Trek Yourself: Star Trek Convention feeds Atlanta with multifandom fun

Treklanta staff member Lee Johnson, talks about this year’s convention at the DoubleTree Hotel to The Signal April 16, 2016. Photos by Dayne Francis | The Signal — Treklanta staff member Lee Johnson, talks about this year’s convention at the DoubleTree Hotel to The Signal April 16, 2016.
Photos by Dayne Francis | The Signal

On April 15 science fiction fans gathered at the Northlake DoubleTree in Tucker, Georgia to celebrate their favorite shows at Treklanta.

The convention opened with a welcoming speech by Eric Watts, the Founder and Chairman of Treklanta. Watts also introduced several of the celebrity guests at this year’s convention, including Tracee Lee Cocco, Jack Stauffer and Carel Struycken, all from the “Star Trek” franchise. Struycken is also well known for his role as Lurch in “The Addams Family” series.

Even though the convention was catered towards fans of “Star Trek,” other events were featured for fans of various sci-fi classics, such as “Star Wars,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Doctor Who.”

Some specific events at the convention were able to draw in large crowds through unique styles and storytelling.

Going Green

The Puppet Show Felt Nerdy displays the various puppets used in their show at the DoubleTree Hotel, April 16, 2016.

Panels were held which took a look at independent fan film productions. Java Green, an author and filmmaker, was one of the guest panelists.

Though Green has been involved in acting his whole life, he is best known for his role as Dr. Frank N. Furter in the Plaza Theatre’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a role he has been reprising for 13 years.

Green only got into Doctor Who about four year ago, but the show inspired him. Since then, Green has filmed his own Doctor Who fan series called “The Forgotten Doctor,” which follows a new regeneration of The Doctor, immediately after Paul McGann.

Treklanta visitor, Renee Handley poses for a photo at the DoubleTree Hotel, April 16, 2016. Photo by Dayne Francis | The Signal

Green also partnered with Throwback Studioz to help write and direct several episodes of an X-Men fan series called “Uncanny X-men,” not to be confused with the band of the same name. The series follows Wolverine through action-packed adventures and is entering its fourth season.

Treklanta visitor shows off his Boba Fett costume at DoubleTree Hotel, April 16, 2016. Photo by Dayne Francis | The Signal — Treklanta visitor shows off his Boba Fett costume at DoubleTree Hotel, April 16, 2016.
Photo by Dayne Francis | The Signal

This was Green’s first year at Treklanta, but he has also been featured on a number of other conventions in the area, including TimeGate, Outlanta and Anachrocon. Green is still trying to get a feel for Treklanta, but he admitted to having a great time and hopes to return for more panels next year.

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