MediaWest*Con/MediaWest*Con 1991

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==Some Facts About the 1991 Convention==
* The Lansing Holiday Inn West failed to honor their contractual obligation to provide "all function space" to MediaWest*Con by double-booking two weddings in the main ballrooms. The convention was forced to hold a banquet and the Masquerade in the humidity of the "Holidome" pool area.
* by all accounts, this was a very stressful con; the hotel pulled the rug out from the convention in terms of promised space, forced the banquet into the hot and humid pool area, curbed and reneged on all sorts of agreements, and were about as nightmarish as one could be in all other areas. Lori Chapek-Carleton wrote a long letter to Comlink #49 describing the events in detail, and said the convention was looking into legal action
* the first progress report had at least 1600 attendees listed by first name, last name, area of residence, and each member had a number: "Memberships between 1-99 constitute Staff, 100-299 are Apocryphal, 300-499 are Supporting, 500-699 are Gofer, 700-999 are Other, 1000 & Up are Attendees."
* In the second progress report, a fan, Patience Sibeal, wrote that she is "taking a multi-media class working as a beta-tester with a new computer program that interfaces laserdiscs, vcrs & cds; if there's anyone at the convention who can lend her a videocamera or help her tape some of the convention for one of her projects, she'd be grateful & and would send them a tape of the final version. Or if anyone would like to show their fannish videos as part of her projects, drop her a line -- there's a possibility her work in this class may be shown at a national computer education conference in June."
*Some of the hotel room shortages last year were blamed on "devious fans" who booked rooms a few days before the event and then refused to vacate their rooms for other reserved guests
*A group of 3 fans offered: "CUSTOM VIDEO PRINTING: Have the exact scene or shot from your favorite video rendered as a color print. Beta & VHS formats provided, or can be used with any video feed. Look for Janice [M], Lawrence [T], & Biggs [M] in Dealers' Room Hall; bring your recorded videos." 1991 Second Progress report.
*Flyers advertising the new Sci-Fi channel on cable TV were handed out at the convention. There was also a special preview of the SCI-FI CHANNEL listed in the Program Book. 
*While pets were permitted in convention space: 
*MJiT offered babysitting services in the Program Book
==Fan Q Awards==
For specifics, see 1991 Fan Q Awards.
==Skit==
From the first progress report: "If you have a play you'd like to perform, we must approve your completed script beforehand, and you must specify anticipated running time, special effects required, etc. If you need to advertise for actors, send the info in time for inclusion in the next P.R.."
The second progress report listed two con skits in the planning: "The Last Temptation of Kirk" (from Ken Keisel and the "Not-Ready-For-Rehearsal-Players") and "The Phantom of the Enterprise" (from the Pittsburgh Entourage).
"The Last Temptation of Kirk" was performed Saturday night, and "The Phantom of the Enterprise" was preformed Sunday afternoon.
==Fan Fund==
This year, as there were not enough nominees to require a 1991 ballot, a cash award was made to Susan Clarke who was the sole nominee, and her name was carried over the 1992 Fan Fund ballot along with Joyce Strom of California.
