C2E2

On the website, there are plenty of information about the events that are taking place that week including movie night, karaoke, and bunch of games that are associated with different types of Comic characters as well as other characters. One thing that stood out to me was the flashy and bright colors of the website and its creative way of advertisng the event and drawing the fans in with questions to perk up their interest. The official poster for the event was very attracting and it really is captivating to those who enjoy this kind of conventions.

The website, from what I noticed, mostly highlights the events, and a few sponsors such as fundraising, donating, etc. There is a lot of information about where the events are, and what’s taking place at the events, and who is featured in the event. I thought it was interesting that the website highlighted some of the Artist gallery, and the images were amazing. The website also highlights that for people who want to meet others that share the same interest as them, they have a meetup, where groups of fans can meetup with other fans.

The guest that are featured are different celebrities from various fields of work such as the cast of clueless, Blacklist, S.H.I.E.L.D.S, Dragon Ball-Z, etc. 

I didn’t really notice any press coverage on the website, but I went to the C2E2’s Facebook page and a lot of fan were discussing how they love the Anime and wanted more next year. Other fans were talking about how they loved it when a certain character got up and started to sing, others were talking about the statues of different characters that they enjoy seeing at the entrance. One of the biggest things I notice fans talking about was the Gaming zone, and how huge of a hit it was.

Many fans were complaining about the dates for next year, and most people wanted the dates to be moved back to April.  The fans also complained about how there was limited parking space, which seems irrelevant to our event considering that it’s on campus, but I thought it was interesting how they had some options of fans purchasing merchandise, autographs from celebs and witness and hear panels and discussions about whatever the topic is. The diversity with this event is what made it such a huge outcome because there was something for all ages, and accommodated everyone’s needs.

C2E2

C2E2 is Chicago's annual comic and entertainment event. The event advertises itself as a place for "nerds to call home" and caters to fans of a majority of different things from comics, books, movies, etc. The event is sponsored by ReedPop a company which also hosts comic-con, book expos and other pop culture related events.

C2E2 is a three day event, featuring special events such as the Crown Championships of Cosplay, where event goers can dress up and enter into the contest where their costumes are evaluated and they can be chosen to compete regionally, and nationally for a chance to win money and the title of Global Champion of Cosplay.

They also have times and locations for fans of specific things (i.e. Game of Thrones) to meet up and interact with each other. The event also has guests from all different backgrounds like entertainment, literary, comic, and gaming. The cast of Clueless reunited at the event for a panel. This caught my attention because in class the other day we had briefly mentioned that the 90's are becoming part of popular culture again and Clueless which came out in 1995 has been a fairly popular movie from that time. They also held a panel featuring the actors from Mortal Kombat which a popular game and movie from the 90's and had members of the original Power Rangers cast as well.

Based on the multiple social media accounts, hashtags, and media coverage it appears that this event is very successful with fans everywhere. The event has something for fans of everything from comics, video games, disney characters, books, and more.

One major theme from the event that I noticed and admire is the amount of inclusion that this event promotes. There are events for all ages from children to adults, and it promotes a welcoming environment for everyone. Looking through the about section of their web page I was surprised by how accommodating the event is. They offer special support for disabled guests and also those with special medical accommodations. They also list various locations for guests who may need a few moments away from the crowds. They have a quiet room for quests to rest and recharge themselves, a family room for guests with small children. There are also all gendered restrooms, and they even offer a special room for mothers who breastfeed (most places don't even offer changing tables for infants!). As a mother of a child with Autism an event like this would be intimidating to event attempt, but with this amount of consideration and inclusion is amazing and I think most likely contributes to the success of the event and their idea of providing a place where everyone is welcome.

I did notice on their media page that the event also paired up with Heartland Blood Center to encourage event goers to donate blood and even gave away free shirts. This is a good way to  help those in need and also allows fans to possibly save lives like the superheroes that they admire.
https://www.c2e2.com/en/Media/Press-Releases/Be-a-hero-and-donate-at-Heartland-Blood-Centers-C2E2-Blood-Drive/

reflection on presentation

During spring break we were all given the assignment to create a presentation about a piece of pop culture and how it relates to religion. After hearing everyone's presentation it made me realize that religion is present in almost anything! The one presentation I really enjoyed was Colleen's about the film Mother!. This was the one movie I personally have never heard of and became very interested in watching after she told us about it. I am not a person who willingly watches films in the horror genre, but I really became interested in this movie. Her movie had direct ties with the Bible and every character in the movie was related to a person from the Bible. I really liked that Colleen researched how the director intended to relate the film and also inserted her own thoughts on how it was related to religion. The way Him was directly related to God and Veronica was the mother of Christ and the poem was the Bible and told stories. People would come and visit just like they would when Jesus was born. The movie had so many religious connects it really makes you think. Colleen's presentation was very interesting and made me want to engage with her film even more.

