Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue and Q&A at Kaleidoscopicfest.

Last Thursday I had a real treat. We, that is me and my chap went to see Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr uni.

It was quite an intimate setting about 200 hundred people in the audience all there to listen to them speak about the process of adapting Sherlock in their recent adaptation with Mark Gatiss.

The first thing that struck me is just how dry Steven Moffat's wit is. He's also very playful and teasy with his wife which was lovely to see.

We were treated to some clips from the shows and questions were asked about casting Sherlocl (Benedict was the only person they asked to read.) Casting John (Matt Smith auditioned pre who but Martin Freeman twinkled).  They were also asked how they choose which parts of the story and he said that Mark Gatiss especially is like a magpie where SH is concerned and they use parts from everywhere in order to create the stories.  He also mentioned that MG and he both loved the 1940s Rathbone Holmes films.

It was definitely a fascinating insight into a process that fascinates me, I've always been interested in adaptations and I like to see where they go.

Steven Moffat really is my writing idol.

Dragon*Con - The Photos

Well I survived Dragon*Con.

Above are my photos from the event.  I managed to get a mixture of pictures from the panels I attended as well as getting many shots of friends and of the cosplayers. Because I was there for a week I've also got some pictures of the the things we did before and after the con and I will be writing this up properly when I'm no longer feeling quite so crappy.  Jetlag has been kicking my arse ever since I got back and also I think I've come down with con crud which is making me woozy and my tonsils are both up.

I hope you enjoy the photos - please leave a comment if you do; for I am shallow and need to feel appreciated.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Well last night my chap and I went to see the Scott Pilgrim. It's directed by Edgar Wright and it's so much fun.

Its mucho fun. It's edited in such a way that it plays almost like a dream sequence, then there is the video game references. Someone whose a gamer could probably tell you where the reference were from, I;m not a gamer so I can't. Didn't stop me enjoying the film, its a hell of a lot of fun and so slick it hurts.

Not sure what else to add. Other than go see it, its very clever and lots of fun and I need to get the soundtrack ASAP.

This is going to be an unapologetic Squee post!

I'm off to Dragon*Con on Tuesday and with the panel schedule just being released I've been trying to get my head around it.

There are so many panels that I want to go to.

This is where the problem starts; how the hell do I decide where I want to go?

There are a number of Fan tracks and so far I've seen 32 panels I'm definitely interested in going to.


I'm currently up to my eyes in paper, highlighters and a notepad to try and plan some ideas.

The thing with never having to been to an event that is quite this big is a scary prospect. I've managed to pick some panels I wouldn't mind going to and it should be fun.

I'll see you on the flipside.

Roger and Val have Just Got in

We've been watching this as it was billed as a new comedy drama featuring Dawn French and Alfred Molina.  I've been watching it and have found it to be an acquired taste so far. There are some funny moments, but its all about the characters because they really do spend all their time procrastinating and that is where the laughter comes from.

Anyhow, this last week's episode was the best one so far, there were a lot of laughs at the very human and very minor mistakes that both characters had made but then over the last few episodes that they don't have children and there are these utterly beautiful realistic awkward pauses whenever the couple talk about children.

The end of the episode was so poignant I found myself in an unexpected state of almost weepiness, which for a show I hadn't been all that into was a huge turning point.

If you haven't seen Roger and Val have Just got in, you should. Right now.

It kind of packed a similar punch as The Royle Family's Queen of Sheba special, which left me huge wracking sobs.

Its strange how so-called comedy programmes are able to do that.

Gotglue?

I was watching some Saturday morning TV and heard about the website Getglue.

Getglue is a website and an app that allows the user to 'check-in' with various pieces of media like users would with a given location in foursquare.

For me, as a large consumer of media most days, this is a nice way of tracking what exactly I have been watching. They also have stickers that you can collect and share on twitter and facebook. Though I'm trying not to spam the hell out of either.

I'm really liking the interface and as I said I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to things like this.  If any of my readers are out there and want to follow me on get glue feel free, you'll get to see what I'm watching, reading, playing and thinking about.

The Con Approcahes

I've not had a whole lot to say on the subject of TV for a little while and I think it's down to being preoccupied with preparation for Dragon*Con.

At the time of writing this there are nine days to go until I fly out and I've already got things mainly packed.  I know what I'm wearing to fly and I've gathered together my essentials for any trip books, ipod and some sweeties.

It's going to be interesting as I've only met two of the girls I'm going with before. I've interacted with everyone else online via twitter or livejournal or other places. I'm also going to find it tough because I'm a person who likes solo time, where I don't have to be 'up' and 'on'. I can manage a couple of days like this but then I start to find it wearing. I know the girls are cool people but I still get the old churny gut about meeting people for the first time.

I've been looking at the various tracks trying to plan my con, where I want to go, who I want to see. I read something about morning walks in Atlanta with a group from the con and that sounds like it could be fun.

I'm also being wracked with doubts about things, a week is a long time to be away from my chap, he is my rock and understands me better than anyone. However I'm balancing this with the fact I'm going to meet some of my heroes from the TV that I watch and meet some cool new people.

Wish me luck.