Reflections

Supanova Melbourne

On Saturday the 29th April 2017 I attended Supanova Melbourne. Supanova has always been the first event of its size to run in Melbourne each calendar year. For me it has always been an event I attend, more to catch up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere. The last few years there hasn’t really been any Supanova guests that I’ve wanted to meet. They are starting to get bigger guests and that tends to bring in a bigger than usual crowd. Unfortunately, they haven’t really been guests that I have any interest in. I guess the good thing about that, is that I save my money and get to enjoy the atmosphere and seeing friends more.

Reflection

This year I attended alongside one of my best friends Jodie. We always have a good time together no matter what and this year we both had reasons to celebrate. So this day was just a genuine fun enjoyable day. As we carpooled in for the day Jodie made a comment along the lines of ‘I wonder how different life would be if we had never attended that first event 12 years ago?’. This comment seemed to stick with both of us and turned our day into one of reflection. Reminiscing good times and thinking about all the amazing friendships that have come from attending events such as this.

As always with these type of events, if you’re after photos or autographs, you spend the majority of the time in queues. As annoying as it can be I know of a lot of friendships that started that way. You line up and whilst standing there you chat to others around you and friendships are formed. This event was no different we saw many friends, there was a lot of hugging. Catching up and just general fun between friends, friends that only really get to see each other at events like this.

Bag Bitch

Jodie and I have our system when queuing up. As she tends to end up getting more photos or autographs than I do. I generally just call myself her ‘Bag Bitch’ and hold her bag and other stuff as gets what she is after. I’ll always remember our conversation with George Takei and his husband Brad when they were out with Supernova a few years prior. Jodie goes up for her autograph as George is autographing, he asks who I am I just responded “I’m just her bag bitch” and Brad responds with “That’s okay, I’m his”. We all had a good laugh about that one.

Queuing up with friends like this is just a part of the whole experience. Not only do you get to keep a friend company you might get to chat with a guests, you might not normally speak to. I have plenty of encounters like this. Our system is not one sided though, Jodie is sometimes my ‘bag bitch’ too!

Event layout

The layout of the event this year was very different to last year. It was much bigger, taking up three different building at the show ground instead of only two. The biggest building held all the Exhibitors stalls. The next building held the Artists Alley and the areas for Photographs and Autographs. And the third building held all of the panels, though I didn’t attend any myself.

I’m not really a fan and how they have the guests separated from the exhibitors. It means that not as many people are walking through and checking out the different exhibits. In previous years, Supanova had always been the one event that was more about cosplaying, the panel, and the guests. People have never really spent a lot of money at the exhibitor stalls. This year the Exhibitor Hall was actually quite busy, I think I saw more people browsing than shopping though.

Personally I have never been a big spender, I don’t often purchase items that aren’t photos or autographs. I did however, pay Jeff a visit at Go Figure. I brought myself this fantastic Slimer in the Ghostbusters car Pop Figure.

Check out the Go Figure Website for more Pop Culture and Wrestling Collectables.

Saturday overview

Saturday was a pretty great day, we only had a few issues with Staff here and there. Unfortunately, the rudest people weren’t the volunteers but the actual Supanova staff. They could still be volunteers they just don’t dress the same and they definitely act more superior.

Both Jodie and I have been attending Supanova since it first began in Melbourne in 2008, only missing maybe one or two shows. This year they changed the system slightly. We commented to a volunteer friend that it would be nice if we’d been told of the change. When we spoke to another staff member about it, they were rude and condescending. Thankfully this was the only real downside of the day.

Luke Mitchell

Since I was there, I did decided to get a photo with Luke Mitchell and satisfy the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fan in me. He was quite nice, went in for my photo and asked him if he’d pull a silly face. After the photo was taken he had me wait with him for it show on the screen and goes “Nailed it!”. I just love doing something different in my photos, after many years of just smiling I needed a change. And now I love my silly photos, they’re just that little bit different, funny and memorable!

Friends

I had a great time just hanging out with my friends at this event. In our day of reflection, we were reminded just how amazing our friendships are. We reminisced over the things we have done, there are so many thing in my life, I never thought I would do. If I think back to my school days, I never could have imagined the things I have done. I have such amazing friends, who love me for who I am, and I love them.

I learnt a long time ago that there is no reason to ever not be yourself. Even if people dislike you for it, this was the case in my youth, but now I have found the most amazing family of friends. I’m happy for my group of friends, we’ve had our ups and downs. We might not get to see each other as much as we’d like. But when we do it’s like nothing changes, we’ll always be there for each other. That is what friendship is about. There are so many friends out there that I have met through this incredible community that I am forever grateful for.

Exploring the Event

Had a wander through the venue, looking at different exhibition stores. I also got to chat with my good mate Scotty at First Contact Conventions. And because Jodie loves Deadpool and Scotty had a Deadpool aka Ryan Reynolds Autograph I went halves with her so she could have it. We also caught up with friends from interstate including the, Eugenia one of the two ladies from Women Talk Sci-Fi.

When I was wandering around a volunteer friends found me and we had a chat. They told me that Hunter Page-Lochard was there doing a free signing for Cleverman. Having met Hunter at AMCE the previous year I couldn’t help by head over to say a quick hello. Hunter is an absolute gentleman, he stood up and stepped around the table to give my friend and I a hug. Then I asked if it would be okay if I got a photo with him, since I never got one last year. He also signed a Cleverman photo for me.

Great Day at Supanova

All up is was a pretty great day at Supanova, in fact it was kind of Amazing. The day was mostly about friendship our big dysfunctional family that we love. Reminiscing over what attending events like these mean to us. Reflecting on where our lives would be, if we never attended that first event over a decade ago. There are so many things to be thankful for but more than anything I am thankful for the friendships. And all the memories. On a side note, to top this day off perfectly Jodie and I went out for dinner after the show to celebrate. Things have finally been looking up for both of us, an interstate friend joined us and we had a great evening on top of a great day.

This post has also been published in the latest issue of GE News – Women Talk Sci-Fi

COMPLETE GUEST LIST

David Boreanaz, Hunter Page-Lochard, Luke Mitchell, Rebecca Breeds, Craig Parker, Mehcad Brooks, Lee Majors, Nolan North, Cory Michael Smith, Marie Avgeropoulos, Tom Hopper, Darrell Pitt, Craig Parker, Austin St John, Manu Bennett, Natalie Dormer, John Jarratt, Vic Mignogna, Darrel Guilbeau, Gregory Mackay, Masako Nozawa, Claire Murray, Meredith Finch, Esad Ribic, Nolan North, Jessica Harmon, Mike Krome, Darren Close, Martin Abel, Paul Abstruse, Dean Rankine, David Yardin, David Finch, Chamba Cruz, Tom Taylor, Jodi Mcalister, Patricia Briggs, Marlee Jane Ward, Maria Lewis, Alisha Jade, Lynette Noni, Keri Arthur, Meri Amber, A.K. Wirru and Echoing Atemis.