Bitten: The UK’s First True Blood Convention
An amazing weekend with the actors behind Sam, Pam, Hoyt and Terry.
The weekend of 6-8th August saw the UK's first unofficial True Blood convention, and judging by the amazing time had by guests and fans, it will be the first of many.
With an ensemble as strong as True Blood's, any guest you could imagine would be welcome, and Northampton's Park Inn was home to Sam Trammell (Sam the shapeshifting manager of Bon Temps bar Merlotte's), Kristen Bauer van Straten (vampire Pam, Eric's co-manager at Fangtasia), and two loveable (human) Bon Temps residents Jim Parrack (Hoyt) and Todd Lowe (Terry).
Massive Events, the same team behind Collectormania and London Film and Comic Con, are the guys running the hugely popular Twilight conventions 'Eternal Twilight', and tested the water with another vampire phenomenon - HBO's risque series, based on Charlaine Harris's novels.
The one thing that always amazes me at conventions, is that people beg for the main stars - in this case, Anna Paquin or Alexander Skarsgard - but always, always come away hopelessly in love with the "minor" cast members. For that's what these conventions are about. It's not squealing and fangirling over hunky Eric, it's getting to know the cast on a more personal level: hearing stories from the set, hanging out chatting at the bar, and creating a relaxed intimacy, where you come away feeling like you've just stepped off the show itself. The best thing about Massive Events conventions, is that even when they're sold-out, they ensure everybody gets their time with the guests.
Back to this weekend. A good sign on Friday afternoon was a chatty Sam checking in and relaxing with fans in reception. In the evening, everything kicks off with our four guests bounding onstage in the hall to say hi. Jim seems a little shell-shocked, but we soon see he's one of the warmest and funniest guests of the weekend. Friday night's party theme is Rene and Arlene's Engagement, with country music and a bucking bull. The attendees always make or break an event, and with everyone making the effort to look the part, we can forget about an unfortunate interlude with the DJ, an atrocious human being who played decent music, but needs to keep his mouth shut. Given the nature of the show, Bitten was an adults-only event, but there was a misjudged attempt to take advantage of this on the Friday night. Us geeks are happy to be a mile away from the sort of behaviour you get in provincial nightclubs, and we really aren't the ones to appreciate the DJ encouraging attendees simulate oral sex with Crunchies and yoghurt pots in the "pornoration game". Luckily, Saturday night's party was one of the best I've seen at a convention.
Before the night of legend, Saturday morning came round, with all the planned photo shoots and signing sessions. At a leisurely pace, you have the chance to meet each guest (all superfriendly), have a chat and get your autograph. Then, if you have the right ticket, jump in to a photoshoot for a professional shot (all of which came out beautifully, especially as Sam was looking identical to his namesake in a plaid shirt).
The afternoons were spent in the hall, listening to the 45 minute-long individual talks. Jim was first, and struck us by being as gracious and polite as his Hoyt, but also funny and ambitious, explaining his directorial debut, 'Post'. Starring his actress wife Ciera Parrack, it's an intensely personal project, he uses his own family and home to tell the story of an army widow. A gentle giant of a man, the religious Texan revealed his hopeless romanticism went a long way to creating the chemistry between he and his co-star Deborah Ann Woll, who plays the newborn vampire Jessica.
Next up was the stunning Kristin, who "glamoured" us within seconds. Looking fresher and younger than her vampy bloodsucker, she has the natural wit and sass of her character Pam, the bewitching allure of Angelina Jolie, and the soul of Dian Fossey, in her relentless campaigning for animal welfare. Recently married, she was joined this weekend by her South African musician husband, who has released a solo album in aid of IFAW - find out more at www.kristinbauer.com. A remarkably blunt and charismatic woman, her talk was a highlight of the weekend. As one of the three main stars of True Blood, it was a little bit exciting to see Sam onstage, and he's a natural charmer: flirty, funny and very sweet. Rocking the just-got-out-of-bed look, as opposed to his war veteran character Terry, Todd comes across like a young Jeff Bridges: quirky and honest, he spoke about his band Pilbilly Knights.
Then, with lucky auction winners going out for dinner with the guests, it was time to glam up for a night at Fangtasia. The fangbanging scene was set with two groups of (tastefully burlesque and fetish) pole dancers, who invited attendees to strut their stuff inbetween some stunning acrobatic displays. It was a brilliant touch to what ended up being a classic night, with rock music giving way to the True Blood theme 'Bad Things', and a wild night, with Jim and Todd dancing with fans to the Pilbilly Knights, and Jim doing his thing on the pole. And we thought he was such a nice boy... Meanwhile, Sam and Kristin were circling the room, chatting to everyone as if they were fellow partygoers and not the reason everyone had forked out their cash to see. All attendees were incredibly respectful of the stars, which meant they could relax and be themselves with the fans - Kristin's hubby was one of the last on the dancefloor.
Sunday morning was a chance for everyone who didn't get their photos and autographs to meet the actors, and then followed talks in pairings, given the chance for Sam and Kristin and Todd and Jim to bounce off each other. The group talk at the closing ceremony was a bit of an anti-climax, as the general questions were odd, and everyone was clearly tired after a long night. But all the guests remarked how genuinely surprised and delighted they were with this convention, the organisation and the politeness and warmth of the fans. Something I can vouch for!
The only bad thing about a weekend like this is saying goodbye. For those staying the night, Massive put on a Descendents of the Glorious Dead chill-out party, and for the rest of us, it was time for the post-con blues. With Kristin on the way to South Africa to meet the in-laws, and the other guests making the most of Europe, we hope they'll return to "Bon Temps" and tell their castmates what a great weekend it was. Bitten 2 has already been announced, for August 2011. Find out more at the forum. Book your tickets for this here, and other Massive Events conventions at www.massiveevents.co.uk.
Check out some amazing photos from the weekend at Giles Photography.
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