I've been going to nerd conventions for over a decade,
and even when I was just starting to go to conventions as a teenager,
I always found the atmosphere exciting, and freeing, and welcoming.
Regardless of whether it was a small convention, or one as huge as Dragon Con.
And I've always recommended that anyone with niche hobbies or interests go to a
convention at least once.
Then, starting in 2016, I decided to not just attend conventions,
but to at least try to be a part of them.
I was about a year into my Youtube channel
and had about a tenth of the subscribers I have now.
Not a big enough audience for anyone to be reaching out to me to guest,
or even just panel for them.
So it was on me to figure out how to start the process.
I also didn't start out with any connections at conventions,
especially outside of Dragon Con, where I think I knew one person
who was helpful and very supportive, but wasn't really involved with the kind
of tracks I'd be paneling on, like film or horror.
I've made a lot of friends and met very kind and encouraging people on the con
circuit along the way, but starting out I had very little help and no roadmap or
real plan for what I was doing.
I wanted to go back to my FILM NERD roots and make an instructional video essay
explaining what I did, and what I learned, for a while.
And I figured now in-between the first and second independent artists videos would
be a good time, while I'm on the high of talking about getting out there and
supporting art, and getting involved with other artists.
As far as my credentials for making this video, here is a list of conventions
I have paneled at and upcoming conventions I am slated to panel at this year.
As a note, at the Cattanooga Film Festival
I didn't so much panel as participate in a D&D live show which was really really fun.
And on top of this list I've also screened films at or helped judge a bunch of
different film festivals, and participated in some festival Q&As, which is pretty
different from paneling at conventions, but there is some overlap.
Especially considering that a lot of cons have their own festivals, and you can
do both!
One of the first tools I found that helped out a lot was the website
called the Southern Fandom Resource Guide.
It's a very long list of conventions all around the Southeast,
from toy shows to big mult-genre cons,
to very very small weird niche conventions. If you go looking,
you can probably find a similar list or calendar for your region.
I just started skimming the list for conventions that seemed like they'd be a
good fit, opened like twenty tabs in my browser, looked over the websites
individually to weed out conventions that I wasn't interested in, and filled out a
guest application if there was one, or sent a cold email if there wasn't.
I get a lot more responses now that I have a track record of paneling at different
conventions and a bigger fan base, but starting out the vast majority of my
emails were ignored.
So don't be discouraged if you don't hear back or get accepted by everyone.
When thinking about what types of panels you'd do well on, and even what cons to
reach out to in the first place, you should focus on a few key areas that you
can speak on with confidence.
Like, I have years of firsthand experience with running a Youtube channel, with
Patreon, and with no-budget film making, and I've spent a lot of time researching
parasocial relationships and studying film theory and film history, and I've
been interested in horror as a genre for like, twenty years, as long as I can
remember.
So I'd have no problem talking about any of these things for an hour.
There are other areas where I'm less knowledgeable, but could spend some time
prepping and feel comfortable speaking on a topic, and then some topics that I just
avoid.
Like I don't know anything about current sci-fi literature or young adult
novels or the current state of American comics.
There are lots of panels about these subjects at conventions, but if I
convince someone to put me on a panel about them, I'd both be taking a spot
that should go to someone genuinely knowledgeable and passionate about that
subject, and I'd probably end up looking like an idiot.
Don't sell yourself short, though!
I have a lot of hobbies and passive interests I've had since I was a little
kid, and while I never consciously accumulated them, I'm just a pretty
curious person who had a lot of free time when I was younger.
They've been valuable both in having subjects for my video essays and for
paneling.
If you feel like you don't have a lot to talk about, or wouldn't know what to talk
about, but you've also been passionate and excited about whatever type of nerd
subject since you were a kid, you'd probably do great.
A lot of conventions have what are called 'programming tracks', and you should keep
what tracks a con has in mind when applying.
As an example, Dragon Con is a huge convention with 30 or 40 very specific
tracks.
Paranormal, animation, Star Trek, video games, horror, puppetry, military,
sci-fi.
Whatever, a smaller convention would probably have less tracks that are
broader, like these are Monsterama's.
And the actual application process can vary tremendously.
With most of the cons I've paneled at, I'm brought on as a guest or a panelist
or 'attending professional' in Dragon Con terms,
and while I usually have the option to pitch panels if I want,
especially at smaller cons that I've been paneling at for a couple of years,
I'm mostly assigned them or given a list to choose from.
