The Watchers Retreat CANCELLED!

[Kanina]

Xita, you've convinced me. Considering I've just moved to the valley, it's just too close to pass up. Of course, I must insist on the absence of alcohol. You just never know what you could be exposed to when that's involved! Or so I hear.

-carrissa

[LostSoul]

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[b:bdba16d50b] Kanina[/b:bdba16d50b] - I'm glad you're going. I'll be there. I'm not sure how much I'll be around on Saturday. It depends on a couple of factors. But, I'll be there Friday and Sunday for sure. There needs to be more Kitten representation I think

Make sure you register by Sunday. If there aren't enough attendees registered by Sunday, they may have to cancel it. If it is canecelled for some reason, they will refund everyone's money. So you don't have to worry about losing any money.

fanshoot.com/retreat/

See you there.

[xita]

lostsoul, james marsters is a good place. I imagine some of the general boards might be interested as well what with the writers going and everything.

kanina, well hee, we can form the kitten temperance league

[sparrow]

Does this mean I can bring my hockey stick to this league

[LostSoul]

[b:11618d4e9a] Xita[/b:11618d4e9a] - Good point. I'll have to see if this info is on any of the more general boards.

Bronzebeta would be a crappy place to post because of the linear board design. But, a lot of people there are interested in the writers.

I think it's kind of cool that Fury is going to be there.

This weekend, when I get a chance, I'll drop by more general boards and see about posting.

BTW, thanks for your input on my project. I got an email from DrG today. I'll be getting that up and running this weekend.

[scifiacid]

Was this ever posted on willtara?

[LostSoul]

[b:da453a1a90] scifiacid[/b:da453a1a90] - Thanks! I just did.

I have to do what I can to save this thing for the local kitties.

__________

Hey all,

I haven't heard anything of late. But, today is the deadline, so I imagine we will hear something more about whether this thing will happen tomorrow.

I have confidence that all will go well. I know that many people have been posting info to draw more attention to the event.

If I hear anything definitive, I'll post here asap.


[b:da453a1a90] Instead of posting twice in a row, use the edit button and add to your first post.[/b:da453a1a90]

[Amymlc]

Okay....I REALLY want to go to this. I was planning on taking a trip to LA on 11/1-11/3 because I am moving out there in May and want to get a good a feel for the place. I am thinking of maybe just holding off and going to this event, but the thing is, I really can't afford $200 per person. I'd have to take my little sister and my gf...so that'd be a lot of money...but 100 wouldn't be that bad. Is there any place we can stay that isn't like $180 a night? Is everyone staying in those two hotels?

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Throughout Saturday and Sunday, we'll be having various improv games. 'Direct' a scene with fellow fans of the show, charades, and more! Actors who confirmed participation in this event are Amber Benson.
------------------------------

Do we really get to do improv with Amber? if so...then I am soooo totally going. There'd probably be too many people for me to actually participate though. I don't know....I want to go...but uh....I'm not so sure I should. I am totally liking that this is for charity though. Oh...what should I do?

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Amy C

[LostSoul]

[b:b622b2f45d] Amymlc[/b:b622b2f45d] - I'm sure you can find a hotel for less than $180/night.

I just checked Expedia and the Hilton is running $99/night and sleeps 4 people.

I actually cashed in some Hilton points for 1 night free and am paying the Expedia rate for the second one.

Also, if you want to save cash on food, I suggest hitting a grocery store and getting snacks. It saves a lot of money, as eating at the hotel can be expensive. I'm not sure what there is around the airport in terms of affordable eats.

As for the registration fees for the Retreat. They have a reduced day pass for $25.

[LostSoul]

This just in:

10/25/02 - The Watcher's Retreat will NOT be cancelled! We will be sending a much larger, more informative e-mail to all registered attendees shortly.

So, those of you who were holding off on registering can safely do it now.

