MediaWest*Con/MediaWest*Con 1984
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MediaWest*Con 1984 |
| Dates: | May 25-28, 1984 |
| Frequency: | |
| Location: | Lansing, Michigan |
| Type: | |
| Focus: | multi-fandom |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Some Facts About the 1984 Convention
- The theme that year was: "MediaWest*Con IV: The Search for the Midwest" (a play of words based on Star Trek III: The Search For Spock).
- The First MediaWest*Con Film/Video Competition was held and judged by popular vote.
- Many fans went to see "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."
- The cost was $17, plus three first class stamps (the latter for the S.A.S.E.s).
- In 1986, the LA Weekly reports that "the highest bid ($800) in the [1984] art auction featured a bare-chested Mr. Spock against a black background cradling a tiny, Captain Kirk in his outstretched hand."[1]
- Membership was capped at 500.
- "The MediaWest*Con program book had a very interesting ad which read: "ATTENTION ALL STAR WARS FANS: What do Star TREK fans have that we don't? They have the Star Trek Welcommittee—that's what!" The Star Wars Fandom File of Cincinnati, Ohio, placed the ad. This organization did not last very long, however." -- From Joan Marie Verba, Boldly Writing
- The 2nd Progress Report mentioned 3 sets of fans who either got married or engaged since the previous year
- Another set of fans announced the birth of a new 'fannish feminist' baby girl
- Accessing Betamax VCRs grew more tricky as VHS become the norm. Fans also held private video showings in their rooms. From the 2nd Progress Report: We have no problem accessing VHS machines, but would appreciate the loan of Beta machines. The video schedule will be posted outside the video room, and will contain "free" time for impromptu showings. Listings of private in-room viewings will be posted in the registration room and/or con suite.
- The 2nd Progress Report reminded congoers that the highway between Detroit and Lansing is not a toll road.
- The convention featured three dealers rooms
- The convention was able to acquire a mimeograph machine with the goal of putting out daily newsletters for convention attendees. In the Program Book they announced: The mimeo workshop will be a floater; any time any of the experienced volunteers wants to demonstrate or explain it, we'll post the hours. We'll also be attempting to put out a daily newsletter, so any bits of news to be included should be deposited at registration by the midnight before. We think there will be newsletters available Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings, and they can be picked up at registration.
- The hotel mistakenly booked another group at the hotel, prompting this notice to be printed in the Program book: INN-SECURITY: The Hilton has just abjectly informed Lori that under their former sales management, a small group of rooms were mistakenly booked over ours, and that members of the "Melville Classic" will be at the Hilton with us. The Hilton now has a new director of sales, and we have outlasted at least three of their former staff. Whatever the "Melville Classic" is, its members will definitely be in the minority at the hotel. The Hilton has assured us that This Will Not Happen Again. As Lori pointed out to them, there is always the Sheraton
- A Remington Steele Soiree was held on Friday
- Nancy Stasulis was the FanFund winner
Fan Q Awards
For specifics, see 1984 Fan Q Awards.
Skit
The con plays:
- the Datazine editors presented Star Trek in the style of "Mister Rogers", written by KathE and Steve Walker, and Joyce Thompson.
- Nikki Cadwell wrote and coordinated "Trek Wars: A New Enterprise, or... No Hope."
- Joan Verba appeared in the play, "In Search of Spock" written by Carol Christensen (Reeg). It as listed in the program guides as "a play with credits to be announced beforehand. written by the Minnesota fans"
- "Gumby Runner," a play written by gumnbydavenport
- "Dark Side Story"a play written by Paula Block, Jackie Paciello, Karen River, , Judi Hendricks, Bev Grant, Amanda Ruffin
a page from the con skit, "Trek Wars: A New Enterprise or... No Hope."
first page of "In Search of Spock
Masquerade Winners
We are looking for any info or photos of the Masquerade contest and winners.
Art Show Awards
Art show winners were selected by popular vote.
We are looking for any info about the Art Show contest.
Vid Show
1984 saw the debut of the first Mediawest fan video contest.
Progress Report 1:
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, FANDOM! This announces the first MediaWestCon Film/Video Competition. Fannish works in 16m, 8mm, Super 8, VHS, and Beta formats will be shown and judged by popular vote. Award categories are not finalized, but will probably include Best Film, Best Video, Most Humorous, and Best Over All. Any musical videos out there? More info to come in Progress Report 2.
Progress Report 2:
Please let us know what entries you're planning for the Film/ Video Competition so we can be sure to have the appropriate equipment available.
Program Guide:
The First MediaWest*Con Film/Video Competition entries will be shown at various times and locations throughout the convention, and will be judged by popular vote. Though you can vote only once, if you are interested, check at registration and any other places programming events are posted, and see each entry at least once before you vote.
