FriscoN

FriscoN was an annual slash multimedia convention held annually in October in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. It was open to people over the age of 18. As a fan-run convention, it did not have professional guests (writers/actors) and all programming was created by fans for fans. It operated as a non-profit and on an all volunteer basis.
While a 2001 con was planned, it was canceled in January of that year; its organizers explained that the task had just gotten too big to manage, especially long-distance.
==Overview/History==
Convention programming ran from Friday through Sunday, with two tracks of panels. Other events were:
* Dealers' Room with Orphan Zine Table - open Friday through Sunday. For many years the dealer's room was run by Kathy Resch.
* Art Show - open Friday - Saturday
* Art & Charity Auction - The Art & Charity Auction was held on Sunday morning.
* Music Video Contest - the Music Video Contest was often held on Saturday night.;
* Charity* raffle;
* Flyer Service (where fans could have the convention hand out flyers for fanzines or other conventions);
* Costume Party & Charity Carnival - often held on Friday night.
* Video Room (where fans could watch their favorite TV shows or songvids)
* Murder Mystery Game.
The convention was originally held in South San Francisco but moved out of San Francisco to the East Bay in 1998.
From the convention's 2000 FAQ: 
The last Friscon was held in 2000 at which point two new conventions sprang up to take its place: Bascon held in November in the San Francisco, CA and Constrict also held in November in Las Vegas, NV. There was some controversy between the organizers of both conventions due to their scheduling their first events so close to each other. Constrict changed the next year to a July date in Las Vegas, Nevada.
==1993==
FriscoN 1993 took place October 29–31, 1993 at Best Western El Rancho Inn in Millbrae south of San Francisco.
Activities included a 3-hour shopping tour in the Castro via charter bus, a dealer's room, an "air show and auction," charity tee shirt auction, panels, music video contest, Saturday night's "Howl at the Moon" costume ball, and a free Sunday breakfast.
Memberships were $30.
The first progress report listed 46 fans who had bought memberships. The second progress report listed 26 more names. The third one listed 10 more names.
FriscoN 1 Vid Show tape - 1993: "This was a compilation tape of the vids played during the vid show that fans could buy after the convention. It was a short tape (they had a lot of trouble with the reproduction they used, so many vidders didn't allow their vids to be put on the final tape.) It had Quantum Leap vids by Cybel Harper and Stacey D. At the end of the tape they had two compilation videos: one, a set of very fast clips from 47 different shows to test your speed and knowledge of TV shows, and the other, a bunch of beautiful m/m moments from shows and movies, broken up into 'The Looks', the 'Touches', the 'Kisses' and the 'Embraces'.Source: Morgan Dawn, personal notes (1995)."
The Quantum Leap fanvid "Lola" by Stacey D. won "Best Humorous Video"
 
Image:Friscon1993flyer-1.jpg|flyer for 1993
Image:Friscon1993flyer-2.jpg|flyer for 1993
Image:Friscon1993flyer-3.jpg|flyer for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport1-1.jpg|from the first progress report for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport1-2.jpg|from the first progress report for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport2-1.jpg|from the second progress report for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport2-2.jpg|from the second progress report for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport3-1.jpg|from the third progress report for 1993
Image:friscon1993progreport3-2.jpg|from the third progress report for 1993
==1994==
was held Oct 28-30, 1994 at the Doubletree in South San Francisco
File:Friscon_1994_flyer_redacted.jpg|1994 ad in Mediawest program book
File:Friscon 1994 Vid Show Playlist (year not confirmed) Page 3.jpg|winners of the vid show contest from Friscon 2
File:Friscon 1994 Vid Show Playlist (year not confirmed) Page 1.jpg|1994 vid show submissions
From Oh C'Mon, Buckwheat#6:
From Oh C'Mon, Buckwheat #8:
===1994 Convention Report===
The following convention report was posted to the Virgule-L mailing list that year. It is quoted here anonymously with permission.
