BotCon 2007: Difference between revisions
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'''[[BotCon]] 2007''' was the Official ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' Convention in 2007, run by [[Fun Publications]]. It was held in Providence, Rhode Island from [[June 27]] to [[July 1]], though only the last two days were open to the general public. | '''[[BotCon]] 2007''' was the Official ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' Convention in 2007, run by [[Fun Publications]]. It was held in Providence, Rhode Island from [[June 27]] to [[July 1]], though only the last two days were open to the general public. | ||
Fun Publications had previously held its conventions in the early fall; however, the date was moved up to coincide with the release of the [[Transformers ( | Fun Publications had previously held its conventions in the early fall; however, the date was moved up to coincide with the release of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action Transformers movie]]. | ||
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*'''Convention Box Set ($279, bagged $179)''' - This set of five toys was only available to those who registered for either the 'Primus Package' or the non-attendee 'Iacon Package.' The set also included a badge, the Convention Comic, bio cards, and for the first 300 registrants, an exclusive Bug Bite pin. This set sold out (both boxed and bagged versions) well in advance of the convention. | *'''Convention Box Set ($279, bagged $179)''' - This set of five toys was only available to those who registered for either the 'Primus Package' or the non-attendee 'Iacon Package.' The set also included a badge, the Convention Comic, bio cards, and for the first 300 registrants, an exclusive Bug Bite pin. This set sold out (both boxed and bagged versions) well in advance of the convention. | ||
[[Image:BotCon2007GamesofDeceptionbox.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This set will cost you your firstborn. And your secondborn as well.]] | [[Image:BotCon2007GamesofDeceptionbox.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This set will cost you your firstborn. And your secondborn as well.]] | ||
**'''[[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]]''' - A Black and white redeco of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|''Classics'' Bumblebee]] with a purple tribal tattoo-style design on it. | |||
**'''[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]''' - A white and purple redeco of [[Jetfire (G1)|''Classics'' Jetfire]] with a remolded head. | |||
**'''[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys|Thundercracker]]''' - A redeco of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|''Classics'' Starscream]] that replicates ''Generation 1'' Thundercracker's deco. | |||
**'''[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]''' - A redeco of [[Ramjet (G1)|''Classics'' Ramjet]] that replicates ''Generation 1'' Dirge's deco. | |||
**'''[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]''' - A retool of both sets of wings on the ''Classics'' Seeker mold, with the rest of the mold's configuration retaining elements from both Starscream and Ramjet. The deco replicates ''Generation 1'' Thrust's deco. | |||
*'''Attendee-Only Bonus Toy''' - [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], an unpainted version of ''Classics'' Mirage with mostly translucent blue plastic, was provided as a bonus to those who picked up their 'Primus Package' box set in person. | *'''Attendee-Only Bonus Toy''' - [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], an unpainted version of ''Classics'' Mirage with mostly translucent blue plastic, was provided as a bonus to those who picked up their 'Primus Package' box set in person. | ||
*'''Convention Souvenir 2-Packs''' - Two sets of two bagged toys, with only 1,400 produced of each set. | *'''Convention Souvenir 2-Packs''' - Two sets of two bagged toys, with only 1,400 produced of each set. | ||
**'''[[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Weirdwolf]]''' - A purple, red, and white redeco of ''Cybertron'' [[Vector Prime]] with a remolded head, and [[Snarl (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Snarl]] redecoed to look like Weirdwolf. | |||
**'''[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]''' - Redecoes of [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]] and [[Armorhide (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Armorhide]], done to look like Springer and Huffer, respectively. Springer was singled out by Fun Publications owner [[Brian Savage]] for having an unusually high number of paint apps, even for a convention exclusive. | |||
===Comics=== | ===Comics=== | ||
*'''Convention Comic: ''[[Games of Deception]]''''' - A comic drawn by [[Alex Milne]] and written by [[Forest Lee]], set in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Club Comic]] [[Classics | *'''Convention Comic: ''[[Games of Deception]]''''' - A comic drawn by [[Alex Milne]] and written by [[Forest Lee]], set in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Club Comic]] [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] universe. The comic was also available with an alternate cover and several pages of bonus content at the Club table. | ||
===Other items=== | ===Other items=== | ||
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* A Classics-themed lithograph by [[Don Figueroa]]. | * A Classics-themed lithograph by [[Don Figueroa]]. | ||
