Attention, one and all across the world! Time to get your FrogPants on. In just two months, on July 5-6 in this year of our something 2013, comes the 7th annual NERDTACULAR celebration! A one of a kind event, Nerdtacular is all about good friends getting together to watch a nerdy summer blockbuster. Or at least it was, until the community grew exponentially to the point that Nerdtacular is now it’s own mini-convention.
Panels of every variety, swag galore, a wide open game floor, live podcasting, big concerts each night, prizes, costume contests and more surprises to come; everything you could hope for in a geeky get-together of such high caliber. Started and hosted by Utah’s own Scott Johnson, Nerdtacular is shaping up to be one of the coolest geek events of the year!
Scott’s been a community standard-bearer for all things geek since he began his webcomic, My Extra Life, which will be 12 years old this June. On top of this, he’s built FrogPants Studios, a business entity somewhere between a podcasting hub, a production and design firm, and a webcomic studio. I gave ol’ Scott a ring to chat about what’s in store for showgoers at Nerdtacular ‘13.
GameSkinny: Nerdtacular, FrogPants, the world’s biggest WoW guild; this whole vibrant community started up around your webcomic, My Extra Life, which will be 12 years old this June. What were your hopes and dreams back when you first started in webcomics, and how has your vision of the community changed as it’s all grown so fast?
Scott Johnson: Honestly, I had no idea what I wanted. Well, that’s not really true. I started that comic and some of the other related stuff to stay sharp with my art, to draw every day, and not lose the flame. I felt like I was going to get rusty, and this offered a way to have even a handful of people expect my work on a regular basis, and that provided a great way for me to do that. But I had no idea that it would lead to all this stuff I’m doing now.
What was your experience with cons and events similar to Nerdtacular in the past, especially out Utah way?
Not a whole lot. This surprises people, but I am not much for crowds. Something like ComicCon sounds cool on the surface, but the crowds, lines, and lack of general space just drives me right up the wall. I use to go to Comdex back in the early 2000’s, and I’ve been to Blizzcon, and other stuff… but I don’t go out of my way. Plus, I’ve been raising three kids, and keeping the house paid for, which limits how much of that sort of travel I can do.
It might seem strange to some that Nerdtacular even happens, since it involves a crowd. Not only that, but a crowd that is there to see me, which is a huge hunk of pressure. But there’s something different about doing this with a crowd of like minded friends like that. It’s those guys that make all this possible, and I love that we have Nerdtacular to celebrate that.
What prompted Nerdtacular in the first place?
Back in 2006 it was a way to gather up a hundred or so local Utah fans and go see a movie together. That was really the entire scope of the thing at that point. We did it the first time in 2007, and had a blast. Rented out a movie theater, watched a movie, and built some memories. But it became clear by the next year, that this was going to grow, and it would quickly stretch beyond a handful of locals.
When did you realize that this was becoming much bigger than a bunch of friends gathering for a day at the movies?
I think it was in 2008, when 8 to 10 people showed up at this local event from places like France, and Texas, and Canada among other places. It hit me that this could span further than I thought it might. The next year we had 45 people that flew in from other parts of the world, and by 2010, 115 people fit this new out of state status. The direction became clear at that point.
This year, it’s looking like only a small comparative percentage of people will be from around here. Two thirds of the attendees are from all over the place. Five different continents, all 50 states, etc. Crazy.
What prompted the move away from a Nerdtacular centered around a geeky summer blockbuster?
For the record, we still try and slip one in here and there, but the main reason was this: it became clear that people were not making these trips for the movie. They were doing it to see me, and all the Frogpants producers and friends that came along as well, like Tom Merritt, Veronica Belmont, Brian Ibbott, etc. The draw was hearing from us, and the draw for us became spending time with the community.
So we decided to take it to the next level and build a nice small mini-con, designed specifically for the frogpants community. It was the right move. This year, we move to two days total, which is even better in this regard. These are our people. Can’t wait to see ‘em.
What’s changed the most in the six years Nerdtacular has been alive?
I saw the biggest growth in my work, got some amazing opportunities, and quit my day job to do what I do full time. And, my kids grew up really fast!
The site calls N13 a “mini-con”. How long until Nerdtacular becomes a full blown convention?
At this stage, that is sort of up to us. Up to us as to how fast we want it to grow, how big we want it to be. We are very careful about this stage, because I’ve always felt the event is best when it is organically doing what it wants to do. But at some point, we will have to either stop capping it at 600 people and let it expand into the thousands, or lock it down and always keep it small. I like the idea of smaller, because I get to connect if a very real way with people who come. I can talk personally with just about everyone over these two days, get lots of pictures, hear people’s stories, etc. This is really important to me, and the reason I think Nerdtacular works so well for those that come. I’m afraid to mess with that vibe.
Luxury resorts aren’t the most common places for nerdy conventions. What led you to choose Snowbird Summer Resort for the location?
They have space that is PERFECT for what we are doing, plus the location could be a more beautiful. I am proud of my state, and I am honestly excited for out of towners to see another view of what we have on tap in Utah. But it’s generally a great combination of affordable, comfortable, and suitable. If this goes like we expect, it could be our home for Nerdtacular for a good long time to come.
Fondest moment from Nerdtacular overall?
I think it was the time in 2011 when I met a kid and his parents who had come, and the boy told me that he wanted to draw because of me. He’d been though some really rough medical stuff, and he really got to me standing there with his big grin on. I love meeting these people, and being a small part of their lives.
Doesn’t sound like a small part! Any big surprises in store for N13? What are you most excited about this year?
No big surprises, though I am excited about lots of new stuff this year. Our tabletop gaming area is going to be epic. The bands we have lined up to play are sure to end both days with a bang. I’m stoked for the extended time we have this year, and the relaxed atmosphere that comes with that. Excited to see all my friends that I work with and make content with… they really are the best friends out there. The panels are always a blast too. There’s so much to look forward to.
What’s your hopeful vision for N15 or N20?
I have NO idea. Honestly, I never think that far ahead. But I can tell you have I have some fun ideas for N14.
I’ve got Scott Johnson from 12 years ago on the phone here, what would you say to him from where you are now?
I’d say, “Hey, I’ve only got a couple minutes, but I wanted to let you know that despite what you might have predicted, you’ve built something pretty cool here, you get to do for a living what you wanted to do when you were 8 years old, and your kids are turning out incredible! Oh, and your wife is STILL hot!”
Nice.
