San Diego Comic-Con International
Written: Aug 04 '03 (Updated Aug 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Incredible pop culture experience.
Cons: TOO much to see and do, you can't possibly see it all.
The Bottom Line: This was my first Comic-Con experience and it was incredible. Book your hotel room in advance, though, or you'll pay too much!
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| hamburgerman's Full Review: San Diego |
It’s no surprise that the major studios have started paying so much attention to the convention since this year’s SDCC, held July 17-20, 2003, brought in a record 70,000 attendees, beating 2002’s record of 63,000. According to David Glanzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for SDCC, the convention increased the floor size by two exhibit halls this year for an additional 100,000 square feet. Glanzer also states that Hollywood began marketing at SDCC almost three decades ago. “Many long time attendees will remember that Lucasfilm Ltd. actually marketed Star Wars to Comic-Con attendees back in 1976. That's a full year before the movie was released,” says Glanzer.
Houstonian Richard Evans, owner of Bedrock City Comic Company (www.bedrockcity.com), has been attending the San Diego Comic Convention since 1978. “Hollywood really became a presence in the early 90s after the success of Batman. On the heels of that, [comic book] films like The Mask and Tank Girl came out,” Evans notes. Comic book and movie fans come from all over the world to get a glimpse of their favorite comic book movie stars, this year including Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry appearing to discuss X-Men 2. “I don't think the movies have taken over from comics at Comic-Con. There is a fairly synchronous relationship,” says Evans.
Now the organizers of SDCC are throwing their hat into the independent filmmaking arena with their Comic Con International Independent Film Festival. With only a handful of selections for their first film festival in 2001, their third effort in 2003 allowed SDCC organizers to program 35, both shorts and features, screening on all four days of the convention. “The first year, it was simply a one day event,” says Glanzer.
Austin actor/producer Ryan Wickerham made his first trip to SDCC this year to promote the movie The Duo in which he stars (www.theduo.net). So how do you get anyone to pay attention to your little indie movie at such a large Hollywood gathering? “You just can't beat men in masks and capes with a bullhorn in hand and rapid fire antics shouted through to the masses on volume level ten,” says Wickerham. Wickerham reports DVD sales of The Duo were very good, but would have been better if the screening hadn’t been scheduled in conflict with an appearance by eight major stars elsewhere.
Chris Gore, founder and editor of FilmThreat.com, sees a bright future for the CCI-IFF. "The Comic Con International Independent Film Festival is fast becoming THE showcase for filmmakers ready to cross over into big budget mainstream filmmaking. The movies are of the highest caliber in terms of production value and Hollywood is taking notice.” He believes the studios prefer seeing these more commercially oriented films, as opposed to the more art-oriented films at other festivals. “In fact, I would call it Sundance for the major movie studios. Look for the CCIIFF to become increasingly significant as the festival expands to a full four days and nights of programming in 2004,” Gore states.
Philip Zlotorynski, whose brilliantly funny short Walkentalk screened as part of the CCI-IFF (www.neptunepictures.com), agrees. “The film festival has grown by leaps and bounds, and based on the great turnout this year, it shows no signs of slowing down,” says Zlotorynski. “It was exhilarating to watch the audience enjoy watching the film as much as we enjoyed making it. Christopher Walken is a pop culture icon, so Comic-Con is a perfect fit for a movie that celebrates his varied career.” Walkentalk is also an official selection of the San Diego Film Festival, Marco Island Film Festival and the Woodstock Film Festival.
ICM literary agent DJ Talbot acknowledges the fact that the buying power of comic book fans has grown in the motion picture marketplace. “You can see this by Hollywood's increasing presence at the conference. Comic-Con has become and will continue to be a tremendous resource in terms of fostering relationships with buyers, artists and film-makers,” says Talbot. Talbot would like to see Comic-Con continue to expand and focus on both short and feature length films that will appeal to the movie-goers looking for new
fantasy themes as well as new interpretations on former product.
Visit the San Diego Comic-Con website at www.comic-con.org.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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Epinions.com ID:
hamburgerman
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Member: Brazil (Joe) Grisaffi
Location: Houston, TX
Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 26 members
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