My thoughts on Intervention 2014
I've been home from intervention for about 24 hours now. And I thought I would try and put my thoughts on this, the 5th year of the show, into words.
It's been harder than I thought.
Not because I don't have anything to say, those of you who know me know that is rarely the case, but perhaps because there is so much to say and I'm not really in the mood to write a book.
I want to make it clear that I am not a member of staff at the convention. I'd also started to write that I was not a member of the press, but technically.. I am. You see this year I was part of a small team of folks from TauRadio that were live broadcasting the entire show as we have done for many years, and I got myself a press badge. Weird to think of that, but I assure the reader I am writing this from the point of view of a man who has been to many, many conventions, nothing else.
First of all a MASSIVE thank you to the people whose brainchild the convention was Oni and Harknell beyond being the co conchairs they are incredibly interesting people to just TALK to (assuming you can ever pin them down long enough)
Now lets talk about the actual show. Based out of the Hilton in Rockville, MD Intervention is a convention that doesn't try to be anything, it's more of a place where the people who run it go “Come here and be awesome. We don't care if you are a webcomic creator, a LARPer, a Writer, A scientist, A movie Riffer or an internet Radio team.. just come be awesome together” and that is one of the biggest strength of the show. With rooms dedicated to Tabletop gaming, Console gaming, Arcade gaming, Workshopping, and movie showings. With 3 panel rooms doing panels from copyright to 50 years of Doctor Who to improv comedy. There is really something for everyone at the show.
After all it is not every show I can send a friend of mine the text “And Jesus is around the corner building a TARDIS” and when asked to prove it, Walk around the corner and take a picture of Jesus building a TARDIS.
The atmosphere at the show is one that I've never really felt before, rather than the regular peaks and troughs of energy that most shows feel, there is always a constant mid level buzz permeating Intervention a buzz that feeds the people there both exhibitors and guests alike. Not matter what else is said I have never had a bad time at intervention, there is always something going on, someone there or what ever that totally lights up my time even if I'm feeling bad in other ways. This years highlight other than all the awesome times we had while broadcasting at the TauRadio table was the Doctor who panels I was fortunate enough to sit on, on Saturday night. First of all being asked to guest on the Playing doctor Podcast was so much fun, Ben McCormick, Jennie and I click so well it's like we've known each other forever. And to CW Cobalt who joined Ben and I on the panel right after to discuss our history with the good Doctor I could not have been more honored to work with the 3 of you.
Okay so I have to be honest here. I feel that not only would I not be doing myself justice if I didn't talk about everything concerned, but I wouldn't be helping people who are trying to learn about the show from reading what I wrote.
That is to say that not all is Hugs and Puppies in the state of Denmark. Intervention is a great show, yes, but it is also one that is very much in it's infancy and as suck it experiences a few growing pains each year. These pains are not crippling by any means.
For instance, Interventions Eclectic mix of programming is not for everyone. For example intervention will never fully people your “I just want comic” people or your “Scifi is all and everything” folks. I'm hoping we never see a day at intervention where one track dominates.
But the postitives wholly outweigh the negatives, and atendees will never see half the problems that we see as exhibitors, panelists and broadcasters. And you know what, I'm not even sure that the community that surrounds Intervention would care, because that is what this show is, in a nutshell, it's a show for a community, an amazing, eclectic wild evolving community that I only hope keeps getting bigger and bigger as the show deserves.
So yeah in summation Intervention is on of my favorite shows every year as it allows me to do something different to shows like Baltimore, I get to step more into my world of broadcaster as opposed to artist/writer and I love it for that, but I love the show and While there are flaws, NO SHOW IS PERFECT. Oni, Harknell the future is bright. I can only hope that these amazing people and the staff they bring in are just as successful with their other show, ReGeneration Who in march. Because lord knows their attitude, outlook and Work ethic they bloody well deserve it.
Sorry these thoughts have been a bit shotgun blast/scattershot in form but I'm still a bit tired from the weekend. But yes, if you are looking for a new experience, try it out. Relevant Links: Intervention website;Â http://interventioncon.com Regeneration Who Website:Â https://regenerationwho.com Playing Doctor Podcast:Â http://playingdoctorpodcast.com TauRadio Website: http://tauradio.com
