In the coming weeks and months the Forbidden Planet International blog, Down the Tubes, Bugpowder and Fictions are going to be cross-posting Q&As by Matt Badham with the organisers of various British comic conventions, large and small. Our aim is to give the conventions themselves some well-deserved publicity and also to, hopefully, spark a wider debate about what’s good and bad about the convention circuit in this country.
(NB: Answers have been edited only in terms of spelling, punctuation and grammar, and not for style or content.)
For this second instalment, Matt chatted to Shane Chebsey, co-organiser of the British International Comics Show (formerly known as the Birmingham International Comics Show), aka BICS.
Matt: Please tell us a little about the history of your con/event and how it’s evolved over the years.
Shane: The first BICS occurred in 2006 at The Custard Factory. Our biggest named guest was Michael Lark of Daredevil Fame, and right from the beginning we had wonderful support from the UK scene including publishers and creators. This is something we’ve always been very grateful for.
We just wanted to put on the type of comics show we’d want to attend ourselves, and figured there must be some folks out there who wanted what we did. Since then BICS has become the largest UK event devoted to the medium of comics, so I guess we weren’t alone. Guests have included Mike Mignola, Dave Gibbons, Kevin Nowlan, Michael Golden, John Cassaday, David Lloyd, Alan Davis, Mark Chiarello, Olivier Coipel, Esad Ribic, Adi Granov, Mark Buckingham, plus many, many more top names in the industry.
Matt: How is your con funded, by ticket sales, the exhibitors, a grant from the council, some other means or a combination of these?
Shane: A combination of table sales, entry fees and our own pockets. Last year we did receive some minor sponsorship and this year we are looking to build on that and we’ve be also applied for some government funding to help us develop and expand the show, enabling the event to reach out to a wider audience and benefit more people.
Matt: What are the overall aims of your con/event?
Shane: We have both short and long term aims and objectives for the show.
Initial Aims:
As well as producing an enjoyable event for existing comic fans, our initial aims with the first three shows were to establish a successful formula for running a comics event in Britain that would be recognised by the UK Comics Industry including publishers, distributors and retailers, as a major event. This was so that we could build a platform to achieve our main objectives.
With the first three shows we have achieved these aims. We attracted over 2, 500 fans, press, creators and retailers to our last show and most western comics publishers now recognise The British International Comics Show as the major UK comics convention. These publishers include DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Rebellion Developments, Markosia Enterprises (who launched new titles at the 2007 show) and Manga Entertainment (who allowed us to show the first official UK screening of one of their new films at the 2007 show) and Random House, who have previously been sponsors of the show.
Main Objectives:
To provide an enjoyable and informative family event to the general public, allowing them to discover new comics and graphic novels they may not have previously encountered.
To give new writers and artists access to both publishers and professionals working within the industry both here in the UK and overseas, allowing them the opportunity to receive feedback and advice on their work and to learn more about the international and national industry and about the medium of comics in general.
To promote comics to the general public as both an educational and entertainment medium.
To provide a secure and fun environment for all comic fans, whatever their cultural, religious or ethnic background, to enjoy the medium, expand their reading and to meet comics creators from all over the world.
To give independent and small press creators the chance to promote their publications to the general public and to the larger publishers.
To create sufficient revenue to make the show financially self sustaining.
Long Term Aims:
To promote literacy and the visual arts in general.
To expand the reading of comics in the UK.
To support our national comics industry.
To promote diversity and originality within the comics industry.
To expand the show, attracting even more visitors to the event and to the City of Birmingham.
(Laura Howell and Lew Stringer at a previous BICS)
Matt: Who is the con aimed at? What sort of punters do you hope to attract? Are you family-friendly?
Shane: BICS is very family-friendly and we always aim to attract the full spectrum of attendees, from the young to the old, men, women, everyone! That’s the great thing about comics. They are so inclusive almost anyone can enjoy them and create them.
