By: lazyshades
Pictures: lazyshades
Edited by: Marcy
Friday october, 31 2008


Friday, 31 october 2008

The questions asked to Randy were the ones of the organizers. The ones asked by the audience had been reserved for Sunday. We had 3 days to deposit them in a special box.

I’m sure that some of the answers are things that are already widely known, but I will report everything (or almost everything, I could have forgotten something) he talked about. Questions are most specifically about s1 to s3.

Q: What about shooting a tv show or a movie?
A: He’s not against it, but after playing the same character on QAF for 5 years, he needed time to do something completely different. That’s why he went back to theatre.

Q: What did he love and hate in the show?
A: He loved and hated the end of the show because it was good to move on, but also sad to say goodbye.

Q: About his audition for QAF.
A: He only read his part on the auditions and wasn’t interested in any other part. He knew about the UK show but hadn’t watched it before shooting a couple of episodes. He didn’t want to be influenced by the actor playing ‘Nathan’ (Justin in the UK version). He auditioned with 3 potential Brians. Gale was one of them (maybe the last one, I can’t remember). "And it works!"

Q: Someone in the audience asked what type of man he prefers.
A: "No preference in type of man."

Q: About the changes between s1 and s2.
A: He agreed with the presenter that in the beginning, everybody was happy being gay. Then Justin got bashed and they all have been brought back to reality.

Q: What he hated the most?
A: To dance for the ‘King of Babylon’. He only got 2 lessons and thought it was very degrading. He said he had "nothing at all against nudity scenes because [he] could concentrate on [his] partner but for ‘King of Babylon’, [he] had nothing but the pole".

Q: At the end of s1 or beginning of s2 (I can’t remember), the producers asked the actors what it was about s1 they enjoyed doing the least.
A: He answered "King of Babylon" dance. During the second season he got into an argument with the producers. They ‘punished’ him by making him a go-go dancer. He grinned.

Q: About Fab Filippo/ Ethan Gold.
A: He was there for Fab’s audition.He loved playing episodes with Fab because he was ‘fresh blood’. It was nice being able to act with someone new after spending so much time with Gale. "As much as I adore Gale, it was nice to play with somebody else." (Can I make a small parentheses here and point the tense of the verb? He ADORES!! Present. Not past. :D Plus, he chose to say ‘adore’ not ‘like’. It’s so much stronger… Okay, okay, I’ll shut up.)

Q: About Brian being like a father for Justin.
A: He thinks Brian wasn’t a father figure for Justin but that Justin was teaching Brian a lot more things about life than the other way around.

Q: About Debbie’s wig.
A: Sharon wanted to wear a different wig for every different scene but the producers said no because they thought nobody would recognize her and she wasn’t very happy about it!

Q: The presenter talked about the friendship between Justin and Daphne, and asked Randy if he was friends with Makyla Smith.
A: He said yes, they were friends while filming QAF but not anymore. They lost touch. She was less in s4 and s5 because the producers didn’t want her to be the reminder of Justin’s school days.

Q: Does something like the ‘Pink Posse’ really exist?
A: No, it isn’t real. It’s based on something similar but a lot more peaceful. There are organisations out there who walk the streets to protect gay people but they’re not violent.

Q: About the quality of the stories told in s2.
A: He agreed with the presenter that stories in s2 were chaotic but that in s3, the producers seemed to have found what they wanted to do with the characters.

Q: How did he play Justin’s PTSD?
A: He did research about brain injuries but most of Justin’s reactions were written in the script, and it was nice to be able to play a different side of Justin.

Q: About the comic book.
A: He doesn’t imagine himself being in the comic book but his character. The comic book was good because it gave Justin an identity separate from Brian and was something to link Justin with Michael other than Brian.

Q: What did he do (other work) while shooting s1?
A: He had no time for anything else during the filming of QAF but had done a lot of stage work between the breaks in the off season.

Q: About Justin’s haircuts.
A: He loves to change his hair. S3 long hair was a suggestion of the hair stylist.



