Artist Alley Agreement AND FAQ avaliable online (*updated*)

Started by ewu, March 29, 2013, 09:08:03 AM

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M

Quote from: Meimisk on April 02, 2013, 06:29:53 PM
I'm concerned about the new AA location..will there be proper signage to inform everyone where we are? When Anime Los Angeles made a similar change, NO ONE even knew how to find us.
We are planning to have it listed everywhere there's a map as well as in all of our Info Desks. We might not be able to have signs outside, but we'll definitely have them listed everywhere we can.
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Meimisk

Sorry for bothering again, is there any form of map of Fanime or the convention center that might be available to us so that I can try and measure the distance from the main convention halls/dealer hall to the south hall?

Maybe I'm just a little paranoid from ALA, I'm just worried the move might severely impact foot traffic to the new location, sorry. :c

Oniko

You can actually google maps the convention center.  If you were inside the con facing the main street then it's kinda to the left?  Anyways its that big blue dome tent just to give you an idea.
Never linked google maps before, hope this helps https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=37.328651,-121.887576&spn=0.003258,0.003133&t=h&z=18
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gbl.produckshunz

Quote from: phr34kish on March 31, 2013, 11:25:46 AM
Quote from: gbl.produckshunz on March 30, 2013, 11:14:10 PM
ON the AA agreement it asks for seller permit.  I heard that you don't need the permit until later??

Yes. The AA agreement is going to be filled out online, and the online processes doesn't ask for your permit information until the very end. As long as you have the permit when you show up to claim your table, everything should be fine. :)

As ok thanks! it's my first year tabling so i'm kinda freaking about everything. :)

JessicaG

The rule that is really rustling my jimmies is the "no carts/dollys, must bring in your items in ONE trip" -- let me explain.

I'm seeing this is as follows:

QuoteUnless previously arranged with Artist Alley Staff, only an artist can check in a table and at the time of check in, all members of the table should be present. While you will be provided with your table number in advance you may not place any item at your table nor begin setting up until you have completed checking in.

You must have your helpers signed up WAY in advance and they must be present when checking into the table, basically. Last year, I found out just slightly too late (a few days after cutoff - may 7) that my neighbor/help would not arrive until the evening due to school. I e-mailed staff noting I really someone for setup and I found alternative help for friday morning. I got a "sorry, our books are closed, maybe your neighbor can help you when she is done". I replied immediately that she wouldn't be around until 4 or 5, and got no reply.
I know it was past the deadline, but... Seriously? Why is there a cutoff date for adding help? What, do you need time to do background checks or something? -_- This combined with the insane pre-reg lines and other issues on day 1 was just awful. This is problem #1 for me; if it turns out someone trustworthy is available to help me any less than a month in advance then I'm completely out of luck. Fanime is the only con I've been to that has prohibited me from adding help in any way for any reason. To boot, I have to awkwardly drag my things around in the check-in line by myself before setting them down where they're going to end up anyway. I have a bad knee that disagrees with carrying a lot of things and multiple walking trips -- which I already get PLENTY of during a convention, mind you. I really dislike this combination of rules, but I've kept my mouth shut about it since my issues are probably a minority. I'm sure they have their reasons. I'd continue to do so if it weren't for the addition of this:

QuoteThis is a rule from the SJCCF. Artists may only bring their wares into the Artist Alley by hand in ONE trip. You may NOT use a hand truck, dolly, wire mesh cart, or similar transport to bring in your items. You may use normal sized luggage suitcases with wheels that are fully closed/zipped when transporting wares, backpacks, or any closed container, or bag carried by hand.

You have to bring in ALL of your table supplies in one trip without the aid of any sort of wheels that are not connected to their immediate storage devices? Please tell me this is worded incorrectly. Or it's referring to large bulky carts, right? I have a "transformer" dolly myself that collapses to fit inside the boxes I bring my table materials in -- am I seriously limited to zipped luggage, sealed boxes, and carrying my entire table's worth in one trip by MYSELF, because I can't even enlist a trusted friend onsite to make this into one trip? There's simply no way that this would be physically possible for me to do alone. I'm already stressing about it and reg isn't even open yet! I guess that's why I'm posting here.. :(

TL;DR - It feels like I'm seeing "If you are unable to secure help a full month in advance, don't bother bringing more than you can carry."

