Everything Else

Just before the fest got underway officially, a group of fans met with Scott Devine at the Burbank Bar & Grille. Scott was in charge of putting together extras for the second season Lois and Clark DVD release. But mostly fans partied, laughed and were generally very noisy. At least according to a reliable source.

During the banquet, fans were taken into a small room to be interviewed for the second season DVDs. It's unknown if some or all of the interviews will end up on the cutting room floor, but fans were happy to talk about the series and why they loved it.

They sat in a chair in front of a scene from Lois and Clark's second season which was rear-projected onto a screen. They were asked questions ranging from their favorite episode to their favorite Clark Kent tie. Apparently Tempus Fugitive was the favorite episode because by the sixth fan interview they asked, "What's your favorite Lois and Clark episode after Tempus Fugitive?"

Shortly before LAFF, Lane Smith, the actor who portrayed Perry White, passed away. He had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, just last year. He will be sorely missed.

Lane Smith was the ultimate Perry White. I'm not just saying that as a Lois and Clark fan, but as a lifelong Superman fan. It was inspired casting. Choosing an actor from Memphis gave a southern drawl spin on the famous Daily Planet editor-in-chief. His love of Elvis Presley, as well as his sometimes troubled marriage, gave him a human depth not duplicated by any other actor in the role.

Ironically the LAFF committee had decided this year's charity would be ALS in honor of Lane Smith.

Items at the auction included final cut viewing tapes brought by K Callan, autographed scripts, handmade washcloths in the Superman colors, photos, clippings, an afghan made by Nan Smith, various Superman items and t-shirts from previous FoLC fests.

All proceeds from the auction will go to the The ALS Association of Callabasas, California. Anyone who was not at LAFF, but would like to make a donation, can go to the ALS Association site http://www.alsa.org/.

Last, and by no means least, a big thank you to LAFF organizer Chris Paterson. She picked up the LAFF duties after they'd been dropped by others in the 90s.

She has worked tirelessly for five years doing the festivals. Sometimes her hotel room at LAFF resembled Grand Central Station as fans dropped by to chat. You'll likely never meet a nicer person. Thanks again, Chris, from all of us!