MediaWest*Con/MediaWest*Con 1983

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==Some Facts About the 1983 Convention==
*The theme that year was: "MediaWest*Con Take 3: The Return of the Midwest"
* The con program book included a letter from Maureen Garrett thanking fans for their involvement in fandom and in zines: "On behalf of LucasFilm I want you to know how much we appreciate your enthusiasm, support, and incredible talents regarding the STAR WARS Saga which you so lovingly share through your fanzines. We consider you our friends -- and mind you even the best of friends disagree occasionally." This is in reference to Open Letter to Star Wars Zine Publishers by Maureen Garrett.
 
* There was a Georgette Heyer Tea and Dance.
* Many folks went to a movie theater to see "Return of the Jedi." "Return of the Jedi had premiered just 63 days before [the start of MediaWest*Con 1983]. There were some Trek panels, but those were few in number. 
*The convention urged that fans organize and communicate their group trips to the movies. There was a long list opf potential movies: 
*Most panels were generic or devoted to other "media" fandoms. This year the Fan Qs were divided into the interest categories Star Trek, Star Wars, Starsky and Hutch, Doctor Who, and Other ("other" was a catchall category including multi-media fanzines or media fandoms not large enough to merit a separate category)." Joan Marie Verba, Boldly Writing page 63.
*The convention organizers submitted a long explanatory letter to Interstat # 63: 
*Some fans felt there was a "grudge-match" going on between MediaWest*Con and Altercon, a convention scheduled around the same time. Both convention organizers wrote letters to the Jundland Wastes denying this (see that page, issue #13).
*The hotel was a member of The Playboy Club, open to all guests, a fact that was listed in the program book: "The Playboy Club is open to Club members, their guests, and guests of the Hilton. So, if you're booked at the Hilton, you can go see the bunnies"
*There was a tongue in cheek call for obits and eulogies for fictional characters and TV shows: 
*The convention program book thanked Lucasfilm. 
*The convention sold out by the 3rd Progress Report: 
*Because many fans had not yet seen Return of the Jedi movie, the convention offered color coded "spoilers" stickers: 
*A long list of "additional" fanzines available at the convention were listed in the 3rd Progress report: 
*A Radio Room was suggested in the 2nd Progress report. It would operate like the Video Room with playing of Sci-Fi themed radios shows: The Radio Room will be set up much like the Video Room, only with continuous airings of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE, and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Is there any interest in any other radio broadcasts? It did not appear in the final Program Book. 
*For the Fanzine Reading Room, in the 2md Progress report: 
*The winner of the Fan Fund was Anne Elizabeth Zeek.
==Fan Q Awards==
For specifics, see 1983 Fan Q Awards.
==Skit==
The con play was "S*M*A*S*H: Goodbye, Farewell, & Oh My!", riffing off the series finale of the TV show M*A*S*H.
==Masquerade Awards==
* Best Humorous: Doctor Pooh (Bobbie Pallone)
* Best Original: Thall (John Drouillard)
* Best Group: Royal Family of Amber (Laurie Farkas & Co.)
* Best Non-Star Trek/Star Wars (tie): Aroree (Diane Scott) and Sark (Melody Womack)
* Best Fantasy: Mrs. Beaver (Mary Gross)
* Best Apocryphal: Ewok (Missy Mitch)
* Best Star Trek: Joachim (Ken Keisel)
* Best Star Wars: The Emperor (Mark Hyde & Co.)
* Best In Show: Red 4 (Jenny Hiza)
* Best Cheap: Generic Fan (Tim Blaes)
The convention also offered a "Costume Contest "Class" Photo Opportunity:
==Art Show Awards==
 
* Best Star Trek: "Straight On 'Til Morning" by Joni Wagner
* Best Star Wars: "Why Didn't You Tell Me?" by Scott Rosema
* Best Non-Star Trek/Star Wars: (tie) "If You Believe in Faeries, Clap Your Hands" by Joni Wagner and "Queen of Thieves" by Frank Liltz
* Judge's Choice (Lori Chapek-Carleton): "Octagon Fantasy" by Genevieve F. Saylor
* Judge's Choice (Gordon Carleton): "Queen of Thieves" by Frank Liltz
* Popular Choice (ballot vote): "Eclipse" by Barbara Fister-Liltz
==Vid Show==
We are looking for any info on the pre-1998 vid show entries and winners. Also information as to when the first fan vids were informally shown at MediaWest*Con (the first Video Contest was held in 1984).
==Programming==
Some panels: "Women's Roles in SF/Media -- in Print and Screen," "Morality in Fandom," "SF Literature -- Also a Medium," "SW Fan Universes," FIAWOL/AWAL: Once a Fan Always a Fan?", "Neo Orientation," "Fen Vs. Fans: the Important Difference," Japanimation," The Empire and Imperial Point of View," "The Perfect Man for a Fannish Woman," "Real Fen Don't Eat Quiche -- The Rebuttal," "Going Pro in Medialand," and "Zine Publishing."
==Convention Reports==
==References==
Category:1983 Conventions