Can this be elaborated on? Why does it have to be in one trip when us artists often need an extra set of wheels TO make it one trip? I'm aware that this isn't a Fanime-made rule, but what CAN we do? Can helpers be added onsite or temporarily to help setup or carry items in light of this new no-dolly rule this year? Will AA provide a few hands for load in help for those of us who may need it to counter this problem instead? Like I said, I normally wouldn't say anything and just deal with it, but these things all at once (No last minute helpers, No extra wheels, ONE trip -- plus my bad knee) just feels like someone somewhere wants to make sure anyone who has to go solo has the absolute worst time they could possible have getting into their table.

cowsrcute

I have been reading about this on the facebook for AA. You can get the some members of the group that made this rule to help you carry stuff in for a price that is not yet definite.

eralston

Evan Ralston

Assistant Director of Guest Relations

SquishyK

Quote from: JessicaG on April 03, 2013, 02:37:47 PM
The rule that is really rustling my jimmies is the "no carts/dollys, must bring in your items in ONE trip" -- let me explain.

I'm seeing this is as follows:

QuoteUnless previously arranged with Artist Alley Staff, only an artist can check in a table and at the time of check in, all members of the table should be present. While you will be provided with your table number in advance you may not place any item at your table nor begin setting up until you have completed checking in.

You must have your helpers signed up WAY in advance and they must be present when checking into the table, basically. Last year, I found out just slightly too late (a few days after cutoff - may 7) that my neighbor/help would not arrive until the evening due to school. I e-mailed staff noting I really someone for setup and I found alternative help for friday morning. I got a "sorry, our books are closed, maybe your neighbor can help you when she is done". I replied immediately that she wouldn't be around until 4 or 5, and got no reply.
I know it was past the deadline, but... Seriously? Why is there a cutoff date for adding help? What, do you need time to do background checks or something? -_- This combined with the insane pre-reg lines and other issues on day 1 was just awful. This is problem #1 for me; if it turns out someone trustworthy is available to help me any less than a month in advance then I'm completely out of luck. Fanime is the only con I've been to that has prohibited me from adding help in any way for any reason. To boot, I have to awkwardly drag my things around in the check-in line by myself before setting them down where they're going to end up anyway. I have a bad knee that disagrees with carrying a lot of things and multiple walking trips -- which I already get PLENTY of during a convention, mind you. I really dislike this combination of rules, but I've kept my mouth shut about it since my issues are probably a minority. I'm sure they have their reasons. I'd continue to do so if it weren't for the addition of this:

QuoteThis is a rule from the SJCCF. Artists may only bring their wares into the Artist Alley by hand in ONE trip. You may NOT use a hand truck, dolly, wire mesh cart, or similar transport to bring in your items. You may use normal sized luggage suitcases with wheels that are fully closed/zipped when transporting wares, backpacks, or any closed container, or bag carried by hand.

You have to bring in ALL of your table supplies in one trip without the aid of any sort of wheels that are not connected to their immediate storage devices? Please tell me this is worded incorrectly. Or it's referring to large bulky carts, right? I have a "transformer" dolly myself that collapses to fit inside the boxes I bring my table materials in -- am I seriously limited to zipped luggage, sealed boxes, and carrying my entire table's worth in one trip by MYSELF, because I can't even enlist a trusted friend onsite to make this into one trip? There's simply no way that this would be physically possible for me to do alone. I'm already stressing about it and reg isn't even open yet! I guess that's why I'm posting here.. :(

TL;DR - It feels like I'm seeing "If you are unable to secure help a full month in advance, don't bother bringing more than you can carry."

Can this be elaborated on? Why does it have to be in one trip when us artists often need an extra set of wheels TO make it one trip? I'm aware that this isn't a Fanime-made rule, but what CAN we do? Can helpers be added onsite or temporarily to help setup or carry items in light of this new no-dolly rule this year? Will AA provide a few hands for load in help for those of us who may need it to counter this problem instead? Like I said, I normally wouldn't say anything and just deal with it, but these things all at once (No last minute helpers, No extra wheels, ONE trip -- plus my bad knee) just feels like someone somewhere wants to make sure anyone who has to go solo has the absolute worst time they could possible have getting into their table.

I don't think that you need to secure help a month in advance. In the FAQs it says "Only helpers which will be handling money need to be included in your table signup request."
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"Try again, fail again, fail better"
"Art is never finished, only abandoned"

SquishyK

I am planning to share a table with a friend of mine. Do we register separately on the 5th or should we designate one person to register once for the both of us? If it is the latter will I be able to include 2 links to online art examples, one for each of us?

The FAQs talk about specifying two artists "During signup" but it isn't clear if that is after we have been conditionally approved for a table or during the registration that will take place on the 5th.
I sell cute and geeky polymer clay jewelry!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SquishyKreations
http://squishykreations.tumblr.com

Tested/MythBusters:
"Failure is always an option"
"Try again, fail again, fail better"
"Art is never finished, only abandoned"

JessicaG

Quote from: eralston on April 03, 2013, 06:19:09 PM
There is a thread earlier that talked about the handtruck issue - http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18153.0.html

I stated that I am aware of it not being Fanime's rule, and only find it to be a problem with Fanime's rules considered; I'll condense it for a shorter read...

