In June of this year, we had the first Supernatural con at OKC – and yes, it was quite an adventure (for me, anyway!)
Getting to Oklahoma City from Philly (and back) was quite an adventure in itself – a little too much adventure in fact. After multiple delays in Charlotte (which were made more bearable with some good company from Creation’s Jen and Jenn, who I ran into in the airport), I finally arrived with barely enough time to get the vendor table set up – and just as an impressive thunderstorm hit. Our Lyft driver on the way to the convention center kept the three of us entertained on the drive there, though part of that was his repeated implication that a tornado was imminent.
No tornado, but he also couldn’t figure out how to drop me off AT the convention center instead of the hotel, so I ended up trudging up the street in a rainstorm getting wetter by the second and having no idea where I was going. To make things more challenging, the street was blocked off by an impressive number of law enforcement vehicles, which totally confused me because I’m not very good at following basketball so I had no idea there were big time basketball things going on. Finally in sight of the convention center, my way was blocked by a news reporter doing a live report about the big time basketball things. I was by this time in no mood to stand in the rain a second longer, so I cut through the shot apologizing but determined. I must have looked like a woman who should not be trifled with, because they didn’t.
I quickly got set up (trying not to drip all over everything) – at least it was a nicer convention center than NJ, though I will never be happy to be in a convention center. At least the books were dry, thanks to my friend Betty delivering them safe and sound!
I was happy to be there in time to catch some of Chad Lindberg’s panel. I’ve known Chad since way way back in 2008, and I’m thrilled to have him back at some cons this year. He wrote a fascinating chapter for There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done with all kinds of behind the scenes information about filming with Jared and Jensen and creating the character of Ash. And his mullet.
A fan asked what role he’d love to play.
Chad: I’d like to play an alien, ala Starman – like an alien love story.
Chad is known for being a ghosthunter in real life, as well as for playing Ash on Supernatural.
Chad: People ask, did Supernatural get you into ghosts? No, we lived in a haunted house when I was growing up.
How to de-stress from a ghost hunt?
Chad: connect with those you love. And a little weed. Okay, maybe a lot…
He said that filming October Sky was a very emotional experience – they got to know the real life rocket boys.
What monster would Ash love to be?
Chad: He’d love to be a werewolf. He’s already got the hair for it!
Seriously, nobody tells a ghost story like Chad. He put out a bell that senses spirits, and every time he mentioned the haunted Stanley Hotel, it went off!
Clearly he needs to go visit.
Two of my other favorite Supernatural actors were also onstage – Gil McKinney and Matt Cohen, who both wrote very personal chapters in Family Don’t End With Blood about their experience as actors and on Supernatural.
Matt Cohen talked about his new movie, Exes, also starring Briana Buckmaster, Mark Shepherd, Felicia Day and Ricky Whittle. He said his favorite scene to direct with Briana was a terrible tough limo scene of them getting beaten up and then it being finally over!
Mark plays an American, which should be interesting – I’m so used to his Crowley accent (or his actual real life one)
Gil portrays the Mad Hatter on Matt Cohen’s other exciting new project, the animated series Public Domain – along with lots of other SPNFamily.
Gil to a clowning around Matt: You are so weird!
(They are actually entirely amusing together onstage)