Contrary to that, a lot of convention websites have open access panel submission
forms, where anyone can apply and pitch their panel without any formal guest
status.
Formats vary as well. Most of the panels I've done are just me and a few other
people speaking, while other conventions seem to have more Powerpoint style
presentations that require a laptop hook-up, or one person giving almost
TED style talks. It's all very different, so try to make sure you know what you're
getting into when you apply.
When I was in elementary school and middle school, I used to be so nervous about
speaking in front of the class that I would physically shake a little bit.
I've always been a very shy person and too much attention focused on me makes me
uncomfortable.
But, as I got older, I remember reports getting easier when I was confident at
least in what I had studied. When I knew that, even if I was nervous, I wouldn't
necessarily mess up or get anything wrong.
That preparation helped ease my anxiety.
Then, in college, I remember one of the first times I ever made the class laugh
while giving a science presentation, and how that made it clear to me that they
were enjoying the presentation I was giving, and that also made me less
nervous.
I mentioned in my Eighth Grade review that I reconnected and got dinner with a middle
school teacher I had had, and that they were surprised I worked so publicly now,
because of how shy and quiet I was in their class.
I know that everyone is different, but my advice if you're interested in paneling or
other public speaking, but hesitant and nervous,
is that one way to work through it is to, do it.
Like exposure therapy.
A small room, at a small con, is usually a very friendly and supportive
environment, and you can work your way up from there.
And if you need it, take the time to prep and bring notes with you.
Sometimes for a panel, I won't prep at all, sometimes I'll write some key terms
in a little notebook, and sometimes I'll print out a whole wikipedia page or
interviews with related people and take notes all over them and bring them with
me, it depends on how serious or in-depth the panel is, and what it calls for.
Panels at conventions that have multiple people on them, or that include an
audience Q&A, also usually have a moderator.
Sometimes the moderator is expected to organize the conversation
but keep out of it, often the case with moderating well known or expert guests,
and sometimes they're more a part of the group,
but still responsible for keeping track of time and keeping the conversation
on track.
Moderating can be challenging, because you're not only expected to be
knowledgeable and entertaining, but you also have to make sure you're on schedule,
make sure everyone gets a turn to speak, deal with overzealous audience members,
and on panels about sensitive topics, or on panels that suddenly veer off into
sensitive topics, keep everything civil.
I've never run a convention, so I don't know how many panelists are willing
to moderate vs. how many hate doing it.
I know a lot of convention guest surveys have a section that asks
if a guest is willing to moderate.
Uh, for me I always say yes.
I get very annoyed if a moderator takes over a panel, or lets one guest talk
over another, or lets the panel go over time, and I always try very hard to take
it as a responsibility and make sure even the shy and nervous guests get a chance
to respond.
They're on the panel for a reason, let them talk, stop talking over them!
And then I make time for audience questions if they're a part of the panel,
and clear out at the appropriate time.
I never did or wanted to do stand-up, but I used to go to a lot of small shows
around Atlanta, and at those kinds of shows, comics are given a specific length
of time to perform their set before they're shown a light.
Sometimes just the host showing them a light on their phone,
which means they have a minute or whatever left,
then they're shown the light again when it's time to end and get off stage.
It sucked, it always sucked, when a comic at an open mic doing awful, unfunny jokes
would run the light and keep going.
I've never straight-up interrupted and tried to give the con equivalent
of the light to a moderator that's going over because I'm not a monster,
but I've definitely wanted to, because everyone at a convention
(audience member or panelist), should be respected,
and that includes respecting their time.
As an additional note for people who are nervous about public speaking, I've never
had a difficult crowd in the traditional sense at a convention.
Especially if you spend a lot of time on the internet,
you might think the audience at a nerd convention would be mean,
and that they might try to snipe you and poke holes in what you're saying,
or try to argue or be cold or stern, but in my experience it's the opposite.
They want to be a part of something, they're interested in what you
have to say, and they want to learn from you.
Some people will devil's advocate you in a way that is well-meaning but annoying,
especially if you're talking about your own experiences, but in the genuine spirit
of friendly discussion vs. the mean, pedant debate nerd harassment you get
online from people who just want to dominate you in order to win an argument.
And when panelists get kind of nervous or emotional and need a moment, con
audiences, especially in small rooms are usually very sweet and understanding and
supportive about it.
