Alcatraz Panel at Comic-Con: Video, Photos & More

[photo courtesy of Ian Knight]

Greetings, patient friends. Apologies for the delay. It is a very long story, but I was unable to attend the ALCATRAZ panel or be in the ALCATRAZ press room due to conflicting press obligations. Thankfully, a few fantastic friends came through with video and photos. And, although we might have to wait a few months, I can promise an interview of two here on the site before the show airs in January! 

I did, however, have the opportunity to speak with the showrunner and cast of ALCATRAZ at an industry party the night before the panel. It is always a pleasure catching up with Jorge and Liz Sarnoff, both whom I had interviewed previously in Hawaii for LOST. And I was introduced to Parminder Nagra and Jason Harner Butler, who are very sweet.  Jason was in the pilot episode of FRINGE, and is still very friendly with the cast (Jasika Nicole, John Noble and Anna Torv were at this party as well). 


PHOTOS
Click here to view some very hi-res photos of the panel from Ian (@Zort70), who flew in with his lovely wife from the UK to attend SDCC. 


PANEL VIDEO
A very special shout-out to @stardotgeek for volunteering to tape the panel for me when I discovered that I was unable to attend - this is her footage:

MAGNETS
If you would like a custom Inside Alcatraz magnet, simply email me your shipping address (jo at jopinionated dot com). And yes, I will send them internationally. And no, there is no cost!

ADDITIONAL ALCATRAZ SDCC VIDEOS
For other videos from SDCC, including interviews with the cast and Sarnoff/Bender, make sure to "like" the official ALCATRAZ Facebook page and follow @AlcatrazonFOX via Twitter as well. 


REVIEWS/RESPONSE FROM SDCC
The responses to the screenings of the ALCATRAZ pilot at SDCC ranged from very high praise to cautious optimism. Because this site is strictly spoiler-free, and almost all published reviews contain far too much information about the first episode, I have chosen not to link to them here. However, a simple Google search will lead you in the right direction if you are so inclined.


As expected, many were quick to compare ALCATRAZ to LOST (and Hurley to Doc Soto, etc.), but they are two very different shows, aside from a few obvious J.J. Abrams touches. ALCATRAZ deserves your time and patience to establish its distinctive identity and develop into its own unique series, and I strongly believe that it will.

ALCATRAZ at SDCC 2011: Complete Schedule

In addition to the pilot screening and official panel, there are other opportunities for fans to potentially meet some of the cast and crew of ALCATRAZ this week at San Diego Comic-Con. 


The photo above is of a limited edition SDCC 2011 hotel room key that WB has distributed to many of the participating local hotels hosting attendees. In addition to ALCATRAZ, other WB-produced shows are represented on these keys. If you do not receive one at your hotel, perhaps you should barter or bribe fellow nerds in line!


WEDNESDAY, JULY 20


Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screening: ALCATRAZ
6pm
Ballroom 20


THURSDAY, JULY 21


Friends of the Nerdolution (discussion at Zach Levi's Nerd HQ w/ALCATRAZ star Jorge Garcia and more)
1pm
Jolt'N Joe's
Tickets: sold out


TV Guide Magazine: Fan Favorites panel (featuring Jorge Garcia and more)
4:15pm-5:15pm
Ballroom 20


SATURDAY, JULY 23


Ticket distribution for ALCATRAZ autograph session; you line up to receive a bracelet and may win a spot via the WB lottery system for the autograph session later that afternoon (2:30pm, WB booth #4545)
12pm
Sails Pavilion #9 


ALCATRAZ Pilot Screening and Q&A
5:15pm-6pm
Ballroom 20


Executive producer/writer Elizabeth Sarnoff and director Jack Bender, along with actors Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Parminder Nagra and Jason Butler Harner will be appearing.
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I will be at SDCC representing TVOvermind once again, and will have the opportunity to speak with the cast and creative team from ALCATRAZ. Look for a full report after the Con, as well as quick updates and photos via Twitter this week, @InsideAlcatraz and @jopinionated.

In addition, I will have a small number of these brand new Inside Alcatraz magnets to hand out - so please find me if you'd like one. I know many LOST fans who will be in line for the ALCATRAZ panel, so ask around or send me a tweet and I will try to find you!


In case you're interested, here is a link to my list of LOST alum at SDCC this year, and well as a Lost-themed guide to SDCC. 

ALCATRAZ at San Diego Comic Con 2011: Updated Panel & Screening Details!

[Jorge Garcia at a SDCC 2009 press table after the LOST panel]

Warner Brothers Television Group released details today about the shows that they will be bringing to Comic-Con this year, and we now have confirmation about both an ALCATRAZ panel and screening!


UPDATE: Executive producer/writer Elizabeth Sarnoff and director Jack Bender, along with actors Jorge Garcia, Sarah Jones, Parminder Nagra and Jason Butler Harner will be appearing on the official ALCATRAZ panel, which will take place on Saturday, July 23 at 5pm in Ballroom 20. 


* They will be screening the pilot episode of ALCATRAZ twice; first on Wednesday, July 20 in Ballroom 20 between 6pm-9pm (along with other pilots, including Michael Emerson's new series, Person of Interest), and also at the official panel on Saturday!


If you are attending SDCC, I strongly recommend getting in line at least 2-3 hours early for the Saturday panel. Given that the FRINGE panel is immediately before the ALCATRAZ panel, I have a feeling that you might need to line up even earlier to get a seat for both. 


I will be there representing TVOvermind once again, and look forward to bringing you reports from the press room and behind the scenes. Of course you can also follow all of my Comic-Con adventures via Twitter, @InsideAlcatraz and @jopinionated!


Will you be there as well? Let me know!

ALCATRAZ on Twitter

For those who have inquired, the following cast and creative from ALCATRAZ have official Twitter accounts.

• Jorge Garcia (is not on Twitter; his girlfriend, author Bethany Shady, is - and frequently tweets about him and the show): @BethanyShady

• Cole Herbert (writer): @ColeHerbert

• Leigh Dana Jackson (writer): @LDJackson

• Steven Lilien (writer/producer): @StevenLilien

• Parminder Nagra: @parmindernagra

• Sam Neill: @TwoPaddocks

• Bryan Wynbrandt (writer/producer): @BryanWynbrandt

The official FOX Twitter account for the show is: @alcatrazonfox.

As others involved with the series join Twitter, I will keep you posted!

1st Official ALCATRAZ Footage & Series Debut News!

(photo courtesy of FOX)

This trailer was just officially released by FOX, who also announced that ALCATRAZ will debut mid-season (likely be January 2012). 

You can now "like" Alcatraz on Facebook and follow @AlcatrazOnFOX on Twitter. 


Based on this initial footage, what do you think? The look and feel certainly match up to my expectations, and I am VERY excited to see more. 


If I had to guess, they will screen either the entire pilot or at least 15 minutes of it at San Diego Comic-Con in July. I will be at the panel and in the press room, so stay tuned for reports from behind the scenes!