Hi Eric!
I'll try to give my feedback on everything that you've asked, as well as add some of my own:
1) Continue to push the walk-on performance to use lights, music and have an act.
-Yes please! Though I like seeing what I believe is the "Walk-On Parade", it gets boring. Lights, voice, sound, or a gesture would greatly improve these walk ons.
2) Return to a part A part B for the masquerade with the first being the walk-ons and the second being performances (skits).
-I actually didn't like how this used to be set up. I know of people who deliberately didn't show up to the first part of the masquerade because they knew it was going to be walk-ons. I like that they were sprinkled in with the skits this year.
3) In the intermission (which will be a real intermission), the walk-on act will go down to raised platforms on the floor to allow attendees to see them up close and take pictures of them.
-I think this could apply to everyone who hadn't gone on stage yet. so maybe a photo shoot for acts 1-25 get to shoot at intermission, and 25-55 can shot while the judges are deliberating. Everyone should be able to participate in this to meet and excite the audience.
4)New QR code digital program book for attendees to download and know the name of the acts and who they are.
-That would be interesting for those who have a smart phone, and assuming the internet works, could be really cool. But would it distract from the performances? Maybe scan and download the program book while in line, or right as you walk in, so they can look while they wait?
5) Adding more performance specific awards like Most Dramatic performance, Best Comedy, Ect. These would have cash awards
-I know these used to be an award. I tried for the comedy one three years ago. It would be great to have a few awards like, "Best Dramatic", "Best Comedic", "Audience Favorite/Loudest Applause", "Most Similar to the Anime", or "Best Audience Participation". The latter three would not be large cash prizes, but enough to buy yourself a small trophy. I did that last year with our best choreography $35 winnings.
6) Increasing the size of prizes to be more inline with the wider convention circuit.
-That would be nice, but maybe hold off on the $1500 grand prize of comic con for a while? I think 500, or 750 is a decent grand prize...prize. Unless you're talking about bumping up all of the prizes, then go for it. Its not something that I have a huge opinion about.... Could the money be used elsewhere? Maybe the future fashion show? If so, wait a few years until both events get a little stronger.
7) Having scheduled rehearsals starting at 9am for performances. these would allow contestants to work on the act, solve any tech issues and get lunch and a break before coming back for the show.
- SCHEDULES WOULD BE AMAZING. Not that I don't love playing battle royal for the 11:30 or later spot, but dictating a time would squash all complaints.
8) Video in the green room, benches on the stage waiting area.
- I really love this idea. I don't get to see the skits that are on stage while I'm backstage, and it always seems to be the best ones I miss. A small video monitor would be great. Benches.... it doesn't seem to matter much, many people can't sit down in their costumes anyway. Maybe have a few chairs, but the floor is my best friend. Its always there for m. :D
Extra comments:
-These are things that I thought could be improved for next year:
**Cosplay Masquerade/Spectacular Advertising: It was virtually nothing. I looked in the large book and it says the name and then says "look to your pocket guide for details!", so I look at my pocket guide, and I have to ask three staff members where to find it in the book. Teeny tiny writing that didn't stand out. There were no announcements that I heard on Sunday, and no posters like last year. I believe this is why there were a noticeably smaller amount of people there. Only 1500 maybe? I didn't bother to check. I saw many more empty seats than last year.
**Photography. I had problem with this myself. It said judging was at certain times in the day, so I went Saturday with my boxes of costumes. The photography was there too, which was new. Only after you pointed it out did I realize it said Judging AND Photography. Whoopsie. So I figure we'll get pictures taken when we do the cosplay spectacular on Sunday. Well.. We get there and there's no photographers in sight... bummer. We go backstage before the show and wait to go on, we go on, and no photographers in the hallway either. Around act #12 or# 13, we get pulled aside from our seats and were asked if we took pictures yet. Well... no. We haven't, and now two of our group members went to another event. A little notice would be nice... I would like to request that all photos be taken before the show, when we're just sitting around because our call time is 3:00, and the show doesn't start until 5, or 5:30. Taking photos after is a terrible idea. People are sweating, costume pieces could have broken, people could have went home. I would like photos to be taken during the practice or waiting period.
**This Event V.S. Other events: I love to participate in EVERYTHING. I signed up for the chopped cosplay this year, and won first place mind you, and the masquerade as well. I would love to do these two in the future, along with the fashion show. But my fear is that all of those times will overlap. Many large events are on Saturday, shopped cosplay was on Friday and Saturday night, and the masquerade is on Sunday. Maybe have the fashion show on Saturday morning/afternoon to get things rolling? Sunday would be too busy, and Friday may not have enough people there. Saturday afternoons and evenings are the dance, main events, stage zero events, major signings, and bands playing. It might be too busy. I think Saturday morning maybe at 10, or 11 am would be best.
**Content of the Masquerade costumes:
-Not that I don't enjoy Elsa and the Ice King fighting... it just isn't anime. The rules have always been that the costumes need to be of Asian influence or decent. The past few years, this rule has slacked. Wreck it Ralph, and other Disney characters have appeared on stage. I really enjoy it, but can we amend the rule then? Maybe "It must be of Asian affiliated, or have come out between this Fanime and last Fanime" So its relevant? I can imagine there could be many more applicants, but again, its and Anime con, not an Animation Con. I wouldn't mind cosplaying as a Disney princess on stage though. :D
These are my thoughts.
