Conventions.

[rogueslayer452]

I used to attend fan conventions quite a bit for a time not too long ago. It started with attending a specific fandom convention (Supernatural, for when I was deep into that show for a hot minute), then I attended Dragon*Con, and then I ended up exclusively just attending local anime conventions, which wasn't every single time they appeared but it was more convenient should I decide to go to one and usually only for a day. Of course this all paused indefinitely due to the pandemic and my ongoing fear and anxiety of attending crowded indoor spaces with people who aren't wearing masks (and just in general too, I get overwhelmed), but while I do miss the general vibe of going to conventions and being amongst other fannish people it has given me some thought about why I'm upset about not going anymore, and it's not what most would think.

During the last couple of anime conventions I attended before the pandemic struck I didn't even go to any panels. I was mostly there for the vendors, and standing beside my sister waiting in autograph lines but not really getting any autographs or photo ops.

I think as I've gotten older the less patience I have for sitting in at panels where the guests on stage will be asked ridiculous fan-pandering questions and repeat stories or answers I've already heard before, and getting an autograph or photo op can be nice but those can be incredibly expensive and depending on what kind of convention it is you're going to have to deal with the actors being incredibly exhausted and burnt out from the event and so whatever interaction you may have with them will not live up to that expectation you may want. I much prefer the vending area of conventions where you see what is being sold, and you tend to find a lot of interesting and unique goodies, from fanart to merchandise and other things you will not find anywhere else, even if the person there has an online store a lot of times the things they bring will only be exclusive to their table setup. That is way more exciting to me panels or autographs/photo ops, plus you get a chance to see people wandering around in cosplay.

If there was a chance for an event where it's just that experience, the vendors, I would be down for it. Like a flea market but for fandom/nerdy/geeky stuff.

(Also, due to Etsy's new policy update, since many in fandom have used the site to sell/buy fanmade items, including those who attend conventions as vendors, this creates a massive issue to them and those of us who cannot attend conventions and want to support their work.)

Comments

[verdande_mi]

A flea market for fandom/nerdy/geeky stuff sounds like a splendid and fun idea - I would certainly be interested to attend something like that.

[author_by_night]

Ugh, Etsy. I may rant later.


Yeah, it sounds like conventions can be incredibly frustrating for those reasons. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with them. And I hear you on the cast being asked the same questions all the time. I actually get more annoyed when it's journalists, because you guys really didn't do any prior research?* But it also has to be annoying when you stand in line only for it to be the same questions you've heard a million times. And when the actors themselves are burned out from the event.

*I swear Stephen King himself made a comment about that, where interviewers wouldn't just ask repeat questions, but silly, dead obvious questions.


If there was a chance for an event where it's just that experience, the vendors, I would be down for it. Like a flea market but for fandom/nerdy/geeky stuff.


Yes. That sounds like so much fun.

I would also love a quiet meetup.

[profiterole_reads]

Same! By the end of when I lived in Paris, I only went for the fanzines, so I used to go to a small event in a park that was free (I didn't mind paying, it being free mostly meant that I didn't have to queue for a couple of hours!).

[blackcatofmisery]

I think a fannish craft fair would be fantastic. I think I've been to one, maybe two actual cons, but I remember little except going through the booths of merchandise. I'm with you on the panels and autograph lines. Theme parks with actors in character is one thing; they train and are expected to remain in-character, because it is their job. Waiting around a visiting actor is exhausting for everyone involved, and it'll probably show. The ~*~experience~*~ is not a part of convention meetings like when you bump into Cinderella at a Disney park, although some visiting actors handle it really well.

Personally, I wouldn't want to meet anyone; I just like crafts and art.

=^..^=~

[sherrilina]

I think it depends on the convention, and how good the panel moderation is re: the questions being annoying. We have a local convention that has lots of celebrity guests, and that is pretty much all I do for conventions. I enjoy looking at merch, but honestly these days I try not to buy new stuff anyway because I don't have the space for it, so vendors have become less important. Seeing the costumes though...

I'm lost, what is the issue with Etsy? I looked at the link but couldn't tell which category was the problematic one.

[night_owl_9]

...getting an autograph or photo op can be nice but those can be incredibly expensive - Yep! They've gotten more expensive in recent years, too.

I haven't gotten a chance to attend many panels at cons recently, but from clips I've seen online, fans have lost some decorum and are just asking the guests truly out-of-pocket questions. I can only cringe.

[kissapentu]

I wish I could go to a con. I've always wanted to go, but never have. Maybe one day I will. I have pre-ordered autographs from GalaxyCon or SWAU though and while expensive, find them worth it. Though I wish I could meet the real actors.

I understand what you mean though about cons been a battery drainer. and how actors can get burnt out. I don't blame them, seeing all the fans like that.