Gabriel writes...

Oie, i didn't keep a journal, so I have to go from memory.
Day 1:
I left Houston at around eight, tired from lack of sleep and hungry from hurrying to airport and only eating a quick cup of cerial. During the flight they served these nasty snacks that were really greasy; they call it sausage, I call it a waste of money. The flight took about three to four hours; I slept most of the away. I arrived in LA upset due to two factors: 1. On the way, I looked down at all the sand and desert, and out of nowhere all these ontological ramblings poured into my head. Did I have paper? No. Could I even write anything legible on a bumpy airplane? No. So there went a slew of ontological and time-continuum ideas right out the window. I shrugged it off and went on. 2). In LA, I got stopped by some Harr Kreshna guy who gave me this book to read about his religion. I thought, "cool" and tried leave; but he stopped me and hounded me for money. After repeatedly telling him no, he took the book back and gave me a pamphlet instead. JERK, I thought. I shrugged it off and went on.
Well, I got to the hotel--after almost diying (is that spelled right?) on the way there because of the driver who kept telling all the passengers stories about his Fatherland (Germany) and whole bunch of other stuff I didn't care for while he was NOT paying attention to the road--and found my friend Ryan from Dallas.
Well, because of this mix-up with our rooms, they wouldn't give us the keys, so I had to go find the guy whose name the room was under (Sean "Brooklyn X" Donagher) so he could prove to the clerk that we were supposed to be in the room. We decided to get our badges for the Gathering first, and, to our surprise, Sean was volunteering to give out the badges. He got us our keys, and we went down (not up where everyone else was) to our room.
After throwing everything on the floor, I wasted no time in blowing my money on junk I really don't need (cards, a CD, a place mat, a puzzle, this wierd french game with a marble, and a color print of Gabriel).
After throwing all that with my other crap I went back to audition for the radio play. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, and so I was really panicky. Of course, all the ontological mumbo-jumbo came flooding back in like burst damn...and I was reading the script, second in line--what luck. After skimming the script, I get called in. As soon as I walk in, I see Greg and start thinking, "If my being is met with bad-faith---oh crap, it's Greg Weisman, uumumum--but then my being is thus permeable to the I-it--sh*t, who am I gonna' read---oh crap, it's Thom Adcox, uhuhuhuh--quick, sit down!!" After sitting down, I was told to stand-up.
"OK, who are you going to read for us?" Greg asked. Sh*t, you didn't even decide who to read. Goliath--no. Brooklyn--maybe. Elisa--ha! Xanatos--no. Goliath--no. Xanatos--might as well.
So I read; I thought it went fairly well.
"Uh, do you think you could read that first paragraph again," Geg asked me, "except louder this time?"
"Uhhh, yeah, I guess." Damn him! [No offence, Greg:)] I read louder.
"Stop. You need to project." I read even louder. "Project!" Ah! Damnit, I bet that was too loud, I thought.
I finished. I felt better after barking like a dog and wimping out of my cheesy Celebrity Jeopardy Sean Connery impression.
The rest of the day went by like a flash. All I remember is getting Fabberbakke's autograph on my Gargoyles poster, some of the opening ceremonies, wondering when Yama became a bad guy, being happy at being an understudy, working-out at their crappy gym, and hating Bush for not putting a price cap in California since I had to pay 2.50 per night for electricity. I didn't talk to anyone since I really didn't know anyone; so I mostly just kept to myself, thinking, "So that's what you look like," anytime I saw someone's name I recognized off the 'Net.
I read a little bit of The Fall that night and decided I was just too tired to read any; so I went to bed, eager to jump into the next days activities.

Lord Sloth writes...

Given the Space Spawn's reputation in 2198, am I right that Nokkar will have a bad rep to for just being from space? Or will he not have revieled himself to the public yet, and just work in secreat at HQ? What has his chain of Easter Island friends turned into by this point?

matt writes...

at any time in history, lets say 0AD to 2200AD, were there ever wild garg beasts or packs of wild garg beasts running around somewhere? i mean like garg beast that were not attached to a clan of gargoyles, just on their own, or have beast always been domesticated pets of gargoyles?

matt writes...

ok, you've said that Angela would say the spell to reach Avalon after each adventure. well, at the end of "Bushido" its daytime and Angela is asleep, but yet the travelers still disappear into the mist, and i mean they really vanish, not just fade into the mist. at first i thought maybe Elisa could've said the spell, but if you watch the episode shes talking to the Ishimuran guy and herself as the travelors dissapear, so SHE didn't say the spell either. so how did the travelers dissappear without saying the spell?

sorry to try and trap you like this, but its only fair the way you dodge our questions! LOL, kidding! :) if you don't have an answer its ok!

