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Messages - Junon

#1
Hotel and Facilities / Re: Pre Reg required for Hotel?
November 10, 2014, 05:02:42 PM
After having added badge registration info, it still requires me to buy the badge before I could reserve a room, and I couldn't remove the badge information after signing up only to get the room.

However, due to Fanime's policies regarding refunds, I can't buy a badge before I can confirm I got a hotel room first.

I really hope pre-registration is not required, ever, for reserving rooms. Your policies make it very risky since it doesn't guarantee a room. And I can't go to Fanime if I don't have a room.
#2
Hotel and Facilities / Re: When is Housing?
January 03, 2014, 06:09:32 PM
Fanime staff were good about putting the word out for housing through Twitter the last couple of years. So I'd recommend setting that up.
#3
Stayed the the Hilton, and the only CON I can mention is that the 3rd elevator was out of order, stuck on "2" the entire convention with no mention, no signage, and nothing ever acknowledged it was ever out of order which made the Hilton's elevator situation dire at times, even waiting up to 20 minutes to get on. Even worse was the false hopes I got thinking the elevator is only two floors up and on its way.

Usually Hilton does so much better with elevators during this convention.
#4
Quote from: MPLe on April 16, 2013, 04:14:45 PM
Quote from: mryekcim on April 16, 2013, 02:48:42 PM
Will picking up you badge at clockwork instead of fanime affect how the badges will look?
Yes. The Clockwork Alchemy pick up station will have the Clockwork Alchemy design and the FanimeCon ones will have the FanimeCon designs.

Will pre-registration badges also be available at Clockwork for pick up on Thursday as well? Or is this a Fairmont only thing?
#5
QuoteQ: When/Where can I pick up my membership for Pre-Registration?


A: Pre-Registration members can pick up their badges starting on Thursday, May 23, 2013; they will not be mailed beforehand. You can pick up your badge at the Pre-Registration/Early Registration area in the Imperial and Fairmont Regency ballrooms of the Fairmont Hotel. Please note that this location is different from previous years due to construction in the San Jose Convention Center.

What are the pick-up hours?

And if for example, it's from 4pm - 8pm; and if I came in on 7:55pm, will I still be be able to pick up the badge after 8pm? Or will I be asked to leave? Last year in the worst line of all time, people were being turned away, despite having pre-registered.
#6
Quote from: Lucifargundam on January 17, 2013, 01:05:30 AM
You're better than me at making armour -.- .... I might have to suck up my pride next time and ask you to comission for me... that is, if you would...

I wish I could, but I'm unreliable for the foreseeable future -- too many things going on at once. Plus it took me 5+ months to complete the Claymore armor, and it's only one of two armors I ever made. The best I could do is to advise people to not do what I did unless they wanna have a few grays streaking across their hair. :p
#7
Quote from: SukebeStudios on January 24, 2013, 01:21:15 PM
Ok, this is OUTRAGEOUS! All the hotels are charging $100 per night deposit??? I booked at the Fairmont at $89...so that means the freaking deposit is more expensive than the price of actually staying there! We're not made of money, you know. Fanime's already driven up their prices for reg to obscene levels, now the hotel crap?

It has always stated that the deposit would be up to $100 per night, yet I've never been hit with more than $50/per night at any of the hotels I've stayed at: Hilton, Marriott and what used to be Crowne.
#8
Will Clockwork be at the same hotel it was at last year? Or will it be at the main convention location?

This may determine which hotel I'll reserve a room for.
#9
I've noticed all of the 2-queen bed rooms went the fastest, I managed to get one (barely). There were several 1-king bed rooms even a week after the reservation page went up -- I've spotted them when I was looking to downgrade the 2-queen room when friends bailed out.

Be aware that the price listed for the rooms don't include all of the taxes and fees. After reservation, Fanime gives an estimate of what it will cost which has been pretty close for me.
#10
The only issue I've had with pizza delivery at any of the hotels is that the pizza always arrived cold, they never had any plates, and always forgot the little things like cheese and pepper.
#11
I'm pretty sure if it died, someone will setup some ad-hoc connections to at least communicate locally. If can grow over time over a wider area and it wouldn't take much effort. Otherwise there's satellite internet and the good old fashioned town hall meeting.
#12
I'm hoping to go and get my N7 Armor autographed by Jennifer Hale.
#13
Quote from: trooper715 on June 15, 2012, 05:19:46 AM
Very nice!  And as great as the foam builds come out, it's nice to see shepard armor made by different materials.  Great little piece of history about the styrene. =)

Looking forward to seeing the completed suit next year!  It already looks great for something 'incomplete'.

