It's time for Returning Registration!

 21 SEPTEMBER 2024

10:52 am

And we're done. I realize not all of you were successful today and I'm sorry. Hopefully Open Registration next month will smile upon you. 

And yes, former first-timers - you can include your friends and family in that one. Just create their Member ID accounts now. A few people have asked me about this, disappointed they couldn't include their BFF today. Do what you can to help them get that first badge (which may be just Thursday-Sunday or some other configuration) and they can join you in next year's Returning Registration.

Congratulations to all of you who got the badge of your dreams today!

9:56 am

I don't recall a badge sale so slow before. Someone behind the scenes clearly has heard of "slow is smooth and smooth is fast." I like it.

It's been nice; there hasn't been as much of a race against the clock or that heart-sinking feeling when you see "Preview Night is almost sold out." But it wasn't perfect. Issues for me and others:

~ Getting all the way to the "process" button and then it hangs up and kicks you back out. For some people, their order was processed anyhow but they never saw that confirmation screen. Others got nothing. This is the bitterest pill to swallow.

~ The next bitterest: getting in and having the system hang and ultimately boot you back out. This happened to me and then I got picked again and got stuck getting in. My long lucky streak is over. (But ultimately someone else got me my badge.) 

~ Then there were a number of hinky system malfunctions - things slowing way down, your 4 minute wait time suddenly jumping to 36 minutes, seeing a member ID validated but no badge options appearing, etc.

And - not an error but a personal pet peeve - Wednesday night/Preview Night is still on another screen. Why? Just list the option with all 4 days so people don't gasp and think it's already unavailable. I don't understand the point of that user flow.

9:23 am

This has been a slow badge sale so far. A few people got in right away but bounced out; otherwise we stared at that "more than an hour" for an eternity, it seemed.

Then things started moving and Preview Night has lasted an incredibly long time!

8:19 am

Happy Fall Equinox! Hopefully this harvest holiday will bring us all a plethora of badges... right?

I don't know what to expect; last year's Returning Registration was a bit of a downer, then Open Reg was much better. So fingers crossed for today - but don't lose hope if today doesn't go your way.

Are you ready for Returning Registration?

 16 SEPTEMBER 2024

One of those most stressful days of the year is almost here: SDCC Returning Registration! For you 2024 first-timers - and there were a lot of you - this day probably seems like the bonus of all bonuses. An extra bite at the apple! And it does double your chances (mostly) but it's not a guarantee.

For instance. Behold last year. It was for me, and many others, a jumbled, error-prone badge sale. I let out a mighty scream at one point when it kept wiping out people I was trying to buy for and eventually, cost me Preview Night badges entirely. (Which was made up for in Open Reg - but still.) Nothing, and I mean nothing, amps my blood pressure like an SDCC badge sale.

People also observed - and I have zero data, math, or stats to prove this - that it seemed fewer than usual Preview Night badges were sold during Ret Reg and more sold than usual during Open Reg. That was my experience as well. I also met an incredible number of first-timers this summer, more than I've met in many years. 

Given that CCI and their processes are (again mostly) a black box - who can say how it will go this year? Not I. The advice remains the same:

~ If you're comfortable doing so, enter your payment method in your Member ID account now to make your buying group experience easier. I know not everyone is thrilled by the idea of their credit card sitting in CCI land. But it does make things easier.

~ Make sure your buying group comrades understand how a badge sale works and that they've verified their information. If you have a first-timer, second-timer, or even third-timer who's not bought a badge before, walk them through the process. It's so frustrating when they are the one who gets picked right away and then flail around, not understanding what to do.

~ Make sure you have the cash or credit to buy badges. Again, if everyone else in your group has entered their payment information, you shouldn't have to pony up for 3 badges - but it's good to be prepared.

~ Be careful who you trust. I've seen a lot of random people announcing the formation of new buying groups online and inviting strangers to join; a random Discord channel I'm in suddenly announced it was now a buying group and requested everyone to submit their last names and Member IDs. I get that this kind of invitation can feel comforting to solo travelers but it's important to work with people you know at least somewhat. 

~ I'm going to ruffle a few feathers here and ask you to consider if you really need a full badge. Because in recent years, I've noticed more and more people who are skipping Con programming in favor of offsites and maybe 1-2 runs through the Exhibit Hall. And yet they feel they must pursue a Preview Night or 4-day badge simply because, well, that's the "best" badge. If this is you, please remember there are many people dying to attend panels and portfolio reviews and comic creator connection who get shut out every year. If you really only need Thursday and Sunday, or could happily skip Preview Night, save yourself some $$$$$ and let someone else grab that day.

Talk to you Saturday.

San Diego Comic-Con 2024: the best SDCC in years, with a few caveats

 31 JULY 2024

Some Cons need a few days to settle before you can see them clearly. SDCC 2024 is not one of them. It snapped into clarity right away for me and thousands of others: we were having the best Con we'd had in years.

I know it wasn't perfect (but that's impossible anyhow) and I agree with the many observations of the general rudeness of some attendees and security. And yes, it inevitably became a super spreader event with many people testing positive for COVID by Sunday. Oh, and there were the repulsive sex trafficking arrests. But let's focus on the good things right now.

