Comic Con Africa is in exactly two weeks and I’ve been patiently counting down the days, but my patience is running thin.
I usually get excited for all conventions that I get to attend, but going to Johannesburg is always special. This year’s event will take place from 24-27 October in the City of Gold, and once again I’ll be part of the media team to cover this event. It’s a huge privilege that I get to do what I love as work. Sometimes I forget that I’m just working.
When it comes to Comic Con Africa, there are usually five things that I look forward to most.
The first thing is the people. I love to be around people who love what I love, and I love to see them dress up as their favourite characters. As a journalist, it’s so much fun to learn about their creative processes and to hear why these characters resonate with them so much.
Secondly, I just love all the activations and activities. A few years ago, I got to enter Stranger Things’ Upside Down with Netflix, and after that I actually took part in the Squid Game. I also got to enjoy the various Disney stories, and I got to play various other games, including some board games I’ve never heard of.
Thirdly, is probably the most important, and that’s the international and local guests. I can listen to actors and filmmakers talk for hours. They are the reason for The Movie Guy, after all. Last year I got to sit down and talk to Misha Collins, who starred in Supernatural. I think that was the highlight of my career, and it’s a moment I’ll cherish forever. I even got him to say !nxa.
Fourthly, I love the different panels. Every Comic Con has a unique programme, and every single time I learn something new. I’ve learned how to become a better writer, I’ve learned more about filmmaking, and I’ve learned more about storytelling. These panels are usually very interactive, and you almost most certainly will find a panel that can help you with your work or maybe introduce you to something new.
Lastly, I just love all of it. From the food to the performances, and the fact that I get to write about it is the cherry on top. I usually try to cover as much of Comic Con as possible for articles and videos. Over the last few years, I’ve been doing random movie quizzes at the conventions, and it’s been absolutely amazing. I don’t just want to be a journalist roaming the convention floor for stories, pictures or videos, I also want to make it for others.
I still can’t believe that I get to do this, because whenever I get to talk to people about movies or TV shows, my day automatically gets better. I’m an introvert, but Comic Con allows me to break out of my shell for a few days. It gives me the opportunity to be myself and to just have fun with everyone around me. I think I’ve made most of my closest friends because of events like Comic Con.
Once again, I’m raising some funds to cover my expenses to go to Comic Con. The funds mostly go towards transport and accommodation. I’m so close to reaching my target, so if you can back me up and help me cover my expenses to bring everyone the best Comic Con coverage possible, then I’ll genuinely appreciate it.
