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This isn't really a response to the thread since the OP already stated that he/she doesn't care.

Rather, I'm just posting a general observation on the part of a Fanime newbie. Fanime is a very impressive con considering how much of it relies on volunteer-power. Having attended industry/professional events, I still can't believe Fanime relies on volunteers for all this work. Every event of this size will have issues, but I don't see it warranting some of the comments of this post.

As the OP stated over and over, he/she seems to have lost the "fun" factor. Please note that "fun" is not a right.

I'm sure others more knowledgable about Fanime history and operations will have better comments. But this is just my "outsider" view.

Also, is Live Programming the right place for this thread?

I actually said I didn't care if you wanted to get uppity.

Also May I  that fun is indeed a right. If I pay for a meal I have the right to EAT it. If I pay to go and have fun I have the RIGHT to HAVE fun. I'm not paying someone to jerk off on my face.

............ Seriously? Can you not read?

FanimeCon 2009 Forums > FanimeCon Events and Discussionmentarianism > Live Programming and Events

Yeah it's the right place. That's kinda rude suggesting that I'm not going to READ and CLICK on someplace that ISN'T where I want to talk.
Why did YOU click the little sign that said "Live Programming and Events " ? oh? Because you were looking for a live programming or event topic? Well congrats you found one.

The reason they probably moved it as it Fanime got bigger was due to demand and most likey fire safety codes. They don't have much control over that, same reason why they don't allow more than two people behind a table.

And like I stated I completely understand. I'm just saying that I remember what it used to be like. I remember walking into my first con and it was like a huge forest of artists and costumes. With signs instead of leaves of course.

Try sharing a table with other artists and split the cost of the table. If you lost your job, maybe attending cons and spending money that you would need for stuff like bills/rent/food/etc should not be a priority right now. :/ And if you've been getting two tables for that price, then getting one for the same price shouldn't be a problem?

Plus, losing your job because your place of employment closed means that you are qualified for and will get unemployment benefits (visit your local unemployment office to pick up an application. You can even apply online!), if you apply for it. So, no, your store is not all that you have left. You still have options.

I've actually had the money set aside and everything paid for since last year. I had actually made slightly more expensive but in my opinion somewhat necessary reservations before I left.

The reason I go is because I get to see friends and "family" ONCE a year. It may not be an actual priority being as my wedding is currently my priority but I do still promote my shop. When someone sees an awesome costume they ask who made it. If you are the maker with a store it's a form of promotion. Add on that with all my supplies and helpers I usually NEED two tables.

No need to be sarcastic about unemployment that was unnecessary and rude. I've actually attempted to apply. In person and online when I first became "jobless"- I was un aware of this but appearance I need my W-2 forms. Still haven't gotten my forms and now I'm not eligible. I'm not sure if it's the state's way of turning people away or not but... *shrugs* I've tried. I have a family I support so don't assume that I haven't tried.

Have you considered how much it costs to rent a huge convention center in the middle of downtown in a large city? There's fees for rental space, fees for the licensing rights, to run all the activities, to get all the guests/performers, etc. ?

Did I not say that I knew? I'm FULLY aware. I actually intended to run a con myself. Sadly health complications and whatnot have delayed this but I fully intend to. I did the research because I wanted to have a convention wedding, I am fairly sure that most conventions in the bay area would not permit me to have a "special event wedding Masquerade" and have yet to receive replies from any that I've emailed- and that was a year ago.
To sum up what I was saying- yes I know how much.  Far as I can tell it borders the 15k range. Possibly more per room rented.

As the economy changes, and cost of living increases, they're going to have to increase their prices. A convention ten years ago would have cost less to attend. That's why there's a cost of living adjustment to offset inflation. As we get older, things are going to get more expensive.

Sadly this was four to five years ago. Ten is maybe understandable. If the prices get raised much more people will stop COMING- that's my POINT. Cost of living is going up but people are still getting paid the SAME. poor went to homeless. Middle class went to bankrupt and struggling to pay bills. and the rich just sue the poor.

Is there new staff? It seems the same AA head is still running the con from the past several years...

(Above that you are simply being rude. Additionally as I was there the second day due to car issues I have to remembrance of any line so I am not your issue.)
Yes the head retired ....either last year or the year before. She made the announcement before the con ended. I remember she indeed was not there last year though.

