@’s by Lance Fensterman
Group VP at C2E2!
AMBUSH BUG (BUG): What's it like going into the third year of C2E2?LANCE FENSTERMAN (LF): It's fun watching our con grow up. In con years C2E2 is like 16, so it's time to get its drivers license and go out on its first date. Really, though, I'm excited to see its identity continue to evolve in 2012. It's grown a lot since year one and we expect a lot more growth this year.
BUG: What were some complaints from previous years, and how have you attempted to rectify them for this year's con?
LF: Actually, last year’s edition was one of the highest rated events ReedPOP has ever produced. Of course, there were complaints, but in general it was very popular with the fans. I think one issue is getting from the various Chicago neighborhoods to McCormick, so we expanded our express bus program. We now run a free shuttle all day, all 3 days from 3 differs L stops in the loop direct to McCormick.
BUG: What differentiates C2E2 from the other cons of this kind throughout the year?
LF: For starters, C2E2 is the only con outside of New York, Toronto and San Diego that Marvel and DC exhibit at. Plus, we try to bring the flavors of Chicago to the event and be current - we are not about nostalgia or old TV personalities selling an autograph, we have current personalities of the pop culture world like John Cusack, Anne Rice, etc.
BUG: Last year, I was impressed with the nighttime programming you had such as the Patton Oswalt concert. What special events do you have going on this year?
LF: Man, I loved that event. I think that was one of the best events we have ever produced at a ReedPOP show. We are having comedy again this year; some different personalities, but I think it will be just as cool and it's free this year.BUG: Coordinating this whole event must be an exhausting ordeal. Are you going to get a chance to wander the floor and just enjoy the con itself at all?
LF: Absolutely! I don't get on the show floor a lot, but usually before we actually open I go do my shopping.
BUG: With the summer movies tying so close to entertainment conventions such as this, were you able to coordinate any premieres for this year's con?
LF: Unfortunately not this year. We did our premiere of KICK ASS a couple of years ago and we were really close on two big flicks, but the timing with the studios just did not click due to press junkets and such.
BUG: Other cons of this type seem to lean more towards either movie events or TV star/celebrity appearances and signings. How do you balance the comics medium with the TV, film, gaming, and other genres of entertainment at these things?
LF: We have two simple rules: If it's cool and the fans will dig it, we'll do everything we can to make it happen. Secondly, comics are at the center of everything we do and the largest component of the show and from there we build into all the major corner of popular and geek culture.
BUG: Last chance: why should everyone and their ugly stepsister make their way to the McCormick Center this weekend for C2E2, and how can folks get tickets?
LF: This is it, people: the nerd prom has come to town! Snatch up the opportunity to come play with your friends and revel in all the geek culture you can take, right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Check out www.c2e2.comfor the details on schedule and ticket info.
BUG: Well, I’m convinced. C2E2 opens in Chicago tomorrow at 1:00pm for the public. I’ll be signing THE JUNGLE BOOK at the Zenescope booth all day on Saturday and tooling about the floor and soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the con with fellow @$$holes Sleazy G, Henry Higgins is My Homeboy, SJimbrowski, & The Dean. If you want us to check out your booth or do an interview, feel free to contact one of us. Hope to see you there!
Proofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