From a progress report: 
==Party Suite and Other Gatherings==
 
"Melea & Mark Fisher once again will host the Rebel Alliance Breakfast from 9-10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets are $2 and will be available in the dealers' room." from the second MediaWest*Con progress report 
"Robin L. Belyea will host a WISEGUY party Saturday night around 10. Contact her now or look for flyers at the convention listing room number/further info. Theme will be the fishing trip; attendees should provide their own flannel shirts & fishing caps, hip waders optional. Robin is also looking for fans interested in forming a fan club for actor Jonathan Banks (Frank McPike -- WISEGUY). Please send a postcard with your name & address or see her at the con. She'll be working in the Fannish Video Room. She wants to know if there's enough interest to make this a viable venture." from the second MediaWest*Con progress report 
"GHOSTBUSTERS fans! Who ya gonna call for a frightfully good time? Pam, Sandy & Barb, at their REAL GHOSTBUSTERS Room Party on Friday night of Media WestCon 11! Food, fun & fungus will be there, why not you? Come & see your favorite episodes, talk with fellow R.G.B.fans, share story ideas! If you'd like to bring any thing, or have any special ideas, let us know! Write Pam & Sandy [address redacted]." from the second MediaWest*Con progress report 
"Watch for a SHERLOCK HOLMES Party to be held Saturday night. For further info, or to volunteer help, contact Sharane McCurry [address redacted]." from the second MediaWest*Con progress report 
"Phantom Notes will be hosting a Champagne "Broadway Block Party" Sunday 2-4 p.m. Come as your favorite Broadway character! There is a $5 refreshment fee. Send to Jenn Bills [address redacted] or at the con. Costumes optional." from the second MediaWest*Con progress report 
 
There was a Sherwood Forest Feast on Saturday night. from the MediaWest*Con program book 
Forces of the Empire held a Star Wars auction. from the MediaWest*Con program book 
Auriette Hahn had a special preview of the Sci-Fi Channel. from the MediaWest*Con program book 
There was a Twin Peaks scavenger hunt. from the MediaWest*Con program book 
A fan aired Star Cops "for anyone interested in seeing what the fandom is all about." from the MediaWest*Con program book 
Dr. Angela-marie Varesano presented "'Operas of the Phantom's Era'" for anyone interested in finding out what melodies echoed throughout the Paris opera houses during the lat 19th century." from the MediaWest*Con program book 
Janet D'Agostino-Toney and Terry Neill held an informal filksing. from the MediaWest*Con program book 
"Once ORBIT was over, we looked at each other in dismay...when would we ever all be together again? Realizing that a lot of us were already planning to attend the MediaWest convention over Memorial Day weekend, we decided to encourage the entire con committee and all ORBITteers to join us there. We’ve decided to throw a humongous blowout of a party on the Friday or Saturday night of the con and we’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as can make it there. We plan to show Blakes 7 music videos from ORBIT and elsewhere, and also highlights from the ORBIT convention tapes. There will be signs up at the con directing you to the room and time. from the progress report/con wrap-up for ORBIT 
==Regarding Rumors==
From a progress report: 
==Photocopiers Must Be Registered==
From a progress report: 
==Regarding Some Sneaky Hotel Tricks==
From a progress report:
==The Food!==
From a progress report:
==The Fanzine Reading Room==
From a progress report:
==Video Programming==
From a progress report:
==Selling Your Stuff from Somewhere Else Than the Dealers Room==
From a progress report:
==Masquerade Awards==
We are looking for any info or photos of the Masquerade contest and winners.
1991 Winners
* Best Young Fan: Jacklyn Rose Keeler, "Princess Beldaran of Riva"
* Most Humorous/Best Cheap: Ken Keisel & Ralph Overton, "Fish Slap Dance"
* Most Clever: Kristin Small, Sue Van Dalen, Pippin, Heidi Harbaugh, "A Special Report"
* Most Elegant Original: Serena D. White, "Princess Sin"
* Best Characterization: Mike & Rachael Maley, Jean-Marie Dewey, Julia Scott, Rebecca Nelson, "The Marriage Market"
* Best Historical: Linda Busse, "Cheyenne Woman"
* Best Presentation: Sandy Williams, Janet Paderewski, "Phantom Finale"
* Best in show: Mary Jean & J.R. Holmes, "Doc Emmett Brown & Clara"
Workmanship Recognition:
* The Marriage Market, for Best Floral Arrangement
* Cheyenne Woman, for Best Ethnic Techniques
* Phantom Finale, for Best Makeup
* Doc Brown and Clara, for Best Workmanship
==Door Decoration Awards==
We are looking for any info or photos of the Door Decoration contest and winners.
===Door Decoration Gallery===
==Art Show Awards==
Art show winners were selected by popular vote.
