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Post by grahamt77 on Aug 14, 2011 18:51:07 GMT
I had a jolly good weekend and it was great to meet up with old and new friends alike. There was a great atmosphere, particularly in the bar area where the fan synergy was palpable. Photo: A panoramic shot of the main hall on Friday nightSome personal highlights: 1. Meeting up with friends... great to catch up and I think I've given myself a hernia with all the belly laughs. 2. James (Roberts) and Nick (Roche) were such gentlemen and really went above and beyond as guests. 3. The live script reading. Everyone's voice acting (fans as well as pros) was exceptional and the script itself was really sharp. 4. Matt Dallas's balloon show in which we were turned into actual Transformers via the medium of balloon twisting. 5. Geoff Senior getting a round in. The man's a legend, and it was always a childhood dream of mine to have a beer bought for me by him when I read Target: 2006. And kudos to Mr Wright for somehow making that happen! 6. Toy-Fu! Toy-Fu owned the dealer hall. I hope a lot of money has been raised. And I was happy to get Topspin, Twin Twist, and Action Master Prowl there. As always, I feel, it was the enthusiasm and spirit of all the attendees that made the convention what it was (and still is, since it's still going on right now!). So, thanks to everyone for making Auto Assembly 2011 what it was. By the way, my haul |
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Post by grahamt77 on Aug 14, 2011 19:05:37 GMT
Oh, I forgot one!
7. Andy Turnbull's 'fro! I could have stroked that all weekend. I feel like it's given me special powers.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 14, 2011 19:12:58 GMT
You got DL Blaster! You won't regret it! Highlights for me were the bar on Friday afternoon as everyone showed up and the film Friday night as Ralph and I, with some help, ruined it for all & sundry near us. The queue on the way in Saturday morning sucked big time as did watching people carry out all the best stuff before us proles get in. And of course the fall 15 minutes after opening which ended the weekend for me. I've got Friday night photos here including what Toy Fu's stall looked like before it was devastated, what the lights did to the box colours, Ralph eating cake and a free gift! |
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Post by garrybodsworth on Aug 14, 2011 19:44:42 GMT
I decided to go this year after about five years off the radar - to catch up with TMUKers. It was thoroughly worthwhile and I have had a great time mainly in the bar. The haulMy TF: Ongoing 23 as scalped by Graham....I'll number them like Graham.... 1) Laughing so much I was crying on Friday night. The conversation threads will never be recorded anywhere to protect the guilty. 2) Bending rules to breaking point. These things can only be discussed via a very high level encryption. 3) TMUK is still a great and vibrant club when the people get together. It didn't feel like five-plus years gap for many of us. Who was there? Er.... Me, Graham, James O, James W, James R, Nick R, Andy, Ralph, Karl, Phil, Matt, Paul, Mark (shhhh), Sven, Marc and lots of more.... 4) My Galvatron balloon outfit. Matt Dallas is not only an artistic genius, but he works wonders with ballons. Now imagine most of the TMUKers sitting in a bar with balloon outfits (along with a balloon Cheetor). Alan's Swoop costume was definitely the best. 5) James Roberts is a sly comedy genius, and Nick Roche will stop drawing and do voice acting at this rate. The panels involving either of them were always entertaining. Both are still gentlemen in the harsh glare of the fame spotlights. And since Nick was working in a sketching sweat shop I did him a couple of sketches in a 1984 Transformers notebook since noone was sketching for him(!) 6) It looks like I will be buying Transformers comics once again with James R on board, and also it sounds like the friendly rivalry between Transformers 81 and Transformers MTMTE will help raise the bar even further. And showing how sad I am, the announcement the colouring in Transformers 81 will be more like the old Marvel UK clear, flat colouring. 7) Fanzines - German Transformers Magasin! Polaris Jhiaxus special. Cybertronian Times (well done Andy). I am looking forward to reading them all. Oh and Transformers Ongoing 22 & 23 - they essentially are TMUK fanzines to me  There is just so much more, a lot of which is unrepeatable in polite company, but I have had a great time. I think there might be some interesting stuff spinning out of getting so many of us back together. Speaking to people like Mark and Nick about story ideas and storytelling was a pleasant change of pace from computer programming. Thanks to all who put up with this cynical old beast. I just want to make a special mention for Andy for his heroic work all weekend, also the fanzine, and for being the artistic glue that has kept TMUK together. Garry |
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The Huff
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Post by The Huff on Aug 14, 2011 20:53:19 GMT
I had a great time too! Made such a difference staying the Friday night too, so I wasn't as tired as usual Saturday & Sunday. So nice to see everyone again and even nicer seeing you all drunk and ballooned up!
