NY, NY May 9-10 1998
My two days experience at the "X-Files Expo" were the best days of my
life!!!! (especially the second day;) The Expo was packed with things to do,
live performances, official props from the show, and autograph signings.
There were computer terminals with "Unrestricted Access" setup, however I
didn't view that part because I have the program at home.
There were five photo oportunities, one was the Mulder office
picture, one was in Skinner's office (with Skinner already in the office;),
and the other three were free. There was a picture from the movie where you are
posed with the "Intrigue" car in the desert, and you look up like you are
seeing a UFO for the first time. Another that isn't with a green screen, you
pose with another "Intrigue" with (live) men dressed as Men in Black, and you
can lean over the car where one acts like he's frisking you, and one like
he's going to punch you, like I did. There was also one taken with a Snappy
where you stand in front of a background proclaiming you were at the Expo. I
think most will think it interesting to know it was taken with a regular
screen grabber; I asked.
There was a virtual trivia game, which I played after the computer
and Think Pad were already given out, but I won against the people I played!
There were also two trivia games on stage where fans were selected. The first
was "Truth or Fiction," where the winner received a cool promotional
flashlight from "FX" that shines a green "X-Files 'X'." The other had teams
on stage, and the audience tried to stump them. If the audience member won,
they won an "X-Files" video, and the team would get a strike against them,
three and they were out. If they got three answers right, they were given an
official "X-Files Expo" t-shirt.
They had a special movie preview I was able to see twice, which
contained most of the first movie trailer, all of the second, and new clips,
as well as interviews with the cast and crew that looked like parts that may
have been cut from "Inside the X-Files." There was also of course the really
cool scene of "Spooky" Mulder in the bar where he told of his government job,
and how he searches for aliens, and the bartender thought he was drunk.
There was a signup for the official fan club, where you received a
free "X-Files Movie" poster (single sided, teaser; advanced style "B") on
joining, and chances to win a trip to Los Angelos to the "X-Files" set, to
win a signed Expo jacket, and tickets to the Washington DC Expo.
There were video clips playing throughout the day, that you could see
from any of the many televisions around or from the actual screen on stage,
and I also found out when I was back stage that you can see the projection
from back there. One was on Mulderisms/Scullyisms, one was on all the behind
the scenes clips they show on "FX," which incidently they said takes a whole
year to see every one played on the channel, and the other was clips of the
show in different languages. They also had video clips of each guest before
they went on stage.
I thought the merchandise at the Expo was great. There was everything
from t-shirts to E.B.E.s in jars. I bought an "I Want to Believe" poster,
some out of print "X-Files" collectible card game cards and accessories (and
regular cards), five original scripts ("The Pilot," "Humbug," "Home,"
"Small Potatoes," and "Post-Modern Prometheus" for anyone who is looking for
quotes), an Expo t-shirt, and some Area 51 stuff the first day, and I signed
up for the fan club. The second day, on Sunday, I bought a chromium card,
and I bought at the auction, an "X-Files" hat signed by Chris Carter (it
says 'Trust No One' by him too), and I later got it signed by Gillian! Best
$300 dollars I ever spent! Plus it was for charity which made it even better.
I also bought a lithograph (like the cover of TV GUIDE that has all the main
characters on it) that I had everyone there sign.
Speaking of the auction, New York made the most money for the charity
than any of the cities so far at the Expo! There was scripts signed by
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, which on the first day went for $800 to
over $1000 dollars! There were things signed by Chris Carter, such as a
Japanese video, a "Ground Zero" book, posters, and of course hats. They went
for less the second day though, but by then I didn't have enough money for a
script. The most unique thing they had was Nicholas Lea's (Krycek's) plastic
hand signed by him. The best thing they had at the auction in my opinion was
a poster of the cover of the new "Details" magazine that Gillian personally
autographed them on stage to the ones who bought them. They started out
having only one, but they ended up auctioned off two per day, for $2,500
each, making a $10,000 total!
