SDCC 2023 - Thursday Edition: Journey to a Diverse Mecca
Joseph Watkins Da Watcha
San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) 2023 started, for me, on Thursday. When I arrived, a cool breeze hit me. The West Coast. I finally arrived on sacred ground. The magic in San Diego moves differently than in most cities with comic cons and for a span of four days, the town suspended its regular operations and wholeheartedly embraced the vibrant worlds and universes of creatives who proudly exhibited their cosplay, artwork, fandom, and creativity. Here, San Diego’s downtown area turns into this creative nexus that continues to spawn successful careers, influencers and the like. Once called San Diego's Golden State Comic Con, this convention has earned its place in the pop culture universe as the ultimate fandom experience, nationally and internationally.
But nothing prepared me for the awe-inspiring programming, the off-site activities, and the artistry within and outside the convention halls. SDCC has truly earned its reputation as the premiere spot for pop culture. This company has meticulously hand-crafted a convention that has many taking a pilgrimage to the holy ground of creativity and imagery and I see why the tickets sell out every year. It is huuuge!!! Furthermore, if you are a resident to one of the neighboring hotels that are under SDCC’s care, a shuttle bus (with air conditioning and a bathroom) takes you a block away from heaven’s gate until 1am.
During Thursday’s event, one component was notably scarce – the cosplay. Despite the abundance of attendees, the presence of cosplay enthusiasts was moderately limited. From my experience, usually on a Thursday, you would see a greater ratio of cosplayers to attendees, but here is different. Maybe, just maybe, a possible buildup of cosplay participation is happening. Still, I won’t judge, this isn’t my city, and this is my second experience dealing with a con on the west coast, with my first being Emerald City Comic Con.
Maybe SDCC is giving us small doses of greatness for that Saturday cosplay explosion. Who knows. I did, however, manage to get a few shots of cosplay, followed by some fashion trends I thought were notable:
My focus for Thursday was fixed on the diversity panels, where engaging discussions unfolded about inclusivity, representation, and the significance of embracing a wide range of perspectives in pop culture. SDCC didn't miss a beat in addressing these vital topics.
Women Behind Popular Film
One standout panel titled Hollywood Game Changers: A Conversation with Women Behind Popular Film and Television took center stage, addressing the ongoing diversity push in the entertainment industry with a special focus on the importance of women and representation. Led by Sabina Graves from IO9 Gizmodo, the panelists provided valuable insights into their active advocacy for increased diversity within the industry.
Jaala Leis Wanless, head of the hair department for, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, offered fascinating insights into the benefits of diversity in the workplace, emphasizing how a higher representation of women can lead to an impressive boost in performance. She showcased her commitment to uplifting and empowering women in film by being an active member of Women's Committee, a company which focuses on promoting gender diversity in departments that are traditionally male-dominated.
The film industry is also undergoing a notable transformation as women increasingly assume leadership positions in all aspects of the filmmaking process. During the panel, Sabina questioned the panelists about this shift, and Alisha Baijounas, makeup department head for the ABC show Abbot Elementary, shared her approach. She emphasized the importance of building teams specifically tailored to each job, prioritizing compatibility, and considering personality alongside skill set, regardless of gender:
Alisha Baijounas
“The way I approach things is that I build out a team that is specific for that job. That doesn’t always mean that I’ll see great people that I love to work with can necessarily work on every single type of job with me…..I typically build out teams that can get along with talent and I build them from sort of myself down personality wise. Personality is super important to me, whether that’s a guy or girl, whoever, to fill out the department. It’s really all about your skill set and what you bring to the table. The people that I bring on are multi-talented.”
