Derek ([info]lordruthven) wrote in [info]dragoncon,
@ 2008-03-12 20:31:00
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Current music:Rhea's Obsession - Mesmerism

name change: Gothic Shadows is now Dark Fantasy

This track has undergone a name change in addition to the upgrade! Beginning in 2008, this track will be known as "Dark Fantasy." This is a change I have been wanting for quite some time.

While I have always seen the term "gothic" as representing the entire dark entertainment spectrum, for good or ill people associate it with "goth." And while I have had (and will continue to have) programming that appeals to goths, I wanted a track name that was more inclusive. I think some people weren't aware that there was a track that featured horror programming. On the other hand, some people assumed they were goths just for showing up. I got feedback from some attendees that said things like, "I never thought I was a goth, but I LOVE paranormal romance, so I guess I am one!" There are enough people claiming to be goths without me adding to the confusion.

So when my supervisor David told me that I was getting two rooms this year, I felt it was time to pitch the name "Dark Fantasy." As a term, "dark fantasy" includes not just supernatural horror, but also the current wave of dark urban fantasy and paranormal romance. And, the name polled well among the goths I asked (many goths tend to shy away from self-consciously "goth" stuff anyway). But above all, it's just a term that I like and am comfortable using.

This does not mean I will be getting rid of "goth" programming; one of the rooms will feature music and subculture related panels from mid-afternoon to close. By the same token, if a good horror-themed band from another genre comes to DragonCon, the new name will be a better fit if they are on panels. I am glad to be widening the overall scope of the track, and hopefully gain some attendees along the way.

Onward!


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[info]puzzleoflight
2008-03-13 01:26 am UTC (link)
I have to be honest, prior to this announcement I mistakenly thought the "Gothic Shadows" track was specifically goth subculture-related. I'm a huge fan of horror, so I'm sorry I missed the programming you had on it in previous years.

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 01:46 am UTC (link)
...and there you go. The proof, right there.

Gothic Shadows did feature goth subculture programming (as will one of the rooms of the new track), but I always brought in horror literature and dark fantasy elements. I am going to try to turn the perception around - appeal to the goth fanbase, while openingthings up beyond that.

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[info]littledrow
2008-03-13 02:21 am UTC (link)
Ironically...or maybe not so...I am not more interested in attending. Interesting social study right there.

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 02:29 am UTC (link)
Well, I don't expect every DragonCon attendee to like my track's topics. If you come to he convention, no doubt you'll find other programming that appeals to you.

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[info]littledrow
2008-03-13 02:31 am UTC (link)
OMG I am so horribly embarassed!!! I meant am NOW more interested in attending!!! ARGH!!! Damn typos!!!

*beats head on desk repeatedly*

.....sorry.....I will be attending your track because it sounds awesome.....but won't admit to who I am because of this.

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 02:35 am UTC (link)
Trust me, if you look at _my_ post I am sure you'll find typos!

And your photo is on your avatar, so too late now!

But oddly, my message still stands: I am sure (other) people won't like the topics I cover, and that's cool...DragonCon is big enough for them to find something else.

The main thing I am trying to emphasize is...the track everyone liked is not going away. It's just getting a more appropriate name.

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[info]littledrow
2008-03-13 02:39 am UTC (link)
Curse my narcissism! lol! Fine. This icon is from D*C last year. :P

This will be technically my 4th D*C and my husband's second. We're looking forward to this year. See you then!

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 02:41 am UTC (link)
I have to ask, did you or your husband attend any of the Gothic Shadows programming in years past, or did this post make you aware of the topics we cover? Also, if you have attended in the past, what are your feelings on the "Dark Fantasy" name?

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[info]littledrow
2008-03-13 02:50 am UTC (link)
We didn't. This post let me know what other elements are included in the track. I think I kind of knew, or recall seeing what was included when we were there last year, but I was pushing a comic book I was inking last year with my writer and I think the name Gothic Shadows kind of put me off as being a bit...hmmm...young? The name change appealed to me.

I'm a huge fan of Midnight Syndicate, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Lacuna Coil...musically speaking...but beyond Midnight, there didn't seem much I could relate to last year. The writing sounds very interesting so I'm looking forward to that.