We had some great panels.

Aside from one panel which was clearly a marketing campaign for the dude's business, every panel I attended was good - ranging from enjoyable to remarkable. NASA jazzed up their Artemis panel with snazzier visuals than they usually have, Interview with the Vampire and other Saturday Ballroom 20 panels delivered as expected, and of course, the Alien panel in Hall H was pure old-school SDCC - from video messages from Ridley Scott and Guillermo del Toro to the staged alien "attack" and actor with a chestburster to the amazing face-hugger and movie tickets swag. I also attended some good horror and comics panels that introduced me to new titles (always my ultimate goal at SDCC.) And so on. Of course, you probably attended completely different panels - but if you're like the people I know, you probably enjoyed them too.

Other special touches that got praised include:

The drone show. This was a fun and beautiful way to glimpse Marvel's future. 

Crunchyroll concert. I didn't go to this but I heard it was great.

Deadpool and Wolverine's Celebration of Life. I know. If you're one of the cheated, you probably don't want to hear this praised in any way. But the people who did get in said it was a classic SDCC experience they'd remember forever. (And if you're one of the liars who scammed your way in? Shame on you.)

Swag. Some people complained theirs wasn't great but I must have been in the right place at the right time because boy howdy did I score. It was great to see studios bring back actual merchandise like shirts and toys instead of cheap trinkets that belonged at the bottom of a cereal box. Some creatives ideas were in play, like FX offering umbrellas that graphic artists would mark up at your request. On the whole, I think people who did panels came away with items they truly wanted to bring home.

The guest energy. I can't remember which year it was - 2022? - when almost every panel guest I saw seemed bored, contemptuous, or sunk in existential despair. While I recognize the humanity of each player in the SDCC machine and their right to be authentic, it still seemed a little insulting to convey, "I am only here because I have to be" to thousands of fans who moved heaven and earth to see them. This year was different; I observed lots of enthusiasm and audience engagement and cast members and creators who seemed genuinely appreciative of their audiences. 

What wasn't so great...

The rudeness. I know everyone complained about arrogant and even threatening security staff, but I encountered some wretched attendees too. I currently have a dark half-moon bruise on my arm and a massive dark bruise on my thigh from being violently pushed out of the way and shoved over a chair in Ballroom 20. Honestly, I could write an entire blog post on the melee that transpired over 90 seconds in Ballroom 20 - absolute villainy. I know attendees are increasingly ruthless but when did we start physically hurting people to get the seat we want? Another woman about my height commiserated with me over tall/large people simply pushing us aside to take things from us. Compared to some hardcore punk shows I've been to, where even the roughest people obey an honor code, SDCC really has some assholes in the mix. And I haven't even touched yet on the reports of fat-shaming cosplayers, scolding people on scooters, and actual threats. 

Staffwise - I didn't tangle with any rude officials but I observed it and heard even worse stories. I know this was a big focus at the Talk Back panel. We can only hope for better training next year. But the workers supplied by the booth companies are wild cards - and they were some of the worst ones. Someone told me (take it with a grain of salt) that some local volunteers simply didn't show up because they were part of the San Diego COVID wave.

Some offsites. I actually think most of the offsites were okay - it was the expectations that were out of whack. But I do understand that it's disappointing to wait 3 hours in the sun only to be whisked through a boring room and be handed a bandana. It's also annoying to have a ticket, get into the offsite, and realize everything their press release advertised is actually capped off and unavailable to you. Either people have access or they don't. 

The volume of announcements. Robert Downey Jr. is Dr. Doom! Keanu won the Inkpot Award! Dexter is back! The announcements we got were fine, so no frown on that account - we just didn't get the fertile bonanza of new shows and films that we used to get. I understand why so no blame, but to me that deficit was felt by many.

The amount of cosplay. Same principle here - what I saw was good, but I just didn't see that much of it. Maybe I just didn't spend enough time on the street? 

Line management. Obviously Deadpool was a debacle that will live in SDCC infamy. But some of the other lines were poorly managed too - and some of the ADA decisions were mind-boggling. What's frustrating is that there are ways that could reduce a lot of this. Why weren't there wristbands for Deadpool winners to pick up - and why weren't there more scanners available when admitting people? Why can't some of the bigger booths on the floor with long lines like Funko move to hotel space? Artists Alley looked like it could barely breathe.

There's been a perceptible inexperience in the air since the pandemic - not coming from the top CCI leadership, I think, but from other people making decisions. Strategies and processes were implemented that simply didn't work in real life. Sometimes, it's understandable. At the Alien panel, they intended to pass out face huggers to us all and then take a photo of all 6500 of us with them over our face. Cute social media idea, but they didn't realize just how many people you'd need to pass out enough items in such a short time, so only the front rows were in the photo while everyone else scrambled to pass them out/pick them up. SDCC logistics are tough to grasp. That said...

