Alright, so I have multiple questions on getting badges for Artist Alley. I've only done artist alley at two different conventions (never Fanime), both with different rules. Here we go!
1. Will the badge work to get me into other events other than the artist alley at the convention, like a regular badge? Or do I have to also buy a regular one?
2. I have two friends that might act as helpers for me. Do they get certain badges for being helpers and are those priced any differently?
3. OR do they just need to get their own regular badges? In which case, they probably should buy them now, while they're cheap.
I think that's all I was wondering about.
1) One badge, all the fun.
2/3) Everyone needs their own badge. Each badge has to be paid for either separately or as a group(though im assuming you already did your own). There are no "helper" badges.
1) badge opens all events however there are some exceptions!:::
-Staff/VIP badges has universal rights to go in and out on any door
-some events require different registrations for upgrading the badge (like pokemon badges)
upgrading a badge::
- Artist alley requires website registrations (allow full rights to enter/leave the region early/late)
- Masquerade requires website registration (participating to show their costumes/skits)
- Swapmeet requires a website registration (Selling your old used/new stuff)
- Speedating requires a forum registration (i think O_O!)
- concert tickets are different and may be registered through some ticketing event
Artist stickers::
they applied an artist sticker to the back of the badge, in order to know you are labeled as the artist vender!
Helper stickers::
There are no helper badges, however, there is something called Helper stickers!
After you registered on the website, they will ask if you have any helpers that you want to invite! Once you applied their names and badge numbers, they will offer you 1 sticker (maybe 2).
your friends may need to have their own badges, in order to obtain the stickers! and they are priced just the same as a regular badge...
I recommend to tell your friends to buy their badges now!
So, for the artist alley specifically:
You have to purchase a regular fanime badge like all attendees. This is the badge that gets you into most events. This year you can actually purchase it along with your Artist Alley signup.
Artist Alley signups are online, hopefully in a month or so (staff haven't announced a date yet). So you have to be an internet ninja and snag a table. This is separate from normal registration and happens on a different interface. Staff will provide a link to this interface when it it time for signups. Once you are confirmed for having a table, you input your badge ID number (assigned to your badge once you pay for it) to prove that you have registered for fanime itself.
You can wait until you are sure your have a table to buy your actual fanime registration. Waiting doesn't affect your chances of getting a table. You just need to put registration ID into the form when it asks for it.
Last year, being confirmed for having a table (the portfolio review, basically) was step 3. Once you were past that step, the table was yours as long as you did everything by the deadline (last year registration was in late Jan and the deadline was mid march, I think). Step 4 was table payment, and step 5 was putting in your Fanime registration ID, I think. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but this was the general order of things.
As Hachimitsu said, you and your helpers get stickers. These ID you as people who work in the Artist alley so you're allowed there early/late for setup and teardown. Last year I think the rule was 2 helpers maximum, and if you're a minor your parent has to be a helper. However, they're a bit lax on enforcing the stickers, rule. Last year my clingy boyfriend, who wasn't a helper and didn't get a sticker, refused to leave the AA once it closed. He was helping me get art off my PVC hanger, though, so I don't think anyone minded because he wasn't shopping or loitering.