Mainframe Comic Con: The Latest in Online Conventions

Mainframe Comic Con: The Latest in Online Conventions

With the current global health crisis changing how everyone socializes, we have had to take to our homes and isolate, changing the way we access nerd related content and celebrate being a nerd.

Last week NaN came across information about MainFrame Comic Con and we knew that we wanted to provide our readers with information about this new convention.

Mainframe Comic Con is a FREE online fan event designed to help raise money for The Red Cross COVID-19 Relief and The Hero Initiative. The 2-day online telethon will take place April 25-26 and will stream LIVE on our website, MainFrame Website, on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and other platforms.
The telethon will consist of one-on-one video chat interviews with top names in the entertainment industry as well as legends of the comic book world. Viewers can log on to our website and, not only watch the virtual panels but ask questions in the video chat which will be read to the guest at the end of the interview.

So far guests for include Kevin Smith, Clark Gregg, Lamorne Morris, Joe Hill, Lloyd Kaufman, Bosslogic and MANY more yet to be announced.

Chuck Lindsey from MainFrame sat down and answered some questions for us. Read below for more.

MR: What brought this convention on? How quickly did this all come to fruition?

CL: Mainframe Comic Con came about from the cancelation of comic conventions worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. That, and the forced closures of comic book stores nationwide, we wanted to host an online event that not only gave convention goers something to look forward to while on lockdown, but also raise money for some worthwhile causes. Myself and our team which consists of Chad Ramsden, Shauna Lindsey, Annie Banks, Ryan Smith and Mark Ouska (members of Chuck Load of Comics, The Comic Corps and The Chumpcast, respectively) pooled our resources and shared experience in broadcasting, convention hosting and marketing to put on this first of its kind celebrity event that is FREE for all to attend.

We then went to our FAVORITE COMIC SHOP IN CHICAGO, Chicago Comics (3244 N Clark St, Chicago, IL), who generously opened their doors to make their shop our official broadcast studio for the event.  We were able to put the event together in a matter of weeks and the number of celebrities who have donated their time has exceeded all our original expectations.

MR: Have you planned in-person conventions before?

CL: We broadcast from comic conventions year-round and host on-stage panels, celebrity interviews and convention coverage including the recent “Podcast Central” at ReedPop’s C2E2 in Chicago. The main task of scheduling these panels and convention broadcasts is booking and scheduling celebrity talent. Through the years, we have made excellent connections in the celebrity and comic book community. Connections we were able to utilize for Mainframe Comic Con.

MR: How is this online convention different than in-person ones?

CL: For starters… it’s 100% FREE to the public. All are welcome to log on to our website April 25-26 and not only watch top tier celebrity interviews in REAL-TIME, but also ask questions for the celebrity guests in the comment section of the many YouTube channels simulcasting the event.

MR: Was is easier or harder to get celebrities to commit to attending this convention?

CL: The at-home nature of the virtual convention makes it super easy for our celebrity guests to participate from the comfort of their own homes. That, and the fact that all proceeds raised during the telethon (donations that can be made by viewers vis the “donate” button on the website) really helped in recruiting celebrity participants for the event. 100% of the proceeds donated to the event go directly to The Red Cross and The Hero Initiative.

MR: What can viewers expect to see during this convention? Will fans be able to interact with the guests at their panels like they would in person?

CL: First off…viewers can expect hours upon hours of back to back celebrity interviews along with a virtual Artist Alley and Exhibitor page where they can shop for art and order original artist commissions (again, helping support artists and exhibitors who make their living on the convention circuit). Yes, viewers will have the opportunity to ask questions in the video comments section. We will not be able to ask ALL viewer questions, but we will ask as many as possible. On top of the celebrity guests and artists, at the end of each day, we will be broadcasting LIVE from comic stores nationwide and conducting comic book auctions to help these closing shops make enough money to stay afloat.

MR: Would you like potential viewers to know anything prior to the virtual con? Maybe entice them to decide to come and attend.

CL: Yes, we’d like them to know a few things

  1. The event is TOTALLY FREE!!!
  2. They can view the online event on our website, YouTube, Facebook & Twitch.
  3. If they want to donate to our charities they must go to the website and click the donate button. Donations can be made in ANY denomination.
  4. If you want to leave a Q&A question, they will need to do it on the YouTube feed.

MR: Finally, NaN takes pride in our nerdiness, what are your current nerd guilty pleasures?

CL: We are active members of the Comic and Entertainment YouTube community. Currently, with comic shops, movie theaters and conventions closed, YouTube has been a nerd lifeline. We encourage ALL to find a nightly, weekly show and participate. Leave comments, subscribe to channels, and share your favorite channels with your friends!!!

Thanks for sitting down with us Chuck. We look forward to seeing how this event plays out and all the fun to be had virtually!

Written by Melissa Rothman

She’s a daughter, sister, aunt, and graphic designer. She loves being creative and being around other creators. She is always open to learning and expanding her knowledge and gaining new perspectives.

 

Events - by Melissa