Primitive processes. It's 2024, we have automation and LLMs at our fingertips. We have experts in large event management and omnichannel communication and onboarding. I love SDCC but sometimes it seems that they aren't fully aware of their options in terms of improving efficiencies. I hate to go corporate but a few consultants in tech, management, customer service, and comms could make things easier, faster, smoother, and more satisfying for everyone. Creating automated/LLM chatbots (and I hate chatbots but they'd offer some help) to answer attendee questions on the go, more interactive maps, onboarding campaigns and immersive instruction for first-timers, utilizing our RFID badges for line and admission control - there are a lot of options for innovation here. 

And yes, I'm aware CCI is a non-profit. But they've got options for fundraising, grants - their commitment to keeping the Con affordable is highly commendable and would play well in a funding proposal - that I hope they're exploring.

But maybe all of this is on the way. Apparently people complained about the new website (I think some of it is good but the UX is not, especially on mobile) and apparently CCI is going to address it. Maybe an overhaul with new talent is coming. 

For now, we can put 2024 to bed and move forward. What did you think - was the juice worth the squeeze? And will we see you in the waiting room on September 21?

                

Understanding What San Diego Comic-Con Is and What It's Not

 29 JULY 2024

Now that we're all home, laundry done, comics and Funkos unpacked, pets reunited with, it's time to summarize the Great Return of San Diego Comic-Con 2024!

Or, for me, it'll be that time tomorrow. Right now I want to address a bugaboo that's bothered me for a few days now: a misunderstanding of what SDCC promises you.

I addressed this in a diatribe about offsites last week. I'll now address it again because I keep hearing sentiments such as:

~ This event packs in too many people without enough to do. I feel ripped off.

~ I didn't travel this far and pay this much money to stand in line most of the time. I feel ripped off.

~ I waited 4 hours to get into this offsite and all I got was a baseball hat. I feel ripped off.

This is apparently the inevitable and unpleasant conclusion of the cascading attendee obsession with offsites. Over the last 12 years, offsite activations have gotten more numerous and more elaborate while attendees have become more monomaniacal about them. Now they are the point for some attendees, whose vicious case of FOMO has convinced them their life is incomplete if they can't spend 4 minutes inside a marketing diorama. I know it's partly about posting it on social to make their friends envious, partly about a sense of union with their favorite fandom, and other murky factors. 

But is it actually Comic-Con? In the larger sense of the concept, yes. But literally? No, and I think that's where people are getting confused. 

Or to put it more bluntly: the convention center is full of half-empty panels and screenings. You know, the actual SDCC programming.

Shifting SDCC Math

I would never try to persuade people to like the nerdier stuff if they don't - you like what you like. But you can't buy a badge for an event that you're largely ignoring and then complain it didn't offer enough to entertain you. 

In other words, if you're disinterested in panels and tournaments and film festivals, if you really are 90% motivated by offsites and parties, maybe this isn't the Con for you. I know it seems like it is at first glance. But considering the thousands of people who spent hours in line for offsites and then complained it wasn't worth it - maybe a reassessment is in order. 

Numerically speaking, the number of badges sold is massive compared to the number of attendees accommodated by offsites and Funko Fridays and the Fandom party and IMDB boat. You might get some access to those experiences but not all of them. They were never intended to accommodate every person with a badge. Make your peace with those limitations and stop complaining or move on. 

I'll admit I'm a little biased because I've attended so many nerdy panels featuring brilliant writers and artists who had to look out at rows of empty chairs. It's depressing to go to a spotlight panel for a world-famous comic artist and see that just 17 people showed up for it at San Diego Comic-Con. There are plenty of people who'd love to attend those panels, of course. But it's hard for them to get a badge when they are drowned out by the massive crowd of combatants who are mostly looking to get a selfie with a celebrity.

I know this sounds judgmental and it's not intended to be. But this year, I heard more complaints than ever about how unfair it was that attendees couldn't simply go from offsite to offsite like bees pollinating flowers. Some of them called SDCC boring and said there wasn't enough to do. If you genuinely feel that way, then SDCC isn't for you. You are not one of us. Go forth and find your people, your fun, because this isn't it.

Again, not judging those interests - I quite understand the allure of a well-done offsite. But you do have to make your peace with the odds of getting tickets, the amount of time in line, and the reality that every offsite is a roll of the dice - maybe it's great, maybe it's a snore. 

And please stop saying that CCI failed you by not giving you more to do. There is plenty to do. Maybe next year you can spend more time inside the convention center. You might be surprised by what you find.

What do you think of SDCC 2024 so far?

 25 JULY 2024

Well, we've done it; we've completed our first full day of Comic-Con. Before everything even began, the media agreed that "Comic-Con is back!" in terms of panels, guests, offsites, general pageantry, etc. But now that we're here and assessing it all with our judgmental eyes - is it?

I would say, yes. Mostly. A mix of my and others' opinions holds that:

~ The Exhibit Hall shopping is good. I spent much more than anticipated. 

~ The offsites are on par. So often they sound better in their press release than the reality and that was the case today. But some people were thrilled.

~ The cosplay I've seen in the Gaslamp has been of limited quantity - it's Thursday - but some of it is really good.

