Messages

Thanks for the reply!

So for clarification, something like this (not my etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/listing/289252795/pokeball-wooden-coasters-set-of-4-gifts?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=anime%20coasters&ref=sc_gallery_4&plkey=b1554aefdb0052d2ad9fa9a9cbbe3bb6fffe8288:289252795) would be considered "fanart" and acceptable? Whoever is selling this coaster is lucky, because from what I've read they are violating copyright law with that Pokeball.

Hello!

This will be my very first attempt to apply for Artist Alley. I did have a question about this:

"Reproductions of any existing licensed merchandise, logos, or merchandise with attached logos in any form."

Does this mean that no fanart is allowed? At previous Fanimes, I've seen a number of fanart (i.e. posters, magnets, badge art, jewelry, pins, etc.) from a number of fandoms including the following: Pokemon, Star Wars, Star Trek, Sailor Moon, Marvel, DC, etc. Seeing that these companies own the copyrights to all the characters and their likenesses, does this mean that there is no fanart allowed whatsoever?

This is all very new to me, and everything I've read basically states that most stuff on Etsy is actually illegal. Definitely input would be much appreciated before I inadvertently get sued!

[Ultros]

Saturday:  Ultros from Final Fantasy VI

Sunday:  Steampunk Pinkie Pie

If you guys have any pics of me (most likely from the Final Fantasy and My Little Pony photoshoots) please share! :)

I just wanted to thank and commend the Swap Meet Staff for an excellent job this year!  I know that you guys had a lot of hurdles and barriers, but despite everything you all remained patient, courteous, and poised.

I was lucky enough to snag a Friday night spot.  When I reached the registration desk, I was greeted by very friendly staff members.  The entire process was streamlined and efficient, and I was at my spot within 5 minutes of check-in.  While there was that fire alarm scare, staff members resolved the situation quickly and to everyone's satisfaction.  During the actual event, the swap meet head went around to check in with and socialize with everyone, which was a really nice touch.  Overall, I had a great time at swap meet and actually made some decent money!  If I happen to gather enough stuff, I'm hoping to sell again next year!

Thank you again to the Swap Meet Staff!  Well done!

Also stuck at step 5.  Hopefully the 20 minute rule doesn't apply since I already verified my e-mail address.

I plan on selling at swap meet and will be coming from the DoubleTree.  I know that the answer is probably "no", but I just want staff confirmation that luggage/boxes are NOT allowed on the shuttles.

Any official word yet on when Swap Meet registration will take place?  I take it that it won't be tomorrow...

Hello!

First, I just wanted to thank the Swap Meet staff for being so responsive to us thus far.  It's appeased a lot of my concerns (especially the bit about rolling luggage).

Second, I have two questions and I apologize if they're off-topic:
1) I'm staying at the Double Tree and taking over my swap meet merchandise using suitcases.  Are suitcases still banned from the shuttle bus?
2) This is for everyone.  I know that parking lots tend to fill up during Fanime.  If I'm going to be driving into downtown San Jose for swap meet alone, where would be the most ideal/economical place to park?

Thanks!!!

I would also like clarification on the rolling luggage situation.  I have a good amount of stuff that I'm hoping to sell at swap meet.  I am not disabled, but I have medically documented back problems that will make it difficult for me to carry everything in if I cannot use rolling luggage.  I'd like to avoid aggravating or potentially injuring my back.  Furthermore, every single piece of baggage I own has wheels on it.  I'd rather not have to buy new luggage just so I can sell.  I can try to carry in the luggage without using the wheels to circumvent the "no-wheels rule", but I'd rather not do anything to get me expelled from swap meet.

Clarification from Swap Meet staff would be much appreciated.  Thank you so much! :)

1) How were they (and the other flavors)?

2) Where can I buy them (couldn't find any at 99 Ranch)?

[Anime Expo]

Hey guys, we will explore mailing out badges, but it is not as simple as stuffing envelopes. There is a reason for our established process. We will examine how that will fit in with mailing badges, but stuffing envelopes is not the critical factor.

Totally understand that there's more to mailing out badges (such as the risk of lost badges and minor consent forms).  However, not wanting to stuff envelopes was most common reason posted on the forums when the idea to mail badges was proposed last year.

I've been asking around to find out how other cons handle registration:

-Anime Expo does not mail badges.  What happens is when you sign up, you're given a barcode.  When you arrive at the convention center, you scan said barcode into a machine and your badge is printed out.  A registration member then calls your name and checks your ID with the badge.

-Comic-Con does not mail badges.  They do on-site pickup at the convention center and off-site pickup at different hotels.  Apparently, the process at the convention center goes much faster than off-site given the large number of computers and staff available, with attendees getting their badges in as fast as five minutes.