I'll see you all there

[xita]

This is good news, I look forward to it now

[Amymlc]

okay...I've made up my mind that I'm going...uh...mostly because I just got a couple nice checks for my b-day (21 tomorrow whoo hoo Anyway...and I'm trying to register but I think I must be very lacking in the brain cells department because I am soo confused. It seems like they really want you to stay in the hotels. I don't think I have enough money to stay in the event hotels for two nights (I kinda wanted to go to the Friday thing too). I could just stay for one night. I'm also trying to buy three tickets, but it doesn't seem to allow that. Do I have to register each person individually? I'm trying to buy the $100 tickets. Can someone please help me....I know it's probably really simple..w.hat can I say, I'm a moron sometimes.

[LostSoul]

Amymlc - Congrats on your 21st

It looks like you have to jump to the registration page if you don't want to stay at the hotel. Use this link:

www.fanshoot.com/retreat/registers.html

Besides if you book the Hilton through Expedia you can get it for $99/night.

It does appear that you are going to have to repeat the registration process for each person you are buying the ticket for (bad site design).

I hope that helped.

*please edit your sig, the font is too big.

[Amymlc]

okay thanks. but what about the meal plans? Do you have to get one....we can't like get our own food...or is this a "closed campus" thing? I think I will book the hotel thru expedia. That'd be fine. Thanks again.

[LostSoul]

You don't have to buy a meal plan. I'm not sure exactly what there is around there in the way of restaurants. Being near the airport, I would guess that there is plenty of food. But, I'm not sure about the price. If you go to an outside restaurant, it has to be cheaper than eating in the hotel.

Hope that helps

[LostSoul]

Latest Info as of 10/28/02. This is from the Watcher's Retreat Web site:

Dear Attendees,

As many of you are aware, The Watcher's Retreat has not reached its expected attendee numbers and was in danger of being cancelled. We are happy to announce that the event has NOT been cancelled.

However, because of the sitaution we are in, we have to prioritize and economise the situation. Because of this, some of our extra activities and guests will have to be cut from our schedule. We will, or course, attempt to keep our most popular guests, since we are aware that they are the greatest interest to the attendees.

We will still hold the event in the highest standard of quality and feel we will still have an enjoyable event.

As we stand right now, these are the special guests we can 'guarantee' you at the event (guarantee appears in quotes, because as you may be aware, all appearences of any kind of are subject to change due to professional or personal commitments by the guests).

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Amber Benson ("Tara")

Robia LaMorte ("Jenny Calender")

Robert Hall (Make-up Artist on "Angel")

Michael Gershman (Director and Director of Photography on "Buffy" and many other shows)

Tim Minear (Writer on "Angel" and "Firefly")

David Fury (Writer on "Buffy" and "Angel")

Jeff Mariotte (Novelist)

Maryelizabeth Hart (Novelist)

Keith DeCandido (Novelist)

Jessica Riddle (Musical)

Velvet Chain (Musical)

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Friday Welcoming Reception

Join us Friday night for the opening ceremony of The Watcher's Retreat. Check out the auction items we'll have, get to know the other attendees, and hang out with some of the celebrity guests who may choose to attend this day of the event!

VIP Charity Dinner

The VIP Charity Dinner is a special event, exclusive to The Watcher's Retreat (and different from the General Admission Dinner). Attendees who decide to attend this dinner will be served a catered meal and get to eat with the company of some our celebrity guests! If you're interested in sitting at the same table as your favorite actor who is attending this event, we'll be auctioning off seats in a live auction early Saturday. Don't miss out!

Saturday Night Concert

Hang out and party all night Saturday with live music. Velvet Chain will open this event.

Make-up Demo (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Robert Hall, of Angel, will be putting monster make-up on one of our attendees! We'll be holding an auction and/or raffle for a very lucky guest to get themselves made-up just like they would if they were on the show!! Don't miss this amazing oppurtunity! And don't fret... if you're not getting made-up, you'll still have a chance to watch the step-by-step process!

Q&A

Check out the Q&A's we'll be having Saturday and Sunday. Every guest will be particpating at a Q&A at some point during the event, held at various times during Saturday and Sunday. You'll get a one of a kind chance to chat with the cast and crew of the show!

Improv Games

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, we'll be having various improv games. 'Direct' a scene with fellow fans of the show, charades, and more!

