S.F. buffs get together

Press, 4 June 1988, Page 8

S.F. buffs get together

By

DAVE WILSON

Rule one: when attending a science fiction convention, never, never refer to “sei fi.” The penalty for transgressions is not a pretty sight. The genre, as any science fiction fan will happily stencil into your brain, may only be abbreviated as “S.F.” And whether you are in the presence of people whose heroes are Asimov, Heinlen or Joe 90 and the crew of the Starship Enterprise, it is all S.F. and very addictive. So addictive, indeed, that about 140 people have gathered in Christchurch from all points of the compass to celebrate their love for future civilisations, strange new worlds and astounding

stories. They call their gathering “Con Fusion 88,” and New Zealand’s national science fiction convention will see Christchurch hosting three days of talk, films, debate, partying, memorabilia trading, masquerading and feasting.

The State Trinity Centre was last evening bedecked in a splash of the weird and the wonderful, with books for most S.F. tastes, costumes, fantasy models, and more than a few humans sporting the fashions that can be worn only in the company of like-minded souls. Somewhere in the throng was a fan whose achievements in the genre are legendary. Bjo

Trimble, “Con Fusion’s guest of honour, has the honour of being the woman whose letter-writ-ing campaign saved “Star Trek,” when American television executives planned to do what the Klingons could never achieve — axe Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise.

While science fiction may be “Doctor Who” and the “Star Wars” to the uninitiated, within fandam it is more worlds than you can imagine. There are the S.F. literature enthusiasts. They will kill for rare copies of Asimov, Heinlen or Marion Zimmer Bradley’s work.

Others follow sciencefiction films and will argue o for hours on the

real meaning of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” or conduct intense discussions on the films of Ridley Scott. Then there are the fans whose love is science-fiction television. They- form enthusiast groups to watch and enthuse over such classics as “Blake’s 7,” “Doctor Who” and even “Thunderbirds.”

There are role players who re-enact their favourite characters, fantasy war-gamers, and • S,F. fans who delight in creating futuristic fashions and make-up for special masquerade functions. •/ / -

AU of this and more is scheduled for the “ConFusion” week-end, along with a special convention for the fans’ childfen,

clones, replicants, or whatever they are known by in the genre. Anklebiters was one colourful phrase heard last evening. But perhaps the most unusual event is “The Vogon Sandwich” competition. .To understand this rare culinary treasure you must first know “The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galazy,” now rescreenihg on our small screens.

During this week-end S.F. fans will attempt to create in reality what was only fantasy in the series.

But .underlying all of the convention’s fun is a serious and real cause. Money raised from “ConFusion” will go to the Mental Health Foundation. ■ 4