Print

[hookedonchibis]

I have a serious, serious problem with the fact that I cannot find contact information to reach ConOps or even AA staff to share my concerns privately.

My studio will not be returning to Fanime and I really don't want to share my concerns publicly (not that I can't be nice in my wording, I can!, but I prefer to handle these conversations with staff before taking them to public areas), but there seems to be no way to do this. At-con, the people manning the ConOps office were very polite and helpful, and it's really distressing that they have made themselves completely unavailable during non-con hours in this way.

There should always be a method for sharing private/personal concerns, if only because not everyone cares to have their issues pasted all over the internet. After one con, a fellow artist was left to share her story of harrassment regarding her kidney dialysis appointment in a forum thread like this, because there was no discreet way for her to talk to con staff. (My story isn't this deeply personal, but the lesson remains)

[Emu]

Under 18 Badge Pick up.  For the last 3 years my kids have had a rough time picking up their Pre-Registered badges at Fanime because they have their school I.D. and not a driver's licence. The staff always asks for Government Issued ID.  Well, Public School is a government institution so it in any event it should be considered a government issued I.D.  If my kid has the printed receipt and a school ID to confirm his or her identification that should be proof enough.  This year I did a group registration so I, the parent picked them up.  I do not want to do it again next year.  I only get through to these staffers after I ask for their supervisor and ask them how a 15 and 16 year olds is supposed to have a driver's license?

Another stickler is the AA staff.  Again the Government issued ID again.  I as a parent signed them in.  Paid for the table and had all the paper work together for a 16 and a 17 year old artists.  Again, I had the paid receipts, Sellers Permit, and a parent check in statement.  Mind you I was also there in person to check them in and the staff still insisted on seeing a government issued ID.  They had their student ID with them .  THESE IDS HAVE THEIR NAME AND PICTURE ON THEM SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL WAS.  Only after some annoying discussion with 3 other people were we able to check in at AA.  It is easier to go through the Airport Security than to get in to the Fanime Convention and Fanime AA.

[ewu]

Unfortunately, we can only take ID such as passports, drivers licenses, or CA IDs. School IDs are not standardized and can be easily faked. Any person with a card printer can make those. However, state issued IDs have numerous security measures integrated into them. We need to ensure that the ID indeed belongs to the person furnishing it.

In the end, we do not want the rightful account holder to show up and find that their membership or table has been claimed by a person using a fake school ID.

Thanks for your understanding. Further questions can be directed to registrationATfanimeDOTcom, artistalleyATfanimeDOTcom, or me directly at ericATfanimeDOTcom.

[chifunii]

To ayame_nguyen:  The policy was consistently no taking pictures or videos so I wonder who told you, at one point, that taking photos would be okay...  

While we were waiting in line, two different staff members walked up and down the line and told us that pictures were okay, just no videos, and we should run and get our cameras if we wanted them. And about 15 minutes later, we were told no cameras again, like ayame_nguyen said.

This has been a problem in previous years as well, one staffer saying one thing, then a different staffer saying something else. There are decent photos/vids of various no-camera events from various years of Fanime floating around due to this.

To me, the easiest is just to assume no photos or videos for the shows; I really don't want to bother with that stuff, so I always ditch my stuff somewhere and just enjoy myself.
The pictures I wouldve taken wouldn't have been of good quality, and there are photographers there taking pictures the entire time anyway. MY JOB, IMO, is to have a good time.

Best answer to the photo policy problem: not having a problem. Wowowowow

Of course there are people that would rather lose their right foot than not be able to take pictures...In that case I don't really know what to say...

[PickleBunny]

To ayame_nguyen:  The policy was consistently no taking pictures or videos so I wonder who told you, at one point, that taking photos would be okay... 

While we were waiting in line, two different staff members walked up and down the line and told us that pictures were okay, just no videos, and we should run and get our cameras if we wanted them. And about 15 minutes later, we were told no cameras again, like ayame_nguyen said.