The problem is that audiences can get too engaged, and maybe
feel a little too involved with the conversation, and then you, especially
if you're moderating, have to figure out how to stop their:
"I have more of a statement then a question", or their five questions in a
row or their interrupting over and over and over, and taking up more time then the
panelists who people actually came to see, without hurting the feelings of someone
who is really genuinely excited, and does not realize that they're interrupting.
It's up to you, and to the tone of the panel, and the convention, to draw that
line.
Some panels are more informal, and conversational and participatory, and some
are more serious and need to stay on track.
As far as paneling itself, I try to actively gauge an audience's level
of expertise with the subject so that I don't condescend or over-explain things
while also avoiding going over their heads.
Unless the panel is on a heavy topic, I try to keep the atmosphere light, and keep
topics moving, and keep the panel entertaining and engaging, as well as
informative.
And the less formal or serious a panel is, the earlier I open it up to the audience
to move it in a direction they'd find beneficial, or for us to just straight-up
start answering their questions.
I am a firm believer in monetary compensation for labor, if you're putting
in work, your time and your work should be compensated.
If you're paneling at a convention, ideally you would at least wouldn't have
to pay for travel or a hotel room, or food.
But I also understand that conventions, especially small conventions
or nonprofit conventions don't have big budgets.
Realistically, like, hundreds or even thousands of dollars for every guest,
when they're charging attendees reasonably.
For me, one convention, one time, paid for my hotel and travel.
All the other ones I've paid for out of pocket.
And so far not selling any merchandise at conventions, or being paid for autographs
or whatever, I've spent a lot of money.
What I will say is that you're paneling at a convention, especially if you're
paneling a lot, and they make you pay for your badge, you are getting ripped off.
Generally, you can expect free admission to the convention and some free or reduced
cost badges for a friend or two.
Please don't pay at conventions that you can put on programming for them.
Dealer's rooms and artist alley tables are different, of course, since you're buying
a table to use to sell merchandise and turn a profit.
Most conventions also offer volunteer spots, where you can get a free pass
after so many hours of volunteering as staff, but I don't have any experience
with that.
I do try to keep costs relatively low while paneling.
For a lot of people, conventions are all-out vacations where they buy
expensive merchandise and spend a lot at the hotel bar,
or spend a lot on costuming, but the majority of these trips
for me are closer to a business trip.
They're still fun, but if you go to a lot of cons,
even small ones, costs add up and budgeting is important.
As far as how to carry yourself and how to interact with other people at a convention
like I said, be respectful and take whatever responsibilities you have
seriously.
Be prepared, and be on time, and only panel on subjects you're actually
able to talk about.
And, drinking is normalized at a lot of conventions, and if I'm doing panels at
10 or 11 at night, I might have a couple beers or cocktails, but I don't want to
ever get hammered in front of an audience.
That's all another area that varies a lot between conventions.
Some are very family friendly, some are more of party cons,
and some change a lot after 9 or 10 PM.
But, you should always act according to your own comfort level.
And don't self-aggrandize or drop a bunch of names or act like you're the most
important person on a panel, or spend the entire time aggressively self-promoting.
Like if you mention what you're working on at the beginning and the end, that's fine,
but some panelists just like won't stop talking about their own work even when
it's not relevant. Just make it a conversation and be nice to people.
If someone is being a jerk, or is being offensive, or a bigot, or being creepy
and making you uncomfortable, regardless of who they are, you should not have to
put up with it.
Any decent convention will have a solid anti-harassment policy, and
you can report weirdos to staff and reach out to track directors or con chairs or
whoever if another panelist makes you uncomfortable.
But, also, outside of creeps and bigots, be empathetic and understand that a lot of
people who come to conventions are shy and awkward, and might not be great at
interpreting social cues, or used to a ton of social interaction, so try to put out a
general vibe of friendliness and approach-ability, and if you feel
comfortable, offer a business card with your email on them so that people can
reach out after if they have any questions that weren't addressed during the panel.
Maybe they were too shy to ask.
My outlook both personally and professionally is to try to be kind and
friendly and empathetic, but to also have a backbone.
My identity and beliefs and politics don't disappear when it's convenient
for my panelist or Youtube career or whatever.
And while using a nerd convention panel as a soapbox for totally unrelated
political grievances is more self-aggrandizing and annoying then
anything else, any platform should be used honestly and responsibly, and if I
disagree with another panelist or an audience member, especially politically,
or if we're discussing media or events that I take issue with, I am vocal about
it, and if that's upsetting to someone who books a convention, then I don't have
to be a part of that convention.