~ The panels are decent so far, the few that people have seen. I attended one that seemed a blatant advertisement for the panelist's business and a great one from NASA.

~ The line and flow management has been typical. Some people are saying it's worse than ever but I find it on par.

~ The Deadpool Wolverine event was magic for those who got in and an outrage for everyone who didn't.

First-Timers

Just as I observed what felt like an unusual number of first-timers leading up to the Con, I seem to be running into them everywhere. They are, by turns, impressed, curious, and confounded by some of our practices, including the SDCC "move this way, go down that hall, no, the other hall, swipe out, go outside, come back in and swipe again" directives. It's hard to get them to accept the unavoidable amount of WTF that is baked into, and then sprinkled on top of, every Con. 

And hard for me, sometimes. I whined childishly about Mattel selling out of the Batmobile Hot Wheels set at 11:30 this morning. What's the point of winning the exclusives lottery and then waiting in line when so many items are already gone less than 2 hours into the Con? Other people contacted me to tell me it got much worse throughout the day. My take: the people who work there probably haven't much control over the stock, but they could at least let people in line know what is sold out so they don't waste (more of) their time.

The first-timers I've talked to say that:

1) They were not adequately briefed on where things were. One group repeated an observation from different first-timers last year - they wandered around the Exhibit Hall without understanding where the panels and events were. They didn't know to go pick up their bag and guide. They just showed up and expected a clear map and directive that frankly, would never be possible with an event of this size. 

2) They are stunned at the ignorance and conflicting advice from "staff." To them, all volunteers, security guards, and staffers are one homogenous mass and they expect them to know everything when in fact, they barely know anything. They also complain of rudeness. 

3) They feel that buying a badge entitles them to entrance to every booth, offsite, party, and panel and any barriers therein are unjust. Tantamount to robbery, even. "I'm going to ask for a partial refund."

My suggestion: a lot of this is unavoidable - but I do think CCI could do a better job prepping newcomers to our shores. They could trigger something on Member ID accounts to indicate a first-time badge and send out a nurture campaign that walks first-timers through the basics in the months going up to the Con. They could create a series of video tutorials. They do this for badge sales and other processes, but I think they need to address the culture and experience of SDCC as well. 

Offsites

The Lodge was a pretty cool offsite and we were lucky enough to get pizza, drinks, a trip through the Ghosts apothecary, and a photo op, but the Star Treks t-shirts, tattoo parlor, and money pit were capped. What struck me was that the worker cheerfully told us to just go get in the standby line or come back Friday or Saturday and maybe they'd have shirts then. He seemed genuinely unaware of how obscenely long the standby line was and that it was impossible to just go get tickets. This is a good lesson in why people should stop worshiping at the feet of these offsites - they can be fun but they're hardly guaranteed to deliver. Are they really worth waiting in the sun for 4+ hours? 

I'm hearing mixed reports on Exploding Kittens and the Chariot Races, good reports on Hulu Animayhem, and okay reports on Abbott Elementary. The FX offsite seemed to please people, but not if they waited a long time. I didn't do any of these so I can't report directly. On the whole, Thursday lines were the shortest we'll see, so be really sure you're ready to invest hours for these experiences.

Deadpool Wolverine and lines in general

This is something else I did not experience directly. My friends got in. The line was horrific. I thought there the matter lay until I heard that people without tickets were getting in by flashing scans of winner emails from social media and then that they were just processing people through without checking anything at all as the time got short.

In the end, some people who legitimately were picked for this did not make it in. Given the enormous emotional importance this event held for attendees, this really was an epic shitshow on a par with the fake wristband scandal of ... 2017? Somewhere around there. And this was worse because it could have been avoided in several ways:

~ They could have moved some Thursday Hall H events to Sunday (or moved the schedule around in general) and left more time to clear and then fill the room.

~ They could have passed out wristbands throughout the day.

~ They could have randomly assigned seats and boarding groups on the winning emails.

~ They could have assigned more people to manage the line. I've heard that some volunteers didn't show up for their shift and I've also heard Disney blamed. Who knows the real story.

I know I am not a logistics or line management expert and I'm sure I'm wildly simplifying the whole thing - but I also know that much bigger events manage to handle this stuff without this level of disaster. 

Lines in general have been messy so far, but what I hear people complaining the most about are security and staff. I actually noticed this at the first post-pandemic Con - it seemed like a lot of inexperienced people had taken the reins. My friend had to get his prop weapon checked; he asked at E and they sent him to H, who sent him back to E, who confirmed on radio that he needed to go to H, and he bounced back and forth about 4 times before getting it sorted. Other staff seemed to have zero training at all on basic questions like where to pick up bags and badges or where the ADA line. 

How is this so difficult? We live in a golden age of communication. Every person should have a physical cheat sheet or a device where they can quickly get answers to attendee questions. It's like 1993 out there.

And some staff seemed to have no idea what they were in for. A guy at a Mattel booth showed his exclusives email to some staffer and politely asked where he could go to pick up an exclusive. I listened in because I was in the same boat. The staffer said, "How would I know? You signed up for it, don't you know?" There's no call for that kind of pissy attitude (and this was on Thursday - I would love to see that staffer by Saturday afternoon).

