Panels 2010 Feedback and Suggestions

[BenihimeSama]

Hi friends!

As a staffer and a panelist, we would all like some general feedback as to what you guys thought about our panels this year! Please keep in mind that this will be moderated and read by staff members, so please keep things clean and respectful. But let us know what you think worked and what you think we can improve on in the future!

Also please keep in mind that we did have some panels cancel, so we were unable to control those panels that didn't make it.

Please also follow this format:[Event Name: Description]

i.e.

Gothic Lolita/Fashion Show: Needs more lolitas (although I doubt that.)
Panels: More panels about such and such.. (fill in the blanks here)

Thank you very much!!
The Awesomeness That is Fanime Panels 2010! ;D

[Raydere]

Banzai Arcade 2: Brilliant sequel to BA1. Faster rate of questions, nice hybrid of JRPG and trivia game elements. Though the game does have balancing issues and bugs to work out; at least Kajet and company were good sports about it ("ALPHA VERSION!").
What the Hell is Touhou?: Not a bad intro to TH. When the speaker went to show a replay I was afraid he was going to show Lunatic mode (and thereby confuse new players); an intermediate stage on Normal is still a bit daunting to new players but at least it was easier to follow and the speaker did a good job of explaining the gameplay mechanics. However, it could use a bigger room (like BA2's) as the audience ended up maxing out all the seats.

[Nina Star 9]

The lolita panel needs a -much- bigger room.

We (the models) had to sit outside because there was no room inside for us, there were a ton of guests who were turned away because the room was filled, there were a ton of guests outside the room hoping to catch a glimpse because the room was filled...

[BenihimeSama]

The lolita panel needs a -much- bigger room.

We (the models) had to sit outside because there was no room inside for us, there were a ton of guests who were turned away because the room was filled, there were a ton of guests outside the room hoping to catch a glimpse because the room was filled...

I think this was answered in the Lolita/Fashion Show Thread, but there was a scheduling conflict which caused us to move the panel into a smaller room in order to accommodate the panelist's schedules. We are really sorry about that, and next year we will make sure to put it into a bigger room. Also, it was also a little easier for the models to "work the runway" because they were outside and not getting a whole bunch of people stopping the panel to take their pictures.

Overall we are very happy that the panel was a success in light of the overcrowded room. (I was the lady coordinating the fashion show aspect of the panel) Next year we will most definitely make sure you guys have room to have some more fun!

[BenihimeSama]

Banzai Arcade 2: Brilliant sequel to BA1. Faster rate of questions, nice hybrid of JRPG and trivia game elements. Though the game does have balancing issues and bugs to work out; at least Kajet and company were good sports about it ("ALPHA VERSION!").
What the Hell is Touhou?: Not a bad intro to TH. When the speaker went to show a replay I was afraid he was going to show Lunatic mode (and thereby confuse new players); an intermediate stage on Normal is still a bit daunting to new players but at least it was easier to follow and the speaker did a good job of explaining the gameplay mechanics. However, it could use a bigger room (like BA2's) as the audience ended up maxing out all the seats.

Banzai Arcade-- has been really a big fan favorite since it started last year! We hope to see them next year as well!

What the Heck is Touhou?---We are very happy with the turnout for both that panel, and it's companion panel, "Touhou Hijack". And most of the staff learned something new about the game as well. We'll definitely be looking forward to seeing them again in the future!

[HarpB]

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

[BenihimeSama]

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

Wow.. That's a great idea! I'll be sure to make our fearless leader gets this idea! I know that when I was a panelist, it would have been totally awesome to have something like that for me as well. *makes mega important note*

[BunofGovt]

Costume Maintenance:  I thought the panel was great and the panelists (Kricket Costumes I think) were very helpful and informative.  My only suggestion (and this could go for other panels) is to PLEASE during Q&A repeat the question asked by the audience before providing an answer, thank you.

EDIT:  btw thanks very much for panels later into the evening (up to midnight), I don't remember that last year but certainly appreciate it this year!!

[Raydere]

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

Video issues too; BA2 ended up having to run the game in windowed mode because the projector had issues showing it in fullscreen at 640x480. A video tutorial would help too.

[Seril]

Video issues too; BA2 ended up having to run the game in windowed mode because the projector had issues showing it in fullscreen at 640x480. A video tutorial would help too.

I'm beginning to think that's just a general problem with RPG Maker and multiple screens. We've had this problem since we started running the panel (I think, at least). Unfortunately, there's never time for us to troubleshoot it since setup already takes a decent chunk out of our panel time.

[Sakippoy]

Hello~
A few things!

1)
I was one of the interpreters/escort for Mamoru Yokota at his 18+ panel.
I was wondering why there was no AV tech guy in that room that time?
He had a BUNCH of images he wanted to show the audience on his iPhone,
but we couldn't figure out a way to connect it to the projector.

It was too bad because they looked really nice.


2)
Also, I think the biggest panel room (Salon 3?) needs to have more microphones, if that's even possible.
For a Japanese guest, there will always be an interpreter and it's really hard to interpret when we (the guest(s) and I) have to share a microphone.

I interpreted the LMC panel on Monday and I really had to coerce the two musicians to share a microphone, and I felt bad.
I think they could have answered more questions if they each had a mic.


3)
The sharing of the lights among the panel rooms caused some problems, but it's minor.


4)
I think the panel staff sitting outside the rooms were all helpful.
They did a good job telling people to get out to make room for the next panel.
They were polite and courteous to me.


5)
I liked the panel survey!


6)
Hiroyuki Yamaga said he'd like a smaller room for his "History of GAINAX" panel for next year.
(I'm sure he's doing one again in the future)
I think he likes the fans to be closer, so he could feel closer to the audience?

