Every week from now until San Diego Comic-Con, we’re celebrating you: our readers! So let’s meet this week’s Attendee of the Week:
Samuel Olin-Jarvis
Where are you traveling from for San Diego Comic-Con?
I was born and raised in San Diego but am currently living in San Luis Obispo.
How many years have you been attending?
20 years straight since 2004, though I first attended in 2001. I was 11 years old and when I found out Comic-Con existed and it changed my life.
What was your favorite panel and why?
The Star Wars: Force Awakens panel in 2015 when they marched 6,000 Hall H attendees across the street and gave us all lightsabers. We were then treated to the San Diego Symphony’s rendition of Star Wars music over scenes from the movies with all actors present, fireworks igniting the sky as the sun set.
What is your favorite exhibitor or artist booth and why?
The artist Kehasuk has an amazing booth in Artist Alley each year where he sells incredible anime collages that I am proud to have several of in my collection.
What is your favorite item you’ve ever taken home from the convention (swag, exclusive, merch, etc.)?
I once asked a question at The Strain panel with creator Guillermo del Toro and took home a signed poster from the cast and crew including GDT who still to this day is one of my favorite directors.
What was your favorite autograph session and why?
My favorite autograph session was an unconventional one. Just as I was beginning to dose off, sleeping in line for Hall H for The Hobbit panel the following day, Sir Ian McKellen strolled the line in a pink robe signing autographs including my badge. Someone began projecting The Lord of the Rings against the side of the convention center and I dozed off to someone yelling “You Shall Not Pass!” not being sure if it was Sir Ian McKellen or the movie.
Tell us about your most memorable celebrity encounter at the convention.
Being a long-time Hall H question asker I have had the unique pleasure of speaking with some of my pop culture icons. One experience that stands out to me is asking Steven Spielberg if he would kindly ask Tom Hanks to come to SDCC and he told me he would pass on the message.
What was your favorite offsite and why?
The Peacekeeper offsite was a blast where they equipped us with nerf guns and had us run through an obstacle course fighting off goons!
Where is your favorite place to eat during the con?
Every year we gather all of our friends and go to Basic Pizza in the Gaslamp. My buddy who lived in New York swears to this day it is the best pizza he has ever had.
What is your favorite thing about San Diego Comic-Con?
My favorite thing about SDCC is the comradery. A feeling of freedom where all pop culture passions are not only accepted but encouraged in the most incredible of ways. Just having arguments about who would win: Goku or Superman?, in the Hall H line is worth the price of admissions.
What is your best tip having a good con?
My tip for maximizing your time at the con would be to choose your path wisely. I am an avid panel enthusiast but SDCC provides so many different opportunities for an amazing time. Like collectibles? Look up the assorted raffles and spend your time in the exhibit hall. Love a hands-on movie experience? Jump in the lines for the offsites. Though the various lines at Comic-Con can seem overwhelming, when you dedicate your time to a single path you can maximize doing the things you want to do.
Do you tend to do the convention solo or with friends?
I attend the con yearly with my friends. In the Hall H circles we are known as “Eddie’s Boys” for our shared vocal respect of the Director of Programming for Hall H, Eddie Ibrahim. Around a decade ago we decided that it shouldn’t just be the actors and creators on stage at Hall H who get all the love but the people like Maurice and Eddie who run things behind the scenes who get the same love. We chant their names like they are celebrities each year, wear unique shirts dedicated to the Hall H staff each year, and present the shirts to them.
How would you describe SDCC to someone who has never been before?
Comic-Con is a pop culture wonderland where you can find someone who loves that obscure thing you love, just as much as you do. In fact you might see the characters you love come to life through cosplay, meet the actors that play them, or visit set replicas.
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