This has been a problem in previous years as well, one staffer saying one thing, then a different staffer saying something else. There are decent photos/vids of various no-camera events from various years of Fanime floating around due to this.

To me, the easiest is just to assume no photos or videos for the shows; I really don't want to bother with that stuff, so I always ditch my stuff somewhere and just enjoy myself.
The pictures I wouldve taken wouldn't have been of good quality, and there are photographers there taking pictures the entire time anyway. MY JOB, IMO, is to have a good time.

Best answer to the photo policy problem: not having a problem. Wowowowow

Of course there are people that would rather lose their right foot than not be able to take pictures...In that case I don't really know what to say...

I'm sorry to hear there was so much confusion :\  We made sure that MusicFest staffers were very clear on the photo policy; however, it might not have gotten to staffers in other departments.  In the future, we will work harder to make sure that all Fanime staff present will have the same information about photo policies.  Though, hopefully, the photo policy confusion didn't keep you all from enjoying the show 

[SquallLHeart]

FLOW autographs: This was less Fanime's fault, but I was extremely disappointed that I didn't get an autograph. I waited in the line for two hours, only to walk away empty-handed. I understand that these things happen, but I was absolutely crushed. I've never cried at a Fanime before, I've only left with some of the best memories of my life. But I started crying in the middle of the hall, cried off-and-on the rest of the day, and was irreversibly, miserably upset for the rest of the con. For such a huge guest, more than one autograph session would have been nice.

I'm so sorry!! :'(

I had only a small part in the scheduling, but with all the other chaos with the many other guests, the crazy idea of just having one longer 2 hour session was made. Believe me I wish there was something else I could do.. and I myself didn't have the heart to be able to tell the people at the end of the line where it was cut off, and instead.. had someone else give the bad news... I was too crushed I wasn't able to plan it out any better.

When the schedule was finalized.. I was wondering if it was a good decision to have the Friday off and power through Saturday and Sunday.. Many attendees don't get to Fanime until Saturday, which was the biggest reason why it was done that way.. but now I'm thinking having at least something towards Friday evening to alleviate the rushed schedule. With the sessions being back-to-back, I really wasn't able to take a break the entire day.. Though the transitional period between each guest (which some of the attendees saw.. I thought was a brilliant idea)

Even though my break-less schedule was fine for me.. the back-to-back sessions made the bigger guests more rushed to be able to accommodate as many people as we can within their session... because we had to make sure the next guest started on time..

I wish I could give you a hug to make it better.. but it doesn't really help the fact you weren't able to get anything signed. :'( When the next Fanime comes around.. come talk to me. I'll make it up to you as best I can. ok??

[PyronIkari]

I have a serious, serious problem with the fact that I cannot find contact information to reach ConOps or even AA staff to share my concerns privately.

My studio will not be returning to Fanime and I really don't want to share my concerns publicly (not that I can't be nice in my wording, I can!, but I prefer to handle these conversations with staff before taking them to public areas), but there seems to be no way to do this. At-con, the people manning the ConOps office were very polite and helpful, and it's really distressing that they have made themselves completely unavailable during non-con hours in this way.

There should always be a method for sharing private/personal concerns, if only because not everyone cares to have their issues pasted all over the internet. After one con, a fellow artist was left to share her story of harrassment regarding her kidney dialysis appointment in a forum thread like this, because there was no discreet way for her to talk to con staff. (My story isn't this deeply personal, but the lesson remains)

Don't know why eric didn't post this but you can reach AA at artistalley at fanime dot com. I believe conops can be reached in the like wise manner.

[jemz]

FLOW autographs: This was less Fanime's fault, but I was extremely disappointed that I didn't get an autograph. I waited in the line for two hours, only to walk away empty-handed. I understand that these things happen, but I was absolutely crushed. I've never cried at a Fanime before, I've only left with some of the best memories of my life. But I started crying in the middle of the hall, cried off-and-on the rest of the day, and was irreversibly, miserably upset for the rest of the con. For such a huge guest, more than one autograph session would have been nice.