That's it!
Overall, a great job and I had a lot of fun.

Satsuki

[Tony]

Hello~

Satsuki! Thank you so much for your help in translating with the panels. It's always great to have you and Shizuki around!

[Zero-chan]

Heyas,

I did the "All About Figure Collecting" panel. (I had another panel submission about going to Comiket on the waiting list, but I didn't have anything for it prepared by the time slots became available so I opted not to run it this year.) I had a ton of fun talking about figures and why they're rad! I'm very happy that the panel staff and I worked out a deal to have the panel run for 2 hours - I was very worried about not being able to get to everything I wanted to discuss in an hour's time as I went through my presentation the nights before.

But what I'm wondering is: how did YOU guys like it? The "security"/assistants I had on-hand to watch over the display figures all said they enjoyed it, but considering they're friends and they know me personally I kinda have to take their words with a grain of salt. Was it informative? Entertaining? Dull? Meandering? Were the figures I brought good examples and interesting to see? Any feedback you could provide would be appreciated. I'm thinking of running similar panels (and the Comiket thing) at other cons in the future and want to know where I could stand to improve on my presentation.

Danke!

[dburr]

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

Tip for future panelists: if you aren't able to get someone from Tech to help you with your audio, but still want a fairly decent "sound out of your computer" setup, do what I did and use a portable speaker (I like the Altec Lansing Orbit) and just point the microphone at it and put it right next to it.  Worked surprisingly well and required no special tech help to set up.

[dburr]

(accidental double-post deleted)

[cottoncandymuffin]

FLOW and LM.C Panels: Maybe don't put them right before the autograph sessions, because people either had to pick one or rush off after the Q&A to the autograph sessions.

[BenihimeSama]

Video issues too; BA2 ended up having to run the game in windowed mode because the projector had issues showing it in fullscreen at 640x480. A video tutorial would help too.

I'm beginning to think that's just a general problem with RPG Maker and multiple screens. We've had this problem since we started running the panel (I think, at least). Unfortunately, there's never time for us to troubleshoot it since setup already takes a decent chunk out of our panel time.

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

Video issues too; BA2 ended up having to run the game in windowed mode because the projector had issues showing it in fullscreen at 640x480. A video tutorial would help too.

Panels in general: I noticed that 2 of the panelists had sound issues, primarily because they don't know how to get the system to work. My suggestion would be to have a small instruction at the panel table as to how the panelist can connect the computer and have it work.
It would be good to mention that if the person has speakers on the laptop, to turn the sound to the maximum and make sure sound is actually coming out of the laptop. After that is done, then connect it to the room's system. It would help find the issue more quickly.

Tip for future panelists: if you aren't able to get someone from Tech to help you with your audio, but still want a fairly decent "sound out of your computer" setup, do what I did and use a portable speaker (I like the Altec Lansing Orbit) and just point the microphone at it and put it right next to it.  Worked surprisingly well and required no special tech help to set up.

This is going to be the first of many replies.. So bear with me friends! When it comes to multiple screens and multiple applications as well as pulling pictures off IPhones, the video projectors are not able to handle special features like that. Also, many times, we don't know what projectors we will be receiving as well since the convention owns some, and the hotels can also provide them as well. At our next meeting we will definitely discuss ways to help combat that problem for panelists, including "how-to-guides" for the panelists. This will also extend for sound issues as well.

[BenihimeSama]

FLOW and LM.C Panels: Maybe don't put them right before the autograph sessions, because people either had to pick one or rush off after the Q&A to the autograph sessions.

Most definitely got it for that one. We are not quite sure how that came to be, but going forward, we'll be sure to allow more time for fans. Also we have to let our fans know, that sometimes we don't actually get a say due to the artist's time schedules. (FLOW had to be in and out rather quickly due to other obligations.)

[BenihimeSama]

Hello~
A few things!

1)
I was one of the interpreters/escort for Mamoru Yokota at his 18+ panel.
I was wondering why there was no AV tech guy in that room that time?
He had a BUNCH of images he wanted to show the audience on his iPhone,
but we couldn't figure out a way to connect it to the projector.

It was too bad because they looked really nice.


2)
Also, I think the biggest panel room (Salon 3?) needs to have more microphones, if that's even possible.
For a Japanese guest, there will always be an interpreter and it's really hard to interpret when we (the guest(s) and I) have to share a microphone.

I interpreted the LMC panel on Monday and I really had to coerce the two musicians to share a microphone, and I felt bad.
I think they could have answered more questions if they each had a mic.


3)
The sharing of the lights among the panel rooms caused some problems, but it's minor.


4)
I think the panel staff sitting outside the rooms were all helpful.
They did a good job telling people to get out to make room for the next panel.
They were polite and courteous to me.


5)
I liked the panel survey!


6)
Hiroyuki Yamaga said he'd like a smaller room for his "History of GAINAX" panel for next year.
(I'm sure he's doing one again in the future)
I think he likes the fans to be closer, so he could feel closer to the audience?

That's it!
Overall, a great job and I had a lot of fun.

Satsuki

*bows* Arigato gozaimasu! All your suggestions will be forwarded and put on the list of improvements for next year! We are very happy that both you and our GOH had a great time, and we will make sure to do our best to keep our fans and guests happy!

[The Sax]

What the Heck is Touhou?---We are very happy with the turnout for both that panel, and it's companion panel, "Touhou Hijack". And most of the staff learned something new about the game as well. We'll definitely be looking forward to seeing them again in the future!

Well, I will like to say, as the presenter of the Hijack Panel, that I thank your kind words. Though, I think that generally a lot of people seem to have preferred a panel with less emphasis on memes and more on solid content. I feel like I almost put too many videos in, in comparison to content. I was hoping people had any feedback to give based on that.