Videos are Downloadable now! Click on the Downward Arrow!
5 Cons - World Fantasy Convention in Brighton!
5 Cons - The Sandwich Question!
5 Cons Episode 7 - LoneStarCon 3!
5 Cons - Episode 6 - Strange thoughts from Westercon...
5 Cons - The Cautionary Tale of ZellaCon - The Road to Westercon 66
5 Cons episode 5 - Westercon 66 - WesterConversations
5 Cons episode 4 - ConQuesT - No Theme Required...
Episode 3 - ConQuesT
You can find more video at https://vimeo.com/user4825298/videos
The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition - Episode 1 - So, Why Steampunk?
5 Cons - A Fandom Documentary
So, we're 13 years in the 21st Century, and despite our best efforts, Fandom still remains! And every year, there are new traditions, old feuds renewed, controversies, and fun. What once was a monolith has now fractured into dozens of fannish city-states, trading people and concepts, and occasionally warring with one another.
5 Cons - A Fandom Documentary Series will look at the world of fandom as it is today through the experience of 5 conventions across the US and in Britain, plus how we interact with fans at home through the internet, local clubs, and more. From Steampunk fandom at the Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition (http://steampunkexhibition.com/), to the excellent Midwestern science fiction fun of ConQuest in Kansas City (http://www.conquestkc.org/), and then on to Westercon, one of the longest-running annual traveling conventions! (http://www.westercon66.org/). Every year, the Hugos are awarded at the Grand-daddy of all SF cons: WorldCon, with 2013's edition coming straight from San Antonio, Texas (www.lonestarcon3.org/. Finally, we'll be examining UK fans and pros at the World Fantasy Convention held in Brighton. (www.wfc2013.org/). Through interviews and footage gathered at these conventions, along with historic materials, audio, photos, and funkiness, we'll help you figure out what Fandom is, has been, and maybe even what it'll become!
In the end, this will form a document of what fandom is today, at a time when the last of those first generation fans are still with us, legendary fans are still participating, when we're seeing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram change the ways people fan, and when fandom happens in so many different forums. This is an interesting time for an interesting group of people.
5 Cons - A Fandom Documentary Series will look at the world of fandom as it is today through the experience of 5 conventions across the US and in Britain, plus how we interact with fans at home through the internet, local clubs, and more. From Steampunk fandom at the Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition (http://steampunkexhibition.com/), to the excellent Midwestern science fiction fun of ConQuest in Kansas City (http://www.conquestkc.org/), and then on to Westercon, one of the longest-running annual traveling conventions! (http://www.westercon66.org/). Every year, the Hugos are awarded at the Grand-daddy of all SF cons: WorldCon, with 2013's edition coming straight from San Antonio, Texas (www.lonestarcon3.org/. Finally, we'll be examining UK fans and pros at the World Fantasy Convention held in Brighton. (www.wfc2013.org/). Through interviews and footage gathered at these conventions, along with historic materials, audio, photos, and funkiness, we'll help you figure out what Fandom is, has been, and maybe even what it'll become!
In the end, this will form a document of what fandom is today, at a time when the last of those first generation fans are still with us, legendary fans are still participating, when we're seeing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram change the ways people fan, and when fandom happens in so many different forums. This is an interesting time for an interesting group of people.
So, what're we askin' for?
To make this, it's gonna take a little bit of money. We're estimating that our costs will be somewhere between 5 and 7 grand, but we've got to have our own skin in the game, no? So we're settin' our goal at 3500 dollars to cover some travel, a couple of equipment upgrades, random things you never expect like shipping fees for photos, burgers for those nights you get yourself stuck on the road at 2am, and most importantly, gallons and gallons of Pibb Xtra for Chris while he's editing. We're shooting to get this out to you, yes YOU!, by December 31st, 2013, which is a tight timeline, but we know that you'll be happy with what you get!
Through IndieGoGo (Oddly enough, http://www.indiegogo.com/), we're raising the money, and out team is so ready to make it happen! Everyone who donates 25 dollars or more will get a copy of the project. For various levels, we're offering Associate Producer, Assistant Producer, and Executive Producer credits.
And, of course, if you've got photos or videos from cons, old or recent, we'd love to get a look at 'em! Audio recordings? Love 'em! We want to make this as participatory as possible!
If you can't manage any moneys, we're also happy to accept any equipment donations you might have. We could always use another digital camera, especially older ones you might be looking to clear out (Oh, how I love the old XL-1s!) , or scanners, or laptops, or MP3 recorders, whatever. If you can spare it, we can probably use it to create this document of a year in fandom.
And, of course, you might want to help out. Always lookin' for help, especially at the conventions we're going to be at. Just drop us a line and we'll talk with ya.
Through IndieGoGo (Oddly enough, http://www.indiegogo.com/), we're raising the money, and out team is so ready to make it happen! Everyone who donates 25 dollars or more will get a copy of the project. For various levels, we're offering Associate Producer, Assistant Producer, and Executive Producer credits.
And, of course, if you've got photos or videos from cons, old or recent, we'd love to get a look at 'em! Audio recordings? Love 'em! We want to make this as participatory as possible!
If you can't manage any moneys, we're also happy to accept any equipment donations you might have. We could always use another digital camera, especially older ones you might be looking to clear out (Oh, how I love the old XL-1s!) , or scanners, or laptops, or MP3 recorders, whatever. If you can spare it, we can probably use it to create this document of a year in fandom.
And, of course, you might want to help out. Always lookin' for help, especially at the conventions we're going to be at. Just drop us a line and we'll talk with ya.
So, Who Are You Going To Be Talkin' To?
So Far, among the folks we've talked to are...
We've got a great line-up of interviewees started!
- John Picacio - 2012 Hugo Winner (Best Professional Artist)
- Mary Robinette Kowal - Multi-Hugo winner writer
- Mo Starkey - 2012 Hugo Winner (Best Fan Artist)
- Howard Tayler - Artist (Schlock Mercenary) and 2013 Hugo Winner (Best Related Work - Writing Excuses)
- Bob Madle - Attendee of the first science fiction convention EVER!
- Roger Simms - Long-time fan and attendee of the Greatest Room Party Ever!
- Dave McCarty - Chair of the 2012 WorldCon
- Michael J Martinez (author - The Daedalus Incident)
- Teresa Nielsen Hayden - Editor at Tor and Long-time Fan
- Brandon Sanderson - Hugo winning Author
- Lawrence Schoen - Hugo and Campbell Nominee and damn funny fellow
- Mike Kennedy - Long-time fan
- Bradley Denton - World Fantasy Award winner
- Milt Stevens - 1984 WorldCon Chairman
- Norman Spinrad - Science Fiction Legend (author - Bug Jack Baron)
- Kat Templeton - Writer / Fanzine Fan
- Randy Byers - 2007 Hugo Winner (Best Fanzine)
- John Trimble - Fannish Legend
- And Many More Fans and Pros!
We've got a great line-up of interviewees started!
- Kevin Standlee - Chair Con Jose, the 2002 WorldCon
- John 'The Rock' Coxon - 2011 TransAtlantic Fan Fund winner
- And many more to be announced!