Q: How did they shoot the dances at Babylon?
A: They danced without music. They only had 60 seconds of music to know the rhythm. He said Gale and he are huge fans of music and that they sometimes suggested their own fave songs.

Q: What was the first scene he shot in the show?
A: He can’t remember if it was his first steps in the loft or his first steps on Liberty Avenue, when Justin walks in the puddle.

Q: About the first sex scene between Justin and Brian.
A: They were embarrassed about it because they were the first ones to do one. There was "nothing erotic about it". Everything was very rehearsed and choreographed.

Q: About how they played their characters.
A: At the beginning, the producers told them about what they were feeling in certain scenes. But later, after s2, they knew the characters well enough not to need the directions anymore.

Q: What does he have in common with Justin? What are their differences?
A: In common: They’re both artists.
Difference: He couldn’t love someone who treated him that badly.

Random things:

- He started his own production company with somebody else (one of his best friends while he was in high school?). They were supposed to produce plays mostly, but are doing more short films at the moment.

- He needed to do some stage work after QAF because his training is as a stage actor, but like he said earlier, he has nothing against another TV show or some film.

- Nobody liked the opening credits of s1 to s3. They all thought it gave the wrong idea about the show.

- His first scene with Sharon was her very first scene in the show. They were very late because of the filming. It was like 3am and she was very nervous.

- He knew the hand job with Chris Hobbs in s1 would develop Chris’ homophobia but he didn’t know they will go so far (with the bashing).

- He always knew Brian would be a good guy about Stockwell but he didn’t think it would take so much time.

After that:

Short break for Randy and Erin

Q&A with Erin Daniels + Discussion with the audience, while there was the photo shoots with Randy. Second big scare of the day! I suddenly realize that I will be near Randy Harrison… Until then, I was blocked on the fact that I hate to have my photo taken but when Kat and I approach the stand to have our pass validated, I really feel intimidated.

Shaking, I approach him and murmur a shy "Hi." He answers "Bonjour." Then, all I can think about is 'Try not to be too ugly on the photo'. I’m aware of his presence beside me without being really conscious that he IS next to me (Am I clear?).

After that, I say "Thank you" and I walk away. I already have made a few steps when I hear "Au revoir." And here, I feel really stupid! I’m so disturbed that I’ve forgotten to say goodbye. I even forgot to tell him that I was happy to meet him… I turn around, blushing, and whisper "Bye." God, I’m really ashamed of myself… but it won’t prevent me to repeat the exact same thing the next day… Stupid me!

Kat assures that I was smiling when I talked to him, but what worries me now is whether the smile was still there for the picture. I don’t think so… Well, we’ll see!!
The pics of my photo shoots with Randy will be available soon (if I’m not too scary on them). We haven’t got the pics yet, they will be sent to us in a few days.

Kat and I are back in the auditorium to hear the end of the Q&A about the L Word. We must have missed 10 minutes of it.

After that, there’s a short break for the 2 actors, then they start the signing.

I was already aware of the number of fans present for the 2 actresses from The L Word, but when we’re told after a good half an hour that people who want to see Randy only can go in, I’m thinking it’s really bad that a show like Queer as Folk is so unknown in France. Oh well… Kat and I leave The L Word’s fans who are queuing for Erin and we pass many people to go and see Randy!

Once again, I have the opportunity to say to him that I’m glad to meet him/that he came to Paris/that he has such a beautiful smile, take your choice! But I must have lost part of my brain because the only thing I say when I’m in front of him is "Hi again." Yes, I know, how original… I still can tell him that my name is Marion, but my accent is so terrible that he writes Marianne… (if someone here is called Marianne, I can send her Randy’s autograph!). Then, I hand him another pic and ask him to sign for a friend of mine.

I manage to thank him and tell him goodbye and Kat and I go back to the hotel.

