Same old, same old.
My kids came home from being in the town this morning, all excited about the fact that there was a full sized Dalek prop trundling around on the nice, flat surfaces of our local shopping centre today.
Obviously my interest was piqued and so my good wife explained that it was there raising money for charity. Hmm, might be worth going for a look and if it’s owned by a fan who lives locally, maybe we could have a chat about our mutual interest… I was prompted further into going because Mana didn’t get to see it as she was at her dance class and Alex wanted to see it again – so off we went.
And this is what we saw.
Having made a little donation, suddenly the sprogs were terrified and wouldn’t go anywhere near it. Instead they felt safer in hiding behind me – I’d move aside and they’d relocate accordingly. Alex in particular found a canny hidey hole under the back of my coat. Just great.
Anyway… Eventually the Dalek disappeared into an alcove for the builder of the piece to jump out and trade places with another chap who then took over the trundling duties and so this little segue allowed me the benefit of showing how a Dalek actually moves, with a person inside. See, nothing to worry about, and besides, they see Daleks every day at home!
It was also at this juncture that I approached the owner and explained how I was into these kind of props too. It occurred to me that maybe we could talk shop because it’s very rare for me to be able to indulge in this kind of chat on a face to face basis. Initially he seemed fine, but as soon as I answered his question on what I’ve got, he seemed to give me a look of utter incredulity, appeared to either lose all interest or seemed to be simply pissed at something and with that, he just walked off, leaving me standing there like a street bum. Oh well, it just went to prove that my initial feelings were correct…
Every time that I’ve been to an event where folks bring their builds along, (admittedly I haven’t been to many - maybe three or four) but I always get the impression that I’m not really cut out for this kind of thing because I don’t have anything to prove to anyone.
There’s me wondering what it’d be like to actually be involved in this kind of event and it’s the same thing every time, strange attitudes and weird behaviour. Why do I bother if people behave this way? Maybe folk just don’t like my face or perhaps to give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he was busy, but I rather doubt that as he sauntered off drinking a coffee. Who knows what the deal was? And let’s be honest, who cares! At least my kids got to be both enthralled and terrified by a Dalek today, so nothing else really matters.
If this really is the way that some folk are like at these gatherings, maybe I should just give up all hopes of joining in and just not bother. I once saw a member of the Dalek Builder’s Guild tell a young boy, of no more than 5 years old, to ‘Fuck off!’ when he asked how you make a Dalek. Needless to say, I was stunned and appalled, so I sat with the lad and gave him a brief overview of the proceedure, then smiled at his Dad and said that I think he’s got a new project on his hands.
I would have chased the bugger & asked him what the problem was? What is it you think? A threat that you have more than them & their ‘Dr Who credentials’. Very odd. Reminds me of the local group clique in the ’80′s & pecking order of knowledge. I hated it & stopped having anything to do with them in the end. Nowt as strange as folk eh?
I honestly don’t know what it was that I did that was so wrong. All I said, in relation to his question, was that I had a TARDIS and a couple of Daleks – one of which I got through work. I certainly wouldn’t have seen it as a threat (to his or anyone else’s ego), but put it this way, you’re not the first to say that to me today.
I also know what you mean about the pecking order thing… For crying out loud, it’s just a tv show – there’s more important things to worry about in this world these days.
You’re right, nowt as strange as folk.
Anyway, how have you been? Not seen you in a while ’round these parts.
Yeah good thanks, you? Lots of work & briefs to learn so been up to my eyes sadly, as has my other half so both been taking it in turns minding the wee one! A bit of a pause before it all hits the fan for Christmas! Ah the joy of being freelance
Am I the only one that finds it slightly ironic that these jerks were acting in such a manner, yet raising money for charity?
And maybe you should continue on building Daleks… At least there’d be one person at their gatherings who isn’t a jerk.
I’m sure that this guy didn’t mean anything by it, but he just seemed very stand-off-ish – and this is the kind of thing that I’ve witnessed at the handful of gatherings that I’ve been to.
As I said, I have never been involved in the display side of things, just been there as a member of the public. I’d still like to do something, but what and where, I dunno.
Thanks for the kind comment of me not being a jerk – you don’t know how happy that made me feel as I really thought that maybe I somehow rub people up the wrong way. If I do, I don’t mean to.
You are more than welcome
I think we all feel that way to an extent sometimes. Keep updating though, and if you do decide to craft up something, post pictures for us non crafty people. haha
Yeah, I really ought to do more, but one of my main issues is the lack of a work space – so far, it’s table top makes only.
Thanks for your lovely comments too.
By the way, your blog puts mine to absolute shame. By comparrison, mine looks half arsed and rushed… which it is.
Wow some people are peculiar indeed!
I have noticed some “crowds” are odd, either talking about themselves and less about the finer details of either life or what hobby/interest I happen to share with them.
The shoulders on that thing look a little tatty. Plus whose plastic tumblers are those for the ears! hehe.
At least the kids were amused.
Yes, the main thing is that the kids were entertained.
If I ever did get involved, I’d rather just take a back seat and show stuff. Should anyone ask a question, I’d be happy to chat, but I’d rather not impose myself on folk – even I find that annoying!
I know that you’re a veteran of these events, so you’d have a better idea of what goes on than I would. Any tips or suggestions as to what may be a good one to attend?
Hardly a veteran but I can *try* provide advice:
Poor man’s convention and probably the better for chitchat about stuff, less opportunity to impose, is the Collectormania events. You’d most probably find me and the wife at the Milton Keynes ones. http://www.collectormania.com/ for dates etc.
I think the Entertainment Media Show and London Film & Comic Cons are more for those who want to have more indepth chats, but the opportunity to showcase is better than the CM ones. We attended EMS in Earls Court last year, not a well organised event to me (then again Showmasters have this reputation but never change anything) but it works for others, just not me.
