Supernatural Conventions – A First Timer Report
While a bunch of us were waiting for our turn at autographs on Saturday, Sammy and I joined the group in the hotel lobby to watch episode 6.03, “The Third Man”. It had been preempted on Friday in Chicago, so we all sat around the lobby and watched it together. I must say, that was a blast. We took turns checking out what rows they were on while watching the episode. With 30 of us laughing and cheering during the episode, It was really nice to have the closed caption option on for the show. (Thanks Arde!).
And finally it was Sunday! Main star day! And so many people! The hype and liveliness levels jumped about 100%.
I was surprised at how many international fans were there. I met fans from Germany, Vietnam, Chile and Argentina, but this lovely lady below is a US citizen. She just liked wearing full eye black contact lenses, and yes, the stars noticed. That’s a trick many authors will tell you to do at conventions….be different, but in a positive way. I asked her what it was like looking through them, and her answer, “It’s black”. (Okay…see what happens when you ask a dumb question?)
Her demonic eyes were a great attention getter, and she didn’t mind having her picture taken wearing them. She was all over the place on Sunday. I ran into her most often in J2 lines. (I was so enthralled with the contact lenses I forgot to ask her name. So if you’re out there and see your photo, contact me through the website. )
My first stop Sunday was the semi-private Q&A with Jensen Ackles. A more well-expressed man you could not hope to find. He was bright, funny and articulate. And the 30 mins was over waaaaay to soon. (For a recount of the Q&A Read my article “Chicago Con Report: The Eloquent Mr. Jensen Ackles“
The panel with the main stars was a once in a life time event. The panel started out with Misha on stage only and then expanded to a special duo appearance of Misha Collins and Jared Padalecki. Jensen Ackles was not scheduled to participate in any of the panels that weekend. Shortly after the duo panel began a sudden ear-piecing scream roared over the crowd. No one knew what happened until the cameras panned over to the left side of the stage to find Ackles had taken over the microphone and was doing his best impression of a Supernatural fan claiming, “I got bored back there I hope you don’t mind me crashing.” To which the fans replied with a long piecing resounded squeal.
Despite the loud shrieks and screams coming from the more zealous fans, the panel was extremely entertaining with all three actors showing their bond with one another and an incredible stage presence. The boys were delightful, sincere and eager to please. There was standing room only in the main hall and that stayed that way the whole time the actors were on stage. And a standing ovation was given, once they had to leave. Alice wrote up a complete report for the panel and if you haven’t read it, you should.
What followed were photo ops and autographs. Lines were long but fans were dedicated. I found one line of fans ‘waiting’ to get into the ‘waiting’ line for Misha’s photo ops, and they were ‘waiting’ a floor above where the photos were being taken.
Oh, and one other star I had my photo taken with. Can’t forget Baby!!
The night was not over, however as a group of all my new friends went out to dinnert. I’m sure you will all recognize the red head on the right. Behind Alice is Lynn Zubernis from Fangasm and the third lovely lady on the left is Sofia. She came all the way over here from German to be at the convention, and was wonderful enough to provide me with a copy of the photo below.
All in all, the time I had at the Chicago convention has been one of the most productive and entertaining experiences I’ve have had, and was well worth the time and effort to get there. I think half the fun is just anticipation and that can be a bugger if your anticipation is too high. But that didn’t happen to me. I made friends I will keep in touch with for a long time and hopefully will see them again next year at the Chicon. (Yes, I’ve already decided to go back, but this time as a gold ticket holder)
The fans and camaraderie is something any highly invested SPN fan should experience at least once. The actors have taken the love the fans have given them and gave it right back in all of their panels. The panels can often become quite repetitive, as fans tend to ask the same questions of each guest. But each actor stayed his course and kept the fans, their questions and answers in the proper prospective for it to be it fun and entertaining for everyone.
For those of you attending the San Francisco Creation convention this weekend, I KNOW you will have a great time. You will be among some great fans, so take the time to get to know as many as you can. They are an interesting lot!
thank you very much for your report. I will go to a con in May and I´m realy looking forward to it.
Sablegreen, thank you so much for this sweet report. I am really happy for you (yes, still to this day) that you had such a great Con experience. It’s also great to read something from you again, been missing you, dear!
Love, Jas
That article made me all excited. I’ve been debating the pros and cons of going to the Chicago Con of 2011. And, if I do go, whether to go as a gold member ticket holder or not. I’ve talked to my mom, who thinks I really shouldn’t limit myself to a convention for only on thing. She worries I’ll outgrow my love for Supernatural.
Which has me torn. I really want to go, and do all the things I’d like to do. But not only is the ticket really expensive, but I’m worried that I just….shouldn’t.
Sablegreen, I really enjoyed reading your article. I’m going to my first CON in Vancouver this year, and these recaps are great prep for me.
Leslie92708, I’m also going alone. I’m glad I won’t be the only one!
CalifornianLeslie, hey, you will meet nice people and have fun. Going alone isn’t bad, you know. I was also kinda intimidated by the thought of going alone, but it turned out to be great. After I had checked into the hotel and had my first dinner, I was fine. So, you are right to feel brave, girl, it will only make you grow!
And GwenT, same goes for you! You will have such fun, I’m sure! Enjoy every minute!
Cheers, Jas
Glad you guys liked the article. Don’t be afraid of going alone. You really aren’t with all the fans there. And eveny one is so friendly. It’s a lot of fun.
Excellent, excellent article. Makes me want to go to the next one. You write wonderful articles. I’ve just become a recent fan of Supernatural and never miss reading any articles written by you. Keep up the good work Sablegreen
Well Sablegreen I’m back again. Just read your article and you made the convention sound like so much fun. Loved the pictures you posted. Didn’t realize the stars were so friendly with their public. Keep the articles coming. Enjoy so much reading them.