Matt: How effective have you been in getting those kind of people to attend?
Shane: So far we’ve been very pleased with the varied representation of all groups attending the show. However, we continue to increase our efforts to attract even more diversity amongst our visitors.
Matt: Can you give a projected (or actual) attendance figure for your event?
Shane: This year we are aiming for 3000 people to attend the show over the weekend.
Matt: What lessons have you learned during your time (co-)running a con, in terms of marketing and advertising your event?
Shane: Lots of lessons have been learned. The hardest lesson would be that any expensive advertising must be very targeted to be cost effective. We have also learned not to announce any guests until they are 100% confirmed. We learned this after our very first show.
Matt: Do you use emerging technologies to spread the word about your con? Do you have a website or blog, or use email mailing lists?
Shane: This is our most effective method for attracting both visitors and exhibitors to the show. We have an active presence on many forums, a great website, and a very large mailing list that helps us to keep folks informed of developments. We also have our own forum that enables visitors to ask us questions about the show and to share their show experiences with other visitors.
Matt: What about print? Do you use print advertising, have a newsletter, anything like that?
Shane: We advertise in many print publications including SFX magazine, 2000 AD and Toxic. We also print up flyers and posters for events etc.
Matt: What’s the mix in terms of exhibitors at your con? Do you even have exhibitors?
Shane: We have great mixture of exhibitors at BICS. This year there will be 162 tables featuring retailers, publishers, art suppliers, creators and distributors. There really is something for everyone.
(2000 AD’s stand among the exhibitors and dealers at BICS)
Matt: What are your thoughts on the small press comics scene in this country? How do you try and support it (do you try and support it)?
Shane: I have personally done my best to support the small press scene since 1999 when I founded Smallzone [Shane’s company, which acts as a distribution service for small press comics]. When I became involved with BICS I was determined to give small press creators a level playing field along with all the big publishers at the show. We offer small press creators a £40 discount from the normal table price to try and make it easier for them to afford being part of the event. We are very proud of the huge diversity of genres and styles on display at BICS, all thanks to the UK small press scene.
Matt: How much are the tickets for your event? How did you arrive at that price? Please tell us about any concessions.
Shane: Tickets are £12 per day or £20 for the weekend. Children go half price and under 5’s go free. We also offer family passes, and free access for carers. We have based these prices on our projected attendance against the cost of our venue and other costs involved in producing the show. When you bare in mind the full program of events happening at the show as well as the comics fair etc the entry fee is extremely good value for money.
How much is a 90-minute football match for all the family these days, or a visit to the cinema for two hours? At those events you don’t even get to meet the players or the film stars. At our show you get to meet the stars of comics in a friendly and informal atmosphere. It really is a special opportunity for many fans and we love seeing the faces of young fans when they get their first signed copy of Watchmen or Planetary.
Matt: How much are exhibitor tables for your event (if you have any)? Again, how did you arrive at that figure?
Shane: Tables are £160 each for the weekend. We give discounts to small press comic creators and those making multiple table bookings. Again we arrived at this figure based on our costs, and based on the projected takings for the average exhibitor. We have tried very hard to make tables good value for money and provide steady through traffic for all exhibitors at the show. Obviously it’s up to the exhibitors to sell or promote their work or products, we can’t do that for them. What we do provide is a state of the art venue filled to the brim with comic fans and those who want to find out more about comics.
(cosplaying at a previous BICS show in Birmingham)
Matt: Do you run workshops/events/panels at your con? Please tell us about those and how they are organised.
Shane: We have a full program of killer events running all through the weekend of the show. These include exclusive creator interviews, fun quizzes, live art events and professional demos from some of the industry’s top creators. We host panel discussions on topical subjects concerning the medium and the industry. We also conduct portfolio reviews for aspiring comics artists.
Matt: Are there any external events connected to BICS? Educational stuff, talks, workshops, comics promoting, that kind of thing?
