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« on: April 25, 2016, 12:33:39 AM »
It's been a long time since I've posted anything on this thread I made. I think it's about time I wrote something. Yes, I know I can be cynical and I may not have the best way of handling or saying things. But if there are a couple of things I can say is. I may have said a lot of things that would be considered "salty" or criticism without being constructive. However from the start I HAD good intentions and I still do. I originally started this thread hoping some way or form that the staff would read our complaints and either address or acknowledge them so they could change and improve things for the better. If anything I would hope that I would get information from others that would help change my perspective or become less "salty."
With all the information that people have been providing that I never knew. I can at least safety say that I reached my original goal. I'm not very good a writing I'll admit so the best way I can express myself and that people will be able to understand and comprehend is that I'll bullet point things.
What I have learned
1. I'm getting a perspective from all different people. From volunteers, artists and attendees with a entirely different or same point of view as I do. Originally I was very bitter and salty towards the fanimecon staff and felt they do not care one bit on what their paying attendees have to say. Thanks to the people that have staffed or volunteered at other conventions. I have gotten quite a bit of insider information and how conventions work or get explanation from a different point of view. I have read every single post and attest to think before I say something.
About volunteers and the convention as a whole
Yes. I have read everything the others have said. The volunteers I appreciate the fact that the attendees are taking time out of their lives to make the convention happen. After reading the requirements it takes to even GET a position as a volunteer and the amount of hours and commitment you have to put into even getting one. It seriously makes me wonder why many people still continue to come back to volunteer at all... like one forum member has mentioned it seems more like an uncompensated job. I could be wrong but I think even AX the biggest anime convention in all of the states compensate volunteers for their time. While it isn't much it's still something. I would have to agree with Nina and Cutie about the whole " If you don't like it, join staff." With the amount of time and requirements it takes to even get a position in staff, it's rather discouraging. And with phr34kish explaining her side of the story? Everything was going smoothly but all of a sudden Fanime decided to give radio silence and not only that they decided to close the offical FB for artists? The one thing that all artists rely on to get information I assume? To me that gives off a really bad impression. If Fanime is so welcome to all kinds of feedback how come we NEVER get a response back from it? A lot of attendees have tried there best but to give constructive feedback both at-con and outside of the con and even when we do, it usually feels like it's falling on deaf ears. And believe or not when I'm at the actual con I don't act like the way I do online. I give decent constructive criticism to the info booth hoping they would pass it on to the head. YES running a con is HARD and if it's volunteered run. I bet it would be even harder. I understand volunteers HAVE a life, but by volunteering to be staff at a really big convention it takes time and commitment. And by continuing to volunteer as staff you are making a commitment to do a good job on whatever it is you are volunteering.
I appreciate the volunteers doing their best to make the con happen. I REALLY do and I understand that there is some information that they can't disclose certain information under certain circumstances. But the least they can do is at least show you they ARE trying their best. Something as simple as "We are very sorry for the constant delays, we are doing our very best to fix the situation." But whenever I see any of the staff making any statements. All I see are very generic and blanket statements like " Our Professional Registration website is now open. We are sorry for the delay." or "Due to circumstances beyond our control there is a delay" Most of the statements or claims I see from staff most of the time tend to be very vague and tend to lead people asking questions like "Why was pro registration late?" or " How do I pay for my table at AA?" and I think people who even email staff wanting to volunteer or do their best to make the con better is often ignored. For a convention that is run by "For fans, by fans" the way how the con is structured and how communication goes on. It is run in a very clumsy or not professional way. The "fans" that try to make the convention happen certainly give me a message that they don't care one bit about my concerns or needs and most definitely give me a cold shoulder. If any of you who known and read my posts. I always emphasize Fanime 2011 was the BEST year ever for many reasons. Guests were announced in a very timely fashion that gives you enough time to plan accordingly if you got to conventions for the guests, registration was a acceptable wait, nobody had to struggle and fight each others to get a hotel room and overall the convention was very well run and deserved the title "For fans, by fans." But ever since 2012 things have taken a very drastic turn. Everything I mentioned that was good has now became the exact opposite of what I have mentioned and in fact in my opinion the convention seems to get worse each year with the department of almost everything, ESPECIALLY communication and hotels.
Can a convention be run by volunteers? Yes I believe so. A convention CAN be run by everyone who is a volunteer. For example Sakura-Con and I don't know how true this is but they have a similar catchphrase "For fans by every fan" or something like that. While I agree with many people that Sakura-con is EXTREMELY commercialized and in a strange way. They have had PLENTY of things that they were able to offer that I felt Fanimecon originally had to offer but no longer does offer it. And not only that, a lot of the people who helped volunteer at Sakura-con tend to be MUCH more helpful and I feel like the volunteers care about you. I may be the only one who has experiences this but when I was at Sakura-con 2015 or 2016. Due to very clumsy communication among the volunteers I was not able to get into certain events I wanted to attend or get priority to an event. However when I explained the situation to the volunteers or staff, they have fully admitted it was a mistake on their part because of miscommunication and did their very best to make up for it. They allowed me to go into a certain panel I REALLY wanted to attend despite being capped or get line into the priority line for concerts. Because of how well I saw the volunteers doing their very best trying to make things write and improve upon it. Because of the effort I see the volunteers or staff trying to make things right it makes me want to return back to the convention yearly. Sakura-con has around 24,000 attendees and probably more during 2016. Because that I felt that the convention cared about my needs as well as answer ANY questions I have through e-mail or at con. I felt like I mattered to the con. Fanimecon on the other hand... I feel like they don't care. Or if they do care, they certainly haven't shown it or need to show it in a better fashion. If fanime wants to show they care about you. And I cannot emphasis this enough and this is the reason why I made this thread is COMMUNICATION.