I apologize but the 2 hour long session was stipulated by FLOW's management. We would love to have had another session but it wasn't meant to be.

[chifunii]

FLOW autographs: This was less Fanime's fault, but I was extremely disappointed that I didn't get an autograph. I waited in the line for two hours, only to walk away empty-handed. I understand that these things happen, but I was absolutely crushed. I've never cried at a Fanime before, I've only left with some of the best memories of my life. But I started crying in the middle of the hall, cried off-and-on the rest of the day, and was irreversibly, miserably upset for the rest of the con. For such a huge guest, more than one autograph session would have been nice.

Did you miss the chance to take a photo with them? ;-; the information about that wasn't distributed very well either (probably intentional), but i had an extra ticket for it that I just gave away...I'm sure many other people had extras too...I'm sorry to hear that you didnt get the chance to get an autograph. I had run into them outside of con on Sunday, so if you were to miss another (I certainly hope not!) don't give up hope! I wanted to take a picture with yuya but I missed it bc I didn't know the line was wrapped around the other side :// I was upset ~_~ since I was there at the right time...

[SaiQ]

IMO I was concerned combining two artists into one MusicFest would cause the Civic Auditorium to reach max capacity. I'm not sure if it did this year. I do know the line was super long and wrapped around both Civic Auditorium + Tech Museum and the parking garage next to it. It's good to see the turn out for FLOW much larger than last year.

Also, printed schedules would help a lot. There wasn't as big of a turn out in many of the panels because people were unaware of them.

It was great seeing FLOW a second time. However, I would like to see a new popular J-pop artist(s) next year.

[Arkham]

Under 18 Badge Pick up.  For the last 3 years my kids have had a rough time picking up their Pre-Registered badges at Fanime because they have their school I.D. and not a driver's licence. The staff always asks for Government Issued ID.  Well, Public School is a government institution so it in any event it should be considered a government issued I.D.  If my kid has the printed receipt and a school ID to confirm his or her identification that should be proof enough.  This year I did a group registration so I, the parent picked them up.  I do not want to do it again next year.  I only get through to these staffers after I ask for their supervisor and ask them how a 15 and 16 year olds is supposed to have a driver's license?

Another stickler is the AA staff.  Again the Government issued ID again.  I as a parent signed them in.  Paid for the table and had all the paper work together for a 16 and a 17 year old artists.  Again, I had the paid receipts, Sellers Permit, and a parent check in statement.  Mind you I was also there in person to check them in and the staff still insisted on seeing a government issued ID.  They had their student ID with them .  THESE IDS HAVE THEIR NAME AND PICTURE ON THEM SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL WAS.  Only after some annoying discussion with 3 other people were we able to check in at AA.  It is easier to go through the Airport Security than to get in to the Fanime Convention and Fanime AA.

You can get a state-issued ID card at any age.

[Empathy]

Parking/Security: Does anyone know if you can get someone from the con or hotel (like security) to escort you to your car late at night? I drive in from Benicia and usually go back to my car late at night to go home (past midnight when the events we are interested in are over) when a lot of weirdos are out. It seemed like there were more shady people than usual (ghetto, “gangsta”-looking guys in large groups taking up the whole sidewalk that made insulting comments at us, scuzzy-looking (homeless, I'm guessing) people (one of which was peeing all over a pillar in clear view), a few hookers (yes, hookers), etc., that were clearly not part of the con) hanging out a couple blocks from the convention center where we usually park and it was only my female friend and me on Saturday, so I felt a bit paranoid walking there with no other con-goers around. It honestly makes me want to carry pepper spray. Next year, I’ll try parking in the parking garages that are closer to the convention center, but since we get there relatively late in the day on the busiest days because the main events we are interested in aren't until late afternoon to evening, it’s hard to find close parking at times. For future reference, though, I’m curious if there are people who can escort you to your car at night. If not, then I think it would be a great idea to offer that as a service in future years for those who have to park further away and don’t have a group of people to go back with to the parking lot late at night to go home. It would be a huge help.