Shane: We are running an outreach program this year, which involves talks, presentations and workshops in libraries, schools and colleges. If anyone is interested in hosting a talk or workshop and would like to find out more, they can contact us at: info@thecomicsshow.co.uk
We are also presenting an exclusive IMAX Birmingham screening of The Watchmen in September hosted by Dave Gibbons, with a signing before the screening. Places will be limited to just 300.
More news of this on our website soon.
Matt: As you’ve been kind enough to answer these questions, please fell free to big your con up a bit. Tell us what you do well, what your event’s main attractions are and why our readers should attend the next one.
Shane: If you love comics you simply must attend BICS 2009 in October. It’s an essential event for every type of fan, whether you love manga, superheroes, small press or even if you’re just curious about what comics are. BICS celebrates every form of the medium and is THE event to visit in 2009!
Matt: Thanks, Shane, for answering our questions. For more on BICS (which this year runs on the 3rd and 4th of October), please visit the convention’s website here.
FPI would like to thank both Shane and Matt for taking the time to share their thoughts here; on a further note do check out Matt’s own blog where he is bravely tackling the subject 100 Days, 100 Cartoonists, showcasing 100 creators you really should have a look at. The first Q&A in this series, with Oli Smith of London Underground Comics, can be read here; stay tuned for more in this series to follow.
Related posts:
- BICS exit interview with Shane Chebsey The Geek Syndicate have a nice, concise interview with...
- Shane Chebsey on Geek Syndicate Barry at the excellent Geek Syndicate podcast reminds us that...
- We are Family: A conversation with Vicky Stonebridge In the coming weeks and months the Forbidden Planet International...
- You’ll Go Home Wanting To Make Comics: a Conversation with Patrick Findlay Over the previous and the coming weeks and months, the...
- Brum to Britain – name change for BICS The Birmingham International Comics Show has undergone a name change,...
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June 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
I’m curious after doing the maths of the visitors+ticket prices why the table prices are so expensive, especially for small press people like myself, which to be fair has put off myself and other people from attending such a great event this year. Even with the ‘discount’ it’s still twice as expensive as any other con, even in comparison with similar sized events such as the MCM Expo/Thought Bubble.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I have attended all three Brumcons, but will
Not be bothering this year. I have no beef with Shane
but it is too expensive. After paying £40 for a weekend
at the MCM expo, and a crowd of 10,000, or Leeds, again
a cheaper option.
But it’s not just the money. These two events seem to care
A bit more about the people that have bothered to participate.
I don’t feel as though I am there to fill up space in a convention
hall. Leeds had a wonderful mail out, lovely passes, and a personal touch
on the day.
But also, they seem to be steering the ship in the direction I would
like to travel. So I will be buying my ( cheaper) ticket for the journey.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
One question- why publicise a british con, using the slogan “holy brit!”, with a picture by an american cartoonist (Chaykin)?
I would also like to add to the chorus of people saying that the exhibitor price does seem awfully steep- although, as with similar past complaints about the Thing in London, the most obvious answer to such critics does seem to be “try doing it yourself”. I have no idea how much the venue costs to hire, or how much the organisers are spending on marketing and so forth, or indeed how many working hours the organisers themselves are putting into the enterprise. I can conceive that, from the organisers’ point of view, the price may seem perfectly reasonable- however, the fact is that many small press exhibitors will be put off (as demonstrated in other comments here), and that this will drastically effect the nature of the con. I hope they’ve thought about that, and are comfortable with the implications.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
The last time I tried to get into a MCM Expo – Telford 2007, in fact, my “hometown show” – they wanted £120 for it. Two years ago.
I’d love to go to things like Hi-Ex, London MCM, and Bristol (!!), but travel costs and accommodation just make that impossible. Train down to London, plus room, plus table? There is no ratio of tablecosts/space that can make sharing worthwhile for me, either – or ameliorate the ancillary costs of travel and board.
