t's no conspiracy: Fox is avoiding the usual fan convention circuit and has instead put its own show on the road with the first X-Files Expo, a 10-city national tour that concludes in Washington, D.C., on May 16 and 17. Described as an "interactive road show that combines the look and feel of the hit television series with high-tech entertainment experiences," the Expo combines familiar convention components with more innovative attractions.
The first thing that distinguishes the Expo from other conventions is location: warehouses, hangars and military bases in lieu of hotel ballrooms. In the Los Angeles area, the Expo took place in a massive blimp hangar on a Marine Corps base in Tustin, about 40 miles southeast of downtown L.A. Signs--real and fake--caution trespassers, require security clearances and warn of toxic chemicals.
Once inside, visitors encounter camouflage-draped chain-link, closed-circuit TVs and roving search lights, all designed to evoke the show's noirish atmosphere. "Security" is provided by extras dressed as Men in Black.
The Expo is divided into themed areas. "Theatrical Control" is a portable screening room with continuous showings of an eight-minute behind-the-scenes preview of the upcoming X-Files feature film. "Archives" is an interactive, virtual trivia game. "Field Ops Data Stations" are computer terminals with samplings of upcoming X-Files CD-ROM games and access to exclusive Expo Web sites. There are also prop displays and a "PX" selling T-shirts, hats, books and other paraphernalia, as well as autograph areas.
Two of the more popular sections are color-keyed "sets" where visitors can get their photographs snapped, then digitally inserted into either Special Agent Fox Mulder's office, or into a scene from the new movie ($3 each). The main stage--or "Briefing Arena"--takes up the largest part of the Expo, and it's where the celebrities perform, answer questions and screen short video features on the show. In L.A., fans welcomed actors Dean Haglund (Langly), Mitch Pileggi (Skinner), William B. Davis (The Cigarette Smoking Man), Steven Williams (X) and several writers.
Deceived, inveigled, obfuscated
Visitors to The X-Files Expo can expect to do at least two things: Wait in lines and spend money. Arriving a little before the scheduled 11 a.m. opening time, one visitor waited for half an hour to park, then was given a choice of free (i.e. distant) parking, or VIP (i.e. close) parking for $2. That's in addition to the $25 entry fee.
X-Philes who went to the first Expo in the San Francisco Bay Area complained of long lines and unexpected crowds. Organizers were a bit more prepared in L.A., and the crowds on March 14 were manageable, but the lines remained daunting. It took an hour to view The X-Files feature preview; an hour to play the trivia game; and an hour to get a picture shot in Mulder's office. Other things were less troublesome. A fan could sit right down at the computer terminals, and, unlike other conventions, seating in the stage area was open, accessible and close.
As for the costs, except for an "Evidence Bag" with a complimentary Expo program, a refrigerator magnet, a sample CD-ROM and some coupons, everything else was available for a price. Official T-shirts were $20, baseball caps cost up to $27.50, photos $5. A controversial policy meant fans had to buy food from captive concessionaires, who peddled orange juice for $2.25 a glass and limp roast beef sandwiches for $4.25.
These irritants aside, the Expo offered some fun for the diehard Phile. The theatrical preview is tantalizing, including behind-the-scenes shots and one hilarious scene between Agent Mulder and bartender Glenne Headly, in which he recaps (for those fans joining the program late) the last five years of The X-Files in about 45 seconds.
Fans seemed to especially love the digital effects photography. And the cast and crew drew huge cheers from the crowd. Haglund, who plays one of "The Lone Gunmen" and who is traveling with the tour to the end, was an audience favorite as he improvised a comic episode of the show with audience participation.