Thanks! :)

I decided that I'm going to recreate it again from scratch based on everything I learned as the current one has some issues which made moving very hard -- I felt like a Tank at times. Plus I still have all the paper patterns which already makes cutting out the shapes much easier, if I continue to work with ME2 and not ME3 (which would require some new patterns). If I can get a second one done, I would then convert the old N7 armor into a mashed up steampunk version of N7 to wear at Clockwork Alchemy next year, while I wear the improved N7 at Fanime.

The one thing I forgot to add to the story was the many times I had to redo the straps throughout the week leading to Fanime and even during Fanime. The armor isn't flexible and was built for one size -- big dude. When I started on this project, I was a bigger guy, by the time Fanime hit, I had lost a significant amount of weight, but it was too late to trim down the armor, so I had to add more straps to keep it on and it ended up looking too big, even on me. This was one time I did not want to lose weight.
#14
Just thought I'd share my month long project that I started just before FanimeCon hit.

By the end of April 2012, as FanimeCon was approaching, I decided to make life difficult for myself and began working on a Mass Effect 2: N7 Armor. I've seen the many versions of N7 costumes which impressed me and I wanted one for myself. There was one particular N7 Armor I've seen by cosplayer randerdis who made herself a Femshep N7 Armor -- it was the inspiration I needed to get started on mine, and she was very helpful with advice, suggestions and online-emotional support which was needed by the week of Fanime. :P

I originally started off like everyone else did, I used the EVA foam to get that carbon texture and the thickness all set. As I kept working with the foam I couldn't get the cuts to come out smooth and straight, and I kept misaligning the texture to patterns, so it was all over the place. I almost gave up when I decided to try it out with styrene, I originally didn't want to use styrene because I didn't want to do any vacuum forming, if I had to. And I will also lose the texture and the costume would weigh about 30+ pounds. But despite that, this turned out to be a wise decision.

I had a set of 8 sheets of 1/6th inch styrene at 24 x 18. I designed patterns in paper for testing scale and applied it to the styrene. Now using this styrene also added some pressure on me to not mess up and waste the styrene, as the the group of styrene I was going to start off with is something of a relic. The styrene I used is at least 50 years old, it belonged to my GF's grandfather who has passed long ago. I was told by her family that back in the 60's/70's, he used this styrene to work on model train sets. Adding to that, he was also a war vet, and when completed, I get to wear his styrene on Memorial Day. So making the armor was more than just a goal to make N7 Armor. (And yes, this may in fact make my N7 Armor, literally, the oldest ever created).

Back to making the armor, I managed to get all of the curves and other shapes without any kind of heat or vacuum forming. I simply cut pieces and glued them together in layers and bent many of them by hand until they stayed. Loc-Tite Professional is the glue of my choice with styrene, I also used it on the Claymore Teresa costume I made for my GF last year which I posted on this forum.


Multi-layered styrene making it weigh about 10+ pounds.

When the final week hit, I wasn't nearly as done as I wanted to be. I didn't have any of the leg armor done, I didn't have any straps setup, none of the armor created was painted and the LEDs weren't wired up to the battery and switch yet. With a few days left I crunched down on everything as quickly as I could. I got a lot done by Day 0, my plan was to get the pre-reg badges and rush home to take care of painting and the final wiring for the LEDs. Problem was, that plan was destroyed when the pre-reg line took 6+ hours. By the time I got home it was almost 11pm and I had no time to do anything I needed to finish up, so I slept in early and woke up early the next day.

By Day 1, I rushed to get the costume working, I started to prime the armor, ran out of primer and had to go to store to get more (wasting 30 minutes). Then as I resumed priming, the worst thing happened. It started to rain! I had to stop and bring in the armor as this freakish May storm hit. Its been sunny and warm all month long, and at this very moment, of all times, it had to rain. This made me give up, because the con was going on right now, and at 3pm I'm still home trying to get the costume finished. Disappointment isn't a word that could describe my feelings on this disaster.

