‘Metro Con 2024 The Legacy of Dreams’ an event worth attending for all

After twenty-one years MetroCon is still going strong. Since its upbringing in a small hotel in Brandon, Florida in 2003, the attendance has only grown larger and larger every year. This year was no different having an official attendance of 16,104 fans, up from the Con record from last year for the 20th anniversary of 14,082. The next three years look to be a huge success going forward now that they have already been booked with the Tampa Convention Center. They even have the theme for next year’s con already set, “Yesterday’s Future – Our personal vision of the future”. The con consists of many different types of events, special guest’s panels, educational presentations, cosplay group experiences, demonstrations, anime wrestling and challenge fighting, gaming opportunities, late night parties, interactive dungeon adventures, and much more. During my three days of the event, I had many experiences roaming through the vast schedule of things to do, allowing me to express what was presented and available to all.

Metrocon is made up of many types of panels and they all have diverse intentions, some are instructional and teach you how to make or use something, others have fun intentions. They also have teams where panelists become their favorite character and react or express their knowledge of the many types of anime adventures.

Did you ever wonder how the big entertainment companies design their garments for their theme parks, movie sets, and on-stage events? The details these artists include in creating amazing and realistic costumes is just breathtaking and most of the time they can make or break the event they are made for. After experiencing the “Cosplay and CAD; Programs from Patternmaking to Sublimation” presented by Cosplay Guest RealGoodBird (Dwyn) there was a lot to learn on how these artists are able to design such incredible outfits. This demonstration focused on Computer-Aided Designs (CAD) software that are developed to help these creative artists like Dwyn (Pattern maker for Walt Disney and attended Columbus College of Art and Design), can put together any type of garments that can tell you a story and impress the audience. During the presentation Dwyn went over several different software packages, such as CLO-3D, Marvelous Designer Software, Adobe Illustrator, and Accumark 3D. Each one having different available features to help you design the fashions that are needed to be designed to create the character you set out to devise. Some features that were demonstrated for the CLO-3D software allows the user to experience real time development changes to their drawings and are shown in both 2D and 3D simultaneously. They also include avatars that allow for all types, including children and plus sizes. As for Adobe Illustrator it is a segment detail creator for patterns that permits easy pattern duplication and allows for fabric raised sublimated prints. This experience definitely was informative and opened my eyes to the tools that are available for these types of crafts.

Clockwork Carousel presents many educational opportunities for the con goer to learn how to create objects from different types of materials. They also have experienced professionals explain how to use these brands of instruments to make many kinds of things. The two events that I experienced were how to build molds using silicone and resin and a Guide to understanding Photography. During the “Build It! Silicone Mold 201: 2 Part Molds” by Angel Dust gives a brief explanation of vocabulary, describes different types of silicone, and clarifies the creating process. Each participant was able to put together their own molds, using Mold Star 16 (a quick platinum cure to pour on silicon), oil-based clay, and Ease Release 205 (a non-stick spray or solution used in casting and molding). In the other demonstration, “Picture Perfect: A Guide to Photography”, Jess from Ghost Photography and Kane from Popular Creations, expressed their knowledge of cameras. Including all their types, describing the basic, mid, and high-end camera brands based on their strengths and weaknesses. They also demonstrated the best practices, posing techniques, cleaning, different types of lenses, and the proper understanding of how to use the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO to take a professional picture and not an average one. Going into much detail they presented particular uses for some lenses expressing that not all lenses are meant for every type of shot. These very professional and very knowledgeable presenters did a fantastic job explaining their familiarity of their craft.

The Special Guest Unplugged events, consisting of voice actors, Emki Lo, Anne Yatco, Adam McArthur, Kaiji Tang, and Kristen McGuire or cosplay photographers, Molly Doyle (aDoylible) and Amanda Swanson (amandaswansonphotography). This is where the audience can ask different types of questions to the guests and sometimes get a funny or more serious answer. During the voice actor panel some of the questions ranged from their favorite Pokémon character, Anime shows, Fortnight, and musical artists, to more detailed topics like how they got into voice acting, and in-depth discussions on different types of video games. Some of the more important suggestions on getting into voice acting consisted of taking all types of acting classes including television, movie, and improv. Getting a wide variety helps you get a feel of the entire acting process, and that school was the true base on how to understand where your true calling is.

As for the photographer panel they went over more detail’s different types of cameras and lenses, editing techniques, preparation, how to take a great shot, difference between portrait and motion, the importance of learning how to adjust the aperture, backup plans for any issues that can occur, making connections with your subject, and how to use tethering to your laptop or tablet. They both went into great detail and explained the importance of each topic they discussed. They expressed that you are telling a story with each photograph you take so make sure you truly understand what your subject is doing, the environment you are working with, and the lighting that is now present during your shoot. Make sure you have a great editing software to help improve what you are going to present, because editing can make or break the experience you are trying to tell.

