Tag: John Bell

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2019 Outlandish Vancouver, Day 2

This post has taken several days to write. Drove home on Monday and Tuesday was spent reorganizing (laundry, etc. You know the drill)! Anyway, here we go!

Up and at ’em early Saturday morning for Outlandish Vancouver, day 2!

Gathering at Johnston Heights Elementary School, Outlandish Vancouver fans were greeted by man-in-kilt security! 😉

Inside the cafeteria, we were delighted to greet three cast members!

Who invited this villainous pirate?

Time for a group photo – we are all wearing Outlandish Vancouver shirts.

Next were photo opportunities with the cast. Courageous Cathie McQuistion of Cats and Kilts faces the dread Pie-rate Bonnet!

Ed holds aloft a cream pie; KiKi and John gesture: “No, man, don’t throw it!”

Oh, yeah, Ed throws it! Check out his proud pose!

Afterwards, Cathie said all three stars begged to throw the pie! 😁 IMO, Cathie has the most creative and clever photos of Outlander fandom. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

After the photos, it was time for a bit of lunch and then into the auditorium for the First Nations panel!

Trevor bravely went first.

Followed by Carmen, looking sleek and svelte! Love the boots, Ms. Moore!

Last man standing, was Braeden.  Such a cute and lively guy!

Before the panel, the school principal read a declaration honoring all First Nations people who initially inhabited the land.  This short statement is read before all assemblies at Johnston Heights.  I ❤️ this tradition!

The panel answered and responded to attendee questions and comments.

Although photos were allowed, no videography, so the following is a summary of this delightful experience!

Q: What are your passions other than acting?

    • Trevor – Mixed martial arts (black belt, trainer, gym owner)
    • Carmen – Karaoke, Netflix! 😁
    • Braeden – Motorcycles. Vroom! Vroom!

Q: Braeden, did you know how to ride a horse before filming?

    • No. He watched YouTube videos to learn riding and some guys on set told him how to mount a horse!

Q: How did you prepare for your role?

    • Carmen:  A friend translated her lines so she was able to audition in Mohawk! (smart lass 🤓)
    • Trevor:  Researched Mohawk war dance on YouTube.

Q: How did the authenticity of the costumes and set influence you?

    • Trevor: Very impressed with costumes, set, and especially, by the dialect coach.
    • Carmen and Braeden:  Agree!

Q: Do you speak your own indigenous language?

    • Carmen: She grew up in Vancouver and doesn’t speak any First Nation languages.
    • Braeden: He watched the film, Windtalkers! (Carmen reminded him that Windtalkers spoke Navajo! 😜)

Q: Was there comradery on set?

    • Carmen: All natives bond instantly. Lots of love and laughter. One evening, the bonding grew into a pillow fight and spilled into George Square, Glasgow! 😂

Next, someone from behind me called out, ” Who was your favorite actor on set?” It was John Bell in the nosebleed section with KiKi and Ed. 😉 To a person, the panel answered, “Rik!” Apparently, Rik constantly pulled pranks on anyone and everyone.

BTW, John can jump! Easy to see why he did most of the gauntlet scene, himself!

Back to the panel….

Q: Did anything unusual happen on set?

    • Braeden: During a take of ep 413, he heard a thump and the wee babe had rolled out of her wrapping! 😱 Terrified, he grabbed her up, but, no worries, she was smiling.

Q: What was done to get you into character?

Q: What are your latest projects?

    • Trevor:  Just wrapped a German film, set in the Yukon.
    • Braeden: Filming a futuristic sci-fi film with Sera-Lys McArthur (Johiehon).
    • Carmen: Finished a film about an indigenous mother seeking her missing daughter, touring film festivals, and various other projects.

Q: I asked Carmen to comment on the canoe scene from ep. 413, Man of Worth.

    • Carmen: The experience was magical! Birchbark canoes (fiberglass core) were made in Canada and shipped to Scotland. As they glided on the water, she and Cait looked at each other, deeply moved by the wonderful experience.

Q: I asked Trevor how the realistic “head” was created (ep 413)?

    • Trevor: A mold was made of his head before leaving Canada, the head was cast in Scotland!

