DSV (Blake's 7 convention)

Convention
Name:	DSV
Dates:	January 29–31, 1988
Frequency:
Location:	Newark Airport Holiday Inn North, Newark, New Jersey
Type:	fan with with actor guests
Focus:	Blake's 7
Organization:	Decima Productions
Founder:	Laurie Cohen and Deb Walsh
Founding Date:
URL:	convention badge from 1988
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Note: this con is also called "DSV One."

DSV One was held in January 1988 in Newark. It was subtitled: A Flight of Fancy.

Guests were Paul Darrow, Michael Keating, Terry Nation, Jan Chappell and Janet Lees Price.

This convention played a role in The Blake's 7 Slash Wars

Videotape footage from the convention can be found as part of the "S. Hereld Collection of Blake's 7 Fanzines and Fan Fiction" located at the University of Iowa fanzine archives.

"Any of you who attended the B7 Con DSV in Newark, New Jersey may remember what those boots [worn by the actor who played Vila on Blake's 7] smelled like when Mike Keating auctioned them off. As I recall, the first two rows of the audience staggered backward or passed out!"

For Profit?

It is unknown if this con was a for-profit con. A fan in 1989 asked:

It was also mentioned that DSV had been run to make a profit, something I hadn't been aware of at the time. [Note: does anyone have DSV literature which would make the question of whether the con was run for profit or otherwise clearer?] If that convention had actually come up in the black, it would shed some light on why and how Laurie Cohen hopes to finance a convention tour with large actor expenses.

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  program book, cover art by Leah Rosenthal

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  DSV One convention book, front cover

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  DSV One convention book, back cover

Con Reports

See Avon Club Newsletter #32 for more reports.

Conventions have their own rules. Things that are reasonable, natural, and just plain necessary during a con may be impossible to relate properly in a mundane context. We've all wrestled with this at some time.

My mission on that occasion was to announce Terry Nation and Jan Chappell before their Q&A panel. Jan had been delayed, so I went up front to mill around with Terry. That gentleman (despite having long transplanted himself to California's sunny climes), took one look, and reached out to glom onto my lapel, with flattering expressions of approval. My mind boggled in mid-compliment, so I don't remember exactly what he said. But whether the sentiment was sincere (I believe it was) or superficially polite , Terry very kindly put me at ease, and incidentally made me feel like Paul's Proverbial Million Bucks. (Terry also volunteered to begin the panel alone, one of the many times the guests contributed to keeping things running smoothly.)

Never was Janet's enthusiasm more appreciable than during the grueling 7 hours of the Auction. All of the guests put on a delightful performance; though undeniably the featured attraction was the return of the Paul & Mike Show. Terry pitched charity items on behalf of an imaginary emergency airlift of medical specialists for Paul's back, till the hysterical crowd was on the verge of mindwiping. Jan Chappell, Sheelagh Wells -- everyone took a turn hawking one item or another, till the loyal buyers were euphoric, exhausted, and blissfully approaching destitution. But it was Janet who after midnight seemed to be just hitting her stride, dashing about fearlessly on that gawdawful collection of peripatetic ice floes we were using as a 'stage.' When the pace began to lag, it was Janet who asked for items of particular interest from the Charity to be put on the block, renewing general interest; Janet cheerfully hustling slow bids along; and impishly informing Paul she was better at it than he or Michael.

I have only two notable regrets, now that DSV One is past. I wish I'd made it to one of Sheelagh Wells' makeup workshops. I'm told that in addition to her warm personality, and enviable good looks, she is skilled in such esoteric arts as crafting 'old skin' on top of new, and contriving disgustingly authentic-looking warts with the help of Kellogg's Rice Krispies. I wish I'd seen the blooper reel.

After a somewhat shaky beginning on Thursday evening - staff helper assignments were rather "disorganized" - events at DSV 1 in Newark, NJ, shifted into high gear and from Friday morning to Sunday night, January 29–31, the convention achieved a rapid-fire, fever-pitch level of top-notch efficiency and excitement for the duration, and made everything worthwhile.

