Hello everyone.
I have been away for a while haven't I? I don't have a lot of time for the boards these days but I wanted to pop by quickly and say hey, talk a minute about season 3 and about my conventions over the summer.

So, hi.

Season 3 is awesome! It truly is remarkable and I feel it is the best work we have done ever. Better than the best of season 2. People live, people die, Chief has a baby, Baltars an @$$hole, you know... the usual stuff. It is really dark though. And there will be many eps where many of you will be rather pissed off.

For those of you who attended cons that I was present at over the past few months I would like to thank you for coming, it was wonderful meeting you all. I love going to these events if you cannot tell.....
I always have an absolute blast at Wolf events in the UK and Europe. My opinion is that they are the most fan friendly event I have attended. You get a lot of up close and personal attention.
Dragon Con was unreal. So many people having so much fun. I had a blast. The costumes were incredible. I would go there every year for the parties alone. Best party con I have been to full stop.
Meeting the fans at the con in Burbank was wonderful. So many really great people. And the Q&A was a lot of fun for me. Other than the lady in red who wanted my shirt off......lol.
The Star Trek 49th anniversary con was amazing as well.
The fans are so passionate and interesting I cannot help but chat. And that got me into trouble this summer. More on that in a bit.
For those of you who went to the BSG panels and Q&A's we are having as much fun as it looks.
Just so you all know, I am going to be much more choosey when selecting what cons to attend in future. There are several reasons but I assure you none of them have anything to do with the fans or attendees.
As many of you know I have been to about 6 cons over the past several months and I had a great time at each with all of you.
However, I apparently spend far too much time talking to you all as I sign your picture or items.
At one of the conventions I was told before the signing started to not personalize, not chat and keep the line moving. I asked why I could not personallize and was told that the line would take too long. I then asked why was I sitting there. Why didn't they just collect all of the items to be signed, put me in a room with a desk and I would sign them and then they could return the items to the attendees.
"Well Aaron, then they wouldn't get to meet you."
What?
How does take the photo, sign it quickly without looking up, sliding it along, sorry no photographs to be taken, etc.... qualify as getting to meet me?
"Just don't do it or they will want it from every actor."
Bite me! So, I signed, I took pictures, personalized, etc....
And I asked the lineup the whole time if I was taking too long. Every person said no, just as long as we (the actors) took as much time with them as we are with the people in front of us right now.
I said no problem. We went over an hour. Sorry.
Organizers were pissed. An attendee took me aside later and told me that she was outside after she had seen me signing and there was one of the convention guys on the phone going up one side and down the other on that @$$hole Aaron Douglas.
"He is taking way too long with these people. He talks to everyone of them. He personalizes every f*$king item. We are trying to close the con so we can clean up and he is still in there. Who the f*&k does he think he is?"
I was stunned.... and a little perturbed.
Needless to say I will not be going back to those people. I told my agent, he told the head of the con and I have heard nothing from them. I told them I was sickened by the contempt with which they treat the fans. It is gross.
Then at another con I guess my line was taking too long and was in the way of people walking by.
Might just be me but maybe they should have put the actors who have never attended that con before and who are on the hottest scifi show on TV in an area that could handle the congestion.
Either that or I assembly line the fans......
Which sounds better to you all?

Anyway, I had a great time and I will go to more but I will be much more picky and I will be up front with the conventions that I like to spend time with people and that they need to accomodate that or I will not attend.
So, if you ever see me at a convention and you are getting shucked along it is not my doing. I will get pissy and fight for more time but sometimes the doors have to close.
The convention people need to realize that the attendees are fans of the shows and actors and that is why they attend. They enjoy the cons but no will attend an empty convention.

Am I out of line?

Be well and chat soon.

You told the story!!! I heard you telling some other fans, but did not hear the whole tale.

Go you! You were totally awesome at D*C! I would love for you to come back, but I understand that it has to be frustrating if they don't plan accordingly.

Glad you made it back safely.

