My Thursday, the first official day of San Diego Comic-Con 2019, started off with some fun activations, then a bunch of press rooms in the afternoon, and finished off with an activation/party!
My day started off early with a press preview of the FOX activation. On my way there, I passed a sight that would look strange anywhere but at Comic-Con—Spider-Man walking next to a T-Rex on a scooter.
FOX Fan Fair Press Preview
Due to the recent Disney purchase of FOX, the FX and FOX activations were separated this year. This year the FOX area was arranged like a family friendly carnival. We first took a ride on the Ferris Wheel. It was nice to get this bird’s eye view of downtown. For those who will have to wait in line, they had various Instagram filters set up and special photo ops to utilize them.
Afterwards, we walked around the midway where they had all kinds of fun carnival and lawn games—a water gun race, a basketball shoot-out, and life-size versions of Jenga, Connect Four, Cornhole, and Beer Pong, all themed for the various shows in the Animation Domination lineup—The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and Bless The Harts.
They told us they will be handing out branded swag to folks who play the games, and will also have an ice cream truck to help patrons beat the heat.
South Park Mini Golf
Next up, four of us had scheduled a tee time for the South Park mini golf course. They had 9 holes of mini golf based on iconic episodes of the series. Some of the holes were darn near impossible, and others incredibly graphic (a pair of legs spread wide open that you had to hit through), but that didn’t stop folks from bringing along their young children, who appeared to be just as big of fans of the show as their parents. It was a fun time.
Van Helsing Press Room
Next I headed to the Hilton Bayfront for my first press room of the con. Syfy’s Van Helsing returns for its fourth season this September. In the press room, we got to speak with showrunner Jonathan Lloyd Walker, and stars Christopher Heyerdahl (“Sam”), Jennifer Cheon Garcia (“Ivory”), Tricia Helfer (“Dracula”), Keeya King (“Violet”) & Nicole Muñoz (“Jax”) about the upcoming season.
Check out our interview videos here.
The Order Press Room
Next I headed next door to talk to the cast of Netflix’s The Order, which is currently filming its second season. In the press room, we got to speak with creator/showrunner Dennis Heaton, writer/executive producer Shelley Eriksen, executive producers Mike Frislev & Chad Oakes, and stars Louriza Tronco (“Gabrielle Dupres”), Sarah Grey (“Alyssa Drake”), Thomas Elms (“Hamish Duke”) & Adam DiMarco (“Randall Carpio”).
I will update this post later when the videos from the press room are posted, closer to the show’s premiere.
Superstore Press Room
Next up was one of the rooms I was most excited for, NBC’s Superstore, which returns to NBC this Fall for its fith season. Unfortunately we ran out of time before getting the chance to speak with everyone who was there, but a big shout-out to America Ferrera who took the time to stop by for a question even after time was up. We ended up getting to talk with series creator Justin Spitzer and stars Colton Dunn (“Garrett”), Kaliko Kauahi (“Sandra”), Nichole Bloom (“Cheyenne”), Mark McKinney (“Glenn”), Lauren Ash (“Dina”) & America Ferrera (“Amy”).
Check out our interview videos here.
Emergence Press Room
While I was in the Superstore press room, I got someone else to cover the press room for ABC’s exciting new series Emergence, where she got to speak with executive producers Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters, and stars Allison Tolman (“Jo Evans”), Alexa Swinton (“Piper”), Ashley Aufderheide (“Mia Evans”), Donald Faison (“Alex”), Robert Bailey Jr. (“Chris”), Owain Yeoman (“Benny”) & Zabryna Guevara (“Abby”).
Check out our interview videos.
Pennyworth Activation Preview/Party
After my press rooms I ran back to the hotel to quickly change and head out to the preview of Epix’s activation for new series Pennyworth. It was a combo preview/party for press folks. Epix went all out, transforming the space into a great representation of many aspects of the show.
As I walked down the stairs and entered the space, I was met by a pair of Beefeater guards. Someone handed me a drink as I entered the first room, which resembled a night club, with a drag queen singing on the stage along with some dancers. As I headed to the next room, there was a man offering chocolate cigars out of a cigar box. The next room felt like you were in an old, luxurious den, with couches, a big dining room, and a giant bar in the back. Members of the show’s cast were sitting at the couches chatting with folks, while servers walked around with various appetizers. There was a woman standing at a printing press, handing out postcards that you could have mailed to yourself. At one point a falconer came out with a real live falcon!
Off of this room was a small enclosed room with a window, locked inside was a young woman who was screaming for help. When I asked her what she needed, she tried to remain in character but started laughing. She then saved the situation, working the laughing into her character. Around the corner there was someone handing out pins and a young man at a desk handwriting poems to guests. After I got my poem, I walked into the next room where there were two men torturing guests for a photo opp. As I was strapped into the chair, the men started interrogating me, trying to get me to reveal a man’s location. I played along, trying to tell them I saw him at ‘arrods, but they weren’t ‘avin’ none of that. And as one of them men strangled me, the other wound up for a swing.
After this room, you looped back to the main lobby, where there was a mailbox for you to place your postcard to have it mailed to you.
It was a really fun experience. Epix really went all out. The food and drinks were great, and I ate way too much of the delicious chocolate-covered toffee. As we were leaving, they also gave us a 6 month trial of Epix Now!
After the party, I headed back to the hotel to prep for the next day.
(Check out all of our SDCC 2019 Daily Recaps: Preview Night | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4)
