Report by Mark Newbold
A regular fixture on the convention circuit for almost two decades, Memorabilia returned to the vast Hall 9 of the NEC for a weekend celebrating sci-fi, fantasy, cosplay, comic art, movies and television…
Jedi News was there in the form of Mark Newbold and Jonathan Hicks to soak up the atmosphere and bring just a taste of the day to you…
Mark Newbold
“November (or should I say Mo-vember) – you can rely on it to bring three things. Lousy weather, fireworks and a trip to the NEC for Memorabilia, and thankfully this Movember didn’t let us down. Into our chariot we sat and off we trundled down the M42 to see what we could see.”
Mark – “Memorabilia is always a popular event and over the years it’s consistently managed to attract top genre names and guests. At it’s absolute peak the event was pulling in upwards of 17,000 people over the weekend. While I can’t imagine, in a double-dip recession, that it’s pulling in quite those numbers, clearly there are still masses of people more than eager to make the trip to the show and enjoy the attractions.”
Mark – “Here we found some classic Star Wars costumes, all in aid of raising much needed funds for charity, and on Children in Need weekend that was brilliant to see. My Facebook buddy Peter Stringer was there helping with the efforts and it was really cool to finally put a three- dimensional face to the name.”
Mark – “It was also very evident to see how much the whole cosplay phenomenon has launched here in the UK. In the States it’s been massive for years, as it has been in other parts of the world, but it was really noticeable how many young cosplayers were out at Memorabilia. Great to see, and I hope it continues as it’s a fun and immersive way to enter fandom.”
Mark – “During the day there were a number of real treaures to be found while browsing about Hall 9, none more awesome than this, a Power of the Force Tatooine Skiff in mint condition, hiding behind some very tidy AFA approved vintage figures. If only we didn’t have that pesky mortgage to pay…”
Mark – “But as good as the Skiff was to find, this stall blew my mind. Check out the goodies on display here. Original 1983 lightsabres in their shop display box, 12″ figures in mint packaging, more store display goodies, even French Mecanno figures in perfect mint condition.”
Mark – “I spent a long time here just taking it all in, as did many other admirers and it doesn’t take an expert of Sansweetian proportions to understand why.”
Mark – “Moving across the hall we came to the RS Prop Masters stand. Some of the items on display here, detailed and built to ILM specifications to be as screen accurate as possible, were genuinely a wonder to behold.”
Mark – “The detailing was magnificent, and to see them up close was just stunning. Keep checking back for an interview with the RS Prop Masters team conducted by Jonathan Hicks in the near future as the stories behind their creation is fascinating.
For example, the Millennium Falcon model shown here took THREE years to build, and the Boushh costume (not shown) was used in the Simon Pegg film Paul. And you don’t get used in a project like that if your work isn’t of the highest quality.
Mark – “I also had the chance to chat with my good friends Brian and Lindsey Muir, who I’d caught up with recently at ClaudiaCon and initially back in 2006 at a previous Memorabilia, Brian’s first on the convention circuit. The Stormtrooper suit above is based on Brian’s original sculpt, and as such is completely 1977 Star Wars screen accurate.
Brian and Lindsay have built a great following, due in no small measure to both their welcoming nature and Brian’s great career and skill as a sculptor. It’s always a joy to meet them and spend some time catching up for a gossip.”
Mark – “As in the States there is a thriving Astromech builders society and it’s great to see the guys showing off their wares and expertise at events like this. Kids absolutely adore Artoo, and to watch the interaction between our favourite Astromech and the younglings is brilliant.
Incidentally, the Artoo shown here was used in the Curry’s television adverts which are being shown across the UK right now, an indication of the care, skill and details put into building them.”
Mark – “So, how was our day at Memorabilia? As ever it was entertaining, engaging, enlightening and enjoyable. Many thanks to David Axbey of MCM Expo for assisting us so generously, and to anyone who’s never been and is unsure of making the trip to the second city I say come and visit, you won’t regret it.”
Memorabilia November 2011 Report: Copyright 2011 Jedi News. No part of this interview can be reproduced without prior written consent from Jedi News.