Hey Aaron,

Thanks for your post, and comments on your whirlwind convention tour this summer -- I just joined here myself after meeting you at the Burbank convention (great fun!). You talked a bit about your con experiences one evening (since, you know, you are an expert now), and it was very interesting to hear your thoughts. I was on the other end of the table, so I couldn't chime in very well, but now I get the chance to:

First, I didn't do autographs or photos there, but I THANK you for fighting for time with those who did. That is a rare thing for guests to do and it is very much appreciated, believe me! I was still sitting in the main room waiting for friends and it was so fun to watch people "emerge" from behind the curtained area, simply ecstatic fom having talked with you guys for even just a short while.

Seriously, fan-run conventions are the best. Usually, in my experience, they are not-for-profit, or profits rolling over to the following year's convention, making it even better, and this keeps the costs to the attendees low (yay!). They also know what fans want to see and do. The Wolf conventions that you mentioned seem like this, and a few of us decided right then and there that a trip to England is in order for next year! Time to start saving the coins.

The two best conventions I've ever attended have been fan-run, one being GateCon three years ago in Vancouver, which was just incredibly well-run and entertaining, and I wasn't even a huge fan of the show! I'm sure I loved it partially because I adore the city and they offered things like a locations tour which took us all over the place, but it was a fabulous weekend in all. They've since had to expand to not be specifically Stargate because, as I understand it, a large company that I won't name (but it begins with a "C" and ends with an "ion") snatched up the rights to hold SG conventions. A completely understandable business move, but when you know the company putting on the event is out to make money from attendees and not just cover their costs, it gives a different feeling to the whole thing. Same goes with having to be hurried through a line, meeting people who one might never have a chance to talk to again. It's just half a minute or so, but that can be hugely memorable for someone who loves the show.

So, in summary... No, you are not out of line!

-Kim

Hi Mr. Douglas,
Thank you for coming to Dragoncon. It was a real thrill. Everyone was happy that you were so warm and friendly so please ignore people who tell you otherwise. Enjoy the rest of the year and I hope to see you in Atlanta next year.

Thanks again,
DragonconJen

Hi Aaron

Just to say a very big THANK YOU for coming to another Wolf con.

As always, a true star, regardless what you do (do you want me to put up the pics of G1 and G2. I have a very nice couple of you wearing pink fluffy handcuffs and being arrested at G1 . And this year.. well.. )

I'm glad you enjoy yourself so much, and I'm so pleased I can be the one who you tease!!!!! I'm not complaining, but did you realise that by the Sunday, even Paul had started. I wonder if you'd been coaching him.

I speak for a lot of fans who go to Wolf cons who agree what a fun-guy you are. Err.. loved your mushroom impression by the way.

I'm also not alone when I say that I would go to a convention just to see you. You're a brilliant guest, and don't listen to what they say.. spend as much time as you like with fans. So many actors don't. (My mom actually reprimanded one (not from BSG, I hasten to add) for not spending time when fans were spending £15 for an autograph)

Anyway, enough of that.. I apologise that 'Frack!' wasn't spelt right on the teeshirt. I can get others done spelt 'right'. You know how to contact me.. and Nicki should still have all the information. There's another actor who knows how to get in touch with me if not.

Well talk soon.. and I know anyone who's seen you or met you will agree here .. we miss you.

~Sam~

At great risk of being your stalker, I have come to apologise for the message I wrote on your card. In my excuse it is lyrics from a song "Hey shorty, its your birthday, we gonna party" Hope you had a blast at the party, I know I did .

Frack me, on the meet and greet, I find myself sittin with that weird girl again (the one you were chatting too all night last year) I ran away when I realised she grunts when she laughs too much!

I hope Dan comes back as he`s the man. He forgot to take the tee-shirt off when doing the group shots on Sunday so now everybody has a photo with Robs mug on it

Man, you are a legend. Keep doing it

Like I said, you are down to earth. Thank you!

I am glad that you stood up for yourself and the fans by advising your agent that you won't work with those convention promoters any more. That is very cool.

Season 3 can't get here soon enough!

Hi Aaron

Sorry.. me again.

I just spotted on your 'official site', that you haven't got many con pics from G1 or G2 for that matter.

Do you want some because I have one or two you can have to use? And I do have some that aren't embarassing too.

Just let me know...