The Blair Witch Project - Realistic Horror

When watching The Blair Witch Project this week in class, I found myself recalling the first time I watched the film and my first thoughts on everything about it. Something that I can distinctly remember from that first time that I watched it was feeling confused about why people found the film so frightening. Looking back on this now, I realize why it can make people feel so terrified when they're watching the film.

When people watch a horror film, the first thing that usually scares them is the fact that the situation seems to be completely plausible. Some of the scariest movie plots are the ones that seem like they could be footage right out of a person's home movies, and it's no secret that Blair Witch does this well. Something else that makes it so terrifyingly realistic is how well the feeling of being lost and alone in an unfamiliar place can be. Even though at first I didn't find the story to be that scary, If I think about the vibe of being in a random daunting forest in the middle of the night with the possibility of being followed with my every move, I start to understand the fear the film can convey to somebody.

The truth is, being lost and alone in the darkness is something that everyone is pretty much born being afraid of. I believe that this is what makes this film so appealing and scary to people. The main reason why people enjoy watching things that make them scared is the adrenalin rush it gives them, and it's not hard to understand why something that involves a fear so primal to us humans would appeal to people who enjoy that rush.

Fear & Religion: How it Works

Religion challenges people to think about their lives and if there is life after death, but also instils a sense of fear about the unknown, and about death. Some people believe in heaven and hell, other chooses to believe in their own perception of what the world is. death is a touchy subject, and for most people is scary to think about what happens when they are no longer on earth.

Everyday people are faced with the unexpected, and sometimes there are explanations and other times there are none.  For example, when faced with an unforeseen event, people are forced to face the hard truth of reality that nothing lasts forever, but others struggle to come to terms with the fact of loosing a love one, or an illness.

Religion can shape a person’s perspective in a good or bad way depending on how you view the idea of death and eternity. For a religious person who believes in the holy ghost, the spirits, and the soul leaving out of the body, the fear of death and the unknown is reduced, but the idea of death is still seen as a taboo subject that many people don’t like talking about. For those who don’t believe in heaven of afterlife, religion is a way to intensify that fear, and allow that fear to take control over one’s life.

In the Blair witch Project film, we recently watch in class we see fear take control of the lives of the characters while trying to navigate back to their destination. In this film the characters are on a journey to learn and investigate about the legend of Blair Witch, but soon get lost while encountering multiple obstacles. The fear of the unknown in this film provide the characters with a sense of excitement as well as the anxiety of not knowing what’s next.

In films such as IT, GET OUT, ETC. not only produces that sense of fear in viewers, but also forces views to see how fear and religion are interwoven within each other. Religion has a power to control our meaning of what life is. It provides use with a sense of understanding for things that are beyond our control, but fear works in a way that holds the power to how we feel and react to the unknown aspect of life. 

Just like religion provides people with identity, Fear stripes that identity and forces people to think and act in a way that does not correlate to their identity. We all have certain beliefs, values, and ideas that we hold closely, but when the unthinkable happens, that fear, anxiety, and the unknown forces us to blame, or question our sense of self, our purpose on earth. 

Fear also acts a barrier, and the same is known of religion.  Many people often block the idea of religious talk because they assume it is nonsense, but fear acts a barrier to prevent people from danger in the world we live in. From centuries ago, our minds are primed to react to certain stimulants out of fear, and as Asma states, “fear brings intense salience to some person or thing in our perception and paves the way for rapid response” (166). Religion just like fear, is sometimes used to protect and provide people with on a path to understanding life’s unfortunate events.

Alternative assignment

The reading I enjoyed most this week was Asma's chapter on Fear and Rage and how they relate to religion. In this chapter Asma discusses that one universal fear for humans is death and immortality. He talks about the the Terror management theory, which is an explanation of human behavior in relation to avoidance of death (4). One question that the author asks is if religious people are more or less afraid of death? In most religions there is a promise of an afterlife, paradise, reincarnation, etc. it is an interesting concept that people would seek out religion for comfort in order to confront or understand the fear of death.
Another concept discussed is how religion lessens fear by making the individual feel more 'confident' knowing that God is with them or essentially "has their back" (7). This idea along with the practice of religious behavior an make an individual feel less afraid, it can ease mental distress, and bring peace. Personally I can relate to this concept, I have suffered from anxiety and panic disorder since I was about 16. In my early twenties it was at its worst and I had hit a low point, although I am not religious in the traditional sense the idea that God and Jesus were with me, was my comfort when my mind was out of control. It is also why I have a huge cross tattooed on my forearm, to remind me that I am never alone and as a visual comfort.
Asma also discusses how religion can incite rage (17), he references how terrorist acts are carried out in the name of religion and God. For most of history war and terror have taken place in the name of religion. It has always been fascinating to me how humankind can take the concept of religion and turn it into a weapon to harm or oppress other cultures or religions.
Asma's chapter was overall very interesting. I also enjoyed how he talks about scientific and psychological research begin done or though of to measure and record how religion effects emotions such as fear and rage.