SDCC: Day 2 (Sherlock Panel & SherlockeDCC)
I’ve been trying to write this all day long and for some reason I can’t seem to find the words to do any of it justice. What started off as a random idea for a fan meet-up became something so much bigger. Not everything went exactly as it should have, but nothing crashed and burned and I haven’t heard a bad word about it (knock on wood). I have a deep respect for the Sherlock Fandom because, when push comes to shove, we all just really love this show and the community it has fostered. This is always best showcased at events like these where people come, literally, to just hang out and talk to other fans, other people who love the same thing that they do. There’s something simple and beautiful about that I think.
So, I’m sorry if this isn’t particularly eloquent, but here we go…
Where do you even start a report about Thursday? Two Sherlock panels and a Sherlock party that had the talent come and pay a visit. When I woke up this morning I was confused as to if it really happened… not that it wasn’t possible, but that I feel it was a turning point? Probably more personally than anything. I replayed the evening in my head, from the scrambling around to get all the swag bags filled, the banners up, the posters up (and then raging as they were stolen), and prepping for people to arrive…
Wait, before I get ahead of myself, let’s back up.
Ballroom 20, the mecca of TV shows at SDCC. People had been in line for up to 18hours to try and get in. Between X-Files & Sherlock, the line was ridiculous and major kudos to all who waited from the wee hours in the morning to get in. I was given a panel pass by PBS (please don’t hate me), so I didn’t have to wait in line, but I admire you all a ridiculous amount.
The Sherlock panel was amazing. It was hysterical and interesting and once again the love of this show is felt on both sides. We were lucky enough to see a clip from the second episode of Series 3, which was fantastic. It was both hysterical and quite moving, but that’s all you’re going to get from us. Martin & Benedict recorded messages for everyone, as they couldn’t be there, and lots of interesting questions were asked and things discussed. Probably the biggest thing is that Series 4 IS happening and they really will keep doing it as long as they all want to. I think we can rest easy for the long haul.
Anglophenia did a nice little recap of the panel, if you’d like more details [HERE]. Hypable also did a live blog that you can read [HERE] (though be aware this does describe the Series 3 Episode 2 clip).
After the panel myself and two of the other SherlockeDCC girls got all the swag and supplies from my hotel and went to the venue to start setting up. Originally I had a ticket for the Nerd HQ panel, but we had SO much to do, so I had to relinquish it. Sad face. However, you can watch the whole thing [HERE]. The best bit may be Cara’s face once she learns there was a Series 3 clip showed at the previous panel that she sadly wasn’t able to go to. Bless.
Ok. Party.
We had a queue an hour before we opened and a half hour before we opened it was all the way down the block. Eventually it had curled around the block and I couldn’t do much more than just stare in shock.
But we got people in fairly efficiently. People got their buttons and raffle tickets and were let loose on our two story venue. Downstairs was the bar with custom drinks and the raffle. Upstairs was the photobooth, Intel’s lounge, and some other games. The DJ was a bit… mmm. We didn’t ask for one, we were just given one, and he only played house music. Ah well. He was nice at least. Cara was set up outside on the patio selling her artwork and teas while the rest of us ran things indoors. I don’t know the final total number of people, but by 8:00 there were over 300.
8:00 was when the special guests arrived…
Sherlock Producer Sue Vertue and her husband co-creator and writer Steven Moffat. (Photo By Megan Gotch)
As a precursor, I did know that they were coming. Well, I was told that it was likely and that Sue, especially, really wanted to make it. She told me herself on Wednesday actually, and I thought it was very sweet she really wanted to make it work. She’s so lovely. Anywho, they had all sorts of interviews and such after Nerd HQ, but when PBS arrived, I asked if it was still on target and they said yes. So, after the first raffle, I tried to inconspicuously hang by the front and sure enough Sue, Steven, and their son arrived. I introduced myself to both (despite chatting with Sue a few times we’ve never actually met in person) and with the help of PBS we slowly eased them into the party. I was worried about the reaction, as I didn’t tell anyone they were coming other than my other SherlockeDCC girls, but things weren’t too bad. It was hilarious watching people’s faces as they realized who they were. Steven got stopped a good few times, but eventually they went upstairs so the Mofflet could play in the photobooth and on the tablets that Intel had brought. We were able to chat a little, but they weren’t able to stay long as they had to be back at the hotel before their babysitter arrived. I think they enjoyed themselves, and their drink, even if things were a bit crowded. Down the back way and onto the patio, they were getting ready to leave just as Mark arrived.