Now that I think of it, we did attend the Lovecraft track with Michelle Belanger who we had met on the street the night we got there. We were quite impressed.

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 03:02 am UTC (link)
The track name has always been a thorny issue. Originally it was called "Gothic Journeys," but then I was asked to take over and I wanted a new identity for the track, so I came up with "Gothic Shadows." Want the truth? It was the best I could come up with using "Goth/Gothic" and even then I thought it was actually kinda lame. I am turning 35 this year, and "Gothic Shadows"...well, there was no sadness from me when my supervisor told me I had gotten my requested name change.

I like the sound of "Dark Fantasy." It lets people know a little more about the track as a whole, and I like the more "elegant" feel of it. People who were put off by "Gothic Shadows" might take a closer look into what is going on on the track.

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[info]littledrow
2008-03-13 03:09 am UTC (link)
Well you succeeded in piqueing my interest. And I'm turning 40 this year so my sense of maturity is appeased.

I had thought about volunteering being that I don't live all that terribly far away, but real life is stressful at the moment and demanding my attention. Also, well the name thing put me off. If this goes well this year, perhaps next year I could look into helping out some.

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[info]fierymermaid
2008-03-13 04:10 am UTC (link)
I think this is a good change. For my first two D*Cs, I never even looked at the programming list for Gothic Shadows cause I thought it was, well, goth stuff. My third time I actually looked and was like "Oh, it's NOT just goth stuff" and realized I had been missing out on things that I was interested in. :(

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 06:39 am UTC (link)
Yeah, the goth tag was working against the track. We've never suffered for attendance, but I would like fans of horror and dark fantasy media to at least know we are there.

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[info]abreeskye
2008-03-13 04:32 am UTC (link)
I really dig the name change.

I wasn't aware you focused on things like Dark Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I'll definitely be checking out some panels this year!

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 06:37 am UTC (link)
That stuff is only one aspect of the track, but not the only focus. Basically there are two rooms - one room is all horror. The other room will be paranormal romance/fantasy until about 2 pm or so every day, and then goth stuff from 2:30 pm on (goths don't turn out for panels until 2:30 pm, and they needed soemthing to put on in the mornings, so that's how it worked out...).

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[info]treecrabby
2008-03-13 05:22 pm UTC (link)
We're SLEEPING 'til 2:30 PM! ;D

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 09:52 pm UTC (link)
Yep, I have learned that from experience...the 2:30 pm panels will likely be a "transition" panel from the stuff in the mornings to the stuff in the afternoon/evenings.

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[info]basbleugrrl
2008-03-13 06:30 am UTC (link)
I like it. I think it will definitely draw a bigger audience. Will there still be some programming that studies the goth subculture from an academic angle? Call me a dork, but those were my favourite track spots last year.

Not that I'll be at D*C this year. *bawls*

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 06:34 am UTC (link)
Oh yeah, there will still be goth programming...at some point soon I will post a "catching everyone up to speed" entry, so people will know exactly what the track is going to entail.

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[info]darknbitter
2008-03-13 01:13 pm UTC (link)
(any chance you'll still be next to Brittrack? I was happy you were close to each other last year.)

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 05:07 pm UTC (link)
I think Brit Track is being moved to another hotel.

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[info]grimepoch
2008-03-13 02:57 pm UTC (link)
I think that is a good idea. While I hang around Goth people all the time and enjoyed all the goth themed (bands mostly) programming I went to, I too was not aware of other panels being not related to all things goth! :)

And just remember, if you think you're goth, then you're not really goth! ;P

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-13 05:06 pm UTC (link)
>> And just remember, if you think you're goth, then you're not really goth! ;P <<

Yep. As mentioned, goths tend to shy away from self-consciously "goth" stuff.

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[info]kittylavender
2008-03-13 10:16 pm UTC (link)
Sweet!! Yes! I'm a huge horror lass. I haven't been to DC for the last couple of years, but am attending this year and I'd be all over this track (and I'm not one for tracks much)!!

Thanks for making a post to enlighten those that enjoy the dark and spooky stuff. =)

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[info]lordruthven
2008-03-16 02:37 am UTC (link)
Hopefully people will like what we come up with...so far the guest list that I have seen is shaping up to be pretty cool.

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