==1995==
Friscon '95 was held on Nov 3-5, 1995 at the Doubletree Hotel, South San Francisco, CA.
The costume theme was "Outta this World". The dates of the con was the "post-Hallowe'en Weekend" (November 2–4.)
From a flyer:
File:Friscon95progressreport2.jpg|Friscon '95 Progress Report #2
File:friscon95.jpg|flyer from Media Monitor #10 for Friscon '95
File:Friscon 95 Vid Award.jpeg|music video award handed out to Stacy D. for her vid "All For Love"
==1995: Convention Reports==
==1996==
Friscon 1996 was held Nov 1-3, 1996 at the Doubletree Hotel in South San Francisco.
 
From a flyer: 
* List of 1996 Fan Art on display: Miami Vice pieces by Caren Parnes (one of Crockett called "Miami Blue"). Maureen B.' Wiseguy art. Some Pros, Highlander, some K/S, MUNCLE, and Lovett's gorgeous Pros "Green Piece". There were a few X-Files, one of Mulder/Skinner nude—Mulder sort of draped around Skinner's feet.Source: Morgan Dawn, personal notes (1996).
* List of 1996 Art Show and Vid Show Winners, along with a post-con report.here, there is also an extensive, chatty con report in The K/S Press #4
Art Show Winners
* Favorite Illustration: "Green Peace" (Professionals) (Suzan Lovett?)
* Favorite Humorous: "Excalibur, or Have I got a sword for you" (Multi-media);
* Favorite Portrait: "Sonny Blue" (Miami Vice);
* Favorite In Show: "Green Peace" (Professionals).
Vid Show Contest Winners
* Most Humorous: "All For Love" (Wiseguy);
* Most Dramatic: "Three Days" (X Files) by Morgan Dawn
* Most Romantic: "In My Life" (Highlander);
* Overall Favorite: "In My Life" (Highlander).
==1996: Convention Reports==
==1997==
Friscon 1997 was held Oct 4-6, 1997 at the Doubletree Inn in South San Francisco, CA.
* By 1997, the convention had raised $7,000 over the years for the AIDS Emergency Fund.
* WayBack Archive link to the 1997 Friscon Web Page.
* At the 1997 convention, there were only a few men in attendance and a lot of questions about gay sex. This led to Minotaur creating his websites Sex Tips for Slash Writers and the MQA. He also began hosting open forum panels where writers could ask him questions about gay sex: "Okay, I'm in a room full of women, some of whom are *lesbians*, and we're watching my gay porn videos. I feel like I'm in a Sliders episode." -- Minotaur, at Friscon
* A first hand review of the 1997 convention: "Fresh from FrisCon, the private convention for fan writers who enjoy the premise of their two favourite male TV or movie heroes getting into bed together: The location was a smart hotel near San Francisco airport, where staff are more used to professional travellers than Professionals fans... 90 women checked in plus the cousin of one of the con committee and his lover - they went down well, or so it was claimed... At the con party, most turned up wearing this year's theme of cowboys and indians. Winners were the boys, one wearing just a fur skirt and the other a transparent cowboy outfit, his modesty hidden beneath a very tight pair of cycling shorts - yum, yum... The latest slash zines were available in the dealers rooms, and the art show revealed recognisable characters in some very interesting positions together... The music video comp on Sunday had those magic moments set to popular songs... Top new slash show this year was US TV cop series The Sentinel, although Kirk and Spock, Starsky and Hutch, and Bodie and Doyle remain long-time favourites... The con raised over $1600 for a local AIDS charity, with my contribution for some raffle tickets winning me a set of spurs and handcuffs - wonder what I'll do with them?" slashfan, NTK Digest (Need to Know Now is a UK digest of events), 1997. (Accessed 30 October 2009) A more in depth 1997 convention report by Jane Mailander can be found at Friscon/Convention Reports.