Some of the other panels I attended included many true fans becoming their favorite character and playing games, answering questions, truth or dare, and giving out prizes. Fairy Tail Fiasco presented by Kit, involved anime characters that consist of Lucy Heartfilia (young celestial wizard), Erza Scarlet (magical knight), Natsu Dragneel (Dragon Slayer wizard), Gray Fullbuster (ice wizard), and Levy McGarden (solid script wizard) from the Fairy Tail Japanese Manga series written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. During the panel they discussed, “Who is most likely to date the little troll Ichiya (scent wizard)”, “Who is most likely to join a cult”, and they acted out a dare for Erza to Arm Wrestle Natsu and Gray at the same time. The event definitely involved the audience and kept everyone curious on what these characters would do next. In Dare to Despair led by Angela and a group fourteen other members performed a cosplay of Danganronpa, which is based on a japanese video game franchise created by Kazutaka Kodaka. During this event they answered questions and played a game called Mafia. The basic concept of the game consisted of two Masterminds that assassinate a game member per night, one Detective that tries to determine who the masterminds are, a medic who can save one person each night, and regular students who try to help the detective figure out who the masterminds are. These experiences were very popular and involved everyone in the audience and appeared to be a fun time.

Every year the main event room has many different types of occurrences that display some sort of battle demonstration. In the past they would do an Anime Chess Battle, or a Dream scenario fight between good and evil, but this year was a little different. They had a very interesting twist by conjuring up an Anime Pro Style Wrestling Competition called the Kaiju Battle Live. They introduced very interesting characters related to the Japanese style monsters in a one-on-one battle in the ring. Three rounds of professional style grappling that ends with a winner by a three or sometimes a five-count pin. Making things interesting were items that would allow some special abilities to the monster who possessed it during the match. This fun contest introduces each anime wrestler with an outstanding entrance that brings the audience to their feet cheering for their favorite Kaiju monster. Once both contestants are in the ring the competition begins with one monster trying to best the other.

Other types of happenings consist of the Fencing demonstration, that was presented by Leviathan Historical Fencing (Winter Park, FL), which is part of Hema (Historical European Martial Art), with assistance from Crossroad Swords (Winter Garden, FL), Creek School (Largo, FL), and Black Flag. They used many different types of swords, sabers, spadroons, rapiers, daggers, longswords, and bucklers to demonstrate the many techniques, point system for scoring, and proper safety.

There are many types of interactive games that you can get involved in while at the con. There are role playing games, video games, computer games, interactive dungeon combat, and much more. For the third year Critical Hit Games based out of St. Petersburg, Florida was there and entertained many different types of board games, and role-playing adventures. One of the popular games that brought a lot of attention was Dungeon and Dragons and Beyond. All three days there were tables filled for four-hour adventures that consisted of many campaigns that had a group of characters willing to help a needed cause. If this is something you are interested in, then you would not mind having new interested opponents to square off against.

Lastly, one of the other great escapades during the convention was traveling back to the time of Orcs, Goblins, Undead, and willing heroes, with Mythic Adventures realistic combat group. Here you can volunteer to be one of the following characters, a Mage, Sentinel, Rouge, and a Shielded or Fighting Warrior. Going through the maze you have the opportunity to fight against Orcs and Goblins (During the first half of the day) and the Undead (in the second half), using weapons made out of foam or bean bags. These weapons consist of longsword, short sword, daggers, or rapiers, and many different spells you can cast as well (critical healing, blizzard, dispel magic, remove poison or disease, turn undead, icy shar, fiery dart, and many more). These adventures do continue after the Con up in the Ocala area, where you can actually create your own character, dress up in realistic costumes and makeup, create your own weapons, and compete at one of their regular events, retreats, indoor adventures, or the annual masked ball.

A convention that is designed to get their goers involved truly is what they say it is, an event for all and fun is available at every event they present. This worthwhile adventure through the minds of the creators involves so many hard-working volunteers that help direct con-goers from event to event and the many companies and fans that put on and present the entertaining panels that keep us coming back each year. They include many interactive videos game room with all you can imagine, a center for any popular board/dice rolling games that are available today, you also have the chance to get involved in your own adventure, along with demonstration opportunities, and you can visit the many artistic vendors that are available for the entire three days. Every year it just gets better and better and it is definitely worth getting all your cosplay costume ideas together for next year. Be one of the many fans that dress up as their favorite characters and sometimes even switch costumes and present their other alter egos for all to see.