Perhaps the best con I have yet attended or worked. I was assigned the art show and auction - not to mention the most activity-filled this tribute to the 10th anniversary of Blake's 7 was in every way a smashing success. The guests themselves seemed to have as much fun as those in attendance, mingling freely and unselfconsciously with fans, eagerly sharing anecdotes about the program and each other.

The guests of honor included: Terry Nation, creator and father-emeritus of B7, who accepted several dinner invitations with fans; Michael Keating, whose casual dress and impish good humor won converts to his cause from all quarters: Paul Darrow. sans his "Avon" reserve, whose easy manner and outgoing enthusiasm and constant dedication to the fans concealed a painful bout with a recent back injury that plagued him the entire weekend. Janet Lees Price. Paul's absolutely enchanting wife, whom some of you may recall as the ill-fated "Klyn" in the final episode "Blake". Jan Chappel. as quiet and reserved as "Cally". except when she hob-nobbed with fans and participated on guest panels, brought her son, Sam, with her; Sheelagh Wells, Gareth Thomas' wife and one-time B7 make-up artist, whose well attended make-up demonstrations had everybody talking, brought one of the notorious B7 "Blooper" videos with her and a taped message from Gareth apologizing for being unable to attend.

The opening of the Dealer's Room Friday was a re-enactment of all four Jaws movies, with a "Blake's Buying Frenzy" rarely seen in fandom. Many rare photos, novels, and monthlies were grabbed up early on and left all the dealers with enormous smiles on their faces for the remainder of the weekend.

Daily photograph and autograph sessions had fans lining up early and the guest panels were missed by no one. Particularly popular was the "Liars Panel," where all questions thrown to the guests had to be answered with outright false information. Terry, Paul, and Michael are particularly adept at this • and the results were often riotous. Another lively panel was the "Paul and Michael Dramatic Readings" session, in which literary pieces were submitted for the guests to interpret, comically or dramatically, as the selection required. Paul and Michael are especially terrific together, good-humoredly bantering back and forth to everyone's delight (Destiny II should be memorable for us all.)

Late Saturday afternoon, Paul sat with fans during a showing of "Rumours of Death," and afterwards deftly fielded questions about the episode. He later read excerpts from his forthcoming novel about pre-Blake's 7 Avon - now officially to be published later this year by Lyle Stuart. It promises violence, sex, and plenty of dubious background information on Avon and his family; so watch for it. It even has Terry Nation's seal of approval.

The art show auction Saturday night proved the most grueling activity of all, both for the guests, who were auctioneers, and fans, who spent thousands of dollars on art and donated charity items Ninety-four pieces of art alternated with 43 guest-donated B7 collectibles during the arduous bidding process, in what became a marathon auction, lasting from 8:30 p.m. Saturday to 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

The highest price paid for any item was $2,450.00 for the original shooting script of "Blake" donated by the episode's director, Mary Ridge - a rare find indeed Another piece, an 18" x 20" one-of-a-kind portrait photo of Avon donated by Paul and Janet, went for $1,000 00 The highest price paid for an art piece was $850 00 for a color rendering of Avon and Blake - by famed fan artist Karen River titled "Avon: Perihelion." it was luckily purchased by an Australian fan who had written a poem for which the piece was originally commissioned.

In spite of bidding that was high and often-times heated, the auction occasionally seemed to drag through the night. As for the guest auctioneers, Sheelagh and Jan gave up early on and went to bed; Michael, who is a dynamic salesman, gave in to fatigue around 1:00 a.m. and quietly departed the proceedings. Terry sat out most of the remaining two hours, watching Paul Darrow "hold court" by himself for the most part, save for an occasional assist from Janet Retaining his title as the hardest-working guest in fandom, Paul stayed to the very end - in spite of his back problems, a sacrifice for which he paid dearly the next day. Auctioning the final piece, Paul flashed his best "Avon" smile and cheerfully took himself and his wife upstairs to their room and a much needed rest. The remaining fans did likewise.

