TFCon 2015 Report

The next day on Friday we all get up early, get ready and started packing everything! We rush to get out of the house by 9am, but it started to rain and we had to pack things carefully into the car (especially all the paper stuff I had). It rained and rained, and then rained some more while we drove up to TFCon. Once we reached the area, we met my Dad’s friend at the Mandarin Buffet for lkunch. Sadly it was an hour’s wait so we decide to go to Square One first. We had some Taco Bell for lunch there (but we lacked any drinks). Once my Dad took off with his friend and my youngest sister (we decided to take her with us for the first time), my other sister and I went to get a drink at DQ to get rid of all that spiciness. XD We shopped for a few hours. Basically just waited outside on a bench while she looked for what she wanted in each individual store. Once time was up, we all met back in the food court and went to a place my sisters wanted to go to called Panera Bread (we don’t have this where we live). My sister got this cool mac n cheese thing inside of a bread bowl. After that we stopped at the local TRU so I could see if a Tankor was there, but there sadly wasn’t (although the store was MUCH better stocked than my own). We then proceeded to the Mandarin and had an awesome meal. The Mandarin is great because it’s probably one of the nicest looking restaurants and their food is amazing (well for the most part).

After supper we checked into the hotel. Luckily enough we were placed in the North tower this year which makes things a million times easier because there’s an exit to the parking lot right in the north tower corridor. We got everything unpacked and then my sisters and I went to registration to get our badges (well my youngest sister wanted to just come along to see the place, but she did not go to TFCon itself). After that we got ready for the charity auction which was hosted by John Moschitta Jr. It was awesome having Blurr basically conduct an auction! After the auction we rushed to bed… it was a long day…

Got up the next day at 6:30 and had some McDonalds for breakfast. We arrived a little late so our part of the line jutted out a bit into the foyer. Spent my time playing some SSB4 to make the time go faster. Once in, I delivered my print of Tankor in a frame to the art table. There I met once again! (Also Sarah if you’re reading this, my phone went dead the night before and I forgot the charger… just noticed all those texts today when I finally got my phone on again…. OTL I’m sorry).  Anyways we looked around in the dealer room a bit before parting ways when she went to go to her VIP Peter Cullen session. Didn’t really notice all that much this year. Some people were complaining from a lack of Transformers. I don’t think there was necessarily a lack of TFs… more like a lack fo variety. It seemed like everybody had similar items to sell. All I REALLY wanted to pick up was Energon Sixshot and Tidalwave… but the unicron trilogy was sorely missing in the dealer room. Saw some Brainstorms, Ultra Magnuses and a Devastator but they all sold out quickly.

At some point before his panel, we went to go see James Roberts. Had him sign the following and he really seemed to have liked the piece. Was just explaining to him that I’m a big DJD fan and that I can’t wait until that Third Part Kaon comes out. Was also telling him how Chapters here has never sold Vol.s 5 and 6 here. He offered to sell Volume 6 but I declined since I don’t have 5 yet (sort of regretting declining now).

I think during this period of time too is when we went to go see the legend that is . Thanked him for making a Tankor pizza party commission from when he came in 2013. Also thanked him by giving him a print of the chibi BB from . He really seemed to like it and he picked up on the fact that I included TFA BB’s stinger (as well as other BB traits). Asked him to do a Pizza Party Commission of Menasor from TF Cybertron (AKA Moledive in Galazy Force) and my sister asked for a Natsu from Fairy Tail. XD

After that we went to the James Roberts Q&A. He had some really cool stuff to talk about. Thought it was interesting that the process of becoming a cojunx endura will come up soon. After his panel my favourite panel, the voice acting Q&A started. Was really curious to see how it would turn out because it was my first time hearing Richard Newman and John Moschitta Jr. on a panel. For the most part it was great but there were some cringe worth questions. XD

After the panels we looked around the dealer room some more. At one point I picked up the commission I had preordered from off Twitter. He drew an awesome headshot of Botanica! Felt really bad though when I went to pick it up because I kept tripping on my words (well more than usual)… OTL

Now there was some sort of error with the scheduling. According to the badges, the TFCon art awards were to be at 4:45…. But that was right before the Peter Cullen Q&A and the printed schedule said they were at 6. Asked the self-proclaimed “Panel Queen” when the awards would take place but some kid asked her something mid-sentence, she turned around and never came back to answer me. So we watched the rest of the third party panel and after than finished we went to line up for Peter Cullen’s Q&A. Thankfully we managed to get in. As per usual, Peter Cullen was a walking monologue. One thing though I have to note is that they really should have asked questions from people who were present and skipped to absent ones (or at least leave them for the end time willing).

