Rom and Nog Thrive in San Francisco!

According to my sources, Rom and Nog killed in San Francisco!  Congratulations guys!  This is the last stop for these Ferengi this year.  However, you must know by now this has gone over so well that we have all agreed to continue with Rom and Nog appearances. Several dates for next year are on the schedule, including one in Germany!

 

Since I have provided the Ferengi costumes, I have had many people ask if I provided the teeth and prosthetics as well. Here is a quick rundown:  John Paladin had the head and face prosthetics custom made for these guys, and while they work, both Aron and Max have expressed some concerns about the facial appliances.  As I own a Nog face mold, I am actively working on getting Nog proper screen molded pieces, with an outside chance of a new one for Rom.

Aron is currently using his original Nog teeth and you know it because they look great!  Max, however, no longer has his original ones as they were 'lost' from  his table at a convention years ago.  The ones he is using now are (as we all know) ill-fitting and poor in appearance.  Because so much of Rom's look is dependent on his teeth, Max and I are actively in the process of having accurate ones fabricated.

I can't tell you enough how thrilled I am to be a part of this process.  Max and I were talking a few days before the Convention and he thanked me for the loan of the costumes and said they couldn't have done it without me.  While that may be true in part, I told him how he and Aron had to say 'Yes' first, and it certainly wouldn't have happened without them.  These guys are the real deal, and I am glad to help make it work.  Star Trek (and SciFi in general) has given me so many great moments and memories, this is a fantastic opportunity for me to pay a little of it back. 

Ferengi in Nashville are a Hit!

And so the train keeps a-rollin'!

It looks like Rom and Nog in their Ferengi costumes are a huge hit in Nashville, Tennessee!  This is great news as I want to see these guys keep the show going.

Here they are in Nashville lookin' great!

I saw part of the show in Seattle via a submitted video and it was all kinds of hilairious!  And, according to a first hand account, the Nashville show was even better.  Here is her brief comment:

'The Ferengis', the actors who played Rom and Nog on Deep Space Nine showed up in full blown character and made me laugh until my face hurt..

Alright people, there is just one more opportunity this year to see this fantastic duo in person:

November 9, 2013 in San Francisco, Ca.


Special thanks to the followers that sent me your pics of the event, and a very special thanks to Ode to Jo & Katniss for the photo and review.

Thoughts From Max and Aron

By now, you have seen a sample of the success that Max and Aron are having from breathing new life into their Deep Space Nine Ferengi characters, Rom and Nog.  I couldn't be there to witness the truly amazing transformation from actor to character, so I asked each of them if they could give me a couple of quotes about their transformation that I could print here with permission.

Here is what Max said:

Well, I couldn't believe that the Rom outfit fit me as if it was still 1995. And I don't know how you have taken care of it over the years, but it felt like Bob Blackman had just put the finishing touches on it -- the costume hadn't aged a day! [wish I could say the same for myself]

And, most of all, it brought back a flood of memories: I could visualize myself as Rom shuffling down the Promenade, stopping by my favorite shops, or waiting at the bar at Quark's for Leeta to finish work, slowly sipping snail juice as Quark browbeats me, trying to get Rom to understand the value of Ferengi ways. Rom smiles, taking it in, knowing this is how his brother expresses his love.

All this, and much more, came flooding back to me as I looked in the mirror at myself once more in Ferengi makeup and wardrobe.

And Francis, many thanks for that!

Max G.

Aron said:

So, a few weeks ago I was transformed in to my "Nog" character from Star Trek; DS9! What memories it brought slipping in to the costume. And, it actually still fit!! not too bad at all I must say. Actually seemed a bit tight length wise, which is really strange since I do not think I grew since the show, but, who knows, right?!!? hahaha!! Anyway, it was very, very cool to slip in to the costume once again. And it was in terrific shape and well taken care of! Just amazed it still fit and quite extraordinary to be transported back to the set just by putting on the uniform once again. :) I look forward to the future cons…..

There are two opportunities left this year to catch these guys as Rom and Nog:

September 8, 2013 in Nashville, TN
November 9, 2013 in San Francisco, Ca

The Grand Nagus insists that you go see them and give them your support.

Ferengi Success in Seattle!

Well, the results are in. The 2013 Star Trek convention in Seattle went well, but the buzz on the street is that the first appearance of Rom and Nog in 14 years went over exceptionally well!  I am so proud to be able to help out with the loan of their original Ferengi costumes.

Brace yourself, as this is just the beginning!

Here are a few of the highlights of Rom and Nog (and Armin!) on stage.  Enjoy!

Next month:  Ferengi in Nashville, Tennessee!