I completely agree. My friend and I were very disconcerted walking to our car in the 2nd & San Carlos garage on Saturday around 3AM. We could clearly hear shouting and violence further down the road (some gangbangers screaming "die m********** die!" and then when we tried to get in the elevator at the garage a homeless guy jumped out at us, so we bolted up the stairs. I don't know whats happened to San Jose since it used to be one of the safest cities in the country, but things are getting scary down there around con time and it's hard to feel safe. I'm definitely considering hotel next year even though i only live 15 minutes away from the con by car, just because of the poor experience with the parking experience downtown this year.

[apsykes]

SECURITY -
The Bad: The security/rovers seems like they do so much (obbly does behind my back), could of been one walking by when my friend got humped in costume/cosplay. could of also kept the rude drunk people away (late night, drunk people, dancing, spilling booze on my friend's 1,500$ costume. (handmade)

The good: they did escort my friends in a arkinine quad and sawbuck quad away from people near the mariott to the spacier gaming room

In short: More rovers @ Night! oh and a Rover crash area for late night workings!
----------

AIR CONDITIONING - yeah heard me right, i was sweating up a storm wearing normal clothes! it was as packed as a Japanese train!

The bad: It was packed as a Japanese train.

The good: It was packed as a Japanese train. Oh, and idk... we saved about 300$ worth of energy?

In short: How bout turning it to a cool 70F?
----------

Frequent con-goer discount!
i propose a discount for people (depending on what)
idk like if you go to a con for like 5+ years, get at con reg same price as Early-reg?

(Got backstabbed when paypal blocked my acc on the last day of early reg >.>
----------

NO DRUNKS! (in convention center!)- They annoying and a menace!

The good: What good? except we were trolling ones that were knocking at our hotel room door around idk... 3AM.

The bad: Their annoying and a safety hazard (More than fire hazard!), humped any four legged Pokemon!

In short: idk, i not a drunk wrangler!

[Charis]

I've got petty complaints and things, but here are the big hitters:

To beat a dead horse: schedules.  I'm fine with them not being included in the packets, provided that (a) it's posted far enough ahead of time and (b) the schedules are placed online in a format easy enough to print off what we want.  If I'd known they weren't going to be in the booklets, I'd have jotted down the room info for the panel I went to beforehand.

Black and White Ball: I know the smaller room was out of the hands of staff this year, and we wound up taking a look at the line and changing our minds about going (sadly, but ...).  However, one thing I really wish could be done is to NOT schedule it against the Masquerade, or if so to lengthen the hours so that people can theoretically do both.  It's hard to be torn between the two, particularly when trying to support friends who are competing.

Masquerade: Long opening acts were LONG -- and didn't help the Ball-Masquerade time conflict.  I wasn't timing last year, but I seem to remember this year's preshow (band + karaoke winner) running something between 45 minutes to an hour.  As bitchy as it sounds, I come to Masquerade for the cosplay; maybe consider shortening the opening acts and saving the bulk of it for intermission?
And speaking of: had there been a capacity cap reached such that they were turning people away at the doors for the Masq?  It was odd with seeing quite a few empty seats, but I don't know what the building capacity is.  Just curiosity.

Dead Horse #2: Prereg line on Day 0.  It's gotten more ridiculous, and surely there's something that can be done about it (and, as noted, about how damned hot it gets down there) -- longer hours, more open stations, something.  We wound up looking at the line and changing our mind (crawled downstairs early the next morning and managed to get through in under an hour).

Overall, I really do enjoy Fanime and I plan to come back, but there are definitely opportunities for improvement still.

[yakitatefreak]

  A High School of the Dead 2012 Apocalypse special would make this interesting. After all, 2012 portrayed in media would become reality XD

even though I'm beating up a dead horse attacked my terrorists... please make the lines faster by opening up ALL available reg. booths asap. when I hot there at 8 in the morning, there was already a 95 minute wait before receiving the pass.