Once the panel was over it was time for the TFCon Art Awards. Thought I had a good chance since the turnout was very small for both 2D and 3D art. Sadly didn’t win, but at least it wasn’t a chibi who won this year (and only certificates were given).

After the dealer room closed we went up to meet my Dad, sister and my Dad’s friend. We went to Turtle Jacks to eat once again. Couldn’t believe though that they had no seating for 5 people, so we were forced to eat outside. The waiter was sadly flustered because the place was apparently understaffed. We waited A LONG time for our food. Once the food eventually came though, it was great! I had their ribs with the original sauce and they were just perfect!

Once we returned to the hotel, we crashed for a bit and then my sister and I went to go watch the end of faction feud. In a twist of events the players on the winning team had to play against each other by naming the 13.

By the time Faction Feud was over, my sister and I weren’t ready to sleep yet. We roamed around the hotel and just did whatever. She was skyping her friend on the phone and was showing her all the sights. We eventually went to go sit in the lobby and there was this guy who was playing what I think was Unicron’s Theme from the 1986 movie on the grand piano! After that my sister and I went downstairs where these two seats were while she talked to her friend more privately. shows up from the hallway and we had a nice long chat about TFs. This was probably one of my favourite parts about TFCon. Even though the con is filled with people, it’s not often I get to sit down and just talk pure TFs with someone. I think we chatted for a couple hours, if not a few.  We talked a lot about RID and how it’s not living up to its potential. After our long chat, we parted ways at the elevator… had to get some sleep before getting up early for the next morning.

It was Sunday morning and the first item I had on my agenda was my Peter Cullen VIP session. I showed up outside of the VIP room around 8:45 (the session was at 10). I think I was like 8^th in line? Around 9, the staff members let us in, checked our tickets and our photoID. Instead of having to wait in line while standing up, we got to do it while sitting down on seats! Sadly though, the seating was pretty tight and there wasn’t much leg room. We were told a specific set of rules such as being allowed only 1 autograph and one photo and not being allowed to have the autographs personalized. They made the time pass faster by playing some old G1 eps on the projector while we waited. I think the ep that played was Autobot Spike. Eventually they took one row at a time to go and see Peter Cullen. The sad thing about this whole part and the thing that left a sour taste in my mouth is that the whole process was basically like an assembly line. The whole thing went SUPER fast! Because it went so fast, I don’t remember too much of my interaction with Peter Cullen. At any rate, when you get to door of the secondary room, you tell a guy how to spell your name and he writes it down on a post-it if you want your name included in the autograph. He also asked me how I was doing and I showed him my piece of art and he couldn’t believe that I drew it. Once I had my post-it, I had to get my camera on and ready to hand it over. When the time came, I handed my camera over and had to have Peter Cullen start signing the selected item. I had to start by saying that I always give Vas a gift and that I drew all his G1 characters. He seemed to like it, but he didn’t say much.  He was friendly, but basically you just get to talk for him for the length of time it takes to write an autograph. I said it would be so nice if he could reprise Ironhide in the new show if the character is brought back. He appeared to agree. Before I left, they snapped a photo and I had to go on my way. I REALLY wanted him to sign my autograph book too since I might never see him again… but sadly they seemed very strict about their rules (the whole atmosphere seemed strict). At the end of the day it was basically paying 150 for an autograph and a photo without really getting to talk at all. Needless to say it left a sour taste in my mouth.

[note the look of an altered state on my face…. And the fact that Peter Cullen is much shorter in real life that I thought he would be]

After that I returned to the hotel room and we had to start packing stuff up because we had to check out of the hotel by noon. We got everything loaded up into the car besides a few things. I still had to meet the other VAs by this time. My sister and I went to go scout the dealer room before meeting the VAs and then we returned to the hotel room to get the stuff to sign. We had to be back before 11:45 so we could fully check out.