Special thanks to Garrett Wang and Ronald Woan for their photo contributions.

New Ferenginar Joins Forces With Actual Ferengi!

As the curator of Ferengi costumes and artifacts, I sometimes get to be involved with unique and exciting Ferengi  related opportunities...and this is no exception.

Max Grodenchik and Aron Eisenberg will be appearing as Rom and Nog  in full costume and makeup in a few select cities!  This is great news for Ferengi fans and for Star Trek fans.

When I was contacted by the representative for Max Grodenchik and Aron Eisenberg to lend screen worn costumes for upcoming photo ops, I felt obligated and honored.  One stipulation... I wanted to present the costumes to them in person!

My request was granted, but I would need to drive to the 2013 Vegas convention to do it.

Well I did and I was not disappointed.  I was escorted back to the green room and there they were.  I have met Max numerous times before, and he remembered me (even where I work?!), but I had never met Aron.  We talked about costumes and props, values, and the marketplace. When the talking was done, we took some pics. These guys were generous with their time and couldn't have been nicer.

Here are the 2013 dates and locations to be a part of this opportunity:

August 25, 2013 in Seattle, WA
September 8, 2013 in Nashville TN
November 9, 2013 in San Francisco CA

Deep Space Nine may be over, but you can still take a great memory of DS9 home with you.  If you are fortunate enough to be at one of the above conventions where they will be in costume, go get your picture taken with them.  Help to make this successful so that they will continue to do it and give fans what they want.

Deep Space Nine: Ferengi Tongo Wheel

I know this is not a Ferengi costume, but it is a great piece of Ferengi gaming culture:

This is the actual Tongo Wheel seen in Deep Space Nine.  

We first find the game in the season 5 episode 'Business As Usual' where Dax and Quark are playing while Gaila tells Quark of the benefits of selling weapons.

Later, we find it in the season 5 episode 'Ferengi Love Songs'  where Quark discovers his mother has been seeing Grand Nagus Zek, and they are in love. Seeing this, Brunt hatches a plan to become Nagus with the help of an unknowing Quark

Again, this table gets more action in season 6 with Dax and Quark playing in 'Who Mourns For Morn?' where Morn fakes his own death to smoke out his former partners in crime, with the intent to have them removed by Quark.

The final time we see this Tongo Wheel is in season 6 where we see O'brien and Bashir learning the game in 'Change Of Heart'

Interesting fact:  This Tongo Wheel was seen in numerous touring Star Trek displays around the world and has remained in great condition.  I had an opportunity to buy it directly from CBS (and tried), but at the last moment CBS backed out.  Bummer!  It eventually came to auction and I made sure to acquire it then.  It is a fantastic piece and I am very proud to own it.   

Enterprise: Ferengi Phaser

Here is another Ferengi prop for your viewing pleasure:  A Ferengi phaser. 

This style of weapon was seen numerous times in a variety of colors throughout Deep Space Nine and Enterprise.  Seeing as it was used by Humans, Vulcans, and Ferengi, it is hard to know which species designed the weapon, but it is generally considered to be of Ferengi origin as it shares more screen time with them.

These Phasers were seen in such DS9 episodes as 'The Emperor's New Cloak', and 'The Siege of AR-558' and in Enterprise's 'Acquisition'.  However, they were most prominently seen in the season 6 DS9 episode 'The Magnificent Ferengi'.  In the episode Ishka is being held captive by the Vorta, so Quark, Rom, Nog and 3 other Ferengi go to Empok Nor to rescue her.  This weapon seems to be standard issue as every Ferengi in the episode has one as their sidearm.

There was one additional use of this style of phaser in the Star Trek Enterprise episode 'Acquisition'.  Muk carries one as his sidearm and it is seen several times in the episode.

 I have wanted a light colored one for some time, but with so many fakes in the market, I have been very cautious.  This particular Ferengi phaser was sold at the 2006 Christie's  auction in a set of 8 that was eventually broken up and sold individually.  It is easily identifiable in the Christie's catalog at the bottom of the page by the distinctive paint marks on the handle.

Deep Space Nine: Zek's Beetle Snuff Box

And you thought I just collected costumes!  This is Grand Nagus Zek's Hupyrian beetle snuff box.  Often mentioned throughout the series, but seen twice in the series.                                      

We first see this in the season 2 episode 'Rules Of Acquisition'.

...and finally in the season 6 episode 'Profit And Lace'.

This Ferengi beetle snuff box was originally sold at the 2006 Christie's auction and had traded hands a couple of times when the last owner had contacted me about buying it from him. It now resides with it's true owner, Zek, in my collection.