Super Megafest 2011: Small Convention. Big Opportunities. A Con-parison

With all due respect to larger conventions, the smaller sized (both in venue and occupancy) Super Megafest had a charm all its own which doubled as a great weekend for newcomers and seasoned con-goers alike. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, MA Saturday and Sunday Nov. 19 & 18, SMF was a refreshing switch from the exhausting mass of guests of Otakon back in August in Baltimore. Inexpensive admission and hotel accommodations paired with the Con’s narrow halls, artist corner and almost stylishly overstuffed Dealers Room set the stage for a one-stop-shopping trip of a true Con experience.

Having arrived pleasantly early for once, my initial group consisting of the cosplays Black Cat, Spiderman, Deadpool, Darth Vader, Link from Legends of Zelda and myself as Marvel’s X-Men Psylocke, felt moderately in the spotlight due to a seemingly low number of cosplayers which eventually grew as the day went on.  Navigating through what felt like more guests than were actually present, a conga line formation was implemented throughout the day so as not to lose any members of our group. Anyone who has visited a Con knows how easily this can happen especially with copious amounts of photo requests flying at you like lasers in an intergalactic battle. But an unexpected perk from these photo encounters, after the flashes cease, is realizing you’re footsteps away from notable actors such as Tia Carrera, Sean Aston, Patrick Stewart and Playboy bunnies lined up like marshmallow Peeps! Many other actors from TV shows were present as well which drew in a decent sized crowd for autographs and photos in the dimly-lit function room.

This room initiated my appreciation for smaller conventions all around from the standpoint that one can easily feel “lost” in the larger crowds, monstrous venues and epic celebrity names. Panels sometimes feel hidden and tucked away from the seas of con-goers, though this is to be expected based on the layout of the location. But at a smaller event, feeling as though one is getting everything they hoped for and quite a bit more without having to venture far is a priceless commodity. Not to mention, the uncomplicated process of cheaper lodging. For the first time in my short convention attending experience, I enjoyed the luxury of staying in the hotel located directly at the event site. This allowed for brief trips to cool down, freshen up or throw on a wardrobe change back in the hotel room; something anyone ever wearing heels to a convention would appreciate!

But heels or no heels, I think it’s safe to say anyone could see the comfort in grabbing a quick meal (and a beer) at the Sheraton’s restaurant “Molly Malone’s Irish Tavern.” The staff’s need to seat our party of at least 15 cosplayers was met with impeccable service. The late afternoon lunch of continental cuisine was flavorful and restorative.  And of course there is just something to be said of dining in the same room as Jedi knights, Jawas, Batmans and a squadron of CT-V shock troopers that really recharges the batteries!

After lunch we headed back to our rooms to refresh ourselves.  Back in the hotel lobby, to what do my wondering eyes should appear? But a Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man and four Ghostbusters, all clad in gear.  Making a big entrance at a not so big convention the inflatable marshmallow suit, created by Mark Poutenis, stood at fourteen feet tall, and almost didn’t fit in the lobby as it slowly swayed with its jolly yet intimidating smile. This moment felt like something straight out of the first Ghostbuster flick with proton packs blasting complete with their original sound effects.

Stay Puffed was an aperitif to the opportunity of being asked to pose stepping out of the Delorean from Back to the Future parked out front of the hotel lobby right alongside The General Lee from Duke’s of Hazard and the Batmobile from the 1960’s Batman TV show. I think it’s fair to say that the chances of this happening at a larger convention may not be as high. Not to mention receiving free printouts of pictures from the Delorean’s owner who had a Doc Brown Cosplay partner. But Doc Brown only paved the way for the highlight of the weekend; a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a chance encounter at the hotel restaurant with Jeremy Bulloch, known best as Boba Fett from Star Wars Episode 5 and 6. It was an honor and a privilege to chat with him and his wife Maureen and in no way is it embarrassing to admit that this geeky fangirl had tears in her eyes.

Ok Super MegaFest, you’ve had your sugar, now here’s your medicine. The moderate lunch concessions provided by the hotel on day two were adequate and a tad pricey in keeping with hotel standards. The freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, however, was a nice treat! But a definite thumbs down to the wristband method for admissions to the convention. The SMF bands were secured snuggly around the wrists of my gloves and members of my group; some of whom were wearing full body spandex costumes that proved impossible to keep intact when removing the costume. So after questioning SMF staff about the protocol for admission on day two with a broken wristband, I was meekly told that I could not re-enter or have a refund if desired. Perhaps this warning was posted somewhere around the admissions desk, but in my opinion one applying a wristband around an article of clothing should forewarn the participant that should the wristband break admission back into the Con will not be allowed. Determined not to be robbed of my day two experience at SMF, and with help from my group, I implemented a minor patch job of scotch tape to refasten my wristband and gain access back into the event.

So a tip for future con-goers: always be mindful of your proof of admission and how you display it because it can either make or break your overall Con experience. But wristband or not, when you get right down to it, these smaller more personal conventions can give you something that larger ones lack simply by bringing more of the event to your fingertips faster, cheaper and with less footwork. And you’ll never know who or what you’ll run into!