WinchestMidwest actually started as an idea one cold, Midwest February afternoon. Jared Padalecki had been due in Chicago, IL to attend Fangoria, an annual horror movie convention, when he had to pull out at the last moment due to a shooting confilct. In his absense, the Supernatural gathered anyway; meeting online friends in the flesh, making new ones, and generally having a wonderful time talking about the show they all loved - Supernatural.
That gave me an idea. What if we all got together in a more structured format. We could watch episodes together, discuss ideas for where we thought the show was heading, drink purple nurples and discuss the fandom. It would be all about connection; knowing you were in a room filled with people who loved the same things you loved. Talking online is one thing, but there is something about sharing your squee face-to-face that makes the connection deeper.
There are other fan-run SPN conventions out there and some of them skew towards a specific topic. Fanfic, for example, is discussed at WinchestMidwest, but it isn't the only topic. WinchestMidwest is for every fan of the show. I want everyone to feel like that have something to both give and take from WinchestMidwest, that's why our topics include standard panels like fanfic and group discussion, but also challenge you to learn new things, like graphics or fanvids. We want to celebrate as much of fandom as we can and include as many people as we can.
If you have an idea for a panel - let me know. The schedule is constantly changing and we love it when people decide to lead a discussion topic or give a tutorial on how to make icons. Every one is our fandom has something to give - their ideas, their theories, their enthusiasm about the show. We want to share it all with you.
I want to introduce you to the main organizers:
I'm Andie (anteka on LJ). I've ran WinchestMidwest for the past two years and can't wait to do it for a third. It's a lot of work, putting this all together, but it's always worth the effort. Of course, I couldn't do it alone.
This is Tara (trillian276709 on LJ). She has brilliantly ran the "Where Do We Go From Here?" panel for the past two years and has another awesome installment ready for this years event. She designs all the bumps between WinMid panels and also came up with the *rock music plays* wristbands that all attendees will receive.
This is Theresa (gonturan on LJ). She does most of the grunt work involved in chosing a hotel and is also our AV tech guru. For the past two years she has ran (sometimes with very short notice) the Urban Legends panel. She also designs the name badges and lanyards that all attendees will receive.
It really does take a village, though, and this year will include half a dozen other people running behind the scenes. Every year we try to go bigger and better - and this year is no exception. I hope you decide to join us, it's going to be an amazing time!!
About Winchest Midwest…
What's Inside
Tribute
Kim Manners (1951 – 2009) was an American television producer and director best known for his work on The X-Files and Supernatural. Manners made his directorial debut in 1978, directing an episode of Charlie’s Angel’s. Other notable directorial credits to Manners' name include episodes of 21 Jump Street, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Baywatch, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr and The Commish
Following the finale of The X-Files in 2002, Manners directed a number of small projects before signing on to direct and produce Supernatural in 2005. He was a vital part of the show for the next four seasons directing Dead in the Water, Bugs, Scarecrow, Shadow, Devil's Trap, In My Time of Dying, Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things, No Exit, Houses of the Holy, Heart, The Magnificent Seven, Fresh Blood, Mystery Spot, No Rest for the Wicked, Lazarus Rising, Metamorphosis. After directing the first episode of the fourth season (Lazarus Rising), he learned he had lung cancer. He died in Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 2009.
On Thursday, March 12th, 2009 an episode of Supernatural entitled "Death Takes a Holiday" aired. The end credits contained two photos of Kim Manners, along with the caption "We dedicate the entire season to Kim Manners." Then a final caption stating, "We miss you, Kim."
At this year's WinchestMidwest we will have a tribute video to Kim followed by a roundtable discussion of the episodes he directed.