Sunday saw a lively costume contest, skits, and the closing ceremonies, and ended with a staff party given for just the helpers and guests. This was perhaps the nicest part of the convention, because the guests came to thank all those who worked to make the weekend run smoothly. Conversation with them was intimate and more memorable than the crowded panels had been, Terry Nation journeyed from table to table, signing autographs and eventually left for dinner with a group of fans; Jan mingled cheerfully, signed photos, and watched her son's face light up every time one of the fans asked for his autograph. Michael talked film and politics with those who gathered around him, showing himself a much more private and serious man than Vila could ever be. Janet had quite a fan following herself and although few photos of her existed, she often signed her name on her husband's pictures. While her primary attention stayed with the fans, she kept a watchful eye on Paul, who leaned on a podium for support at the far corner of the room, fighting back a fever and obvious back pain. He had refused advice that he rest, insisting on attending the helper party to personally thank all who gave up their Con time to work necessary jobs. That single gesture has earned him my unending respect and that of many others, I'm sure.

Monday morning found both fans and guests checking out of the hotel together Some of the guests headed home, others were chauffeured into NYC for several days* rest, sightseeing, and a night out at "Phantom of the Opera." Paul went to the doctor. Latest word is that his condition seems to be improving and hopefully the problem will only be temporary.

A successful convention? Indeed Mutual love for B7 brought everyone - guests and fans alike -together and hopefully will bring them and us back again next year for a DSV 2??? Why not? We can hope, dream, and save our money for just such a possibility.

DSV One lasted three very enjoyable days at the end of January in New Jersey. The guests were; Paul Darrow, Janet Lees Price, Michael Keating, Jan Chappel, Terry Nation and Sheelagh Wells. Everybody appeared to have a good time. The schedule of events was leisurely, but started quite early (9and 10 a.m.) and sometimes lasting very late (the art auction didn't end until 3a.m.). Unfortunately, Paul had injured his back picking up the luggage while on his way to DSV and it seemed to bother him for most of the convention, despite his fairly successful attempts in trying to hide it.

Friday started off with a photo and autograph session and then the opening ceremonies that featured a slide show that the guests gave lively comments about. Another highlight was the 10th anniversary party later on that night. They had a large cake on display and the guests there each said a few words. While Paul was talking, the microphone cord kept catching on the edge of the cake. By the time he handed the microphone over to Terry, there was a good 18 inches of cord covered with frosting. When Paul discovered what the audience was reacting too, he was embarrassed and tried to cover it up, without luck. Finally, Janet figured out what was going on and gave an expression like, You-see-what-happens-when-I-try-to-take-him-anywhere! And when it came time to cut the cake, there wasn't a knife in sight. So, all the guests took hold of the microphone cord and stretching, it tight, out the cake that way (and as there were no plates for that cake, we just scooped the cake up in glasses and ate it with our fingers. Not classy, but it was fun!).

Saturday had a couple of panels where you could ask the guests questions. Paxil and Michael had a 'dramatic reading* section to their panel that was quite nice. There was a showing of ‘Humours of Death' with Paul in attendance for a discussion of it afterwards. They couldn't get the sound on for the first 10 or 15 minutes so Paul began narrating it ('you sea how Avon always whirls around when they teleport down -you know why he does that? It's because I love to move like that!!') later on, there was a banquet where 9lucky fans were seated with each guest. The Art Auction followed, with most of the art show being auctioned off. The guests did all of the auctioning, with Paul staying for the whole thing, prices were high: the most expensive item was the director's copy of 'Blake* with notations and polaroids -it went for $2450! There was a poster of Avon that raised $1000 for the club 'Avon', for a computer to handle the new-influx of fans (it was a VERY NICE poster, I might add).

Sunday had a liar's panel (where guests cannot answer any question truthfully) that was very funny; you can get a good appreciation of their fast wits and clever imaginations! When someone asked Jan what she missed most about her role on the Liberator, she got that familiar look, that glassy stare and stated she could hear something...voices talking to her. There was a second Liar's Panel and a Masquerade with the Closing Ceremonies (a couple of notable costumes were of Zeeona, and Anna Grant — as Avon remembered her - you know, satin sheet and pillow behind her head and a glass of wine in hand). And lastly, Sheelagh had brought the blooper reel and let it play until all had seen it. It ended the con on an up note.

All in all, the con went smoothly and was a lot of fun, and I got to meet so many friendly, bright people, with their enthusiasm for the show so high.