FIRST SPN CON REVIEW, Austin Texas
Creation Entertainment
Update 8/27: I'm sick with COVID for attending this event lmfaooo. I sh*t you not I'm so sick rn I'm on five different meds to cope. Idk what strain was going around, but I bet the actors are sick too from the cesspool of germs it truly was.
Initial post, but slightly edited 8/27:
FIRST CON REVIEW?
I'll update it after it's all over. So far though...
I'll preface this with the fact there's some pros: I loved getting to hear Jim Beaver, Alex, Sam Smith, Briana, Ruth, Kim, & Alaina. They were all amazing. Especially Misha... but.... ya'll. First con. I'll give my honest review. I loved getting to talk with Matt Cohen he is such a light, genuinely cares about people & his personality is so bright. I actually think the "smaller" part actors are what carry these conventions.
I still think it is way overpriced & a money grab even after writing this a couple of days later getting home. The paid events are worth it, I got Copper seating. You get to see Jensen/Jared once on stage for about an hour on the last day Sunday. There's a decent amount of free stuff, but you get FOMO from missing out on the other levels like silver & gold because they get to see more panels, get autographs included in the initial cost & a bit more out of it. However, Copper is still excellent because I'd never pay $1k+ upwards for this kind of event.
But.... everybody smelt like BO, maybe it's the summer. Okay.. maybe not like everyone everyone, but the majority. It was honestly disgusting how POTENT this smell was the second day in the vendor room with poor ventilation. It also smelt like wet carpet & when I attended Misha's comedy event (which is held in the smelly vendor room later around 8pm in the back with curtains while you can hear them emptying out the trashcans & cleaning) also the event was $80 but I love Misha so much, it was worth it. Learned a lot about him, but execution wasn't too too bad just needed a better room honestly. I had to keep my legs up in my chair during this event because something in the carpet of the vendor room was jumping up onto my legs making me itch. The smell is so bad during the day I wanred to kinda vomit. This isn't even an exaduration like it was honestly so gross but the days it didn't smell bad was okay.
Karaoke was a good time, I love DJ Qualls. He got out into the crowd a couple of times on the floor with you. He is respectful, funny, a light, I just love him. Definitely go to karaoke that was actually a banger but song choices could have been better!! But still sooo fun!!! It is included with Copper.
I want to say that the vendors truly sucked. Mass bought "art" from Alibaba/Aliexpress & overseas. Some were selling Al art?? Then some were selling random anime stuff no one knew what it even was. And one vendor had moldy dirt in a jar they were selling as graveyard dirt. Just overall, poopy graphic t shirts & nothing I'd want. Creation Entertainment needs to hire real graphic artists who know how to make GOOD products people want to buy. It was just straight trashy sh*t in my opinion.
I luckily got to meet Kim. ($25 for me, $25 for friend so it was $50 total includes 2 people). I recommend her. The interaction was 6 seconds I kid you not. Such a great woman & so sweet, her hugs are so nice. She's bubbly, warm, & appreciates you!! But I cannot tell you how many creepy weirdos I met that talk about how they want to kiss Jensen & Jared, & had them do weird creepy poses for photo ops. They're married men. You're in love with the characters. Don't be weird... like I'm sorry it's just nasty. Stop making them do really creepy poses for your weird fantasies. They're PEOPLE. Holy crap. Like honestly I just feel so bad for them I truly do when you look at the reality of the kind of people showing up to these cons. I hate to say it, but please stop being creepy & weird to them.
No filtering questions on Alex, Sam's, Jim's or the ladies panels Sat/Sunday on what questions to be asked. "Filtering" is the volunteers at both sides asking you what your question is just to see if it is appropriate not if it is dumb or has been asked 6+ times. Creation Entertainment allows MINORS, 9-12 year olds up to ask dumb fking questions during panel time. This should be a 18+ event. One girl asked the same question 4 times "would you rather have a third eye or a third limb... xyz". So you basically paid for panels that are an absolute joke (I feel so bad for Alex & his panel Saturday/Sunday (can't remember, it was awful bless his heart)). The audience was so frustrated, & so were the actors. At one point Jim Beaver said THREE times "you got in line to ask me that question...?" One girl asked 5+ times throughout the weekend "If you could be a bird, what bird would you be" wasting everyone's time. It's just baffling to me the mass DUMB questions that took up valuable panel time. I was just pissed, I'm sorry. These actors want to add value & they shouldn't have to answer questions like these. Paid $500 just to be there. Give them a list of questions to ask PLEASE & screen how old you have to be to ask. Like get these questions lined up prior to the event. Luckily, they filtered better for the questions with Misha & Jared & Jensen, but wow. Why are you doing the cast dirty like this?
They allowed literal furries to come up & ask questions too, like why are you dressed up in a big fursuit in the middle of the summer at a Supernatural con then removing your fursuit head & sweating alllll over the mic (I'm gonna actually b sick)??? Like they're trying to get a rise out of the actors. The actors were so uncomfortable during these weird questions etc., I feel so bad for them like I have stated multiple times.
When Mark go up to speak I appreciated him. He levels himself on the floor while speaking to you, he values real human interaction & doesn't appreciate being filmed while he gets to interact with you. I loved his panel, very funny, but be prepared to be torn to shreds for asking dumb questions (he was honestly the most honest one at how these frustrated him). Overall, he's a great guy who wants to talk to his audience.
I hate to even sound hateful but genuinely the Austin event was so disorganized & the overall experience you'd have better sitting on your living room couch watching older panels. The staff were incredibly RUDE & half the time did not know the answer to your question (what are they there for???). They didn't want to help, were all snarky, & very put out. They don't want to help you (Car lady for pics was nice, I liked her a lot & was the only employee who loved to help & answer questions) but rarely any of the staff actually want to help you. They aren't paid to care. Creation Entertainment why aren't you hiring people who can truly help?? Why are you relying on volunteers...?? Is it because you've learned you can use people for your further profit?
These events could have so much more potential, but I see barely any effort being made for the amount you have to spend. I cannot believe some people pay 2k to sit up closer in the theater when you have the same view in the back not too far away for $400. Maybe it's to take better photos for their fan accounts, sure, but there's a big sign that says not to post or take pictures during this event. Why isn't this regulation being followed? Everyone is posting it all anyways!!!
