After my laid back Montreal getaway, I knew I was in for a bit of a transition leading up to the New York Comic-Con. Still, I don't think I could have been prepared for the mosh pit of candy-colored cosplay craziness that awaited me at the Javits Center. Don't get me wrong, I love a good mosh pit (I grew up in the nineties after all), especially when everyone's sweet and smiling and friendly... okay fine, I guess that doesn't really qualify as a mosh pit, but I can honestly say there was a certain air of humanity that seems to have lacked at other large conventions I've been to *cough* San Diego Comic-Con *cough*. Because I decided to go pretty last minute, most people weren't expecting me, so I got a lot of people doing double takes as they walked by my booth. This either resulted in them blushing, pointing and walking away, or actually coming over and talking to me. The latter is always a preferable response, but I always wondered how the monkeys in the zoo felt, so there you have it. It was actually just busy enough that there was a steady flow of people, with time for breaks and photos ops, but not so crazy that I couldn't stop and chat with people. It's nice to find that balance and not have to rush through the day. I feel like if I were a fan, I would value the experience of getting the autograph just as much as the signature I walk away with. Sorta like how looking at someone else's photo album isn't quite as exciting as seeing your own; because when you look at your own you have all the feelings and visceras associated with the memories and you can access them through the photograph. I'm not so vain to think anyone would want to relive an interaction with me over and over, but I know how I've felt meeting people I admire, and it can be pretty cool.
It never ceases to be humbling hearing people's stories about how the show has affected them. Battlestar is almost like a disease, where everyone has their own unique story of how they contracted it, how they've lived with it, how it changed their life in some way, and what it's like for them now that it's over. Some people caught a milder version of the epidemic, while others are still down for the count. It's not always easy to understand the weight of something when you're involved in the creation of it. The cook at a restaurant probably can't quite enjoy his meal the same as a customer can. Not that either way is better, but it's different, so I appreciate hearing people's stories and gaining a deeper understanding of my own experience through them.
I thought the panel at NYCC was pretty well done. It can be a little awkward when the set up is so formal because you don't know who's going to talk and for how long and you don't want to interrupt, or drag on, or get a picture taken of you with a water bottle in your face. Despite the elements, though, I thought it was really fun. It was great to catch up a little with Katee and Tricia, and I fall ever more in love with Michelle the more we spend time together. I was actually quite content to let her to do most of the talking. Here are a few shots my friends were kind enough to snap from the audience:
I'm always too busy, and admittedly a little overwhelmed, to take many pictures at conventions, but I usually come home kicking myself wishing I had. Thankfully with the magic of the internet, there are lots of great pictures online of the event, I strongly suggest checking them out.
We also had a pretty successful run promoting Godkiller. The director, Matt Pizzolo, and I did a quick signing at the Graphic.ly booth (whom they've recently partnered with) and introduced the film to a bunch of people. I'll probably be releasing some signed copies through my website, so stay tuned if you haven't checked it out already.
Thank you to everyone who came out, it was such a blast! 'Til next time gadget!