
PP: What were some of your earliest fandoms/your fandom origin story? What does fandom mean to you?
Stacey Meyn: Both sets of parents were/are into sci-fi, fantasy, and literature. My dad was a librarian and read the writings of Níkos Kazantzákis aloud while holding infant me in his other arm. Thanks to him, I read the Foundation trilogy and Dune on my own at age 5. Mom did all the sewing and was briefly in showbiz (there was jewelry and costumes galore at the house). Tracy watched “Professor What” (obvs fam joke) and we both still get goosebumps when the ITC logo and theme spin across our paths, as back in the (cough cough ‘70s) that meant Space:1999 was on next and our families dropped everything to watch. Someday Tracy and I need to costume Alan and Maya.
While I had read Damnation Alley (the film version was shooting against a little space fights flick), it was the endless crawl of that Star Destroyer that caused the visceral shift in both of our tummies and realities. For Halloween I was Princess Leia (with my own hair), then a Colonial Warrior from OG Battlestar Galactica (all costumes created mostly by Mom and little bit me). We’re both Star Trek: TOS syndication babies. Fandom means following the exploits of a realm ranging from casual but consistent attention to being the actual “fan”atic. Depending upon the topic, Tracy and I are both.
PP: How did you get involved with the various fandom communities you’re part of (i.e., 501st, Browncoats, Royal Manticoran Navy, etc.)? What is it about those canons that had you taking the extra steps into either forming or joining a fandom group?
SM: Our first cons were in the (slightly less cough cough) ‘80s (Shore Leave, Timecon, etc.) with homemade costumes and props for Star Trek, BSG, eventually Bab 5, Stargate, LotR, Jin-Roh, and on. In the ‘90s and despite living on different Coasts, Tracy and I jumped right into the 501st, and he with Hi-Impact Props and Costumes. After hitting a record 14 cons in 1997, I came to my senses and moved to California, joining Hi-Impact, the Golden Gate Garrison, the USS Northern Lights, nearly all the Bay Area fan groups, thanks to Tracy. He is also to blame for introducing me to the USS Hornet.
Chagrined to admit that at first, we blew off Firefly as a Western series but straightened up and flew right, and we joined TRMN for the uniforms, no shame. NuBSG and The Expanse came along (and as with Firefly when we finally caught up) it was the worldbuilding, inherent cultural familiarity, camaraderie, and zippy dialog that hooked us. The same concepts motivate us with the fandom groups.
PP: As such an active participant in fandom, general thoughts on the way fandom has evolved over the years? Whether in a social context or because of technological leaps?
SM: We could wax on (and off) and on about this and maybe it’s best to save for con if you want this in time for press. No doubt several dissertations have come from these questions, though not from either of us (we got degreed in other fields for the day jobs).
PP: If applicable, what are some interesting examples of how your fandom interests have intersected with your day job?
Ha! Funny this being the next Q, well-played. I wrote fanfic as a child, did stints in pro writing and editing, and currently create technical training. Fandom seamlessly found its way into all three phases (plus a pop culture magazine startup) and I still have most of my writing and artwork from each. Being press and pro meant Worldcon-level access and we landed on panels that merged our work with fannish pursuits. It’s amazing how fascinated colleagues are by our dressing up as plastic spacemen for charity. Tracy is a mechanical designer and uses those superpowers for prop-building. There isn’t much hands-on he doesn’t know how to do. We are both lucky to work at locations that could be movie sets, and we are planning costume photoshoots as we do on the Hornet.
PP: How did the two of you come together?
SM: Relo from the East Coast meant leaving my beloved vehicle behind so when there was a Star Wars event at Hiller Aviation Museum, I cadged a ride from a Tracy. With the spelling of my name, I assumed he was a she, not that it mattered. Anyhoo, twentymumblemumble years later here we are, The Acys (T for tall, S for short). I know I missed a lot of his story, but he’s pretty high-verbal, so count on the stories being told.
PP: What current projects/activities are you involved in?
SM: New Star Wars costumes, especially after the Andor boost, more nuBSG and TRMN (we’ve hosted 9 Stitch Fests helping people assemble their costumes), fan films, a bit of YouTube and TV, and of course paranormal investigations, branching into some cryptid research.
PP: What are you looking forward to most at BayCon this year?
SM: Always the best seeing folks we don’t get to visit with as often as we’d like. There has been so much loss in fandom since 2017 in particular, we just want to run our mouths with our friends.
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