The First Earth 2 Fan-run Convention!
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to the fourth issue of the NP News. Only two months left until our big event! New PacifiCon '96 has been in the works for almost a year and the convention committee is very proud of what has been accomplished to date. Of course, we must also thank the fans who will be coming from all over the United States, several from Canada, and even a few from as far away as England and Australia. In this issue, note our latest media guest, the newest fundraising efforts, and field trip status. Remember that the information in this issue supersedes information in any previous issue. Please direct any questions or comments on this issue to me at NNEILAN@UNLINFO.UNL.EDU
"FAQ" is one of the common terms used on the Internet and stands for "Frequently Asked Questions."
1. What is New PacifiCon '96? New PacifiCon '96 is the 1st fan-run science fiction convention for Amblin & MCA/Universal's TV series Earth2 (NBC 1994-5).
2. Where and when is NP '96? It will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Pinnacle Four Seasons Hotel, April 19-21, 1996.
3. How do I get a membership? Send in your registration form, with a check or money order (US$ only please). We cannot accept credit cards. A form is included in this newsletter and also on the Web site. We must have a name for each membership purchased.
4. Need more information? Send a SASE to the San Diego post office box address or write to our e-mail address. E-mail requests may be subject to server delays.
Here a cool way to support NP '96 and make your presence known at the same time! We will be setting aside space in the official Con program for messages from fans. Say "hello" to a Guest or a friend, or say something about Earth2. This program will be given out to all attendees, Guests and other industry contacts. Fans who cannot attend may purchase Guest autographed program copies. All proceeds will go to pay con expenses. See the Membership Info section for more details.
Media Guests include:
Craig W. Chrissinger, Starlog Correspondent (wrote all of the Earth2 articles and visited the set several times)
Although her mother, an actress, vehemently opposed it, Jessica Steen practically fell into a life in the theater, starting from the time she was a child in Toronto, Canada. "My extended family was always eager to ham it up, costumed to the hilt for our annual Christmas skit. Our house was always bustling with a bunch of wild and wacky people whom my dad (then a director) and mom would bring home from the theater. When you grow up surrounded by such animated and exciting people where it seems that the circus is always in town, its hard not to resist becoming part of the act."
Steen, who was born in Toronto on a December 19, was 8 years old when she found her first performing role, on a Canadian TV series set in an amusement park. Later, when she was 18, her parents moved to Montreal and she remained in Toronto -- or "Hollywood North," as it is sometimes called -- and continued working. In the mid-1980s she appeared as the daughter of the character played by Lindsay Wagner in the TV movie "Young Again" (with fellow Canadian Keanu Reeves, a former schoolmate).
Steen found abundant roles in Toronto, especially with guest spots on Canadian-produced series such as "Night Heat." In 1989, she co- starred in the musical "Sing" and decided it was time to move to New York. "I wanted to see if the grass was really greener on the other side of the border." Ironically, she spent more time flying back and forth between California and Canada than she did in New York. During one five-week stint she subbed for pregnant actress Noelle Beck on the daytime drama "Loving," long enough to "give birth" to the character's baby until the actress could return. More important, the limited gig raised her profile enough to result in a co-starring role as Linda, the union organizer, on the critically acclaimed drama series "Homefront," in 1992-93.
Steen's Canadian motion picture credits include "Flying," "Still Life" and "John and the Missus." She was a regular cast member on the syndicated series "Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future." Among her TV movies are "High Country" and "Small Gift," both for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and "Working for Peanuts," for HBO. She has guest-starred on such TV series as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Captain Power" and was in the pilot of "Wiseguy."
Disclaimer: All information in this newsletter is subject to change without notice, including but not limited to membership fees, program activities, advertised guests and merchandise.
In her latest role, Steen portrays a genetically enhanced doctor in the future who is the lead physician on a mission to an Earth-like planet. "She has an instinctual thirst for knowledge, but because of her genetic makeup, she gets a lot of flak," says Steen. "So, with quiet determination, she's driven to prove herself beyond that unfair advantage, so she keeps her nose to the grindstone."
Steen prefers to space out her acting assignments to allow time to maintain ties with her large family back home. In addition, she enjoys "getting as far away from the city as possible," which means kayaking, mountain-biking, rock-climbing, and traveling. As an artistic endeavor, she keeps a photo and video journal of friends and family. She is an avid admirer of David Suzuki, a Canadian environmentalist, and has volunteered to work within his organization. Says Steen: "I hope that by working on Earth2 we can raise our consciousness of 'Earth 1.'" --------- Since the publication of this profile, JS has gotten married (congrats!) and guest starred on ER.
Use the form in this newsletter, print one off the web site, or request an email version. Memberships are non-refundable and not tax-deductible.
For Attendees:
Adult Membership: $50.00 donation for one 3-day pass to New PacifiCon '96 for an entire weekend of Earth2 memories, relaxation and FUN! $55.00 for registrations postmarked after March 23, 1996 and $60 at the door.
Junior Membership: $25.00 donation for one 3-day pass to New PacifiCon '96 (ages 6 to 17, must be accompanied by an adult member). No membership required for children under six accompanied by an adult member.
Day-rates: $20.00 donation for a one day pass on Saturday, April 20, 1996.
