Can someone please help me understand the 'Convention' community?

lukeforester1

lukeforester1

Well-Known Member
Hello, I'm just really confused about exactly what a con is? What happens there? I've heard of several, Dragoncon, comicon, infinitus, etc., but I'm not really sure what the differences are between each of them or if their are themes at each one. Are some cons publicly endorsed by movie studios (I know at one con a bunch of Harry Potter props were on display) and are some completely unofficial?

If I were to go were to go to a con, what would I expect to see? And being a fan of Harry Potter, star wars, NCIS, golden compass, narnia, 30 rock, Family guy, simpsons, and some other things, what would be the best con to attend? (Harry Potter is my first priority, everything else pretty much takes turns being second, depending on the day)

I've heard lots of very cool stories and seen many pics from various cons, but I'm very confused about the whole culture and how to become a part of it.

Thanks for any help!
Luke
 
Click my signature banner (at the bottom of my post) and you can look at my photos from 4 years of the San Diego Comic-Con. That will give you an idea of what a large-scale Convention is like.

Most conventions are a place for like-minded folk to get together and share a common interest.

Some are very specific, such as a Comic Book convention, a Star Trek convention, a Fantasy/Medieval convention, etc....

It gives you an opportunity to meet those who produce what you are interested in, like Comic Book writers and artists, actors from movies and tv shows, companies who produce merchandise for those interests, and purchase merchandise (books, toys, clothes, props).

There are also 'Panels', which are basically big rooms with a lot of chairs and a stage. People fill up the room and someone comes in and speaks to the room. Sometimes it's the director and start of a movie or a tv show. It could be the team behind a comic book, or something like a how-to on costume making.

Many times companies will use a convention to give a first time sneak-peek at a new project to help get fans excited.

And for the fans it's a chance to go and be around others who love the same stuff, maybe dress-up in a costume, and have a great time.
 
Thank you very much! I appreciate it! Do you happen to know of a con that will have a lot of Harry Potter stuff, even if it isn't HP centered, but would have some props or costumes or, well, a panel of hp actors or producers or writers, etc.? :)
 
When I went to SDCC in 2010 they had some actual props and costumes from Harry Potter because they were promoting the Deathly Hallows Pt1 last summer. Almost any major convention will have Harry Potter merchandise and fans in costume, but without any new movies I don't know about them having a lot of 'new' HP stuff.
 
Dragoncon is definitely the biggest con in the southeast. Something like 50k people, all dressing up and partying. Because there's so many people, there are lots of people from every genre….

If you're anywhere near the southeast, I'd say at least come down to dragoncon on Saturday Sept 3rd to see the parade. You won't have to spend any money to see that, and it's pretty fun.

Where are you from? You may want to attend a con that's close to you!

--buddy
 
I went to comic con once, never again. Its a ton of people not looking where they are going, long lines, smells of ass, and there is a heavy crowd mentality where people disregard personal space and common courtesy towards others. Its a nice step below a large jail yet ironically with filthier toilets. Personally I dont get it but many do.

Back in the 80's and early 90's conventions were smaller, you got a chance to talk with people and make contacts or friends. Like most things they have been turned onto a machine to make money.
 
Also, cons become very different once you're old enough to enjoy the 21+ parts…room parties can be very fun, but they are for adults only :)
 
I'm about 30 mins from NYC (rockland county), so I'm afraid DragonCon might be a bit of a stretch, and I think I have an audition that day anyway, but maybe next year.

@james, to bad I missed it! I don't care about new stuff from HP, all thats left thats new is Pottermore, I just care about stuff in general. In ten years, after all the dust has settled, I probably still wouldn't pass up any chance to see HP props.
 
"cons" are great. Whatever the theme, people will dress up appropriately. My wife and I are anime fans and have been to many in the past... Www.sinime.com <- once there click on "anime conventions" for pics.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
 
I don't get the whole dressing up thing, but I'd love to see all the stands and panels and such. I went to a Con in New Jersey once that had a bunch of Trek and Babylon 5 people there, and it was great. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle the crowds and lines of a Comic-Con sized event though.
 
Jannix Quinn said:
I don't get the whole dressing up thing, but I'd love to see all the stands and panels and such. I went to a Con in New Jersey once that had a bunch of Trek and Babylon 5 people there, and it was great. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle the crowds and lines of a Comic-Con sized event though.
Click to expand...

Haha! Thats the ONLY part I really understand! Dress up cuz it's freakin FUN and it's one of the few days of the year you have to dress up without being CONSTANTLY judged, think about the idea of walking down main St in robes with a wand, or a tunic and lightsaber at your belt, as fun as it is, people acting suprised completely takes you out of your own little world where HP or SW is just a bit more real for a minute. And thats why it's fun, isn't it? Because those stories do become more real when you're in costume and you actually feel like part of the stories themselves. Hope that made sense.
 
lukeforester1 said:
Are some cons publicly endorsed by movie studios
Click to expand...
They'll participate, but the only ones I can think of that are actually run by them are the Star Wars Celebrations. (and even then it's probably some subsidiary or subcontractor).

Even so-called "Star Trek" conventions are completely independent from Paramount/CBS.
 
Sinime said:
"cons" are great. Whatever the theme, people will dress up appropriately. My wife and I are anime fans and have been to many in the past... Sinime - Anime Music Videos <- once there click on "anime conventions" for pics.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
Click to expand...

100% agreed. During the last 20 years I visited about 30 conventions in the UK, USA and Germany. People who don't know me usually call me "Geordi", because I'm wearing the VISOR over the weekend and I'm dressed in a Starfleet uniform.

One of the greatest moments I had was a few years ago during the FedCon, LeVar Burton was one of the guest stars and he was on his way to the autograph session when he saw me passing by and he called me "Geordi" we shook hands and he said "C'mon let's take some pictures". So one of my friends made some snapshots at "engineering".

I never expected that...

Dietrich
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

DarkHelmet
Help me understand the constant Superhero movie reboots.
2
Replies
34
Views
925
RedCircle
RedCircle
eethan
Juliens auction - Harry Potter Hero letter for sale, be careful! (Update:item was now removed from auction!)
Replies
11
Views
1,005
eethan
eethan
ClayTheSpider15
Spider-Man Suit Printing Help and Other Tips
Replies
0
Views
534
ClayTheSpider15
ClayTheSpider15
scarecroe
Please Help ID This item used as a prop in Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy
Replies
4
Views
679
scarecroe
scarecroe
SlasherCrafter
Rack and pinion gears help
Replies
1
Views
236
smithjohnj
S
Back
Top