Author Archives: Ernest Lilley
Clarke’s First Law: Impossible Things
MOSF Escape Velocity 2018
MOSF Escape Velocity 2018
May 25-27 \Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Ernest Lilley (Originally published in SFREvu.com 05/28/2018)
Escape Velocity is the Museum of Science Fiction’s annual convention and unlike most sci-fi conventions, either literary or comic-con, it focuses on a mix of sci-fi in media, science and education, and a host of movie props, either actual or reproduced. 2018 is the 50’s anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyessy, so there were plenty of 2001 themed panels and exhibits took center stage, starting with a full-size EVA Pod from the movie, and a wide range of panels, cosplay, science exhibits, and a few Teslas, including a deorbited (not really) Starman. This year’s Media GoH was Greg Nicotero, Executive Producer, Director, and Special FX Make-Up Designer for The Walking Dead, and SF Author Greg Bear was on hand to talk about world-building, while Author and MOSF Advisory Staff Member David Brin came in by remote to hold forth on “The Future According to Him”There were lit panels and anime panels, exhibits with real science and many with movie props, but the prize went to the life-size EVA pod from 2001 built by Greg Nicotero, who meticulously researched the original and gave a terrific talk on its construction.
A Stone’s Throw Away. Just across the Potomac from Alexandria VA, and a few minutes south of DC, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center provided plenty of space for Escape Velocity 2018.
Open the Exhibit Bay Door, Hal. EVA Pod (@2001: A Space Odyssey) – Media GoH Greg Nicotero (Walking Dead) brought a full-size exact reproduction of an EVA Pod from Discovery One. He gave an engaging talk on the process of researching and recreating movie props using 3D printing and source materials.
A Quick Stop on the Way to the Red Planet. Visitors entering the exhibit hall were greeted by Tesla’s Starman in his iconic red roadster. So, who’s really on their way to Mars? Escape Velocity 2018
Fastest Piece of Junk in the Hall. One of the most appreciated features was the full-size Millennium Falcon cockpit, built by Greg Dietrich, Jake Polatty, and a group of fellow Star Wars fans from around the world. Yes, you can sit in the pilot’s seat and engage the hyperdrive, for a small fee. Disney, by the way, is OK with the project. Wired did a feature on the construction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn7u4_iq0YY Escape Velocity 2018
Did you folks misplace a Vulcan? There is a lot of high-quality CosPlay at Escape Velocity 2018, some on a professional level, like the #Ghostbusters Tri-State Division and the Halo Nation / UNSC Capitol groups with booths on the exhibit floor. There were plenty of Star Wars and other (Rocky Horror?) contingents, but this trio caught our eye doing it old school, but with Star Fleet pride. Escape Velocity 2018
It’s Not Easy Being a Fem After The Apocalypse. There were some excellent panels Escape Velocity 2018 including this one on “Female Embodiment in the Post-Apocalyptic Survival Narrative” led by Aisha Matthews, MOSF’s Literary Track Programming Coordinator (far right), The panel notes that in depictions of life after an apocalypse storytellers (and audiences) are more comfortable with watching rape scenes than confronting the reality of menstruation. Hey, if that just made you uncomfortable, they did their job. Lots of other good programming was there, though I spent entirely too much time in the Science Fiction and Anime track with experts like Librarian Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe and the hyperkinetic Justin Coale. Escape Velocity 2018
More Gregs Than We Can Bear. There were some well-known authors on hand, like Hard Science Fiction guru Greg Bear, an alumnus of the Citizens Advisory Council on National Space Policy and author of Blood Music, Darwin’s Radio, and Hull Zero Three. His and his most recent novel, Killing Titan (2015). WIth guest Greg Bear and Nicotero (Walking Dead), and Executive Director Greg Viggiano (MOSF), its a Gaggle of Gregs. Escape Velocity 2018
Through a scanner, brightly? No, that’s not a teleport pad. It’s a full-body scanner at 3D Herdon’s booth in the exhibit hall at Escape Velocity 2018. The impact of #D printing can be seen throughout the event, as more and more props and costumes rely on modeling and the latest tech to get accurate results. While the resulting costumes are stunning, I miss the days of tin cans and aluminum foil, but then again, I miss stop-action special effects.#isleofdogs
What’s a museum without a gallery? Ironically, the Escape Velocity 2018 gallery isn’t very large and is limited to a fairly sparse array of suits, costumes< and weapons. Hopefully MOSF will get a site of their own and be able to build out a serious collection, but for now, the action is really in the exhibit hall. left: Captain Dallas’ EVA suite (Alien) right: Cylon “Toaster” (Battlestar Galactica)
It’s Full of Fans. The 2001 50th anniversary panel was SRO for an expanded group of panelists led by Timothy Logue, and including Robert Godwin (Apogee Space Books), Adam Johnson (author: 2001: The Lost Science parts 1 and 2), Greg Nicotero (Executive Producer, The Walking Dead) and others. Escape Velocity 2018 — at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Make Stagecraft, not Warcraft. Bat’leth, (or whatever that thing is) not allowed in the workshop on stage fights with staffs. Escape Velocity 2018
Take that, alien scum! Artist Jeremy Wilken saves the day with one of his “Woah Botz” creations. Made from found objects (and surprisingly affordable) Jeremy creates a universe of retro robots, rayguns, and rocket ships. Escape Velocity 2018 Woah-Botz https://www.woah-botz.com/
What did one R2 Unit say to the Other? R2 catches up on droid news with a colleague from the Imperial fleet. You may think these droids are the ones you’re looking for, but they’re not for sale. But don’t worry, the R2D2 Builders club is ready to help you create your own. Escape Velocity 2018
Links / References
- Facebook Album: Escape Velocity 2018 – Ernest Lilley
- Museum of Science Fiction: Prospectus and Program Guide
Morning Walk (with Rover)
Morning Walk
Poopinator and I are off at dawn,
or nearly so,
to mark the world anew,
and so proclaim that we,
and it, are both still here,
leaving marks so strong and clear
that every nose may attest
that here we roved on dewy grass
and stopped at every tree we passed
To leave a clue that others may attend
with scrutiny that would surpass
the divination of seers
over dark and bitter dregs,
or fowl entrails,
though it must be said,
that these would offer other tales,
no less compelling to our writer
or his kind.
Out, out as far as the nose can see,
beyond this block, beyond that tree,
out as far as the leash will stretch.
Until it snaps taught, leaving us straining
at the distant shore.
Then back, short leashed, past chances lost,
past roads not taken, and those not crossed,
until at last the scent of home
a new drive awakens.