I won’t pretend that this year’s hike hasn’t given me pause for thought (assuming I haven’t left it too late. I haven’t been able to book: I haven’t had the money.) But where else am I gonna go? What else am I gonna do? And how am I gonna explain it to the…okay, the three people that might be coming back to BICS to see me?
Outside of (the ace) Thought Bubble, which I can only do because it’s a one-day thing, I get one weekend a year. One. My best and only chance of reaching out to the wider comics community. And that’s Brum. I’m not there for the after-show. I’m not there for the bar. I’m there to put books in hands and smiles on faces. That’s all I want.
I’d be there whatever, to be honest. Shane’s The Guy. Brum is The Place (esp. for a man who writes Midlands-based superhero comics). But when it comes down to it, I don’t have much choice.
And it’s not even about making my money back. I don’t mind risking a small loss, for the chance to roll the damn dice.
//\Oo/\\
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I agree with all said above.
At the end of the day people could argue that small pressers should be willing to cough up some dosh to get themselves out there, but as most do it as a passion or a just a hobby it’s rather unfeasible.
That said this months MCM Expo and the last two years of Thought Bubble in Leeds have proved prices don’t have to be high for small pressers or the crowd coming in either.
Moving forward shows will find it tougher and tougher to compete as newer shows try to one up shows like Brum.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Matthew; a table at the October MCM Expo in London will be £40 for the weekend. The prices have come right down so it’s totally worth weighing up the options. MCM is a third of the price of Brum for 10 times the amount of attendees.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
If anyone’s interested in attending the MCM, they should email the team at comicvillage@mcmexpo.net as places are filling up.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:27 am
For a while I considered not responding to these comments, but now I’ve had a good few hours to calm myself I’ve decided to answer each one individually:
Phillip said: “I’m curious after doing the maths of the visitors+ticket prices why the table prices are so expensive, especially for small press people like myself, which to be fair has put off myself and other people from attending such a great event this year. Even with the ‘discount’ it’s still twice as expensive as any other con, even in comparison with similar sized events such as the MCM Expo/Thought Bubble.”
So what figures did you use in your maths? Are you privy to our venue costs, flight costs, hotel costs, advertising costs or to the number of hours we put into making the show the best it can be for the benefit of exhibitors and visitors alike?? Why did you place “discount” in inverted commas? Do you not think £40 off is a discount?
Also, which “other” exhibitors are you presuming to speak for? Obviosly not any of the 40 small pressers already booked in for the show. Believe me, I want the tables to be cheaper too, if I had my way they’d be free but they are not. The price is what it has to be and we think it’s good value for money, I fail to understand why you feel the need to make negative comments and unqualified assumptions just because you see the tables as expensive.
Which show’s on a par with BICS (so that leaves out The Wonderful Thought Bubble, The respected Bristol or any of those big “third wookie from the left” car boot sales as they are either larger, smaller, not specifically comics, or one day events) are we twice as expensive as?? Enlighten me at: chebbo@aol.com
Sean said: I have attended all three Brumcons, but will
Not be bothering this year. I have no beef with Shane
but it is too expensive. After paying £40 for a weekend
at the MCM expo, and a crowd of 10,000, or Leeds, again
a cheaper option.
But it’s not just the money. These two events seem to care
A bit more about the people that have bothered to participate.
I don’t feel as though I am there to fill up space in a convention
hall. Leeds had a wonderful mail out, lovely passes, and a personal touch
on the day.
But also, they seem to be steering the ship in the direction I would
like to travel. So I will be buying my ( cheaper) ticket for the journey.
You suprise me mate.. you really do. I totally understand you not being able to afford hotels, travel and tables etc. That’s your personal dilema, and I wish it wasn’t the case, and although it’s certainly nothing to do with whether or not BICS is value for money, I very much sympathise as it’s the reason I find it hard to do London events.
However, do you honestly think I don’t “care
A bit more about the people that have bothered to participate” to put it in your words?