* A fan-produced [[Vector Sigma]] set including stand and Key by the Lukis Bros at Unicron.com | * A fan-produced [[Vector Sigma]] set including stand and Key by the Lukis Bros at Unicron.com | ||
* Four different keycards were given out to those staying in one of the four official hotels. Each bore an image of a different Movie character: Optimus Prime (Biltmore), Megatron (Marriot Courtyard), Starscream (Hilton), or Bumblebee (Westin). Although not sold at the convention itself, each card was available as a "bonus" with specific convention packages available through the Club Store. Remaining cards were sold as a set for $5 at [[ | * Four different keycards were given out to those staying in one of the four official hotels. Each bore an image of a different Movie character: Optimus Prime (Biltmore), Megatron (Marriot Courtyard), Starscream (Hilton), or Bumblebee (Westin). Although not sold at the convention itself, each card was available as a "bonus" with specific convention packages available through the Club Store. Remaining cards were sold as a set for $5 at [[BotCon 2008]] at the Club table. | ||
==Guests== | ==Guests== | ||
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* [[Eric Siebenaler]], Lead Designer | * [[Eric Siebenaler]], Lead Designer | ||
* [[Jared Wade]], Design Director | * [[Jared Wade]], Design Director | ||
* [[William Rawley]], Sr. Designer | * [[Bill Rawley|William Rawley]], Sr. Designer | ||
===Movie staff=== | ===Movie staff=== | ||
*[[Peter Cullen]], voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] both in the [[ | *[[Peter Cullen]], voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] both in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]] and the upcoming film, made an appearance at the convention, signing autographs and hosting a panel. | ||
*[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], the writers of the screenplay for the movie, had several panels over the course of the weekend. | *[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], the writers of the screenplay for the movie, had several panels over the course of the weekend. | ||
*[[Rachael Taylor]] and [[Tyrese Gibson]] made an appearance at the [[BotCon 2007#Thursday|movie screening]]. They and Brian Goldner were actually attending a charity screening of the movie next door to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Adoption Rhode Island, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.<ref>[http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20070501005912&ndmHsc=v2*A1175425200000*B1178059402000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N1000837*Ztransformers&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup (subscription required). Business Wire. 2007-05-01]</ref> | *[[Rachael Taylor]] and [[Tyrese Gibson]] made an appearance at the [[BotCon 2007#Thursday|movie screening]]. They and Brian Goldner were actually attending a charity screening of the movie next door to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Adoption Rhode Island, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.<ref>[http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20070501005912&ndmHsc=v2*A1175425200000*B1178059402000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N1000837*Ztransformers&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup (subscription required). Business Wire. 2007-05-01]</ref> | ||
===Other actors=== | ===Other actors=== | ||
* [[David Kaye]], recently announced as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] for ''[[Transformers Animated]]''. [[Megatron (BW)|Yessss...]] | * [[David Kaye]], recently announced as the voice of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] for ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''. [[Megatron (BW)|Yessss...]] | ||
* [[Daniel Ross]], voice of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] in all | * [[Daniel Ross]], voice of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] in all versions of ''[[Transformers The Game]]'' and [[Mixmaster (Movie)|Mixmaster]] and [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] in [[Transformers The Game (PSP)|the PSP version of ''Transformers The Game'']]. | ||
===Musicians=== | ===Musicians=== | ||
*[[Stan Bush]], performer of 'Dare', 'The Touch', 'Ground Zero', and '[[Till All Are One (Transformers Theme)]]' (BotCon 2007's theme song), attended the con, performing a concert at the Saturday dinner, giving a panel, and playing [[Wikipedia:Guitar Hero|Guitar Hero]] for the first time at an attendee's party. | *[[Stan Bush]], performer of 'Dare', 'The Touch', 'Ground Zero', and '[[Till All Are One (Transformers Theme)]]' (BotCon 2007's theme song), attended the con, performing a concert at the Saturday dinner, giving a panel, and playing [[Wikipedia:Guitar Hero|Guitar Hero]] for the first time at an attendee's party. | ||
*[[Ernie Petrangelo]], lead songwriter of [[N.R.G.]] (the performers of 'Instruments of Destruction' from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 animated film]]'s soundtrack. Petrangelo was scheduled to be at the convention to sign autographs, but did not show as he was informed of the wrong day and actually turned up on the Wednesday pre-registration, spending the day trying to find Brian Savage). | *[[Ernie Petrangelo]], lead songwriter of [[N.R.G.]] (the performers of 'Instruments of Destruction' from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 animated film]]'s soundtrack. Petrangelo was scheduled to be at the convention to sign autographs, but did not show as he was informed of the wrong day and actually turned up on the Wednesday pre-registration, spending the day trying to find Brian Savage). | ||
