OV 2018: John, Lauren, Cesar and Steven!

Greetings Outlander Fans! Many of you saw my conversation with Diana as we attended Surrey International Writer’s Conference (SiWC). For those who did not, you can see my post here: Diana Shares at 2018 SiWC.

Concomitant with this august meeting, Pacific Northwest Sassenachs (PNS) sponsored the 2018 Outlandish Vancouver (OV) fan event.

I managed to attend both and they were wonderful! The OV event allowed attendees the opportunity to interact with four cast members, the organizers, and like-minded fans and I had the privilege of meeting many new fans, most from the Pacific Northwest.

Who should be present at the Outlandish Vancouver 2018 event? PNS admins wrangled John Bell, Lauren Lyle, Cesar Domboy and Steven Cree to attend, hence, the title of this post. <g>

The first PNS event was a Party at the Suites on Saturday night.  Shortly after 8:00 pm, all four stars swept into the room in roaring high spirits. They were greeted with cheers largely because it was John’s 21st birthday (also Claire’s). He was greeted by with happy birthday wishes which he received with style and joy.  He rushed around the room giving hugs and promptly forgot who he had embraced – as I enjoyed three of them over the course of under three minutes!

For the next hour, we drifted between the cast members enjoying conversation and sharing. John, gushed about a trip to Gucci’s! His lovely mum bought him a splendid gift which he was wearing, but swore us to secrecy, not to be revealed until the Outlander premier in Savanah, GA.

No photographs or videos were allowed, but as we left, each of us got a photo with the cast on our own cell phone. Here, I am holding my Outlander Anatomy tag, designed by Jody Change of the FB group, Aloha Outlanders!

The next morning began with a series of panels involving the cast. Photos but no videos were allowed.

First up was Steven who shared with us The Little Princess, an 8 minute film he has written and produced with Jason Maza. This short film is deeply moving and features an riveting premise which is powerfully executed.  You can catch a glimpse of it on IMDB.

The film was followed by Q&A session.  I asked if he had submitted the film to the various award groups for consideration because it is that good! Aye, he answered, he has done that.  I hope you get to see it soon!

Ian the elder was then joined by Ian the younger for more Q & A. John is amazingly poised and interactive for one so young! To me he looks more youthful than 21!

A 15′ break and then the entire cast entered the theater dressed in Hallowe’en gear!  Steven led the troop wearing a toothy monster mask, Cesar sported a ghoulish ghost mask, Lauren donned a dragon hat and John………  😂

Well, John appeared with a bone through his head and Rollo between his legs! <G>

Here he is with stuffed Rollo tucked under his arm for moral support –  a service pup, for sure!

Another very fun Q&A ensued. I asked John if he was as terrified during the filming of ep 312, The Bakra, as he appeared on screen?

Paraphrasing his response John explained that the bed-sitting bit was filmed entirely without Lotte even being present. He was acting to thin air and not to a bloody Mrs. Abernathy!

He further stated that they were laughing and giggling through the parts they did film together such as the witch running her little piggies across his wee cheek!

Then, he delighted us all by stating that besides, Lotte has the “peachy-est bum he has ever seen!” This unexpected response really brought the house down!

The cast was asked when they first decided to become actors. For Steven, it after seeing Jesus Christ Superstar!

For John, it was after acting in A Shine of Rainbows. Here is the trailer.

Cesar started in music and by happenstance, tried out for an acting part. It turned out to be a good fit!

Lauren has been acting for quite a long time in a number of different films. She is the only one in her family to pursue acting, but her parents supported her passion, especially after she earned her first paycheck!

In the afternoon, we headed for guess where? Why, the Fraser River, for a paddlewheel adventure.

We were joined by the cast and the organizers. Everyone mingled together, noshed on hors de’ oeuvres, sipped cocktails, talked Outlander and anything else we could think of.

This is the view from the stern of the boat.  The day was splendid, clear and warm.

A view of the river bank – facing south toward Surrey, B.C. Fall colors were on full display. The cruise lasted a little over an hour and then back to the dock.

Hopped into my trusty Subaru at 5:22 pm and pointed her nose south towards home. Sophea (my car) knew her way and 5.5 hrs later, I pulled into my driveway, entirely satiated and satisfied with my delightful SiWC and OV adventures!

Farewell, beautiful Surrey, until next time!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo credits: OA, Sony/Starz

A Day with Herself at 2018 NYCC!

Dear Outlander fans, this post chronicles the fantastic events of Sunday, October 7th, at 2018 NYCC!

By 8:30am, my companions from the big island of Oahu were headed for Shop Studios near the Jacob Javits Center in NYC awaiting a panel discussion entitled “Pages to Pictures.”  Jo, Jeri and I were so excited, as we were first in line (rarely happens).

The panel included Diana Gabaldon (whose works need no introduction), Justin Cronin author of The Passage and Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy! Diana was the first panelist to enter the room, looking beautifully casual in hot pink sweater, bellbottom jeans and her luxurious black hair!

The next hour zipped by as each panelist was given moments to tell us about getting started in writing, how their work was selected for films and advice to those who want to write.

