On June 22-23, 2019, The Hunters of Shadow convention (put on by Wevents) took place in Brussels, Belgium. Fans from around the world and nine Shadowhunters cast members attended including Matthew Daddario, Dominic Sherwood, Katherine McNamara, Harry Shum, Jr., Nicola Correia-Damude, David Castro, Jade Hassoune, Isaiah Mustafa, and Anna Hopkins. C.B. Wentworth of Team BSS was also in attendance and shares some highlights from panels, some lively private lounges, and an emotional closing ceremony.
You can see our pictures from the convention here!
Saturday Group Panel
During the opening panel things got weird when we learned that if Matt could be a shoe, he would be a sneaker because it’s a cool word. Dom would be a pair of reverse Vans where the tongue and top of the shoe would be on the bottom because he falls on his face a lot.
We also discovered that if Nicola could add any supernatural creature to Shadowhunters, she would have loved to see a teeny tiny fairy from Hell. Dom jumped in and named the would-be creature “Tinkerhell.”
Nicola’s Private Lounge
My first private lounge was with Nicola. I asked about the significance and symbolism of Maryse walking Magnus down the aisle at Malec’s wedding. Nicola explained that walking Magnus down the aisle was very symbolic of her journey towards acceptance and the concept of family. Maryse learned to surround herself with those she loves and that comes from accepting who people are. It comes back to the idea that you don’t have to be born into a family; families can be created.
Nicola also revealed the tears were real during Malec’s wedding. In fact, most of the emotions in the wedding scene were real because most of the cast was together and the sense of finality was palpable. Also, Todd [Slavkin] had Ruelle’s “I Get to Love You” playing and that made filming super emotional.
Matt’s Private Lounge
Matt’s private lounge was next. I asked him what it was like to play a different version of Alec in Magnus’ dream sequence in 3×16. Matt stated that the Alec we saw on screen was an idealized version and when he first read the script he had to verify that the scenario wasn’t real. He wanted to play it more ethereal and dream-like, but that idea was ultimately shot down. Instead, they ended up going with a more relaxed and softer Alec with elements of domesticity.
When I asked about the conflict of emotion in Malec’s break up scene in 3×18, Matt explained that there was a big discussion on how to play the scene. He wanted to play it with very little emotion because Magnus wouldn’t believe Alec if he looked too heartbroken. However, playing it too cold wouldn’t work either due to all the emotions that needed to be conveyed. They shot the scene in a number of different ways and it was spliced together using parts from multiple takes.
That detail made me ask about the moment where Alec’s breath catches: “There was a moment where Alec almost broke …” Matt knew exactly what I was talking about and said, “Yeah, that was a different take that was cut into the scene,” and he explained that it was from one of the more emotional ways they played the scene.
Matt then asked the group what take was used in the scene with Lorenzo when Alec begs him to help Magnus, “Did they use the one where I cried?” When we all nodded yes, he winced and said, “I didn’t think Alec should have cried in that scene.” He felt it wasn’t in character and it wasn’t appropriate because Alec would never let himself be that vulnerable in front of Lorenzo. He might have a point!
Sunday Group Panel
The group panel on Day 2 started with a question about everyone’s favorite stunts. Matt’s favorite was from 2×10 when he gets yanked into the elevator by Madzie’s magic. Isaiah said he liked the werewolf fight sequence in 2×18 when Luke was slammed into palettes. Harry went a different route and talked about what it’s like to have doubles on set because there’s “nothing weirder than seeing someone that looks like you walking around.”
Kat and Dom at Sunday’s group panel at THOSbe. (@panda_138/Basic Stuff Magazine)
However, one of the funniest moments came when a fan asked each cast member to name the moment or line from Shadowhunters where they would add the word “fuck.”
Harry was the first to dive in with his choice line, “The law is the fucking law” and he said it in Magnus’ voice. Kat went with a moment in 3×10 when Jonathan’s arm reaches up to grab her and stop her. But she wouldn’t say the word! Dom and Isaiah both teased that they really wanted to hear Kat say it and they didn’t let it go until she finally did. Isaiah joked that Luke would say it when he woke up without his beard in 3×21. Dom said it would be when Valentine stabs him in the heart, giving us a very loud, “Fuck you!” Matt said it would be “Every time one of you comes into my office, ‘What the fuck do you want now?’” And then he just kept saying ‘fuck’ over and over again, because it’s his word. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
Harry & Isaiah Private Lounge
Next up was a private lounge with Harry and Isaiah. I asked Harry about the scene in 3×17 where Magnus breaks down crying. I wanted to know what he did to reach that level of emotion and whether breaking the stereotype that men shouldn’t cry influenced his performance. Harry said he never personally felt he couldn’t cry, but he understood the stereotype that I referenced. He used the example of when we see men cry in movies and it’s just the one tear. He then explained that in the scripts Magnus was supposed to cry in a number of scenes and he fought against it, “If Magnus cries in every scene then it loses its impact.” The breaking point was in 3×17. They did the scene a number of different times and in one take in particular, “It all just finally came out.”
I asked Isaiah what the original intent was for Luke’s storyline in the Praetor Lupus and what he would’ve liked to see for his character in Season 4. Isaiah revealed the Season 4 storyline had Luke serving as a liaison between Shadowhunters, Edom, and Downworlders; kind of like what we saw happening in 3×22. However, he was originally supposed to be mundane and not a Shadowhunter.
With the great Magnus Nail Polish Mystery still looming, I asked Harry why Magnus’ nails were fully painted in some scenes and partially painted in others (particularly in 3×11 and 3×12). Harry explained that it was a decision he and the make up team made because “… without his magic he [Magnus] has to paint his nails by hand” and he gets frustrated, so it’s only partially done. He also added that they carried the same idea over to Magnus’ eyeliner. It’s lighter and there’s only one thin line instead of the full lid.
Matt & Harry: Shumdario Panel
Trying to keep up with Harry and Matt is like herding flying wraiths! Between updates to Matt’s cast reunion idea of a Western set in space and Harry deciding Malec will have 20 kids, they managed to chat about a couple of scenes.
Harry and Matt at their panel at THOSbe. (@panda_138/Basic Stuff Magazine)
Both Harry and Matt talked about scenes in 3×15. First up was the “jealousy scene” and how they shot it so many different ways. Some takes were appropriate for the show and others were not, mainly because the comic elements got a little out of control. The phone call with Simon is one of Matt’s favorites, but it took a while to get the line just right.
They also talked about the scene where Alec brings Magnus orange juice. Much of the discussion centered around the blooper reel where Harry sipped the orange juice and got a giant chunk of pulp. Harry talked about how gross that was and how it’s like expecting to drink milk and it turns out to be orange juice. This lead to a trademark Shumdario debate that ended with Matt stating, “you can’t compare pulp to curdle.” Noted, Mr. Daddario.
Closing Ceremony
From start to finish, the closing ceremony had all the feels! Fans surprised the cast by holding up red heart balloons and singing “This Is The Hunt.” If you weren’t crying, you weren’t there.
Nicola hugging Kat at the closing ceremony of THOSbe. (@panda_138/Basic Stuff Magazine)
Anna thanked us all for being “so freaking beautiful and kind,” while Jade encouraged us to take the love and kindness we showed them and spread it to everyone. Nicola said we keep thanking her, but she is thankful for fans allowing her to be part of their lives. Kat marveled at the positivity and openness of the fandom and hopes we take that out into the world. Harry continued the sentiment by stating the fandom is so beautiful and kind. Matt praised the fandom’s enthusiasm and credits that for making the show a success. And he hoped we all made friends over the weekend.
Isaiah reiterated how thankful he is for the fans, while Dom talked about how the fans took Shadowhunters and turned it into something really special. And it’s because of what we’ve created that the show’s legacy is going be, “really fucking beautiful.”
Dom is absolutely right. It really is “fucking beautiful” and it was amazing to stand in that room with 400 fans and our amazing cast. The Shadowfam is real and it’s for life.
Check out the rest of our pictures from this convention!
Did you attend THOSbe? Did you have any highlights we didn’t include here? Let us know on Twitter.
Stream Shadowhunters on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Freeform app, or Netflix internationally.