===Comics and art=== | ===Comics and art=== | ||
* [[IDW Publishing]] editor [[Dan Taylor]] | * [[IDW Publishing]] editor [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]] | ||
* IDW artist/writer [[Nick Roche]] | * IDW artist/writer [[Nick Roche]] | ||
* IDW artist [[Alex Milne]] | * IDW artist [[Alex Milne]] | ||
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* A customization class featuring the creation of [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] from the [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Classics Grimlock]] mold. | * A customization class featuring the creation of [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] from the [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Classics Grimlock]] mold. | ||
* A tour of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod followed by a whale-watching cruise in Hyannis, MA. | * A tour of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod followed by a whale-watching cruise in Hyannis, MA. | ||
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* A second customization class nearly identical to the Wednesday class. | * A second customization class nearly identical to the Wednesday class. | ||
* A 3D Display class. | * A 3D Display class. | ||
* The Newport Tour. | * The Newport Tour. | ||
* A special early screening of the [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' 2007 movie]]. Hasbro alpha dog and executive producer [[Brian Goldner]] brought two stars of the film, but was unable to introduce Rachel Taylor before the audience started screaming for Tyrese to bring something. | |||
* A special early screening of the [[Transformers ( | |||
[[Image:Mstf2007.jpg|right|200px|thumb|In the not too distant future, somewhere in Providence.]] | [[Image:Mstf2007.jpg|right|200px|thumb|In the not too distant future, somewhere in Providence.]] | ||
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* [[BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour|Hasbro Tour]]. | * [[BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour|Hasbro Tour]]. | ||
* Several David Kaye panels. | * Several David Kaye panels. | ||
* A Stan Bush panel. | * A Stan Bush panel. | ||
* A panel with the screenwriters of the movie. | * A panel with the screenwriters of the movie. | ||
* The [[Board Wars]] preliminary round. | * The [[Board Wars]] preliminary round. | ||
* Autograph sessions. | * Autograph sessions. | ||
* [[MSTF]]. | * [[MSTF]]. | ||
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* An ''[[Attacktix]]'' Tournament. | * An ''[[Attacktix]]'' Tournament. | ||
* The Board Wars finals, which Team Transformers Wiki won. | * The Board Wars finals, which Team Transformers Wiki won. | ||
* Autograph sessions, including Peter Cullen this time. | * Autograph sessions, including Peter Cullen this time. | ||
* Another panel with the movie screenwriters. | * Another panel with the movie screenwriters. | ||
* A panel where Hasbro discussed their involvement with the development of the movie and accompanying merchandise. | * A panel where Hasbro discussed their involvement with the development of the movie and accompanying merchandise. | ||
* Lessons on how to draw Transformers. | * Lessons on how to draw Transformers. | ||
* A panel with [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]], publishers of ''[[Transformers The Game]]''. | |||
* A panel with [[Activision]], publishers of ''[[Transformers | |||
* A panel with [[IDW Publishing]]. | * A panel with [[IDW Publishing]]. | ||
* A panel with Peter Cullen. | * A panel with Peter Cullen. | ||
* Another panel with David Kaye. | * Another panel with David Kaye. | ||
* A collector's club roundtable. | * A collector's club roundtable. | ||
* An awards show dinner/Stan Bush concert. | * An awards show dinner/Stan Bush concert. | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] showed up and hung out next to the [[BotCon 2007|Sector Seven Mobile Command Unit]]. | * [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] showed up and hung out next to the [[BotCon 2007|Sector Seven Mobile Command Unit]]. | ||
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All of the panels on this final day of BotCon were repeats of those held earlier in the weekend, with one significant exception: | All of the panels on this final day of BotCon were repeats of those held earlier in the weekend, with one significant exception: | ||
* Hasbro upcoming product panel, which premiered both the [[AllSpark Power]] wave of movie toys, and the character designs, animation clips, and toys of the ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' series. | * Hasbro upcoming product panel, which premiered both the [[AllSpark Power]] wave of movie toys, and the character designs, animation clips, and toys of the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' series. | ||
The dealer room was open until 3:30PM. | The dealer room was open until 3:30PM. | ||
Revision as of 00:26, 18 May 2012
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![]() Who could this mysterious black figure be? | |||||||
| Date | June 27, 2007 | ||||||
| City | Providence, RI | ||||||
| Venue | Rhode Island Convention Center | ||||||

BotCon 2007 was the Official Transformers Convention in 2007, run by Fun Publications. It was held in Providence, Rhode Island from June 27 to July 1, though only the last two days were open to the general public.
