Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/424604
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2014 News 19 sary push forward, since it enabled them to get feedback from interna- tional professionals in the field. "This is the perfect – and at the time it was founded, the only – venue for local artists to prove their mettle. You get to talk to industry bigwigs and get their input, and it also creates opportunities. I per- sonally got a chance to study illus- tration abroad thanks to contacts I made at the Con a year ago," Calleja, an illustrator currently studying in Sicily, said. "I've been coming to the Malta Comic Con ever since it first started. I was quite young at the time, and it really gave me a sense of perspec- tive. I especially enjoyed coming into contact with the international creators – you can learn a lot just by talking to them," Attard, who is currently based in London, said. "It inspired me to go study abroad – it took a while, but I got there in the end," Attard, who is currently working as a graphic designer and concept artist for Cartoon Network Europe, added. During our visit to the Con, we al- so got a chance to speak to London- based, Malta-born actress Marama Corlett who, apart from her theat- rical experience (she most recently appeared in the Old Vic's sold-out production of The Crucible) was also set to appear in this summer's runaway blockbuster hit, Guardians of the Galaxy. "It was an amazing experience, and everyone was really down to earth. I love that the director didn't go for 'big name' actors as such. It was also challenging because I had to learn an alien language from scratch," Corlett said. Though the scene Corlett was set to appear in was eventually cut, director James Gunn publically ex- pressed his regret at having to do so, vowing that he would love to have Corlett appear in a sequel. "Of course, I would be more than up to it should the opportunity arise! Besides, it would be great to have more of a female presence in superhero films," Corlett said, add- ing that although she regrets not making the final cut of the first 'Guardians' film, she's grateful to have such a blockbuster on her CV. assemble! Superheroes and more: Malta Comic Con will remain open until 7pm today