Robert Pattinson fans gather in Vancouver for Twilight extravaganza
VANCOUVER — The very words "fan convention" come wrapped with a bundle of unflattering expectations conjuring everything from Klingon conversation groups to pimple-faced teens putting on their best Robert Pattinson semi-smile.
It's a fact of life and a reality of doing business in the world of franchise-based entertainment, but for executives at Creation Entertainment — the leading producer of fan conventions in North America — it's also good business.
"Nerds are hot right now," says Erin Ferries, Creation Entertainment's vice-president of licensing.
Speaking over the phone from the company's Los Angeles offices, where planning and production for the forthcoming Twilight and Star Trek conventions in Vancouver are currently underway, Ferries says he's well aware of the stigma surrounding the fan gathering.
He's watched gaggles of teenage girls swoon over Twilight cast members and mobs of porridge-faced boys collapse in the presence of Captain Kirk, but where others revel in the opportunity to deride, he's entirely inspired by the folksy sincerity of the whole scene.
Moreover, as fan sites and social networking become core marketing vehicles for mainstream entertainment, he says the convention idea only grows more relevant, and more meaningful for fans as they get to meet their idols — and their online friends — in the flesh.
"Say what you want about it . . . what we're really creating is a human experience for people. There's a social aspect to it that you can't really get anywhere else," says Ferries.
"We've always understood that. Creation started 40 years ago with comic book conventions, and now we do Star Trek, Twilight and Supernatural conventions around North America, so we're not new to the fan reality," he says.
"What has changed is that studios and (other stakeholders in the entertainment industry) have recognized the importance of a large fan base."
Though he declines to speak about the financial specifics of a convention, saying only that the business is "profitable," Ferries says the rise of blogs, viral marketing and YouTube have raised the profile of the fan from the very bottom of the bottom-feeders, to the mid-range of the celebrity food chain — and making conventions like the Official Twilight Convention, booked to pull into Vancouver's Wall Centre this weekend, more than a curiosity, or a geek fest. It's a place where the concept of branding is embraced in all its dimensions.
From Twilight transfer tattoos, to Twilight makeup and Twilight contact lenses, Ferries says fans enjoy being able to show their support for specific elements within the series, especially when it comes down to vampires vs. werewolves.
"Some kids will get a team Jacob tattoo," he says. "Others get Team Edward. They share community."
For Hilly and Hannah Hindi — aka the Hillywood Show — the Twilight Convention represents a chance to embrace, as well as poke fun at, the world Stephenie Meyer created.
The 20-something sisters are YouTube sensations who posted a parody of Twilight online, and logged in excess of 3.5 million views. Their homemade movies are now part of the whole Twi-hard scene, and now Hannah and Hilly actually emcee a great many of the convention events.
"They hadn't even read the books, but now they are huge fans," says Emily, their mother and manager.
"It's a great group of people. There's this great atmosphere of being there, whether you're a fan, or a Twilight mom . . . you get the sense that you can show your love without being self-conscious about it because you all have something in common."
Ferries says there are two central aspects to the success of any convention. The first is attracting franchise stars so fans can meet celebrities in the flesh. "The talent is a big, big part of what we do . . . and they are contracted to appear, whether for the weekend, or for a day . . . . We pay them to sign autographs," he says, pointing to the appearance of Cameron Bright, Peter Facinelli, Catherine Hardwicke and Jodelle Ferland at the Vancouver Twilight convention this weekend.
"The second part of what we do is facilitate a social gathering. We want everyone to have a good time — from the talent, who we take very good care of, to the fans. Because this is really for them," says Ferries.
"If we didn't please them, we wouldn't have a business."
Ferries says Twilight business has been exceptionally good of late. With 25 conventions booked across the continent, the franchise about vampires and true love is keeping up with the granddaddy of them all: Star Trek and the world of Trekkies.
Ferries says Trekkies pretty much created the current fan reality, and even if there're a hint of nerdlinger to the scene, it's entirely human — and in keeping with the current Zeitgeist.
"Look at shows like Big Bang Theory. Nerds are hot right now," he says. "I think we all have an inner nerd, and (conventions like ours) embrace it."
The Official Twilight Convention takes place May 14-16 at Wall Centre in Vancouver. Tickets are $10 for admission. Vampire Ball tickets are $89. Please visit www.twilightconvention.com for more information.
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