NYCC 2024: The ‘Dune’ Fan Experience Immerses Con-Goers In The Realm Of The Bene Gesserit
by Frank Martin
Comic conventions are all about fan experiences. With tons of upcoming series and films to market, studios want to create events and displays that will leave a lasting impression in a potential fan’s mind. This often results in transporting would-be audiences to different universes and putting them in the position of the characters. Space is always fairly limited at a con, so it’s hard to have an expansive location for such an event. But setting up shop just a few blocks away from the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, HBO was able to develop a fan experience for their upcoming show Dune: Prophecy that was a standout at this year’s New York Comic-Con.
The series takes place thousands of years before the events of the Dune films, just as the Bene Gesserit is being formed. A focus of the show, the Bene Gesserit were also the focus of the fan experience. Con-goers enter into an immersive and dark environment very reminiscent of the Dune atmosphere. Inside, there are actresses dressed as Bene Gesserit sisters who guide guests through a series of simple trials. The actresses speak as real Bene Gesserit, essentially controlling fans as they need to navigate through this disorienting space in order to be initiated into the Sisterhood.
None of this is explained beforehand. The fan experience is described as having to navigate trials while succumbing to the infamous “voice” that’s used in the Dune franchise. But it’s never made clear just how immersive it will be. Of course, there’s never any danger or threat. But the atmosphere is so dark and brooding, with real people behind the characters, that it’s easy to get lost in the Dune world. There are speakers everywhere that speak to fans in the “voice,” which can also be disorienting as the real life actresses are speaking too. Overall, it’s hard to exit the experience not looking forward to what the show might bring.
Dune: Prophecy premieres on Max November 17th.
