Greetings Outlander Fans! Many of you saw my conversation with Diana as we attended Surrey International Writer’s Conference (SiWC). For those who did not, you can see my post here: Diana Shares at 2018 SiWC.
Concomitant with this august meeting, Pacific Northwest Sassenachs (PNS) sponsored the 2018 Outlandish Vancouver (OV) fan event.
I managed to attend both and they were wonderful! The OV event allowed attendees the opportunity to interact with four cast members, the organizers, and like-minded fans and I had the privilege of meeting many new fans, most from the Pacific Northwest.
Who should be present at the Outlandish Vancouver 2018 event? PNS admins wrangled John Bell, Lauren Lyle, Cesar Domboy and Steven Cree to attend, hence, the title of this post. <g>
The first PNS event was a Party at the Suites on Saturday night. Shortly after 8:00 pm, all four stars swept into the room in roaring high spirits. They were greeted with cheers largely because it was John’s 21st birthday (also Claire’s). He was greeted by with happy birthday wishes which he received with style and joy. He rushed around the room giving hugs and promptly forgot who he had embraced – as I enjoyed three of them over the course of under three minutes!
For the next hour, we drifted between the cast members enjoying conversation and sharing. John, gushed about a trip to Gucci’s! His lovely mum bought him a splendid gift which he was wearing, but swore us to secrecy, not to be revealed until the Outlander premier in Savanah, GA.
No photographs or videos were allowed, but as we left, each of us got a photo with the cast on our own cell phone. Here, I am holding my Outlander Anatomy tag, designed by Jody Change of the FB group, Aloha Outlanders!
The next morning began with a series of panels involving the cast. Photos but no videos were allowed.
First up was Steven who shared with us The Little Princess, an 8 minute film he has written and produced with Jason Maza. This short film is deeply moving and features an riveting premise which is powerfully executed. You can catch a glimpse of it on IMDB.
The film was followed by Q&A session. I asked if he had submitted the film to the various award groups for consideration because it is that good! Aye, he answered, he has done that. I hope you get to see it soon!
Ian the elder was then joined by Ian the younger for more Q & A. John is amazingly poised and interactive for one so young! To me he looks more youthful than 21!
A 15′ break and then the entire cast entered the theater dressed in Hallowe’en gear! Steven led the troop wearing a toothy monster mask, Cesar sported a ghoulish ghost mask, Lauren donned a dragon hat and John……… 😂
Well, John appeared with a bone through his head and Rollo between his legs! <G>
Here he is with stuffed Rollo tucked under his arm for moral support – a service pup, for sure!
Another very fun Q&A ensued. I asked John if he was as terrified during the filming of ep 312, The Bakra, as he appeared on screen?
Paraphrasing his response John explained that the bed-sitting bit was filmed entirely without Lotte even being present. He was acting to thin air and not to a bloody Mrs. Abernathy!
He further stated that they were laughing and giggling through the parts they did film together such as the witch running her little piggies across his wee cheek!
Then, he delighted us all by stating that besides, Lotte has the “peachy-est bum he has ever seen!” This unexpected response really brought the house down!
The cast was asked when they first decided to become actors. For Steven, it after seeing Jesus Christ Superstar!
For John, it was after acting in A Shine of Rainbows. Here is the trailer.
Cesar started in music and by happenstance, tried out for an acting part. It turned out to be a good fit!
Lauren has been acting for quite a long time in a number of different films. She is the only one in her family to pursue acting, but her parents supported her passion, especially after she earned her first paycheck!
In the afternoon, we headed for guess where? Why, the Fraser River, for a paddlewheel adventure.
We were joined by the cast and the organizers. Everyone mingled together, noshed on hors de’ oeuvres, sipped cocktails, talked Outlander and anything else we could think of.
This is the view from the stern of the boat. The day was splendid, clear and warm.
A view of the river bank – facing south toward Surrey, B.C. Fall colors were on full display. The cruise lasted a little over an hour and then back to the dock.
Hopped into my trusty Subaru at 5:22 pm and pointed her nose south towards home. Sophea (my car) knew her way and 5.5 hrs later, I pulled into my driveway, entirely satiated and satisfied with my delightful SiWC and OV adventures!
Farewell, beautiful Surrey, until next time!
The deeply grateful,
Outlander Anatomist
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Photo credits: OA, Sony/Starz
Anatomy def: Frontalis muscles lift the eyebrows and wrinkle the forehead 