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MEANWHILE... AT THE COMBINE
FREE EXPO S2: PRESS PLAY with Silver Snail
OK, so we get a little nostalgic sometimes.
Just ask that life-size ‘80s Batman by our front desk... or the giant, spinning VHS cassette we installed in the center of our lobby... or the wall of boxy, old-school TV's that welcomed you into The Combine, last week during Fan Expo Canada.
FREE EXPO S2, our timely response to Toronto’s national spec-fic convention, was more than just a chance to bask in the warm glow of the past-- it was about nurturing community in the here-and-now, through shared passions and creativity.
We teamed up with Silver Snail to subvert the good-old-fashioned fan-con with an event of our own, for anyone to come in, and nerd out-- skipping the usual mile-long lines or steep fees that come with a convention bracelet. 'Cause everyone should be able to play.
Set in the Extended Universe of Fan Expo (and located right next door to it) FREE EXPO S2: PRESS PLAY created an interactive space for talented artists and enthusiasts alike to come leave their marks on our wall, and on each other. Instead of celebrity panels and autograph tables, we kept it an open floor, for people to mingle, mix and bond over the dope merch.
Undead Media, Blackbelt Cinema, Andy Friesen, Drew Shannon, and Emmanuelle Chateauneuf were just a few of the incredible talents tabling at FREE EXPO. Throughout the weekend, a live mural evolved as each artist added their unique touch, creating a collective piece that represented the spirit of fandom, co-creation, and self-promotion.
And it just wouldn't be a Combine event without a subtle blend of throwback media and cutting-edge tech. So we used some AI wizardry to instantly transform visitors into super-hero alter egos of themselves, which we streamed onscreen to lure passersby in. Whether you wandered over from Fan Expo in full Cosplay or came as a family with kids too young to know what DVDs are, there was something for everyone.
That's what FREE EXPO was all about: breaking down the barriers between creation and recreation-- between creators and those who love them. And, in these crazy times, who doesn’t love an opportunity to just pause, rewind, and– yeah– press play?