Us & Them
Ok So now that my initial What is a Convention post is up. Let’s move on to something I know a lot have been talking about. Cost comparisons and why things are the way they are.
In this long and winding post I am going to go over M7 Con’s background, The background of some of the world’s top convention COMPANIES and just why costs are the way they are and how the funds are used (by M7 Con)
We know a lot of you are new to conventions. Old Sacramento M7 Con being your first or ONLY convention to ever attend. I have been a convention attendee for well 30 years. At 5 years old my aunt took me to a local convention to meet Nichelle Nichols aka Lt. Uhura from the original Star Trek. I was hooked. I loved everything about them, from meeting like-minded people to all the costumes and activities. Now at nearly 35 years old I have traveled all over North America for conventions that are part of a growing trend in the convention world, Show Specific or Genre/Theme Specific Cons.
While catch-all conventions or Comic-Cons like San Diego, Dragon Con, Emerald City or even my local Central Canada Comic Con (C4) are still out there and growing. They are a melting pot of every form of fandom from every genre and every platform from literature to Broadway. But specialized convention popularity is growing.
Genre/Theme Specific being Horror, Romance, Drag Queens, Westerns, Science Fiction or Fantasy.
Show Specific- Sherlock, Doctor Who, Supernatural, and yes the Magnificent Seven which we started.
When we started we wanted to be and enhanced Fan Gathering. In my first post I told you about the difference between a Fan and a corporate con, now what is the difference between a Convention/Fan Con and a Fan Gathering. Fan Gathering is just that a gathering of fans to discuss the fandom usually held at a hotel and have activities around the city where the attendees explore together and discuss fandom. A Convention is well a convention. There are vendors, guests, and activities and it all centered in one location at a hotel or convention center and spread out though various rooms. Now an example of an enhanced Fan Gathering would be the Peter Wingfield Fan Club Meeting.
They book a meeting room and some hotel rooms (A VERY limited number I have never had the chance to go at it’s only like 50 people and I miss out all the time) and Peter Wingfield shows up for the day, sometimes he brings Valentine Pelka or Jim Byrnes also of Highlander fame as he is good friends with them away from set. They have a small panel and a dinner with the guests on one day, but the rest is a typical fan gathering.
We wanted to meld the two. Have the fan gathering feel with all the bells and whistles of a Comic Con/Fan Con. It is a learning process but we are doing well.
We have been running our convention a certain way since 2013, and it wasn’t a bad way but just not a very fully functional way. So this year we have decided to try and emulate some of the other conventions out there without the huge convention squish or impersonable-ness of them.
I want to give you some history and background and overview and look into of some of the bigger Conventions in the World.
These are based on ones that I have attended or know trusted people who have gone. So I really know what goes on at them: the good the bad and the ugly. We’ll start with some written insight then at the end I will post a comparison of costs and inclusions, to give you an idea of where we are and where we want to be. (and the cost we do not want)
There are some big names in conventions now, ones that are Corporations.
In North America Creation Entertainment seems to be the biggest Company. They started with Star Trek and comic cons and now run the Biggest Star Trek convention in the United States in Las Vegas every August. They now have a firm hold on Supernatural conventions and have moved into other shows as well, Vampire Diaries, Once Upon a Time, Gotham, Outlander, Stranger Things, and their new venture Riverdale. In the past they also hosted conventions for Hercules the Legendary Journey, Xena Warrior Princess, Lord of the Rings, Farscape and the X-Files. Now one thing about Creation is they say they are fans who do conventions for fans, but they are not really. While that maybe how they started off, many see them now as very profit driven from the exponential jumps in prices with less being given in return to now starting to overcrowd conventions something they claimed they would never do.
Now. My experience with Creation has been like many a love/hate relationship. They are super organized as the they have paid staff of over 20 people and a professional photographer on staff. But everything is very impersonal. Most of the big name guests are not allowed to personalize autographs so as to keep us the flow of the line. And most conversation save for a quick hello and thank you is frown upon. They have over 200 people to get though a line and they want it quick. For example, Zachary Quinto of Star Trek fame sold just over 200 autographs at the 2009 Star Trek Las Vegas. He being the sweet guy he is ignored Creations rules of autographs and had a mini conversation with EVERYONE in line. His autographs took just over 4 hours. He did the same for his Photo Ops and those took 5 hours. (when normally the most you wait in line for a creation photo op is 30 minutes.)
It put the convention well over end time and people were freaking out as they had planes to catch and show tickets, dinner reservations and such.
Now they keep the actors on a short leash which is probably why Zachary doesn’t do them much anymore and why Jim Beaver from Supernatural is not invited to as many conventions now. Jim was the same way. He wanted to get to know EVERY person who came out to see him and ended up giving me one of the best hugs I’ve ever got after I teared up while saying how loosing Bobby aired close to my grandmothers death and how it opened up old wounds. So it was an awesome experience for me but not so much for the people at the back of the line who had to stand for hours on end.
