HELLO, FRIENDS…
ABOVE: John Wesley Shipp (THE FLASH, DAWSON’S CREEK) gets "The Treatment" from Jim O’Rear and Bryan Wilson.
What is GMX? It’s the Geek Media Expo held in Nashville, Tennessee! This years event was filled with sci-fi, anime, paranormal, horror, comics, gaming, music, and more! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many different, unusual, and original activities crammed into a 3-day event. Just looking at the schedule was exhausting!
ABOVE: Brandon O'Rear hangs out with the ladies.
The show began on Friday afternoon with a slow ramp up to what was to be an explosion of activity over the life of the event. The exhibition hall / celebrity room opened up first, giving the attendees a chance to shop for various items from the vendors and meet a variety of celebrities, including John Wesley Shipp (THE FLASH, DAWSON’S CREEK), teen pop sensation Tiffany (MEGA PIRANHA, JETSONS: THE MOVIE), Jackson Bostwick (SHAZAM, TRON), Patricia Albrecht and Samantha Newark (JEM), Sonya Thompson and Larry Mainland (THE WALKING DEAD), Daniel Taylor (RETURN OF THE SWAMP THING), Mike Holman (JACKASS), Ellen McLain (PORTAL), Bryson Kanouse (PSYCHIC KIDS), and many more.
ABOVE: Bryan Wilson, Samantha Newark (JEM), Tiffany (MEGA PIRANHA), Patricia Albrecht (JEM), and Jim O'Rear.
A few hours later, opening ceremonies took place then the show was off and running with a variety of events that included a comedy showcase, a CD release party with Samantha Newark, art competitions, educational panels, and 80’s dance party with Tiffany, and a sneak peek screening of UNDERGROUND ENTERTAINMENT: THE MOVIE!
ABOVE: Daniel Taylor, Jim O’Rear, and Bryan Wilson greet the crowd during opening ceremonies.
ABOVE: Jim O’Rear and Bryan Wilson give event promoter/organizer Jeremy Miller "The Treatment" during opening ceremonies.
With so many activities to choose from, I was surprised that we had an audience for the UNDERGROUND film screening. Bryan and I want to thank everyone who attended the screening. We appreciate all of the kind comments you had afterwards.
ABOVE: Bryan Wilson, Daniel Taylor (RETURN OF THE SWAMP THING), and Jim O'Rear party with John Wesley Shipp (THE FLASH, DAWSON'S CREEK).
The show closed for the day at 2am and picked up again at 9am. Apparently geeks don’t sleep, though, because there were a variety of room parties going on after hours. I found that geeks also take their partying seriously. There were room parties with food, drinks, pumping sound systems, disco lights, decorations… you name it. This con actually has a room party contest, so the attendees were going all out. I’m not sure when they slept, but the doors opened to a ton of people Saturday morning.
ABOVE: Jackson Bostwick (SHAZAM, TRON) gets "The Treatment" from Jim O'Rear & Bryan Wilson.
The Saturday schedule was packed. Bryan and I had panels to do on the paranormal and screenwriting and we were guest judges at the Jedi Obstacle Course. There were Q&As, a live-action Angry Birds contest, how-to horror makeup demonstrations, costume contests, video games, pin up girl contests, and much more.
ABOVE: Transformers, Robots With Big Thighs.
ABOVE: Hit Girl couldn't even save herself from "The Treatment."
Bryan and I want to give a big thank you to our friend Joe Webb for coming to see us and delivering us snacks and lunch. Joe is one of the nicest, most caring guys we’ve met in a long, long time. Thanks, Joe!!
ABOVE: Joe Webb specifically asked for "The Treatment."
Saturday brought on a surprise appearance from the Trinity Of Pain, who made the rounds and caused havoc as they spread their twisted wisdom across the con. No one is safe when these guys show up.
ABOVE: Sonya Thompson (THE WALKING DEAD) falls victim to the Trinity Of Pain.
ABOVE: The Trinity Of Pain points out which T-Shirts at the World Of Strange table are too sinful to sell.
ABOVE: There's 3 in the Trinity.
ABOVE: Mike Holman (JACKASS) is questioned about a particular lady garment that was found in his possession.
The Trinity got a taste of their own medicine, however, when they found out about a convent full of Nuns that was located across the street from the hotel and decided to take a trip over there to pick up dates. Needless to say, the Nuns didn’t think it was funny and the guys were busted. It’s okay, though, because later that night two members of the Trinity found Jesus and gave him "The Treatment."
ABOVE: Jim O’Rear & Bryan Wilson give Jesus "The Treatment."
It was great catching up with old friends and meeting new ones as the flurry of activity passed by at a rapid pace. Before we knew it, 2am was upon us and it was time for the show to wind down again.
ABOVE: Bryan Wilson & Jim O'Rear check out the steampunk display featuring The Fonz jumping the shark.
The show picked back up again at 9am. Surely, after two long nights of partying, there would be no one awake to attend our paranormal panel that was scheduled first thing in the morning. How wrong we were, though. Bryan and I were joined by investigators Judi Swan, Tammy Luthi-Retzlaff, and Bryson Kanouse (PSYCHIC KIDS) for a fun Q&A. It was a small audience, but more than I expected that early on a Sunday morning.
ABOVE: Bryson Kanouse (PSYCHIC KIDS), Tammy Luthi-Retzlaff, Bryan Wilson, Jim O'Rear, and Judi Swan clown around during their paranormal panel.
More events, panels, and games took place throughout the day until 5pm came and it was time to say goodbye. We want to thank Jeremy Miller and all of the staff at GMX who took care of us over the weekend. We had a blast and hope to return to GMX in 2012!
Thanks for reading,
Jim O’Rear & Bryan Wilson
www.UETheMovie.com
www.JimORear.com
www.Bryan-Wilson.com
Looks like you guys had a blast!
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