-Sakura Con does not mail badges.  Similar to Anime Expo, they use scanners to pull up a person's information.  I'm guessing they might have a large number of staff/volunteers because the process apparently only takes about 20 minutes.

-Wondercon does not mail badges.  You bring your confirmation letter and are given a generic badge there.  I think they actually process badges manually at this convention.  Similarly, there are a large number of volunteers.  I think you also line up based on your last name, but that's just what I remember from when I went a few years ago.  I also remember waiting less than 10 minutes once the doors opened.

In all cases, minors must bring a consent form signed by their parents.  If you want, I can ask more cons, specifically ones that mail badges (if I can find them).  I focused on these because they're mostly located in California (except Sakura Con) and hence deal with the same laws pertaining to minor consent forms.  They also deal with large numbers of attendees.

I care about improving the process for next year because my boyfriend bailed and my friends couldn't attend as a result of long registration lines.  Going to Fanime with my buddies having to wait outside made me sad.  Not having a dance partner at the ball also made me sad.  I don't want to be sad next year!

I was hoping to do some work with Clockwork Alchemy next year.  Do you send rovers over there?

[Registration]

Registration
Nothing you haven't heard before. But you do realize that Day 0 and the AM of Day 1 are the most busy days for pre/early reg. Probably have 100% reg staff help and have all booths open.

We're all volunteers, please don't forget! D: And most of us are students in college, travelling to Fanime. Some are full-time employed people as well. Actually, a majority of us are from Davis/Sac/SF area... so Thursday is the day where we really don't have much staff at all (and it is fairly expensive to book a hotel room for Thursday night too). Some even skip school in order to help out (high school and college students alike... some of us senior reg staff are putting you guys before our education (though we highly don't recommend skipping school)). I guess what I'm trying to say is, we try our very best in hopes to keep you guys happy.

If we guaranteed-ly had the people-power to open up earlier on Thursdays, we might consider it. But as it stands, we are all students from the quarter system and it is very extremely hard to keep Thursdays staffed fully.

Personally, I came from LA, skipped school and paid extra to get an earlier flight coming to San Jose in hopes of helping out Reg (I also arranged my school schedule so I'd have Fridays off to get to SJ sooner). I know these sound like excuses (and mayhaps I'm an example of the extreme) but I do want to emphasize that we are not much different from you guys. We love our attendees and I hope you continue to love Fanime!

Perhaps starting the recruiting process early (like now) would ensure that there isn't a shortage of staff members come May 2013.  Fanime organizers have an entire year to put this convention together.  Similarly, many Fanime attendees plan their entire year around attending Fanime.  My point is yes, we are all busy, but a year is plenty of time gather enough people to help.  I suppose the same logic could be applied to getting schedules out sooner, etc...

Also, when I volunteered for fanime registration, volunteers were not allowed to man computers.  Is this still the case?  Perhaps reverting to manual registration should be another option, especially if there are not enough computers.


One more bit of constructive criticism:  Hotel room registration was done on a weekday early afternoon this year.  This was a huge inconvenience for those of us who work or have classes until late afternoon.  By the time we got home, all the rooms were essentially booked.  Perhaps have hotel room registration on a weekend day next year to make it more fair for us working people.  I'd rather not use a vacation day to book my Fanime room; I'm saving them for Fanime! :D

I dont know about sending badges out in the mail....it would either get lost in the mail, people would loose them or forget to bring them.  I think that Fanime knew this big crowd was coming for a good while and should have set up more lanes for pick up.  At least that way the line might still be huge, but people would have got threw a lot quicker.

It's one of those things that, while you will always have people where it gets lost in the mail or who try to scam the system. Those would probably be a minority of the attendees. If they did it it would probably cut the line to a third or less of what it was.

I agree.  There will always be people who try to con the system.  No system is foolproof, but you really have to go with one that works the best.  The current registration system with 3-6 hour waits is FAR from ideal, especially when there are good ideas being thrown around on how to expedite the process (i.e. mailing badges).

For those of you who go to other conventions, how does the registration process work?  Are the wait times as long as Fanime?

[Hotel Name:]

Hotel Name: Ramada

Would You Book Next Year: Most likely

Pros:
-Three floors
-Free parking
-Free Wi-Fi
-Free breakfast (eggo waffles, hard boiled eggs, pastries, coffee, juice, milk, cereal)
-Flat screen TV in room
-$65 a night for a clean single bed room
-mini refrigerator in room

Cons:
-10 minute walk to the convention center.  Not the best thing in heels.  It's also not the safest walk at night, and you have to walk past several clubs.  There are usually a bunch of clubbers around during the long weekend, which could be both good and bad.
-The housekeeper woke us up early one morning asking if we wanted the room cleaned.  She ended up coming back at least two more times, despite telling her we didn't need housekeeping services.  When we came back to the room later that day, we found that she had come in anyway.  You'd think that she'd want less work...  Fortunately, nothing was disturbed in the room.
-Someone stole our "Do Not Disturb" sign.  Not the fault of the hotel, though.
-Some idiots started smoking pot one night and the smell permeated into our room.
-Free parking not guaranteed.  Basically you're screwed if they run out of parking.  I parked my car early on Thursday and did not move it until I left on Monday.