Jacob writes...

If someone would bring a gargoyle by plain very far into eastern or western direction during he's stone, would his internal clock notice that or would it be a way for him to be awake at day?

Greg Bishansky writes...

Hi Greg, I have a few more questions about 2198, and Demona's role in it. Surprise, surprise ;)

How does she get along with the following characters?

1. Delilah?

2. Nicholas Natsilane Maza

3. Nokkar?

I would imagine that her relationship with the first two would be quite tense given their bloodline.

Curious writes...

in "the mirror" or what ever it's call puck says that demona is still "carrying the torch" for goliath.so why does she always try to kill him? why does she not try to make him love her again?

Shan writes...

<blush>

OK, I do realize the banquet was SUNDAY night. (I've been home sick which doesn't help with my sense of time, especially not right after a holiday.) I'm also used to going to Friday-Saturday-Sunday events where awards dinners, etc. happen on Saturdays. Have GATHERINGs generally been three day affairs, or does it vary from year to year?

Shan writes...

The "Lighthouse in the Sea of Time" episode just finished and I realized there might be an error in how Jeffrey Robbins' dog is portrayed. I did temp work for a while at the Braille Institute here in Los Angeles (about six weeks in three departments) and I seem to recall that you're not supposed to get friendly with/pet the dogs, and likewise guide dogs are trained not to do so with humans (at least outside of their owner). It distracts them from doing their duty. While Jeffrey's dog might have reacted favorably upon seeing Hudson the second time, the dog actually licking Hudson I believe is not correct. Do you know if any research was done into this aspect of the episode that could prove me wrong? It's been several years since I worked at the Braille Institute, though of course it's been a few years since the show too...

matt writes...

1. when was the New Camelot clan founded?

2. when was the second Wyvern clan founded?

Jim R. writes...

Phil mentioned in the Comment Room that the manuscript prize that both he and Matt recieved was entitled:

G a r g o y l e s 2 1 9 8
CGI Series proposal / 9-21-00

Am I correct in guessing that the "CGI" here has to do with computer animation?

JEB writes...

How common will genetic engineering and cybernetics be by 2198? The same as the 1990s, commonplace, obsolete, or something else entirely?

Jim R. writes...

Will any gargs attempt to participate in the government or general politics?

Jim R. writes...

OK, in the near future when humans finally take action to consider gargs as equal, sentient beings, would gargs (mainly Goliath's clan) be liable to pay taxes considering they are now citizens living in the U.S.?

JEB writes...

Ever read anything by T.S. Eliot? If so, what do you think of his work?

JEB writes...

Regarding Team Atlantis: I don't quite understand how that universe and the Gargoyles universe can overlap in Paris 1920 and be separate otherwise. Could you explain that a bit more precisely? (I know you probably won't, but I wanted to try.)

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

Gathering Journal

Day 3

I got up and showered and quickly rushed down to your Mug-A-Guest. It was interesting hearing how you got your start at DC Comics (feels the urge to track down old Captain Atom issues), and finally learning how you ended up writing a JEM episode of all things. I seem to recall also answering a few questions for you when someone there asked about 2198, but I forget if I did.

After that, I went to the Series Production panel, and had fun there, it was great to see all the character models out and after it was over, I asked Frank "I don't suppose any of this is for sale", he said no of course, but he later let me make a photocopy of this erotic picture of Demona that he drew, and I never stopped thanking him the rest of the time he was there.

I went to lunch then and came back just before the Voice Actors panel. My key to my room wasn't working and I was having it replaced, and when that was done, in came Elisa Gabrielli, who was looking for the panel. I escorted her down and made some small talk with her on the way.

The Panel was fun and I was the one who asked you to do the "nice mask" line. Sorry, just seemed funny at the time.

