The documentary “Surviving Supercon” follows the Supercon team led by “fire and ice” duo Michael “Mike” Broder and Sandy Martin and offers a behind-the scenes look at what it takes to organize and successfully execute Florida Supercon, a multi-day, high-attendance event for fans of all things pop culture, including comic books, anime, video games, wrestling, and cosplay.
**SPOILERS**
“Surviving Supercon” was produced, directed, partially shot, and edited by Steven Shea of Abyssmal Entertainment. Of his nineteen director and twenty-six producer credits on IMDb, this is his first full-length documentary. Shea founded Abyssmal Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, California, in 2002. He and the Abyssmal team work on short films, music videos, and nonfiction narratives in addition to comic and animation services. They also offer corporate content development.
The color scheme and visual effects (by Ryan Shovey and Jason Murphy respectively) are exactly what one would expect from Abyssmal Entertainment and in a film that celebrates the history and wonder that is fantasy-related geek culture.
In a scene reminiscent of its comic book-style film poster, the documentary opens with footage of fans flooding into the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on the first day of the 2018 Supercon event.
In Act I, we learn about Mike and how he came to found what later became the nationally recognized brand that is Supercon. As documentary film viewers would expect, we learn much of this through interviews with Mike’s mother, friends, influencers and early supporters, Supercon staff, and living artists, including Golden Age of Comics artist Allen Bellman who has since passed away.
As part of its strong setup, we learn about how Mike and Sandy met and married. The story then moves on to last-minute show prep and problem solving. Graphics counting down the days to Supercon add pops of color and a reminder of the film’s implied focus—Florida Supercon.
In a set-up that never pays off (one of several), we’re told about an incoming hurricane. Manufactured stakes aside, with only two days before the doors open tension is rising. If they haven’t already, aspiring event organizers should start taking notes because as Mike says, “Things are gonna happen.”
Act II is predominately about all the stuff that happens—how it goes wrong, when it goes wrong, and why it goes wrong. Much of the drama involves parties that Mike describes as “security” and ““security”” with double air quotes. This distinction provides much of the tension and I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening humor for the audience. Villains abound but attendees are shown having the time of their lives. Most of Act II is well paced with a satisfying escalation of tension and periodic releases that show how much goes right and what this event means to its organizers.
Despite the firm hands (and occasionally yelling—screaming?) required to bring order to chaos, Mike and Sandy’s commitment to the safety and entertainment of their guests and attendees is obvious. Shea does an excellent job of showing how fire and ice come together to create an atmosphere of warmth for their celebrity guests, attendees, and staff.
The film delivers on its title and poster when the focus is on Mike and Sandy and the inherent conflicts and joys of pulling off an event that attracts more than 50,000 people and offers a variety of entertainment options every hour of every day the convention runs. Unfortunately, “Surviving Supercon” seems to have a split focus.
Early on Shea introduces us to a trio (one of whom had officiated Mike and Sandy’s wedding). Later we learn that the trio wrote the “based on a true story” movie “Supercon” released in 2018. Mike states that because “they were buddies” he had allowed the trio to film B-Roll at his Supercon show and gave his blessing to use the Supercon name. Beyond that, he says that he “didn’t have any input in the script or casting.”
During an interview for the “Surviving Supercon” documentary, the officiator of Mike and Sandy’s wedding describes antagonist, Gil Burkhaulter, of his “Supercon” film as an exaggerated version of Mike Broder. Promotional material for the movie characterizes Gil Burkhaulter as a “sleaze-ball promoter.” The movie’s “based on a true story” claim turns out to be based on something that happened at a different con—one not associated with Mike and held in a different state. Of their film, one of the trio says that Mike hated it. Who wouldn’t?
But what does this have to do with a documentary about what it takes to organize and execute Florida Supercon? Apparently, nothing. It doesn’t move the “Surviving Supercon” story forward in any way.
Perhaps more importantly, it begs so many questions that it became for me the most interesting thing about this documentary. Why does Shea give these people a platform to promote their piece of work? Why would they willingly and gleefully describe their film and Mike the way they do? I expected Shea to pull it all together in the end, creating a complete narrative arc for both the Supercon event and this drama. But he offers no clear resolution.
In the third act, however, we learn about a possible motive. Mike says that during the filming of the documentary he’s been in talks with a company interested in purchasing Supercon. The filmmaker also takes an opportunity driven by a good deed done by a Supercon attendee as the show was winding down to lay out the Supercon organization’s community involvement and charitable efforts. (Of note is that the shift is jarring and disconnected from the comic book fun and games style of the movie poster.) The phrase “brand rehabilitation” sprang to mind.
Anyone who has subjected themselves to the full runtime of “Supercon” will likely understand and forgive this impulse. But they may also be left with nagging questions: What is “Surviving Supercon” about? Is it about surviving Supercon? Or is about surviving “Supercon”? And is this a documentary film produced to educate and entertain a specific audience, or was the production of this film driven by the business concerns of its subjects?
If the film is about surviving “Supercon,” it did its job. ReedPOP acquired Florida Supercon in March of 2019 allowing Mike and Sandy to move forward with more ambitious plans for events around the country.
If the film is about surviving Supercon 2018, it did its job. Despite the problems created by many failures of the “security” team as well as the pop-up challenges expected during an event of its size and complexity, celebrity guests and attendees raved about the event, Mike and Sandy, and the dedication of the Supercon staff. This educational and heartwarming documentary is worth watching for anyone interested in starting or growing a conference.
“Surviving Supercon” will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from Abyssmal Entertainment on November 9th, 2021. It is also be available on rental, streaming and downloading via Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, Vimeo and Google Play Movies and TV.
