Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

Gathering Journal

Day 3

I got up and showered and quickly rushed down to your Mug-A-Guest. It was interesting hearing how you got your start at DC Comics (feels the urge to track down old Captain Atom issues), and finally learning how you ended up writing a JEM episode of all things. I seem to recall also answering a few questions for you when someone there asked about 2198, but I forget if I did.

After that, I went to the Series Production panel, and had fun there, it was great to see all the character models out and after it was over, I asked Frank "I don't suppose any of this is for sale", he said no of course, but he later let me make a photocopy of this erotic picture of Demona that he drew, and I never stopped thanking him the rest of the time he was there.

I went to lunch then and came back just before the Voice Actors panel. My key to my room wasn't working and I was having it replaced, and when that was done, in came Elisa Gabrielli, who was looking for the panel. I escorted her down and made some small talk with her on the way.

The Panel was fun and I was the one who asked you to do the "nice mask" line. Sorry, just seemed funny at the time.

After it was over I ran back upstairs and got my Gathering calendar to be autographed, and ran back down and got at the back of the line as Cree Summer was leaving, she was nice enough to sign my calendar for me, and have a brief conversation. As we got in, Keith David left. I was a little disappointed, but I got the chance to meet him last summer when he performed "A Winter's Tale", and I wanted to see if their was a chance that he remembered me. But I understood his reasons for leaving early and respected them.

Next came the auction. I had set my eyes on the Art Bible that had everyone's autograph, but couldn't afford it. I ended up buying a copy of the "Hunter's Moon" Radio Play script, the script for "The Journey" (like the scene between Matt and Chavez in it btw), and the print of the Eyrie Building, which I then had signed by Frank, and attempted to bribe him to send me a copy of the Art Bible. Frank's a cool guy and Siryn and I had a nice conversation with him.

Next came the Awards Banquet, which I quickly went to after deposoting my Auction Bounty in my room, and ended up sitting at a table with Noel, Todd, Patrick and of course you and Beth, and a couple of other people who's names unfortunatly escape me right now. The food was good, and the desert was better, but you know this part, you were at the table. And yes, the antics of Thom and Crispin were hilarious.

The Masquerade was great, and I wish I entered. I was dressed as David Xanatos, and everyone told me I looked great, and that if I dropped some weight, I'd be the spitting image. The other costumes were great, Jen was a very sexy Fox, Alex and Batya's Cosplay was hilarious, Aaron and Mara's Fox and David were also great. The whole thing was great. I wish I entered though.

After that was over, I went back to my room and crashed.

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

Hmm, here's my Gathering Journal

Day 1

Well, having graduated the previous day, I thought the Gathering was the perfect way to celebrate. I loved the timing of the con. The night before I left (after the graduation ceremony) I had a big Chinese dinner and felt quite sick the next morning, but I got up and came anyway, and thankfully had recovered before I got on the plane.

I landed safely and quickly found a good cheap shuttle to take me to the hotel. When I arrived, I saw you and Thom going into the hotel, and I was at first quite shy but then I just told myself to go up to you and reintroduce myself, and I'm glad I did.

I went down to the audition for the Radio Play, and read for Xanatos, and quickly learned to project my voice during it. I personally thought I sucked, but in hindsight I should have read for some of the other characters, and I later realized I could do a good Scottish accent. Oh well, there's always next year.

I attended a few panels and met and made some new friends and sat down for the Opening Ceremonies, which were quite fun. And don't worry about being clumsy with Ed Asner's letter, I've made even sillier mistakes than that in my time. It was fun to see the pitches and promo again, as well as the Leica... how much would I have to bribe you for copies of those??? Just kidding ;)

I went up to City Walk to eat dinner, or as I liked to call it... "the world's biggest tourist trap". And got charged $10 for two slices of pizza and a soda. The food was good though.

I came back and caught the end of "Awakening" and sat down for the MSTing of "The Gathering" and you were standing next to me through the whole thing, and it was funny being one of only a couple of people who knew you were in there.

I finally found my roomates; Chris, Laura and Rebecca (who played Bronx in the Radio Play)... all extremely cool people btw, and went to sleep.

Blaise writes...

My own Gathering Diary? Well, I already bubbled about a couple things in my first post on the subject back on June 27. But re-reading it, I noticed something I forgot: The Radio Play.

When I went up to audition for that on Friday, I felt about ready to jump out of my skin. I was that nervous and I don't even know why--maybe just the fact that I was seeing you and Thom for the first time right there. Anyway, I read for Xanatos--I felt I did all right, but that I could have done better. Then we all forgot I had to do a Scottish accent and dog bark, so I had to come back in again after someone else (what's surprising about this was that after my first audition I didn't want to leave the hallway for some reason...just weird [or perhaps Wyrd?]).
The only thing I really remember about the second time around, was asking, "Big dog or little dog?" And I almost felt like singing when I found I had been cast.

The next day I pretty much followed you around, since you were at every panel I wanted to attend. The Voice Acting one was great fun--Morgan Shepperd (hope I spelled that right) was a great guy (and a real hoot!). Doing the readings were fun, and I enjoyed "auditioning" as Brooklyn. I just wish I could have deepened my voice more when I was Goliath in the MIA scene. And on the subject of wishes, I would have liked to have tried my hand at anime dubbing. But I digress.

