SHERLOCKED: Official "Sherlock" Convention

[J.P.]

The moment(s) when you make people recognize you by showing them a picture of an owl in a blue scarf. :D

 

Hell, this silly fan meeting makes putting on the social persona easier with each time. I think it has a huge addiction potential. And this time I felt like it could go on for next 3 days or more. Probably because of the venue that was distributing people into different rooms in smaller heaps and the soundproofing carpets. Apparently noise is my Kryptonite (here comes another T-shirt).

BUT

The stupid hotel was a labyrinth, and even if I run down all rooms with a plan I've got lost constantly. And due to very late revealed schedule I couldn't prepare my own version of it, so I missed A LOT this time. I admit, I wasn't prepared well this time. Because I just couldn't find any excitement inside this time and 2 days before leaving I was seriously thinking of cancelling everything.

 

In the end I'm glad I didn't. I've really had fun without much stress.

 

I've had a very satisfying chat with Sue and Steven (finaly!) I think I even impressed Sue with my "shifting the perspective and Sherlock texting the viewers in the last sequence" theory. Then I asked Steven about Scandal and the possibility of it being ambiguous re. our "Sherlock knows Irene is alive all the time" theory. Sorry guys, but it wasn't written this way. Steven was quite surprised and didn't want to believe me it actually works. Well, one way or another, I've got it off my chest and feel like a hero. :D

 

I also asked Sue for more scripts. Also older versions of them to have an insight in the creative process. There is a reason to hope.

 

BTW, only the scripts from Writersroom are official, the others that surfaced later apparently "just leaked", so they couldn't confirm they are valid.

 

TBC…

 

[J.P.]

https://nixxie-pic.tumblr.com/post/167035203748/sherlocked-2017-video-clip-from-sue-steven-mike

 

That's how it is listening to Arwel. ;)

[T.o.b.y]

Thanks for the report, J.P.!

 

Wow, being able to talk about the show with the people who made it sounds very, very cool.

[bedelia1984]

Thank you for that report, J.P., it sounds really fun- especially that you got to chat to Steven and Sue! 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I also asked Sue for more scripts. Also older versions of them to have an insight in the creative process. There is a reason to hope.

 

BTW, only the scripts from Writersroom are official, the others that surfaced later apparently "just leaked", so they couldn't confirm they are valid.

 

Yay for your first point!

 

And as for your second point, if they can manage to add more scripts (early drafts and/or shooting versions) to the Writers' Room, then there won't be so much reason for leaks.  (Meanwhile, I'll enjoy the leaks!)

[J.P.]

Some more snippets and photos from Rupert panel.

https://nixxie-pic.tumblr.com/

 

[Arcadia]

Did anyone ask why Rupert has one pink fingernail on his left hand?

 

I love all this, thanks for sharing JP! And I'm glad you had a good time.

[J.P.]

We've also had a wonderful chat with Sian. She's a lovely, down to earth person and different from any of her characters. And somehow easy to talk to, unlike Arwel whom I adore with all my heart, but have problems communicating with. Maybe because she's a fan herself. Anyway, she looked quite impressed when I retold Toby's Reasons Why We Relate To Sherlock. Don't remember (heck, I don't remember much!) how it came to this, but it felt quite natural to tell her about it at the moment. Didn't come to talk about Hamlet, but she was happy every time someone mentioned having seen it.

 

Anyway, from the tidbits corner: Her playing cello didn't help much in playing playing violin. The scene at the therapist's was the first time she ever wore contact lenses (and for those who never did - first few times are really hard, as you have to overcome the reflex of never touching your eyeballs. Taking the lenses off can be even harder)

 

Below is an interview from spring this year

 

[J.P.]

Funny, Sherlock fandom is getting older…

 

There were many people far beyond my age, but the hero of the con for me is this elderly lady

https://showmasters.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Una-Stubbs-gallery/G0000UAo3lcIdve8/I0000oJ0n7HKLKlM/C0000CJ3EekUo3V4

I've seen her all around the place having fun and was said she took part in all 3 parties - each time in a costume. Want to be like her when I grow up.

 

BTW, the thumbnails from all photoshoots are online now and it's especially worth to browse through the one with Rupert, Johnathan and both of them.

https://showmasters.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Saturday/C0000HrWiKWqKbHI

[T.o.b.y]

Sian is a wonderful actress.

 

I might disagree with some of the writing choices for S3 and 4 and personally, I think the character of Eurus was superfluous, but they cast such wonderful people that she's fun to watch anyway. Just like I still can't make up my mind whether I like Mary or not but I sure know that I like and admire Amanda Abbington's acting.

[J.P.]

Personally I haven't encountered any kind of negativity. It looked like a celebration of the show as whole and all the funny, wonderful things that it brought to us.

 

The final "panel" which was a quiz show played by all guests and introduced in USA this spring, was the highlight. I've laughed so much about this bunch of loonies. They do look like a big family you want to be a part of (and it's me saying this!).