Creation is a corporation; they have a bank account that is always full and can confirm and put down payments on guests years in advance. But yet their costs always rise. This would be ok if things such as rental or actors salaries went up but the thing is they haven’t. William Shatner, Misha Collins, Connor Trineer and Richard Speight Jr’s daily rate has not changed in years. And the rental costs of the spaces have not increased, but yet every year the prices go up.
For Star Trek Las Vegas a General Weekend Admission ticket now in 2018 costs as much as out Captains chair package did in 2009.But guests are typically all the same and yes there this is a 5 day convention but the 5th day is a half day and let me remind you the General admission just gets you in the door. That’s it, and not even a reserved seat. Just in the door. And the only parties you attend are the free ones that are open to everyone (The karaoke parties). If you want the Saturday night concert that’s another $50, The dinner party that’s $99 and all your photos and autographs are extra.
Cost is really what has kept me from going back. I don’t know why I should pay more for WAY less. For Supernatural unless you buy a Gold or Silver tickets you CAN NOT get an autographs from the two main stars Jensen and Jared, and they are looking to do the same with Misha by 2019.
That said while I won’t be going back to Star Trek Las Vegas this year (work) or Supernatural Toronto (on hiatus till 2019) I will return in the future. I hate the cost, I hate the being treated like cattle at the photo ops and some autographs, I don’t like the overfilled dealer room or the super crowded halls. But I LOVE seeing the friends I have made over the years of attending and I love seeing some of my favorite actors over and over again and I even like hearing the same funny stories on stage.
Creation has massive con help from volunteers. Some who don’t even ever step a foot in to the main auditorium or even get to catch a glimpse of one of the stars. They say if you volunteer at a creation convention to see the star or basically “Get in for free” you are in for a disappointment. You can buy photo ops and autographs but unless you are lucky enough to be a guest liaison (My 4’9” Aunt was 6’4” Jared Padalecki’s liaison for 3/4 Supernatural cons she worked for them while I attended) you won’t see the actors. But the returning volunteers don’t do it for the stars they do it for the fun and the interacting with other fans.
Massive Events is another company that is coming to North America after dominating the conventions world in the UK. They run many general and Show specific cons in the UK and have brought two of their biggest to Lose Angeles. Gallifery on or Gally which is a Doctor Who Convention and Sherlocked a well Sherlock convention.
I love Massive events. They are Big Con event with small con feel. Gally sells out every year mere seconds after tickets go on sale. One day I may get there or at least volunteer.
I went to my first Sherlocked last year. It was the first Sherlocked on US soil have held two previously in the UK.
The ticket was $596. It included 3 Parties, a photo in Sherlock’s living room on the actual set (my butt sat where Benedict Cumberbatch sat.), 1 photo with every actor/guest in attendance (no group photos or actor on set photos those were extra), 1 autograph with each attending guest, all the panels, a cool convention badge, a poster, a button, and lanyard. (Does not include Benedict or Martin should they be announced but I’d gladly pay extra for them).
The Gold tickets are spilt into smaller groups (A-Z) since guests are there all weekend groups are assigned a day and a time for autographs and photos. This was one of the smoothest moving lines I have ever been in for Photos or Autos even with the guests talking with us and at times getting silly with us.
The VIP pack is $2996 and includes a cocktail party with guests (and photo auto with Martin and Ben should they attend) but others could buy at a cost on $99. It was one of the best extras I could ever buy. I have so much fun and Andrew Scot aka Psychopath arch enemy of Sherlock Holmes, held my hand the entire time he was at our table and made it a point to say hello to Me and the three girls I made friends with every time he saw us that weekend, and giving us the biggest hugs at the end of the weekend.
The volunteers are rotated though positions, during the day and during the week. My aunt volunteered and day one she was in the Set Photo Booth. Day two she was registration then she was guest liaison for Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for a while sitting with them and checking attendees passes and tickets. Day three she was line coordinator for autographs and then back at registration. She said it was the most fun she ever had as a volunteer at a convention.
Seating for panels was sort of, like creation but not really. At Creation events anything but General gets an exact assigned seat row and number for the entire weekend with General being scramble seating at the very back. At Sherlocked each level had assigned rows but not seats. VIP was at the very front then Gold then silver then standard. It was neat moving place to place for different panels.
Sherlocked was one of the most fun conventions I have ever attended and I looked forward to going back this year and meeting my favorite Rupert Graves.
I have talked to the others that run M7 Con I want us to be like Sherlocked, Big Con Event small con feel. This does mean upping the ticket prices to bring you the awesome extras and interaction, but I don’t think we’ll ever charge $2996 for a package lol.