The panel also highlighted mentorship programs and how they are playing a vital role in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the industry. The emphasis on providing support and guidance to individuals from diverse backgrounds ensures equal opportunities for growth and success. Moreover, panelists highlighted their experiences of being the sole female presence in various entertainment settings, shedding light on the challenges they faced in those circumstances and highlighting how mentorship is essential in these spaces. Sara K. White, production designer for the amazon prime movie, Swarm emphasized how important mentorship can have on people in the industry:
“Mentorship is super key because if you think about all the milestones you reached in your life, you generally had someone to encourage you, to guide you, to drag you forward. There was somebody there who kept giving you that inspiration to keep going forward. When I think about all the people that have mentored me....In turn, what I try to do is take that, those examples, that were set for me, and I try to take it to people on my team, especially to people who are coming into the industry. ‘How can I help you? - What do you need to learn? - How can I guide you in this situation?…. let me show you this creative process....’ this is what mentorship is all about, teaching, sharing new skills, making sure we have a next generation of inspired film makers that are character driven and excited about world building.”
Panelists shared invaluable insights into their active advocacy for increased diversity within the industry, showcasing the benefits of diversity in the workplace and the significance of mentorship programs in empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds as well.
SandStorm Comics
My next panel focused on the UAE and their project, Sandstorm Comics. In the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, the government has teamed up with phenomenal creatives Mo Abedin, Head of Comics; Momo Alshaibani, creative director; Noor Abood, community director; Whyt Manga, resident creator; and Matt Hawkins, editor in chief of Top Cow Productions, to harness local talent in the UAE and develop authentic stories that will compete on the global stage. Additionally, the company provides expertise, support, and professional guidance to ensure that the idea turns into a successful “one-shot” publication. Whyt Manga, aka Odunze Oguguo stated by working with Sandstorm they provide you with, “more freedom than you think.” Working with a 50/50 split of the IP, Sandstorm does the heavy lifting by providing all the resources necessary to help you become successful. Hosted by Jeremy Atkins, the panel focused on the company and its goals for up and coming artists in the UAE.
Mo Abedin, creator of the manga series Raiiken, and all-around dope creative, highlighted the importance of the submission process saying, “You don’t want to jump and invest in somebody who doesn’t have the same passion.”
I understand his sentiment. The process of creating a superior work of art requires time, energy, and money. It’s important that, when accepted by Sandstorm, you have the same hunger and drive to make your universe a reality. They are not looking for the same, as Matt Hawkins states, “superhero story,” they’re looking for powerful, intricate stories that highlight substance, human emotion and originality.
Overall, the team behind Sandstorm exemplifies a dynamic trio of traits: Hungry, Helpful, and Passionate. Together, these qualities make the Sandstorm team an unstoppable force, driving them towards continued growth and achievement. Salute.
Thursday’s excursion into San Diego Comic Con was met with an understanding of the importance of diversity and finding authentic stories in other regions of the world. By Incorporating diverse viewpoints and perspectives into storytelling, it transforms the conventional narratives of superheroes, resulting in a fresh, youthful, and exhilarating new approach to storytelling, world building and creating. The use of diverse perspectives adds depth and richness to the narratives, making them more relatable and engaging for a broader audience.
Pop culture fans are incredibly diverse, encompassing individuals of various backgrounds, appearances, and nationalities. It is essential for our stories and the representation within the entertainment industry to mirror this diversity accurately.
Final Thoughts
One must be mentally and willfully strong to endure the travel challenges that come with exploring a vibrant city like San Diego, especially the downtown area. The rewards, however, are beyond measure. San Diego Comic-Con, left a lasting impression on me. It also became apparent that to fully embrace and appreciate all that this incredible convention has to offer, an adventurous spirit and a resilient mindset are essential because it simply is just too much to do in a day. Wear comfortable shoes as well.
SDCC, I’m impressed. Salute.
I also need to give a shoutout to the men and women of the SAG-AFTRA (SA) strike. As this convention is happening, many within the SA choose not able to attend and I salute them. Treat the writers and actors with respect and fair wages. The imaginary nature of every TV show and movie was through the development and creative genius of the writers and creatives.
People Over Profit