Radio Play Rehearsals: Yeah, they went quicker than I expected, too. I was surprised (and a bit delighted) that we were doing HUNTER'S MOON PART 3, and even more astounded that I had landed Matt Bluestone. I mean it's just like, "Wow, I'm a major supporting character!" Looking over everything I've written so far I feel like I'm giving myself an ego trip. Ah well, the Gathering comes but once a year.

Anyway, it was after this point that I (finally) formally introduced myself to you. I was actually surprised that you recognized my 'Net name, and glad for the chance to speak with you outside of a panel/rehearsal setting.

The Radio Play itself was a wonderful experience. I swear, rarely have I gotten such satisfaction from a line reading as when I gave some of Bluestone's lines, a particular favorit being "Hold your fire! That's an order."
I thought the rest of the cast did a great job too. Standouts being of course Zehra's Elisa, Jen's Demona, and Crispan's Faggerbakke, but also Lanny's Goliath, Jordan's Jason, Mr. Sheppherd's Hudson, and...who played Lexington again? ;) But everyone in the cast--they were all a GREAT cast.

I just want to thank you for the opportunity to have been in this little production--one of the highlights of the con (but not the only one!).

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

My Gathering Journal

Day 2

I woke up, took a shower and went down stairs to sign up for the Mug-A-Guest, and was the first person to sign up to mug you. I noticed a lot of people got there early and Jeff Bennet filled up right away. I had this Apple Muffin for breakfast and went to the first panel, which was the Series Development panel. Unfortunatly I didn't have my schedual with me, and missed the Brynne Chandler Mug-A-Guest I signed up for, and I regret that.

That was a fun panel, and it was great to meet Tad Stones, someone who's work I admired for a long time. A lot of great stories were told, and after the panel I had to ask him the origin of the second Negaduck... it was interesting to discover that they're both the same character. I had an Evil Emperor Zurg question for him also, but forgot about it at the time.

Next came the Writing for TV Animation panel, which was great cause I got to meet Michael Reaves, who has been one of my favorite writers for ages. Learned a lot about the business, and I really hope we can get him to another Gathering.

Next I went to the Writing for Gargoyles panel, which I enjoyed immensly. it was great getting to meet the rest of the Writing Staff, and hearing about their experiences on the show, and they were all a pleasure. I hope we can get all of them back also.

I wondered around for a while and ended up in the Art Room chatting with friends like Aaron and Mara, Josh, and a lot of other people. I met your wife and kids for the first time in front of Erin's art. I encouraged her to keep drawing, cause I think she has some real talent. Her art was very cute as well. You have a wonderful family there Greg.

I went up to dinner later and had Chinese food, then we realized the time and hurried back just in time for the Radio Play. I really enjoyed it, and "Hunter's Moon" was always one of my favorites. I really regreted not trying a Scottish accent at the audition, cause now I think I could have been a great Canmore.

After the Radio Play, I went and watched some 3x3 Eyes for the first time, and now I am actively searching for the set. I'm having trouble finding it though.

I went up to my room and I forget what I did then, I think I watched a "Fraiser" re-run before my roommates came back, and we stayed up later just talking before we hit the sack

Kathy Lowe writes...

I really enjoyed the Gathering this year. Many thanks to you and the staff for getting all the guest panelists.

My husband is a rather shy type; he thought the following question during the production seminar, but didn't even tell me until several days after the Gathering.

What is the silliest idea you ever had, and what is the silliest idea you ever pitched?

Kelly L Creighton/Kya White Sapphire writes...

you asked for gathering journals. here ya go!
Gatheirng 2001
http://www.coloden.com/isle/g01.html
Gathering 2000
http://www.coloden.com/isle/g2k.html

Kelly L. Creighton/Kya White Sapphire writes...

directed towards WereFox- AH HAH! if you had come to the gathering, you would KNOW why demona made the disk! bwahaha! Ill let greg decide if he is going to bless you with the answer! (im feeling rather sadistic at the moment ;P)

GREG- when you showed that cool garg promo video (which you do every year) i yelled out "where can we get a copy of that?" and you said "you cant!" is that for legal reasons, as in Disney owns it, or is it just because you only have one copy? or is it something else?

Blaise writes...

Hi Greg!
This is about two days after the Convention, and I just wanted to say how great it was seeing/meeting you and the rest of the cast and crew of GARGOYLES (or at least a sizable portion of them) in person. I also enjoyed seeing the various pitches you had (I LOVE Sphinx's design--though I doubt that was at all final), and hearing the stories surrounding the various aspects of the show.

Kudos to you, Jennifer, Patrick, Kathy, and the rest of the Con staff, volunteers, and guest for making this an extremely memorable Con.
(Of course, by the time you read this it will have been MONTHS in the past, but the good feelings are still that strong.)

Mary Mack writes...

At some point at the Gathering, I overheard you telling some lucky fan or fans when Brooklyn learned to read. I was dashing off somewhere, probably trying to chase down Kanthara again (whom I finally caught on Monday-- Hi Kanth!), and I didn't get to eavesdrop on the whole thing. It sounded fascinating, and like part of a larger question about which gargs learned to read when. I sure wish I knew the answer, and I'd bet money that your other faithful readers want to know too. So...

We know when Hudson and Braodway learned to read-- they started right after "Lighthouse on the Sea of Time." When did the other members of the Manhattan clan learn to read?

Thatnk you for your time and I hope everybody pre-registers for the Gathering 2002-- I did!

zakhur writes...

Hi Greg, do you think this year's Gathering will help get Gargoyles one way or another?