The original idea was for Tim Brazeal and the organizers of FedCon USA to bring all the success that the Con from Germany had seen over the last couple of years to the United States so that sci-fi fans could try to experience the same excitement without the need of traveling across the ocean. However, we have learned that FedCon Germany had pulled out of any connection with this event as early as January of this year.
After just one full day FedCon USA was abruptly shut down. The reason given by master of ceremonies Richard Anderson on the beginning of the second day of the event was poor attendance. Actor John Billingsley and his wife, actress Bonita Freidericy, had just finished up their portion of the entertainment when Anderson appeared on stage with the sudden announcement. However, in a written statement at FedConUSA.com, Mr. Brazeal cites poor organization, poor communication, poor management and lack of advertising as the main problem. One can only guess at what legal reprisals could be in store for the organizers of this failed event.
Held in Dallas, Texas, the Con was originally scheduled for 3-days (June 13-15) and the sudden chain-of-events left many actors, vendors and fans speechless and confused. Many of the stars in attendence did stay on for a few hours longer on Saturday to sign autographs for the upset attendees.
While we have tried but been unable to reach Tim Brazeal by phone, we are hoping he will return our calls and will try and explain why this happened.
It should be noted that although Slice of SciFi began as an outreach of another Brazeal enterprise called Trek United and Save Enterprise over 3 years ago, we have long been independent and neither Slice of SciFi or FarPoint Media have any official legal or financial connection with FedCon USA, Mr. Brazeal, or his other organization called SciFi Studios.
Stay tuned to Slice of SciFi for updates to this FedConUSA story. As we have further accurate details we will bring them to you.
Sam says
John has always been my idea of what every movie and TV star should be like on and off the camera.
Zippy says
I blame instant culture, since when has a con be an unqualified success from the very beginning?
Michael R. Mennenga says
The things I’m reading around the net say that John Billingsley is the hero of the hour. Forcing the messenger announcing the end of the con to give up more details, as well as putting them on the spot to arrange how and where to get refunds. John also went above the call and entertained the unhappy masses for quite some time after the close of the event.
John has been elevated, in my book, as a True Man of the Sci-Fi fan.
Paul Campbell says
If Fox did Cons…
Kevin King says
The Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol) Community on LJ has quite a bit of information, including emails from him, on how he was treated by the convention:
http://community.livejournal.com/aarondouglas/107436.html#cutid1
It looks like they ran out of money, panicked, and then hid their heads in the sand hoping the fans and the guests would just go away.
brett says
Tim saw an oppertunity to do another CON!