After it was over I ran back upstairs and got my Gathering calendar to be autographed, and ran back down and got at the back of the line as Cree Summer was leaving, she was nice enough to sign my calendar for me, and have a brief conversation. As we got in, Keith David left. I was a little disappointed, but I got the chance to meet him last summer when he performed "A Winter's Tale", and I wanted to see if their was a chance that he remembered me. But I understood his reasons for leaving early and respected them.

Next came the auction. I had set my eyes on the Art Bible that had everyone's autograph, but couldn't afford it. I ended up buying a copy of the "Hunter's Moon" Radio Play script, the script for "The Journey" (like the scene between Matt and Chavez in it btw), and the print of the Eyrie Building, which I then had signed by Frank, and attempted to bribe him to send me a copy of the Art Bible. Frank's a cool guy and Siryn and I had a nice conversation with him.

Next came the Awards Banquet, which I quickly went to after deposoting my Auction Bounty in my room, and ended up sitting at a table with Noel, Todd, Patrick and of course you and Beth, and a couple of other people who's names unfortunatly escape me right now. The food was good, and the desert was better, but you know this part, you were at the table. And yes, the antics of Thom and Crispin were hilarious.

The Masquerade was great, and I wish I entered. I was dressed as David Xanatos, and everyone told me I looked great, and that if I dropped some weight, I'd be the spitting image. The other costumes were great, Jen was a very sexy Fox, Alex and Batya's Cosplay was hilarious, Aaron and Mara's Fox and David were also great. The whole thing was great. I wish I entered though.

After that was over, I went back to my room and crashed.

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

Hmm, here's my Gathering Journal

Day 1

Well, having graduated the previous day, I thought the Gathering was the perfect way to celebrate. I loved the timing of the con. The night before I left (after the graduation ceremony) I had a big Chinese dinner and felt quite sick the next morning, but I got up and came anyway, and thankfully had recovered before I got on the plane.

I landed safely and quickly found a good cheap shuttle to take me to the hotel. When I arrived, I saw you and Thom going into the hotel, and I was at first quite shy but then I just told myself to go up to you and reintroduce myself, and I'm glad I did.

I went down to the audition for the Radio Play, and read for Xanatos, and quickly learned to project my voice during it. I personally thought I sucked, but in hindsight I should have read for some of the other characters, and I later realized I could do a good Scottish accent. Oh well, there's always next year.

I attended a few panels and met and made some new friends and sat down for the Opening Ceremonies, which were quite fun. And don't worry about being clumsy with Ed Asner's letter, I've made even sillier mistakes than that in my time. It was fun to see the pitches and promo again, as well as the Leica... how much would I have to bribe you for copies of those??? Just kidding ;)

I went up to City Walk to eat dinner, or as I liked to call it... "the world's biggest tourist trap". And got charged $10 for two slices of pizza and a soda. The food was good though.

I came back and caught the end of "Awakening" and sat down for the MSTing of "The Gathering" and you were standing next to me through the whole thing, and it was funny being one of only a couple of people who knew you were in there.

I finally found my roomates; Chris, Laura and Rebecca (who played Bronx in the Radio Play)... all extremely cool people btw, and went to sleep.

Blaise writes...

My own Gathering Diary? Well, I already bubbled about a couple things in my first post on the subject back on June 27. But re-reading it, I noticed something I forgot: The Radio Play.

When I went up to audition for that on Friday, I felt about ready to jump out of my skin. I was that nervous and I don't even know why--maybe just the fact that I was seeing you and Thom for the first time right there. Anyway, I read for Xanatos--I felt I did all right, but that I could have done better. Then we all forgot I had to do a Scottish accent and dog bark, so I had to come back in again after someone else (what's surprising about this was that after my first audition I didn't want to leave the hallway for some reason...just weird [or perhaps Wyrd?]).
The only thing I really remember about the second time around, was asking, "Big dog or little dog?" And I almost felt like singing when I found I had been cast.

The next day I pretty much followed you around, since you were at every panel I wanted to attend. The Voice Acting one was great fun--Morgan Shepperd (hope I spelled that right) was a great guy (and a real hoot!). Doing the readings were fun, and I enjoyed "auditioning" as Brooklyn. I just wish I could have deepened my voice more when I was Goliath in the MIA scene. And on the subject of wishes, I would have liked to have tried my hand at anime dubbing. But I digress.