As of 2016 these are my top conventions in number order 1. Kawaii-kon 2. Sakura-con 3. Sacanime. 4. Anime Expo and the bottom and not worth mentioning. Can you guess?
How I rank these conventions are by many factors, 1. The guests. (My BIGGEST factor especially Japanese and music guests) 2. The programming, 3. Enjoyment and 4. How the convention is run and the communication I receive from them.
My point? A convention needs to be well run in order for someone to enjoy it. And yes I get it. My opinion is different from everybody else's on how they enjoy a convention. Some agree with me while others STRONGLY disagree with me.
Artists and attendees Artists are the MAIN reason why I attend fanimecon and the fact on the communication they receive and on how they are treated? I can sympathize with them a lot. I have many artists that attend Fanimecon and I have been a regular customer of theirs at the convention for many years. Being an artist in AA is very hard. Some succeed while others will fall. They are the back bone and part of what makes a convention. They come to conventions for a reason. Some do it for the social aspect while others and this is probably the main factor is MONEY. Some artists do this for a living while others do it because they like it and it probably helps with some expenses. I want these people to succeed and be treated fairly. But if Fanimecon doesn't start treating them better or give them better communication. I might as well take my business elsewhere.
As for attendees, this is a mixed bag. Attendees are what makes the convention happen and everybody has a different opinion or taste on how they enjoy the con. I come to the convention mainly for the guests, Musicfest, the artists and the Vendors hall. I have no rights on how to tell people to enjoy a con. However, a convention should be able to satisfy all attendees needs and wants. or at least communicate what they have to offer. Back then I felt Fanime was able to communicate what they have to offer as well what type of con they are towards attendees. But on how I see Fanime is communicating or how the convention is structured. it is a major headache for a decent amount of attendees or the enjoyment of the con has become significantly lower. Because of how it's structured I can't accordingly plan ahead of time. Fanime use to be a convention I felt that had everything. Not anymore. Like how others have pointed out. It's now a party con or a joke con. Most of the people who attend there now are REALLY into cosplay or go to a convention for pure social interaction and simple stuff like watching anime or playing games together, or you know in general "party" stuff. I well say this. There is NOTHING wrong with someone going to a convention for solely cosplay or partying. However, That's not why I come to fanime. What the con use to offer, has no longer been able to offer it or even if they do it has dwindled down by a whole lot. Attendees are allowed to like what they like and they are allowed to do what they please. I like the cosplay in Fanimecon and it DOES have the best cosplay compare to other conventions I go to. But is that what I go for? No. But if you like cosplay among other reasons, good for you on your part. You are able to enjoy the con. I just simply don't like the fact that Fanimecon can no longer cater to my needs and wants.
I agree with many others. Fanimecon doesn't need to reinvent it's wheel in fact what they had in 2011 and the past years were perfect and cater towards all kinds of crowds. While they don't need to reinvent the wheel they certainly shouldn't let it get battered and broken. And that is how I can describe Fanime 2012 and the present years. A very battered or broken wheel. When an item has been used for so long and has been battered or become broken to some extent that the enjoyment of you using the item is no longer there. Or if you use the item still, the enjoyment of it will be down by a whole lot. However, what considered I consider broken or battered item. Others will see it as a item in great condition and will continue to enjoy it. Even if it's maintenance has gone down or begin to see some issues with the item. It's tolerable enough for them that they will still greatly enjoy it. Or some there is absolutely not issue whatsoever.
I have been told numerous times by cutie and many other attendees. That I should move on to another con in which case I might be happier to attend or spend money on. I have been told many reasons why I should move on and why it would greatly benefit me if I do so. And really, with how things I perceive now. Maybe it really is best for me to move on. If I can't go to animazement then I will go to another convention that's closer and while not in the memorial day weekend, somewhere during the summer. I have already payed for a hotel so I will be going to Fanime 2016 this year. As for the future... this MAYBE my last year going to Fanimecon. It's possible 2017 will truly be a vast improvement or it may not be I'm not sure.
However, so long as I continue to go to Fanime. I WILL still be posting in the forums or even if I don't go. I will still come to the forums and post sometimes. Just maybe not as frequent. Some of you treat me with respect and even enjoy reading my posts to which I am actually flattered by those of you who have treated me well. While some others hate my guts and in some shape or form would want me to disappear from the forums. However, you treat me is up to you.
With that being said. I think I have done my best what I consider to be my "constructive critique" while some while think I'm just a plain salty troll saying the same thing over again. I have done my best to attempt to give my point across and what I have learned. But one thing I can tell you is that I HAVE learned a whole lot since making this thread and I am glad I have made it.
If you still want to communicate or post. Go right ahead if you still feel like it's productive or you are getting some value by posting. go right ahead. For me. This is my closing statement for now.
P.S as of this post I have not gotten much sleep so whatever I say may not be consistent or coherent as I want it to be.
He said to me that he would definitely take up the offer if they offered him. So yeah. He doesn't even need a translator, since he speaks both English and Japanese. ><