Q: What did you like best about Scotland?

      • Braeden: Accent!
      • Trevor: Beauty, Edinburgh castles, Glasgow, oldest subways, art, history.

Q: If you could touch the stones, would you go back in time or into future?

      • Trevor: I would go into the future because you cannot change the past.
      • Carmen: I wouldn’t touch the stones!
      • Braeden: I would go back for Woodstock!
      • Carmen: Oh, I would go back for Woodstock! 😜

This delightful event came to a close and I scurried back to the Sheraton for author autographs. An overflow room and crowd control was there for fans waiting for Diana’s signature! This is part of the line. Hi fans!

My last book to be signed until I get my hands on Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone! 😍

This guy belongs to Men In Kilts, a bonafide cleaning service, but today, it was charged with crowd control. Possibly, this cutie added to the chaos! 😉😉

Then time for a relaxing drink with my dear friend, Courtney Williams of Outlander Behind the Scenes. We were being so silly.  We have no idea why this weird grid showed up on our only photo!

Back to the hotel and fell into bed. Tomorrow, Day 3!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credits: Outlander Anatomy, Outlandish Vancouver, DWPhotography, meaww.com, Starz,

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2019 Outlandish Vancouver Meet and Greet

Day two in Surrey, B.C. Yay!

Another glorious day, but gusty winds swirled as I headed to the Sheraton to register for Surrey International Writer’s Conference. Hard to demo a breeze from a still shot, but you can imagine, yes?

The lobby was busy as attendees registered and picked up their badges.

Mine! 😁

Then, a bit of 🛍! (I left home without my black jeans! 😱)  A drive around the area and another view of splendid fall colors. ❤️

Later, I headed south to Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Course for the Outlandish Vancouver Meet and Greet.

I arrived early. But, soon the banquet room started filling with Outlander fans!

The swag was delightful: tote, lanyard, name tag and photo. A close look at First Nation composite photo of Trevor Carroll, Carmen Moore, and Braeden Clarke. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

We were treated to a light buffet and drinks. Soon, host KoKo introduced the featured guests: Braeden, Trevor, Carmen, Ed Speleers, John Bell, and Kieth (Kikki) Fleming. A wonderful lineup of S4 characters!

No photos or videos were allowed during the meet and greet, but for the next hour and half, the actors visited each table to have a chat. I can share the following highlights:

Ed (Stephen Bonnet) greeted our table by grabbing a snack from my plate! 😁

He then asked to name our favorite character from S4. One San Diego fan (who will remain nameless) 😉, instantly quipped, “Leroi!” This was followed by fan flushes and a “Bonnet” steely look.  Oh, he knew who Leroi was, for sure!!! 😂

Trevor Carroll (Otter-Tooth) was next. Fans will remember Otter-Tooth (Ta’wineonawira) was formerly known as Robert Springer, a time traveller who ventured from 1968 into the past to save his ancestors.

Otter-Tooth appeared in Outlander episodes 403, The False Bride, and ep 413, Man of Worth.  The intro of 413, shows Trevor as annoyed Robert Springer, seated on a park bench as two little boys play cowboys and Indians, nearby!

Later, in episode 413, Otter-Tooth dances his war dance before  meeting his final fate. We asked him about that experience. He explained that a Mohawk war dance is quite different from that of his Nation, so he watched YouTube to learn the dance with only a week of preparation.

Director, Stephen Woolfenden, asked Trevor to perform the war dance alone, before the fire. The result was so pleasing, he called in the 100+ First Nation actors and Trevor danced once again, this time before a very large audience!

Kieth Fleming (Lesley) Visited our table. What a bright and funny guy!

I asked him about the origins of his nickname, Kikki expecting it to be a fun family moniker. He explained that he felt the name, Keith lacked gravitas. Then, a director asked his name and when he answered “Kieth,” the director said “Ki, Ki, Ki!” And, his nickname was born.

At this point, everyone at our table started chanting “Ki, Ki, Ki, Ki, Ki!” He accepted the teasing with good nature. We were being silly as by then, everyone had had a few! 😜

John Bell came to our table, filled with enthusiasm and energy. He showed his wolf ring, last’s years birthday gift. This year, his gift was a handsome red plaid jacket. I wish I could share a photo.