That same evening, there is a ‘Halloween’ party, with the actresses of The L Word, at the GLC of Paris, but we’re so tired that we decide to buy something to eat at the hotel, and rest for the evening. We work on the report of the day to try to forget as little as possible about Randy and his Q&A then we go to sleep. It’s later than 1 am once again.

Well done for 2 girls who missed a free party because they were too tired…

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Saturday, november, 1 2008

The organizers of the con had announced to us the previous day that there would be more people this day and that it would be very difficult to find seats. Kat and me had decided then to cheat a bit and miss the first part of the day, concerning the Q&A with Laurel Holloman and a conference about The L Word ("On another Planet").

We also had decided to not have breakfast but to have our lunch early that way we could stay on site when most of the public would leave for lunch and have the best seats as possible, in the middle, just in front of Randy.

So, we arrive at 11:30 am, just in time for the discussion about QAF, but the con seems to be late and so we attend the one about The L Word, who was planned just before the QAF one.

Immediately after the discussion about QAF, some auctions take place. This includes a very rare script of QAF from episode 1.22. When I say ‘rare’, it’s because it’s in fact one of the first versions of the episode. But between this one and the final version, almost all the dialogues had been changed, some scenes had been cut, some others added, lengthened… It seems we learn the precise date of Brian’s birthday in it (!!) and there’s a small wink to Gale, related to the scene where’s there’s a party for Michael (who leaves for Portland) and to which Brian won’t come.

Are also offered: a version of the same script, closer to the episode as we know it, a bra worn by Laurel Holloman on The L Word, a t-shirt and a sleeveless jacket offered to her by the production (and therefore very rare), the boots she wears during all the 6 seasons, a singing flower toy we can see in s3 and a Rage comic book.


All the items purchased will be signed by the actors.

Here are the prices the auctions attained, and believe me, there are some persons who are REALLY fans.

- The bra worn by Laurel Holloman has been sold for 370€.

- The boots have been sold for more then 350€.

- The white jacket with no sleeves has been sold for 280€.

- The pink t-shirt has been sold for 230€.

- The singing flower toy for 150€.

- QAF Rage book #1, for something like 170€.

- The script from the ep 122, close to the ep as we all know it has been sold for something like 170€ (not sure about the price, but it’s something close).

- The rare script of ep 122 has been sold for 400€!

I tried to see who had bought the rare script to ask him about Brian’s b-date… I found this person on Sunday and the man promised me to send me a mail to tell me! I really hope he won’t forget… I’ll let you know!

By the way, the wink made to Gale on the script was something like: "Gale, enjoy your day off!" I don’t remember exactly.

Our willingness to cheat finally catches up with us when the auditorium closes its doors for lunch, forcing us to go back to the brasserie where we ate the previous day and to drink something. However, we return early enough and Kat manages to squeeze in when the doors open and save me a seat next to her, on the second row, just a bit to the right.

This time, the afternoon starts with Erin’s Q&A, while Randy’s doing his photo shoots. Of course, Kat and me leave to queue when our passes are called.

We had learned the day before, just before the signing, that the passes for the 3 days were in fact entitled to 2 autographs and 2 photos by day. Therefore, we still had a photo each from the Friday. We ask if we can have the 6 photos (2 for Kat for the Saturday + 1 for the Friday, and same thing for me) today. They tell us yes. Then we ask if, on these 6 pictures, we can have 2 taken together with Randy. Again, it’s a yes. Yay! Randy finds himself then taking 6 pictures with us and I’m sure he wonders why we want so many pictures with him (and not Erin). Fangirls, Randy! Fangirls… Poor Randy.

Like I said earlier, I once again turn away without saying goodbye (but after thanking him for the photos — I’m not THAT impolite) and forgetting to thank him for his presence at the con… I know, I know…

By the way, I know some of you are interested so… He wore a black t-shirt under a kaki vest, a jean, and black trainers with colourful lines on the side.

After a short break, it’s Randy’s turn for the Q&A, while Erin does her photo shoots. Questions are most specifically about s4 to s5.