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It's hard to say if we will be able to secure other actors. It is possible that some of them will attend even without additional sign-ups. We will let everyone know as soon as the information is made available to us. We also have a good feeling that other crew and production personnel will be signing on to this event in the next couple weeks.

We feel that this event, while smaller, will still be a success.

If you have sent us an e-mail in the last week or so, we will be responding to it this week. We will also be confirming payments and/or registrations made over the past week. Anyone who has sent a $15 deposit will recieve an e-mail confirming their space and notifying them of when the rest of their payment is due. We will also be contacting those of you who signed up for hotel reservations throughout this week and will be sending you your confirmation numbers at that time.

Advance ticket sales and payments are due by November 1st.

If you have any questions, please ask! We hope to see you there!
The Watcher's Retreat Staff www.fanshoot.com/retreat

Dates

Friday, November 15, 2002
Saturday, November 16, 2002
Sunday, November 17, 2002

Venue Location
Hilton Burbank Airport & Convention Center
2500 Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505-1019

[Jimmi Magnus]

Even though I'm not going to attend this con, the fact that Amber is going to be there after all makes me fell all warm and fussy.

Bless that girl.


And for those who are going: Have a great con!

[Amymlc]

This should be really cool. I'm going to register three of us tonight. It'll be a long freaking drive for us, but we were planning on taking a trip out anyhow I'm so exctied. I was just going to buy the 100 dollar tickets. What is everybody else getting? (cause that is all I can afford). I would get the 25 dollar ones, but it would really suck to drive all the way down there and not be able to get in I'm so excited!! I actually get to see Amber Benson in person! My little sister is in love with James Masters, so she'll love it too. Does anybody know how many people are going to this event? Thanks guys!

Amy

[LostSoul]

Amy - Make sure your little sister knows that JM isn't a guaranteed guest anymore. I wouldn't want her to be disappointed.

I'm volunteering. So, I'm not buying a ticket.

[stine69]

Hey LS;

You have fun at the retreat and tell us all about your experience there!

[LostSoul]

Will do.

I'll have to see how everything works out. I may have news regarding this whole thing come Friday.

[Amymlc]

There are no more rooms at the Hilton for the 16th through expedia.com. What should I do? I don't really want to be the only one in a different hotel. I already registered for the watchers retreat as well. Can I just register for a hotel through the watchers site now....but then I'd have to pay a lot more for the room than I would through expedia.

[LostSoul]

Amymic - The best rate I could find for the Hilton that weekend was $130. A little improvement over the $180. That rate was at hoteldiscount.com.

My only other suggestion is to get a list of area hotels and jump on mapquest. See if there are any more resaonably priced hotels nearby.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Amymlc]

yay yay! I booked at the hilton through the hilton website...it's was weird that they had room when I was willing to pay more money But they only had room for a single adult and a child...so I'm going to have to sneak my gf in. I'm so excited you guys! This is going to be so much fun! YAY!

[LostSoul]

[b:79cda475bc]Ambymic[/b:79cda475bc] - Make sure you join Hilton Hhonors. You should get at least 500 hilton points for staying there. HIlton points don't expire, so you may as well get credit for staying there.

I used Hilton points in Enlgand and stayed for 7 nights absotuletly free (it was a room that would have cost over $300/night).

[Amymlc]

how do I join Hilton Honors?

[LostSoul]

[b:ea43df9bd3]Amy[/b:ea43df9bd3] - Go to the hilton web site and click on Hhonors. They should have all of the instructions there.

Airline miles can be converted into Hilton Points and vice versa.

[xita]

I know they are dropping guests, Amber's appearance at Metro Entertainment has me worried that they dropped Amber. Anyone have any news on this?

[Jimmi Magnus]

Only person I heard of who can confirm anything is Little Willow. I mailed her about the situation, and that it needed to be cleared up ASAP.


Edited to ad:
LW responded pretty fast to my mail:

Hello there,

Metro Entertainment also emailed me this morning letting me know about the signing.

LW

[xita]

Wait so Amber is not appearing at this event now? pff They better offer refunds.