Arrow Panel – PaleyFest 2015

Recap: PaleyFest 2015 – Arrow Panel

Dolby Theatre

March 14, 2015

The Flash and Arrow PaleyFest panels were on the same ticket, but the shows were presented separately so that’s how I’m going to post them. I had very good seat for what I paid for and with a telephoto lens on my camera, I was able to get some decent shots. I took over 1000 photos for both panels combined and tried to get the best 30 or so for these posts. I failed, but you benefit from that.

For more information on PaleyFest go to their website.

John Barrowman doing press interviews before the panel

John Barrowman on the press line

For the Outlander PaleyFest panel I was sitting in Orchestra Left, Row F so I was the guests would be facing towards me since I was on the same side as the moderator. For the Arrow/Flash panels, I was sitting in Orchestra Right, Row F, so I was facing the moderator and the guests faced away from me most of the time.

Paul Blackthrone doing press before the panel

Paul Blackthorne on the press line

Both Arrow and The Flash panels were very entertaining and you can see how close the cast is by how much they joke with each other. The Arrow cast is much closer, but they’re also in their 3^rd season whereas The Flash is in its inaugural season.

Danielle Panabaker and Colton Haynes doing press interviews before the panel

Danielle Panabaker (The Flash) and Colton Haynes on the press line

I managed to get into the Dolby Theatre a few minutes after the doors open and immediately went to the staircase to see if I could get some photographs of the cast doing press on the 1^st level. John Barrowman was already working the press line so I took quite a few pictures of him. I also took some of Colton Haynes on the press line, but could only get (very blurry) shots of Willa Holland as she was walking towards the theater. She did stop and wave to us and blow kisses. Aisha Tyler also waved to us when she walked by, as did Tom Cavanaugh who joked “Don’t jump!”

Willa Holland

I love Aisha Tyler and when I found out she was moderating these panels, I knew I was in for some fun. She did try to keep the innuendos to a minimum (though, John Barrowman didn’t help with that and he was more reserved than usual). She is obviously a fan of both shows, and I wish all moderators were such big fans of the panels they are working.

John Barrowman recording the audience

$Emily Bett Rickards stops by the moderator\'s podium to talk to Aisha Tyler$

Emily Bett-Rickards talking to Aisha Tyler

Emily Bett Rickards taking photos of the audience

Emily recording or taking pictures of the audience

Stephen Amell

Katie Cassidy

Paul Blackthorne

David Ramsey egging the audience to be louder

David Ramsey received the loudest applause and cheers from the audience when he came on stage.

David Ramsey taking a photo of the audience

David Ramsey photgraphing the audience.

Some of the best moments was when John Barrowman said that Oliver is the son Malcolm Merlin wish he had had instead of Tommy. Then, Stephen Amell looks towards the cameras (the panels are live streamed), and says, “Colin if you’re watching this, I’m sorry.”

How does detective Lance not know who the Arrow is? How does he handle the loss of a daughter (again) and being lied to by his other daughter.

David Ramsey, Paul Blackthorne and Katie Cassidy

The greatest and worst aspect of a live, unscripted event is the strangest (and possibly the most embarrassing) things happen. Colton was asked about the future of Roy and Thea’s relationship. During Colton’s response, Willa was looking up at him sweetly, then licked his face. His shock was apparent, and she was shocked by what she did as well. She even said that she didn’t know why she did that except that someone had just asked her what her favorite emoji was and it’s the licking one. Colton pointed to the cameras and said, it’s on tape now! After Colton finished his response, Willa leaned over to him and said that she had meant to kiss him and didn’t know what happened. She was trying to whisper this, but forgot that she was miked so the audience heard her.

Emily Bett Rickards, Colton Haynes, and Willa Holland

Willa Holland snuggling up to Colton Haynes

Right after Willa licked Colton

Colton Haynes pointing to the cameras after Willa Holland licked his face

Colton pointing out the cameras to Willa

Willa whispering her explanation to Colton

A question was posed to Emily Bett-Rickards about Felicity and Laurel’s burgeoning friendship. During her response she and Katie Cassidy reached towards each other and Stephen, who was sitting between them, leaned as far back as he could trying to get out of the way of them. Afterwards, he asked Emily if she wanted to switch places with him.

Katie Cassidy and Emily Bett Rickards hold hands over Stephen Amell

Emily’s reaction to John Barrowman’s response to a fan question about a love interest was priceless. He said that he would love for Malcolm and mama Smoak to get together. Emily was just not having it. I honestly think that would be an interesting storyline because mama Smoak does seem to be the kind of woman to be easily charmed by a manipulator like Malcolm Merlin.

A great question was asked of Stephen as to what names would he give his Team Arrow teammates if became Ra’s Al Ghul. Stephen said he wouldn’t be as dictortarian as the current Ra’s so he would let them pick their own names, except Diggle would still be Diggle. David Ramsey’s annoyed expression was hilarious.

Here are some great shots of John Barrowman when Willa is talking about how evil Malcolm Merlin is and a terrible father.

$Willa Holland talking about how evil John Barrowman\'s character is while John shrugs$

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Emily working on Stephen to get a proper response when he was asked about Oliver not opening up to Felicity and how Oliver is going to react/handle Felicity and Ray getting together.

These are some of my other favorite shots:

Arrow Cast: David Ramsey, Paul Blackthorne, Katie Cassidy, Stephen Amell, Emily Bett Rickards, and Colton Haynes

John Barrowman reacting to an audience member calling Thea a wet napkin \”That\’s my daughter!\”

People rushed the stage a little early and were shooed back to their seats by security while the last question was being asked. When that question was answered, the audience rushed the stage again. I waited a few minutes, then went up to the melee to get some close up photos of the cast.