SAWMANIA Convention, November 14th-16th, 2008 (NYC) Report and write-up by Mike C. (Pictures Robg. & Mike C.) Last weekend we had the opportunity to hop on a train and head into Manhattan for some horror fandom action. You know, as opposed to flying 3000 miles or driving for 2 hours. It's a treat for the Icons staff to be able to hit up something local for a change, but was SawMania worth the subway fare, or just a trap? Scheduled to appear at SawMania were a number of actors and crew behind the only theatrical horror franchise in nearly two decades to make it to a "Part 5". Fans lined up to meet actors Tobin Bell ("Jigsaw"), Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman"), Shawnee Smith ("Amanda"), Betsy Russell ("Jill"), and Beverly Mitchell ("Laura" - Saw II). From behind the scenes fans, could meet producer Marg Burg and Kevin Greutert, editor of all the Saw movies and director of the upcoming and inevitable Saw VI. First thing we noticed upon entering the venue, a bar in the Bowery, was that this was a much more subdued event than the balls to the wall conventions we're used to attending. Guests were seated at restaurant tables sprinkled throughout Blvd. Shawnee Smith was little tucked away in an alcove all to herself. Rather that hustling from guest to guest and room to room fans were happy to just sit around her in her area and hang out, even serenade her with a little acoustic guitar. It was flat out weird, like we'd stumbled upon Shawnee and friends waiting to be seated at a restaurant. Tobin Bell was signing in the basement area of the bar. Well...if there's anyplace you'd expect to meet Jigsaw it might was well be in the basement of a bar in the Bowery. (continued below...) |
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Tobin Bell signs autographs for fans. |
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