Diana explained how she chose science following her father’s admonition to pursue a profession whereby she could make a living. She earned a BS in zoology, MS in marine biology and PhD in behavioral ecology, eventually becoming a research professor. Early on, she wrote software reviews and technical articles for computer publications, as well as popular-science articles and comic books for the Walt Disney Company.

Diana decided to write a novel for practice  with no intention to show it to anyone (<G>). She settled on a historical novel because as a research professor, it would be easiest to research and write. It was a serendipitous moment when she happened to see a rerun episode of the Doctor Who science fiction TV series wherein his companion was a Scot named Jamie McCrimmon from  1745. This episode provided the inspiration for her main male character, James Fraser, and the setting for mid-18th century Scotland. 

She categorized her characters into three different types: onions with many layers that peel away with time (J & C); nuts which belong in the story but are more challenging develop (e.g. Bree); and mushrooms, that just popup (LJG)! Culinary delights, for sure.

All three panelists advised that if one wants to write, don’t wait for a convenient time because that doesn’t exist. They all advised nascent novelists to just start and then try to write something everyday.  Splendid hour, well spent!

We immediately hoofed it to the Javit’s Center for author signing. Diana was already ain her chair with a very long line down the wall and around the corner!

We were delighted to spy “Claire” in line for an autograph.  😉 This fan had made her own version of the Dior-inspired bar suit designed by Terry Dresbach.  Started with a muslin version followed by the final.  Pleats were a challenge. She did a splendid job!

When my turn came, Diana greeted me warmly.

And, I snagged her autograph on the title page of Seven Stones to Stand or Fall!

We set aside the afternoon to spend together after her two hour autograph session.  Her first choice was to visit the Starz Outlander booth. Off we go!

The right half of the booth was devoted to Fraser’s Ridge, the left to American Gods!

She received a mini-tour including a short spiel from the Caswell-Massey rep about their history and fragrances designed for fans at the Outlander booth.

The following clip shows what she heard although from a different rep on a different day.

We saw two hundred year-old chests used to store fragrances in the early days.

Interior of the chest!

Hanging on the wall was a map of River Run plantation.

And, a facsimile of Fraser’s Ridge land grant from governor William Tryon.  This was too cool.

As swag, Diana snagged an Outlander “Brave the New World” tote.

She also received a personalized leather luggage tag (this one is mine), initials in gold leaf  and samples of all three fragrances.

This  little video shows the interior of Fraser’s Ridge booth.

At the booth, Diana graciously met fans, signed autographs and posed for selfies even though she had just met and signed autographs for hundreds of fans.  Clearly, her generosity is just one reason she is so beloved by her fandom.

I always enjoy seeing which color she chose for her splendid nails. This time, a beautiful electric violet that nicely complimented her outfit!

Finished at the booth, we decided to grab food at Chelsea Market.  The traffic was ghastly, but her driver quickly and safely delivered us to our destination.

The next three hours literally flew by as we discussed anatomy, pathology, book characters, show characters, character development, wound-healing, scars, wonders of Manuka honey, and her son’s (Sam Sykes) writing career. I saw an updated photo of her toddler grandson.  He is a sturdy, charismatic little guy who clearly loves life, much like his grandmum!

At 5:45, we parted company, her to her hotel and me to my Lyft! I had a long trip back to my home base at Columbia University.  A day well spent, for which I am deeply grateful!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo creds: Outlander Anatomy, Diane Blake, Jody K. Chang, Jeri Sato, www.UrbanMatter.com

2018 NYCC Fan Panel Event

Who’s going to NYCC?

Please join us…

Outlander Behind The Scenes, Outlander Homepage, Outlander Anatomy, and Outlander Forever are teaming up to bring you a relaxing, fun way to cap off your NYC weekend…

After the NYCC Outlander panel Saturday night, we will all be buzzing with excitement, so before you go home and drive your family nuts, come have brunch and chat about the weekend (an, we hope,  Episode 401!!!!) with other Outlander fans!

Where: Papillion Restaurant, New York City https://www.papillonbistro.com/

When: Sunday, October 7th, 11:00AM-12:30PM

What’s On: Brunch, (includes buffet meal + 1 drink + tea/coffee service, tax and tip included), an Outlander Fan Panel (details below), and relax/chat time with other Outlander fans.

Cost: $50.00

Capacity: We need a minimum of 40, and we can host a maximum of 80 people. RSVP required.

RSVP to reserve your spot and receive payment instructions:

To Dorianne of Outlander Homepage: outlanderhomepage@gmail.com

To Karmen of Outlander Anatomy: outlanderanatomy@gmail.com

To Courtney of Outlander Behind The Scenes: courtney@outlanderbts.com

To Laura of Outlander Forever: lauram615@optimum.net

Panel:  A look back at Season 3 and if we get lucky, a facilitated discussion about ep 401, including Q&A with anatomist Karmen Schmidt, journalist Courtney Williams, and resident Outlander book expert Laura Michelle.

We look forward to spending a nice morning with you!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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