~Sam~

Aaron,

We really need to plan and execute a fan gathering in Vancouver. It wouldn't be that hard to plan. We could get the cast or as many as we could to attend. We could even have a charity hockey game, breakfast with the cast, schedule gab sessions with cast and crew. We could get local sponsorship.... The ideas are almost endless.

SherryJo/ CaptStadia

PS In the meantime we need to schedule that chat we have been tossing around.

Hi Stadia,

Replying to you, hope you don't mind... I had the very same thought that fans should do something in Vancouver. I'm totally up for it! It is such a great city to spend time in and would certainly be easy for BSG actors/crew to get to. Maybe there could even be a set tour if it worked out -- at the GateCon I mentioned earlier, they auctioned off tickets for a tour of the Stargate sets and I think the proceeds went to a charity. It was something like the top 200 bids got to go to the studio, and we went in groups of 25 to tour the sets. Really well done and lots of fun. Let me know if you need more ideas or any help -- I just worked on a smallish TV fan con back in April and have a fairly good idea of what things need to be considered.

Ooh, and a chat would be fun...!

-Kim

Mr. Douglas,

Part of what makes you such a favorite on the show and in the fan community is your common touch; that you convey a sense of what it's like to be "one of the boys." You can see it on screen, it comes through in your postings on the boards and it continues to trickle through second hand accounts of meeting you at these gatherings. Your interest in paying personal attention to the fans is only further reflection of that. I think its great.

It's a too bad to hear that there are folks out there who see the fans as so much cattle. Unfortunately the fan community in real life, and I think it's fair to include convention organizers under that umbrella, can bring out the worst in people just like it does online. Equally sad, I can also imagine examples of bad behavior in the fan group which would lead someone to develop such a hardened view over time.
You've been bitten on the boards a few times, so your hardly a rookie at this kind of thing. As long as it feels right to you, and so long as one of our ranks doesn't make you change your mind, keep fighting the good fight.

It remains a pleasure to watch your work and I look forward to seeing you again, albeit on screen, in October.

Hi Aaron,
I completely agree with cranky (and anyone else who said it): one of the many reasons you are such a favorite is that you are very in touch with fans and down to earth. I completely support your decision. Of course, they NEVER have cons in my neck of the woods, so perhaps my vote doesn't count!

Keep up the great work! Looking forward to seeing you in Season 3 & enjoying you in the webisodes!

-Jen/Uno

Hello Aaron,

First time for me posting on this. I can't say how much I appreciate the fact that you do take your time with the fans. I am very happy that you get it, how much it means to someone who has followed your carreer for a long while that you take the time out to say something special and meaningful to them. I was at the Burbank convention (my first ever, I might add) and I was ecstatic to meet you almost to the point of fainting.... no really, no joke. I was with "the cookie" lady, the one who made the centerpiece with the castmembers pics on the cookies. There was talk of seeing male strippers after, I seem to remember....(giggle). Anyway, just keep on doing what you do, because it means the world to us, your devoted fans.

P.S. I can't wait for the new season! Thanks for being so down to earth...

Hi Aaron,

well done ! Thanks for having this point of view and for not just trying to "live off" the fans.

IT's HIGHLY APPRECIATED ...

I have worked for large conventions and it's always difficult to find the best way for all participants.

I personally love it to have if personalized items off actors (why bother to pay money for it?!), but on the other hand I do understand that it takes more time with each participant (especially if they start taking picture with the actors) and that in the end - if the actors hand is ruined from writing his/her name and/or not all participants get their autograph it might be worse for the reputation of the promoter. (More complaints and less money)

In the end - Just do it Your way - or next time ask to be seated somewhere else if the promoters see a problem in Your decision. You are the actor, guest - You can make the difference - and if You don't like the way a convention is done - don't participate. Otherwise promoters do have any reason to change their concept...

Regards,
Tina

Well, after reading this....i must fess up. About that lady in red...*cough*...that was me. You see, i was trying to think up a good question....one everyone would get a kick out of. I took a cue from last year. The q & a session that got the biggest laughs was uh...sex related [not sure why i am embarrassed now, i didn't hesitate when i asked you when 'we would see some Aaronskin', lol. ]

Someone who posts as 'Marimba' asked Jamie Bamber [shame you didn't make it at 2005, that would have been great ] spoke about a radio interview with Katee Sackhoff. In this interview, Katee talked about that scene in Season 1 where Kara is in bed with Baltar but dreaming about Lee. Jamie went on to explain before the scene was taped, Katee and Kerry Norton [Jamie's wife] discussed it. According to Jamie, Kerry told him when doing the scene, 'Don't show your 'O' face'. Jamie said, 'Alas, no one will be seeing my 'O' face'. This got huge laughs from the audience.

