Lance Around Orlando

Finally, here’s a selection of photos, mostly of costumes, from MegaCon 2013. Enjoy!

Sir Patrick Stewart Addresses Over 4000+ Faithful at MegaCon 2013

[Editor’s Note:  Special thanks and shout out to SunnyStefani and Mrs. LanceAround for their assistance with this post.]

“I’m so glad we decided to move him to this venue,” the manager in charge of allocating rooms for MegaCon whispers to me as he glances over the crowd. There are now over 4000 people piling into the room.

By “him” the manager was referring to Sir Patrick Stewart, the Star Trek Captain Jean Luc Picard himself as well as the legendary Professor Xavier from the X-Men movies. He was about to enter the auditorium to address the 4000+ fans; many of whom had worn Star Trek costumes for the occasion. The originally scheduled venue would have only held about one third of this crowd, the MegaCon manager muses.

Sir Patrick

Patrick walks through a rear door casually dressed in blue jeans and a long sleeve shirt with a leather jacket and wearing an old, faded blue baseball cap. The MC announces his appearance on stage with much bravado, reminiscent of a scene from the movie, Galaxy Quest. After removing his hat and jacket, Sir Patrick speaks for a few minutes about some of his current and imminent theatre and movie gigs before the MC interrupts his monologue and begins to introduce the long line of audience members who have waited several hours for the opportunity to ask questions.

After initially grousing that he still had more of his “bit”, Patrick gamely began to address the questioners, but only after warning them that they have to ask “original questions.” When the first questioner begins to ask a very common Star Trek question, Patrick is quick to re-direct her and succeeds in getting her to ask something unique.

Star Trek Fan Begs For the Truth About Dr. Crusher

The next questioner, dressed in a red Star Trek uniform, goes to great lengths to ask Patrick why his character, Jean Luc Picard, dismissed the obviously romantic advances of Gates Mcfadden’s character, Dr. Beverly Crusher in the scene where they last met. After several minutes where the Star Trek fan emphatically recreates the circumstances of the entire scene, Patrick draws a laugh from the audience by reminding her that he is only an actor, not the writer, and that there were 178 episodes of the TV series which were made 20 years ago, not to mention all the movies, and he can’t even remember what he did yesterday!

Unfortunately Only About a Dozen of Those in Line Were Able to Ask a Question

From there the remaining half hour or so of questions are an entertaining mix of Patrick’s personal and professional life; from a question about what he said to his son before his wedding to an endorsement for his upcoming theatre shows and movies. One audience member asks if Patrick will do “something special” for her and, after a long, pregnant and tension filled pause Patrick adroitly responds (to the delight of the audience) that he just did something special for her–simply by answering her question!

Then, with little fanfare, he thanks the 4000+ fans who had come to hear him speak, gives a wave of his hand and leaves the auditorium to a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.

The Fans Loved Patrick

Star Trek Uniforms Were Ubiquitous

These Fans Paid a Lot of Extra Money to Sit in the VIP Section at the Front of the Auditorium

NumberOneEmber and Boyfriend Adolfo in Full Costume

[Editor’s Note:  LanceAroundOrlando correspondent, the newly-turned-18-year-old and most beloved daughter NumberOneEmber, took a troop of friends to this year’s MegaCon at the Orange County Convention Center. Here are their reflections about one of the country’s most popular comic book, sci-fi, anime, fantasy and gaming conventions–expressing themselves in a way that only teenagers can.]

NumberOneEmber:

Chillin at MegaCon

MegaCon is the one time of year when I can get together with my friends and go to a place where there is something for everyone. From anime to superheroes, videogames and literature, it is that one place where you belong. You feel accepted and loved. It is a completely positive environment. Free hug signs are everywhere from people with huge smiles on their faces. Elaborate costumes, that you know had weeks of efforts put into them, are donned by all sorts.

You Got Me!

My boyfriend, Adolfo, and I decided to dress as corresponding enemies from the hit title, Assassin’s Creed 3. Needless to say, we were a major hit. Multiple pictures were taken of us; we even had a Tumblr post about us from someone who took our picture – our friend stumbled upon that Megacon Tumblr. It was so exciting for me because, after three years of going to MegaCon, I have never worn a costume that was this popular.

Honestly, the best part about having our picture taken so much for me was seeing their reactions to Adolfo’s homemade hidden blade at his wrist. The metal blade extends when he moves his arm, making a sound similar to a sword coming out of its sheath. There are expressions of “That’s awesome!”, “Did you make that?”, and “Where did you buy it?” He explains that he made it from a dresser drawer hinge. It is always a crowd pleaser and wonderful to watch.

Colorful Costumes

Adolfo had been working on his costume since last October. I had started mine about three weeks ago. It is obvious the amount of work that he put into his. I think that is what people at MegaCon truly appreciate; they like to see effort and a love for the subject matter you are depicting. It is this feeling of love and obsession that runs the whole show. We all have things we are passionate about. At MegaCon, passion is held above all else. That is what creates the positive energy which makes this event so worth attending, so worth making costumes for and so worth the money I  spent on it. I love MegaCon and fully intend to go next year as well.

BestFriendTori:

Lots of Costume Work

Seeing all the interesting people dressed in every costume you can think of is wonderful. It is a great place to go to in order to feel like you fit in when you do not fit in anywhere else in your life. You feel accepted and there’s the feeling of connections. It is the one place where being a nerd is a good thing; it is like the biggest nerd is the best. And of course the stores; where you can find comics and manga, and amazing artwork for great prices  you can’t find anywhere else.

Movie Star Tori

We didn’t really go to many panels, but there are great panels out there.

Downsides. If you don’t like crowds, it is not a good place to go. Also, if you do not like people taking pictures of you. But if you do like to feel really, really special it is a great place to go because you are like, I feel like a movie star. Those are my thoughts.

BoyfriendAdolfo:

Adolfo Gets Into It

I liked everything, especially seeing so many people in costumes; it is interesting and fun. Everyone always seems to be so happy and involved. I really liked seeing and hearing people’s reactions to our costumes. A lot of people comment on my costume. They would say “you are some [freakin] nice cosplayers” and everything. It meant a lot because I worked really hard on it. Even though I didn’t feel like I had finished my costume, I liked the positive reactions that it got.

Dr. Horrible Show

We did not go to many panels, but I really liked Crazy Random Happenstance’s shadowcast of Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog. I liked how people in the audience would yell out random and funny comments at the screen and sing along to the songs. It really added to the experience. I am not really into MegaCon for its panels or shopping, but for the atmosphere. There’s a lot of positive energy. In general, I just like it.