*There was no Music Video Contest. From the 1997 post-con report: "While we didn't have enough contestants to hold a contest, we were treated to 6 great vids by Stacy Doyle. Before and afterwards, Noel S. showed her crowd-pleasing "Lovers" vids from this year and the past several Friscons."
From a flyer:
==1998==
* 1998 Convention. An in depth 1998 convention report by Jane Mailander can be found at Friscon/Convention Reports.
* Charity: over $2,000 was raised for the AIDS Emergency Fund
* 1998 Art Show & Vid Show Winners:
** Art Show:
*** Favorite Illustration: "Running With the Jaguar" by Suzan Lovett (The Sentinel)
*** Favorite Portrait: "Have You Hugged Your Guide Today?" by Jean Kluge (The Sentinel, from changes)
*** Favorite Humorous: "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" by Jane Mailander (The Sentinel)
*** Favorite In Show: "Running With the Jaguar" by Suzan Lovett (The Sentinel)
** Vid Show:
*** Most Dramatic: Behind Blue Eyes (The Professionals) by Dyevka
*** Most Romantic: The One (Multimedia) by Gayle F & Morgan Dawn
*** Most Humorous: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (Babylon 5) by The Central Consortium
*** Most Matching Theme: Macho Man (Multimedia) by Mary Comstock
*** Overall Favorite: The One (Multimedia) by Gayle F& Morgan Dawn.
29 vids total were entered. Fandoms represented were: The Professionals, Wiseguy, Star Trek, Sentinel, Forever Knight, The X-Files, Babylon 5, La Femme Nikita, Man From UNCLE, In and Out (the movie), and Nash Bridges. There were also 3 multimedia videos.from Morgan Dawn's personal notes (1998)
===1998: Convention Reports===
==1999==
* 1999 Convention, the 7th Friscon, was named "Friscon 007: The Spy Who Loved Me"
* The charity drive raised $2815 for the AIDS Emergency Fund
* Reviews of the 1999 Convention are herereference link and here.reference link. A review of the 2000 convention is here.reference link.
* The 1999 vid show was organized by Noel Silva. List of vids shown: "There were 21 vids total. 5 X-files vids from Carol S. and 5 vids by Dementia Ink. 2 anonymous Highlander vids: "Without You" by Harry Nilsson and "Love Hurts" by Nazareth. Mary Comstock offered 5 vids: "Nobody Does It Better", "Catch the Wind" by Donovan, and 'Little Red Riding Hood' by Sam the Sham - all (Pros). Her other two vids were: 'Matchmaker Matchmaker' to ST:TNG and 'Highly Illogical' (sung by Leonard Nimoy) to ST:TOS. Stacey D had 2 Wiseguy vids: "I Can't Help Falling in Love" by UB40 (Vinnie/Frank) and "As Long As You Love Me" by Backstreet Boys (Roger/Vinnie). I asked them to show 2 of my vids that had been shown before - a Starsky & Hutch vid and one set to Loreena McKennitt's music for the movie Titanic." Morgan Dawn, personal notes (1999).
* MUSIC VIDEO CONTEST
** Most Dramatic: "Who Wants to Live Forever" (Hercules) by Dementia, Ink.
** Most Romantic: Till There was You" (The Sentinel) by Dementia, Ink.
** Most Humorous: The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati" (X-Files) by Basement Productions.
** Most Matching Theme: "Affair of the Heart" (Man from UNCLE) by Dementia, Ink.
** Overall Favorite: Till There was You" (The Sentinel) by Dementia, Ink.
* ART SHOW
** Favorite Portrait/Illustration: "Ecstasy" by Larrkin (The Sentinel)
** Favorite Romantic: "Wrapped In Sunlight" by Suzan Lovett(Man From UNCLE)
** Favorite Erotic: "Call of the Wild" by Suzan Lovett (The Sentinel)
** Favorite Humorous: "Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid" byJane Mailander (The Sentinel)
** Favorite In Show: "Bayliss Chronicles" by Suzan Lovett (Homicide)
===1999: Convention Reports===
==2000==
October 27–29, 2000. Pleasanton, CA
* 2000: A satirical look at how strange fan fun conventions could look to an new attendee who was more used to commercially run conventions. Trekiverse: Rude Person Parodies: Rude Person Goes To Friscon 'Rude Person Goes To Friscon posted to 'alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated'; WebCite.
