Twitch. Gee, why hadn’t we thought of it before??
Well, okay, maybe I’m being a bit facetious – the online platform has been home to a number of live streams in the past for a number of convention organisers to allow them to have an online presence for their shows, in terms of panel streaming, interviews, and interactive content. But HOMECON is the first attempt that we’re aware of, of actually presenting a subscription model – effectively buying a con ticket – for exclusive content for ‘attendees’.
As the landscape for comic cons becomes increasingly precarious in the current Coronavirus crisis, taking content online is becoming a valid option for organisers, with various shows going to various methods and tiers in that virtual space.
With HOMECON, organisers Paul Amos and Rachel Skarsen are hoping that exclusive content with exciting guests from the worlds of WB Television’s DCU, Marvel’s RUNAWAYS and HBO’s WATCHMEN will be compelling enough for fans to fork out… waitasecond. $4.99?! Is that it?? By Grabthar’s Hammer… what a savings!
As well as the ‘general admission’, there’s also going to be the option of one-on-one sessions with the Special Guests, meaning that you can have a meaningful conversation with the talent of your choice if you have the dosh and luck to land one. You’ll certainly get a more fulfilling experience than yer standard con photoshoot or autograph session, I suspect – these sessions live to purchase this week.
Here’s the full release, courtesy of the organisers:
HOMECON: The New Face in the World of Comic Cons, Hosted on the TWITCH Platform
Signing Tables replaced with 1-on-1 Chats – Multiple Panels and Scheduled Programming
Born out of a quarantined world of isolation, actors Paul Amos (Jupiter’s Legacy, Lost Girl, Assassin’s Creed) and Rachel Skarsten (Batwoman, Lost Girl, Reign) are thrilled to announce HOMECON, the new face of comic cons.
HOMECON will take place on Friday, April 10 – Saturday, April 11, 2020 on the Twitch platform. Attendees will pay a subscription to access the show panels and other scheduled content. The subscription charge will be $4.99 (US$). A document will be sent through with easy step by steps on how to sign up.
Subscriptions will be available on the website which will go live mid-day Saturday, April 4, 2020. One-on-One chats will go on sale next week- check website for dates.
Special Guests include: Inbar Lavi (Lucifer), Casey Cott (Riverdale), Gregg Sulkin (Marvel’s Runaways), Ben Lewis (Arrow), Adelaide Kane (Reign), and Andrew Howard (HBO’s Watchmen). For the full list, go to www.homeconofficial.com
The One-on-One chats with celebrities will replace the traditional ‘Signing table’. This will be the exclusive part of the event. Fans will receive a scheduled invite via the Zoom platform, which can be downloaded at: https://zoom.us/download Each chat will cost $50 (US$) for 5min with a maximum of two that can be purchased per fan. Talent can choose to have a silent moderator present.
Virtual conventions have been done before, but never to this extent. Amos and Skarsten want to connect those individuals respectfully staying at home to a community online event, saying: “We want to create a space to make sure nobody in this community feels alone during this difficult period. Attendees will have the opportunity to chat with the stars of their favourite shows in an intimate one to one video setting. Given the current world situation, we want to make this event as accessible as possible. People are struggling, emotionally and financially and we hope this event gives thousands of people the opportunity to experience something unique. We are about to create something new for the future.”
Event organizers have chosen ‘First Responders First’ http://www.firstrespondersfirst.ca/ as the event’s charity for donations.