All a bit empty now I'm home but will be looking forward to the next one and I have the German comic magazin' to make me laugh and give me inspiration.
Thanks guys for making the weekend so much fun and thanks to Paul W for driving.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Aug 15, 2011 6:49:02 GMT
Great to hear how well it went!
By the way, I can see Phil's photos, but I can't see Graham's and Garry's as I'm not on Twitter.
Martin
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 15, 2011 7:00:21 GMT
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Aug 15, 2011 7:02:40 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2011 19:24:41 GMT
I loved too much to really put down in words lol
though some of the best parts were meeting friends from the previous years and meeting people who I've been chatting to online for the past year in person (like Graham amongst others) and that I've now started to come out of my shell and socialize more (in previous years I just ran off to my hotel room as soon as the con events ended rather than heading to the bar)
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Post by Bogatan on Aug 15, 2011 20:03:28 GMT
So much fun all around, but some highlights. 0. McRatchet or was it BKRatchet. 1. great to see everyone again or for the first time in some cases. 2. Toy Fu, always much fun and a chance to meet just about everybody at the convention. 3. The script reading, though it could have been made perfect by a rendition of "Anything you can do me can do better". 4. Mark Ryan managing to answer two of the stupidest, most embarrassingly painful questions to be asked by any geek anywhere with responses worthy of a great philosophical debate. And entertaining too. 5. The rest of the guests, as always lovely people to meet and talk to and I remembered voice artists were there this time. 6. My annual Nick Roche sketch, just managed to get my name on the list. Even if he wouldn't man up and draw me an Octopus, its ok because Snare rules.  7. A timely reminder that not all of us are rioting cretins many people are nice. Andy from Kapow gave me a very nice gift for no other reason than I'd been working away over at Toy Fu. Nick Roche was nice enough to do 2 for 1 on his prints too, which are fantastic. And also all the people who made donations to Toy Fu above and beyond the purchase prices or offered to help or donate toys etc. .......Of course there were a few exceptions, but the less said the better. 8. The convention hotel, frankly the Holiday Inn did much to annoy me but the pleasure of staying on site and avoiding the long early or late walks made for a better weekend. 9. Nicks despair with some of his team mates during the quiz. Andy |
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Aug 15, 2011 21:29:41 GMT
Auto Assembly has really raised its own bar over the last couple of years. I had a great weekend even though I was working. Okey dokey, numbered highlights: 1. Seeing loads of people and having the largest TMUK meet in years (in the bar, of course). Though there were people I didn't manage to talk to, such as the Pirries, who I saw several times across a crowded hall but didn't bump into; and primenova who I didn't see at all. Where were you, Pete? 2. The Mark Ryan link-up. I really enjoyed having a proper representation of the films at AA for the first time and it was a great surprise. What I was told afterwards by Simon and Andy about how it came about made me appreciate it all the more. 3. The informal Welsh mini-convention within the event. This, of course, included chatting with David Kaye again. (If you've read my piece in last year's Cybertron Times, you'll know about our history.) 4. My haul. After initially finding almost no toys I wanted to buy on my early scouts of the dealers, I was pleased to find most of the things I wanted, mostly on Sunday. (I think it was Andy T who directed me to 3 Darths for the Burger King toys, so thank you for that; my apologies if it was someone else.) Thank you to those who sorted me out a few things; you know who you are. 5. Rubber ducks, yes. 6. Getting Cyberverse Powerglide signed by David Wise. The Girl Who Loved Powerglide is the episode I hold with most affection as it's one of the few and first episodes I had as a child. (I still remember finding it in the bargain bin in Woolworths.) David hadn't seen that toy before, so it pleases me to be the first to show it to him. 7. Sitting and chatting with Geoff Senior in the bar. It's a pity that couldn't have lasted longer, but I wanted to see the Saturday evening programme. 8. The generosity of Nick and Geoff with their prints in giving me bonuses. 9. Meeting Stephen Baskerville for the first time. He and Andrew Wildman are my favourite penciller/inker pairing from all Transformers comics. 10. Andrew Wildman very kindly pencilling Unicron for me after he had finished sketching for the day, because I wanted Stephen to ink it. (Though it was late in the day and Stephen then left while Andrew was still drawing it. He seemed to enjoy the day so hopefully this will be the first of many appearances; I'll save it for him to ink next time.) 11. Not missing out on the last piece of banana cake.  After talking to Kat Nicholson on Sunday, I felt a little sorry that I didn't go the disco/karaoke at all but for me, this year felt much more of a relaxing-in-the-bar event than a partying event. Similarly, on Friday after working all day, I found myself not really in the mood for watching the film though it would have been nice to watch it with a load of other fans; of course, I then found myself in the mood to watch it at roughly the time that Unicron would have been blowing up, by which time it was a bit late to change my mind. |
