GARGOYLES wouldn't have been interesting, but I needed to grab something for dinner at that point rather desperately and it was easier just to call it a night and hit the Carl's Jer. a block from my apartment.

So Kevin dropped me off and headed home to Fullerton. (He didn't crash at my place overnight for complicated reasons outside of the scope of this journal… though it would have arguably been easier if he could have!)

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

I woke up and showered (wow, just like every other morning ;), and came down, and was sad. Things were being cleared out and that was the sign that the Con was practically over. I chatted with Montana Joe Lawson briefly before the next panel started.

My roommate Laura and I attended the Starship Troopers panel, and I watched an episode (before the panel started) for the first time ever... it was shown for only a few days in New York apparantly and in a horrible timeslot so I missed it. I did like what I saw, and having only seen one episode, I still found the panel interesting and entertaining.

I next had to take a journey to the Post Office which went on even longer than I anticipated and missed a panel I myself was supposed to sit on. I bought a dagger in the Dealer's Room the previous day, and since I only had carry-on luggage, I knew I'd get in trouble if I tried to bring it on the plane, and the post-office near by took forever to get the thing actually mailed.

I came back, to find out when I should leave for LAX, since my plane was leaving at 3PM, and I learned I had to leave before the closing ceremonies. I found you and said good-bye, and said good-bye to Jen and thanked her for the great weekend before my roomates and I left and dropped me off at the gate to the airport, where I had a pleasant flight home. Read the scripts I bought at the auction and watched this movie that starred Freddie Prince Jr and involved fashion models and an episode of Third Rock from the Sun on the plane before landing at 11:30 PM and talking non-stop about the con.

It was a great weekend, and I made some great friends and met some great new people. I'd like to thank you for being so great at the con, and putting up with my company for longer than you had to at previous Gatherings ;)

It was a pleasure Greg, and I look forward to seeing you next summer.

Gabriel writes...

Oie, i didn't keep a journal, so I have to go from memory.
Day 1:
I left Houston at around eight, tired from lack of sleep and hungry from hurrying to airport and only eating a quick cup of cerial. During the flight they served these nasty snacks that were really greasy; they call it sausage, I call it a waste of money. The flight took about three to four hours; I slept most of the away. I arrived in LA upset due to two factors: 1. On the way, I looked down at all the sand and desert, and out of nowhere all these ontological ramblings poured into my head. Did I have paper? No. Could I even write anything legible on a bumpy airplane? No. So there went a slew of ontological and time-continuum ideas right out the window. I shrugged it off and went on. 2). In LA, I got stopped by some Harr Kreshna guy who gave me this book to read about his religion. I thought, "cool" and tried leave; but he stopped me and hounded me for money. After repeatedly telling him no, he took the book back and gave me a pamphlet instead. JERK, I thought. I shrugged it off and went on.
Well, I got to the hotel--after almost diying (is that spelled right?) on the way there because of the driver who kept telling all the passengers stories about his Fatherland (Germany) and whole bunch of other stuff I didn't care for while he was NOT paying attention to the road--and found my friend Ryan from Dallas.
Well, because of this mix-up with our rooms, they wouldn't give us the keys, so I had to go find the guy whose name the room was under (Sean "Brooklyn X" Donagher) so he could prove to the clerk that we were supposed to be in the room. We decided to get our badges for the Gathering first, and, to our surprise, Sean was volunteering to give out the badges. He got us our keys, and we went down (not up where everyone else was) to our room.
After throwing everything on the floor, I wasted no time in blowing my money on junk I really don't need (cards, a CD, a place mat, a puzzle, this wierd french game with a marble, and a color print of Gabriel).
After throwing all that with my other crap I went back to audition for the radio play. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, and so I was really panicky. Of course, all the ontological mumbo-jumbo came flooding back in like burst damn...and I was reading the script, second in line--what luck. After skimming the script, I get called in. As soon as I walk in, I see Greg and start thinking, "If my being is met with bad-faith---oh crap, it's Greg Weisman, uumumum--but then my being is thus permeable to the I-it--sh*t, who am I gonna' read---oh crap, it's Thom Adcox, uhuhuhuh--quick, sit down!!" After sitting down, I was told to stand-up.
"OK, who are you going to read for us?" Greg asked. Sh*t, you didn't even decide who to read. Goliath--no. Brooklyn--maybe. Elisa--ha! Xanatos--no. Goliath--no. Xanatos--might as well.
So I read; I thought it went fairly well.
"Uh, do you think you could read that first paragraph again," Geg asked me, "except louder this time?"
"Uhhh, yeah, I guess." Damn him! [No offence, Greg:)] I read louder.
"Stop. You need to project." I read even louder. "Project!" Ah! Damnit, I bet that was too loud, I thought.
I finished. I felt better after barking like a dog and wimping out of my cheesy Celebrity Jeopardy Sean Connery impression.
The rest of the day went by like a flash. All I remember is getting Fabberbakke's autograph on my Gargoyles poster, some of the opening ceremonies, wondering when Yama became a bad guy, being happy at being an understudy, working-out at their crappy gym, and hating Bush for not putting a price cap in California since I had to pay 2.50 per night for electricity. I didn't talk to anyone since I really didn't know anyone; so I mostly just kept to myself, thinking, "So that's what you look like," anytime I saw someone's name I recognized off the 'Net.
I read a little bit of The Fall that night and decided I was just too tired to read any; so I went to bed, eager to jump into the next days activities.

Lord Sloth writes...

Given the Space Spawn's reputation in 2198, am I right that Nokkar will have a bad rep to for just being from space? Or will he not have revieled himself to the public yet, and just work in secreat at HQ? What has his chain of Easter Island friends turned into by this point?

matt writes...

at any time in history, lets say 0AD to 2200AD, were there ever wild garg beasts or packs of wild garg beasts running around somewhere? i mean like garg beast that were not attached to a clan of gargoyles, just on their own, or have beast always been domesticated pets of gargoyles?

matt writes...

ok, you've said that Angela would say the spell to reach Avalon after each adventure. well, at the end of "Bushido" its daytime and Angela is asleep, but yet the travelers still disappear into the mist, and i mean they really vanish, not just fade into the mist. at first i thought maybe Elisa could've said the spell, but if you watch the episode shes talking to the Ishimuran guy and herself as the travelors dissapear, so SHE didn't say the spell either. so how did the travelers dissappear without saying the spell?

sorry to try and trap you like this, but its only fair the way you dodge our questions! LOL, kidding! :) if you don't have an answer its ok!

Jacob writes...

If someone would bring a gargoyle by plain very far into eastern or western direction during he's stone, would his internal clock notice that or would it be a way for him to be awake at day?