Category: Outlander Events

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2022 Outlandish Vancouver/Outlandish Adventures – Day one

Greetings, all Outlander fans! Writing from the Doubletree by Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel in SeaTac. KoKo and her trusty team are at it again with Outlander Vancouver/Outlandish Adventures (OV/OA) for a second time this year! The theme for the event is “Redcoats on the Ridge.” 

January of 2022, an earlier OV/OA event was hosted by KoKo.com. If you want, you can read about the January event using this link.

My friend, Jody Kawamata-Chang of “Aloha Outlanders” flew in from O’ahu while I drove north from Oregon. We checked into our hotel late in the day and the next day went shopping!

First, to a nearby-by Trader Joe’s where pumpkins were half what they are in Hawaii! Sadly, no way for Jody to take one back to her home state. 

Then, on to IKEA. Neither store is on the big island so Jo stocks up whenever she is on the mainland. (He, he. My shaka sign is backwards! Jo says, that’s because I am a tourist! 😇)

For the OV/OA event, masks were optional, but all attendees were required to present a negative COVID test within 48 hours of registration. We both passed our tests and wore masks, throughout!

Registration went quickly and smoothly due to friendly and helpful volunteers. 

Our first panel was Friday evening. Five Outlander cast members entered the room to Queen’s “We Will Rock you!” shared their lives with us:  First into the room with big applause was Tim Downie ( plays Governor William Tryon)!

Next was Caitlin O’Ryan (plays Lizzie Wemyss)

Cutie Paul Gorman (plays Josiah and Keziah Beardsley) joined us!

Followed by Joanne Thompson (Amy McCallum)!

And, last but certainly not least! David Berry (plays Lord John Grey).

The cast took their seats on stage and the Q and A began!

Asked what they did the day before and, of course, they went to Pike’s Market in Seattle. This is a must-see of Washington state! One of the cast exclaimed, “They throw fish!” Yes, yes, they do! 😃

Apparently, their Uber driver was a fellow named Omar who promptly fell in love with Paul. He drove them all over for no additional fee.

They even visited the famous gum wall. Yuk! 🤢

David was asked how he got cast for Outlander. His agent sent him the casting opportunity. He got 10 pages of script! He submitted his demo reel. Got a call, “Can you be on a plane?” 😉

Tim was asked for any funny filming experiences. He played a small roll in the fifth film of the series, Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)! He was asked to film a polo scene because he had a bit of riding experience. He was put on a very small aggressive polo pony. A drone few overhead and a filming car drove next to him. Turned out everyone but Tim was an experienced polo player. He was terrified and the director, Michael Bay, commanded three more takes, ending with the comment, “You are a funny guy.” Tim was terrified! 😱

Joanne told us the role of Amy was the fourth time she auditioned for Outlander.

    • She auditioned for the woman who meets Frank in the bar and he who subsequently strangles (Outlander episode 108, Both Sides Now).
    • She auditioned for Roger MacKenzie’s sixth times great grandmother, Morag Gunn MacKenzie.

    • She even tried out for the part of Eppie the whore (Outlander episode 510, Mercy Shall Follow Me.) Psst…I am glad she didn’t get this part!

    • Finally, success! She snagged the part of Amy McCallum! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Paul worked hard to get a job after acting school. He had bit parts here and there. But then got a call to try out for the Beardsley twins. He and Caitlin had a chemistry test and it turned out great. They have become very close friends. He is very grateful to all the fans.

After the chemistry test for Caitlin and Paul was finished, Paul stepped out of the room and the casting person said to Caitlin, “Wow, you are really tall!” They also said Paul was “phenomenal” and reminded them of a young James McAvoy!

A few more comments included Tim stating he tried out for the part of Archibald Campbell! Why? Because he is “fluent in English!” 😂

The cast said their goodbyes and David was the first out the door! 

On our way back to our hotel we met this odd security guard looking like a pear-shaped R2D2! No fooling, it is real. It toured the parking lot “looking” for problems. 😲

More posts to come about the delightful OV/OA event!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo and Video Credits: Sony/Starz, Outlander Anatomy, Jody Kawamata-Chang, www.natgeo.com, www.secretseattle.com

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BRZRKR Panel at 2022 San Diego Comic-Con

Hey there, everyone!  

