Filmcon

Filmcon was a convention that featured sci-fi, horror, and Star Trek themes. "Filmcons" were run by some of the same organizers that began Equicon, mainly Bjo Trimble and John Trimble.
==Timeline==
It ran from 1972 to 1974 as simply "Filmcon."
"Filmcon" and "Equicon" were combined in 1975, and that year, as well as 1976, both "Equicon" and "Filmcon" were utilized in the convention's name.
Between 1977-1988, "Filmcon" was incorporated into "Equicon," but was not listed in the title due to trademark issues."When we tried to trademark EQUICON:FILMCON, only to discover "Filmcon" was in use elsewhere, so technically we could not use it. We subscribe to the "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME..." theory, so no plan to phase out the use of "Filmcon", reverting to simply EQUICON. We won't drop the CONCEPT of FILMCON; it merely means a shorter, more easily pronounced convention title. With the stronger emphasis on aerospace, there is more programming utilizing real space talent at this new EQUICON. Suddenly we aren't just a "Star Trek" or a "Film" convention any longer, but a greater, broader event than either!" -- from the 1981 Equicon program book
John Trimble and Bjo Trimble dropped "Equicon" all together in 1989, and attempted a revival of Filmcon in its original format."We're shelving EQUICON & reviving FILMCON once again! Only this time, it'll cover all types of film & television entertainment: Science Fiction, Westerns, Costume Epics, Comedies, Mysteries, etc. This exciting concept will be the ultimate media con, worth travelling from all over the world to see! Stars you've only dreamed of meeting; cast & crew from major films & TV shows: past, present & future, will be invited to speak, sign autographs, & be available to their fans as they've never been before. Plan your Summer Vacation for mid-June of 1989!" -- from an undated 24-page progress report for a 1989 con that did not take place. This con, however, did not take place, nor did any thereafter.
==Some History==
==Filmcon 1 (1972)==
"Filmcon 1972" was held over Thanksgiving weekend (end of November) at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
It was chaired by John Trimble.
The 1972 event was titled" Fantasy Film Fans International" and was listed as the "First Annual Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Convention."
The Trimbles considered it an artistic success and a financial disaster from the 1981 Equicon program book
From a January 1972 letter by Bjo Trimble in Spockulations #2: 
File:Star Trek Filmcon 1972 Flyer Page 1.jpg| flyer for the 1972 Filmcom, front page, click to read
 File:Star Trek Filmcon 1972 Flyer Page 2.jpg| flyer for the 1972 Filmcom, back page, click to read
File:filmcon1pr1-2.jpg|cover of the 1972 first progress report, artist is Tim Kirk
File:filmcon1pr1-1.jpg|artist is Tim Kirk, page from the 1972 first progress report, dinner!
File:filmconfilmguide.jpg|cover of the 1972 18-page film guide
File:filmconfilmguide1.jpg|back page of the 1972 18-page film guide
File:Filmcon 1972 Receipt Redacted.jpg|a copy of the receipt paid by a student to attend the convention. The student rate was $8
===Filmcon 1972: Rap Session===
At this con, a series of interviews conducted by Rick Beban were recorded with David Gerrold, D.C. Fontana, Bjo Trimble, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, and Walter Koenig. 
These interviews were transcribed (in full? excerpted) and printed in a 1973 publication called "The Film-Con Rap Session." It was sold by Dage Co..
See The Film-Con Rap Session.
===Filmcon 1972: Con Reports===
==Filmcon 2 (1973)==
Filmcon 2 was held November 23–25, 1973. It was chaired by John Trimble.
From: 
File:Eq1973programbook-8.jpg|ad from the 1973 Equicon program book, the logo for "Filmcon" was created by George Barr
File:filmcon2progressreport.jpg|the cover of the first progress report, artist is George Barr
File:Filmcon2progressreport1-1.jpg|inside the first progress report, Tim Kirk is the artist, there are five illos by Kirk in the booklet
===Filmcon 1973: Con Reports===
==Filmcon 3 (1975)==
This con was combined with Equicon/1975.
==Filmcon 4 (1976)==
This con was combined with Equicon/1976.
==Filmcon 5 (1981)==
This con was combined with Equicon/1981.
== Filmcon 6 (1989) -- Proposed, Canceled==
There was to be a standalone "Filmcon" (with the name "Equicon" dropped) in mid-June 1989, but this did not materialize.
This proposed con had at least one progress report, published in early 1989, containing 24 pages. It has a cover with simply the word "Equicon" on it, despite the fact that the first page of the report states that "Equicon" has "been shelved" and "Filmcon" has been reinstated, albeit with an expanded concept.
From the single progress report: 
===Proposed Guests===
Each of the guests of honor below had bios in the progress report. Some of those bios had photos.
Walter Koenig | David F. Glut | Robert H. Justman | Eric Menyuk | IB Melchoir | J. Michael Straczynski | Sandy Fries | D.C. Fontana | Grace Lee Whitney | Herb Wright | Greg Strangis | Tom Lazarus | Jonathan Hackett | Bill Warren | Jim Danforth | Rick Sternbach | William Campbell | Fred Raimondi | Ron Moore | Dan Curry |Mike Dizacomo | Mike Le Vitre | Fred Phillips | Nina P. Coleman | Michael Westmore | Kathy Selbert | Chris Weber | Karen Wilson | Chris Gilman | Warren James
===Needed: A New Logo===
The progress report also stated that it needed a new logo. 
===Needed: A Title for the Progress Reports/Newsletters===
From the progress report: 
===Needed: Some Money===
From the progress report: 
===Planned Workshops===
* "Vacu-Forming Demonstation"
* "Makeup & Costume: A Perfect Match"
* "From Thrift Store to Fantasy Costume"
* "Childrens' Workshops"
* "How to Edit Your Writing Without Hurting Your Own Feelings"
* "Writing for Animation"
===Regarding Photography===
While the first page of the progress report had shelved the name "Equicon," it shows up once more on the last page.
===Images from the Progress Report===
File:filmcon11-1.jpg|inside page from the first (only?) progress report for 1989 Filmcon
File:filmcon11-2.jpg|inside page from the first (only?) progress report for 1989 Filmcon, includes a bio and photo for J. Michael Straczynski and an invitation to a birthday dance
File:filmcon11-3.jpg|inside page from the first (only?) progress report for 1989 Filmcon
File:filmcon11-4.jpg|inside page from the first (only?) progress report for 1989 Filmcon
==References==
Category:1970s Conventions
Category:1980s Conventions
Category:Conventions in United States