mesk
@meesk.bsky.social
TV, media industries, algorithmic brand culture, videographic criticism. Associate Professor of Rhetoric & Media Studies, Lewis & Clark College. She/her.
Related to the CR puzzle, Dropout also had an ARG embedded in this season of Game Changer that ultimately leads to a page where 100k people need to enter a secret word to unlock the bonus episode for this season. I did my part. (More on this: www.argn.com/2025/08/its_...)
August 15, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Related to the CR puzzle, Dropout also had an ARG embedded in this season of Game Changer that ultimately leads to a page where 100k people need to enter a secret word to unlock the bonus episode for this season. I did my part. (More on this: www.argn.com/2025/08/its_...)
I wrapped my con with wandering along the show floor and then got Dole whip from Sweet Things (IYKYK). On Preview Night, the four days seem endless; then you blink and it's Sunday afternoon. See you next year, SDCC.
July 28, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I wrapped my con with wandering along the show floor and then got Dole whip from Sweet Things (IYKYK). On Preview Night, the four days seem endless; then you blink and it's Sunday afternoon. See you next year, SDCC.
Marvel has an interesting (and data-extraction focused) procedure for their swag and merch: a URL drops on their Insta stories early, leading you to sign up for a virtual queue. You get a text when it's your turn (i.e. you need to consent to getting texts).
July 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Marvel has an interesting (and data-extraction focused) procedure for their swag and merch: a URL drops on their Insta stories early, leading you to sign up for a virtual queue. You get a text when it's your turn (i.e. you need to consent to getting texts).
Final day of SDCC started with some floor wandering. Now waiting for the 30th Anniversary of Xena panel, which is fan-organizd but has Renee O'Connor (who played Gabrielle) and Steven Sears (co-exec producer).
July 27, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Final day of SDCC started with some floor wandering. Now waiting for the 30th Anniversary of Xena panel, which is fan-organizd but has Renee O'Connor (who played Gabrielle) and Steven Sears (co-exec producer).
The Interview with a Vampire panel was A Vibe. Picture four thousand people, many of whom had been in the room for hours waiting for this panel combined with a very passionate fandom. There was a lot of enthusiasm. A Lot. The next season looks admittedly amazing, and I'm excited abt Talamasca, too.
July 27, 2025 at 5:11 AM
The Interview with a Vampire panel was A Vibe. Picture four thousand people, many of whom had been in the room for hours waiting for this panel combined with a very passionate fandom. There was a lot of enthusiasm. A Lot. The next season looks admittedly amazing, and I'm excited abt Talamasca, too.
Through persistence and luck, I made it into the signing line for Ron Moore at the Sony Television booth. He signed a beautiful For All Mankind poster that will probably go up in my office.
July 26, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Through persistence and luck, I made it into the signing line for Ron Moore at the Sony Television booth. He signed a beautiful For All Mankind poster that will probably go up in my office.
SDCC, Day 3. Starting with, you guessed it, a line, and then a panel: Inside the Writers Room, with a number of TV writers.
July 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
SDCC, Day 3. Starting with, you guessed it, a line, and then a panel: Inside the Writers Room, with a number of TV writers.
Peacefest, the activation for The Peacemaker s2, was impressive. A two-level night club with secret "meet Eagly" experience and a live concert featuring 80s rock, plus free drinks, and a chance to play a Peacemaker version of Mortal Kombat. All with various brand tie-ins, of course.
July 26, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Peacefest, the activation for The Peacemaker s2, was impressive. A two-level night club with secret "meet Eagly" experience and a live concert featuring 80s rock, plus free drinks, and a chance to play a Peacemaker version of Mortal Kombat. All with various brand tie-ins, of course.
The surprise release of this Esquie pin the day before I'm doing my Expedition 33 cosplay is one of those coincidences that elevate the entire con. The things you plan for at SDCC are great, but the unexpected encounters and experiences are always better.
July 26, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The surprise release of this Esquie pin the day before I'm doing my Expedition 33 cosplay is one of those coincidences that elevate the entire con. The things you plan for at SDCC are great, but the unexpected encounters and experiences are always better.
Waiting in another line for entrance to Peacefest, the Peacemaker activation. First time any activation checked my ID to see if it matches the name on the reservation.
July 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Waiting in another line for entrance to Peacefest, the Peacemaker activation. First time any activation checked my ID to see if it matches the name on the reservation.
Glimpses from the show floor. There are some interesting brand collabs happening, like Sesame Street x Levain Bakery, where you can buy cookies and a cookie monster plush for $40 (they were already sold out for today). Also, forever the encouragement to share your experience on social media.
July 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Glimpses from the show floor. There are some interesting brand collabs happening, like Sesame Street x Levain Bakery, where you can buy cookies and a cookie monster plush for $40 (they were already sold out for today). Also, forever the encouragement to share your experience on social media.
