Attention Newbie On The ComicCon Floor
TweetAfter spending the last few months chosen incubation, I am ready to venture a little further out from my usual circles (dancers and medical professionals, oh my!). On Thursday, I travel to sunny San Diego, CA to attend ComicCon. After looking at the four days of workshops, events, and exhibition floor descriptions on the website, I feel like I need to carry a personal amplifier or bullhorn while yelling, “Attention! Attention! Newbie on the ComicCon Floor!” However, even this newbie knows a thing or two about having fun at conventions, and bringing home a treasure or two to make the experience last for months to come.
Shoes And Toys
Don’t know what to bring? I found that crowd-sourcing this question on the hashtag ComicCon on Twitter can be very helpful. Also, if you take time to look through the workshops, you’ll notice a pattern of interests in everything from comfortable footwear to costuming and makeup tips. This is, alas, a photo-op for many people. You won’t last long if you’re dogs are barking. My trusty Dansko shoes are coming with me. So are the socks. Doesn’t matter if it’s 74 degrees and sunny outside. Wear them, or weep later.
I also love taking pictures and short films on my iPhone4. Steady photography and film is enhanced with an accessory called the Xshot modified by a small piece of plastic with standard tripod port called the Glif. This allows me to either film myself and get shots that I otherwise could not reach, especially since I’m a shorty. Large crowds are expected, and the ability to whip out my small set up gets me some shots that you’d be surprised were captured on a phone.
What About Costumes?
If you are a costume fiend, ComicCon welcomes you to wear it proudly. I learned that by attending the Emerald City Comic Con, which is by far a much smaller conference. Still, there were people lining up for entry on the first day, decked out in costumes based on their favorite sci-fi movies and shows. There were more than few Klingons, and even a Jessica Rabbit that made me laugh (remember: she’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way). I saw my first Chun Li as well.
If you’re not a costume fiend, ComicCon still welcomes you. There are plenty of people who don’t wear costumes to the convention. Actually, more people don’t wear costumes based on photos. The exception to that rule is Saturday evening’s scheduled Masquerade party, with a costume contest given to the most innovative costumer. No store-bought costumes are allowed. I have a little Pebbles/BamBam leopard print costume and long pony tail hair that is likely to show up at the ball. Now to find me a bone…
Making The Most Of It
I find that my most meaningful experiences are often the ones where I come with an open mind, yet I am aware of what I might like to see. Having a goal helps. While I do not know exactly what to expect, I have a question or two I’d like answered, such as, “How can my interest in entertainment and storytelling be enhanced by ComicCon?” “Is there anyone I’d enjoy meeting that shares my interests?” And finally, “What would completely blow my mind?”
When I am aware of what I am looking for, I feel like I am at least ten times more likely to find it (and know where NOT to find it). OK, that’s not exactly scientific; it’s a feeling. But I think you know what I mean. Whatever you think about, you begin to create. And what you create becomes alive, infusing other aspects of your artful business or living like yeast permeates dough.
If all else fails, I take notes. Many of you already know I’m a big fan of Evernote to record things I don’t want to forget. I take video and photo notes of things of interest, and I look for QR codes next to product I want to research. You don’t have to take everything in at once; you only need to organize your thoughts for when you’re ready to do something with your observations and ideas.
Got any suggestions for enjoying ComicCon and other large conventions? Please share, and come back and check on the blog to see more things about ComicCon when I return. Or follow me on Twitter for the occasional photo and comment.
Over and out until I’m in sunny California [Incidentally, I gave in and got another indoor tan today, since Seattle's frigid July was getting on my nerves].
Dance Artist, Psychotherapist, Triage Nurse. Gluten intolerant and recovered anorexic. Consumer geek and audophile. Slave to two adorable Applehead Siamese iKittehs with conductive paws. iPad DJ. Soon to be published author. Google Glass Explorer since July 1, 2013. Plays with the geeky toys and likes them. Marathon runner training for her first marathon May 4, 2014 and first Olympic Distance Triathlons in Summer 2014. Send offline comments to info at hips for hire dot com.
3 Responses to “Attention Newbie On The ComicCon Floor”
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74: CONVENTIONS – Originally aired 08.29.1997
What happens when people with one common interest gather in monstrous, fluorescent-lit halls for the weekend? Sometimes they drive each other crazy, sometimes they fall in love.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/74/conventions
Hi IMEI,
Thanks for this post. I’m looking for audio solutions for semi-on-the-go-interviews. I recently lost a fabulous interview on my macbook imoviehd due to poor audio. I could cry. That and the fact that you were at Comic Con makes me feel like we might be related…I’m from San Diego am taking a turn in the country right now… Anyway, did you have success w/ your iphone 4 doing interviews at Comic Con? I suppose you would have posted about it, if so…. Please let me know what worked for you!
Thanks so much!
Katie
Hi Katie,
You’re welcome. I had a fab time at ComicCon. The challenge of doing interviews there on an iPhone4 is that the main expo floor is truly too noisy for an interview using the phone alone; you need to enhance it using either a boom microphone or a handheld microphone. A great but relatively inexpensive solution: Audio-technica’s ATR288W multi-purpose VHG wireless microphone system, which allows you to put a pin microphone on yourself, or a hand-held cardiod microphone (not powered). The receiver and transmitters are powered by 9V batteries, and they have convenient clips on the back panel to attach to a belt loop. You also can jack in a headphone, so you can hear the whole thing, and see if your interviewee is coming in loud and clear. With a little experimentation, you can see at just what levels you’ll need a person to speak to get the audio quality you want.
The other trick is on filming. I used the X-shot to capture large-room or close up shots, and I didn’t care about the audio for those clips; in the edit process, I’d be adding any necessary dubbing, music, or other sound effects. The Audio-Technica equipment could also be used on a Flip or VADO, so if you have those kinds of cameras handy, the film quality is similar.
If none of those are sharp enough for you, you’re really looking at either investing in a pro camera with a built-in boom (with an extension bar), or always recording your audio separately and mixing it down at the editing time. Audacity may become your pal.
Hope that helps you find a solution. As for my needs, the iPhone and the Audio-Technica wireless or wired set is just fine.