All the stars went on stage and let the fans ask questions, except for Dean Haglund who did an improv "X-Files episode on stage with people from the audience. It was hillarious! There were shipper pieces too. Dean picked a boy from the audience to go up on stage to play Mulder, and I must say, he did an excellent job, and they read of quotes that Dean said were quotes that Frank Spotnitz had wanted in the show but were cut. Things like "Scully I love you" and things about Mulder's speedo and Scully wanting to see it. Also what got a roar from the crowd was "OK Frohike just one kiss." and "Mulder, I believe." Extrodinary performance!
Nicholas Lea was the very first performance I saw at the Expo. I loved it and wanted to see it again so bad the second day, but that's when I got to go back stage to start meeting people, and I saw him too so it was still cool. I was able to ask Nick Lea a question when he was on stage. It was what role he would play if he could play any role he wanted. He said 'Jerry McGuire' and gave a beautiful explanation why (which I will have posted soon along with other quotes and more picture! I want to make sure I quote the whole thing, exactly right). His performance was great! I just wish I could have bought his signed 'hand' at the auction.
Unfortunately because of getting autographs and going backstage, I didn't get to see all of either of Frank Spotnitz's performances, but I heard them, and on Saturday, I went up to ask him a question. "Is it true Mulder and Scully kiss in the movie?" At this point lots of people cheered at me! He basically said he couldn't tell, but that more opportunities arrive for romance between them and they get closer in the movie. He also took a poll to see how many people in the audience wanted to see that and how many didn't. Unfortunately, there were some Normos, but many more 'Shippers/Romantics!!!! Another thing I have to note, is a spoiler. Someone asked him if Scully would ever get a desk. He said that he couldn't say, but basically that it would be answered in the season finale.
When Gillian Anderson was on stage Saturday evening, she
(evidently) accidently let a spoiler slip. Someone gave her a name
plate, saying 'Dana Scully,' and said they were working on the desk,
and Gillian said something about how 'Now that the office is burnt
down...'
Another spoiler to note, is that Nicholas Lea told the
audience Saturday in his appearance on stage, that he would be on
Saturday Night Live that night, so I knew ahead of time. Also,
Gillian Anderson had said she was thinking about being on SNL, but
she said Sunday she ended up being too tired (not exactly sure on
quote).
Even thoughshe wasn't at SNL, I sure wasn't disappointed!
Gillian did an excellent job on stage answering questions. She was
so brave, and answered all the questions as best she could, even
the really personal ones, some of which people probably shouldn't have
been asked. Some of the most memorable questions were the bizarre ones though.
One fan asked what she thought about Skinner and Scully being together! She
sort of went around in her answer but finally said 'No.' (I'm glad, because
I'm a Shipper:)
Someone asked about the famous Rolling Stone cover (with Gillian and
David Duchovny appearing naked in bed together), and she said David had on
black satin boxers, and she had on a black lace thing, but from the side view,
a little bit of black didn't look right, so they had to put the top half down...
On Sunday, someone asked that out of the scenes that were cut befor
the show hit the air, which were the scenes she would have wanted to make it on
the show?
1. in Memento Mori - scene with Betsy Hagopian, where in the original scene,
Scully actually screams and sits up in bed.
2. in The Pilot - Ethan Minette scenes
3. in Memento Mori - the 'Bill Scully Jr.' scene
Most people seemed not to like the 'Bill Scully Jr.' scene because
they don't like his character. I still liked it however. Gillian told how she
thinks her real life brother (Aaron) should play a younger (17) version of
Scully's brother Charles on the show
Gillian was trying to think of others when I (from against the stage;)
yelled out 'The Memento Mori Kiss Scene!' She thought about it for a second and
was like 'Oh, yeah..Yeah...we'll save that one for later.' (What I would call
a dreamy voice;)...OK so I'm not sure exactly what she meant, but a girl can
dream can't she? ;) All in all, Gillian's performances were the best!
Steven William's performance was great too! He did his death scene from Talitha Cumi right on stage, but instead of writing 'S R S G' with his finger, he wrote 'D A M N!' Some people asked him about his past appearances such as 21 Jumpstreet. He also was able to tell of some new roles. The first day, I was able to get the autographs of Nicholas Lea, Frank Spotnitz, Andy Meisler, and - GILLIAN ANDERSON!