I hate to pull this card but ultimately attendees make this show happen. We pay the money to go, we pour the money into bars and restaurants and vendor booths, and without us, nothing happens. We deserve basic respect and courtesy.

Attendees

On that note... it's time for the annual lament of the changing face of Comic-Con. Preview Night, I was fortunate enough to meet a comic book writer who's been coming here since the 1980s. He let loose with all of his complaints about how the show is run and the failure of TPTB to implement his suggestions and he also criticized the attendee demographics as well. (Yes, Twilight was mentioned.) I agreed with every single thing he said and it was a lovely moment of two kindred souls remembering days gone by. But also a confirmation of how little comic talent there is at SDCC these days. The Daniel Clowes event on Saturday really stood out this year in that regard. I remember those years when the schedule was peppered with that kind of panel. Okay, I'm done. 

I'm off to a luscious Friday of good things; I hope you are too. I'll check in later and see where we are. Right now - where are you? How is your Con going? 

Happy Comic-Con Eve

 23 JULY 2024

The Exhibit Hall is taking shape. Big thanks to volunteer Ace for these tantalizing photos!

See you tomorrow!

Don't forget to visit the Comic-Con Museum

 23 JULY 2024

It's the easiest thing in the world to stick to the convention center and Gaslamp during Comic-Con. No cars, no cabs - it gives you a defined territory to work within. But if there's one place you'll want to visit - call it the ultimate offsite - it's the Comic-Con Museum.

I will say upfront that it's not for everyone, but if you appreciate nerd culture, you should hop on over to Balboa Park. The mix of exhibits is good, blending the super-famous with the more quietly lauded, and the tonal shifts between sections keeps your experience from feeling monotonous. So far, my favorite exhibits have featured my beloved Charles Addams, Gene Roddenberry (surprisingly deep dive and it even had his original computer!), and Gumby - reruns of which were the only English-voiced kid's show I could find living in Holland when I was little.

In other words, it's a great mix of nostalgia and comic books and high art and video games. They even have a little movie theatre.

If you live in San Diego, you've probably attended their other events. But if you don't, the museum may not be on your radar. Somehow, I just don't hear attendees talking much about it, which is a shame. Here's why you should go.

The Auction

I'll admit to being puzzled by this combination of players, but the museum, Turner Classic Movies, and Julien's Auction House have come together on an exhibit of "iconic props, production material, and memorabilia" from DC Comics, Marvel, and Harry Potter. I don't quite understand how TCM, which I associate with my favorite Vincent Price movies, is involved in this - but you can bid on items now, with the live and online auction happening this Sunday.

The Other Exhibits

Betty Boop has one, so does John Jennings and artists from Tijuana, and there's something called Popnology, an interactive exhibit "that demonstrates the connection between pop culture and real-world technology." I've never seen a bad exhibit here so I safely say without having seen these that they're probably pretty great.

If you didn't get a Saturday badge or you simply need a quiet break from SDCC, consider visiting the museum. You can find out all the details here.

Knowing when a line is worth it

23 JULY 2024

If there's one question that has dominated our Comic-Con season, it's this: "will there by a standby line?"

With so many offsites and exclusives becoming ticketed or lotteried, people are loathe to give up hope on their SDCC dreams. I think there can be a misguided but plucky belief that persistence always pays off in the end and some kind-hearted staffer will see your line time and sneak you in. 

But this doesn't always (or often) happen. Ask veterans about the Game of Thrones experience from years ago, when people waited 12+ hours in line for naught. One True Blood panel - now I'm really reaching back - had people waiting in the hot sun for an entire day, even though it was clear from the volume that most weren't getting in. Don't count on someone official managing lines and making calls on where the cut-off should be based on room capacity. Often, you're on your own. 

I am a big believer in enjoying the Con you're at - and it's hard to do that if you spend all of it in a line. So try to be realistic about when a line is worth it. There is always something else to do. And so many attendees (including yours truly) have spent hours in line for an offsite that turned out to be 10 minutes of mediocrity.

Your decision will, of course, hinge somewhat on your fandom level. But you also need to ask yourself if:

• You'll be disappointed if the offsite experience is over with in 3 minutes and doesn't offer significant swag
• You would prefer to do 3 C-list offsites than wait hours for 1 A-list offsite
• You would be okay seeing the panel on YouTube or in the Playback room
• You'll feel let down if your favorite cast member only speaks once, while the director dominates the panel
• You'll be disappointed if you get stuck so far back in the room you have to watch the panel on a screen anyhow
• You haven't gotten a chance to thoroughly explore the Exhibit Hall
• There's anything else going on at the same time that you really want to see

If you answer yes to most of those - I wouldn't spend significant time in that line.

Always check socials for real time updates on lines - not just for what you want to do, but what you've already written off. Hall H and Ballroom 20 may become surprisingly walk-in at some point. A line might dwindle at your dream offsite or you may hear a rumor they're letting people in for an additional hour than was posted.