I took a shower to give myself time to think this through, I decided that since I did get most of the stuff primed, all I needed to do was paint on the accents, strap it up and then finish soldering the LED's. It wasn't as bad when put into perspective, so I decided to take everything with me, costume, parts, tools, paints, and work on this in the hotel room. I toggled time between food, convention panels and costume building between Day 1 and Day 3. I had a lot more to do than I thought and I rarely slept much. At times I wanted to give up, but every time I made a small breakthrough, it kept me going.


At-con painting, Day 3.

By Day 3, afternoon, I finally got it done. While I didn't get every detail I wanted, such as missing the boots entirely, and not being able to get it to work without pants/belt (originally going to use wet suit), I thought that most of it was completed and looked good enough to be con worthy. I wasn't about to let a few details set back a whole month of work, energy and money and stop me being all the Shepard I could be.

When I finally went out with this, many people took pictures, called me Shepard and gave great compliments. I felt even for the small amount of time I did get to wear it, that it paid off. I had a couple of malfunctions which I was able to take back to the hotel room and fix in about 10 minutes, went back out and enjoyed myself for the next 2 hours. I got to meet some other Shepards which looked awesome.

In the end, while very stressful, it was worth it and fun. I plan to finally complete the entire armor with painted accents and the armored boots soon, so next year I'll have the costume done and spend more time wearing it. I hope to have it completed by this year's Sac-Con, because Jennifer Hale (voice actress of Female Commander Shepard) will be there and I would love for her to autograph my N7!


The defining moment..

Thanks for viewing! :)

Link to my FB Gallery with some images from the beginning to end.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150976029246679.535819.657926678&type=3&l=757bce0a3e
#15
I was actually pleasantly surprised on the lack of BO this year. I suppose I walked the path of fresh air this year. :P
#16
Quote from: koella on June 12, 2012, 08:07:29 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 12, 2012, 01:47:23 PM
As expected, every year a female has to start a topic to gain attention and talk about the creepers doing creeper things. Really? Creepers? Is there not another overused word that can be utilized? LOL.

And as expected there just has to be someone trying to gain attention by making a condescending remark that adds nothing to the conversation, mistaking rudeness for cleverness.

And you're only helping to prove my point -- on being cliche to extract attention.

I never had an experience (nor heard of one) where a rude photographer caused such an outrageous scene -- nor have I ever witnessed it happening to other people, and I've been pretty out there, have been since before photographers noticed Fanime. While I don't think it impossible to happen, after all conventions can be stressful for all who attend (certainly was for me) -- I find the original post a bit hard to believe about a photographer, who is attending a public event for the benefit of taking pictures, would blatantly cuss someone out for not being able to get a picture of them (permanently losing a photo op), considering there is an entire weekend of tens of thousands of attendees, some with costumes to snap pictures of at various times of each of the convention days. But what makes that moment so special?

Simply pointing it out because I can, there are always 3 things in relation to Fanime that take place every single year and never fails. 1) A girl sits at an obscure spot at the convention or hotel grounds while holding her face crying. 2) The lobby churros are rock hard at all times of the day. 3) A female will post about creepers at fanime as if she were some kind of target of desire -- ew those yucky creepers.

QuoteBecause pointing out that a 2d moka poster is hotter then an asuka yukata cosplayer while you are in a stay puff marshmallow man suit with your mom standing there, to the asuka cosplayer, is totally not creeper behavior at all :P

LOL, I suppose that'd work.

Just earlier today I caught myself wondering why's it taking so long for this years obligatory creeper thread to pop up. LOL.
#17
As expected, every year a female has to start a topic to gain attention and talk about the creepers doing creeper things. Really? Creepers? Is there not another overused word that can be utilized? LOL.
#18
Forum Games / Re: This one time at Fanime
June 02, 2012, 01:58:49 PM
1:59 pm Saturday, building my N7 Armor in the hotel room and pulling my hair out.
#19
Quote from: Gigantor on June 01, 2012, 11:09:32 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 10:30:04 PM
Quote from: Gigantor on June 01, 2012, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 08:17:30 PM
Quote from: MPLe on June 01, 2012, 01:58:05 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 01:24:18 PMI think its a tired, boring and unoriginal idea. It's an anime convention, I would expect anime themes, not lowering the bar to satisfy a pop-culture fashion statement.
=(
I don't believe that we're lowering the bar - We pick our themes to be fun while capturing the spirit of FanimeCon.

What is the spirit of FanimeCon?

