Fangirl on Strike!

[fangirljen]

This past Tuesday, I was able to attend the WGA's Heroes Fan Day outside of Universal Studios. Since the strike began, I've wanted to go down to the Sunset Glower Studios and support the writers of Heroes. My problem is that I rely on transportation from others and nobody I knew wanted to go with me. :( When the Heroes Fan Day was announced, I knew I had to attend. My work hours permitted it, even! With minimal trouble with train schedules (well, I read the schedule wrong! *F*), I ended up getting a ride from my parents and then took the train back home.

At the strike itself, it was a beautiful mixture of writers, actors, and fans. Lots of fans. I maintained a cool head while in the midst of this. I mean, every where I looked there was somebody that I recognized. I knew some of the writers' by face after studying their pictures on the 1000 Cranes for Heroes MySpace. (And for the writers who I didn't know, most of them were sporting Heroes related shirts, so that made it much easier!) I wasn't able to bring my own poster, but I was quickly equipped: someone had left a WGA poster on the ground! Of the mind that all posters should be in the air, and not down, I picked it up.

Soon after arriving, I found myself being offered fudge by Ali Larter! Fudge that I heard she had made herself. People were talking, mingling. The first writers I approached were J.J Philbin and Chuck Kim. After talking with eriksavatar, the Heroes Liaison, I decided that I wanted to hug everybody that I could, spread the love of the fans who couldn't be there, and to show my own love and support for the show. So I named it "Hugs for Heroes". I can't even remember what we chatted about, except that I mentioned to Phillbin how I had seen her father talk about her after she got hired as a writer. I believe he said something to Adrian when Adrian appeared on Regis and Kelly earlier this year.

One of the coolest things, outside of talking and hugging people, was the march. One of the writers, I want to say it was Mark Warshaw, invited me to join in! I had intended to take part in the march even before I came. We went around in a circle, chanting, and showing our signs to the traffic. The solidarity felt great! I can't really express what I was feeling. The spirit was high, people were together. I made new friends with other fans, strengthened relationships I already had, and met all of these amazing people who have played a part in making my life so much better. I don't know where I would be without Heroes. Over the last few years, my faith in humanity has waned, but this show and the people who create it have helped to restore it. I'm so much a better person for this show. Without it, there would be friendships I wouldn't have, stories I haven't heard, and experiences I haven't made.

Outside of getting the writers a fair deal, the strike has really jump-started the Heroes fandom in being everything I know it is capable of being.




Out of all the writers and actors, I spoke a great length with Mark Warshaw, who is very much one of my favorite people now. I didn't even know who he was, though I was familiar with his work. He is the guy behind the Heroes Evolutions stuff. He was so nice to me. And with all the writers, I felt a connectedness during the conversations, but especially with him. As it happens, I ended up a lot of times in his pictures he took at the strike. *L* All of his other pictures can be found here, including the full text of my favorite strike poster (of course HRG made this one!). Pictures shown without permission, but all on my own photobucket account!



Fangirl and Cristine Rose (Mama Petrelli herself!)


Talking with Greg "Beaming" Beeman


More Talking with Beeman


I really like Beeman here with the sign I'm holding


Fangirl talking with Yule Caise (who's out of frame). Also, note, I take my wardrobe coordinating to the events I take part in very seriously. Though, ironically, I wore the red shirt and the black cords to Adrian's play, Atlanta, too. Just a different coat. No way was I planning this. *L*


Talking with Yule Caise


Fangirl on Strike! (so says the sign! I'm loving on the angle of the word "Strike")


Striking with fellow fan and INCREDIBLE Crane folder! (If you recognize her, could you tell me who she is, please?)


Getting a quick picture with Cristine before she had to leave


Hugs for Heroes

These are the people who I got to hug, or remember hugging. I can't remember if I hugged Beeman or not. :(

Cristine Rose
JJ Phillibin
Chuck Kim
Mark Warshaw
Yule Caise
Masi Oka (who was sporting a "Nautalee" hat; that's the name of Adrian's ship!)
Jim Martin (he makes me want to buy the Hiro Sylar watch. It looks great in person!)
Aron Coleite
Jesse Alexander (though he's another one that I'm not sure if I got, but I'm nearly positive I did)
Joe Pokaski
Kay Foster
Adam Armus
There was a writer who was new and hadn't done anything yet, but I hugged him, too! (Wish I remembered his name!)
Dania Ramirez
Jack Coleman
Dana Davis
Kristen Bell (She gave a really tight hug. My love for her went up majorly at this event)
Jeph Loeb
Tim Kring