Day 2 was considerably more crowded this time around as more people were able to get off work and/or school. At the same time, I also noticed many people that were at the convention on Day 1 returned en masse.
This time around, I was able to pay a visit to the to the vendor’s section prior to the influx of crowds, making sure to stop by the WETA Workshop booth, where I spoke to marketing manager Magnus Hjert.
“This is the second show we’ve done in the US,” Hjert says. “We’ve only ever done San Diego Comic Con, and this is an opportunity for us to meet some new people.”
The booth featured many statues, both lifesized and miniturized , that showcases the visual effects work of WETA Digital, the studio responsible for the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Adventures of Tintin.
“We make physical effects for movies,” Hjert says. “We make copies of them and bring them to shows. Some of them are even available to buy.”
Many of the pieces for sale ranged from as low as $300 to over $1000, with quite a few of the statuettes already being sold out. However, they were also selling artbooks showcasing the designs for the various films they’ve worked on that are a little more on the affordable side.
There were many other displays available in the vending rooms and Artist Alleys, ranging from the US Air Force’s X1 Supercar display to local artists and craftsman promoting their wares and services. There were even sections devoted to gaming ranging from PC games for the MMO crowd, to touch based games for tablets and smartphones, and even live Pokemon battles where the action was streamed to a television for spectators.
Even the tabletop crowd got into the mix as many game stores were looking to promote their products as well as an upcoming tabletop convention. There were numerous tables where players who were looking for some tabletop action could get their fill with games like 7 Wonders and Magic the Gathering.
When it comes to the length of the numerous lines for all of the events taking place throughout the convention, much of it was a repeat of Day 1, with huge wrap-around lines for many of the celebrity panels.
There were also more cosplayers present, as there was a notable increase in the amount of comic and movie based costumes, although many Whovians, fans of the BBC series Doctor Who, were still ready to gather around the mock-up of the TARDIS that stood in the center of the vending room to pose for pictures.
While there were many returning ensembles, many of the cosplayers, as per standard practice, arrived at this convention sporting a new set of handmade clothing to show off their love for their fandom of choice.
All in all, Day 2 of Salt Lake Comic Con was more lively than the previous day as more attendees swarmed the Salt Palace in order to take part in what is now the fourth largest convention in the US.
Only one day of coverage left! Stay tuned to The Globe Online for more!
