I am, by no means, a comic book/science fiction convention novice. I have been to my share of small and medium-sized conventions...mostly all on the East Coast. Those conventions feature smaller crowds, smaller venues, and easier access to various panels and people. So, when I was asked to assist Keith in covering the San Diego Comic-Con I got a bit worried. Not because I couldn't handle the task (I am a TV Squad writer), but because I had heard so much about the convention from previous convention-goers.
So, laptop in hand, I entered the world of SDCC with a bit of trepidation, and excitement. By the end of the day I was just tired, hungry, and wondering where the hell all of these people came from.
The first thing I noticed that was different from this convention over the ones that I had previously attended was that it took over the entire city of San Diego. Other conventions, like those in Philadelphia or New York, would be within the city limits but only be a portion of the daily events going on at any one time. The SDCC takes over the entire city. Everything seems to revolve around this event. It could be an illusion since the city, while large, is quite compact, but it just seems that the only thing going on these next four days is Comic-Con.
The next thing I noticed was the mix of people who come to this event. Oh, you see your standard nerds and geeks milling about (and, before you get offended, I am nerd -- and proud of it), but there are also a good many families strolling the hallways. I think it's the location and the variety of activities and panels that makes this attractive to families to add to their vacation list. I mean, San Diego is beautiful: right on the water, sunny days, and comfortable temperatures.
The last, and most important, thing I noticed when I took my first steps into the convention center: the lines. They snake along hallways, around corners, onto concrete patios, and down stairs. They make the queues at Disneyland look small. And, unlike the line for It's a Small World, these lines don't move until one panel clears and the next panel begins. So, there's a lot of wait time. Even when the panel does begin there still may be wait time as capacity may be quickly reached in these rooms.
Looking back at my first day at Comic-Con I can honestly say I felt a bit overwhelmed withing my surroundings. Perhaps it was the jet lag, perhaps it was the enormity of it all, perhaps it was the $4 soft pretzels they were selling. Regardless, I feel my second day at Comic-Con will be a better one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-25-2008 @ 10:31AM
Johari said...
This is going to be my 7th year going. You'd think that since I live in SD, it would be an annual thing for me. But I only started going in 2002. In any case, it's something you'll get used to.
Forget about buying snacks at the Con. Don't even bother using the ATM while you're there. If you have time between panels, you're going to want to head to either Ralph's (west coast version of Kroger) or Horton Plaza for food. The trolley actually has a stop right in front of Horton Plaza, which is actually next to the NBC San Diego building. And Ralph's is at the southwest corner of Horton, on G Street, between 1st & 2nd avenue.
I agree that the place has become overcrowded over the years. It seems the majority of con-goers are in it for Hollywood. But it at least gets them exposed to the graphic arts and the talented artists behind them.
Also, if you aren't complete exhausted, I would totally check out the Masquerade if I were you. It's just a fun event to watch and be at. The thing is, the line for the 8:00pm event starts at around 1pm. Sad, but yes. There are people who are willing to wait in a line that long that won't get you an iPhone. But I'm guessing that you'll be in panels all day, so you'll probably have to watch from either one of the overflow rooms or even the "party" in the Sails pavilion.
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7-25-2008 @ 12:25PM
Danielle Turchiano said...
OMG This is so going to be me! I'm only coming down for Sat/Sun festivities (mostly because I wanted to exploit the opportunity to see Jensen Ackles and NPH again), and my experience with "fan events" are concerts/premieres/soap opera luncheons. MUCH smaller, more controlled crowds. I'm writing a piece about the experience of Comic Con for someone who is not into sci fi or comic books (Ive never even seen "Star Wars"... yeah, I know); it's become much more mainstream, and I heard "tough guy" Mark Wahlberg's panel was yesterday. Sorry I missed THAT :(
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7-25-2008 @ 1:50PM
Liz said...
I'm only going Saturday due to all sorts of stuff going on, and this is my first year. I am so not prepared. I am currently trying to figure out a plan of attack for the panels I want to go to. I don't want to spend all day in line though, so I might have to limit it to just a few. CANT WAIT!
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7-26-2008 @ 2:49AM
Fatherly said...
We are going on Sunday only and to see our son's film: "Somewhere Over the FlagPole - The Nintendo Movie" that is in the film festival (showing Sat and Sunday) - First time for us attending Comic Con - any suggestions on what do besides the film festival on Sunday?
Thanks!
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7-30-2008 @ 12:37PM
ProgGrrl said...
It's funny what you're saying about the NY and Philly cons...my experience at NYCC this April was that way. Even though there were 60,000 people at NYCC, and it filled the Javits Convention Center, if you were 5 blocks away from there in NY City, you'd have no idea it was even happening.
SDCC always looks to me more like the Cannes Festival - a small city, filled to the brim. And you can take lovely beach breaks when you get overwhelmed. Not bad.
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