The 2022 SDCC had a dazzling amazing array of panel and guests. I want to share this one from July 22, 2022, with you.  Starring Keanu Reeves, Mr. Matrix, himself!

BRZRKR is the name of a new project between Keanue and BOOM! Studios, in partnership with Netflix, Random House, and BAIT. The panel was held in the iconic Hall H, the biggest venue at San Diego Comic-Con!

Moderator was Coy Jandreau (The Reel Rejects). Panel members included artist, show writer, President and executive producer, and editor-in-chief, co-editor-in-chief.

The original idea for BRZRKR came from Keanu, himself. He presented it to a team from Boom! Studios and he is now a co-writer. 

Reeves was so enthusiastic about this project as the original idea was his.  He had a vision of a character who could reach into someone’s chest! 😵‍💫

Although this sounds a bit gruesome, I think it is an interesting idea and who better to pull it off than Keanu!

He shared that there are multiple new BRZRKR projects, including new comic books which expand the story beyond the initial 12 issues of the original series. He loved how it felt when that first comic book issue was in his hand! 

We were told that Netflix will be developing a feature BRZRKR film which should be released in 2023 or 2024. And, Random House has announced a new novel set in the BRZRKR universe. Lastly, an unnamed New York Times bestselling author will co-write the project with Keanu, with more details to be announced soon.

For full on fans, the world debut of BRZRKR apparel took place at San Diego Comic-Con, including a line of BRZRKR t-shirts and hoodies featuring new art from legendary comic book artist Tradd Moore.

The following is my screen shot of this amazing BRZRKR painting by artist, Ron Garney (first panel image – guy in blue golf shirt).  Ron explained that he used  the Shroud of Turin for inspiration when he created it.

Yippee! Everyone in Hall H was treated to a poster of this amazing artwork!🔥 

Sorry the image was a bit wonky. It was taken from the jumbotron. 😜

Keanu was his delightful, humble, and accessible self. What a guy! 🤗

 

Please visit www.boom-studios.com for more information.

At the end, he received a standing ovation. But, of course!

Hope you enjoyed the panel.

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo and Video Credits: Jody Chang, Outlander Anatomy, www.theindianexpress

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Shatner on Shatner – 2022 San Diego Comic Con

Greetings all! Have  just returned after five days at SDCC and immediately went back to picking blueberries. Before too much water psses under the bridge, I want to share this wonderful “Shatner on Shatner” panel featuring guest star, Mr. William Shatner!

Captain Kirk is now 91 years old but most assuredly does not appear his age!  Who could imagine he has lived for more than nine decades? And, after listening to him for nearly an hour, his mind remains as sharp as a tack!

The panel was hosted by Kevin Smith, film maker, actor, writer, producer, and quick witted funny guy.  Very talented and kept the panel on their feet.

He introduced Captain William to the audience in Hall H – all 4,800 attendees – by suggesting his face should be on a pop culture Mt. Rushmore!  👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Having just been seated, Shatner shares some new projects and things to buy. He took time to put in a bit of advertising for Funko Pop:

 

Next, is irascible William’s response to Kevin’s question, is this his first time at SDCC?

This is his answer:

Kevin asked Mr. Shatner what was his first Comic Con? Shatner answered, in the 1970s in New York City. He was invited by some ladies who said the event would be in a hotel.  The Captain refused at first until he found out there would be 15,000 people in attendance! 😉

(How time changes things – the 2022 SDCC had 150,000 attendees!) 😲

Before and after Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space flight on October 13, 2021. Shatner was pumped.

An audience member asked the question: what planet do you want to go to? Mr. Shatner told him this is the only planet, the one we live on. Take care of it.

He then shared his thoughts before becoming the oldest human to enter space.  He watched a film of the people who went on the first Blue Origin flight. The people aboard spent their precious three minutes playing with weightlessness; some kid was throwing candies at Jeff Bezos’ rear.

Mr. Shatner then vowed not to waste his time with such silliness but to observe what he saw.  I hope you watch this one  because I found his thoughts especially profound. 🥰

Warning: Shatner and Kevin closed with a foul mouth competition. Who could out fdumb-ass the other. It was very funny, but foul. He also had some acerbic observations about Star Trek spinoffs! 😱

At the end, he received a standing ovation!

Hope you enjoyed the panel.

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo and Video Credits: Jody Chang, Outlander Anatomy, www.observer.com