Because Jonathan destroyed the whiteboard last time (there must be a video of that online), they have taken some precautions posting a bodyguard next to it:

 

 

This guy was there last time in London and he still reminds me of Stargate's Teal'c.
Intimidating at first sight, but he must have been great with the kids.
https://twitter.com/Q10Security

[J.P.]

As they didn't let Steven to play pictionary this time, he went off in a rant (image Donald Duck going ballistic), that would make every stand-up comedian in the world green with envy. I don't remember a word of it and hope it will emerge as a transcript or video. What I remember is the hilarious geniality of it. And that I hardly could keep my mouth shut. And that I wanted his damn brain.

 

And that probably written on paper and taken out of context would be something completely different.

 

Then he made a little speech at the end, and it made me teary, as many other who witnessed it.

 

This guy could go into politics. He's so good at pressing the right buttons.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Funny, Sherlock fandom is getting older…

 

And you're not?  :P

[T.o.b.y]

As they didn't let Steven to play pictionary this time, he went off in a rant (image Donald Duck going ballistic), that would make every stand-up comedian in the world green with envy. I don't remember a word of it and hope it will emerge as a transcript or video. What I remember is the hilarious geniality of it. And that I hardly could keep my mouth shut. And that I wanted his damn brain.

 

And that probably written on paper and taken out of context would be something completely different.

 

Then he made a little speech at the end, and it made me teary, as many other who witnessed it.

 

This guy could go into politics. He's so good at pressing the right buttons.

That's true for his scripts as well. They definitely push buttons. Look at His Last Vow - not everybody may have loved it but almost every fan seems to have had a strong reaction to it and it's probably the most discussed episode (along with The Reichenbach Fall).

 

I really like how, as the series evolved and gained popularity, the people who made it acknowledged and even seemed to encourage fandom. Yes, they poked fun at us with Anderson's little fan club, but it was affectionately done imo. And while I prefer the first two series, I do appreciate how the later ones made it clear that not only is it okay to make the show your own by interpreting, speculating and fantasizing away, but it's even necessary to a degree to get a complete product.

 

As a fangirl way beyond girlhood, this kind of writing just makes me feel like less of a silly freak.

[Doe]

Sian is a wonderful actress.

 

I might disagree with some of the writing choices for S3 and 4 and personally, I think the character of Eurus was superfluous, but they cast such wonderful people that she's fun to watch anyway. Just like I still can't make up my mind whether I like Mary or not but I sure know that I like and admire Amanda Abbington's acting.

No no no. The character of Eurus wasn't superfluous because S4 was the most popular serie.

 

Maybe if Sian was not playing, S4 was not quality so much.

[Arcadia]

Funny, Sherlock fandom is getting older…

 

There were many people far beyond my age, but the hero of the con for me is this elderly lady

https://showmasters.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Una-Stubbs-gallery/G0000UAo3lcIdve8/I0000oJ0n7HKLKlM/C0000CJ3EekUo3V4

I've seen her all around the place having fun and was said she took part in all 3 parties - each time in a costume. Want to be like her when I grow up.

 

BTW, the thumbnails from all photoshoots are online now and it's especially worth to browse through the one with Rupert, Johnathan and both of them.

https://showmasters.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Saturday/C0000HrWiKWqKbHI

 

I assume you mean this set, JP? https://showmasters.photoshelter.com/gallery/Scotland-Yard-gallery/G0000OMB_8d51m5k/C0000dR9VTioak6w Those two are a riot, I'd watch a show with just them.

 

As they didn't let Steven to play pictionary this time, he went off in a rant (image Donald Duck going ballistic), that would make every stand-up comedian in the world green with envy. I don't remember a word of it and hope it will emerge as a transcript or video. What I remember is the hilarious geniality of it. And that I hardly could keep my mouth shut. And that I wanted his damn brain.

 

And that probably written on paper and taken out of context would be something completely different.

 

Then he made a little speech at the end, and it made me teary, as many other who witnessed it.

 

This guy could go into politics. He's so good at pressing the right buttons.

 

Yep, I can get as mad as the next person at Moffat, but it's things like this that have caused me to fundamentally adore the guy. And I won't be surprised if someone does indeed take him out of context.

 

 

That's true for his scripts as well. They definitely push buttons. Look at His Last Vow - not everybody may have loved it but almost every fan seems to have had a strong reaction to it and it's probably the most discussed episode (along with The Reichenbach Fall).

 

I really like how, as the series evolved and gained popularity, the people who made it acknowledged and even seemed to encourage fandom. Yes, they poked fun at us with Anderson's little fan club, but it was affectionately done imo. And while I prefer the first two series, I do appreciate how the later ones made it clear that not only is it okay to make the show your own by interpreting, speculating and fantasizing away, but it's even necessary to a degree to get a complete product.

 

As a fangirl way beyond girlhood, this kind of writing just makes me feel like less of a silly freak.

 

 

From your mouth to Moffat's ear.

[J.P.]

Did we noticed the visual connection between the padded cell and the well in TFP? Both have a person chained at their bottom.

