Interview with the ‘Aceys

by | Jul 4, 2025 | GoH interviews

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.

A Special Masquerade Interview with Emcee and Guest of Honor Spotted Giraffe

 

Q: What is the origin of your name?

 

My Twitter handle? I’ve always loved giraffes. My dad is East African and we had a lot of giraffe art at home that my parents brought back from there. My favorite book growing up was Gilda the Giraffe (which is why all giraffes are named Gilda duh). My mom also used to say I was “such a giraffe” and it kind of stuck. When I needed to choose a screen name, I picked lyrical_girafe. Giraffe is spelled girafe in French, so you’ll see it that way sometimes. Once I started hanging out in US fandom spaces, people just called me Giraffe and it became my name. I love that something so personal turned into something people recognize me by.

 

Q: Do you have a fandom origin story?

 

I’m not totally sure what that means but I think things really took off when I became a co-host on Strange New Pod. That gave me visibility in the fandom in a new way. The moment that really felt like a shift was when I was asked to cosplay at Star Trek Day. That’s when a lot of people started associating me with the larger Trek community. It was wild and wonderful.

 

Q: Tell us about fandom in France. How does it differ from fandom in the US?

 

I wasn’t super involved in fandom when I lived in France. People are definitely passionate about shows and movies but it’s a bit more understated. I left France 20 years ago so I can’t speak to what it’s like now but I did go to one of the first Paris Comic Cons and it was full-on Star Wars. I guest on Le Quadrant Pop, which is one of the few French Star Trek podcasts out there. There’s a lot of great conversation happening but cosplay still feels pretty niche. I am starting to see more and more French cosplayers online though. They’re all a lot younger than me but I love seeing that excitement grow.

 

Q: When did you start cosplaying? What do you love about it? Who are some of your favorite characters to cosplay as?

 

We didn’t have Halloween in France, so Carnival was the one time you could dress up. My grandmother made me a princess costume and taught me how to sew and that changed everything. I’ve always loved making things but I really got into cosplay after moving to the US. I love the whole process. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a costume on screen and then figuring out how to build it with whatever you have around. I actually love the making part more than wearing it. I tend to go for villains or characters with a little edge because they’re so much fun to play. I also try to cosplay Black characters because when I was a kid, there just weren’t many, and it matters to see yourself in the story.

 

Q: Where did your love of Star Trek stem from? What are your favorite versions of Star Trek?

 

It all started with Uhura. She showed me that I could be powerful, smart, beautiful, and still look like myself. That meant everything. I’ve always been drawn to 1960s style and my grandparents’ house had furniture and wallpaper straight out of that era. I was in love with the vibe from the start. And honestly I love every version of Star Trek. When I want comfort I watch Voyager. When I need inspiration I go for Discovery. When I want to laugh I put on Lower Decks. When I’m designing or dreaming up something new, I watch TOS. It all speaks to me in different ways.

 

Q: If you could pitch a Star Trek show or film, what would your pitch look like?

 

I would love a Star Trek political drama set on Romulus. Think The West Wing meets Andor meets Rome. Give me all the intrigue, the strategy, the alliances, and the betrayals. That’s the show I want to watch.

 

Q: Tell us about your journey becoming the co-host of Strange New Pod.

 

It all started with me being a patron and popping into the chat during the live shows. I guess I made enough of an impression that I got invited on as a guest and then it just kind of grew from there. I never expected to be a podcaster but it turns out it’s not that different from teaching. I just get to talk about the things I love with people who love them too.

 

Q: Do you have any current or future projects you’d like to share with our attendees?

 

Honestly I can’t think beyond San Diego Comic Con right now. That’s the big focus and once it’s over I’ll figure out what’s next. In the meantime, I’m really excited about my birthday plan. I’m going to Medieval Times for the first time and my friends and I are learning corsetry so we can make our own Renaissance dresses. It’s going to be ridiculous and so much fun. I also made a Tiefling cosplay just to meet the cast of Baldur’s Gate at LA Comic Con… There’s always something brewing! 

 

Q: How many Ferengi does it take to screw in a light bulb?

 

One. But you’ll get billed separately for the bulb, the labor, the ladder, the wear and tear on the ladder, and the inconvenience of showing up. Rule of Acquisition 239: Never do anything for free.

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