tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041993171534668077.post6440891048202313593..comments2022-04-09T02:23:13.392-04:00Comments on Comic Odyssey: The Nature of the Pop Culture ConventionKPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15621797621979166730noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041993171534668077.post-30613915723870929202016-10-05T21:57:56.335-04:002016-10-05T21:57:56.335-04:00I went to HVFF in Chicago in March and it was my (...I went to HVFF in Chicago in March and it was my (and my husband's) first con, and it was the perfect entry-level con. Sure, it was crowded, but it was so much fun. The panels were amazing (we got great seats for all of Amell's panels), and we got autographs and selfies from a bunch of the actors and they were all super friendly and talked to us. We met Robbie Amell as he was walking across the floor and he stopped to say hello.<br /><br />I was astounded by the friendliness of them all. I always expect celebrities to be a bit stuck up, but none of the people we met were. <br /><br />We went to the Nocking Point Party as well and we met Stephen and only got to chat with him for about a minute or so, but he was super nice and so down to earth as were David, Echo, and Paul. Best part of the night: seeing Neal McDonough crowd surf.<br /><br />We can't wait until HVFF next year! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953974418747032055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041993171534668077.post-20543042857897369092016-10-05T20:12:04.935-04:002016-10-05T20:12:04.935-04:00We were at that H&V show "Blizzardcon&quo...We were at that H&V show "Blizzardcon" we called it. Had a VERY nice time despite the obvious disappointments due to the weather. <br /><br />Some of the celebs didn't make it due to travel restrictions and Saturday was a complete cancellation, all of which was understandable. But the Knocking Point party was in an adjacent hotel and they basically let anyone who showed up get in and we had a great time. Katrina, Steven, John B were especially available to those of us who were also stranded in our hotels. Lord Mesa (great artist) took over the breakfast room at our hotel and was drawing for people all day long. I don't know if he made a dollar that day, but he made fans out of all of us who were there. <br /><br />No one was thrilled with how the weekend turned out (all weather issues) but the celebs did everything they could do to make sure we had as much fun as possible (including snow angel contests in the parking lot) The H&V management did everything they could to accommodate their disappointed customers, including crediting a portion of our ticket price to another show. <br /><br />Of course there is money involved, no one doesn't think so. I hope the celebrities find the H&V shows to be profitable AND enjoyable simply because we have been to two already and will be in Atlanta in November for the next one. <br /><br />Your opinion on this particular event matches mine. They aren't "Comic Cons" they are "Fan Festivals" and the fandom IS more like a family and Steven and his people have hit a niche in a bloated Con market and are successful. I hope their events continue for many more years, I will be there with my money as long as they do <br /><br />Mike and Kelley Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13710044845795550425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041993171534668077.post-56942445135500656292016-10-05T19:14:52.366-04:002016-10-05T19:14:52.366-04:00When I read that original article, I said "Go...When I read that original article, I said "Good for them!". and Here is why: <br /><br />I had the pleasure of going to Heroes and Villains: Chicago in March of 2016. That weekend happened to fall on both St. Patrick's Day and Daylight Savings Time. On top of that, I'm pretty sure the stars flew in the night before the show and only had a few hours of sleep. That was on a Friday night/Saturday morning. The first day of the show they all showed up and gave it their all. I took photo ops with several celebrities and every single one of them were friendly and endearing. I especially remember Katie Cassidy, who looked like MAYBE she had an hour of sleep the night before, but instantly perked up for the camera. Then that night there was the Knocking Point Party, where a wild time was had by all; and several others went out on the town for St. Patrick's Day. The next morning, NONE of the celebrities showed up on time. I waited in Katie Cassidy's autograph line for about 2.5 hours and she still hadn't shown. But every single one of the celebs made it on time for the panels, made it for their photograph sessions. I got to talk to Willa Holland about photography for a bit which was a treat. Katie did show up, and she looked even more tired than the day before. But she was still friendly, and courteous, and had a smile and a few minutes to talk to each person. As for Stephen Amell, I got to his autograph line near the end of the second day (as a VIP ticket holder, I got to cut in front of the line- which was wrapped all around the holding area and out onto the main floor) and I heard his handler say that he only had fifteen minutes to sign. That was at about 4:15 p.m. He was STILL SIGNING at 5 p.m., and he finished his line before he left. <br /><br />That one show gave me so much more respect for all of the actors who do these shows. Sure, they make a pretty penny. But they are taking time away from their families and fitting these shows in between grueling shoots just to give us all a chance to meet them. So I don't begrudge them this one bit, and I can't wait to go to my next convention.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17736234997647745679noreply@blogger.com