Celebriel writes: Here at DragonCon 18 in Atlanta, the mood is good, the energy is high, and even the orcs are polite. It’s not possible to generate enough air conditioning to keep over 17,000 costumed enthusiasts cool, especially those in velvet, leather, or armor. Day One got off to a great start with Jincy is our TORn MC giving an overview of the Tolkien-related conference events, which include a screening of the trilogy. [More]
Month: September 2004
Celebriel writes:
Here at DragonCon 18 i Atlanta, the mood is good, the energy is high, and even the orcs are polite. It’s not possible to generate enough air conditioning to keep over 17,000 costumed enthusiasts cool, especially those in velvet, leather, or armor. Day One got off to a great start with Jincy is our TORn MC giving an overview of the Tolkien-related conference events, which include a screening of the trilogy.
The afternoon sessions included a class in Elvish led by Jeff Sherrill. Did you know that Quenya, the language of The Silmarillion, is modelled on and sounds like Finnish, while Sindarin, the language of Lord of the Rings, is modelled on and sounds like Welsh? Like Finnish, Quenya uses case endings (like Latin) in its grammar, while Sindarin uses word modulations (which can be very difficult to remember!).
Jeff explained that Tolkien’s runic Tengwar writing system can be used to write any language from English to Russian and beyond. Not only did “The Professor” create several languages, but he created their writing system as well. The structures of the Tengwar runes have a precise logic related to their phonetics, that is, to the sound that they represent. Each rune also has a name, which is also the meaning of a word in Elvish.
At the end of the class we learned how to count from one to twelve, and how to ask for a refill in our glass, in Elvish, which would prove useful later in Bree.
The evening’s event was An Evening in Bree, hosted by TORn, Sideshow-Weta Collectibles, and Badali jewelry. A costume contest with more than fifty entries began the evening. Winners represented Gimli, Legolas, Eomer, the Balrog, and Arwen, among others. The contest was followed by the music of Emerald Rose. Barliman’s Inn had more than a few visitors not from Middle Earth but residents of other fantasy and sci fi worlds. Outside of Bree, guests mingled freely and exchanged tips on costume construction or practiced role play.
Although there was no conference track on Pirates of the Caribbean, a good many guests were in POTC costumes as Will Turner, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Captain Barbossa. and Celebriel predicts that next year there will be a track on this much-beloved film, especially as two sequels will be going into production next year.
Another observation is the popularity of the costuming programming track, new this year. The room could not accommodate all those who turned up, even with the standing room in the back.
Saturday’s program has a full schedule of Lord of the Rings programming, plus the DragonCon parade in the morning and the awards banquet in the evening.
TORn Staffer WeeTanya checks in with a first report from Dragon*Con 2004, which is taking place this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. [More]
TORn Staffer WeeTanya checks in with this first report from Dragon*Con 2004.
* * *
Dragon*Con began yesterday, I hear, but for MrCere and I it began today. I ran into the infamous staffer as I was attempting to talk my way into the convention as a pale substitute for Calisuri. “Did they buy it?” He called out as I rushed past him all flustered, looking for an ATM. I wondered who the strange person was shouting after me, because I knew with certainty that MrCere was already at the Con!
Well, turns out he wasn’t already at the Con. Yes, the intrepid Man In Charge of the Fan Table ran into mechanical error — flight delay, to be precise. And on top of that, the poor fella was at Dragon*Con sans luggage!
But he made it back to the fan table, and more about that in a moment.
After I’d successfully convinced Dragon*Con that I was simply a Wee version of Calisuri, I ran off to the First Panel, which was a rundown of the day’s schedule.
Jincey ran this panel, and I was glad to see Balin there, and SamGamgee, and Anne Petty, and the two fine Elvish 101 instructors, Jeff and Paul.
Jincey’s got a very laconic, welcoming southern style about her. The room was packed, standing room only, and Jincey made sure everyone knew changes to the schedule.
Books and playing cards and a medalion were raffled off, and then everyone settled in for the day’s events.
High points for me? Meeting everyone! The hardcore Tolkien-track folk were attentive and smiling, eager for each and every panel. “Some people never leave the room,” Jincey whispered to me. “They’re there more than I am!” Costumes were also especially fine, but more about those later.
I left everyone to enjoy the Hall of Fire, and went off to see if MrCere had made it to the fan table.
He had. He and friend were all set up with banners, tshirts and pins by the time I figured out how to find the fan table area. Tshirts abounded, and I scored one in red. “If only my luggage were here,” lamented MrCere, “I had some cool stuff for the table in my luggage.”
The new tshirt offerings were especially cool. I scored one in red, and I note that they can be purchased at the TORn online store as well.
*
Eventually, I made my way back to the Tolkien Track programming for Elvish 101 with Jeff and Paul.
The room was packed yet again!
I admit that I am no linguist, but Jeff and Paul did a solid job of pointing out the basics of Tengwar, and gave many hints about where to hunt online for good lessons/manuals for learning the alphabet.
Paul read a few lines from Galadriel’s poem Namarie, and then taught us a portion that he claimed would get us drinks at a bar. “Fill my cup yet again,” he taught us. And after that, he taught counting to twelve (because elves obviously count in base twelve).
*
After the language lesson, everyone dispersed and attempted to russle up food before the night’s event — An Evening in Bree.
When Jincey, Balin, SamGamgee and I arrived at the ballroom, it was already packed full of elven maidens in their finest attire, many rangers and soldiers of Gondor, several dark people (including one amazing Balrog — yes, with wings), and not a few Hobbits.
Everyone’s costume was wonderful, to my lasting jealousy. (Pictures of the costume contest, including winners, will be posted Monday!)
Emerald Rose began to play, and in short order several Springle Rings and folk-dancey chains wound around the room… The energy was intense and vibrant, which is exactly what Craig Parker said to me as soon as he entered.
Yes! Our three Con guests came to see the festivities! Sala Baker, Craig Parker & Bruce Hopkins all came to chat with fans at Bree.
“I’m exhausted and wasn’t going to go out again,” Craig admitted, “but Sala and Bruce convinced me that the event would be amazing — such great energy. And they were so right!”
The three amigos stayed and chatted and hugged people and took photos with people up until the costume contest began.
Of the costume contest, more shall be written in a later post (with pictures!). But for now, suffice to say that everyone looked amazing, and the three judges wanted to hand out at least twelve prizes. As it was, there were three runners-up and three winners, the best being… but I’ll save that for my next story.
And the final positive event of the night: “My luggage finally arrived!” said MrCere.
*
After that, Emerald Rose continued to play to a lively crowd, but my steam was fast running out. I decided to call it a night.
So cheers to my friends who are still dancing away at the Con! Here’s hoping to see you tomorrow, and hoping also that Jincey, Balin and SamGamgee got to eat their long delayed breakfast lunch dinner!
Namarie,
WeeTanya
Who is the happiest man in the world right now? Our very own PJ, why? He is only a few days away from rolling the cameras on his dream project ‘King Kong’. His special effects company WETA is the envy of the world…and he’s got Naomi Watts at his beck-and-call. I know I’d be celebrating… Take a look at this collection of images from a recent Kong press confrence held in New Zealand. [More]
Celebriel sends along the first images from DragonCon 2004, happening this weekend in Atlanta. Take a look at some of the great fan costumes! [More]