[Well I signed up this last year- but they have decided to do something "different". (Different is BAD, people. I go to fanime because Anime Expo is EXPENSIVE as all get-out and they charge WAY to much for.... what? most of the workers are volunteers! I understand that it costs but I'm already paying *censored* enough for my BADGE for the ENTIRE weekend. But now- I've signed up early for that discount because I lost my job (they closed down) and my store is all I have. BUT!- what happens? I don't get ANY info till THREE MONTHS before the con and ONE TABLE is a worthless "anime expo type" $50. WHO THE HELL CAN SPEND $50 on ONE table? I usually get two for that friggin price!This year there will be no table from me. I can't AFFORD to pay $50 for a table that they borrow or rent. Can I ring my own flipping table? No, I have to pay you to do.... oh yeah tell me where to SIT.]

Alright. I've damned well bloody had it. I want to know if anyone else shares my feelings for the Artist alley on this.

WHY am I posting this? I think others might have a say so in this too. Add on that I'd like us to be heard. For those mods who might decide to "hush me up" you are corrupt bastards and I'd like my dislike known.

I've had a table at fanime for many years in a row now.  It USED to be in the "hallway" of sorts with the artists around the pillars when I started. (I thought that was awesome because you could look to the pillars to see where which artist was.) but because of expansion I'm fully aware that we had to move to a "larger" room. (which is always either cold and drafty or stuffy and therefor kinda annoying.) BUT all of that was handle-able  but..... I think that they need to re-evaluate what they are doing.

Usually I sign up and pay AT the con- At the end of each con they offer super discounted rates for those who want to sign up for the NEXT year. As I don't usually make a "killing" or enough to cover expenses  I usually have to do this. I run my table for the enjoyment and to get my name out there. And usually I discount things according to what a certain person has money-wise. Not very good business but.... haven't you ever gotten the "wants" for something and then someone discounted it down to that and you get to have the warm fuzzies of someone being nice to you and you get that one item your heart left for at con? You appreciate it WAY more!

Well I signed up this last year- but they have decided to do something "different". (Different is BAD, people. I go to fanime because Anime Expo is EXPENSIVE as all get-out and they charge WAY to much for.... what? most of the workers are volunteers! I understand that it costs but I'm already paying *censored* enough for my BADGE for the ENTIRE weekend. But now- I've signed up early for that discount because I lost my job (they closed down) and my store is all I have. BUT!- what happens? I don't get ANY info till THREE MONTHS before the con  and ONE TABLE is a worthless "anime expo type" $50. WHO THE HELL CAN SPEND $50 on ONE table? I usually get two for that friggin price!This year there will be no table from me. I can't AFFORD to pay $50 for a table that they borrow or rent. Can I ring my own flipping table? No, I have to pay you to do.... oh yeah tell me where to SIT.

SERIOUSLY?

I'm not doing a table for the first time in five years because- I not only cannot afford it but I SIGNED UP EARLY and now I'm getting *censored* buy some jerk who decided to changed the ever-loving bloody system.  What was fanime's motto again? "BY FANS, FOR FANS" ?  Well it's not anymore. it's become the prick who *censored for the kiddies* you  over in the effing alley way and stole your bloody money to leave you curled up behind the trash can wishing you were dead!

FUN.

I spend absurd amounts of money at cons to have FUN- Because life does not OFFER "fun" it has work, sexual/or verbal abuse, plain old abuse, bills, maybe school, money issues (especially now), and STRESS. But now "fun" is not even AVAILABLE to those of us who work our asses off! Fanime in general gets more and more expensive EVERY year.  Now I might be "ok" with paying ABSURD amounts of money if they were working. Doing a service. BUT so far site updates are later than hell(like someone unpaid is doing it), the work is sloppy usually(like someone unpaid is doing it), and I'm not getting any extras in my bag that may me go "oh this was SOOOOO not worth eating for a month!"
I vote that you pricks stop skimming off the extras. "by fans, for fans". If you aren't going to honor that, change it to "to *censored* over the fans, by not really fans anymore".

I'm AWARE how much a con costs- lines that stretch back by two blocks with $75 a pop is WAY more than needed.