John explained that, indeed, he did most of the scrambling, jumping, spinning and crawling in the gauntlet scene. As young Ian, John shines!

Carmen was next. Such fun to meet another Carmen! 🤗

She was asked to comment on the red stain on the sleeve of her costume, the mark of a warrior. She commented that it was a thrill to play a female warrior, Wahkatiiosta!

Carmen is currently filming a story about an indigenous mother searching for her missing daughter. The film will underscore the jarring fact that thousands of First Nation women have disappear without a trace and with little interest on the part of authorities! She is committed changing this practice. Yes!

Next, Braedon Clarke (Kaheroton) came to our table and what a fun fellow! I mentioned that his costume was my favorite from S4. He shared a fun fact.

He was initially outfitted in brown leather with skunk skin over one shoulder. He said it looked good on him (what wouldn’t? 😉). But, then he spied a rack of costumes. He pointed put a red coat and the costumer agreed, he should try on. And, voila! Kaheroton stood in all his glory! Braedon finalized his own costume. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

He also noted it was shocking when his shoulder length hair was shaved off. The wonderful feather headpiece was super-glued to his head, creating a truly memorable character!

The evening ended with personalized autographs from the First Nation actors. They were so wonderful and personable. A true joy to meet them!

Braedon also agreed to give me a second autograph, this time of his photo in The Making of Outlander, Seasons 3 and 4! What a sweetie!

Tired but delighted with the evening’s events, I headed back to my hotel and fell into bed!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credits: Outlander Anatomy, Pinterest, Starz, Outlandercast,  Geno Acedo, Outlander Homepage

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Fun Fact: Tragus

Anatomy def: Tragus is a small lump of cartilage on the external ear; it projects downward partially covering the opening of the ear canal. 

Outlander def: Ian’s tragus is definitely perked when he is captured during the night raid to save Roger-Dodger. He is mighty scart! 

Learn about the tragus in Anatomy Lesson #24, Hear, Here – The Ear.  

The outer ear, or auricle, is the visible, bendable flap situated at each side of the head. Like fingerprints or the venous pattern on the back of our hands, each auricle is unique.  Under its skin is a core of elastic cartilage. The anatomy is detailed, the tragus being one of several bumps, whorls or troughs acting to preferentially filter sounds in the frequency range of human speech.

The tragus projects downward over the opening of the external ear canal. Directly opposite the tragus is the antitragus which projects upward over the opening of the ear canal. Together, they help protect the entrance to the ear canal.

One may wonder why this bump was named tragus, a Greek word meaning “goat.” This references the tuft of hair resembling a goat’s beard that often adorns the tragi (pl.) of older men. Think Murtagh, not Ian! <G>

Try This: Place your L thumb in L ear canal, then pinch with L forefinger; this is your tragus. Now insert L index finger into same ear canal and pinch with thumb; this is your antitragus. Did you find both? Good job!

Fun Fact: Pinching the tragus, an action known as the fistula test, may induce vertigo or eye deviation in patients with the presence of an inner ear abnormality (fistula). If the pinch causes the response, the test is positive; if it doesn’t, the test is negative.

Read about ears in Drums of Autumn. Herself describes tidbits about Claire’s ears, Jamie’s ears, Haye’s ears, Byrnes ears, Ian’s ears and Rollo’s ears, and more, much more.  Best read the books! 

“Can ye speak Mohawk yourself, Mr. Myers?” 

Ian’s ears had been flapping all through the explanation. Fascinated by every rock, tree, and bird on our journey, Ian was still more fascinated by any mention of Indians. 

“Oh, a good bit.” Myers shrugged modestly. “Any trader picks up a few words here and there. Shoo, dawg.” 

Rollo, who had inched his nose within sniffing distance of Myers’s last trout, twitched his ears at the admonition but didn’t withdraw the nose.

See Ian’s tragus and its auricle turn bright pink in Starz, ep 413, A Man of Worth. Trapped like a rat! Ian doesna like gettin’ nabbed in the dark.  

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist