Why Nerd HQ is the Best Kept Secret of SDCC

Every July, without fail, San Diego Comic-Con enthralls the world with a whole lot of nerdiness. It’s basically a fan free-for-all that pretty quickly turns into a haze of power cords, panels, and pretzels — but it attracts upwards of 100k guests each year.

So why is it that the highlight of my trip actually took place just down the road? Nerd HQ is a smaller — MUCH SMALLER — version of the same thing that turned out to be a total blast!

Founded by Zachary Levi and David Coleman, The Nerd Machine puts on this little soiree across from the San Diego Convention Center, where nerds can come hang out (for free!) to preview games, attend dance parties, and see exclusive celebrity panels. Even better, all panel proceeds go to Operation Smile, a children’s charity that helps treat facial deformities such as cleft lips & cleft palates.

The smaller crowds and laid-back atmosphere give the whole place a totally different vibe from the packed and hectic SDCC exhibit floors and monster panels in Hall H. You can tear up the dance floor with Zachary Levi and Travis Van Winkle, make direct eye contact with Nathan Fillion, or even share a coke with Stephen Amell!

I was privileged enough to attend two panels at Nerd HQ last week (and I do mean privileged, since tickets for those suckers sell out in 30 seconds or less!).

The first was a conversation with Julie Plec and Gabe Sachs, moderated by Zachary Levi.

Plec discussed everything from how to break into television, to feminist writing, to why we shouldn’t expect to see Caroline permanently move over to The Originals until The Vampire Diaries ends. Sorry Klaroline fans!

Check out the livestream of the panel below:

Next up, I tried and failed to play it cool sitting only a few rows away from the one and only Stephen Amell. And as a bonus? Alan Tudyk had the pleasure of moderating!

Amell gabbed about crossovers pranks, Olicity, and Arrow impersonations. Don’t even get me started on the incredibly well performed rendition of The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World” he tweaked to be about his 2-year-old daughter. ADORABLE!

See the whole panel here:

In conclusion, Nerd HQ is absolutely the best kept secret of San Diego Comic-Con, but if things keep up this way, it won’t be a secret for long.

Visit The Nerd Machine’s website to get more info on their events, merchandise, and mission! And check out their Youtube Channel for more panels and conversations from this year’s guests!

Lindsay MacDonald

Lindsay is an associate editor for Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer, viewer, and internet addict. Her obsession with TV started with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has been going strong ever since; current favorites include Scandal, The 100, The Walking Dead, and Arrow. She considers a perfect Friday night to be a joint-cuddle-session between an adorable puppy dog and her Netflix queue. Follow @lindsayjoane