Now if I wanted to get a DEALERS booth and get all the extra people that spend their money THERE and take in loads of cash I'd pay for that! But I want the artist alley! I friggin remember when AA was $15 a table! WHY are you charging so much? We all know that the dealers room gets all the customers and idiots all spend ALL their money there first!

I have enough money problems as is- I am not paying them to fill their pockets. I understand times are hard but this is not the way to go about it. RAISING the price every year? Stop. Just stop.

Who cosplays? How much does that cost?  now for fun you are on ..... average spending about $100 per costume (wig, contacts, make-up, fabric, accessories, ect. ect.) Now add on the con. ..... is it starting to not be worth it? Does going to that "Escape" from life making life worse and not worth it? WHY should it be that way?  Why should our fun be marred with worrying about money. can you make that car payment? how much time off of work are you taking? do you have to stand on a street corner to make rent?

It's not ok to charge us this much. Add on that I really don't like the new AA staff. You don't DO anything- so WHY am I paying you so much?! I already have to pay taxes for my friggin shop and in general. I think the only thing that you guys have done is.... scan my sellers permit and charge me for it. I wasn't warned that I would need a COPY the first time. I just got CHARGED for a MANDATORY copy- WITHOUT ANY WARNING. Add on that "going digital" didn't work fyi.

To be honest I'm angry and I want to know who else feels this way? What's your take? Who DOESN'T feel this way? WHY?  (if your are spending "daddies" money don't flipping post. Let HIM post- you aren't allowed to "opinionate" until you know what it's like to stand on your feet eight hours a day and listen to bitchy customers who are getting snappy at YOU, when YOU get paid a measly $7.50per hr and couldn't give a shit if thy "didn't like the toothpaste they bought and want to return it even though they used it." While your boss is yelling at you that you have to restock the Gatorade and twenty thieving little prats have just gotten out of school so now you have to watch for pit-pockets!)

And to anyone who feels the need to get uppity- I don't rightly care and you have no reason.(oh that would be a good new fanime motto. Our new mascot should be a big fat pig in a suit with a dildo "I don't rightly care- because you're screwed out of your money if you come here!"  or maybe "*censored* you all I like your money!")

I think that it was Sunday evening when I did the costume that I REALLY want the pictures of. I was a blue leopard printed "cat-girl" with a white/blue/ and grey wig. I had white cat eye contacts and white fuzzy ears/tail/leg and arm warmers. I was carrying a large and very annoying black bell. ( it was driving me nuty XD )

I was advertising for my upcoming comic (which we have yet to release the name as we are still arguing with our scripter and other "imputs" as to what it will be) although I was referred to as a furrie (furry/ whatever/however one wishes to spell it I'm not really under the opinion that I care that much) quite often this was no ordinary costume for me and is quite important.
I've done some digging and have yet to find any pictures. If anyone has seen pictures with me in this costume I would REALLY like to see them. I know I had over ten pictures taken of me in the hour or so that I was dressed in this outfit. Sadly the photographer that had agreed to do a photoshoot with me for that costume bailed and I ended up standing outside the building on a ledge by the trees for a while hoping he would show up. As he did not (I later found out that he had fallen asleep and was not feeling well to possible food poisoning *sighs*) I never got shots of this costume for myself. Anyhow, this is really important to me, and although the costume was actually not altogether on (there was a mix up and some boxes containing the accessories left at home. The horns and radio and custom shoes were all left. it was a terrible shame but the costume is being remade slowly now. ) ANYHOW my point is that I would REALLY like to see the pictures taken and I've made no luck spotting it on my own and it's really important to me.

My other costumes consisted of a clock patterned corset and white cat ears advertising for my store. I got a fair amount of pictures for those but as they were my "almost" normal wear I'm not really too concerned about that. THOUGH if you see me..... I would appreciate a link.....

Because I've never actually payed much attention to it other than "my table is next to it" I was wondering if anyone who has done the art show before could tell me what they thought of it? is it worth it in your opinion?

(also does anyone know when or how to enter? does it cost anything?)

-edit- also I just thought of that some of you might mistake me asking about the artist alley and I am NOT talking about that. I'm talking about the art show where paintings and such are hosted in a gallery formation and sold (I think it is in a silent auction or something) I'm not keen on the details.....

:) many thanks.
~~
T.C.