And as far as networking, my approach there is to, again, be friendly, but to
only really try to connect with people who I would want to be friends with anyway.
Like I met my friend Michelle when she was on a panel I moderated at Con Carolinas
last year, and we talked a little after that, and then we kept seeing each other
at other conventions and film festivals, and she really liked our short film, and
we were blown away by her feature 'Livescream', and then my fan Graham and
I auditioned for and were both cast in a short film of hers, and working with her
was great.
That is a genuine friendship, and now working relationship built on mutual
respect. It would be just kind of awkward if we didn't really see eye-to-eye, or
didn't really get along great, but I tried really hard to be her friend just to use
her as a connection.
Or, at some conventions, I'll interview an actor or
director for an audience, or moderate their Q&A.
Unless we genuinely get along super super well,
and keep chatting after the panel, it would be inappropriate and invasive
to try and use that as an opportunity to befriend a famous person
just because they're famous, when they probably want to be left alone, and just,
they, they probably want to go back to their table to sign autographs or go back
to their hotel room for a nap, rather then hear me talk about a-video essays, or
whatever, I'm not-I'm not being self-deprecating, I'm saying it's
inappropriate to try to force a connection when there isn't one.
Especially if you're transparently trying to use someone to advance your own career.
Because people can tell, and they'll notice.
And whether you're dealing with a way bigger guest then you, or dealing with an
awkward audience member, just be respectful and remember boundaries.
And, as a panelist, if you have time, go to other panels, both on topics you're
already interested in, and areas that are new to you.
I don't believe in ghosts, but I still find paranormal panels
with local ghost hunters or people telling stories about local legends and cryptids
fascinating.
Like, unironically I'm not making fun of them I-it's really engaging
and interesting to listen to people talk about local urban legends or-or
ghost hunting, even if it's not something that I'm into personally.
And I really enjoy going to panels on fiction writing and on accessibility.
I always learn something new.
And go to the artist alley and the dealer's room, check out local art.
I never spend a lot of money at conventions, but I usually find at least
something hand-made and charming, or cheap art prints that I like or-or something
like that.
Every convention is different and has something novel to it.
Even if you're there on, like I said, more of a business trip,
there's usually something new to learn or experience, and you can get more
out of it then just self-promoting or talking in front of crowds.
Most conventions have a full schedule posted online, or even an app where you
can build out your own schedule on a calendar, and if I have enough breaks,
I like to pre-plan a handful of panels I'd be interested in checking out.
Sometimes I don't have enough breaks, but that's ok too.
As for why you should panel at a convention, aside from free admission and
for meeting people and self-promoting, what I get out of it has a lot of overlap
with what I get out of my Youtube channel.
With what I panel on, usually film and film-making, I'm either talking with other
enthusiasts about something I'm really excited about and sharing that enthusiasm.
Whenever I'm on panels about cult films or B-movies, I love bringing up Roar, and how
the audience reacts to learning about a movie marketed as a family film where real
life Tippi Hedren and her family were attacked by untrained lions.
Or when I'm helping an audience learn something new that can help them in
concrete ways, like explaining the basics of film-making or Youtube or podcasting,
or dealing with social media harassment, or other aspects of making art and putting
it online to people who want to make their own films and videos who are very
intimidated, and to help ease their fears and encourage them.
I find that really fun and really rewarding.
Most of the photos and videos of me in this essay were taken by my friends
Devin, Shelby, Kevin, and Graham.
The videos at Monsterama were taken from a Youtube channel that I'll link
in the description.
Photos and videos of Kim Plume's gonzo panels, and the Venture Brothers panels
at Dragon Con were all taken by me over the years.
I have nothing to do with those panels except being a big fan of them.
Special thanks to Arin Fever and Bill Mulligan, who have both always been
really helpful and really encouraging.
And thanks to people on twitter who help me by asking questions about paneling
while I was working on the script for my essay.
I have a video with my full con schedule for this year up that I will link in the
description, though here's an image with the schedule too.
You can pause the video, and look at it.
These are the rest of the cons I'm doing this year.
And, if you enjoyed this video, and would like to support more videos like it, or
support me traveling to conventions, I have a Ko-Fi and a Patreon, both linked
in the description.
The film of Michelle's that Graham and I acted in is called
"Seven Deadly Sins", and I'll link her twitter with more information
in the description as well.
And, thank you for watching.
-that's great. Well, thank you everybody for coming!
Thank you! Woo, thank you!