Q: About the meaning of the fellatio Justin is doing to Brian, before spiting out Brian’s sperm on Stockwell’s poster.
A: It’s a metaphorical and physical rejection of Brian because he was still working for Stockwell at that time.



Q: The Pink Posse’s Arc.
A: It was really difficult to work on it, because of all the anger he had to show. He used the PTSD of s2 which justifies the actions of the character. The producers have lived through the hetero/homo rejection from the seventies. Randy hasn’t, so he used s2 to go to this level of hate.

Q: About the scene in which Hobbs has the gun in the mouth.
A: Randy said that Justin was too often a victim (with Brian or Hobbs). Suddenly he had the Power but decided not be reduced to that level. That’s why he can finally heal.

Q: About Brian’s cancer.
A: Because of that, Justin is less present on screen. Randy joked and said that he had more time off so that was cool. But also said that for certain characters to have a storyline, some others need to step back.

Q: About Vic’s death and Jack Wetherall’s departure.
A: Randy knew about it. It was expected. Sharon wasn’t happy about it, but was waiting for her scene about that to be shot because it’s a very strong scene. They celebrated the end of s4 with Jack, but it was very hard and sad for him because he loved the show. Debbie’s dynamic is incomplete without Vic in s5. They all missed Jack, but Sharon incorporated his absence in the way she played. And at the same time, a driver of the show who was very close to Sharon also died, so she used that too.

Q: About the Rage movie Film in L.A.
A: They knew the storyline 3 or 4 eps before they were shot so they knew the movie wouldn’t be done for Justin. Randy also said that he was still in Toronto for the L.A.’s scenes. But the weather in California and Toronto isn’t the same and they couldn’t have Randy wear summer clothes in winter. Also, Justin’s dynamic is that when something is given to him, it’s almost immediately taken away. So it was logical the movie would have a dead end because they liked to see him deal with disappointment.

Q: About Proposition 14 and the escalating homophobia in s5.
A: He knew it would be part of the storyline for s5 a long time before. It’s the same thing than what is happening now in California. The thematic was very contemporary.

Q: Another interpretation of the end of the show?
A: When Ted is making a wish on his b-day, the twenty minutes after that are like a ‘dream’: Ted and Blake are back together, Emmett finds someone from his past, Mel and Linds leave for Canada, Brian and Justin have some ‘fantasy’ love making (with the filming of some of their sex/love scenes being projected on their skin in the meantime) then Justin leaves for NY and then Babylon is just being constructed again, very quickly. One of the presenters of the convention asked Randy what he thought about the fact that maybe nothing of that really happened. Randy said that it has been shot "like a possibility of what COULD happen" (after Ted’s wish) "but doesn’t happen" for real.

YAY!!! Finally the end of s5 isn't so bad, don't you think? ;)

Random things:

- Ep 402: his shaved hair was an idea of the producers but once again, Randy loves to change his haircut.

- Randy waited a very long time for Justin to leave Brian and take his independence. It was necessary for Justin and for their future, whatever it was.

- They had the money to do something big about Babylon’s bombing. So they’ve done it.

- He loves to play different roles.

- About his movie ‘Bang bang, you’re dead’, Randy said he wasn’t under a contract with Showtime, to do the movie. The role had been given to him. He accepted it because it was really different from the first season of QAF.

- ‘Waiting for Godot’.He explained Lucky is supposed to be older than that but it’s not really said in the play, so the only way for Lucky to be played by someone as young as Randy was to make him a junkie.


Short pause, and then it’s time for the signings for both the actors. After a long hesitation, I finally decide for the cover of the QAF book, and a pic of Brian and Justin from ep 5.10. While Randy signs my items, Kat tries to take a photo of both of us (Randy and me). Unfortunately, someone walks at the same time in front of the lens and the pic failed:( However, we do see the sleeve of my leather jacket on one of the other ones, so I can say "I was there!".