 

Of course the best part of the con for me were chats with Arwel. He's shown us the new blue skull picture that is actually a row (pile?) of PVC plates printed with the letters (ACD's text fragments), and an extra layer with the skull and the background. And yes, it was backlit, so the glowing effect was wanted.

 

He also shown us a cool effect they planned for the Mycroft having a flashback from the past - the phone of this guy is full with treasures. Someone came with an idea of him writing a book… this would be very niiiice.

 

I came to hold the pistol replica - forgot to ask which one - it could be John's gun, or the one used by Eurus, or even the one used in Sherrinford. Could also be the same one used in all those scenes. It's quite heavy, and it would be risky to show it in public. Also the big gun Sherlock used in TLD was a Magnum. And that's no wonder poor Mrs Hudson had to hold it with both hands.

[J.P.]

From https://loveismyrevolution.tumblr.com/post/167192844037/sherlocked-uk-2017-15-funny-story-time-ben

 

In the same talk as #14 about developing the different styles for the characters Claire talked about the development of Sherlock’s hair style from the pilot to ASiP!
Before they started filming they had to try out the styles and it was on one of her last working days before holidays, when she did Ben’s hair!
When she finally arrived home after a long day, she got a phone call from (I guess it was) Steven who said: “Claire, what have you done to Ben’s hair??”
She was totally surprised: “Why? What?”
Steven: “He hates it!! You have to fix it!”
She said she was utterly confused: “I don’t understand it! Everything was fine when I left him….!?”
So before she headed down back to London in a winter evening she called Ben to check what was wrong…..
And guess what….
His mom didn’t like it!!!! :’-))))
So what happened: After his hair session with Claire Ben went home to his parents’ BY BIKE!!
And not only that… by bike IN MISTY DRIZZLY WEATHER!!!
And not only that… by bike in misty drizzly weather with A BIKE HELMET ON!!!!
So he arrived home and took that helmet of off his freshly styled now soaked wet and flattened hair and his mom went :”Oh no!”
And first thing he did was ring Steven and tell him that his mom doesn’t like his hair…. :’-))))
…. oh babe…..

[J.P.]

Story Time with uncle Arwel



It wasn't boring at all.



The gun.

[Arcadia]

Is that chair comfortable?

[J.P.]

Yes, as long as you stay seated. :D It's huge, the seat is hardly above the floor so it's really hard to come out without help. The same by the way, you can tell about the Victorian chair. It was always the same during the photoshoots, people went down with their… bottoms, and in the moment they let themselves fall into the seat, they all shown reflex-gestures of drowning accompanied by a loud "Oh!"

 

Last year while doing the photo of me with Loo and Rupert on the Victorian set, Loo sitting on one of the arm rest, slid down into the seat and we've ended stuck there. I think if the makers would examine the chairs, they would find a dry mummies of fans from past cons between the cushions.

[Arcadia]

Cool. :d

 

That table next to it is quite the thing, I wouldn't mind having that. I have just the spot for it, too. Pick it up for me next time, k? I'll pay the shipping. :p

 

[J.P.]

Yeah, you touch a big problem for me here: the sets kind of deteriorate from con to con. The original pieces disappear. Some may be auctioned (I avoid the auctions for sanity's sake) and some lost/damaged. For someone who, like me, has the set etched in my retina, any changes are jarring. I'm so, so happy I got to the first con, when the 221b set really felt like 221b.

 

Anyway, I have to say that the new guests were all very lovely. Sasha "AJ" Dhawan is a nice and funny guy and Marcia Warren… well, this woman is a dynamite, something you wouldn't expect from her part in Sherlock. Absolutely delightful to listen to (she even made a little step dance on the stage) and - I know I'm committing a sacrilege here - she could be fantastic Mrs Hudson, especially with her newly revealed past ;)

 

As for the kids - They are as cute as they look at the photos. And yes, it's me saying this. While Indica was a little show-off at times, Tom was really sweet. And these unbelievable ginger curls! Not sure if bringing such young kids to a con like this is a good thing, but seeing them life was a treat.

 

Aaron Richards, the young Myc was surprisingly bright young man with great sense of humor. I sense a fellow brainiac. :D

 

Also the actor playing the Inn keeper from HOB and one of the storyboard artists were funny sympathetic guys and Debbie Chasen (the sexy victim of the Myfly Man) as cheeky as on the screen. In hindsight, there are only two member of the staff/cast I met, who I didn't want to be adopted by immediately. Or at least have a coffee with.

[J.P.]

Okay, Steven's speech, I knew there was something… about the magic… Something that ringed a bell, but I couldn't narrow it down. Until it hit me, literally in the middle of the night.

 

There is one kind of magic I still believe in, and it's what happens when the right people come together and create something, that suddenly becomes much more than the sum of it's parts. You are so lucky that you have found each other, and people sharing the passion with you, the fantastic cast with Benedict and Martin who can carry such complex characters and do it perfectly.

 

This is a part of my letter I wrote to Steven and Sue some time last year (because you never come to say everything you want to).

 

Aaaand…

 

 

[J.P.]

Need to clean my scanner…