Fun Publications had previously held its conventions in the early fall; however, the date was moved up to coincide with the release of the live-action Transformers movie.
Venue


Botcon 2007 was held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island, from June 28 through July 1. The RICC is attached to a Westin hotel, the first of four downtown Providence hotels to have blocks booked for the convention by Fun Publications. Convenient sky bridges connect the hotel to the convention center, ensuring that attendees never had to actually set foot outside during the weekend. Granted, doing so risked instant death beneath the wheels of rushing cars on the freeway-like street crossed by the sky bridge.
The convention center is also attached to Providence Place Mall, which features a sixteen screen multiplex theatre and a Hot Topic that was totally sold out of Barricade clothing by Friday morning.
The mall's slogan is "DEFINING YOU". Up yours, Providence Place Mall.
Merchandise
Convention-exclusive toys
- Convention Box Set ($279, bagged $179) - This set of five toys was only available to those who registered for either the 'Primus Package' or the non-attendee 'Iacon Package.' The set also included a badge, the Convention Comic, bio cards, and for the first 300 registrants, an exclusive Bug Bite pin. This set sold out (both boxed and bagged versions) well in advance of the convention.

- Bug Bite - A Black and white redeco of Classics Bumblebee with a purple tribal tattoo-style design on it.
- Dreadwind - A white and purple redeco of Classics Jetfire with a remolded head.
- Thundercracker - A redeco of Classics Starscream that replicates Generation 1 Thundercracker's deco.
- Dirge - A redeco of Classics Ramjet that replicates Generation 1 Dirge's deco.
- Thrust - A retool of both sets of wings on the Classics Seeker mold, with the rest of the mold's configuration retaining elements from both Starscream and Ramjet. The deco replicates Generation 1 Thrust's deco.
- Attendee-Only Bonus Toy - Mirage, an unpainted version of Classics Mirage with mostly translucent blue plastic, was provided as a bonus to those who picked up their 'Primus Package' box set in person.
- Convention Souvenir 2-Packs - Two sets of two bagged toys, with only 1,400 produced of each set.
- Alpha Trion and Weirdwolf - A purple, red, and white redeco of Cybertron Vector Prime with a remolded head, and Cybertron Snarl redecoed to look like Weirdwolf.
- Springer and Huffer - Redecoes of Cybertron Defense Hot Shot and Cybertron Armorhide, done to look like Springer and Huffer, respectively. Springer was singled out by Fun Publications owner Brian Savage for having an unusually high number of paint apps, even for a convention exclusive.
Comics
- Convention Comic: Games of Deception - A comic drawn by Alex Milne and written by Forest Lee, set in the Club Comic Classics universe. The comic was also available with an alternate cover and several pages of bonus content at the Club table.
Other items
- A pitcher bearing the BotCon 2007 logo with a light-up (red) base.
- A mug bearing the same logo and light-up base.
- A ball cap bearing the same logo.
- A T-shirt with the "Games of Deception" box graphics.
- A Classics-themed lithograph by Don Figueroa.
- A fan-produced Vector Sigma set including stand and Key by the Lukis Bros at Unicron.com
- Four different keycards were given out to those staying in one of the four official hotels. Each bore an image of a different Movie character: Optimus Prime (Biltmore), Megatron (Marriot Courtyard), Starscream (Hilton), or Bumblebee (Westin). Although not sold at the convention itself, each card was available as a "bonus" with specific convention packages available through the Club Store. Remaining cards were sold as a set for $5 at BotCon 2008 at the Club table.
