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This is Misha Collins. You’ve heard me talk about him before. He’s pretty much changed my life and I owe a lot to him.
He turns 40 tomorrow (20th of August) and I’ll be on a plane to go over and take photos at the Vancouver convention. So I’m using my photo for the day to say thank you, Misha. I’ll see you soon.
Sunday is traditionally known as “J-Day” at a Creation Supernatural Convention. It is the day when Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki arrive, and have their breakfast panel, main panel, sign autographs and pose for hundreds of photos – alone, together or with Misha Collins.
The breakfast panel in the morning is for Gold ticket holders, and it is pretty much the most dressed up breakfast you will ever attend.
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, Gold Breakfast Panel
Fans crowd around assigned breakfast tables, and heavy DSLR cameras with huge lenses vie for position with cereal, toast and pastries. It is one of the weirdest things to experience, but when the guys come out and start shooting the breeze with everyone, it feels very natural. They are completely professional, and exude a genuine interest in the fans and what the following of the show is like. They joke and tell stories about the set, and even shed a little bit of light on their growing families.
Jared Padalecki
Jensen Ackles
I didn’t have any photo ops with the boys this time, so the next thing for me was their main panel. The auditorium was already crowded and dark when I found my seat, and they played fan made videos until Jared and Jensen made their way out.
Jared and Jensen, J2 Main Panel
The boys were joined on the stage by director, writer and executive producer of Supernatural Bob Singer, who also added some insight into the behind the scenes process of the show. It is obvious the cast and crew are all very very close. Even cast members who haven’t been involved with the show for a long time are still treated as family by everyone.
Bob Singer, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles
Jared Padalecki
At one stage, Misha Collins crashed the panel by bringing a tray of drinks out for everyone on stage, but I wasn’t quick enough to get a shot as he was coming up onto stage, and he didn’t turn around! I was so disappointed!
Towards the end of the panel, there were several auctions for charity. Bob Singer donated two books full of set photographs that are only given to cast and crew, and Jared auctioned off two prop paintings from the SPN episode French Mistake. All were sold for considerable amounts, and all money raised will go to various charities.
Jensen Ackles signs one of the photograph books for charity
Jared Padalecki and the “Ruby” portrait up for auction
And that was that! That was VanCon for another year!
Once again, words cannot express how grateful I am to have found this show, these people. The friends I’ve made through going to these conventions and being involved in this fandom have changed my life.
I love everything about these weekends (well, maybe not the expense). But I have such a genuine affection for this whole cast and I hope even a portion of that comes through in my photos.
If you would like to see the rest of the photos from Sunday, visit the galleries here
If you would like to see the photos from Friday, visit the gallery here and read the blog post here
If you would like to see the photos from Saturday, visit the gallery here and read the blog post here
Saturday (or as I like to think of it Misha!Day) is when the convention “proper” begins, which is hilarious really because people are all still really seedy after the karaoke the night before (guests often included).
This particular Saturday was promising to be a big day, with panels not only by the actors but also an executive producer and a surprise guest.
Richard Speight Jr was in his element, hosting things and wrangling talent. First cab of the rank was Jim Michaels, co-executive producer of Supernatural.
Co-executive Producer, Jim Michaels
Jim Michaels was a lovely guy who really sought to interact with fans throughout the weekend. It was really interesting to hear about the business side of what goes into developing a television show. He was very open and honest, and you could tell he cared a great deal about the show and its following.
Next up, host Richard Speight Jr was joined by Matt Cohen and Rob Benedict. The three of these guys together is always one of my favourite parts of any convention. They are hilarious, and play so well off each other. It can be quite hard to concentrate to take photos, because you don’t want to miss anything!
Rob Benedict and Richard Speight Jr
Matt Cohen
The next guest was a surprise addition that we only learned about the day before the con started. Felicia Day was absolutely lovely, and gave one of my favourite panels of the weekend. She was very encouraging about following your own heart regardless of what other people think. It was like it didn’t occur to her to be anything other than who she really was.
Felicia Day
Ahh, Sebastian Roche. What can you say about Sebastian? Unless you experience it for yourself, it’s difficult to describe what it’s like to go to a Sebastian Roche panel. Rude, frenetic, really rude, really frenetic. I couldn’t even tell you what he talked about, and I don’t think he really answered a question. But I do remember he made everyone stand up and dance to Daft Punk’s Get Lucky which was subsequently in my head for the rest of the weekend.
To paint a picture for you, Richard decided Sebastian Roche’s porn name for Porncouver Con was Sebastian Roche.
And I am lucky I even got this photo, because he does not stay still. At all.
Sebastian Roche
Traditionally, the Creation conventions have a cosplay contest where people can come dressed as any character from Supernatural. This time, because there were so many trenchcoated-angels about, they decided to host a separate Castiel Costume Contest.
Matt Kennedy as Castiel
The standout was definitely Matt Kennedy’s Castiel. He didn’t break character the entire time he was on stage, not even when a certain someone came on to help with the judging.
Castiel meets Misha
Finally there was Misha Collins. You’ve all heard me talk about Misha….if I go on I’ll just end up gushing and that’s awkward and embarrassing. So here’s a picture.
Misha Collins
Two days down, one to go. Next up – Sunday!
To see the rest of the photos from Saturday, visit the galleries here
To see the rest of the photos from Friday, visit the galleries here and read the blog post here
Stardust & Melancholy 