Well, i being the clueless person I am, didn't understand what an 'O' face is. So i looked for this girl at the intermission and found her. Marimba, by the way is the girl that was handing out 'Save a Viper, Ride a Flyboy' shirts.
For those of you who were not there, Marimba was one of the winners of the video contest Creationent did [the people who did the Burbank Con this year and last]. Her video that was used as the introduction prior to Aaron coming on stage is called 'Hemorrage'. Don't know who does the song, but its amazing. Marimba was a winner in last years Con as well. Download it from her site here,

http://www.marimba26.com/BSG/ChiefandBoomer.html

Anyway, knowing any 'blue' questions would make an impression.,I decided to ask if we the viewers would be seeing any Aaronskin [hey we got Jamieskin, Triciaskin and Jamesskin]. I just had trouble wording the question. I didn't know what i was going to ask until just before i got to the microphone.
Also, to those reading this, i feel i should mention that i was kinda nervous and didn't know what to do with my hands. So apparently, i was bumping my knuckles together [you know, like something making contact with something else if that makes sense]
Well, Aaron noticed this right away. He mimicked my hands and teasingly asked 'What is that about?' [Lot of audience laughter here] So in my defense, Aaron started the teasing [though he probably had a feeling that is what i was up to, i guess].

Anyway, i'm surprised and pleased you remembered 'the lady in red who wanted your shirt off'.
Creationent has put up the thumbnails to order our Photo Ops from. I've put those in my Photobucket until the actual pictures come in the mail. Will scan those and replace the thumbnails when i can.

Hope you are enjoying the Battlestar penguin. Jamie Bamber said he was giving his to his kids. I kinda wish he was saving it for himself. Oh well.

I'm sorry to hear con promoters were giving you grief. I owe you an apology since i requested personalized autographs for my shirt and my two sons' shirts.
When i was having Jamie do my signatures, 'the signature police' [those people sitting/hovering to make sure we had tickets for autographs]....this sig police guy leans over Jamie and says to me, 'They are only supposed to sign their names'.

Well, i basically put the blame on Jamie. I said, 'Well, i got the idea to write out what i wanted signed from last year [picked up a lot of tips from last year].
I've been following Jamie since he was in 'Hornblower' and have several of his UK programs on tape. Anyway, i was talking to Jamie about this at the first Burbank. I told the sig police, 'Well, last year, Jamie and I had a nice brief chat. When he asked me then what he should put on my shirt, I said, 'To Jane, Jamie'.
He seemed disapppointed as though he wanted to put something good. I had talked with my son about this. I wrote out what E.J. wanted and i wrote up what i wanted. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting. And it makes it easier for you guys. At least that was the idea.

Last year Creationent was more relaxed about the rules. My friend, who has been to Creationent Cons before said they would not allow the actors to sign items not sold at the Con. Well, when we got in line for autographs then, i saw someone had a Hornblower dvd. This pissed me off as i had made a print of Jamie as 'Lt. Kennedy' for Jamie to sign. But when i met up with my friend, she informed me the organizers would not let me get a signature for it. So i left my pic in the car.
But last year, attendance was only about half of what it was this year.
So Aaron, if it was Creationent that gave you grief, i'm truly sorry. I sincerely hope you will return to Burbank next year as I and my friends would love to see you and listen to your wonderful stories.

And if i embarrassed you by asking about taking your shirt off....well, you have to admit the audience loved it. Regarding Chief Tyrol, i loved the 'clandestine' scenes with Sharon. I love the idea you will be married to Cally and have a baby. Chief obviously treasures women. I really like that about the character. I believe there has to be a bit of you in him.
Okay, i've prattled enough. Here's my online album,


http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e131/jli...n%20Aug%202006/

Jane