The last corporate convention I will speak of is ACE comic-con run by the two founders of Wizard World Events who left to start their own new company. They are ambitious, they host Marvel and DC focused events. In June they have a convention with Chris Helmsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Chris Evans aka Thor, Loki, and Captain America from the HUGELY popular Marvel Cinematic universe. The Top Tier ticket for this event is just over $1300 and it gives you an autograph with the stars and a photo of all three of them together with you (No individuals) and a Q&A with them. There are individual VIPS for just one actor or another, and you can buy additional single photos. But they are EXPENSIVE. And sell out fast and some are not available unless you buy a VIP.
I have not attended a ACE event but know people who did. I wanted to go to Arizona to meet Sebastian Stan but fate was not with me. I do know People who went to that and to DC one in Long Island.
There is not much except for the photos and autographs. The events were held in Hockey arena which made navigation awkward and vendors in odd spots. I was told that Gal Gadot was treated very badly by staff. It was her first real convention and she was having fun with people in the photo lines and especially with all the kids dressed up. Staff often rushed her and made he miss people. Our friend went for Henry Cavil and Jason Moma and said while it was nice to stand next to them, get hugs and a few words, after that there was not much else to do. The panels were awkward as you were in arena seat and the interviews echoed through the entire building and were not as intimate as the VIP page made it sound.
The same was said about ACE Arizona. My friend was fortunate enough to meet all the actors on the first day as Chris Evens fell ill and had to cancel the rest of the event. Karl Urban was also ill and cancelled his appearance the morning of. ACE did handle that well. They couldn’t refund tickets but made special accommodations or switched ops to other actors.
I still want to attend an ACE event either DC or Marvel because I don’t mind lack vendors, less money for me to spend and I go there for the actors. Maybe they will do one in Winnipeg we have a hockey arena just hope they can work around playoffs lol.
OK on to small conventions. I can only speak for my local one. Central Canada Comic Con or C4.
Everyone has love hat relationship with it. Love it because it’s cheap, hate it because the owners are known to be rude and sometimes guests are canceled with no explanation. I don’t mind it and know a few people who run it.
Like the Old Sacramento M7 Con C4 is not their primary job, they all have day jobs.
Revenue is fan driven but they do get sponsors. We are a big little city and it is super easy for C4 to get sponsors. Local businesses will donate for a small advert in the program or on the website. Also our laws hear make sponsoring easier than in the US. You donate; convention gives you a receipt for tax purposes, no registration or anything.
Also fan or clubs will get together and sponsor an actor. The Doctor Who club raised money to bring in Sylvester McCoy (the 7th Doctor) a few years ago. A private citizen has also anonymously brought in some HUGE guests with high ticket appearance fees.
C4 is a general comic con, there are guests from various shows and genres and there is gaming and costumes and artists. There are MANY levels of tickets and memberships. Some include the panels but a lot do not. All guest panels cost extra none are free. They range from $10 to $50 and the room they have been using is SMALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL yes it seats 300 but you are cramped and sit at tables… it’s a presentation theatre.
I go and I always spend way too much at the vendor room and Artist alley. But I only get guest photos if there is someone I really want.
Volunteers are worked hard. Some come back year after year and others quit after day one. It’s hard work. And there is a 99.9% chance you won’t be near the actors. They have special volunteers who go through a heavy vetting process to be the guest liaisons, and most have security backgrounds. Most of the volunteers are on their feet all day directing people and making guff from tried attendees.
Now to Old Sacramento M7 con. You all see the post you know what is included. I am including a VIP chart to help you understand where we stand within the con spectrum. We are not the cheapest but we are not the most expensive.. and we give everyone a few unique opportunities.
The VIP only Q&A. I ran this idea past a few of my fellow convention buddies from various conventions (we are all still friends and chat regularly on social media) they LOVED the idea. There are so many conventions where people use the panel room as a lounge or cafeteria and making it exclusive is a great way to make the VIPs extra special. Much would rather have a VIP exclusive Q&A then VIP Only photos and Autographs. Keeping the Autos and Photos as open to everyone allows people to have interactions with the actors. Making the Q&A exclusive makes it more personal and intimate. Half the people I know at Star Trek Las Vegas never step into the main room for panels and only enter the room if there are autograph sessions in there. So they buy a general admission ticket. It gets them in and they don’t pay for the panels they won’t see. Having the panels VIP exclusive as I keep repeating make them that more special and worth the cost.
The Dinner. Many conventions are getting rid of the dinners for a myriad of reason. Mostly due to allergy accommodation and cost, they wanted to leave it at a $25 cover but still only have 10 people doesn’t work. We wanted to sort of meld the Sherlocked cocktail party with a dinner. Attendees have seats and food the actors spend time at each of the tables for a set amount of time talking and socializing before moving on to the next table.
T-Shirt. Some give VIPs a free convention t-shirt that other attendees can buy. We are giving you an exclusive VIP created t-shirt. The design hasn’t been released yet as my little brain is still creating…. Did I mention these will be handmade screen printing too. Ooh La la!!
The rest of our inclusions are pretty standard and I would love to tell you what will be in the swag bag but that would ruin the surprise!