Nick was really sweet, and called me 'Sweetheart,' and talked a bit. I shook both his and Frank Spotnitz's hands. Tickets for their autographs were distributed only so long throughout the day if you waited in line, as well as they were for Steven Williams and Dean Haglund. All of the guests were sitting at windows. Tickets for Gillian Anderson's autograph, were distributed via lottery. Only 800 people got to see her for her autograph each day (I heard there were 6,400 people on Saturday alone) and I was one of them on Saturday! I got a few pictures on her on the way up while in line. I also got to shake her hand. She looked gorgous, as always. Even by then, I never could have imagined how great the next day would be. Sunday, I watched the shows I missed the day before. I had planned on watching Nick Lea on stage again (obviously;) even if I had to miss something else, but I didn't get to see it, because that was when I went backstage, I think it was around four o'clock. First I met Frank Spotnitz who I talked to for a little bit, and I got a hug from him, and he signed some more stuff, and I got a picture with him.
Next I met Dean Haglund, who I had been waiting to meet. He was supposed to be at comedy clubs near me before but had cancelled. I told him that I have talked to him alot online, and he asked if he ever wrote back. He had, many times. He asked what he had written to me, and when I told him, he said he remembered the letter! He gave me a hug too and signed some stuff, as well as got a picture with me. Next was Steven Williams. He came in and was like 'Hey Jamie!' and gave me a big hug! I also got some autographs and pictures with him. Then, Nicholas Lea walked in the room. When he came over to me, I handed him a rose. I thought I was going to faint! (but luckily I didn't). He seemed touched by it, and leaned over and gave me a big hug and kissed me on the cheek!!!! I got some more autographs of him (I have like six now;) and got a picture with him. - I'm drooling again thinking about it! :P... - At this point, I went back out to the Expo, waiting for Gillian's performance. I was still in shock at everything! Before it was time for her performance, the auction was on. I decided to try again with what money I had left. I bought an X-Files hat, signed by Chris Carter himself! The auctioneer called me up on stage and asked me my name and where I was from. He said everyone wanted to see me, the Gillian look-alike! (or something like that). People cheered at me and took my picture! Not too long later, it was time for me to go backstage again. It was time to meet Gillian! I waited for things for her to sign, including the hat. Suddenly she came rushing out and pulled me into a hug! I gave her a rose and told her 'Happy Mother's Day.' I was in such shock, I almost hit her with the rose! It was amazing. She looked so beautiful. I got to get some pictures with her, and she signed my hat, the lithograph, and signed my Rolling Stone magazine! (this personally to me - it says 'Jamie - Great pleasure to meet you.' Gillian Anderson). By then, it was almost time for her to go on stage, so we stood in back of the projection screen watching the clips of her before she went on. I got to see the Bad Blood scene where she is putting the organs on the scale. (which by the way she had said on stage was now her favorite episode:) I also got to see the 'almost kiss' scene from Small Potatoes with her! I asked her if it was weird seeing herself up there, and she said that she was used to it by now. The scene from Kill Switch where Mulder is in Virtual Reality when Scully comes in to kick the 'Barbie nurses' played. I told her how I hate when Mulder's laying there like that, until she comes in and then everything's OK!:) I asked her if she did the kicking herself, and she said most of it she did herself, but a little bit of it was a stunt double. It was time for Gillian on stage. I thanked her for seeing me. I hope she knows, my dreams have come true! Since people stole our seats, I got to stand right against the stage! Gillian was walking over to the side of the stage I was at frequently to answer questions. She waved at me once and was like 'Hi!' once:) During her performance, Nicholas Lea came on stage to tell her 'Good bye,' and he gave her a quick kiss! At the end of Gillian's performance, she once again sang Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog) with the audience. Of course I sang along with all my might. Jeremiah was a bullfrog Was a good friend of mine Never understood a single word he said But I helped him drink his wine Joy to the world All the boys and girls Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea Joy to you and me My world was definitely joyous during that memorable, perfect night. Once again, I thank everyone for giving me the perfect birthday gift I could have ever wished for.