I don't know if there's any fun to be found in grim and stoic at an anime convention, but hey, you guys run the show. I just pay to stand in line for 6 hours. Lol.

Everyone has their own tastes, personally I like this one, but there is always fun to be found. I mean. Certain panels run every year and they sometimes have nothing to do with the theme, neither do the GoH, neither does the AA, neither does the Dealers Hall, and neither do a lot of things. In eight years of attendance here I think I have rarely ever gone out of my way to match a theme.

I am curious though because I want to know what you think a good anime theme would be in your opinion?

Just off the top of my head, I'd say a throwback to 80's style anime (all genres). I think it would be interesting to see today's younger anime fans work with this kind of official theme. Not only would this be closer to what I believe Fanime has been about (at least intended to start with), but may serve as an educational experience for the new age anime fans. It could also be a bridge for both old and young anime fans to share a common theme together--something they can all get into, rather than the alternative which I believe would be limited to a small niche.

I could agree with that being a pretty awesome theme! It would always be nice to have a little bit of a throwback to some older anime from my childhood. They do have the old style anime video room which I love and it would be nice if one year we could have just a big trip down memory lane. I think it would be a lot of fun. I would kind of like a "mech" year sometime simply because those are my favorite types of anime and manga.

Just to chime real quick in, I am actually really interested in making some original cosplays this year based on the theme.

I think there is a fair bit of interest overall in this theme and I really do think that with a lot of direction some amazing events can be planned for this year! I have hope!

I do think a return to some old school anime or focus on a specific genre, or etc, would be totally amazing too. Just my thought!

What I'd personally like is a theme based on re-visualizing classic anime. It would be interesting to see a contemporary look at cosplays based on older anime updated by the fans and recognized as such. But no, I'm just gonna get Nightwish and The Crow next year. LOL. :p
#20
Quote from: Gigantor on June 01, 2012, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 08:17:30 PM
Quote from: MPLe on June 01, 2012, 01:58:05 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 01:24:18 PMI think its a tired, boring and unoriginal idea. It's an anime convention, I would expect anime themes, not lowering the bar to satisfy a pop-culture fashion statement.
=(
I don't believe that we're lowering the bar - We pick our themes to be fun while capturing the spirit of FanimeCon.

What is the spirit of FanimeCon?

I don't know if there's any fun to be found in grim and stoic at an anime convention, but hey, you guys run the show. I just pay to stand in line for 6 hours. Lol.

Everyone has their own tastes, personally I like this one, but there is always fun to be found. I mean. Certain panels run every year and they sometimes have nothing to do with the theme, neither do the GoH, neither does the AA, neither does the Dealers Hall, and neither do a lot of things. In eight years of attendance here I think I have rarely ever gone out of my way to match a theme.

I am curious though because I want to know what you think a good anime theme would be in your opinion?

Just off the top of my head, I'd say a throwback to 80's style anime (all genres). I think it would be interesting to see today's younger anime fans work with this kind of official theme. Not only would this be closer to what I believe Fanime has been about (at least intended to start with), but may serve as an educational experience for the new age anime fans. It could also be a bridge for both old and young anime fans to share a common theme together--something they can all get into, rather than the alternative which I believe would be limited to a small niche.

Quote from: SweetNiar on June 01, 2012, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: Junon on June 01, 2012, 01:24:18 PM
I think its a tired, boring and unoriginal idea. It's an anime convention, I would expect anime themes, not lowering the bar to satisfy a pop-culture fashion statement.

Really? You've never seen gothic styles in anime?  And i would think you'd want something somewhat popular, that most people like, so you have a lot of people wanting to be apart of and dress up as the theme.  Besides you can make something original out of an unoriginal idea.

It's not about anime using gothic styles, it's about shoehorning in a non-anime theme into an anime convention.

Only my assumption, but I'm willing to believe this will only inspire people to slap together any dark clothing with a few accents, cake on a lot of make-up and call it a costume--also known as the same effort many already put into themselves before heading out to any random rock show. In fact I'll probably lose count on the all the stereotypical gothic, emo and low budget The Crows that'll bump into me due to the different perspectives on what gothic fairytales may mean to the individual.

The whole theme I find boring because it's not only overcooked in pop culture--it in itself isn't anime, but I believe it doesn't give a lot of motivation to create original works as far as anime cosplay goes.