We are looking for any info on the vid show winners.
Programming
Some panels: "Fen vs. Mundanes," "Requirements for Hero in Fandom," "Accuracy in Fiction and Art," "In Defense of the Star Trek Welcommittee (Is it Obsolete?)", "British Media Fandom," "BEM-FIC: Writing Alien Characters," and "Japanimation"
Schedule, click on images to read larger versions
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Fanzine Reading Room
The Fanzine Reading Room was a Mediawest feature from the beginning. By 1984, the room was well established
'Zine READING ROOMJan [G] will still happily accept loans for the Fanzine Reading Room, and encourages editors to bring at least one copy of each issue of their 'zines in stock. She is also looking for volunteers to help staff the room in rotating shifts while it is open.
If potential donors hesitate to bring the originals, photocopies are fine, and if you wish to donate the photocopies, the proceeds will go towards the Fan Fund. Although hours still aren't set, Jan hopes to be open 9 to 5.
The following lists the general Fanzine Reading Room rules:
1. Those who are lending zines are requested to check them in upon their arrival. Zines will be checked out of the reading room at the end of the con only by their owners.
2. Zines will be kept in protective bags with owner's name and special instructions noted.
3. Zines will be kept in the Reading Room, under supervision, during open hours. Otherwise, they will be locked up.
4. Lenders will be given a card identifying what 'zine(s) they've loaned at check-in, and will surrender this card at check-out.
5. Zine owners should note that while we are taking very careful precautions to ensure the safety of your zines, MediaWest*Con and the Fanzine Reading Room staffers do not assume liability for lost, damaged, or stolen zines.
6. Credit should go to Roberta Rogow, who offered advce, and whose zine reading rooms at other cons inspired this one.
Borrowers should note that:
l. A file card will be kept on each zine, recording who checked it out to read, and when. These cards will also record which 'zines are already checked out, and which are still available. Look through the file box to make your selections.
2. Each person can check out one zine at a time. When you are finished, return it to the desk. Do not hand it to someone who might be waiting for it; they'll have to check it out separately.
3. Reading room zines will not be allowed out of the zine room during open hours.
4. Large purses, bags, and newly-bought zines from the dealers' room will not allowed in the reading room.
5. No munchies in the reading room, and it should go without saying, NO SMOKING.
6. All reading room users are urged to use great care with these zines, which their owners have so kindly lent.
7. Reading room hours will be posted, but are tentatively set at 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with Friday and Monday hours still to be set.
Convention Reports
From two fans named Peggy and Diane:
Peggy and I arrived at the Lansing Hilton parking lot at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 25th. We then sat in the car trying to decide whether or not to turn around and go home. Neither of us was sure we would "fit in" since this was our first fandom convention.Deciding I didn't want to drive another four hours back to Indiana, I
There were some other unexpected guests at the hotel this year (supposedly this will not happen again) who were causing some trouble in the hallways. After hearing some unpleasant remarks made to one of the con guests outside our door, we called Security and they immediately took care of the problem. What was neat was that a wonderful Luke Skywalker showed up at our door, so we really felt safe, though we wouldn't have minded Han or Dr. Jones being there, too—just in case. (You know, I wonder which would be faster—a lightsaber, a blaster or a trusty bullwhip?) We had a great time and we left for home the next day trying to figure out how we could manage to see IJATTOD again. We did manage on the way home. I mean, why get home early and have to fix dinner, right? The coordinators of this con did an excellent job of making everything run smoothly. If there were problems, we were not aware of them. Our only problem about returning next year is that Peggy is reluctant to attend with a much-awaited and longed-for six-month old nursing and, probably teething, baby on her hip. But, we'll see. A lot can happen between here and Lansing... [2]pushedconvinced Peggy to get out of the car by promising her that she could spend the entire weekend watching Indiana Jones, if she wasn't having fun. The Hilton was lovely. There was a spacious combination lobby and bar which opened onto an indoor pool. Our room was equally large and comfortable—two beds, color TV, HBO—the works! For food, we particularly appreciated the Denny's directly across the highway—great food and low prices. Ugh! I'm beginning to sound like an ad campaign. After checking into the convention, name tags and all, we set out for the dealers' rooms to pick up zines and whatever else looked interesting. There were three dealers' rooms crammed with tables and dealers and no room to move. But what a wonderful way of meeting and making friends—lots of body contact. I suspect that this was planned to insure mingling. With a stack of zines in hand we left the dealers' rooms in search of our pen pal from Pennsylvania. We had arranged to meet Friday evening for dinner and conversation. On the way to the front desk we saw our first fan in costume. She was a young, curvacious blond dressed in a skimpy Barbarian costume. Peggy commented, "Now I know we don't 'fit in'!" What she really meant was we wouldn't FIT into that costume. Bold people that we are, Peggy and I waylaid the resident Barbarian and asked her to pose for some pictures. She kindly agreed and humored us