* 2000: Members of TSU announced a room party: "On Saturday, October 28 at Friscon, Kaki and I will host the Third Annual TrekSmut University (TSU) Friscon Reunion Party in our room at the Four Points. As always, the party will feature Read Aloud Story Time, when TrekSmut authors read as-yet unposted stories to the assembled company. There will be other activities depending on interest, plus a lot of conversation ranging from raucous to serious. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The fun will probably begin around 8 PM, but we're flexible. (The TSU party at Shoreleave last July broke up around 5 AM.)"TSU Party at Friscon dated October 16, 2000.
* 2000 Panel List (up to 3 panels for each 30 minute time slot):
** Friday:
*** 11:00- Sports Night/Farscape/Harsh Realm.
*** 11:30: Houston Knights/Slashing loners/La Femme Nikita.
*** 12:00: World War II series/Law & Order/Roswell.
*** 12:30: What makes a blockbuster movie?/Season/series finales that make you want to kill/How detailed should sex scenes be?.
*** 12:30 Briefing for the Friscon Murder Mystery "Murder Most Toonish".
*** 1:00pm: Once A Thief/Creative use of household & hardware products as toys/ Quantum Leap.
*** 1:30:Hurt/comfort/Is the internet changing fandom?/Star Trek: Deep Space 9.
*** 2:00pm:Is professional gay fic better or worse than fanfic?/Queer As Folk 2: good as first, were you satisfied?/Due South (until 3pm).
*** 2:30: Slash and what turns you on/off/Medical accuracy in fanfic.
*** 3:00pm: Kindred: The Embraced/Man From UNCLE/Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (until 4pm).
*** 3:30: Forever Knight/Oz.
*** 4:00pm: Best fannish sites on the World Wide Web/Hercules/Stargate: SG1 (until 5).
*** 4:30: Why do gay/bi women enjoy m/m slash?/Wiseguy.
*** 5:00pm: Men in slash fandom: Does it change anything?/Star Trek: K/S/Gundam Wing.
** Saturday:
*** 9:00am: Highlander: Was Endgame the end? (until 10)/Print zines vs. netfic: pros and cons.
*** 9:30: Slashing secondary characters.
*** 10:00:The Professionals (until 11)/Babylon 5/TiVo demonstration in the Hospitality Suite from 10-11am.
*** 10:30: Robin of Sherwood.
*** 11:00: Yaoi vs. 'traditional' slash (until 12)/Gladiator/Pros fans: get your picture taken with Doyle's jacket in the Hospitality Suite from 11am-noon.
*** 11:30am: Xena.
*** 12:00pm: X-Files (until 1)/Blake's 7.
*** 12:30pm: X-Men.
*** 1:00pm: Buffy & Angel (until 2)/New season shows.
*** 1:30pm: Problems unique to following "small" fandoms.
*** 2:00: The Sentinel (until 3)/Vampires.
*** 2:30: Starsky & Hutch. 3:00pm: Kink (until 4)/West Wing.
*** 3:30pm: Star Trek: Voyager.
*** 4:00pm: M/M sex panel led by Minotaur (until 5).
==2000: Convention Reports==
==References==
Category:Slash Conventions
Category:1993 Conventions
Category:1994 Conventions
Category:1995 Conventions
Category:1996 Conventions
Category:1997 Conventions
Category:1998 Conventions
Category:1999 Conventions
Category:2000 ConventionsCategory:Conventions in United States