West Coast Busters Inc.

Your first,

   your last,

      your ONLY line of defense   ...against the scum of the ethereal plane.

   The single best time we’ve ever had.  Despite people telling us we should enter costume competitions, we had always held back.  Well not this time!!!  We won first prize at the Rock 105.3 FM BooBall, third prize at the Monster Bash, first prize at Sabbat’s costume contest and...  I don’t remember.  We didn’t drink a lot but the other people did.  This was a real education about how drunk people in large groups react to people wearing a few thousand dollars worth of costume.  Despite that, it was hugely fun.

   An episode of Entourage, an HBO exclusive TV show, was being filmed in Santa Monica.  The episode was to appear to take place at the San Diego Comic Con.  To achieve this they converted the inside of a hotel ballroom to look like the various booths of the SDCC.  Production assistants put out the call for anyone considered synonymous with actually being at the SDCC.  ...and when you put out a call like that, who ya gonna call?  Big thanks to Al, Mark and Jinyo on this.

   See, it’s not always about shameless self-promotion or winning contests.  There are far more important things in life and cancer research is one of them.  We’re a huge believer in the work of the City of Hope.  Their charity work collects revenue for their own in-house research.  Today’s event was for the kids.  Held in the “Live Steamers” locomotive attraction at Griffith Park ( by the L.A. ZOO ) this year’s theme was “Hooray for Hollywood.”  The kids were treated to games, prizes, food, and a bunch of movie-related characters to get their pictures with.  ...but when the Ghostbusters showed up, they just chanted “He-Man!  He-Man!”. (sigh)

   This was a great time, another opportunity to meet the outgoing Ernie Hudson, an outstanding event dedicated to all forms of gaming, and a phenomenal win for the Ghostbusters onstage at the costume contest.  In fact, our win was such a solid win, it was almost embarrassing.  So many costumers there did such a great job that it would have felt better if the voting were closer.  We also met a fantastic costumer new to the area named Julia. 

Halloween in San Diego ( October 29-31, 2004 )

City of Hope—Cancer Survivors Day ( June 4, 2005 )

Entourage on HBO ( May 5, 2005 )

GenCon Anaheim ( December 4, 2004 )

   Another event for City of Hope.  Although we were only obligated to a single 4-hour shift for raising money at the City of Hope booth, we were doing such a great job we didn’t want to go.  We worked the whole day and did so proudly along side many fine costumed professionals.  People were allowed to get their pictures with us and we asked only an non-mandatory donation in return.  Ghostbusters aren’t the kind of scientists who can solve cancer, but if we can do our thing and help raise a little money for those who CAN help, then count us in.

   The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, CA had an event where characters of various science fiction genres came out to entertain the kids.  ...or in the case of General Grievous, to make small children scream at the top of their lungs while clinging to their legs.  Oh man, we’re never going to forget that one.  This was the first event with a fully operational slime blower.  We used it to spray the kids which, looking back on it, was kind of inappropriate.

   A rebuild of the proton packs provided the FINAL incarnation of these devices just in time for the 2005 holiday season.  We were slated to work every night of the Monster Manor but a miscommunication resulted in us only being there one night, Halloween itself.  We hope to make this up to them next year.  At least we made it to the Rock 105.3 FM BooBall, the Del Mar Oktoberfest ( third prize ), and the midnight showing of Ghostbusters at the La Jolla Landmark Theatre.  The Monster Manor was really something to be experienced.

   Our usual stomping grounds, we always enjoy making an appearance here.  Alongside with such classics as Blade, Robocop and Wolverine, the team spent their time shuffling about 5 feet before having to come to a stop for a picture.  In fact, this is the best word for it.  “Shuffle.”  We never get to walk anywhere, we just shuffle a few steps and then it’s time for another picture.  Stops to the restroom have to be planned HOURS in advance.  Kirby premiered the slimeblower at this event.

Anime Expo Anaheim ( July 1-3, 2005 )

Halloween in San Diego ( October 28-31, 2005 )

Discovery Science Center ( August 20, 2005 )

Comic-Con International ( July, 14-17, 2005 )

   Ability First is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing after school, camping, socialization, therapy and work related programs for southern California disabled adults and children.  This charity event exists to give them a chance to experience a nightclub type of outing with their peers.  It was our pleasure to show up and entertain the guests.  Free potato chips!

Ability First—Hooray for Hollywood ( March 3, 2006 )

             ...and you don’t want us, EXPOSING OURSELVES!  Places we’ve been and events we’ve worked. ( NOTE: All events “worked” were done for charity and we no form of payment was accepted.  Other events were just attended just for the heck of it. )

   Our first outing.  After 11 months of planning, research and collecting parts these 3 packs were built in a month.  Of this month, the last 2 days of building was also the last 2 days before Comic-Con.  There was no sleep those last 48 hours and we attended Con while the paint literally dried.  This sounds bad, but if not for Bret this event wouldn’t have happened at all.  His help at least allowed us to be there, drying paint and all.  Thanks Bret!  It was a great 4-day run.  We were well received.

   When ProtonCharging.com reported that there was to be a 20th anniversary showing of the movie Ghostbusters at the Newport Beach Film Festival, we were all over it.  The crowd was honored to have Laszlo Kovaks ( Cinematographer for the movie ) in the audience with us.  Although many pics were taken of us by the local press, we have yet to see a single one of them anywhere.  We were told it was in the local newspapers.

   Let’s not kid ourselves people, this is our home.  It’s our alma-matta, our launching pad, and the place we will probably show up to over and over.  Armed with a new crew and some packs that had been completely dismantled and rebuilt, this was our first chance to meet the gregarious Ernie Hudson.  He’s the most sensible and friendly celebrity we’ve ever met.  It was our pleasure to get our picture with him and hear his thoughts about movies, fans, roles, and the way Ghostbusters has been a part of his life.