The Pros and Cons of Cons...
Conventions, that is.
(originally posted 1/10/2007)
So, this weekend is the
annual Xena Convention. I've talked about these Xena cons before, in a blog
long long time ago… Okay, well last year about this time anyway. But that time
of year is with us again. So this is about conventions in general. And there
will be a lot of name dropping, so get over it (hey, there's no way I can talk
about my life without it seeming like I'm name dropping, think about it). And
the focus of this will be the fact that, as a result of the aforementioned
career, I do get recognized at times.
I don't know what it is about these conventions that I like so much. Or
conventions in general. Some have thought that it's because I get recognized,
people ask for my autograph and women throw their willing bodies at me. All
good reasons (I'm especially fond of that last one), but not quite true. I also
enjoy going to conventions where they DON'T recognize me. But that can be a
problem sometimes.
For example, I went to the Grand Slam convention last year, just to do some
photography and have a good time. Yes, some of the actors knew who I was, but I
was able to walk around as an unknown, looking at merchandise and chatting with
fans. Until this one young woman recognized me and…. Hmmm... Well, she was
cute… Actually, later on, Chase Masterson "outted" me while she was on stage.
Bless her heart. I like Chase. However, as most of the fans there were Star
Trek fans, I got a mere "oh… how nice…" Did they not know the POWER OF XENA???
Apparently not. I returned to my photography unmolested.
I got a call one time from Patricia Tallman (actress, star of Babylon Five and
other things) that she and Tom Savini (Actor and Make-Up Artist) were bored and
did I want to show up and chat. They were at a Fangoria convention. Not my
usual realm. So I went and the place had apparently gotten very busy. There
was a huge line going down the length of tables. So I sat in between Pat and
Tom and, as the line moved along, everyone looked at me as if to say "Are you
important? Should I recognize you?" After a while, I took a piece of paper and
made a small sign. The sign said "I'm no one of importance, keep moving". As
soon as I set it down, would you believe the next two people in line said
"Aren't you Steven Sears?" Doh!
It's not like I don't enjoy
the "celebrity". It is a bit uncomfortable at times and I certainly don't want
to make it sound as if it's anything more than it is. I'm not a "celebrity", at
least I don't think of myself that way. But, for me, there is something to be
said about going to conventions in general, even if no one knows me. There's
something about the atmosphere and attitudes that I like. The excitement and
the passion people show for the movies and TV shows they love. It's also great
for the photography as there is energy all over the place, not just one the
stage with the actors. People certainly do enjoy it. And the fans LOVE to have
their photos taken!
Now there was one convention that I went to where I was pretty much guaranteed
no one would recognize me. The L. A. Erotica Convention. Yes, after many many
years of making excuses for not going, I decided to go. It was… uhm…
enlightening. Most of the tables there were dedicated to.. .how do I say this…
"adult erotica"… yes, that's delicate. Every movie, gadget, winkle or wankel of
an adult nature was there. Not to mention an erotic fashion show… you really
have to think on that one. Anyway, I enjoyed it (duh!). Once again, it was the
atmosphere and the fans. And I got a lot of photos… a LOT of photos….
Especially when I decided to cut through a curtain and ended up IN one of the
booths while some sort of oil demonstration was being given… I won't post the
link here, but anyone who is curious….
There is something appealing about being unknown. Yes, it sounds like a shallow
complaint and it is. And I know it's hard to get the idea across without
sounding as if I'm really bragging about the notoriety. Truth is, it's a
curiosity to me. Especially for me. I find it puzzling at times. At other
times, I understand it completely. Maybe someone can explain it to me.
But… the upcoming Xena convention. One of the great things about this
convention is that it's very low key and, to most of these people, I'm just
"Steve". I think I like it that way. Most of the fans at the Xena conventions
are people I have come to know from years of conventions. They've gotten used
to me and don't bat an eye. I'm… Steve.
The really cool thing about it is that these people travel from around the world
to go to their conventions, so I can say that I have friends from around the
world. All because of these conventions. And it isn't just Xena, it's all of
them. Tachycon, Dragoncon, ComiCon, etc. etc. etc. I can't even think of all
the friends I have acquired as a result. I certainly can't name them all.
From Carly in England to MaryD in Australia, I span the globe! I met Tam and
Borias, I've met "Indiana", Yael, Ginnine, Julie… And not just Xena
conventions. I met Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta during a convention, we
are now close friends and Kevin and I are co-writers on a new Graphic Novel. I
met Mira Furlan (Babylon Five, Lost) at the first convention I ever did and she
and her husband are now friends of mine. Jonathon and Ramona Thornton (SPFX
wizes!), we met at a convention. Not to mention two future girlfriends and
assorted… uhm… misfires at repeat attempts. I could go on and on (especially
about the misfires… ah, yes…) but the point is there. Friends from around the
world.
I don't know how much longer the Xena conventions will go on, but when they end…
I'll still have these friends. I'll still be sending e-mails to them and,
hopefully, they'll be letting me know what's going on in their lives. And I've
already been told… I'll be meeting new friends this weekend.
Overall, I think the occasional loss of anonymity is worth it.