Make smart choices - and good luck.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is July 23-27 - and we have badge sale dates

 23 JULY 2024

I can't remember if we've ever had badge sale dates so early before - but CCI very efficiently delivered a bundle of knowledge today:

SDCC 2025 is July 23-27, 2025.

Returning Registration is September 21, 2024. First-timers - you will be eligible for this.

Open Registration is October 26, 2024.

I just spent the last week organizing a breast cancer awareness walk on October 26 - so I did cringe a little when I saw this. But it's great to have the dates so far in advance so we can all block our calendars and schedule our lives accordingly.

Becoming a Comic-Con panelist: an interview with Martin and Kristine Smith

 23 JULY 2024

Admit it; in the back of your mind, you have fantasized about hosting your own Comic-Con panel. Maybe you're an expert in some niche corner of nerddom; maybe you're sick of the misinformation pumped out about a long-ago TV series or DC character and you want to set the record straight. But the distance from your dreams to convention center rooms is impossibly long, right?

Maybe not. Today, podcast hosts Martin and Kristine Smith tell the story of how they got their first panel accepted last year - and how they got 2 panels accepted this year. 

So how long have you two been going to San Diego Comic-Con?

M: 21 years. We started in 1997 but skipped some years between the first few times.

Back then, did you want to have your own panel one day?

K: Once we started going, we spent a lot of time on the floor - everyone knows the allure of the floor. But once we pulled ourselves away and started going to panels, we said, “Wow, these panels are really good” but we didn’t give it a whole thought of thought because what the heck would we do a panel on?

M: It didn't even blink into my consciousness that we could do a panel until we had the podcast. And the irony is, this year I'm doing a panel that I could have talked about at any time.

Let’s talk about your podcast: Heroes of the Halcyon, about Disney's immersive Galactic Starcruiser hotel. When did you start it and why?

K: Memorial Day Weekend of 2022.

M: We just wanted to talk about Galactic Starcruiser!

K: After our first trip, we couldn’t stop talking about it, thinking about it. With our friend Drew, we said, “Let's do a podcast - even if nobody listens, it’ll be fun so let’s do it.”

Starcruiser is a unique experience and it’s difficult to explain it to other people - so when you find others who have gone, it’s a shared experience whether you were on same voyage or not. If you haven't gone, you can't understand why it means so much to those that have. So you search for other people who’ve had that experience.

Our honeymoon was in Disneyland 30+ years ago – but nothing hit us emotionally like Galactic Starcruiser. Then we found out it hit other people the same way.

M: All you have to do is say “Sublight Lounge” and you have a friend for life. You’ll talk for hours about what happened there, what was your backstory, what missions did you do?  For 24/7, you lived inside Star Wars for 2 days. There's nothing on earth like it. And honestly, I don’t think there will be again. 

Why did Galactic Starcruiser close? I know it was popular.

M: Disney+  was hemorrhaging money and they needed to go find $350 million fast. Galactic Starcruiser was on their property but didn't directly connect to parks – so it was something they could easily snip without any public perception that something had changed. That made it vulnerable.

K: The timing was challenging and perfect at the same time. It opened up in March 2022 right as things opened up after COVID. It was the first outing that you had with a group of people with no masks after being quarantined away and losing that 1:1 connection for 2 years. So on top of that fact, it allowed adults an opportunity to just let go and play. All the garbage in your day-to-day life, once you were there, that didn't matter anymore. You weren’t burdened by it anymore and you could just be.

That was a challenge, I think, with the marketing piece – there was no way to get that across to the general public, to convey that euphoria. Roughly 70K total people experienced it but they all felt that high. That need to feel it again is what stirred this creativity.

M: We know people who've learned to craft and write and metal work – it’s unbelievable. We're throwing a full-blown convention! We didn’t do these things before. Our wedding reception was in our apartment rec room!

So how did your podcast lead to an SDCC panel?

M: We knew room 7AB on Friday was the Star Wars room - so we hoped against hope to get it someday. But to apply and get a panel accepted year 1 was unbelievable.

The timing couldn’t have been more of a gift. 48 hours prior, the announcement came that Starcruiser was going to close in September 2023. The entire community was crushed. We were all scrambling to see if we could get on one more time. Then 48 hours after the announcement, we found out our panel was accepted.

Your panel had a long line. Did you know it would be that popular?

K: No. Because it was so focused on Starcruiser and a little bit of Galaxy Edge, we weren't sure.

M: It’s not a small room. It was a teeny bit daunting but we gave it everything and we had to get the word out and it worked.

How did you apply?

K: A friend supplied the email address to start the party and do the application. From there, it just exploded.

M: We really did hone a strong pitch. Comic-Con has a specific voice; every Con has a voice so if you want to give a good panel pitch, go to lots of panels. We’ve been going to Comic-Con for years so we knew this is what Comic-Con is looking for, how to present subject matter – and we knew we needed someone else with us to bulk up our creds.

We were very fortunate to get Nick Tierce, a significant name in the immersive entertainment space. He is a Star Wars parks superfan – and he knows everyone and everyone knows him.

