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'Twilight' Actor Among The Stars At The Shore Leave 36 Sci-Fi Convention

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (WJZ) -- He's a part of one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, and he is in Baltimore this weekend.

Ron Matz reports there's star-gazing and much more at Shore Leave 36, a major sci-fi convention that is getting underway in Hunt Valley.

It looks like something from outer space has landed in front of Hunt Valley Inn. It's part of Shore Leave 36, a massive convention starting Friday.

"This is going to be a very large science fiction convention in Hunt Valley. We're expecting 1,800 to 2,000 people. We've had the second highest per-registration in our history in 36 years," said Inge Heyer, co-chair of Short Leave 36. "We have well over 50 authors here. These are authors who write media science fiction, science fiction in relation to TV and movies."

"Twilight" actor Michael Welch will be there! And he loves meeting his fans.

"If people on some level are responding to what I am doing and expressing that face to face with me, I'll never get sick of that. It's why I do what I do. I love it," Welch said.

"I did a fan convention about 10 years ago when I was on 'Joan of Arcadia.' It was the first sci-fi convention I ever did. They were so nice to me. It's  a fan-run convention. They are passionate fans and passionate people, and it's wonderful to be a part of it."

He's overwhelmed by being a part of one of the most successful franchises in movie history.

"'Twilight' is one of those things that has made its way into our cultural lexicon forever. To be a part of that, to be in four of five of those movies is indescribable. It's surreal to this day," Welch said.

His new series "Z Nation" premieres on the Syfy channel next month.

"It premieres in September," Welch said. "It's a zombie show. I'm very excited about it. It has a fantastic cast. It's fast paced, and it's fun. There's a lot to it. I'm really excited for people to see it."

Richard Dean Anderson from 'Stargate' will appear and so will Mr. Spock.

"Richard Dean Anderson, who played 'MacGyver,' is here. He was also General O'Neill in 'Stargate I.' Leonard Nimoy will join us Sunday via Skype. We've never done Skype before," Heyer said.

The convention includes autograph sessions with the stars and more than 50 science fiction writers.

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