50 Days of Dragon Con Day 12

FDaDC

Back in 2009 some folks got together to do a documentary on Dragon Con.  They called it Four Days at Dragon Con.  Originally this aired on PBS and is now shown pretty frequently on Dragon Con TV.  This documentary has been a savior for me in the middle of winter and spring when I am depressed and missing con.  I honestly watch this probably 10-20 times per year.  The documentary is amazing.  They did such a good job making it and capturing the essence that is this wonderful weekend.  The documentary talks about the origins of the convention, how it has grown and changed.  There were several of the Con directors that made an appearance.  There were lots of costumes and lots of info on tracks and the like. They did such a good job making this that it has won several awards.  Congrats to all that helped in the making of such a great movie.

One of the sponsors of the documentary was the Mellow Mushroom pizza place.  I had never heard of Mellow Mushroom before.  In 2013 I decided to rent a car and go out and about the greater metro Atlanta area.  I got groceries, a cooler and went a few other places as well.  When on my adventures, I decided to try out the Mellow Mushroom.  I found the nearest location to me at the time and had some seriously delicious pizza.  While sitting there I notied that this was the location that was featured in the show.  WOO HOO I stumbled upon a movie location.  LOLOL

Really, this is a great introduction into the awesomeness of Dragon Con.  Especially if you have not been to con it gives you an idea of what to look forward to.  
If you have not watched it, I recommend checking it out here: Four Days at Dragon Con
 

Photo courtesy of Four Days at Dragon Con

What I Did Last Night

I am a nerd, geek, dork whatever you want to call me.  I keep it pretty private in reality but in here I am as open as I can be.

I go to conventions.  I have dressed up in the past but at this time I do not feel it is a priority.  I go to see celebrities, go to panels and learn new things.  I go to meet new people and hang out with old friends.  I like conventions.  Some of the smaller conventions I have been to were kind of meeh. I have to say my favorite one is Dragon Con.  Every year I think I need to go to ComicCon in San Diego.  That being said, I heard horror stories year after year and have never really tried to go.  I have even heard that celebrities like Felicia Day have had issues there.  Instead, I will stick with my small more local cons and of course one big one. 

For many years I have gone to Dragon Con in Atlanta.  I love it. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT.  I have met several friends there and have learned of many new fandoms.  Currently we are 118 days away from the con and I am in total "I can't wait" mode.  This year I am taking my brother with me.  In the past I have gone with my best friend and also I have made my Mom go with me.  She had a blast and I hope she gets the opportunity to come again.  

In my preparations for the con (the BIG ONE) I listen to several of my favorite podcasts and what they have to say about the Con.  See The Khan Report.  This is just one of the many podcasts I listen to.  These are both very specific to Dragon Con and it helps me to deal with the waiting-for-con-funk.  I also watch all of the Youtube videos including the Last Dragon Con parody.  There are many other links if you would like to check out DragonConTv.  I have to do something to get me from the post-con-funk through the waiting-until-con funk until the it-is-almost-here-joy.  

Last night I was suffering through the waiting-for-con-funk and decided to watch the documentary Four Days at Dragon Con.  While watching, I was thinking of what I have done each year and decided to get out the old printed pocket programs.  I looked at what I did each year and what I wanted to do but did not make it to.  Wow, have things changed.  When I started going, there were 30,000 people going and last year there were over 65,000 attendees.   In the beginning there was a paper pocket program that you had to use.  Now, there is an online app that you can use to plan your con.   HOLY crap it has grown.  The most important thing I have discovered in my years of attending cons is that each con is unique.  Make it special to yourself and there is no way you will not have a fantastic time.

Face/Off

I have meant to watch this show forever but my plate is really full of reality tv.  Face/Off is on SyFy on Tuesdays 9/8C.  Currently airing is season 6.  I was changing channels and saw that I knew(ish) someone that was on the current season.  Matt Silva from Penny Dreadful Productions in Atlanta is on this season and that is why I made an effort to watch.  He is also in the documentary Four Days at Dragon*Con.  Check both out...well worth the effort.

While watching and rooting for Matt I found that this show is way more awesome than I thought it was going to be.  WOW this show is crazy cool.  The imagination that goes into one challenge in such a short period of time is fascinating.  I can not believe how fast the artists come up with these creatures let alone make them.  There is talent in the manufacturing of these costumes and makeup.  That being said, I think the most awesome part is the unfathomable imagination in coming up with these characters.  The models/actors do an amazing job bringing them to life.  For all of us sci-fi nerds out there this is a wonderful show and it is educational at that.  Good luck to all of the contestants!