Characters out in force for DeeCon

Published On Thu 7 Apr 2016 by Grant Hill

Superheroes, Stormtroopers and samurai, cuddly creatures and other characters from the world of anime, comics and games will gather at the University of Dundee this Saturday for the largest DeeCon held to date.

The year-on-year growth of the anime, animation and art convention means the 2016 event will burst out from its base at Dundee University Students’ Union (DUSA) for the first time and into new spaces in the University Chaplaincy Centre and Queen Mother Building. Saturday, 9th April promises to be a day of colour, fun and geekiness on campus with thousands of fans, many of whom will be dressed in costume, expected to descend on the campus from around the country.

Film screenings, board and video game tournaments, stalls, exhibitions, demonstrations and industry presentations will be taking place, as will outdoor events. Other scheduled activities include the Artists Alley, Comics Corner, Cosplaying and table-top gaming.

A video games showcase will feature student projects as well as work from Dundee-based company Ruffian Games, while the film screenings include several Japanese animations which have yet to be released in the UK. Closing off the day will be another staple of DeeCon, The Cosplay Masquerade when the stalls will be cleared and the stage filled with an array of vibrant costumes from the day.

Presentations running throughout DeeCon will see professionals from the comics, animation, games and other creative industries sharing their experiences. Guests include Brendan Body, who worked on The Amazing Spider-man, Hellboy 2 and Pacific Rim, Tanya Roberts (Star Wars: Clone Wars, TMNT and How to Train Your Dragon), and Andrew Partridge (Cowboy Bebop, Full Metal Alchemist and Kill La Kill).

DeeCon is organised predominantly by students and alumni of the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. It is a fundraising event with all proceeds going towards the College’s animation degree show in May. The event has grown in stature since its inception six years ago and almost 4000 fans and attendees flocked to the 2015 convention.

Such was the success of last year’s event that the organisers have taken the decision to open new venues to accommodate the growing number taking part in DeeCon. There will also be an admission fee of £3 for the first time this year to enable the animation students to continue expanding the event.

Adam Balson, a member of the organising committee, said, “We have been working hard over the past year to create a really special event and to try and ensure DeeCon 2016 is the best yet. The programme we put in place is a really exciting one and we would urge people to come along to sample the incredible atmosphere, even if they are not necessarily anime fans.

“DeeCon had been taken as far as it could as a free, one-venue event so this year three buildings on campus will be hosting events and the small ticket price will allow access to all of them. We are grateful for all those who come along and make the day such a success and help out the final-year animation students as DeeCon has grown each time it has been held.

“This year we will once again be integrating the Dundee Comics Expo and have several comic artists and creators hosting talks and workshops as well as the films, games, competitions, fancy dress and other fun things taking place. We are looking forward to bringing everyone together to share their work, meet like-minded people and enjoy a fun-filled day.”

DeeCon 2016 events take place from 12am to 7.30pm at DUSA, the University Chaplaincy Centre and Queen Mother Building on Saturday, 9th April.

The day’s fun will be rounded off at the After Party where Redwood, The General and DJ Nanashi will be providing the beats from 9pm to 3am.

More information about DeeCon can be found at http://deecon-event.tumblr.com/, https://www.facebook.com/deecon.event/timeline, or by emailing a.balson@dundee.ac.uk. 

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk