Posted in: Comics, Denver Comic Con, Recent Updates | Tagged: Bruce MacIntosh, Comics, denver comic con, entertainment, guests, kids at conventions, panels, programming

Spotlight On Denver Comic Con: The Uphill Battle Of Making Programming Count

In the lead up to Denver Comic Con, which kicks off in the evening on May 22nd for "Opening Ceremonies", and continues through May 25th, I'm going to be exploring the ways in which the convention has grown and expanded, not just in attendance, but also in terms of the experimental nature of their programming and education-focus. Denver Comic Con originated as a vehicle to support the non profit Comic Book Classroom, now Pop Culture Classroom, transforming the experiences of kids in local after school programs, and that is still a large part of DCC's mission.

Denver Comic Con's concern is that kids and teens, as well as adults, become a part of a total convention experience that not only includes seeing their favorite geek celebrity or adding to their comic collection, but becoming active participants in the panel discussions or workshops provided by the con. That way their lives have been significantly impacted in a way that expresses their fandom.

I recently spoke with Bruce MacIntosh, the Chairman and President of Pop Culture Classroom, and the Director of Programming at DCC, and we focused specifically on the somewhat unusual choices DCC has made in the style and content of their programming which definitely sets them apart as taking the road less traveled. That is, until their example catches on and other conventions realize the wisdom and potential of this programming model.

MacIntosh explained that Denver Comic Con has always had a large programming presence, which I can confirm from previously attending the convention, but it's something of an "uphill battle" to spread the word about the value and enrichment educational programming can bring for attendees at a convention, whether it's listening to one's favorite comic artist explain their techniques or hearing from actors what their on-set life is like. It is, at least, an area with few "preconceptions" to break down, however, he said.

Sometimes programming for cons can be overwhelming for attendees, facing massive lists, and some of the titles may or may not be clear about what a given panel involves. Talking to DCC today is a good way of helping outline the various areas of activity they run at the convention, which varies in type and focus, in all honesty, than any other convention I've attended. Their methods are more experimental, and their scope is more focused on each age group and interest group who might want to attend a convention.

MacIntosh describes DCC as "education-driven" and following several tracks. He explained:

What programming is all about at Denver Comic Con, and what we are trying to do that sets us apart from all other cons, is that we are education-based. If you go to any of our programming, you're going to come away having learned something, whether you know it or not. We have about 40 celebrity panels out of 400, and that's tougher to include an educational component, since it's Q&A, but the rest are going to have some kind of educational value to them. That's what we have as our requirement for panel submissions. Self-promotional panels are actually avoided in that way.

That's one of the reasons DCC has such a great relationship with libraries, MacIntosh said, in that they encourage them to submit panels. The Anythink Libraries in the Denver area, for instance have submitted 6 panels that are "by teens for teens". One is focused on asking the question: What do teens want to read? It's going to be moderated by teens and the panelists will be YA authors with audience participation. That way both the audience and the guests stay active and involved in pursuing questions about authorship, readership, and storytelling. All guests can be "programming vehicles" to contribute to education because they bring their expertise with them.

There is also a "lab" or laboratory aimed at teens and kids, from age 5 to 19. The groups are split into two large age groups. For the teens, there's the 8 Bit Lounge, a repeat feature at DCC, where comic creators from Artist Valley visit for instructional sessions and discussions. MacIntosh described last year's popularity as being "standing room only" for the lounge, and this year they've had to create a large alley for adults and parents to stand in because they want to observe the presentations, too. The purpose of these presentations is to remind teens that artistic careers are possible, and it's possible to be successful in these fields at a time when media and public opinion may drive kids away from a future in the arts. MacIntosh hopes that showing kids successful artists, actors, writers, and the like will inspire them to succeed also.

Joining the ranks of kids that DCC hopes to inspire are 280 children and teens who are attending the convention on Saturday this year, sponsored by the local restaurant Illegal Pete's. They'll attend an orientation initially, then hit the con with their chaperones, and have their pick of panels that have been programmed in groups in repeat room locations to make things accessible for them. NASA, for instance, will be giving a presentation on the things that films like Armageddon got wrong about asteroid strikes, bringing in a science angle. In that sphere, kids might also be inspired to pursue careers in the sciences as well as the arts, many of whom might be from disadvantaged backgrounds. Being able to attend the convention, and having transport and adults to accompany them is something many of these kids might never have experienced without this special program. For MacIntosh, it's very rewarding how the kids gravitate toward the programming itself and value the experience.

I asked MacIntosh if the convention essentially espouses a "lifelong learning" approach, so that no matter the age group or interest of convention-goers, they might find something to experience that could broaden their horizons. He agreed that the convention has the potential to be a "pop culture school" for adults and children alike. MacIntosh, who has had experience running a small convention previously, noted that most cons falls short in their diversity of audience simply by not catering to different age groups. His observation of the boredom children exhibited at conventions, "dragged" around by their parents, without anything of their own to focus on, stayed with him and has influenced the level of attention DCC gives to programming for children.

From seeing "absolutely nothing" for kids to do at other cons, MacIntosh has determined to make a con for kids as much as adults. DCC is fulfilling a need, MacIntosh confirmed. I commented on my own observations of the "guilt factor" that geek parents must wrestle with taking kids to conventions if there isn't anything for children to do, because they desperately want to go due to their own fandom, and want the kids to enjoy it, but feel like a failure if their child is bored by it. DCC's strategy erases those potentials tantrums and stress.

One of the other ways in which DCC is able to cater to families is that some conventions, like SDCC, are increasingly too crowded to take children if you don't have nerves of steel. MacIntosh stopped taking his family when his daughter was around 6 years old and it became too upsetting for her. He commented that a few years ago, SDCC had more children's programming and environments, but that seems to have waned.

I observed to MacIntosh that Denver Comic Con is also potentially creating a space where parents and children can have experiences together that might have a lasting and positive impact on their relationship. If those experiences are related to comics or pop culture, those are things that could build common ground that could last the rest of their lives. MacIntosh compared it to bonding experiences like family game night, which simply create a zone for families to engage in activities together.

This year DCC will be focusing on "S.T.E.A.M." activities. This springboards off the educational term "S.T.E.M.", which refers to science, technology, engineering, and math, but adds an "A" for the arts. Activities this year will include Flash's Forensic Lab, bringing pop culture and learning experiences together. Many of the people involved in DCC, as you might guess, are teachers, and lend their expertise to the design of learning experiences to make them as interactive and entertaining as possible. This is appealing for the teachers, as well, because they get to create a learning environment using pop culture so fully.

I asked MacIntosh how guests, authors, and publishers have responded to this educational "mission" over time. I wondered if they particularly want to interact or get involved when they hear about the educational aspects of the convention, given it might be something they aren't used to hearing about with every con booking they make. MacIntosh explained:

Mostly, when we book guests, they initially think of it as just another appearance. But then we take the opportunity to inform them beforehand of the ways in which Denver Comic Con is unique and the opportunities that presents. Some are really, really into it, and we love to get them involved. One of the main ways that we get them involved is through reading to children, like a couple of years ago when William Shatner read Where the Wild Things Are to children in the Kids' Corral. Then we had Adam West read.

And last year, I dragged Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman on Batman: The Animated Series, and more, to read. He had no advanced notice because of a cancellation, but just jumped right in. He read all the different characters in the book to the voices of Batman, the Joker, etc. And we've had the same experience with many of the artists in Artist Valley wanting to get involved. This year we were more proactive in asking, 'How do you want to interact?' This year we've come up with a variety of labs and demos for kids and in the 8 Bit Lounge for teens. It can be an uphill battle, though, because some publishers or guests have just never seen it before, and they don't understand what we are doing until they see it. Then they want to be involved.

I commented to MacIntosh that for as long as they've been around, comic conventions have been, for the most part, a purely commercial affair. They have focused on some celebrities doing signatures, and maybe some artists sell some original art, or publishers are able to sell a few books, and everyone has, for the most part, been satisfied by that. It takes a different approach before people might want more from a convention experience, and as MacIntosh mentioned, seeing it first before fully understanding how to implement change. It's also a lack of vision, perhaps, that conventions don't take full advantage of the fact that so many talented people and experts are in the same place at the same time, and don't therefore make the most of those logistics to create a bigger experience for fans that might be more interactive.

MacIntosh said that this approach is working for DCC, as we see in their growth patterns. Vendors and publishers at DCC keep wanting to come back, and they are currently having to use a waiting list. All of the educational focus only seems to help increase revenue for exhibitors by bringing in a diverse fanbase from kids to teens, millennials, and longterm fan adults. For people who are used to attending other conventions like SDCC and NYCC, they will find many of the features that they recognize and are looking for like vendors for vintage comic books, art, and pop culture merchandise as well. "There's something for everybody", MacIntosh summed up.

I mentioned hearing some very positive stories about the cosplay communities at DCC and they way in which new cosplayers have gotten involved through the conventions. Macintosh commented that the convention is geared toward mixing genres and cultural areas in a way that cosplayers, too, might find and develop further interests. Both geek-inspired music and gaming are going to be more fully represented this year, for instance. He hopes that fan groups will become as diverse and inclusive as possible at DCC so that people will feel comfortable pursuing new interests. MacIntosh feels that Denver Comic Con should be a place where fans are "comfortable expressing themselves" in all of these fields.

All photos are courtesy of Denver Comic Con.

Stay tuned for upcoming Denver Comic Con Spotlights on other aspects of the convention.

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