[Wabbit98]

Black and White Ball: I know the smaller room was out of the hands of staff this year, and we wound up taking a look at the line and changing our minds about going (sadly, but ...).  However, one thing I really wish could be done is to NOT schedule it against the Masquerade, or if so to lengthen the hours so that people can theoretically do both.  It's hard to be torn between the two, particularly when trying to support friends who are competing.

This year we did decide to extend the Ball for an additional hour until Midnight, instead of normally ending at 11pm.  This was in response of the Masquerade going on at the same time.  Next year it might only go from 6-11 or again go from 6-midnight.  That is something that the staff will have to decide.

-Kevin

[jemz]

Masquerade: Long opening acts were LONG -- and didn't help the Ball-Masquerade time conflict.  I wasn't timing last year, but I seem to remember this year's preshow (band + karaoke winner) running something between 45 minutes to an hour.  As bitchy as it sounds, I come to Masquerade for the cosplay; maybe consider shortening the opening acts and saving the bulk of it for intermission?
And speaking of: had there been a capacity cap reached such that they were turning people away at the doors for the Masq?  It was odd with seeing quite a few empty seats, but I don't know what the building capacity is.  Just curiosity.

The Masquerade usually has opening acts every year. Each year, we allot 45 minutes for the opening acts. This year, we opted for one opening act (Hideo was only a half hour long) and the winner of the Karoake contest. Previous years, we had as many as 3 opening acts + Karaoke winner.

The other thing that could have made it feel longer is that we moved all the presentation/walk-ons to the beginning.

[Charis]

The Masquerade usually has opening acts every year. Each year, we allot 45 minutes for the opening acts. This year, we opted for one opening act (Hideo was only a half hour long) and the winner of the Karoake contest. Previous years, we had as many as 3 opening acts + Karaoke winner.

The other thing that could have made it feel longer is that we moved all the presentation/walk-ons to the beginning.

It was more of an observation after two years than a particular complaint regarding this year -- sorry if it came across that way.  I think it didn't register quite as much last year as I was helping a friend out in Masq and was focussed on that rather than what was going on, whereas this year there was the "okay ... the skits we wanted to be here to cheer for are done, let's rush off to try to get to the Ball".  Without that conflict, it might not have felt as long.

I did notice people around me growing restless during the wait too -- which again last year I didn't because I was in with the contestants -- which might have made it feel longer as well.  It just felt like it was worth noting.

Wabbit -- I admit I wasn't aware of that (was it posted anywhere on site? I confess I didn't go looking too hard), but there was some extensive discussion pre-con among friends about when Masq was likely to let out and the Ball was likely to end and all of that.  Good to know you guys had pushed it a little later, though!  Hopefully that'll continue if the two events are up against each other again (fingers crossed they're not).

[ewu]

Charis - thanks for the feedback. Is it possible to take this to email? cosplayATfanimeDOTcom

I would like to keep this thread to feedback and not discussions as to the issues or resolutions.

Thanks!

[Salty Pearl]

Dance Staff ;

In regards to the Black&White Ball, the set up was lovely, but I have a few objections for the dance staff, or rovers. I was told by two of my friends that following their dress code check, they were approached by a few young men that were expressing concerns about their attire. These gentlemen apparently pursued and spoke to them claiming that they were "unsure if they were dressed properly". Mind you, this was after they cleanly passed door-inspection. What's even worse, these men offered to take my friends to a different location, not in the hall, not at the door, but a separate place to "officially check them".

After this, one of my friends found them later in the ball and demanded to see their badges, which they revealed. Now, I don't know if this kind of aggressive behavior is typical for Fanime rovers, however I see this as a transition into harassment.

So please, staff, I'm not trying to dismantle your dress code or security system, I'm simply suggesting (strongly) to find individuals who are serious and mature for these dance occasions and will not take advantage of their badge power. ~ Thank you very much.