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Post by blueshift on Aug 15, 2011 21:38:46 GMT
After talking to Kat Nicholson on Sunday, I felt a little sorry that I didn't go the disco/karaoke at all but for me, this year felt much more of a relaxing-in-the-bar event than a partying event. Oh absolutely. I think everyone was too knackered to go discoing this year! Knackered in a brilliant way of course! There were still people I didn't have time to catch up with, but overall it was a fantastic weekend, scary pizza shop fight nonewithstanding |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 15, 2011 21:44:57 GMT
1. Seeing loads of people and having the largest TMUK meet in years (in the bar, of course). Though there were people I didn't manage to talk to, such as the Pirries, who I saw several times across a crowded hall but didn't bump into; and primenova who I didn't see at all. Where were you, Pete? I'm told Pete was there but he didn't make himself known during the period I was around Friday and early Saturday before my early bath. Incidentally back & right ankle playing me up now as a result of that fall on Saturday morning. |
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 15, 2011 21:55:27 GMT
My brain is cabbaged, which is the right and proper response to having a good time.
-Ralph
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The Huff
Thunderjet
Hufferlover
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Post by The Huff on Aug 15, 2011 22:34:13 GMT
I discovered this new subgroup at Auto-Assembly that I never knew existed before. Attachments:
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 15, 2011 22:54:16 GMT
Astounding!
-Ralph
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Hero
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
King of RULES!
Everything Rules
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Post by Hero on Aug 15, 2011 23:03:57 GMT
I want!
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Post by Jaymz on Aug 16, 2011 1:37:36 GMT
All in all, a fun weekend! Always great to see folks again. Here are some photos!  Toy-Fu hard at work!  The opening ceremony led to an early pub retreat.  The balloon fun begins! Matt started to make Garry into Galvatron, but went for Prime instead.  Added smokestacks.  Bumblebee.  Alan's Swoop hat.  Beak.  Full Swoop costume!  Warpath.  Added mouthplate for Prime.  Grumpy old man [Huffer].  Cheetor.  Bombshell.  Arcee.  Unicron!  Unicron about to eat Arcee.  Kickback.  Matt tweaks John's cannon.  Garry remade Claw Jaw into an arm cannon and became Galvatron.  Make your own caption.   Senior beer.  Karl, Matt, Ralph, Marc, Matt, Tony and Nigel at the voice thing. A shame Mark Stevenson couldn't make it, I think he would have really enjoyed it.  Saturday night bar group. Part of O, Marc, Nick, Andy, Matt, Andy, Tony, Ralph, Nigel, Matt, Graham. Can also see bits of myself, John, Garry, Nick and there's a few more off camera.  Nickpactor.  Immarktor.  God.  Garry checking out some other delights that Birmingham has on offer.  Stranglehold.  Dead Swoop.  Nick Vs Nick!  James Vs Beastly Ben!  Graham and Garry innocently posing for a photo, little knowing that Armada Megatron is right behind them.  James O having a sleepy on the car ride home, AA wore him out. |
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Post by jameso on Aug 16, 2011 2:06:33 GMT
I do not approve of your rape like pictures of me asleep! |
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Post by blueshift on Aug 16, 2011 6:35:17 GMT
Oh man side on shots of me are not flattering  I really need to lose weight again D: Especially after the money belt wouldn't fit around my waist even at full stretch! |
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Rich
Protoform
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Post by Rich on Aug 16, 2011 7:22:48 GMT
Nice photos, Jim. Matt's balloons look ace.
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Post by garrybodsworth on Aug 16, 2011 8:00:32 GMT
Oh dear, evidence of all this is now permanently on the internet....
We need a full list of all TMUKers in attendance. This must have been the biggest gathering of members in a while. Also it was the most fitting the 20th anniversary that loads of us got in a bar and had inappropriate conversations and dressed in balloons.
Also, congrats to Toy-Fu on the sterling work they have done raising money.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Aug 16, 2011 8:42:53 GMT
Let's see.... I saw
Me (in the mirror)
Andy T
Ralph
Karl
Nick Davidson
Andy K
Graham
Garry
Matt Marshall
James Wilson
Alan
Paul Wright
Matt Dallas
James Roberts
Nick Roche
Nigel
Pete
Paul Anderson
James O'Sulivan
I've probably missed some people out and some turned up after I was benched....
