Then a couple days before the Tron 30th event, we were 'told' no actors would be attending. Imagine my disappointment. I expressed my disillusionment on the event page. My biggest complaint was the lack of information regarding what was going to happen at this event. I was willing to look beyond that and still attend the screening and panel. I had already had the opportunity to meet Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan, and Peter Jurasick, but felt sorry for those who were attending the event to meet these actors. Nonetheless, things turned ugly. Fans were telling other fans to "suck it up." and how we were never "promise"' actors. I really did not appreciate the personal attacks. Way to alienate the fan base!!
I attended the Tron event - since I had already paid for my flight, VIP ticket, car, lodging, and a 2-day Park Hopper to Disneyland. My friend, Elaine and I flew in LAX and then picked up a rental car and drove to Anaheim - where we stayed the extended weekend. On the day of the event, we thought we would start by driving to the building the filmmakers used for the exterior shots of Flynn's Arcade in the movie Tron. We also made a side trip to the fire station used in the television series Emergency! I loved that show when I was growing up. Then we drove to west Hollywood and after finding parking and our friends, who were also attending the event - we picked up our tickets at the box office and waited in line. I loved the red carpet and the grid with the large Tron event poster. I loved the many costumes I saw and the creative people who designed them. Anticipation was building again, and I admit, I was having a good time visiting with Elaine, Karen and her husband, Bob, Cheryl and her sister Teri, Mary and her friend Ashley, Melinda and her family and watching the photo ops. Filmmakers and fans in stunning costumes stood in front of the Tron 30th banner for photos. My favorite costumes were of Ashley dressed as the character Sark and Mary who was stunningly beautiful in her Yuri costume.
I found the film panel, which was a series of Q&A panelists, very entertaining and informative. Kicking off the panel was the emcee of the night and Visual Effects Supervisor, Harrison Ellenshaw. I met him at Pop Con LA and found him delightfully charming. He was the perfect emcee. Up next, was Writer Bonnie MacBird and her husband Alan Kay. It was fun learning about the early concepts of the film, and how Alan Bradley character was based on Alan Kay and how Flynn was based on Robin Williams. I also learned how Tron truly was ground breaking, not only in special effects and graphic designs, but the whole world of home computers, too. Bonnie MacBird is also unique for being the first writer to ever use a personal computer to write and edit a screenplay. We also heard from Bill Kroyer, Jerry Rees, Richard Taylor, Michael Fremer, and Frank Serafine.
Then Bruce Boxleitner addressed the audience. He looked dead-on-his feet, but he was as charming as ever and had the audience in stitches with his comment about "wearing tights, a hockey helmet, and the first male thong." He also said he was "overwhelmed by the world wide appeal of this film." He then handed off the mic to the final panelist, writer and director Steven Linsberger, who I also found engaging.
After the panel concluded, we were all treated to a screening of Tron. I have to admit, it was great seeing the movie on the big screen again after all these years and I have a new appreciation for the film and how much it has changed film making and the technology we take for granite today. Following the screening, we had the opportunity to attend an after-party. Although, I found the display cases filled with the Tron memorabilia from the original film interesting - the party just was not my cup of tea. I must be getting old - I found the music too loud and found it near to impossible to hold any sort of conversation with anyone. I also found it equally frustrating we had to search for our limited Tron posters we had been promised. I guess I am going to have to take the poster to additional cons I attend for more autographs. No actors signed it. Then the lines to the open bar or to the VIP room were long and not worth the wait, especially since I do not drink. Friends who I attended the event with, left not long after party began. I'm sure others enjoyed it, but was NOT worth the VIP price I paid. Live and learn, I guess.
The following day, Elaine and I went to Disneyland. I had not been to the park in over 20 years and it was great being able to be a kid again - even for just a day. Although, I admit I wanted nothing to do with the roller coasters. This from a girl who loved them as a child. Now they terrify me. However, we had a good time seeing shows and riding what Elaine called 'the kiddie rides.' The following day, we spent the day at California Adventure. I had never been to this park and I really had a great time. I especially loved Cars Land. I highly recommend riding Radiator Springs Racers. We rode it twice. I think Disney really outdid themselves with this new section of the park. I really felt I stepped into the movie Cars. The only thing was I felt guilty for not being there with my boys. I guess another trip to Disneyland is in order soon.
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