I do not have anyone who can confirm their attendance on Friday morning far enough in advance for me to register a name as a helper, who is MOST useful during setup. Last year I was told I could only add a helper on site if all of the other helpers got their stickers first. I do not understand why helpers cannot be added with late notice, considering they do not have anything to verify, and that they can be added after initial check-in is complete by everyone.
My items can be taken in one trip if I have a helper, but in my particular case, I cannot obtain a committed helper until Day One if at all. The amount of stuff I need to move does not require a handcart, just one extra trip or one extra set of hands, so I would like to be able to add a helper on-site, or register for one nameless helper sticker.
Assuming Fanime has fantastic reasoning for not allowing last minute set up help and cannot change this or make exceptions, If I manage to downsize enough to adhere to Union rules and Fanime's inability to accept late registered helpers, I would like to be able to put my things down at my table before standing in line to check in. I really don't see any harm in doing this.

I offered some options to make the solo artist's life just a smidge better, it would be appreciated if they were at least looked into or discussed.

QuoteI don't think that you need to secure help a month in advance. In the FAQs it says "Only helpers which will be handling money need to be included in your table signup request."
Last years situation is described a little more in depth above -- they do not let people without stickers in before AA is open, and they do not give helper stickers to unregistered names "until all others have gotten theirs". The helper would indeed be back to handle money on and off, but that handling is just passing it to me while I'm drawing or using my Square app. I'm not sure if that counts, but regardless they would indeed need to be signed up in advance to be of any setup use, it seems.

ewu

Quote from: JessicaG on April 03, 2013, 10:55:03 PM
I offered some options to make the solo artist's life just a smidge better, it would be appreciated if they were at least looked into or discussed.

Jessica,

Thank you for offering your situation and possible solutions. I will make sure the AA staff are aware of it. There are many reasons why the rules are set they way they are. Often it is not immediately evident why we need to do things the way we do. The AA staff will do their best to accommodate, but the rule are in place to ensure a smooth experience for literally hundreds of artists, so I cannot guarantee that we can accommodate your specific situation.

Thank again for your post and if you do not have some sort of resolution when two weeks before con comes, feel free to email AA for a follow up.
Eric Wu
FanimeCon Chairman
FanimeCon Forums Moderator

ericATfanimeDOTcom

JessicaG

Quote from: ewu on April 04, 2013, 12:20:18 PMJessica,

Thank you for offering your situation and possible solutions. I will make sure the AA staff are aware of it. There are many reasons why the rules are set they way they are. Often it is not immediately evident why we need to do things the way we do. The AA staff will do their best to accommodate, but the rule are in place to ensure a smooth experience for literally hundreds of artists, so I cannot guarantee that we can accommodate your specific situation.

Thank again for your post and if you do not have some sort of resolution when two weeks before con comes, feel free to email AA for a follow up.

Of course, I know you guys are trying to do what's best for everyone, so I always make due with what I'm given -- it's certainly a little irksome when you're directed to something that clearly does not address the issue, so I'm sorry if that came off as a bit harsh. I recognized why the rule is in place from AX (Long story, but they actually TOOK my dad's rather expensive dolly after telling my sister and I to walk our things in and leave it at the door..) so I don't have much of the confusion about it that some people do. I'm one of those types who will bend over backwards to adhere to clearly stated rules, and get pretty mad when others don't do the same -- so any official wiggle room is a godsend, really. Thanks for reading. :)

terraforever

Quote from: JessicaG on April 03, 2013, 10:55:03 PM
Quote from: eralston on April 03, 2013, 06:19:09 PM
There is a thread earlier that talked about the handtruck issue - http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18153.0.html

I stated that I am aware of it not being Fanime's rule, and only find it to be a problem with Fanime's rules considered; I'll condense it for a shorter read...

I do not have anyone who can confirm their attendance on Friday morning far enough in advance for me to register a name as a helper, who is MOST useful during setup. Last year I was told I could only add a helper on site if all of the other helpers got their stickers first. I do not understand why helpers cannot be added with late notice, considering they do not have anything to verify, and that they can be added after initial check-in is complete by everyone.
My items can be taken in one trip if I have a helper, but in my particular case, I cannot obtain a committed helper until Day One if at all. The amount of stuff I need to move does not require a handcart, just one extra trip or one extra set of hands, so I would like to be able to add a helper on-site, or register for one nameless helper sticker.
Assuming Fanime has fantastic reasoning for not allowing last minute set up help and cannot change this or make exceptions, If I manage to downsize enough to adhere to Union rules and Fanime's inability to accept late registered helpers, I would like to be able to put my things down at my table before standing in line to check in. I really don't see any harm in doing this.

