User:Paradox295/sandbox/MCM Comic Con
| MCM Comic Con | |
|---|---|
 MCM Expo May 2011 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multi-genre |
| Venue | ExCeL London |
| Location(s) | One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London Docklands, London, E16 1XL |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Inaugurated | May 2002 |
| Attendance | 101,600 in May 2014[1] |
| Organized by | MCM Expo Group |
| Website | http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/ |
MCM Comic Con[1] (formerly known as the London Expo from 2002-2003 and MCM Expo from 2004-2010) is a multi-genre fan convention held in various parts of the UK and Ireland. The convention mainly focuses on anime, manga, video games, sci-fi, cosplay & popular media from the United Kingdom, United States and Japan.[clarification needed]
History and organization
[edit]The MCM (Movie Comic Media) Expo Group are organisers of the London, Birmingham, the Midlands, Ireland, Belfast, Manchester and Scotland MCM Comic Cons. It was founded in early 2001 by Paul Miley (ScifiShows) and Bryan Cooney (Wolf Events), both well known organisers within the convention entertainment industry.
The convention is held twice each year, usually on the last full weekend of May and October. There have occasionally been exceptions to this; May 2009 being one of them.
The event started as a single day and has now expanded to run across three days attracting attendance and involvement from industry luminaries such as: Universal Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Manga Entertainment UK, NEO Magazine amongst others.
Show features
[edit]Exhibit Hall
[edit]MCM Comic Con features a large floorspace for dealer stands and exhibitors which include media companies such as movie studios and TV stations. There is also a theatre space that includes a large stage with projection monitors on either side and seating for approximately 1000.
Guests
[edit]Guests from popular media are commonly invited to the show. They take part for a variety of reasons. Often, this is to promote their latest product or production whether it be movie, TV or print. Sometimes it can be to raise awareness and funds for a charity or cause important to them. It is common to see television and film personalities selling autographs and interacting with their fans both in person and on stage during Question and Answer sessions. Along with panels, seminars and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming television and feature films, portfolio review sessions with video game companies.
Autographs
[edit]The event also includes an autograph area where big names in movies and TV will sit and sign items for the public.
Cosplay
[edit]Ticket holders are allowed to, and in many cases encouraged, to take part in cosplay. Cosplaying has become one of the most popular parts of the show. This can be to show off the costumer's latest work, just to show devotion to their favourite characters or engage in role-play with other cosplayers in the same series, as well as just meet new people with mutual interests.
Comic Village
[edit]Comic Village is an area of the show that is co-ordinated by Gary Howe, a member of the MCM Expo Group. This area hosts approximately 200 tables, where amateur as well as professional artists/writers/publishers sell their comics as well as prints. This area also has a signing area where big names in the comic industry come and sign for members of the public, previous guests have included Gail Simone, Kevin Eastman, Frazer Irving, Antony Johnston, Kieron Gillen and many more.
MCM Fringe Festival
[edit]In 2010, MCM Fringe Festival was re-vamped and given a new logo. The main purpose of Fringe is to allow cosplayers to organise photoshoots, meet-ups, picnics and get togethers. Organisers are more easily able to create their own event within the Expo and broadcast it. At the same time, the rest of the Expo Attendees can search the website and decide to go to it. Photoshoots will be more successful and likely to get more people from the same anime or game to take part. Previous events have included picnics, dances and video gaming tournaments.
Eagle Awards for Comics
[edit]The Eagle Awards were founded in 1977 and are the longest running fan voted awards for the comic industry. They were held at the MCM London Comic Con each May until 2011, since when the Eagle Awards no longer run.
VidfestUK
[edit]VidfestUK is an area of the expo dedicated to online visual media, such as animations, vlogs and various web series. Notable guests include YouTube partners such as TomSka and MrWeebl.
Show information
[edit]Ticketing
[edit]In May 2010, in answer to a large number of non-paying attendees, the Security and Ticketing System was given a complete makeover. Wristbands were put in place and given to everybody when they handed in their ticket. Wristbands were needed to enter the Expo Hall and Expo Theatre, and Security were enforced to make random spot-checks.
In October 2010, stronger wristbands were given to weekend ticket holders. This was due to Weekend Attendees having to wear them all weekend; Wristbands are unable to be removed without voiding them. The paper version of advance tickets were also scrapped. Advance tickets are now only available as an e-ticket which must be printed and taken to the event.
As of October 2013, the MCM London Comic Con occupies multiple halls within the ExCeL and valid documentation is required in order to enter the majority of the centre's facilities, including the central boulevard.
Location and dates
[edit]MCM BUZZ
[edit]MCM BUZZ is a website in association with MCM, bringing all the latest in media related news from movies, comics, interviews with celebrities and a live podcast.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "UKA: MCM London Comic Con smashes attendance record, tops 100,000 visitors".
- ^ "Expo 19 is done Bring on Expo 20". MCM Expo. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|1=,|2=, and|3=(help) - ^ "MCM Expo". MCM Expo. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
External links
[edit]- Official event website
- Official MCM Comic Con website
- Official MCM Expo Group website
- SyFy.co.uk - London MCM Expo Review 2009
- Forbidden Planet review & MCM Expo Pics and round up… 2010
Category:Comics conventions Category:Multigenre conventions Category:Fan conventions