Radio Play Rehearsals: Yeah, they went quicker than I expected, too. I was surprised (and a bit delighted) that we were doing HUNTER'S MOON PART 3, and even more astounded that I had landed Matt Bluestone. I mean it's just like, "Wow, I'm a major supporting character!" Looking over everything I've written so far I feel like I'm giving myself an ego trip. Ah well, the Gathering comes but once a year.

Anyway, it was after this point that I (finally) formally introduced myself to you. I was actually surprised that you recognized my 'Net name, and glad for the chance to speak with you outside of a panel/rehearsal setting.

The Radio Play itself was a wonderful experience. I swear, rarely have I gotten such satisfaction from a line reading as when I gave some of Bluestone's lines, a particular favorit being "Hold your fire! That's an order."
I thought the rest of the cast did a great job too. Standouts being of course Zehra's Elisa, Jen's Demona, and Crispan's Faggerbakke, but also Lanny's Goliath, Jordan's Jason, Mr. Sheppherd's Hudson, and...who played Lexington again? ;) But everyone in the cast--they were all a GREAT cast.

I just want to thank you for the opportunity to have been in this little production--one of the highlights of the con (but not the only one!).

JEB writes...

Ever read anything by H.P. Lovecraft? If so, what do you think of his work?

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

My Gathering Journal

Day 2

I woke up, took a shower and went down stairs to sign up for the Mug-A-Guest, and was the first person to sign up to mug you. I noticed a lot of people got there early and Jeff Bennet filled up right away. I had this Apple Muffin for breakfast and went to the first panel, which was the Series Development panel. Unfortunatly I didn't have my schedual with me, and missed the Brynne Chandler Mug-A-Guest I signed up for, and I regret that.

That was a fun panel, and it was great to meet Tad Stones, someone who's work I admired for a long time. A lot of great stories were told, and after the panel I had to ask him the origin of the second Negaduck... it was interesting to discover that they're both the same character. I had an Evil Emperor Zurg question for him also, but forgot about it at the time.

Next came the Writing for TV Animation panel, which was great cause I got to meet Michael Reaves, who has been one of my favorite writers for ages. Learned a lot about the business, and I really hope we can get him to another Gathering.

Next I went to the Writing for Gargoyles panel, which I enjoyed immensly. it was great getting to meet the rest of the Writing Staff, and hearing about their experiences on the show, and they were all a pleasure. I hope we can get all of them back also.

I wondered around for a while and ended up in the Art Room chatting with friends like Aaron and Mara, Josh, and a lot of other people. I met your wife and kids for the first time in front of Erin's art. I encouraged her to keep drawing, cause I think she has some real talent. Her art was very cute as well. You have a wonderful family there Greg.

I went up to dinner later and had Chinese food, then we realized the time and hurried back just in time for the Radio Play. I really enjoyed it, and "Hunter's Moon" was always one of my favorites. I really regreted not trying a Scottish accent at the audition, cause now I think I could have been a great Canmore.

After the Radio Play, I went and watched some 3x3 Eyes for the first time, and now I am actively searching for the set. I'm having trouble finding it though.

I went up to my room and I forget what I did then, I think I watched a "Fraiser" re-run before my roommates came back, and we stayed up later just talking before we hit the sack

Greg "Xanatos" Bishansky writes...

If the Space-Spawn did destroy Earth, would Avalon be destroyed with it?

Jim R. writes...

Do the other clans existing throughout the world all speak English so well? Are they fluent in a more native tongue? I didn't expect Golaith, etc. to be able to communicate so easily with foreign clans or did this just have to do with the simple fact that the TV show was being watched by a majority of Americans? (Basically the same as asking why all the aliens in Star Trek English fluently)

Anonymous writes...

What is the N'kai's homeworld called? Where exactly is it in the galaxy? If you can't be very specific could you tell us by which stars it's located by?

Anonymous writes...

1.In 2198 which side is winning the war the N'kai, the third unknown race or the Space-Spawn?
2a. What is the role of the third race?
2b.Are they allied with one of the two sides we presently know of or are they a 3rd side trying to expand their borders at the expense of their neighbors?