I thought you knew me better than that. I hold my hands up in despair to think you could even think such a thing.
True MCM does attract nearly 10,000 to it’s London event, but as a past exhibitor at their shows I can tell you a very small percentage of those people are into comics. All the same they do a great job at what they set out to do and I think that’s just dandy!
As for the passes etc: Yes Leeds do create lovley passes, I’ll agree with that. What was wrong the BICS passes designed by none other than Michael Golden especially for the show? What about the Show guide that included a 3D map of the venue and full events schedule that was given free to everyone who entered the show?? What about the 500 free goodie bags that were double the value of the entry free?? We don’t care??
I’m sorry you won’t be at BICS 09 Sean I really am. You know I’m a big fan of your work, so I hope you are able to make it another year it won’t be the same without you.
David said: I would also like to add to the chorus of people saying that the exhibitor price does seem awfully steep- although, as with similar past complaints about the Thing in London, the most obvious answer to such critics does seem to be “try doing it yourself”. I have no idea how much the venue costs to hire, or how much the organisers are spending on marketing and so forth, or indeed how many working hours the organisers themselves are putting into the enterprise. I can conceive that, from the organisers’ point of view, the price may seem perfectly reasonable- however, the fact is that many small press exhibitors will be put off (as demonstrated in other comments here), and that this will drastically effect the nature of the con. I hope they’ve thought about that, and are comfortable with the implications.
Thanks for your more balanced comment. (So does two people constitute a chorus now?)
) but we have almost booked up on small press this year so I think they will be well represented at the show and that’s the important thing as far as I’m concerned: making sure the small press is given a good representation at the show alongside all the other exhibitors.
Believe me we give every aspect of the show deep consideration, including pricing. We had to add two pounds onto our entrance fee and £10 onto our table fee because of increased costs. And we had to give slightly lower discounts to smallpress and creators. We’re sorry if this makes it hard for some small pressers to attend,(you could always skip three pints in the bar
Matt: (Not going to paste in your comment.)
Just want to say thanks for your kind words, and that I have actually penciled you in already for a table as I thought you’d already been in touch, so you certainly do have your space reserved, so don’t worry.
Jon: We are not competing with any other show. Our aims and how we do things are totally differnt to other shows and we are happy to stand alone. Take us as you find us.
Most of all I hope everyone who comes along has a great time!!
Finally Remember folks, I’m a small presser myself, so I do understand your point of view.
An interesting point: Not one retailer, dealer or pro publisher has complained about the table prices. Not only do they pay more, but they are also having a hard time at the moment and have to consider every single expenditure they make in these hard times. Yet almost every professional exhibitor has increasd their booking.
Being self published or small press should not mean being unprofessional in my humble opinion. Why do small press publishers think they are even entitled to a discount when being given an even playing feild?? Try asking for one at MCM OR Memorabilia. I know you won’t get one, because I’ve exhibited at MCM for three years now and I’d certainly never moan if I couldn’t afford the tables. It’s not their fault!
I’m taking a leaf out of my old friend Mike Alwood’s book, making this comment my final word on the subject of pricing, and not making any further comments. I should have listened to the wisdom of Mike long before this.
Thanks everyone for all of your comments.
If anybody has any questions about the show please feel free to email me at: chebbo@aol.com
We are greatful for all feedback and ideas and take them all into account I promise you.
Love to all
Shane
http://www.thcomicsshow.co.uk
June 4th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Thank’s for the response Shane, I have put my follow up In a mail.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Likewise to Sean, thanks for the reply Shane, I’ll send you an email with more details. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to paint a bad brush on BICS, I’ve enjoyed it the last two years and would love to go this year but the rate at which the table prices have gone up more than inline with inflation, and while it might by put to good use in advertising etc. the table prices go above and beyond what I can reasonable afford and personally feel is value for money, which is why I wont be attending. Obviously it’s a personal choice and there will always be other small pressers willing to attend.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Oh, what? Forty quid? Really?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArabbits.