Winners
* Best Portrait: "Worf" by Frank V. Liltz
* Best Humor: "It Was Worse Than Catherine Feared," by McNickle
* Best Fabric: "Illya," by Carol M. Jones
* Best Fantasy: "Fog Dragon," by Heather Bruton
* Most Popular: "MacLean Deluxe," by Karen River
Judges's Choice:
* "Wings of Justice," by Suzy Rosema
* "Puss N' Boots," by Karen Pauli
* "Fair of Face, Fleet of Foot," by Scott Rosema
==Vid Show==
It is unclear whether there was a vid contest that year. In the 1991 Post-con Progress report, there is no list of winners and a brief notation: "No entries, no results."
However, in another progress report the following info was printed: 
==Acknowledgments==
* Co-Chairs: Lori Chapek-Carleton & Gordon Carleton
* Programming Scheduling: Darlene F
* Fan Quality Awards/Gofers: Jeanne Sullivan
* Fanzine Reading Room: Jan Gosnell
* Fan Fund: Deborah Laymon
* Dealers Room: Lori Chapek-Carleton
* Room and Hall Dealers: Mary Ritter
* Orphan Zine Sales: Peg Kennedy and Bill Hupe
* Video Programming: David Grono
* Art Show: Gordon Carleton, Jesse Susan McClain
* Blood Drive/Scuba Class: Kim Dyer
* Masquerade: Seth Bonder
* Fannish Video Programming: Sheryl Adsit
* Security: Seth Cutts
==Programming==
===Friday===
* Yessir, That's My Baby: Feminism in Media, are there any strong role models?
* Cute as a Button, How to Make Your Own Aprocryhal
* David & Goliath: The Relationship Between Fans & the Studios/Networks, how to make them listen and understand
* Phantom of the Opera: Turn Your Face Away: The Attraction of POTO
* For Those of You Who Just Came In, an overview of information/services available to fans
* To Review or Not to Review, That is the Question, does critiquing belong in fandom?
* Wild About the West, has the Old West become fashionable again?
* War of the Worlds: They're Baaaack...
* Atten-hut!, a look at military series
* Star Trek: The Next Generation: "Engage"-ing, ST:TNG comes of age
* One Out of Ten? Gay Characters in Media
* Isn't It Just Loverly?, the attraction of British shows
* Critter Con'91, Time to let your aprocryphals cut loose!
* Quantum Leap: Homeward Bound, The Leap Home and its affects on Sam and Al
* Sherlock Holmes: Elementary, My Dear Watson, the staying power of fiction's premier sleuth
* Who Are These People? Special Problems in Writing Fanfiction, alternate universes and original characters
* Robin of Sherwood: Where Are the Outlaws Now?, what the stars are doing now, including info on Praed's new vampire movie
* Alien Nation: Love With the Proper Alien, Matt & Cathy, should they? Could they?
* One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, the growing trend of turning fannish shows into graphic novels (comic books)
* Surely You've Heard Of..., aficionados of small fandoms unite
* You Blockhead! How to cure writer's block
* Who Was That Masked Man? Heroes with Hidden Faces
* Two Steps Behind, 2nd Bananas and Their Role in Media
* Everything Old is New Again, paganism, witchcraft, crystals and other "New Age" concepts
* We Still Don't Get No Respect: Fans of Sitcoms Strike Back!
* The "Cartwright Syndrome" or, why the love interest must die before the ending credits
* Oil and Water: or Knowing When to Cross Your Universes
* Beauty and the Beast, Tunnel Vision, does the last season really count?
* Writing, Don't Worry, It's Only a Flesh Wound, medical accuracy in fanfic writing
* Dr. Who, can it survive without the Doctor?
* Sticks 'n Stones May Break My Bones But it Takes a Stake to Kill Me, why we're "batty" about vampires
* Discussion groups: Northern Exposure, Wiseguy, Jap/animation, soaps ("the hidden fandom"), Dinosaurs (the series), space exploration, British shows, bad guys we love to hate, Simon & Simon, Twin Peaks, the lure of Pern, Outer Limits
===Saturday===
* Bridging the Big Pond, American vs. British cop/spy shows
* Publishing: Cleaning Up Their Act, how to edit without alienating your contributors
* That's the Spirit! Ghostly Aberrations Among Us
* Star Wars, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away, the future of the fandom
* Costuming: Patterned for Success, how to put together the right look
* ST: TNG Official Technical Manual, a "sneak peek" at the book due out in July 1991
* Blake's 7: And Then There Were None, did anyone survive the final episode
* Twilight Zone: Submitted for Your Approval, the enduring appeal of the series
* Star Trek: The Next Generation, why we love it!