I offered some options to make the solo artist's life just a smidge better, it would be appreciated if they were at least looked into or discussed.

QuoteI don't think that you need to secure help a month in advance. In the FAQs it says "Only helpers which will be handling money need to be included in your table signup request."
Last years situation is described a little more in depth above -- they do not let people without stickers in before AA is open, and they do not give helper stickers to unregistered names "until all others have gotten theirs". The helper would indeed be back to handle money on and off, but that handling is just passing it to me while I'm drawing or using my Square app. I'm not sure if that counts, but regardless they would indeed need to be signed up in advance to be of any setup use, it seems.

Jessica I don't think you're alone on this. Although my situation is not entirely the same, I have similar concerns. Due to my type of wares and their weight, it's always been most effective (safer and less likely to cause injury) when I've separated things out in multiple plastic bins then put them on a hand truck for 2 trips. I do understand the rule is not Fanime's (really I know how it works since I part of my job is to send people to business conventions and get their booths set up and we have similar rules to abide by) but that doesn't make the issue any less of an issue. I have accepted that I will need to re-arrange and bring maybe several suitcases and fewer wares instead. However, given that we were only informed of this rule fairly recently I'm scrambling to get committed helpers. I haven't had a helper for any of my cons in years as I generally try to do everything on my own so it's a little difficult. And while none of these possible helpers are likely ever to touch any money, since they will only really help with set up/take down, based on these rules I can only get their help if they get a sticker because they won't be allowed to be in AA before/after it opens/closes without one. So I agree that we should be able to sign someone up on the spot or register for 1-2 unnamed stickers so that we can get the help many of us may really need on the days we need it. And as my helpers are likely to change between Friday and Monday, I don't mind surrendering 1-2 stickers after Friday set up so I can sign up 1-2 others in their place on Monday. Or maybe there is a way for artists and helpers to pool together and help each other out. Really, paying $250 for someone to do the work for us is kind of ridiculous considering this is a hobby for many of us.

Another thing is, when we come to check in for the table, what if we don't bring anything with us and just get our table first? We wouldn't put anything down at the table, maybe just walk to it so we know where it is, then grab whoever can help us, be it our assigned helpers or such, and unload the vehicle? As mentioned previously, it's kind of a crazy to bring whatever we can carry on our own through the ridiculous reg line of hell (at least it was last year) and then through check-in, then finally to the table. Considering how far everything is and how much we are all trying to carry in one trip, that seems like a really bad idea without some alternative.

And sadly, I am very much a stereotypical pathetic girl who can't carry even as much as the average guy so anything that can be done to possibly ease the process of getting help would be so much appreciated. I am sure I don't just speak for myself. Although I am concerned that the new location may likely to lead to some drop in traffic and I may not make much at all in the end, but I do love Fanime. I think this is my 8th year selling at Fanime (been attending for longer) and I would hate to have to miss it because of issues with who can/can't help me. It's scary enough having to fight for a table during sign-ups! So again, I think many of us artists would appreciate any help we can get on this.

jumbojibbles

This will be my first year at Fanime and Artist Alley, but I have been doing craft fairs for a little while.  I've been waiting for the FAQ to come up so I can learn more about it, since I've had seriously 50+ people at fairs telling me I should have a table at Fanime.

But reading through all this... it seems really inaccessible, not just as a noob to Fanime, but as a seller. I did Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco in December, a pretty big fair, and compared to that these regulations almost seem like a late April Fool's joke.  Can anyone direct me to some blogs that might talk about experiences as a seller at Fanime or reviews of it?

There are a lot of events going on at the same time as Fanime in the South Bay, but I've been holding out for this one.  I'm going to read the whole FAQ, then if it still seems Draconian, I'm going to get in touch with the convention center and ask them why they are making it so difficult for good things to happen in San Jose.  If it's the convention center's fault, I will be giving them a sharper, blunter piece of my mind.

Really want to do this, but the complexity of the rules and regs seem to be an enormous impediment to people who don't have a clear picture of why it'll be a good thing. I'm just staring at a monster right now not sure if I really want to fight for what's behind it.

nou-e

Would it be against the rules to have artists in the artist alley act as your "helper" just for transportation purposes? I hope to get a table this year and don't need help, but wouldn't mind helping the other artists unload their stuff.

I was thinking of just putting a sign on my table saying "ask me if you need a helper to move your merchandise." I'm sure there are other artists who would like to help as well. Maybe everyone who would like to help others move their merchandise or who have helpers to spare can put up a sign saying so. This would reduce the number of helpers fanime has to register too, thus reducing paperwork. Of course, that's assuming enough of us want to help.