After the signing, Kat and I go to the Champs Elysees. We try to find one of those small shops where you can have your pics developed in a hour, because we both want a black and white picture of Randy to be signed. Plus, for me, one of Justin in s5.

Then we stop to buy a souvenir from Paris for some friends and for Randy’s b-day tomorrow (a keychain with an Eiffel Tower and a male symbol for Kat — there was a female symbol but we removed it — and a magnet of an old advertisement with a cat on it for me), then we go back to the hotel.

There, I try my best to write a short letter for Randy (well, I always forget to tell him what I want so it’s now or never!):

"Dear Randy, I wanted to thank you for coming to France and giving me the chance to meet you. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Paris. Happy Birthday! Best Wishes,
Marion». Once again, I’m not very original but…

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Sunday november, 2 2008

On the agenda, the launch of the day with Laurel, like all the mornings, then a conference about The L Word "Between women" and another one about Queer as Folk, during which we are presented a French animated version of the comic book, made by Kristoff. After that, once again, the auctions.

This time, are offered and bought:

- Another Rage comic book: 100€

- A VIP pass for the b-day of Randy at the Queen: 400€!!

- A poster of The L Word: I can’t remember but something like 70€ (less than 100€ anyway).

- A pic taken with the buyer and the 3 actors: 150€ I think.

On the lunch break, Kat and I decide to go and buy a sandwich and to eat while queuing again for the entry this afternoon. As always, we want to have the best seats as possible. But it’s all the more important today that a part of the afternoon will be devoted to questions the fans let in the special box for Laurel Holloman, Erin Daniels and Randy Harrison. For the first time, the 3 actors will be present at the same time in the auditorium, and it’s really perfect for the photos!

The actors, hold up by the media, are finally here and after a long standing ovation, the Q&A start. As always, I only relate what is connected to Randy. By the way, he was wearing a white and black striped vest, a white and grey striped t-shirt, black jeans, and the same trainers as on Saturday.

The questions of the audience:

Q: Is he still in contact with the other actors of QAF?
A: Yes, with all. It’s difficult because he lives in NY but when he comes to L.A., they meet and play poker together.

Q: Was it difficult to play a sex scene with a straight actor?
A: No. "It would have been difficult with a bad actor."

Q: Why did he choose this convention?
A: Because of Paris!

Q: Favorite Movie?
A: A lot! He loves ‘Morvern Calar’ by Lynne Ramsey, John Cassavetes’ movies (‘Faces’ particularly).

Q: Favorite French director?
A: He said 3 names but I can only remember 2: Christophe Honoré and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Q: Did he have some fans who gave him some bad critic?
A: Yes. ‘I hate you’. But he didn’t take it personally. It was more because they hated Justin or they found it was because the bad parts of the show were because of Justin’s actions.

Q: Does his popularity help him to flirt?
A: No. Erin Daniels adds: "He doesn’t need help!" I think she made him blush.

Q: The most uncomfortable scene he had to shoot?
A: To shoot some scenes outside, in Toronto’s winter. They had to eat some ice cubes so that way their breath wasn’t visible; but it numbed the tongue so it was difficult to talk.

Q: Any chance for a s6 or a movie?
A: No. The show is over.

Q: What are his hobbies?
A: Travelling, listening to music and going to concerts and even if it’s somehow related to his work, he tries to go to the theatre 3 or 4 times a week.

Q: Is there a possibility of him playing in France?
A: "I would adore to. I don’t know how, but I would adore to."

Q: If he could change something in QAF, what would it be?
A: He said that he will seem very cynical but he would have renegotiated his contract sooner.

Q: What do you think of Sarah Palin?
A: "I hate her."



Q: What did he spend his first paycheck on?
A: He said that for the first year and a half, he was very afraid that his first paycheck would be his last so he didn’t spend the money. But then, for like 6 months, he spent it with friends on very good food and wine.

