Messages

[with Fanime's rules considered]

There is a thread earlier that talked about the handtruck issue - http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,18153.0.html

I stated that I am aware of it not being Fanime's rule, and only find it to be a problem with Fanime's rules considered; I'll condense it for a shorter read...

I do not have anyone who can confirm their attendance on Friday morning far enough in advance for me to register a name as a helper, who is MOST useful during setup. Last year I was told I could only add a helper on site if all of the other helpers got their stickers first. I do not understand why helpers cannot be added with late notice, considering they do not have anything to verify, and that they can be added after initial check-in is complete by everyone.
My items can be taken in one trip if I have a helper, but in my particular case, I cannot obtain a committed helper until Day One if at all. The amount of stuff I need to move does not require a handcart, just one extra trip or one extra set of hands, so I would like to be able to add a helper on-site, or register for one nameless helper sticker.
Assuming Fanime has fantastic reasoning for not allowing last minute set up help and cannot change this or make exceptions, If I manage to downsize enough to adhere to Union rules and Fanime's inability to accept late registered helpers, I would like to be able to put my things down at my table before standing in line to check in. I really don't see any harm in doing this.

I offered some options to make the solo artist's life just a smidge better, it would be appreciated if they were at least looked into or discussed.

I don't think that you need to secure help a month in advance. In the FAQs it says "Only helpers which will be handling money need to be included in your table signup request."

Last years situation is described a little more in depth above -- they do not let people without stickers in before AA is open, and they do not give helper stickers to unregistered names "until all others have gotten theirs". The helper would indeed be back to handle money on and off, but that handling is just passing it to me while I'm drawing or using my Square app. I'm not sure if that counts, but regardless they would indeed need to be signed up in advance to be of any setup use, it seems.

Jessica I don't think you're alone on this. Although my situation is not entirely the same, I have similar concerns. Due to my type of wares and their weight, it's always been most effective (safer and less likely to cause injury) when I've separated things out in multiple plastic bins then put them on a hand truck for 2 trips. I do understand the rule is not Fanime's (really I know how it works since I part of my job is to send people to business conventions and get their booths set up and we have similar rules to abide by) but that doesn't make the issue any less of an issue. I have accepted that I will need to re-arrange and bring maybe several suitcases and fewer wares instead. However, given that we were only informed of this rule fairly recently I'm scrambling to get committed helpers. I haven't had a helper for any of my cons in years as I generally try to do everything on my own so it's a little difficult. And while none of these possible helpers are likely ever to touch any money, since they will only really help with set up/take down, based on these rules I can only get their help if they get a sticker because they won't be allowed to be in AA before/after it opens/closes without one. So I agree that we should be able to sign someone up on the spot or register for 1-2 unnamed stickers so that we can get the help many of us may really need on the days we need it. And as my helpers are likely to change between Friday and Monday, I don't mind surrendering 1-2 stickers after Friday set up so I can sign up 1-2 others in their place on Monday. Or maybe there is a way for artists and helpers to pool together and help each other out. Really, paying $250 for someone to do the work for us is kind of ridiculous considering this is a hobby for many of us.

Another thing is, when we come to check in for the table, what if we don't bring anything with us and just get our table first? We wouldn't put anything down at the table, maybe just walk to it so we know where it is, then grab whoever can help us, be it our assigned helpers or such, and unload the vehicle? As mentioned previously, it's kind of a crazy to bring whatever we can carry on our own through the ridiculous reg line of hell (at least it was last year) and then through check-in, then finally to the table. Considering how far everything is and how much we are all trying to carry in one trip, that seems like a really bad idea without some alternative.

And sadly, I am very much a stereotypical pathetic girl who can't carry even as much as the average guy so anything that can be done to possibly ease the process of getting help would be so much appreciated. I am sure I don't just speak for myself. Although I am concerned that the new location may likely to lead to some drop in traffic and I may not make much at all in the end, but I do love Fanime. I think this is my 8th year selling at Fanime (been attending for longer) and I would hate to have to miss it because of issues with who can/can't help me. It's scary enough having to fight for a table during sign-ups! So again, I think many of us artists would appreciate any help we can get on this.