Given that 125,000 people are expected to attend Comic-Con
International this week, chances are that at least a few of these folks have
never been to a pop culture event quite like this. So they may not know quite
what expect once they get to San Diego.
Not to worry, though. I’ve prepared a few visual aids (i.e.
these are actually pictures I took while attending LA’s Anime Expo earlier this
month. But they should still give some sense of what a day spent at San Diego
Comic-Con will be like).
Comic-Con is being held inside of the cavernous San Diego
Convention Center. Which features over
600,000 square feet of exhibit space (To give some sense of the size of the
space that we’re talking about here, 600,000 square feet is the equivalent of
11 football fields).
Photo by Shelly Smith
Mind you, the fun starts long before you get into the
convention center itself. Out in the lobby area, you’re sure to spot cosplayers
dressed as their favorite character …
Photo by Shelly Smith
… or perhaps someone will bring along a motorized version of
their favorite character.
Photo by Shelly Smith
That’s one aspect of an event like Comic-Con or Anime Expo
that you really need to understand. Here
the lines blur. You’re constantly surrounded by show – both in the aisles at
the convention center …
Photo by Shelly Smith
… as well as behind the sales tables.
Photo by Shelly Smith
And the smart performers / entertainment companies
embrace this spirit. They create events and/or gatherings that then allow them
to reach out & touch the fans. Which then energizes that show’s fan
base.
Case in point: Seth Green and the rest of the creative /
crazy crew associated with Adult Swim’s hit series, Robot Chicken. Green
actually used his show’s Anime Expo panel to talk up what they’d be doing in
San Diego a few weeks later. Which was launching the Adult Swim’s Robot
Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Roller Skating Tour.
Copyright 2009 Cartoon
Network. All Rights Reserved
To help get the word out about their show’s latest DVD (i.e.
“Robot Chicken: Star Wars – Episode II,” which hits store shelves tomorrow) Green,
Breckin Meyer and Matthew Senreich hitting the road on August 1st.
They’ll be traveling around the country, stopping in eight major cities over a
two week period and then staging a skate party. Which will feature Robot
Chicken-themed activities & games as well as live performances by Gym Class
Heroes.
As sort of a preview party (before the actual tour gets
underway in LA next month), Seth has invited Comic-Con attendees to come join
he, Breckin & Matthew at Skate San Diego (Which is located at 700 East 24th
Street in National City) this Saturday from 8-11 p.m.. Where they’ll then be able to take
part in this free for-all-ages event, listening to the DJ (Gym Class Heroes won’t
actually join Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Roller Skating
Tour ‘til this tour officially kicks off in LA) and/or shopping for exclusive Adult
Swim merchandise.
And speaking of shopping, die-hard Robot Chicken fans may be
interested to know that – if they purchase a copy of the “Robot Chicken: Star
Wars Episode II” DVD – they’ll then find a voucher inside that allows them to
gain access to this event a full hour ahead of the general public.
Copyright 2009
Cartoon Network. All Rights Reserved
As for the dates & venues of the official Adult Swim’s
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Roller Skating tour, they are:
- Saturday, August 1st – Los Angeles, CA. – Northridge Skateland
- Sunday, August 2nd – Las Vegas, NV – Rancho Crystal Palace Skating Center
- Tuesday, August 4th – Boulder / Denver,
CO – Skate City - Thursday, August 6st – Kansas City, MO – River Roll
- Saturday, August 8th – Indianapolis, IN – Skateland
- Monday, August 10th – Richmond, VA – Roller Dome Skating
- Wednesday, August 12th – Philadelphia, PA – Jamz Roller Skating
- August 14th – New York, NY – TBA
That – I guess – is the point that I’m trying to get across
with today’s article. That there’s more to pop culture events like Comic-Con
and Anime Expo than just attending panels & screenings. And that – if you
dare to venture outside of the convention center every now & then – you can
then take part in some pretty fun events.
Being open & flexible (as well as being aware of all the
opportunities that surround you), that’s the real key …
Photo by Shelly Smith
… to enjoying yourself at an show like this.
Your thoughts?