neofans with an explanation of her costume. Peggy and I mutually agreed not to show these pictures to our husbands for fear we would never be able to come to another convention without them in tow. And, however much I hate to admit it, half the attraction of this con was a chance to get away from home for a few days. Meeting our friends from Pennsylvania for dinner was the first step in making us feel at home. They had been to this convention the year before and gave us inside information on what not to miss. Not only that, since they live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, we got to see some of the inside happenings and personal photos of Harrison Ford who was filming Witness there in May and June. Later that evening we met with some East Coast friends in the lounge to have a drink and a SW discussion. What a great group of gals! This was a highlight for us, since normally we only have each other and, occasionally, our husbands (when we corner them) to discuss the in's and out's, the flaws and inconsistencies of the SW plot line. It was great fun and we enjoyed their theories of what really happened in the three SW movies and what will happen in the next three. They didn't convert us to their way of thinking, but what they said did make sense, corrected all the apparent plot flaws and inconsistencies, and we hope they are right. They dazzled us with their interpretations of the SW Saga and made us feel very welcome throughout the weekend. The daytime activities consisted of various panel discussions on a wide variety of topics. Peggy and I chose, according to our own interests, but there was something to interest everyone. The most outstanding panel we attended was about the characterization of women in science fiction media through the years. Several of us gathered afterward to continue the discussion until we had to leave because of another scheduled panel. There were lots of laughs, too, most of which were provided by the class of 73 of Dagobah U. One skit was a wonderful combination of SW and ST in with A New Hope was reenacted with Captain James T. Kirk at the helm trying to save poor Luke. Even Indiana Jones appeared running along the Death Star corridors. The second skit was a reenactment of ROTJ in which Vader, Luke and Leia at one point all wore huge red "Family" ties. Their skits were hilariously funny and, believe me, nothing was sacred in their Tacky-Tacky Productions. Saturday evening was the big banquet and Fan-Q Awards presentations. The food, however, was terrible for the price (our only bad comment), but where else can you dine with a great Luke Skywalker and Indiana Jones at your table, not to mention some other wonderful characters from Star Trek and the Road Warrior? The entertainment was two skits. One was a musical version of ROTJ, which left all our facial muscles hurting from constant smiles and laughter. The other was based on Time Travel and hit upon several popular science fiction stories and characters. It was equally enjoyable. After a short intermission, the costume judging began. We had seen many costumes throughout the day, but the best were saved for the contest. Points could be made by the contestants in the ways their presented their costumes, so we were treated to some short, but very entertaining skits. Lumpy was in the audience to encourage the contestants—and he was a show unto himself! Peggy and I thought it especially nice that the prizes for the best SW costumes were furnished, unsolicited, by Lucasfilm. And, although I really can't go into all the winners (my memories are already foggy), I'll mention a couple of our memorable favorites. (Had I known Peggy and I would be asked to write this, I would have made notes.) One of the winners for the best SW costume was Jeanine Hennig who dressed exactly like Oola from ROTJ and her presentation was the slave girl dance routine to the appropriate music. I'm happy to report, however, that Jeanine did not lose her top during the entire presentation! There were two beautiful SW group presentations, one of which was the reenactment of the medal presentation from ANH. That received a standing ovation as the whole room became the applauding rebel soldiers from that scene. It captured much of the initial excitement of seeing SW for the first time. I recall a fabulous Pegasus who won, a superb Nicodemus from The Secret of Nimh, the most beautiful Leia from a popular fanzine illustration and three humorous fellows dressed in nothing but baker's aprons and ties from SCTU. I could go on and on. All were breathtaking and we will be enjoying the pictures we took for years to come. We all met in the lobby after the costume contest to catch buses to see the midnight showing of—what else? Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Needless to say, it was especially fun with a sell-out crowd of fans, but it definitely made for a long and tiring evening. Since this was our only chance to see IJATTOD on a 70mm screen with Dolby stereo, Peggy and I felt compelled to see it again on Sunday afternoon, after things had quieted down a bit at the con. When we returned from seeing IJATTOD, the Art Auction was in full swing. The art had been on display throughout the con and all of it was excellent. The excitement at the auction was contageous and I had to hold Peggy in her chair and gag her everytime an Indiana Jones picture came up for bid. We finally left for the sake of our pocketbooks and Peggy's self-respect. To give you an idea of how expensive this type of collecting can be, one oil painting sold for $700.00! And we could see that the whole Art Auction process had a very "jump-on-the-bandwagon-and-buy" feeling in the air. Everyone urging each other on to buy his or her favorite artist or character. The rest of the evening we spent relaxing, reading some of the zines we had bought and rehashing the weekend.