There’s also this now annual event called “Time War” held in Leeds, our film “Pudsai” was shown there the other year. I hear its alot of fun but its mainly aimed at families with a gracing interest in anything Scifi-Who related. I’m hoping to attend this one later this month.
Alternatively there’s the Whoverville events in Derby, more geekish and more about celebrity talks I think. I’ve never been, but there’s usually a fan film crew with their TARDIS console on display (the same guys we did “Pudsai” with).
I think ultimately it depends what youre looking for, like minded for chit chat and maybe more detail events, or signings (Forbidden Planet in BArking events come to mind, as well as EMS and CM) or talks (the more expensive, hosted in a hotel) events.
I’m pretty softcore with conventions, my first proper one being the now long gone “Doctor Who Day” held at Longleat (as you know), but I’m slowly deciding to attend others, though usually its an opportunity to meet my Who “friends” and get the occasional signature – the wife likes those ones.
Maybe I’ll put you in a spare Doctor cosplay costume and drag you to the next one with me
First off, yes, I’m very sure that you’ll get me dressed up as Doctor Who for a bit of cosplaying. Mmm, I won’t be looking for the closest high ledge to jump off at all – honest, Guv.
As for the events, I’m more interested in general chit chat, not about episodes and the like, just stuff. Panels and signatures also do very little for me too. Perhaps I’m too fussy.
Something along the lines of that Doctor Who Day at Longleat, that was fun – I think that I missed most of it because Exterminator and I were chatting away in the cafe.
Well, I really should pull my finger from where the sun doesn’t shine and actually finish some display pieces. Exterminator and I have been threatening to attend something like this together for a while now.. he’s been to a few recently with some of his work and he said that it was fun. Tempting. Very tempting.
I was thinking you could easily be a Foamsi if you don’t want to be a Doctor! Though the only Doctor I have spare is Smith or McCoy – your choice
If it helps here’s a map I helped create of all the UK events happening, http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=200897452065926583999.000490692bc87ab8099ba&ll=53.278353,-1.911621&spn=5.486386,16.116943&z=7
But yes, you two need to go to *something*. I guess its hard to find something that will completely suit your event needs, so stop being fussy! Come to Time War with us
I’ll check out the map, thanks!
I must finish some stuff and get one other special prop restored, then I’ll have something worthy of being shown to the broader public.
Yes, yes you should. chop chop
Just call if you want a lift to one of these events, I promise we’ll look after you. Question mark brolly and baseball bat in hand.
Oh and I’ll be sure to pack a shirt that isn’t lumberjacked-coloured for you
But, but, but… I thought lumberjacks were okay!
i to would of asked yo mate we got a problem ?
I think you must be threatening to them you know what they dont have what they dont and frankly i seen better Daleks made from radio times plans
Cliques anything organized just be proud of your vast own achievements and iconic status (Am i on xmas card list now ?)
Hmm. Purely because of your final sentance, I very nearly junked your comment.
Nice of you to think of me in such terms, but you’re really over egging the pudding, so to speak.
I am in no way “iconic” and my achievements in the grand scheme of things are nothing to write home about. That said, I think that some people think that I’m a bit of a cult… or that’s what I thought they said.
oh i dont travel far to these things very fussy now local and cheap and no large organizations is order of day for me
That and i do NOT pay for autographs,but is nice to chat to like minded folk some very nice just beware those who make business out of it from there kitchen there the mutts nuts and nothing will convince them otherwise
You do it and show em and jo public what actual real props should look like
Unfortunately this is a common thing among many fan builders, be it Daleks or otherwise. Some people have an overinflated sense of…”geek status” and they seem to think they are better. Some even hold the standby when they are vendors…
Personally, I am like you, I love to chat about the stuff with no real sense of being better than or more qualified, but some don’t like being shown up.
To echo an earlier statement though, its people like you that are needed! To sit with a boy and discuss how something is built, is great and really respectable!
You know, I’ve just never understood the “I know more” attitude.
I could play the “Well if it weren’t for me, a lot of prop info wouldn’t now be common knowledge” – which to be honest is true, but do I harp on about it? No. What’s the point?
I’m happy to share stuff that I find out with folk, it’s just “meaningless stuff” and if we can all gass and chinwag about this crap, with it being a harmless pass time, where’s the issue? Egos aren’t part of the fun – as we all know.
Reading the comments, I wonder if it ia a case of ‘I know less’from the builders? Odd tho cos you’d think that if that was the case you want to know more & swap info. Who fans can be a strange lot
PS there is a event in Manchester in November
I think you’d have better success at US conventions, Gallifrey One and Chicago TARDIS being the big ones. You will have no problems what so ever talking shop with fellow builders and prop geeks. You’d probably wander into a 5 hour conversation and not even blink. I think you and the wife should plan for a 2-some vacation next year for Chicago TARDIS. So start saving your pences now. I suggest CT because A) GallifreyOne will be sold out soon for 2013 and has gotten HUGE in the past 4 years (about 3000 attendees for 2012), B) Chicago is only 6 hours behind (so you can stay up late in the bar having long involved conversations and debates), C) You’d have a better chance of meeting me, D) There will be many Daleks and a couple of TARDISes (both NST models) you can oogle over, and E) You can get proper Chicago-style pizza.
Obviously “C” is the whole reason for attending.
Well, I have been suggesting to the wife that just the pair of us should head State-side at some stage. It’s just a question of where and to whom we off load the kids on.
Kids Grandmothers failing that ask me nicely
Chicago con yeah sounds brilliant Gallifrey one does look huge that the one at the airport ?, both fun sounding