The Vampire Diaries Convention

The Vampire Diaries Convention

On Saturday hundreds of excited "Vampire Diaries" fans huddled around the Science Theatre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, for the Vampire Diaries Convention: A Return to Mystic Falls. The event featured four actors from the television show the "Vampire Diaries" live on stage as they shared stories and answered questions asked by the fans. There was also a large variety of activities throughout the day such as trivia games, raffles, and auctions and fans had the opportunity to purchase autographs and pose in professional photographs with the actors.

Unfortunately, over the past few months the actor lineup had undergone a few dramatic changes when Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes), Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood), Katerina Graham (Bonnie Bennett) and Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman) had to withdraw from the event due to promotional and filming commitments. Those who attended the convention were still treated to an amazing actor lineup with David Anders (John Gilbert and Dr. Whale on "Once Upon a Time"), Malese Jow (Anna), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) and Nathaniel Buzolic (Kol Mikaelson), all of which failed to disappoint.

On the Friday night prior to the event I had the opportunity to attend a VIP and cocktail party with the four actors. At the party I sat at a table with the actors and had intimate conversations about their careers, the television shows that they have starred in and their private life. 

During my conversation with Steven, he made a toast to "love, life and bad accents" and David leaked a few secrets about his character, Dr. Whale, in "Once Upon a Time". David also lost in a game of thumb war against a woman who had joined our table. Nathaniel was an extremely kind man, and he spoke about his family and upbringing in 'Punchbowl' Sydney. He was more interested in talking and learning about the fans who were sitting at the table, than he was about talking about himself. Malese was a very beautiful person, and she spoke about her passion for music and how she liked to write songs in her spare time.

On Saturday, after the doors had opened to the Vampire Diaries Convention and the queues began grow smaller, the professional photograph session began. As a VIP attendee I didn't have to queue at the entrance, I walked straight in and went directly to the beautiful, Malese, for my first photograph. Malese is a very small, petite person, and in comparison to her I appear to be rather tall. She was a very sweet person, and it was a joy to talk to her again.

Malese Jow and I

After Malese, my second photograph was with Steven. The queue for a photograph with Steven was humungous, and I, thankfully, didn't have to queue. During the photographs Steven would break out in song and at times he would just stare at you. He was a very funny guy.

Steven R. McQueen and I

Shortly after my photograph with Steven, Nathaniel and I were able to cuddle in a photograph. I personally believe that Nathaniel is one of the sweetest and nicest actors I have ever met. After the photograph had been taken, Nathaniel turned to me, held my hand and thanked me for the photograph and for coming out to see him. He was an absolute joy to meet and talk to again.

Nathaniel Buzolic and I

David was the final actor that I had the opportunity of taking a photograph with. When I went to pose with him, he gave me a big hug, and we joked around. David was a massive cheeky flirt. 

David Anders and I

After the photographs had been completed the Q and A seminars with the actors began. David was the first actor to take part in the Q and A seminar. While David answered questions and shared his stories, Steven and Nathaniel ran around the crowd and held the microphone out to fans as they asked questions. 

During the Q and A seminar, David sang a song about fellow actor, Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore).

David also shared stories about the different pranks that were played on him while he was on the set of the "Vampire Diaries".

After a short lunch break, Malese's Q and A seminar began. While Malese was on the stage a fan had asked her to sing, and after a moment of though, that is what she did. She sang a "One Direction" song for the fans, displaying her talent as a singer. Malese is absolute perfection, not only is she beautiful, but she also has an amazing voice.

Malese also shared a hilarious story about her first love scene with Steven, on the set of the "Vampire Diaries". She explained that while Steven was preparing for the love scene by doing sit ups, he accidentally farted near her face.

The next Q and A seminar was with Nathaniel and while he was on the stage answering questions, David and Steven where running through the crowd handing the microphone to fans. Nathaniel's Q and A seminar was absolutely hilarious and compared to the other seminars it was the most entertaining. 

During the Q and A seminar, both Steven and Nathaniel reenacted a  moment on the set of the "Vampire Diaries" where Nathaniel (Kol Mikaelson) belted Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) with a baseball bat. Nathaniel explained that while they were filming the baseball bat broke in half and flew towards Ian's head, barely missing him. He later told a story about how Paul Wesley stole his V05 hair products and was upset when he later found out that it could only be purchased in Australia.

The final Q and A seminar was with Steven, and he told his version of Malese's love scene story, stating that he didn't fart and that there was a "duck in the room". Steven called a young girl on stage, and they reenacted a scene between Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) and Paul Wesley, where funnily enough Steven played the part of Nina, using his shirt to imitate her long hair. While on stage he also did a hilarious imitation of Paul Wesley, and at times he would even break out in song.

After the Q and A seminars there was an auction. In the auction, fans had a chance to bid on two drawings of a cow which had been drawn and signed by Steven and Nathaniel. Fans also had the chance to bid on a shirt that was worn by Steven and was drawn on by Steven and Nathaniel. Jokingly, Nathaniel wrote, "Cute but dumb" on the back of the shirt and Steven drew hair all over the image of Nina, Paul and Ian that was on the front of the shirt. Items brought back from San Diego Comic-Con where also up for auction and so where autographs by Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson), Sara Canning (Jenna Sommers), Katerina Graham, Candice Accola and Matthew Davis. 

To be honest, I was very tempted to bid on all of the autographs, but I knew that I had to be strong-willed and limit myself to only a few. After two ferocious bidding wars, I had walked away with an autograph by Matthew David and Candice Accola.

Matthew Davis Autograph

Candice Accola Autograph  

As the day drew to an end, fans were able to purchase and collect autographs from the four actors. As I went around to each of the actors tables and collected my autographs, I wished all of the actors a safe flight home. When I reached Nathaniel's table, I collected my autograph and spoke to him for a few minutes. I asked him if he had any intentions of attending an NRL Bulldogs match while he was in Sydney as he is a massive Bulldogs fan.

Words can't describe how entertaining and humorous David, Malese, Nathaniel and Steven where. By the end of the convention, my throat was hoarse and sore as a result of laughing. I hope that they all enjoyed their stay in Sydney and hope that one day they will return to our beautiful country. I just want to thank the "Hub Productions" for organising such a wonderful event and to thank David, Malese, Nathaniel and Steven for visiting their fans in the land down under.