Guests
Hasbro employees
Because of the convention's intentional proximity to Hasbro's corporate headquarters in Pawtucket, RI, almost all current Hasbro employees that work on the Transformers brand made an appearance at the convention.
- Brian Goldner, Chief Operating Officer
- Vickie Stratford, Sr. Design Project Manager (Boy's Toys)
- Joe Kyde, Designer (Boy's Toys, Exclusive Division)
Transformers brand
- Greg Lombardo, Sr.Director of Marketing
- Aaron Archer, Sr. Design Director
- Eric Siebenaler, Lead Designer
- Jared Wade, Design Director
- William Rawley, Sr. Designer
Movie staff
- Peter Cullen, voice of Optimus Prime both in the Generation 1 cartoon and the upcoming film, made an appearance at the convention, signing autographs and hosting a panel.
- Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the writers of the screenplay for the movie, had several panels over the course of the weekend.
- Rachael Taylor and Tyrese Gibson made an appearance at the movie screening. They and Brian Goldner were actually attending a charity screening of the movie next door to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Adoption Rhode Island, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.[1]
Other actors
- David Kaye, recently announced as the voice of Optimus Prime for Transformers Animated. Yessss...
- Daniel Ross, voice of Starscream in all versions of Transformers The Game and Mixmaster and Hound in the PSP version of Transformers The Game.
Musicians
- Stan Bush, performer of 'Dare', 'The Touch', 'Ground Zero', and 'Till All Are One (Transformers Theme)' (BotCon 2007's theme song), attended the con, performing a concert at the Saturday dinner, giving a panel, and playing Guitar Hero for the first time at an attendee's party.
- Ernie Petrangelo, lead songwriter of N.R.G. (the performers of 'Instruments of Destruction' from the 1986 animated film's soundtrack. Petrangelo was scheduled to be at the convention to sign autographs, but did not show as he was informed of the wrong day and actually turned up on the Wednesday pre-registration, spending the day trying to find Brian Savage).
Comics and art
- IDW Publishing editor Dan Taylor
- IDW artist/writer Nick Roche
- IDW artist Alex Milne
- IDW artist Robby Musso
Government

Some representatives of Sector Seven were in attendance at the convention, attempting to dispel the notion of the existence of NBEs through presentations in the Sector Seven Mobile Command Unit.
Events
Wednesday

The only two events on Wednesday were open to a limited (first come, first serve) number of pre-registrants only.
- A customization class featuring the creation of Overkill from the Classics Grimlock mold.
- A tour of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod followed by a whale-watching cruise in Hyannis, MA.
Thursday
Thursday was the day when the majority of preregistrants arrived. Events on Thursday included...
- A second customization class nearly identical to the Wednesday class.
- A 3D Display class.
- The Newport Tour.
- A special early screening of the Transformers 2007 movie. Hasbro alpha dog and executive producer Brian Goldner brought two stars of the film, but was unable to introduce Rachel Taylor before the audience started screaming for Tyrese to bring something.

Friday
Friday was the first full day of the convention for most participants.
Major events included...
- Hasbro Tour.
- Several David Kaye panels.
- A Stan Bush panel.
- A panel with the screenwriters of the movie.
- The Board Wars preliminary round.
- Autograph sessions.
- MSTF.
In addition, the sales room was open from 4 to 7 PM.
Saturday


A big day. Events included...
- An Attacktix Tournament.
- The Board Wars finals, which Team Transformers Wiki won.
- Autograph sessions, including Peter Cullen this time.
- Another panel with the movie screenwriters.
- A panel where Hasbro discussed their involvement with the development of the movie and accompanying merchandise.
- Lessons on how to draw Transformers.
- A panel with Activision, publishers of Transformers The Game.
- A panel with IDW Publishing.
- A panel with Peter Cullen.
- Another panel with David Kaye.
- A collector's club roundtable.
- An awards show dinner/Stan Bush concert.
- Optimus Prime showed up and hung out next to the Sector Seven Mobile Command Unit.
Additionally, the dealer's room was open until 5PM.
Sunday
All of the panels on this final day of BotCon were repeats of those held earlier in the weekend, with one significant exception:
- Hasbro upcoming product panel, which premiered both the AllSpark Power wave of movie toys, and the character designs, animation clips, and toys of the Transformers Animated series.
The dealer room was open until 3:30PM.