//\oo/\\
June 4th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
(And thanks, Marc)
(and doublethanks, Shane).
//\oo/\\
June 4th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Shane, your response is really important so thankyou for taking the time to make it. It sets you apart as listening to what we the creators think. Rather than being a tossing thing.
I will be at Brum this year because I love the city and I love the people. You know I can’t afford exhibiting, I wonder if my morals and interest can afford the entry fee?
What BICS lack is that ‘free open door without charge’ that Oli Smith pointed to. The 9yr old who has just seen Wolverine and the 310 per family member. You can’t expect to attract new alternative art in a country with little to no comics publishers. You can’t attract subcultures because kids on giro or McJobs can’t afford to take their poor quality photocopy runs to big shows like BICS.
We’re seeing a greater divide between giant festivals – BICS, MCM and more and more the previlaing likes of Oli Smith and Jimi Gherkin. Shane defensively imports this notion of London-centric comics festivals, and hes quite right to do so. Were you aware comics-only festivals in Derry are the first in Northern Ireland? All through the UKCAC years we did without.
But if the small press want to be a part of these gigs they’re going to have to work as collectives with people like Shane and Mike. British comics are small press, festival organisers need to adapt or fall, or British comics need to publish big again.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to say we are pleased that so many of you chose to attend the recent London MCM Expo. While it is true to say that in past years the comic audience has not been that big, anyone who was at the recent event will know that has and is changing in a big way.
The turn out over 2 days past 30,000 not 10,000.
We have worked hard to attract a broad audience which ultimately will benefit the comic press by exposing artists and their work to more people. Guests have included Adam Hughes, Brian Bolland, Ben Templesmith, Steve Niles, Ethan Van Sciver, Warren Ellis and many more…
Our table costs have a simple formula and have been worked out to cover our costs and help support the small press, creators, writers to the show and if anyone is interest in attending please do email the team at comicvillage@mcmexpo.net. The prices are going to stay LOW.
The area is actually filling up quickly as most people who did attend are signing up right away.
If anyone has any questions the guys and gals are there to help.
Hope to see you in October.
Bryan
MCM Expo
June 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Ok Brian, I’m sure you’ll get your own chance to plug your show when Matt interviews you.
Serioulsy though, I think it’s great that you are making this move for comics publishers. I hope this extends to your Telford Shows too, as I’ll be wanting to exhibit again. Who knows, with these prices I may be able to afford a London show now too. I’m really glad you are in the position to offer these discounts to small pressers Brian, wish we could possibly do the same.
Andy, as always you get in free as a volunteer mate! Or did I work you too hard last year??
S.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Hi Everyone
I also just wanted to say thank you for the positive feedback regarding our London MCM Expo show.
As Brian has already said we are striving to help the comic community within the UK to grow as are others, I personally extend back to heady years of UKCAC and the comic marts at the TUC in London.
I can see what people are saying about the genre being London centric but that seems to be the case for many genres, although with our acquisition of the MEMORABILIA event at the NEC this may no longer be the case where we are concerned.
We have consulted and looked at how we can help the market in our own way and with again the positive feedback from both small press and the fans from the recent London MCM Expo a couple of weeks ago hopefully we have begun to achieve this with the help of a great team with in our ‘Comic Village’ section.
I was having a brief chat with Warren Ellis over the weekend he made a comment saying that he felt the time he had spent at the event reminded him of how UKCAC used to be and the atmosphere which I felt in some ways was quite a pat on the back.
Over the coming months we will offer further opportunities for small press, webcomix and also of course the main stream comic industry to exhibit and attendt a London event and hopefully extending that in some part to our MEMORABILIA event at the NEC cost affectively for all involved.
Thank you for allowing me to chime in with my little piece.
I echo Brian’s words
Hope to see you in October.
Paul
MCM Expo