Here is an article on Galacticon III written by Tom Tagliente. Nice article.
What is Galacticon? Well, quite simply, Galacticon is a convention not unlike ComiCon that caters to fans of one specific science fiction television series, Battlestar Galactica. With two different style series having aired on television, the number of fans might possibly match the number of stars in space. But, the stories that took place behind the camera are just as interesting as those fans saw played out through their favorite actors hired to bring them to life.
Battlestar Galactica is about humanity’s fall at the hands of the robotic Cylons. In 1978 they were reptilians in metal suits hell-bend on wiping out humanity. In 2003, they were our technological creations that gained consciousness and intelligence, realized they were our servants then turned against us. They even took on human form, making them hard to locate in the fleet. But either way you look at it, the ideas are the same.
Both series involved mankind nearly being wiped out by surprise attacks. The 1978 version had the Pearl Harbor-like attack takes place at a peace conference, where in the 2003 series a nuclear holocaust takes place after a 40-year absence of the Cylons, who fled the colonies after a long and bloody war was waged, but returned to take their place in the universe as the supreme life form.
Battlestar Galactica of 2003 is an allegory to 9/11 for sure and even deals with issues of suicide bombings, starvation, oppression, martial law, and even abortion. All events we face in America and around the world today. The characters are as human as they could get and while some refer to the original as a “classic” series, it is hard for me do so. I consider them both to be classics in their own ways. You cannot compare these two shows as they both come from very different times. While some things did and still do seem campy about the 1978 incarnation, there are still elements of this story that still works with its human relationships and their desire to survive.
In 1993, a group of fans gathered to meet cast members of the original series at a convention in Los Angeles for its fifteenth anniversary. It had everything from a charity event, to a costume contest, games, trivia, and a dealer room for sci-fi fan collectors to grab that rare souvenir to add to their private collections.
After 25-years had passed, Richard Hatch attended his first Star Trek convention and found fans of Battlestar Galactica were vehement in seeing show return to television. So he began to generate interest in a new series that would pick up after events of the series finale of April 1979. Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming trailer was born. Richard showed it at many conventions thereafter and it always generated a standing ovation. Taking the fans project with him, he began to pitch his ideas to Universal Studios, the owners of Battlestar Galactica. But they wanted nothing to do with it.
1998 marked a final convention appearance of fan favorite, John (Baltar), whom I met in 1995 on my 25th birthday. And, we kept in touch after we met, speaking many times on the phone. I liked John. He was down to earth, funny, and very kind. I called him the bad guy with a heart of gold. John loved the phrase, saying, “If you don’t mind Tom, I’m going to borrow that.”
Sadly, John Colicos passed away two years later from a series of heart attacks at the age of 71. It would be the 25th anniversary convention in 2003 that would not only honor John and other cast members who had since passed away, but, would also start off with vitriol and anger. Richard invited the man who was helming the new Battlestar Galactica series. Fans were painfully aware that Ronald D. Moore had no intention of doing a continuation series. And, they were eager to voice their disdain for this new writer/producer’s new direction.
It was what happened next that made me understand just what kind of a human being Richard Hatch in fact is. You have to imagine a large hotel ballroom packed with fans of one show, getting loud, hostile, and shouting rude remarks at Ronald D. Moore. Yes, literally so loud, you could hardly hear the poor man talk into his microphone. Richard stood up and demanded fans let Ron have his say. “All viewpoints are welcome here and I think we need to be fair and show Ron Moore the respect he deserves.” I will never forget Richard’s actions that day and I will always be grateful to him for being so nice…so fair. It must’ve stung badly to be passed over on a project you fought like hell to bring back for your fans. This level of respect and kindness just shows what kind of person Richard is and I am very proud to know him. And I respect him a great deal.
Science fiction conventions are very popular and science fiction fans are very loyal.
While some outsiders might consider it to be a geek festival, I prefer to view them as places where others like myself can gather with those who share a mutual interest in the genre and have a great time with intelligent discussions and camaraderie. These gatherings are no different than those that gamers or comic book lovers gather at to show their own forms of fan “worship” and remembrance. And, this is that rare chance to share in the excitement of Battlestar Galactica with those who created both versions. Galacticon has taken place every five years since 1993. Fans are invited to take part in this amazing four-day gathering attended by the greatest actors a single science fiction series has ever employed.
Emissaries: Galacticon III, produced by Rex Mundi Productions, which lands on Earth in May of 2013, will be Galacticon’s largest fan gathering yet and will take place in Houston, Texas at the famed George R. Brown Convention Center. From May 23 – 26, 2013 and will honor two very important landmark anniversaries.
The original Glen A. Larson series will be honored for its 35th anniversary, while Ronald D. Moore’s story will be honored for its 10th. So, make your plans now to join in the celebration. This one is not to be missed. Registration is open and tickets can be reserved at the following link. There is also information on how you can be part of the Galactica crew. Visit: http://galacticon3.com/index.php?option=com_ticketmaster&view=eventlist&id=10&Itemid=524
As a fan of both shows, I am looking forward to working at this event so very much. I hope you will be part of this amazing celebration. It’s going to be frakking awesome! So say we all!
Written By: Tom Tagliente
