Fan Expo Canada is right around the corner! The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is the place to be August 22-25, 2024. Biff Bam Pop! will be in attendance, so expect a full wrap up from me in two weeks! Before we get there, let’s prepare ourselves to go forth and Con accordingly!
One thing I love about conventions is the access they provide to artists and actors I’ve come to admire. Most celebrities don’t rub shoulders with the likes of us normal folk. They’ve got their own lives just like you and me. If you see them out in public, they’re probably not going to be too eager to take that selfie when they’re trying to catch a flight. Conventions, on the other hand, are those “safe spaces” where you can walk up and get an autograph or picture as long as you’ve got the cash.
I’ve met a number of celebrities in settings like this and it’s always a bit surreal. My very first convention was Motor City Comic Con back in the ’90s. My favorite Star Wars character at the time was Boba Fett, and the actor Jeremy Bulloch was a guest at the convention. I took my brand new Power of the Force Boba Fett figure to get it signed. I remember feeling star struck and nervously handing over my cash and shaking his hand. Jeremy Bulloch was friendly and asked if I wanted a picture. His handler snapped a Polaroid and handed it to me. I stared at it in disbelief. There I was shoulder to shoulder with the baddest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Who would have thought that beneath that Mandalorian armor would have been a kind English actor that was eager to please his adoring fans? RIP Mr Bulloch.
Nowadays, I open most of my figures, so getting them signed is a bit tricky. Something I’ve started doing in recent years is getting autographs on blank artist boards the size of trading cards. They’re big enough to stand out in a display and compliment the figures nicely. I like to use a black artist board with a silver or gold paint pen, but you could always tailor that to your preference. Getting autographs on cards as opposed to figures also allows me to travel lighter at conventions. Gone are the days when I walked into a convention with a backpack already filled to capacity with all of the items I intended to get signed. My chiropractor approves!
I still get some figures signed on occasion. If I’m planning on displaying a figure on card, I’ll go with a paint pen and choose a color that compliments the figure. If you plan on taking your own paint pen, make sure to get your pen primed before getting your figure signed. I carry some extra trading card sleeves to scribble on while I wait in line. This helps ensure a nice clean signature on your item as opposed to having multiple botched starts while the celebrity tries to get your pen to work. Also, take a couple extra minutes to let your item dry before putting it back in a case or bag. No one likes a smudged signature!
If you’re more a fan of photo ops, Fan Expo has you covered! There’s a number of options to choose from with some full cast options available for you Letterkenny fans. Think about a fun, easy pose you’d like to strike with your celeb. If they’re into it, make a memory. If they’re not into your idea, be respectful. You never know what people are going through. Just take the picture they’re comfortable with and tell them you appreciate their work. If you’re taking kids, photo ops are great ways to mark the occasion. Make those memories while you can!
Regardless of how you choose to spend your convention time, have fun! Be kind to one another. Wash your hands and bring some sanitizer. It’s COVID Season and nobody’s got time for that nonsense. See you there!
