Staite will be having a Q&A at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Seaport World Trade Center. Tickets are $20-$120. For more info, visit www.bostoncomiccon.com.
Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
Are you ready for Comic Con? If not, we’ve got clues from an expert on what to expect. Jewel Staite, known for her starring roles on “Firefly” and “Stargate: Atlantis,” tells us how she preps for a visit to a new city and what she likes about going to conventions.
On visiting Boston:
This is my first visit as an adult to Boston, which will probably be a totally different experience from when I went with my parents when I was 12. I always try to do something relatively touristy when I’m visiting cities for conventions, but usually that just ends up being eating copious amounts of food at various local restaurants that are recommended to me by the fans who know I’ll be in their home town.
On her food blog, happyopu, and getting restaurant tips:
I’m lucky enough to have fans of my blog who look out for me and suggest restaurants based on my convention schedule for the year. I’ve got a huge list for Boston, so basically I’m training for a pigging out marathon. Ladylike, I know.
On the best part of conventions for the actors:
Besides having tons of people dress up like me? I always say the most fun thing about these conventions for us actors is seeing old friends we’ve worked with in the past, or met at conventions in the past somewhere around the world. I did a convention with Sean Astin in Australia years ago and we really bonded at that, as you do at these things, so it’ll be great to see him again.
On the best part of acting in scifi shows:
The best part of doing sci-fi is that every script is a completely new adventure. You never really know what’s in store for you as an actor, and it’s never boring. Plus, most women in sci fi are strong, dominant females who can save the day all on their own, and what’s more fun than that?
On the mysterious but highly effective Joss Whedon casting process:
Joss seems to have a specific picture in his head of exactly what he wants, whether that’s with actors or with a particular moment in a scene. He’s relentless in looking for it and won’t settle for anything less than what he expects or what he has in his mind. I have no idea where he gets his genius from. He’s a freak of nature.
On why “Firefly” remains so popular all these years later:
I’ve been wracking my brain to the answer to that for a long time. All I know is it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with us as the actors in the show. The fans bond with each other over a common interest and form relationships of their own. They meet up with each other all over the world for these conventions, and meeting us is sort of a side thought, a tiny cherry on top of the sundae of the thing they really care about, which is each other. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of, though. It’s their show, and their fandom, and we’re just lucky enough to be a part of it in some way.
On what she’d tell her “Firefly”-era self:
We always knew we were the network underdog, right from the beginning. We didn’t think we had much of a chance, and it always felt like our days were numbered. We made the most of what we had, and we formed a bond that is so special and unusual, we’re still like a family all of these years later. The only advice I would give myself is to not let Nathan Fillion take all of the props home and keep some for myself. I love him, but he’s greedy.
And if it’s your first time going to a convention?
Conventions are a little like going to Vegas for the weekend, except with more people in costume. It’s a nonstop party, with something to see everywhere you turn and basically non stop stimuli for every sense you’ve got. It’s a whirlwind. So I would say get lots of sleep beforehand because there’s not a whole lot of sleep that’s going to happen.