Q: Does he have some crazy fans (not ‘crazy’ as in ‘scary’)?
A: No. He said that the best support he can receive from a fan isn’t a question of crazy gestures but is the respect. If someone says "I love what you do. It touches me.", he’ll be very happy with that.

I’ve been very disappointed by the fact that no question about Gale’s health has been asked. I know that all the questions written by the fans haven’t been drawn while this special Q&A, but I heard a lot of fans saying they, like me, had written this question in the box. I have to wonder if the organizers deliberately rejected the question(s) relating to Gale’s accident, leaving us to believe the question they just picked was an already asked one… I don’t think Randy requested for this question not to be asked. Indeed, all he had to do was just to answer the same things we already knew through the Net, if he didn’t want to respond to it…

The Q&A finished, Laurel Holloman leaves us. The con is over for her, but we still have Erin and Randy. While the actress of The L Word starts her signing, Kat and I are going to take our last pictures with Randy, and then I decide to queue to have an autograph of Erin.

Then, when the actors switch on (photos for Erin, autographs for Randy), we queue again. I then use Kat’s pass then give it back to her so she can go and have her picture taken with Erin. I hand Randy the postcard and the gift I wrote/offer to him for his b-day. He thanks me, smiling (but doesn’t open the gift nor read the postcard. He proceeds like that for everyone.) Then I hand him the 2 pics I would like him to sign. Once again, I’m making a fool of myself because I forgot my pass (with my name on it so that he can’t spell it wrong) and he’s forced to call me back. I think I never have been so clumsy for all my life… does it feel like it was my first con?

The end of the con is near and Erin must leave us too. There’s just Randy now, whose b-day it is. During those 3 days, the organizers and presenters made us repeat a little choreography, to prove Erin and Randy who both played in musicals on Broadway that Frenchs can do that as well as Americans… Uh… what?

Erin having left, there’s only the poor Randy to undergo the torture of what we have prepared. I manage to shot the ‘dance’ with Randy’s reaction (he laughs and then mimics us).

And that’s it!

Randy, exhausted, has a few hours to rest before continuing with his last obligation for the con: the Queer as Folk’s party, at the club The Queen, on the Champs Elysees. Kat and me don’t know yet if we’re going but we’re tempted despite the late hour of the beginning of the party (after midnight) and the early one for us to wake up the next morning (7 am).

We go back to the hotel, eat a bit. Then we decide to finish the con in style and leave for the Queen.

I pass the details where we almost haven’t been allowed to enter the club (The bouncer: "It’s a gay party." Like if that explained all… Me: "Well yes… I know, thank you…" I guess I don’t look enough like a lesbian for his taste… It’s not my fault if I prefer boys…). Finally the organizers of the con intervene and we all can enter the club a few moments after Randy’s arrival (he was accompanied by a girl who, I think, is the friend with who he founded tAB).

We find him easily in the club. He drinks a bit of champagne, then what we think is water (he holds a bottle of water) but the colour of the liquid itself is intriguing. Soon after, a b-day cake made of candies is brought to him. Even if we have seen him eating a few (we were just behind him and could have touched him by just stretching our arm a bit), I doubt he really liked the cake.

Throughout this time, a lot of guys try to approach Randy, to invite him for a dance, and I’m sure, to hit on him, but Randy stays very polite. He refuses all the invitations, but shakes hands and takes photos with everyone who wants it.

He’s then called for the launch of Mister Queer as Folk’s election. He’s acclaimed by all the audience then leaves the Queen. He has been there for 2 hours or so, but he must go back to his hotel. He probably has an early flight in the morning, and the day has been really long and exhausting for him.

After watching the election of the Mister QAF for a few moments, Kat and I leave the club too and we take a taxi to the hotel. It’s 3:15 am when we’re finally there and we have 3h45 to rest before returning home.

We say goodbye on Monday morning, on the platform of her train at the Gare du Nord, after 4 days of madness. I take the subway to my own station and go back home too.

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Copyright © 2008 randy-harrison.it | All rights reserved
Written by Lazyshades edited by Marcy