OK as promised, here are the details of my encounter with Jason Isaacs at Supanova on Sunday 21 June.
I have to admit that this is the first Con I've been to. We had tickets to Supanova 2 years ago, but family events overtook us and we were unable to attend then. I'd heard about the cosplayers but never realised how much Aussies like to dress up as well. Such great costumes/makeup/hair etc. I could have spent a fortune at all the stalls with lots goodies to tempt everyone, but I was very good. I was going for Jason and that was it LOL.
It was a pity that it rained on the Sunday as Jason complained on Twitter about the weather on the Friday being awful. At least it was sunny on the Saturday.
I got to the venue just after it opened and went and had a look to see where the signing area was. As it was 10.20am I decided to line up for the autograph session for Jason, which was scheduled to start at 11.00am. Of course, you get chatting with people when you're in a line so we talked amongst ourselves and then we started noticing the celebs coming to their tables just after 11.00am.
Jason came out with his Supanova assistant and everyone waited patiently for their turn to meet Jason and get an item autographed. There were a large number of pictures to choose from (mainly Lucius Malfoy, one Tavington and even one of the Inquisitor).
I took with me a lovely drawing that Diane Taurins had done of Tavington that I won in a competition when I was in the US in 2004 and it’s been the first time it’s been out of its frame in 11 years.
Jason was his usual, lovely self. Quite chatty, voice a little rough, but happy to shake hands and interact with everyone. He loved the drawing that Diane had done and asked after her. Jason decided to sign his name over the chest (as Jason said, there were more chest hairs than he had and he didn’t think Diane would mind).
I had brought along a goodies bag of items for Jason. I had a few gifts for his girls as well as a boomerang and a bull roarer that he could have some fun with in the Pilbara if he’s got some downtime while shooting Blue Dog. He hopes the movie is as good as the sequel Red Dog (which I think is a lovely movie). Should do well if it’s half as good as the original. Jason said that he was flying to Perth that evening as he would be filming Blue Dog during the week before attending the Perth Supanova Con on the weekend.
Along with the goodies, I included some Aussie edibles (mainly chocolate) and when Jason saw the Tim Tams I had put in the bag, he groaned and said “there goes my waistline”. I just told him not to eat a packet in one go (as he did in 2007 when I took some to London). As it was Father’s Day (for UK and US) that day I wished him a happy Father’s Day. He complete forgot it. I’m sure he spoke to the family later that night. After that, I said my goodbyes and wandered off to find out where the entrance was to the theatre where Jason and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) were giving their talk/Q&A a bit later.
The MC for the Q&A got the audience ready and we did the “Hello to Jason Isaacs” after he came on stage. There weren’t too many Wittertainees at the event, which was a disappointment. Both Jason and Bonnie were relaxed and chatted about their experiences working on Harry Potter. Unfortunately you couldn’t video the Q&A (I tried), but you could take pics.
Jason is a great raconteur and he told a number of good stories similar to those he told at Comic Palooza (look for it on Youtube – or the link in the Comic Palooza thread). He did a bit of Lucius’ voice when describing how he came up with the particular accent. Both Bonnie and Jason talked for about 50 minutes and it was great to hear that Bonnie is writing and directing her own work. Jason talked a bit about some of his projects. He made a joke about swearing and apologised to parents if they had any children present. Jason also said to the kids, that it was cool to use swear words.
A number of questions were taken from members of the audience, both for Bonnie and Jason. Mainly Harry Potter related and after about 10-15 minutes, they wrapped up the Q&A to great applause and we all filed out. I asked one of the lovely Supanova volunteers and the camera operator if they would be putting the Q&As online, but they didn’t think so and agreed that it would be great if it could be done.
After I wandered around again for another 20-30 minutes looking at stalls and taking pics of cosplayers (with their consent of course), it was time to line up for the photo session with Jason. We had to wait a while as there was a joint photo session with Jason and Bonnie together.
The process was smoothly done and I stood next to Jason for my pic and he had no trouble putting his hand on my shoulder (I’m such a shortarse LOL). Pic done, Jason complimented me on my brooch, said it was very Slytherin, and I said I thought it best to leave my Lucius cane at home. I wished him well on his trip to WA and it was time to go.
All in all I spent 4 ½ hours at the Con. It was a fun and interesting experience and if someone else comes that I really want to see is there, I’ll be going again.
I have to admit that the prices weren’t too bad for Jason, $60 for an autograph and $50 for a photo. Jason was half the price of Nathan Fillion, so all in all a bargain.
All the volunteers at Supanova were lovely and couldn't do enough for people (like me) asking stupid questions. I thanked each one who helped me. A brilliant, well run machine.
I hope Jason enjoyed his time there.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on meeting Jason at Sydney Supanova on 21 June 2015.
Hooroo,
Carole