Episode 5 - Conventions - Afterthoughts

Horror conventions......

If you have never been, then maybe this piece will entice you to hop in the car this weekend and check one out. If you are a seasoned veteran of them, then you will read this entire entry anyways; because quite simply......you cannot get enough. Once you experience a convention weekend, if you truly love horror, you will never ease up on them. Allow me, if you will, for a moment of  free-floating praise for these events. I fear it will be a little unstructured because it is very easy to ramble about the topic.
Going to conventions for me (and most others) brings different great things about them with every visit, some of which can be varied from con to con in terms of quality. However, there is one thing that is always a constant. THE FANS. No matter what show you attend, there will be things you do not like as much as the previous convention. Maybe the overselling of tickets, prices in general, the celebrity guest list, the policies, etc. will rub you the wrong way at times. However, there will be one thing that is always there to make it a great weekend, and that is the community. 

with Sid Haig

Initially, what I was most surprised by were the nature of the convention-goers. 95% of the people you encounter are thoughtful, courteous, and just as passionate about movies as you are. There is no: lack of patience in crowded areas, cutting lines, or other devious acts. I have witnessed on more than one occasion, a fan do the right thing for another. Whether it is someone having trouble getting through an area or someone who dropped their money. I always see horror fans looking out for each other. You can look online at message boards and see people post that they cannot make it to a convention and seek the help of other convention-goers. The majority of the time, a perfect stranger steps up and helps them. I have heard it at autograph tables where you will hear someone say that they are getting it for a person who couldn't make it and asked online. Another example is the fund-raiser I mentioned on the show; where Adam Green and friends raised over $15,000 for the Boston Marathon victims. This truly is a community. The community that is thought of by many, as a dark and twisted group. I promise you that if you want to make some new friends at a horror convention, it will not be hard to find them.

Another draw, the merchandise, is endless at conventions (although some are better than others). That is really just the luck of the draw depending on the region you are in. You can find a t-shirt of of your favorite obscure flicks, rare out of print movies, original art, and endless other collectibles. You can meet people who you have watched in your cherished movies for as long as you can remember. It is just a world to get lost in for a weekend; and even better it is with the company of others who get your obsession.

with Amy Steel

There are lots of events to enjoy as well; ranging from varying entertainment to social events. There are screenings of independent films; and depending on what con you are at it, could range from non-stop the whole weekend to just smaller scheduled evening events. There are social events held like pajama parties or costume balls. Maybe, you like the more organic kind of social evening? That's fine, head down to the nearest bar/restaurant at the venue; because typically there will be the fans and (sometimes) the celebrities enjoying drinks till the wee hours of the evening. A night where, over drinks in public, you can discuss your favorite dismemberment or head explosions with others and that's viewed as normal. All of these items are just more of the fun at your disposal if you want it.

If you do not want to stay the night or all weekend, there is still yet another way to see a convention. Volunteer to help! While it is not financially rewarding, it can be a great way to take in the weekend. I recently volunteered at one and met quite a few great fellow fans, helped many others, and experienced a ton of fantastic things with the celebrity guests. When you find yourself in a conversation with Danny Trejo and Gary Busey, it is a little surreal. It truly was a weekend for the ages. If that interests you, or has before, then contact your promoter. They can usually use the help and you are helping sustain something you enjoy for the future. Everybody wins!

Now let me disclaim this for those who have not been to a convention: there is one thing that is challenging about them. The challenging thing is talking about said conventions to those who do not go to them. Spending copious amounts of time and money on merchandise and meeting faces from the films you love will not make sense to many. It is an exhausting task that is better to just shake off when presented with the negative opinions. They do not get it, you do, you win.

with Danielle Harris

I promise you, these conventions become a part of your DNA and your personality almost overnight. It is a club that you are instantly welcomed into without snobby condescension from the veterans. It is, for many, their vacation each year. I would say this is a good vacation to plan for because each weekend you go to one, you lose yourself effortlessly and completely. The only disappointing part for me, is leaving. It is like a summer camp, crammed into one weekend, with friends who are just like you.


I hope you enjoyed our episode whether you have been before or not. If you are still curious about anything on the subject , feel free to contact one of us! Anybody going to HorrorHound this weekend feel free to hit us up and have a beer or a laugh! We like both. With that said, this wraps up my babbling this time around. Thank you so much for listening and reading. Whether you are at the con here this weekend or not; everybody have fun this weekend and be safe!

Until Next Time
Beware of the moon
Professor