We went to go see John Moschitta Jr. first. First off had to tell him how much I liked Blurr and how I hated how he was “killed off” and he wholeheartedly agreed. I had him sign my copy of TFA on DVD and I said as a thank you to VAs, I give them a little piece of my art as a gift. Showed him the BLurr and he really liked it. I remember him saying “It’s Blurr and Blurr!” XD He asked me if I spelled my name as Sean or Shaun and I told him it was Shawn. His handler next to him commented on how I spell it the right way (and she’s totally right). I also handed him my autograph book to sign. His handler was probably the nicest I met ever at TFCon. She gave me a deal on the autograph prices and she asked for my contact info! I asked why and she told me how they never have any art for the VAs when they come. She asked me to write my contact info down but I guess since I didn’t want to make it seem like I was ignoring John while I dealt with her, I told her she had a copy of the info on the back of the print I gave John. I can imagine everybody now yelling to me that this was a bad idea, and it was… I wasn’t thinking on my feet very well. Thankfully my sister was quick to the draw and she managed to get a piece of paper and pen for me. I quickly jotted down my name, two emails and my DA gallery and gave it to her.  Wanted to show her my other prints but I had to get my other autographs before we had to check out. I just REALLY hope that something comes from this. Hope she has some influence within the staff and I REALLY hope she didn’t forget to mention me or lose my contact info. At any rate, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Next I wanted to see Michael McConnohie because I wanted leave Richard Newman for last… but McConnohie seemed to be on break so for the sake of time I had to go see Richard next. I started out by thanking him for coming to the convention. I told him that Tankor is actually my favourite TF of all time and by extension, Rhinox! I said that I had quite a few things for him to sign and his hadnelr chimed in by stating “You do know htat autographs are 20 each right”? Was kinda miffed at that statement because I am painfully aware of it. Also, if a staff member thinks it’s kind of ridiculous, that should indicate that 20/ autograph or pic isn’t a good model… at least one that isn’t liked. I did notice all weekend that there was rarely ever anyone at the VA tables. I don’t know if it’s because of the system TFCon has for the autographs by having them take place all day and allowing the VAs to leave when they want breaks; or if it’s because of how the system is so expensive why people aren’t showing up. Anyways, I had him start by signing the Beast Machines and Beast Wards DVDs. I was also telling him how I liked Totosai from InuYasha and I guess he really enjoyed that role too. The had him sign the Generations Tankor figure. I told him that this had not come out too long ago and it was pretty lucky that he happened to come to TFCon while there were still figures circling around. He mentioned that he saw a few already and he commented on the fact that he had only done relatively few lines for Tankor. He was mentioning how an actor before him had played Tankor and he had trouble thinking of the name… I chimed in with “Paul Dobson”! He goes “Yes”!  He said he was good friends with the Dobson brothers [and that there were 3 of them] and he said that they should do a convention sometime. I then showed told him about how I give every VA a piece of my art and he REALLY liked the Tankor pic! He seemed to be amazed by how good it looked, he couldn’t keep his eyes off it. It certainly stoked my ego. XD I told him that I entered it into the art contest, but it sadly didn’t place…. He then signed a copy for me and my autograph book. I asked his handler how much it would cost me and she goes “well 5 times 20 is 100, so….”. I was REALLY hoping she would give me a break on the price like the other handler did, but such kindness was not to be found here… OTL Anyways I shook his hand and told him it was a pleasure to meet him, but I REALLY wanted a photo too… OTL

This will NEVER leave it’s box!!

This pic is probably my favourite item from the entire con!

We had to go back to the hotel room to do our final car pack before checking out. We got everything out into the car and since I missed Michael McConnohie beforehand, I had to carry all the stuff I wanted him to sign with me. My Dad, youngest sister and his friend took off to go check some malls out while my other sister and I did the rest of the stuff before the day ended. Thankfully we had the keys to our car so we could bring stuff to the car for storage. So finally we go to see Michael McConnohie and there were about three people ahead of us. When we finally go to see him, I went to go introduce us and he shook my hand and kissed my sister’s hand. LMAO I told him that I obviously liked his work on G1 as Tracks and Cosmos, but that Cosmos was my favourite of the two. He was talking about how Cosmos was sweet and could do no wrong unlike some of the other Autobots. He said he had to be kind, he was a god once. LOL I also told him how I really liked him in Bleach as Barragan, Charles in Code Geass and Minagoroshi Jizo in Nura Rise of the Yokai clan. He couldn’t remember the last one. He said he’s bad with names and good at faces so I described him and he did remember who I was talking about. I then proceeded to give him my art and I told him the whole spiel about it. He REALLY liked it! He had the biggest reaction out of any voice actor I’ve met! Told him even the background was based on Make Tracks. Then I pointed out to him what I did with his name and my god did he have a loud laugh about that! He really liked that little detail! He thought it was amazing and so did his handler. They both had a good laugh (McConnohie’s really does sound like a bar name to me lol). He said when he goes home he’s going to frame it and put it on a wall. I was really touched by that. Unless he was pulling off the greatest acting job in the world, I believed that he will do what he said. He said once it will go on the wall he won’t be able to touch it… he said something about his wife and then said something to my sister about how picky women can be but neither of us made out what he said precisely. Actually was hoping his wife would attend the con with him because she is Melodee Spevack, another voice actor who I was hoping to have sign my copy of Baten Kaitos Origins (she played a character named Yulfee, the grandmother of the infamous Mayfee). He had trouble signing the pic at first because he wanted to add something clever…. But then he decided that he “had better not ruin it” and just leave it as a signature. He then signed my autograph book. At any rate it was a very good experience meeting him! Also felt pretty surprised when I saw a little earing stud on his left ear. LOL Wasn’t expecting that. XD