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Post by The Doctor on Aug 16, 2011 10:52:13 GMT
Jonathon85 of this parish was also there.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Aug 16, 2011 12:22:30 GMT
As you can imagine, I am still a bit frazzled just now given everything that goes on.
So in no particular order some of my thoughts:
Garry - absolutely fantastic to see you again, inbetween plotting/planning thanks for cheering me up with some splendid ranting/ I may have ranted as well. Graham too, for being a sounding board when I was venting.
Those of you who enjoyed the Skype thing - thanks very much it was all very last minute and a bitch to get set up properly so I am glad you all got something out of it.
I really didn't get to spend as much time with you all as I would have liked to, despite things running a bit smoother than last year I seemed to be away far too much.
Thanks to Nick for the Burger King Ratchet - which was my favourite toy of the convention by a country mile.
John Cullen - "wolfbagging" I almost died at that. I have never laughed as hard in ages. Thanks very much.
The brothers Pirrie, always good to see you boys out and about again.
Toy-Fu was a resounding success, well done to Nick and Andy for making it happen (and Ralph, Karl and Matt) for helping.
Wish I'd been around for the balloon fun with Matt, but I did spot him doing it in the hall, and the wee kids at the front seemed to love it.
The absent Marc Graham for being quieter than usual. If that was indeed the real Marc Graham.
Mark Stevenson - great to see you again, shame you couldn't get in the hall for some it. Maybe next year.
Also Auto Assembly 2011 was the year of the TMUK clones.
Mark Stevenson and Jonathan85 who bear a striking resemblance
Zudobug and his counterpart Pseudobug.
Gav Spence, who couldn't make it had a stunt double there with a walking stick. I dread to think what's going to happen next year!
Glad everyone enjoyed my afro as well, who knows when I will cut it/shave it all off.
Andy
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Post by jameso on Aug 16, 2011 14:14:12 GMT
I don't know if Marc Graham was any quieter than normal, I got the extended disco mix of 'get out of my country' about 100 times!
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The Huff
Thunderjet
Hufferlover
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Post by The Huff on Aug 16, 2011 22:55:20 GMT
Thanks for my pint Geoff! Attachments:
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Post by jonathan85 on Aug 17, 2011 10:23:31 GMT
Jonathon85 of this parish was also there. -Ralph Indeed I was! Sorry for only speaking to a couple of folk, tho. I nerver did meet my doppleganger... Great con as always, with a fantastic spirit about the whole place. I thought the mix of panels and guests was really strong, too, and the script reading was just superb. Good times, and everyone seemed to be having a great time... Except for the two dudes standing behind me during the "opening ceremony", who were so sneeringly dismissive about the whole thing that I wondered why they'd bothered coming along. They were the exception to the rule, thankfully! Jonathan |
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Post by legios on Aug 17, 2011 12:21:30 GMT
My brain is still fried from this weekend - which is in itself a sign of a good con.
As to my personal highlights, I have many. In no particular order of priority these are some of them:-
1) Getting a chance to see and chat to folk I don't see often enough - some of you I see once or twice a year, some of you - Graham, Garry especially- the gap seems to have been a bit longer than that. But however long it had happened to be it was great to see you all though and to get a chance for a chinwag with youse all.
2) The Banter - it never felt like I was very far from something that was going give me a good laugh, and that very much factored into:-
3) The atmosphere - it felt like there was a really good atmosphere this year, something a bit electric in the air. There was a real sense of random folk being happy to natter with each other.
4) Mark Ryan by live link-up. I'm not a great fan of the live-action movies but it was nice to have someone who could speak to the process of making them with some obvious passion, and be such a top bloke as well. Well done to all those involved in making that happen.
5) Working the Toy-Fu stall. It can be stressful, hectic and mindbogglingly busy at times, but I always come away feeling like I have done some small amount to help something genuinely worthwhile happen, and that is a nice feeling.
6) The script-reading - professionals and amatuers were all on top form and it made for a genuinely entertaining event.
7) Fanzines! - A CT with lots of strip content which kept me going whilst I was twiddling my thumbs waiting for a flight on Monday evening, Matt Marshall's Comic-Magazin collection which is some of the greatest, most wonderful, bonkersness ever collected between two covers and of course the fine Polaris Special.
There are lots of other personal highlights, those are only what springs to my still-frazzled brain at the moment.
Karl
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Nigel
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
Posts: 5,101
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Post by Nigel on Aug 18, 2011 9:15:40 GMT
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I really need to lose weight again D:
