I came upstairs last night with every intention of posting my Day Two wrap up from here in Chicago but as soon as my ass hit the chair, I was out. What an exciting day for those of us lucky to be in attendance. The day started early, about 6:30 AM to be exact. I wandered down to the lobby to see how many, if any fans had begun to line up and also to check out breakfast options. Wasn’t a ton of fans yet but breakfast was found. By the time breakfast was finished the line had really begun to back up. Registration was slated for a 9 AM start with all the dealer rooms and stuff opening at 11AM and the presentations starting shortly after that at 11:15. Being press, we were granted early access. Actually we had been downstairs helping Savini set up the night before and had already seen some of the goodness that was headed our way but folks were still in the early stages of set up when we exited on Friday night so being able to wander around the finished room before the mass of fans ripped through it was awesome.
Anchor Bay had an absolutely beautiful set up for their Masters of Horror promo where throughout the weekend folks behind the series would be signing free autographs. Fangoria TV was represented in full force, as way just about every other major horror outlet imaginable. Safe to say, if it was horror, it was here.
The convention is actually broke down into three separate, gigantic areas. The main dealer room which also housed the lions share of the celebrities, the presentation room which from about 11 AM was pretty much packed to the gills and then a second, equally as huge dealer’s area where a few other celebs including Lloyd Kaufman and Tim Sullivan hung out. As with upstairs, wall to wall goodness.
By the time we made our way through all there was to see it was time to head back up stairs for the initial onslaught of fans through the front door. A quick look around show all celebs except George Romero in place and ready to receive the faithful. By now the lines outside the ballroom is immense. The word is given that all can now partake of the SWAG table which was just loaded with all kinds of free goodness. It was a feeding frenzy but the fans were gracious and instead of an ugly situation it was a friendly hour or so, just crazy. Lots of great stuff for Night watch, Hills Have Eyes, a ton of Anchor Bay stuff. All got stuff and there was enough and there was actually stuff on the tables all day long. It’s nice that Fango supplied enough that ALL fans could partake should they wish too. So many cons I have attended have a handful of swag which vanishes within the first 15 minutes of opening the doors.
The lines at celeb tables form quickly and the presentation room filled up quickly as well. First up were introductions and the like from Tony Timpone and then the first guest of the day Troma’s own Lloyd Kaufman. I hung around for a bit of Lloyds talk and then headed out to check out the action else where. The place is now packed and everyone seems to love the show. Kudos to security by the way. Creation in the past has gotten a bad wrap for the security folks being a bunch of jerks but at this show they were helpful, polite and all the time kept things well in hand. Good job guys.
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he next few hours are a blur of handshakes, close conversations, folks handing me stuff, it was crazy. The next time I look at my watch it is almost 2 pm. Time for one of the highlights of the day for me, the SLITHER panel. Director James Gunn was on hand with his stable of actors and producers to discuss the film which opens at the end of this month. The SLITHER panel was by far some of the most fun I have had a con in a while. These people were fucking hilarious. Going on for almost an hour I laughed so hard I thought I was at a comedy club. Great shit. I’ll be posting some segments from the presentation in a few days and you guys have got to get a load of some of this. It really is great stuff. To make it even better the entire cast hung around for hours after their presentation and signed free autographs for all in the room. It was great.
Next up after that was the man himself, George A. Romero. He had not been down at this table all day and rumor had it that he was under the weather. He did appear to be not quite himself but still took the stage and for over an hour took questions (most of which I am sure he has answered at least 300 freaking times) He hung around afterward for free autographs as well. Got to give Fango some lovin here. It is really cool how they have the major celebs make themselves available for free autographs for anyone who spends the money to gain access. I heard more than one fan speak up about that fact. It is unique to cons; no one else I am aware of does it.
Time now to get ready to head on over to a special free screening of SLITHER that Universal is putting on. 6 gigantic tour buses show up in front of the hotel and any and everyone who wants to attend is invited. Gunn and cast tagged along. On the bus we go for a quick ride to a local theatre. After some words from Gunn the film is off.
I will be posting a complete review of the film Mon. after I get home but let’s just say that viewing SLITHER is some of the most fun I have had at a theatre in a long long time. What and absolutely fantastic film. Those of you who questioned Gunn’s work on the Dawn remake or Scooby Doo will feel like a bunch of assholes after this film because I am telling you what, Gunn is a talent. SLITHER is brilliant and has potential to be THE genre film of the year. More on that later.
By now it is approaching 9:30 pm and we have not eaten since Krispy Kreme at about 7 AM. A quick trip to the hotel bar and a sampler platter and sandwich later we are ready to sit down with the folks behind the incredible indie film Katiebird. Caretaker conducted one of the best interviews I think I have ever heard and we’ll be posting that bad boy as soon as we all get back home.
Now it’s like almost 1AM and I head up here to post what you are now reading. Instead I zonk out and you get it now.
Day Two of Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors proved to be everything is was being hyped to be and actually even surpassed this fans expectation. If you didn’t make the trip to Chicago you should be kicking yourself in the ass right now.
They have already announced their intentions to do this all again next year so learn from you r mistake foks; Get on this ride next time around.
So today is the 2nd and final day of the show and my experience with cons in the past has always been that the Sundays of these shows always pretty much suck. Doesn’t seem to be the case here at Fango as today has discussions with Mick Garris and Alexandra Aja. A couple of heavy hitters for sure.
Time get off my lazy as and get downstairs for the fun. I will try and give a final update when I get home tonight. I fly out at 7 PM and hope to be home in time to catch most of the Oscars.
Until tonight.
