The October 2001 Chiller Theatre Toy, Model & Film Expo

The October 2001

Chiller Theatre Toy, Model & Film Expo

(Page Three)

(The Seminars)

There were a number of seminars taking place on Saturday. In addition, there was actually an enticement to attend these clinics: FREE model kits, donated by Polar Lights were given out to the first 100 who attended the seminars. (NICE!)

Unfortunately, due to our traveling adventures along with the healthy crowds that had formed inside the seminar room, I ended up missing and skipping them.

From 11AM to 12 noon, our good ole' friend Steve "CultTVMan" Iverson conducted a session entitled "Sci-Fi Kits 101." Steve and John Zizolfo (Ziz) talked about Science Fiction Modeling.

At 12:30, Ed himself held a seminar entitled: "Pastels 101." Ed talked about some helpful hints and tricks for using pastels on model kits.

At 1:30, "Painting and Kit Building" was held by Tony Aranjo, who demonstrated building and painting tips and techniques, along with presenting a slideshow and conducting a question and answer session at the end of his talk. (In addition, there was a FREE Raffle that was held as well).

Finally, at 3in the afternoon the seminar on "Molding and Casting" was held. Smooth-On's Brad Frikkers returned to conduct this very interesting session. Brad showed the in's and out's of resin casting and RTV mold making.

(The Vendors and the crowd)

When we arrived back down on the second floor, the party was in full swing. There were once again a good number of folks who had come dressed the part for their Halloween outing.

We made our way into the vending rooms and I proceeded to pick up a couple of videos that had piqued my interest the night before. One was on Basic Figure Sculpting, by Wayne Hanson. The second was David Fisher's Model Mania Three video, on Customizing and Dioramas.

I also obtained a brand-spanking new resin rendition of Superman - (the same one that had been entered in the contest). In addition, I picked up the latest Model Maniacs Magazine.

I had been on the lookout for several comic book figures that I had seen at the Wonderfest Show that had taken place earlier on in the year. Unfortunately, I was not able to locate any of them.

I chatted extensively with some more of the GK Vendors, continuing to collect info for my article. These included: Tony Cipriano (from Cipriano Studios),

Joe Lehach (from Village Comics), Scott Kelley (from Alternative Images) and David Meyer (from Black Star Models).

I also picked up an item for my sons. Both Anthony and Michael (who are still into Poke'mon) ended up receiving a large, Pi-Chu stuffed figure. In addition, Anthony purchased two packs of a new series of Poke'mon game cards that he saw.

I met up with Steve "CultTVMan" Iverson, (who had flown in from Atlanta), AT (Anthony Taylor) and Ziz. I also met up with the Chiller regulars Buc and Mark V.

In addition, I ran into Ed who was selling his kits.

I made my way around the rooms, checking out the other vendors and their built-up kits out on display.

Time quickly - (too quickly) - flew by and it was time for the results from the contest to be announced. Anthony, Gene and I headed over to the room, which was already packed, (even though we were 15 or 20 minutes early). Things started pretty quickly, though.

I lucked out and received an Honorable Mention for my converted Trade Federation Battle Tank in the Sci-fi Category.

Anthony also got lucky and placed third in the Junior Category for his Wing Gundam Custom. (He also made out like a bandit with the FIVE Polar Lights kits, a small toy car and the P.L. tee shirt that he received).

Oh yeah, that $5.00/entry registration fee. Between $500 and $600 had been collected. It ended up going to the builder of the entry that was chosen by Kevin Clement, (the show's owner).

(Conclusion)

All in all, I (and we) really had a GREAT time, despite the car trouble we experienced on our way up. Ironically enough, once we got back into ole' Betsy, we were able to coax the old gal first home to drop Gene off, followed by getting it back to my folks house, (for them to worry about it).

I'm already looking forward to next spring's Show. Hopefully I'll have my Star Wars dioramas finished by then. Also, hopefully I'll finally get my hands on those DC and Marvel figures that have been most elusive.

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