K: You don't know who's looking at your application but we assumed one reviewer would have knowledge of our category.

M: And there's a bunch of rules - you can't advertise blatantly or just pitch your YouTube channel, they’re real serious about that in the documentation. You have to present material and not just sell and that fit our style well. We mentioned our podcast, of course, but we didn’t spend the whole time flashing a QR code to Like and Subscribe. 

Once accepted, how do you prepare?

M: We knew the subject matter in and out from dozens and dozens of podcast interviews. But you want it to be a nice, concise flow and target your subject matter.

And of course, you have to put your editor hat on; you really do have to kill your darlings. We walked through the outline we were happy with and it was 30 minutes too long. We were heartbroken that there was material that was going to have to go. So you have to be prepared to remove your ego from the equation because if it doesn't work on the page, it’s not going to work on the stage.

 

What was biggest surprise?

K: Having people standing in the back. Before we got there, someone texted us:  there's a line. And we said, that's cool – people shuttle in and shuttle out. And they said, no, we're not sure we're going to get in.

M: It was humbling and extremely gratifying that people cared. Then we wondered, are they here for the panel after us? And they weren’t!

The incredible moment was having the name card put in front of me. At that moment, it was, This is really happening. It was just so unbelievable that something that was soon to be no more was still giving joy to me. And it was a privilege to be the conduit to get that joy out.

Anything you wish you did differently?

M: Honestly, no. I was happy with what we did. We had a nice video produced of our panel, which is a treasure to look back on. But I think we accomplished so much. We left nothing on the table. We gave away a swag pack that I believe is one of the best I’ve seen out of a non-Hall H panel.

K We had so many friends there. That was huge. Especially the ones who had been going for years and knew why this was important, because SDCC was important to us.

M: It's a family. There's a Starcruiser family and a Comic-Con family. Our family was there.

 

What’s your advice for people who are dreaming of having a panel?

M: Stop dreaming. Put together a pitch and get it in. You don't get anything if you don't try. You've got something to offer.

Don't think you need to do it alone. Find other people who would make a strong panel. The overriding question is, “Is this a panel that I would want to see? And if I went, what would I think?”

We've been to panels that blew our minds and we've been to some that were so low effort it's insulting. We never want to forget that people are giving up precious time at Comic-Con to be at our panel and we really want to give them a show.

What can you tell us about your panels this year? I know you have two.

M: Our first panel is focused on Star Wars in Disney parks – Exploring Galaxy’s Edge: Secrets, Lore, and More.

We’re lucky to have Mars Suhardi whose Etsy shop sells incredibly crafted things. Holly Frye is a very prolific podcaster and dear personal friend who’s hosted panels at Star Wars Celebration.

K: There is so much world building they did prior to building Galaxy’s Edge, the media, movies, tv, books, comics - that's where we will take people this time.

M: Easter eggs galore. People who've been to Galaxy’s Edge a hundred times will learn something at this panel.

K: It will enhance your next trip.

What about the toy collecting panel?

M: Brian Frye is a super collector and toy package artist– and Silver Ciprian who works at Rancho Obi-Wan, the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia on the planet. She knows about where to find hidden treasures. Brian and I both started collecting in Christmas 1977. It’s changed our lives.

But it’s not just toys that changed. It’s how we collect toys that has evolved - there are online connections, Etsy shops, we just had two custom action figures made - things that just weren't possible before have become available.

We used to be surprised by what's on the shelf, now we know 8-10 months in advance. We discuss these paradigm shifts in toy collecting. From the Sears Wishbook to Etsy storefronts, it’s been a wild ride.

I know you’ve launched your own Con now – what can you tell us about that?

M: Halcy-Con is an event for Galactic Starcruiser superfans, October 4-5. It sold out in 4 hours. Our core event team is 11 people and they’re all top performers in their fields. They’re giving Halcy-Con their all because Galactic Starcruiser literally changed their lives and gave them lifelong friendships.

Thank you so much!

PANELS

Exploring Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Unveiling the Secrets, Lore, and More Within Black Spire Outpost

Friday July 26, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am PDT - Room 7AB

Explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge as the expansive lore of this land within Disneyland and Walt Disney World is unveiled. Uncover the secret stories behind the planet Batuu and Black Spire Outpost and learn how its iconic attractions and characters fit into the larger Star Wars universe. Kristine and Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast), Mars Suhardi (cosplayer and prop maker), and Holly Frey (Full of Sith, Stuff You Missed in History Class podcasts) also discuss what’s new on Batuu and deep dive into the food, locations and imagery that transport you to a galaxy far, far away. Whether you’re an honorary citizen of Batuu or a first-time visitor, join in the fun! All attendees will receive an exclusive Black Spire Outpost souvenir!

The Evolution of Toy Collecting: From the Sears Wishbook to Etsy Storefronts

Sunday July 28, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT - Room 32AB

It's expected that toys have evolved over the decades, but what about how people collect them? Super collectors Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast), Brian Frey (toy package artist), and Silver Ciprian (Star Wars Thrifting channel) discuss the paradigm shifts and innovations that have FUNdamentally changed the hobby of toy collecting from the 1970s to the present. From Toys "R" Us and holiday catalogs to 3D printing at home, collecting toys over the past 50 years has itself been an adventure worthy of a retrospective. All attendees will receive an exclusive giveaway that allows you to proudly display your love for the most fun hobby in the universe!