Things I saw wandering around: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cosplay meet-up and Old Spice "smell like a hero" Superman pop-up.
July 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Things I saw wandering around: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cosplay meet-up and Old Spice "smell like a hero" Superman pop-up.
After the Lodge, I hopped into the line for FX's Alien Earth: The Wreckage activation because the line was short (90min. Yes, that is a short line at SDCC). Glad I brought my umbrella b/c the line was in the sun. Walked through some elaborate set pieces/photo opps, but would be more fun at night.
July 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
After the Lodge, I hopped into the line for FX's Alien Earth: The Wreckage activation because the line was short (90min. Yes, that is a short line at SDCC). Glad I brought my umbrella b/c the line was in the sun. Walked through some elaborate set pieces/photo opps, but would be more fun at night.
The Paramount+ Lodge derives much of its popularity from the following: it has A/C, free chicken sliders, cocktails, and frozen lemonade, plus comfy seating and bathrooms. Also some fun photo opps and good swag. That's a win for most SDCC attendees.
July 25, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The Paramount+ Lodge derives much of its popularity from the following: it has A/C, free chicken sliders, cocktails, and frozen lemonade, plus comfy seating and bathrooms. Also some fun photo opps and good swag. That's a win for most SDCC attendees.
SDCC Day 2 is bracketed by activations: Paramount+'s The Lodge and Peacemaker. Wandering the Gaslamp before The Lodge, I stumbled upon a sunscreen pop-up. Tons of these smaller promos happen around the con.
July 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
SDCC Day 2 is bracketed by activations: Paramount+'s The Lodge and Peacemaker. Wandering the Gaslamp before The Lodge, I stumbled upon a sunscreen pop-up. Tons of these smaller promos happen around the con.
Aww! I'm sure they will post the panel on YouTube. Here's a peek.
July 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Aww! I'm sure they will post the panel on YouTube. Here's a peek.
The Avatar panel was lovely. They did a stage reading of several scenes accompanied by a display of new original watercolor illustrations, and ended the panel with a live music performance/sing along..
July 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The Avatar panel was lovely. They did a stage reading of several scenes accompanied by a display of new original watercolor illustrations, and ended the panel with a live music performance/sing along..
I have arrived! Ballroom 20, which holds 4,000 people. The view ahead of me and behind me.
July 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I have arrived! Ballroom 20, which holds 4,000 people. The view ahead of me and behind me.
Made it to the convention center. I will be in this line for another hour, before moving to an indoor line, and then into the panel room, where the Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary panel kicks off the day at 10am. Critical Role is at 1:45pm.
July 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Made it to the convention center. I will be in this line for another hour, before moving to an indoor line, and then into the panel room, where the Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary panel kicks off the day at 10am. Critical Role is at 1:45pm.
I got to meet all these lovely people tonight! What an amazing, hilarious, joyful show. Thank you, #DesiQuest!!
July 18, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I got to meet all these lovely people tonight! What an amazing, hilarious, joyful show. Thank you, #DesiQuest!!
Now officially in print: "From Comic-Con to Amazon: Fan Conventions and Digital Platforms" by Felan Parker, Benjamin Woo, and myself: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (open access!).
An analysis of virtual cons in '20/'21 as extension of platformization-in-progress rather than radical rupture.
An analysis of virtual cons in '20/'21 as extension of platformization-in-progress rather than radical rupture.
November 12, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Now officially in print: "From Comic-Con to Amazon: Fan Conventions and Digital Platforms" by Felan Parker, Benjamin Woo, and myself: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (open access!).
An analysis of virtual cons in '20/'21 as extension of platformization-in-progress rather than radical rupture.
An analysis of virtual cons in '20/'21 as extension of platformization-in-progress rather than radical rupture.
The latest in data surveillance (there was no way to get a fitting room without signing up).
May 30, 2024 at 5:59 PM
The latest in data surveillance (there was no way to get a fitting room without signing up).
My PlayStation wrap-up: played 231 hours, am a "thrill seeker" (?!), got 122 trophies, and my top game was Jedi Survivor. Am predicting a lot more Assassin's Creed Valhalla for next year since that game is huge (I'm 30 hrs in and have played 3 out of ~23 main quests).
December 21, 2023 at 4:31 PM
My PlayStation wrap-up: played 231 hours, am a "thrill seeker" (?!), got 122 trophies, and my top game was Jedi Survivor. Am predicting a lot more Assassin's Creed Valhalla for next year since that game is huge (I'm 30 hrs in and have played 3 out of ~23 main quests).
Visited the EAR Forest today, a new sound installation on campus. I want to collaborate with my digital media students on a project for it, but need to think more about what would work best in this environment. college.lclark.edu/live/news/51...
November 10, 2023 at 10:19 PM
Visited the EAR Forest today, a new sound installation on campus. I want to collaborate with my digital media students on a project for it, but need to think more about what would work best in this environment. college.lclark.edu/live/news/51...