Science fiction convention

Science fiction conventions are gatherings of the community of fans (called science fiction fandom) of various forms of science fiction and fantasy. Historically the focus has been on the written form rather than audiovisual media representations, but this may be changing. People in attendance at a science fiction convention are traditionally known as members of the convention; invited celebrities including authors are commonly known as guests of the convention, though many professionals including authors will simply attend as members.

Anatomy of a typical science fiction convention

Getting Started

Although wide variations exist between different conventions, there is a general pattern that most adhere to. The typical convention is held on a holiday weekend where three or four days can be devoted to events.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first night of the convention "Opening Ceremonies" are held, where organizers and marquee guests are introduced.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Program

Panel-led discussions, or Panels, usually fill up the daytime hours of most conventions with typically one-hour discussions of topics related to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Fandom in general. Some larger conventions, such as Penguicon and DragonCon, have had well-attended, scheduled panels starting as late as midnight.

Related Topics:
Science Fiction - Fantasy - Fandom - Penguicon - DragonCon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening entertainment often includes a combination of official and unofficial events, including dances, formal invitational dinners, and fandom themed room parties. A bid party includes advertising for the location of future conventions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A costume contest called a masquerade is often held where persons go on stage and compete for nominal prizes based on their skill in assembling and presenting genre-inspired outfits. This is truly more a "talent show" rather than the "fancy dress ball" that the term suggests. Anime fans might refer to a masquerade as a cosplay, but there are notable and subtle distinctions between the terms.

Related Topics:
Masquerade - Anime - Cosplay

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Specific Rooms

A Dealer's or Huckster's Room is available, where merchants sell wares of interest to fans. These include books, action figures, prop replicas and t-shirts. Similarly, there is often an Art Show where genre-inspired art is displayed and usually made available for auction or purchase. Smaller conventions may simply have an informal Dealer's Row, a section of hotel rooms from which dealers sell goods, while larger conventions may have both an official dealer's room and an unofficial dealer's row.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many conventions have video rooms in which genre-related audiovisual presentations take place, typically commercial Hollywood movies and genre television show episodes. If there are multiple media rooms, each one may have themed content.

Related Topics:
Hollywood - Movies - Television

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Typically, Game Rooms are also available for attendees to play a variety of genre collectible card games like or role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. Warhammer 40,000, a miniatures game, and board games like Settlers of Catan are also popular.

Related Topics:
Collectible card game - Role-playing games - Dungeons and Dragons - Warhammer 40,000 - Miniatures game - Board game - Settlers of Catan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Convention Hospitality Suite or Consuite is often provided as a room reserved for light refreshments, a quiet conversation, and a place to briefly rest. The refreshments typically include coffee, tea, juice or soda, and light meals appropriate for the time of day. Depending on local liquor distribution and liability laws, the suite may serve alcohol. At conventions in the United Kingdom, the provision of real ale is generally considered essential.

Related Topics:
Liability laws - United Kingdom - Real ale

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ending the event

Often the "Closing Ceremonies" on the convention's last day are dispensed with entirely. This omission is because such ceremonies would logically be held after scheduled events are over, and convention members are occupied with packing up and checking out of the hotel.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ceremony or not, a dead dog party is likely to be held. This is the traditional winding-down party where few of the attendees are likely to have huge amounts of energy. This party is an attempt to ease people back into the real world outside of convention and can be an effective method of warding off the depression, which is often associated with the end of a major event. Analogies can be drawn to the decompression parties following large events such as Burning Man.

Related Topics:
Decompression parties - Burning Man

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~