Special Options: The banquet is $20.00 per person and will be held Saturday evening at the hotel. There will be a short program and buffet dinner. Registration for the banquet must be received by April 13, 1996.
The two field trips to filming location sites are now SOLD OUT. However, due to the possibility of cancellations, we may hold a lottery at the con for any seats which become available. So if you are just dying to go on a field trip and missed out on pre-registration, you still have a chance.
DONATIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE; YOUR CANCELED CHECK IS YOUR RECEIPT. WE MUST RECEIVE ALL ORDERS BY MARCH 23, 1996 TO MEET PRINTING DEADLINES.
Program Message Donation: $10 to put a standard message in the convention program. Includes 3 lines of type for the message and 1 line for your name, city,state/province, country. Each line (including your name line) holds 42 characters, including all spaces and punctuation. $2.00 for each additional line of 42 characters after the first 4 lines.
Note: Once you send in your message copy, you cannot make changes. If you must talk to someone about this, email our program director Lynne Leaper at SOARON@NETCOM.COM We reserve the right to reject (and spell check) message ads.
Program Donation: $15 to reserve a NP '96 con program signed by our Guests of Honor (signatures subject to availability). Please allow 4-6 weeks after the con (April 19-21) for delivery. (If you are attending the con, you don't need to purchase a program here--you will get one free at the con and can collect your own signatures.) You must include a large self-addressed stamped envelope for us to mail the program to you. The program shouldn't run more than twenty 8 1/2 x 11 pages. Please ask your Post Office how much postage you need.
T-shirt Donation: $20 (+ $3 S&H) donation to reserve an "official" New PacifiCon 96 convention t-shirt. Please allow 4-6 weeks after the con for delivery. See web site for more details soon. All profits go directly into convention expenses.
Note: Dear Canadian and other non-U.S. Edenites, As it turns out, our bank is charging us $5.00 every time we deposit a check or money order drawn from a foreign bank, even if it is in U.S. funds. Please get a money order drawn from a U.S. bank or send an additional $5.00 to cover the charges.
Pinnacle Hotel Four Seasons
Hotel and Convention Center
2500 Carlisle NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
For reservations call (800)545-8400 or (505)888-3311. When reserving your room(s) please mention the convention by name so you will receive the special room rate of $63 per night single/double. Note: Our room block is only reserved until March 29th. After that date, room availability and the special rate are NOT guaranteed.
Other Information: * fully accessible for the disabled * a quarter mile east of I-25 & I-40 * plenty of free parking * 2 to 5 miles from Historic Old Town, shopping and restaurants * free shuttle to and from airport (about 7 miles) * indoor/outdoor hotel pools; adjacent to a city health club
Our officially designated "overflow" hotel is Le Baron Inn & Suites. (800)444-REST or (505)884-0250 Singles $52.00; Doubles $62.00 plus tax. Includes Continental Breakfast. Handicapped accessible rooms. Free 24 hour airport shuttle. Mention New PacifiCon when making reservations.
Need a rental car? AVIS is our official convention rental car agency. Discounted rates available. Use the discount code J626907 when calling. 1-800-331-1600.
The official Internet e-mail address for New PacifiCon is: NEWPACIFICON@STARGAME.ORG
The World Wide Web information site address has changed to: http://www.unl.edu/dvae/~neilan/e2/pacificon.html
Note: Web addresses are case-sensitive with no spaces between characters.
Lynne, our Program Coordinator, welcomes any ideas of what you'd like to see and do. Email her at: SOARON@NETCOM.COM
Tentative Schedule (subject to change):
Friday, April 19
Saturday, April 20
Sunday, April 21 --8 AM Field trip #2 to Tent Rocks and La Bajada filming sites near Santa Fe, hosted by Earth2's Rockmond Dunbar --Slide show of "Life on the Set" with J. Madison Wright and Joey Zimmerman --Video room --Dealers tables --More Guests speak and autograph sessions --5 PM Closing presentation
Time is short! Please get your registration and/or other orders in soon to secure your place. We at the comcon are looking forward to meeting everyone we have been corresponding with these past months. See you in April!
Dealer/Merchandise Tables are filling up fast. If you are interested in reserving a table please write to us at our post office box. Current plans include a photo dealer, "official" show merchandise, con merchandise, items from the fan club Earth2 Eden Advance such as The Dream Plane newsletter, fanzines and more!
Please enclose a SASE with form.
____ adult membership(s) @ $50 each for registration postmarked by
March 5, 1996; $55 each after that date
____ junior membership(s) @ $25 each (under age 18 must be accompanied by
adult member)
___ Saturday-only Apr. 20th membership(s) @$20 each
___ I am interested in registering for Saturday's banquet @ $20
Name:
Address:
Email:
Total amount enclosed: $ Pay by check or money order, U.S. funds only. No credit cards accepted.
Are you interested in volunteering your help at the con? Check one:
Registration table
Security
Hospitality/Con Suite
Panels
Video room
Other:
Mail this form and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
New PacifiCon 96
Box G889
10601-A Tierrasanta Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92124
Address all comments to our post office box at:
New PacifiCon 96
Box G889
10601-A Tierrasanta Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92120
For information on Earth2 Eden Advance, an Earth2 fan club, please write
Earth2 Eden Advance
634 1/2 Sartori Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
or send e-mail to edenadvance@stargame.org