Doctors, Robots and Jedi, Oh My!

There is a particular day in May when we geeks, nerds and fans happily develop a lisp and gather together to joyously declare to one another "My the Fourth Be With You!".  This May the Fourth I got a chance to take part in something very special, a convention event local to my area called Screen-Con! Screen-Con was being hosted for the very first time this year and was boasting one hell of an official guestlist, including Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), Sylvester McCoy (Dr Who, The Hobbit), Alan Harris (Bossk) and many other big names, alongside movie props and some fantastic exhibitions and events throughout the day.  One of my earliest memories is watching the original Star Wars trilogy every Christmas with my older brother and my entire life has revolved around all things geeky and nerdy so when I discovered this event happening on my own doorstep I think my inner child squealed like a  Wookiee castrato.  Then the fully grown me did it as well, because I could get a chance to meet Boba Fett and Bossk!!

SCREEN-CON 2013 POSTER (via Screen-Con)

After stumbling upon the event I was quick to get in touch with the lovely event organisers and was flabbergasted when they offered me a table and extended the offer to my very talented friend and usual partner in crime for anything arty, Chris.  We were both totally elated at the chance to take part and immediately swung into action.  As the day approached I was getting more and more excited as more people I knew were getting involved, either buying tickets and supporting the event or getting their own tables.

To honour the date and one of the special guests I worked on something special.  I designed two tote bags (my first tote bags ever in fact!) to sell at Screen-Con and used the services of the a talented local business called North x North East (NXNE) to print them.

 

BOTH BAGS ARE PRINTED ON ECO-COTTON BAGS (100% BIODEGRADABLE, MADE FROM NATURAL UNBLEACHED COTTON) USING PERMASET AQUA INKS (100% SOLVENT FREE, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND VEGAN).

As the morning dawned the excitement hit me hard!  I had little sleep the night before as I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared and loaded for the day ahead - even the lack of sleep couldn't keep my down as the day pumped me with so much excitement and adrenaline I was positively flying about my stall!  We arrived to set up and from the moment our feet touched the floor of that hall the day was great!  We met a lot of wonderful people and had a fantastic day!

MY TABLE PACKED TO THE BRIM WITH ART, CARDS AND OTHER HANDMADE GOODIES ALONGSIDE CHRIS'S TABLE WITH ALL HER FANTASTIC ART!

The Boba Fett bags pretty much sold out and Chewwie wasn't far behind!  I even gave one of the Boba Fett bags to the great man himself, Jeremy Bulloch and it was immediately added to his stand and put on display! 

JEREMY BULLOCH'S STAND AT SCREEN-CON 2013, MY TOTE BAG LOOKS RATHER NIFTY UP THERE!

NXNE also attended Screen-Con with their own stock of apparel so I made sure everytime someone came by and commented on the bags I sent them down to the people responsible for making them such high quality.  We also had the pleasure to see the very talented Charles Bazaar and meet another local creative David Shirley of angelKat Entertainment who was on the table next to me and Chris. 

NXNE HAD A GREAT SELECTION OF THEIR OWN PRINTED MERCH AND I AM STILL TORN ON WHICH ONE IS MY FAVOURITE!  EVEN MY CLOSE FRIEND AND LOCAL DJ ASH, PART OF THE TRIO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW AND #1 ROCK NIGHT IN NEWCASTLE, ALPHA IS IN AND HELPING OUT! (via North x North East)

The whole day was one of the best I have had!  This was only my second convention and fourth public event trial running my own stall but is easily going to be one of my favourite convention experiences and will be quite hard to beat!  The atmosphere and excitement for the event was amazing I can't even begin to describe how well the event was run - for the first of it's kind locally the Screen-Con team totally hit it out of the park.  I hope I can be involved in the future events and have so many ideas in mind for the upcoming Scream-Con in October!

I can't say enough how great it is to be invited to to take part in these events and how important it is to support them.  These events take a lot of work and people can often mistake the day as being about them and their sales, but it is just as important that you take part and add to the experience.  This day was about every person who attended and everyone who made it happen, I am really honoured to have been able to take part.

Before I finish this blog I want to make a special mention to a very talented actor who was to attend Screen-Con 2013 but sadly passed away just before the event.  Richard LePermentier, known iconically as Admiral Mottie in Star Wars passed away April 15 2013 and was sorely missed at the event.  I am glad to say the day was dedicated to him and his memory as part of something so close to a lot of people's hearts.  I also wish to dedicate this blog entry to him.  It is great to think that on a day that was really about fans coming together to commemorate a great genre and so many great creations, one of those involved in it's making who sadly couldn't be with us can be remembered.

Here are a few more pictures from friends and family of the day and some of the other antics that ensued!  You can find more pictures at the Screen-Con Facebook page and if you are local to the North East of England you should definitely drop by for the next event!