PODCAST

You can listen to Heroes of the Halcyon episodes at www.heroesofthehalcyon.com

CON

To follow Halcy-Con, visit www.halcy-con.com.
 

 

 

 

5 last-minute reminders

 23 JULY 2024

It's Comic-Con Eve!!! If you're antsy and excited or anxious about forgetting something - these 5 reminders are for you.

1. Bring your badge! 

I said this yesterday and now I'm saying it again because you don't want to step off the plane and realize your badge is in another time zone. 


2. Confirm your hotel. 

Did you get an email from your hotel this week? If not, call and confirm your reservation - especially if you've had any kind of transfer, partial cancellation or some other shift.

3. Clarify any murky hotel arrangements. 

Who's sleeping in what room? Who gets the bed and who's relegated to an air mattress? If you're part of a large group with multiple rooms/roommates, it doesn't hurt to do a final check to make sure everyone's covered.

4. Set expectations with family, friends and coworkers. 

Yesterday, a long-term client of mine predictably had an anxiety attack over my absence and emailed me a list of things she (didn't actually) needed from me. She does this every year because I am very firm that I am not to be bothered during SDCC. People don't get how all-consuming Comic-Con is, so set the stage now. Blurred reality is your friend; tell friends, family, and coworkers that connectivity is very faulty in the convention center and you probably won't get their texts, emails and calls. Maybe that's true and maybe it isn't, but it's a statement that serves a greater cause: the potency of your Comic-Con joy. 

If you absolutely have to be accountable, schedule a daily check-in time and restrict them to it. Having your phone buzz all day with work questions and annoyed demands for attention can poison your SDCC mood. Their neediness can wait until Monday.

5. Take care of any banking transfers now. 

No one is as annoying as the attendee who shows up at Comic-Con without any money. Sometimes a paycheck didn't come through or they thought their mom would let them borrow a credit card or some other mishap has ensued. If you have even slightly precarious finances, I would transfer funds around now to make sure you have valid credit cards and sufficient cash.

The secrets of successful first-timers

22 JULY 2024

I used to tell people their first SDCC was a practice run. Not that their first time was worthless - first-timers still gloried in everything they experienced - but they simply could not have the skills and awareness needed to fully maximize their time there. I still think that's somewhat true, but today I see a lot of smart and prepared first-timers taking SDCC by the horns and mastering it.

Here are a few simple ways you can make your SDCC experience more efficient, energetic, and magical.

Make of a list of 3-5 priorities.

These should be your absolute can't-miss events, exclusives, panels, signings, photo shoots, etc. Document them on your phone, write them down, and schedule your Con around them. 

Everything else goes onto the B-list, where they'll happen if you have the extra time to make them happen. You might be thinking that I don't understand how organized and ruthless and effective you are. And maybe that's true - you got a badge, after all - but you don't understand how crowded, chaotic, and competitive the Con can be. 

If you show up with a wish list of 27 targets to conquer, you're setting yourself up for failure. There are just too many other people who want what you want, too many long lines, too many detours. Don't spend your time or energy on stuff that doesn't matter. Narrow your focus and you're more likely to get what you want and come home in a satisfied state.

Abandon any half-assed cosplay plans. 

So many attendees get inspired at the 11th hour to pull together a cosplay look, then drive themselves berserk trying to make it happen. If you aren't at the finish line yet, forget it. You won't look as convincing or finished as you want to, and it's just more unnecessary stress. There's bound to be another Con in your future where you can make it happen. 

Make backup plans.

A lot of your plans won't work out. Bless your heart if you've designed some tightly plotted schedule, but you should know that a lot of it will fall through. Your favorite actor will cancel, your character makeup will peel off in patches, the Funko will sell out when you're 2 places in line from buying. There are too many moving parts at SDCC for everything to be perfect, so make a Plan B and a Plan C. 

And be open to spontaneity. Sometimes you'll find your day evolving in unexpected directions, like deciding you need a nap or getting invited to a Hall H line effort. Flow with it. You can't be a perfectionist when it comes to Comic-Con. You can be organized and prepared, sure. But you don't want to aim for this impossible standard of everything going flawlessly because it won't.

Focus on making friends, not what people can do for you.

Comic-Con people are the best: generous, helpful, and interesting to talk to. Attendees are always sharing their wealth, from information to offsite tickets. 

But in recent years, there's been a rise in attendees who seem to view people solely as favor machines. They don't want to get to know anyone, they don't want to offer anything in return or even do the basic work of participating in a line or buying group; they just want someone else to hand it all to them. That's not how life works, and it's certainly not how Comic-Con works. Build a network, be appreciative of what people have to offer, and do your part in contributing. You'll be much likelier to tap into the community treasure chest. You'll also meet some great people.

Are you excited yet?