* Writing: How to Tell a Better Story
* I Can't Help Falling in Love with You, Series Romance, or can't men and women work together without ending up in bed?
* Sonny Crockett: The Lone Ranger of Miami Vice, "Vice" as a modern western
* ST: TNG: Lust in Space, relationships aboard the NCC 1701-D
* Shh, Quiet Pleas, taking time to research before you write
* The Center of the Universe, are we alone or are "they" out there?
* Blaster Battle Basics Training by Forces of the Empire
* Harrison Ford, We're Just Wild About Harry
* Art: A Sheer Stroke of Genius, choosing the right material for your work
* Stephen J. Cannell: Judge for Yourself, an overview of his impact on television
* Beauty and the Beast: Speculations & Reflections, what is Vincent, what will baby Jacob grow up to be?
* The Professionals: Still Growing Strong After All These Years, Why?, an introduction to the fandom
* Writing: That's an Anatomical Impossibility!, how to write realistic sex scenes
* I'd Give It a B+, 50's and 60's Sci-Fi Movies
* Discussion groups: My Life and Times, live theatre
===Sunday===
* ST:TNG: A Figment of My Imagination, the holodeck, a place for recreation or an addictive influence?
* Kiss It and Make It Better, why we love to bash'em and smash'em with hurt/comfort
* Forces of the Empire club meeting
* Quantum Leap: Looking Before You Leap, what really happens when Sam "leaps"
* Photography: Say "Cheese", how to take great con and "off-the-tv"photos
* Underwater World of MediaWest*Con SCUBA Experience
* Dark Shadows: Opening the Crypt, was the new series worth the wait?
* Writing: Enough is Enough, the art of the short story and knowing where and when to stop
* Ask M. Wizard: The Annual Science Panel, science in fanfic
* Birth of an An Alien Nation, the series as social commentary
* Art: Stamp Out Creativity, a hands-on panel, expressing yourself with rubber stamps
* Divine Intervention: An Overview of Organized Religions
* Twin Peaks, a Damn Fine Cup of Coffee, the attraction of the series
* They're Heeerrre... The Alien Invasion, good (Alien Nation, ET, etc) vs evil (War of the Words, V, etc)
* Publishing: Back to Basics, beating down the rising costs of zine publishing
* Slanting Our Outlooks: Why Must We "Slash" Every Fandom?
* Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe: Don't Panic!, a hitchhiker's guide to the fandom
* The Professionals: Professionally Speaking, a fandom overview
* If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It, when writers "improve" series that were fine to begin with
* Publishing: The Future is Now, how to use state-of-the-art equipment for fanzine publishing
* Get a Life!: The Humanization of Androids, or, is a computer capable of having emotions?
* The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Sex, Lies, and Videotape, the enduring appeal of the series
* Star Trek: Can They Do That?, the prime directive (TOS) vs first contact (TNG)
* Mel Gibson, wishing we were down under M.G.
* Make'em Laugh, humor in fanfic
* The Rainbow Connections, minorities in media fanfic
* I Can Get It For You Wholesale, how to track down photos, foreign material, etc.
* Star Trek: Silver Streak, the series celebrates its 25th anniversary
* Tearing Down the Wall, does meeting the star(s) alter your view of the fandom?
* My Buddy and Me, why we love'em in pairs
* The Sandbaggers, an introduction to this fast-growing fandom,
* Mythology in Miami Vice
* Phantom of the Opera 1911-1991, Still Haunting After All These YEars
* Star Wars Auction, held by Forces of the Empire
* Buckaroo Banzai: Laugh While You Can, Monkey Boy!, not just a cult classic, it's a way of life!
==Convention Reports==
==References==
Category:Vidding Awards
Category:1991 Conventions