Also my GOD does he have nice handwriting!

At this point there wasn’t much to do and I had already missed some of the IDW panel…. REALLY wanted to see it because it’s not often the artists do a panel and it was something I missed out on. Had to still do some shopping so we went through the dealer room some more and eventually I went to get :iconLivioRamondelli: to sign my autograph book. I really wanted some more comics for him to sign, but nothing has come out in terms of volumes since MTMTE and RID 4. Was trying to ask him where he gets these cool 3D prints from but all he really said it was some couple in Vegas. At any rate, he was a very nice person like the last time I met him.

Once the IDW panel was over with, we went back to see Josh Perez. We wanted to pick up our Pizza Party Commissions but they were sadly not even started and we were due to leave at 4pm. He gave us his card and I was going to DM him on twitter for having them shipped out… but that didn’t work so I’ll have to pull out his card and email him.

Before going to the script reading, went to go say goodbye to my friend David before leaving and he gave me a free print of the Blurr he drew! Also I think somehow every year I have the Staples conversation with him. XD Was asking him about tabling too because I’m sort of curious about it.

Later on in the day we went to the tail end of the script reading auditions and then there was a HUGE break in between before the script reading started. It seemed there was a weird scheduling glitch once again. It was strange too because usually we have the script reading on the Saturday. Anyways got to hear all the VAs do their magic (besides Peter Cullen who was absent; really if you didn’t attend the VIP session or the one Q&A you would have never known he was at TFCon he was so well hidden). Not sure if it was during this but I did get to hear Richard Newman do a little Tankor at some point.

Anyways the script ended a half hour ahead of time, so I still had some time to kill in the dealer room. Bumped back into Myth (who I had actually ran into quite a few times across the weekend) and we browsed the dealer room once more. I had meant to buy a Kaon plushie keychain but somehow ended up forgetting. We parted ways when she ran into one of her other friends and then I made a B-line to go and get these awesome little Blaster cassettes… but then I found out they basically transform into a cybertronian brick of nothingness.

So after that, my sister and I waited for our family to meet us in the foyer. It took them a while because they got caught in this TERRIBLE storm. Like this thing was raining so hard you could barely see outside. Eventually it died down and we were able to get into the car and head home. Also, at some poinjt during that day there was an actual bat that got stuck in the hotel! It actually swooped right passed my sister and I! Never saw a bat in real life before! (People were chasing it too lol)

Now here’s the haul:

Somehow this was my most expensive TFCon and at the same time probably the smallest haul… OTL It doesn’t help that I have about 100 that is unaccounted for… OTL I have absolutely no idea where that money went to because I kept a list of all the things I bought… maybe I accidentally gave a dealer more money? (For those who don’t know Canadian money is made out of this very strange material nad that sort of thing could easily happen because they’ll sort of “cling” together).

Anyways here’s the list:

- Generations Waspinator courtesy of Xtreme987
- A couple of Generations Tankor (the comic one being signed by Richard Newman) and Legends Tankor
- MP Star Saber (wasn't expecting to pick him up.. wanted Ultra Magnus too but he sold out surprisingly fast)
- Toy World Devil Star (Was initially not going to buy this at all since it seems Hasbro will have an Astrotrain in Combiner Wars... but when I saw that train mode in person I just couldn't resist... even though I like the robot mode on that other 3rd part Astrotrain better).
- BW Tripredacus
- TFCC Eject and Rewind
- Armada Thrust (Wanted to get the minicon starsaber team from the same booth but someone sadly snatched it first lol).
- MMC Cynicus

Guess I'm sort of just feeling the post con blues.... wish I could be there right now!

If you read to the end of this journal you are a champion, a master, a scholar, a SUPERSTAR!!!!!!