Special Notes to Share:  Free parking, breakfast, and Wi-Fi!  The only problem is the distance from the convention center.  I would not recommend walking back to the hotel alone.  Also, if you're a vendor or have a more elaborate cosplay, it might be best to stay at the closer hotels if you can afford it.  Finally, don't forget to sign up for the Wyndam Rewards program.  You might end up with a free hotel stay after a few years!

Where's the step where I just want to sleep for a year? :)

That would go under the depression stage.  Join the club!

*EDIT* Issue has been resolved.  Thanks to everyone that helped!

If you guys need help stuffing envelopes next year, let us know.  I know the idea was shot down last year because staff members didn't want to spend the time stuffing thousands of envelopes. Based on the responses thus far, it seems as if most people would be more than happy to pay extra to have badges mailed out in advanced as opposed to waiting in line 6+ hours. You can use the extra money to feed people at "envelope stuffing parties"! I think doing a little extra work and planning far in advance would lessen the workload and stress on everyone at con.

[Fanime Stages of Grief]

Fanime Stages of Grief
-Denial: "Fanime is not over! I need to pick out a cosplay to wear tomorrow!"
-Anger: "Why does Fanime have to end?  This isn't fair!"
-Bargaining: "I'll do anything to have another day at Fanime!"
-Depression: "I'm so sad that Fanime is over.  I want to hole up in my room until 2013."
-Acceptance: "I can't wait 'til Fanime 2013!  I'm already planning my next cosplay!"

Seems like I'm still in the depression phase, hence this post.  What about you guys?  Has the post-con depression hit yet?

[CONS]

Another Fanime has come and gone.  Anyone also experiencing post-con depression right now? :(  Anyway, here's my list:

CONS

-Registration:  I understand that the electricity went out, but something seriously needs to be done about the registration process.  I had several friends who showed on Saturday before noon and couldn't participate in the convention because it would have been 6pm by the time they got through the day pass line.  My boyfriend decided not to attend at all because of the long registration lines.
  Last year post-con, the idea of mailing out badges was brought out.  It was then immediately shot down by numerous staff members, all stating that they did not want to stuff envelopes (despite offers by several forum members to volunteer).  With regards to getting more people to staff registration, the response was that it's difficult enough getting people to staff Day Zero.  Hence, nothing really changed between last year and this year, and the registration process has continued to deteriorate.
    As someone brought up, ComicCon mails out badges and it seems to work.  With some advanced planning, it's certainly feasible.  Perhaps offer mailed out badges to people who register by March 1 and pay a $10 "processing/shipping fee".  That should be enough to pay for stamps and some food/goodies for those stuffing envelopes.  Yes, there's always a risk for lost badges, but it seems like that happened this year anyway.  
   Unfortunately, as Fanime grows, something needs to be done about registration as waiting 6 hours in line is not acceptable.  One great thing about this year was that those registered at Clockwork Alchemy were able to pick up badges at the Double Tree.  Perhaps dividing up pick-up places (such as getting the badge at the hotel you're staying up) or having more pick-up times might help the process.  These all might sound like horrible ideas to staff members who have insider behind-the-scenes information, but what it boils down to is that things can't just stay the same next year.  The cons of at-con badge pickup are starting to outweigh the pros and drive away attendees.  

PROS

-Shuttle Buses to Clockwork Alchemy:  I was pleasantly surprised by the size and frequency of the hotel shuttle buses.  The longest ever had to wait for a bus was 30 minutes during off-peak times.
-Clockwork Alchemy: Loved the integration of a steampunk convention, especially all the interactive activities.  I also loved the fact that this convention opens Fanime to a new demographic!  Hopefully Clockwork Alchemy comes back next year.
-Stage Zero Info Desk Staff:  When I went to the Info Desk with a question, the person in charge immediately delegated two people to find the answer.  I didn't expect the staff to be so adamant about getting my question answered.  It might have been because my question was about Sunday at-con registration at the Double Tree, but still!  Great professionalism and customer service!
-Allowing people to both enter and exit Artist Alley/Dealers Hall/Gaming Room from both doors: Last year, it was annoying only being allowed to exit from one door.  This year was definitely much better.
-Wi-Fi: The Wi-fi signal in the convention center was amazing.  I walked from one end of the convention to another while streaming video and did not lose my signal.
-Separate Designs for Clockwork Alchemy Badges:  Loved the artwork!

That's pretty much all I have for now.  Will post anything else I think of.  Is it Fanime 2013 yet?