It’s amusing because I didn’t know Mark was there as I was talking to someone else and turned around and BAM. He came along with BBC Worldwide. We had a bit of a chat with all three and thanked them for coming. Cara gave them gifts of Sherlock sample packs and while Sue & Steven left, we brought Mark upstairs. The reactions to Mark being there were a bit more… intense. He bore it very well though and was genuinely interested in chatting with people. I showed him the photobooth and he joked that we should ask someone a trivia question and whoever wins gets a photo. We tried to think of one and were going to say as such, but in the end it would have been too manic, so after shushing people, he made a little speech.
Someone recorded it, if you’re interested [HERE].
Sherlock Co-Creator, Writer, and Actor (Mycroft Holmes) Mark Gatiss with BSB Kristina
And then, after decided a crown befit him more than a deerstalker, he went behind the photobooth. The operator suggested he have someone with him and as it turned out I was standing there, he extended his arm, and, well, [VOILA]. Intentional silly picture. Sadly the really funny one we took (the operator held up a sign that said “I’m here for the ladies.”) didn’t come out because people were using flash, alas. But hey, ridiculous photo is ridiculous, so there you go. Shortly after he went downstairs and headed out to applause and cheers. Earlier today, Cara was able to thank him at the BBC America booth for coming, to which he saluted her with a smile. I also heard from Sue who said she was sorry they couldn’t stay longer.
The fact is, they came because they wanted to come. This was an off-site fan event. Sure, I had been talking with Sue and PBS for a few weeks (months in the latter’s case) about the party and SDCC in general, but it was still a fan event. Nothing official. They came because they wanted to make an appearance and support it. It was a party for their show. I was very touched they came and chatted with people for as long as they did, and I’m glad their attendance made some really great memories for a lot of you.
Also, apparently, when Moffat arrived, SherlockeDCC started trending. So we’ve officially trended. Hot damn.
After that, we raffled off the script, which went to a very excited obsessioniskey, and raffled off the rest of a lot of swag. Intel also gave away their tablets to these lucky folks who had the fastest time, best instagram, and someone who used the hashtag on twitter.
After that it was winding down, the rest of the prizes were handed out, and I debated full on collapsing. I actually went and sat upstairs by myself for a bit to just take it all in. Not long though as drinks were bough, shots downed, and we all made a very giggling and stumbly way back to the hotel.
I don’t think I can efficiently express the gratitude I feel towards my fellow SherlockeDCC ladies who helped me put this all together. Liz, Megan, Lacy, and Cara, I fucking love you. I, obviously, never could have done this on my own, so thank you for agreeing to do such a ridiculous party with me. Thank you for the dozens of emails a day, the phone calls, the fundraising, the number crunching, the labor, the freaking out, the problem solving, and the friendship. You’re all stars and I am so grateful to have had such a great team to collaborate with.
We’ll have a full gallery of photos from the party after SDCC is over and Megan can have time to breathe and go through the ones she took. In the meantime, if you have any, please send them our way, we’d love to add them to the gallery.
Thank you to everyone who came, who donated, who spread the word, who helped with IndieGoGo (that stuff will be shipped out after SDCC), and who just enjoyed the madness.
Thank you.
The SherlockeDCC Team: Cara McGee, Lacy Baugher (Sherlock DC), Megan Gotch (The Nerdy Girlie), Kristina Manente (The Baker Street Babes), & Liz Giorgi (Being Geek Chic)