-Princess Squib
Mod edit: its called a dance
I'll try to give my feedback on everything that you've asked, as well as add some of my own:
1) Continue to push the walk-on performance to use lights, music and have an act.
-Yes please! Though I like seeing what I believe is the "Walk-On Parade", it gets boring. Lights, voice, sound, or a gesture would greatly improve these walk ons.
2) Return to a part A part B for the masquerade with the first being the walk-ons and the second being performances (skits).
-I actually didn't like how this used to be set up. I know of people who deliberately didn't show up to the first part of the masquerade because they knew it was going to be walk-ons. I like that they were sprinkled in with the skits this year.
3) In the intermission (which will be a real intermission), the walk-on act will go down to raised platforms on the floor to allow attendees to see them up close and take pictures of them.
-I think this could apply to everyone who hadn't gone on stage yet. so maybe a photo shoot for acts 1-25 get to shoot at intermission, and 25-55 can shot while the judges are deliberating. Everyone should be able to participate in this to meet and excite the audience.
4)New QR code digital program book for attendees to download and know the name of the acts and who they are.
-That would be interesting for those who have a smart phone, and assuming the internet works, could be really cool. But would it distract from the performances? Maybe scan and download the program book while in line, or right as you walk in, so they can look while they wait?
5) Adding more performance specific awards like Most Dramatic performance, Best Comedy, Ect. These would have cash awards
-I know these used to be an award. I tried for the comedy one three years ago. It would be great to have a few awards like, "Best Dramatic", "Best Comedic", "Audience Favorite/Loudest Applause", "Most Similar to the Anime", or "Best Audience Participation". The latter three would not be large cash prizes, but enough to buy yourself a small trophy. I did that last year with our best choreography $35 winnings.
6) Increasing the size of prizes to be more inline with the wider convention circuit.
-That would be nice, but maybe hold off on the $1500 grand prize of comic con for a while? I think 500, or 750 is a decent grand prize...prize. Unless you're talking about bumping up all of the prizes, then go for it. Its not something that I have a huge opinion about.... Could the money be used elsewhere? Maybe the future fashion show? If so, wait a few years until both events get a little stronger.
7) Having scheduled rehearsals starting at 9am for performances. these would allow contestants to work on the act, solve any tech issues and get lunch and a break before coming back for the show.
- SCHEDULES WOULD BE AMAZING. Not that I don't love playing battle royal for the 11:30 or later spot, but dictating a time would squash all complaints.
8) Video in the green room, benches on the stage waiting area.
- I really love this idea. I don't get to see the skits that are on stage while I'm backstage, and it always seems to be the best ones I miss. A small video monitor would be great. Benches.... it doesn't seem to matter much, many people can't sit down in their costumes anyway. Maybe have a few chairs, but the floor is my best friend. Its always there for m. :D
Extra comments:
-These are things that I thought could be improved for next year:
**Cosplay Masquerade/Spectacular Advertising: It was virtually nothing. I looked in the large book and it says the name and then says "look to your pocket guide for details!", so I look at my pocket guide, and I have to ask three staff members where to find it in the book. Teeny tiny writing that didn't stand out. There were no announcements that I heard on Sunday, and no posters like last year. I believe this is why there were a noticeably smaller amount of people there. Only 1500 maybe? I didn't bother to check. I saw many more empty seats than last year.
**Photography. I had problem with this myself. It said judging was at certain times in the day, so I went Saturday with my boxes of costumes. The photography was there too, which was new. Only after you pointed it out did I realize it said Judging AND Photography. Whoopsie. So I figure we'll get pictures taken when we do the cosplay spectacular on Sunday. Well.. We get there and there's no photographers in sight... bummer. We go backstage before the show and wait to go on, we go on, and no photographers in the hallway either. Around act #12 or# 13, we get pulled aside from our seats and were asked if we took pictures yet. Well... no. We haven't, and now two of our group members went to another event. A little notice would be nice... I would like to request that all photos be taken before the show, when we're just sitting around because our call time is 3:00, and the show doesn't start until 5, or 5:30. Taking photos after is a terrible idea. People are sweating, costume pieces could have broken, people could have went home. I would like photos to be taken during the practice or waiting period.
**This Event V.S. Other events: I love to participate in EVERYTHING. I signed up for the chopped cosplay this year, and won first place mind you, and the masquerade as well. I would love to do these two in the future, along with the fashion show. But my fear is that all of those times will overlap. Many large events are on Saturday, shopped cosplay was on Friday and Saturday night, and the masquerade is on Sunday. Maybe have the fashion show on Saturday morning/afternoon to get things rolling? Sunday would be too busy, and Friday may not have enough people there. Saturday afternoons and evenings are the dance, main events, stage zero events, major signings, and bands playing. It might be too busy. I think Saturday morning maybe at 10, or 11 am would be best.
**Content of the Masquerade costumes:
-Not that I don't enjoy Elsa and the Ice King fighting... it just isn't anime. The rules have always been that the costumes need to be of Asian influence or decent. The past few years, this rule has slacked. Wreck it Ralph, and other Disney characters have appeared on stage. I really enjoy it, but can we amend the rule then? Maybe "It must be of Asian affiliated, or have come out between this Fanime and last Fanime" So its relevant? I can imagine there could be many more applicants, but again, its and Anime con, not an Animation Con. I wouldn't mind cosplaying as a Disney princess on stage though. :D
These are my thoughts.
-Princess Squib
Mod edit: its called a dance