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« on: May 31, 2009, 03:36:00 PM »
Even as Stage Zero host/staff I have to agree with everyone on the crowd control issue @ our stage... With each year n more and more programming @ our stage I've noticed a massive increase in the numbers of people we attract and who want to see the craziness we have to offer @ Stage Zero. Of course us @ Stage Zero always welcome the masses to come and enjoy the con with us but it has been becoming even slightly also a safety issue lately huh? I remember @ one point during the Lokisa Fashion show we hosted last year that we had to rope off the back because the walkway was becoming crowded and impassable, which is also a fire hazard should there be any mishaps and/or accidents to happen (knock on wood we've been very lucky that no such serious event has ever yet happened @ our beloved con). Just to let everyone know it hasn't gone unnoticed by us and our fellow con staffers and logistics and such... it's a constant work in progress and if you guys have also noticed while the stage has remained mainly in the same place, over the last few years we've been rotating it slightly/turning off center/changing view facings in different directions to try to see what works best for maxium use of spacing for our stage set up, equipment, and audience sitting space... if you guys have any other suggestions please send them over to Wendell NacNac or Sean Barber of our Stage Zero producing crew... it be much appreciated... tho also keep in mind we too are also under budget and convention space union rules and etiquette so not ever suggestion might be doable ^^;
Another thing I have to agree with all of you is the signage soliciting and the hug me/glomp me lines and ppl... We want everyone to have a good fun time @ con but remember ppl that safety, consideration/respect is always a must despite! While most of the staff usually don't mind the every so often friendly joking signs, remember that the city of San Jose does...and depending on what the signage says, can be considered soliciting.
A lot of us staff were talking about signs over the years that @ first seemed harmless but did amount to a few union rules and safety issues being brought up... the "What would you do for Pocky?" signs were silly fun... until we had catgirls and catboys suddenly suggestively dancing ON TOP of con tables and equipment... I have to bring up this matter because the space and equipment we use @ con actually belongs to the convention hall management ppl... NOT US... so we are liable for any damage and accidents that may occur due to such incidents... so for your safety please if you must "dance" for Pocky, preferably on solid safe ground? lol Please respect their convention hall space and equipment... They are nice enough to let us use and rent it every year so we can have our wonderful convention ^^ That also being mentioned... please NEVER tape or use stickers for your signs up on any of the column posts and/or walls of the convention space because like I just said... that's the convention hall's property... as we say in the staff meetings... If it ain't your's and especially if it's not union approved... don't put tape or stick anything on it please!
Also on the topic of hugging and glomping... it's all good natured fun for most but remember to be RESPECTFUL about it too! Just because someone or a group of people also REFUSE to hug/glomp back doesn't mean you should be rude and insult them back... This con is meant to be a fun and comfortable environment for all who attend it. Tackle glomps were also a safety issue on many occassions... Need a remind some fellow con goers and fellow staffers of a few small incidents we've had throughout past years? Was talking with some of my friends who are also staff and we were reminded that one year a random otaku tackle glomped a Yuna cosplayer out of no where (no, they didn't know each other) which caught her off balance and her staff prop hit another group of people & cosplayers who just happen to be walking past at that same moment? A lot of our extremely dedicated cosplayers often carry heavy props and put A LOT of hard work into their costumes to proudly show off and share with us all every year and I am sure would be very upset if it were to get ruined in one blow by an infamous flying tackle glomp... Not just cosplayers but regular attendees also get bothered by inappropriate glompage... Now I know A LOT of people want to say that they got to hug/glomp a bunch of cute girls and guys during con but remember to be considerate of the "receiving" person and/or party... I get several complaints and concerns from many of my younger new staffers and friends that attend these cons (especially if it's their first time @ a con) that they feel uneasy about these kinds of things (especially because they're new to this high "hug/glomp" environment guys!). In fact... my friend Steph, whose 1st Fanime Con was this one was just walking around and trying to find me as she borrowed my sunglasses earlier that day, wanted to return them to me and right before she found me @ my stage, out of no where a "creepy fat" otaku came flying out and pretty much tackle glomped her from behind or the side from what I was told... Now she is a very cute asian girl and I know a lot of guys want to hug cute asian girls @ this con but please be mindful of how these things can be taken! Not only was she made uncomfortable but also my E3 sunglasses were broken/crushed in his "embrace"... NOT COOL... While she was a little more lenient and let this one slide... other people @ our con don't let things like that go as easily... in fact during another incident I had to step in because it involved some of my younger minor new staff we had to eventually call in the San Jose PD to ban this guy off the con site because he had made my staffers very uncomfortable to the point that the girls were nervous and near scared to tears. I know many glompers/huggers are quite persistent to get their glomp hugs but YOU DO NOT pursue the "target" if they are obviously not feeling comfortable.... This guy FOLLOWED my girls all the way to their hotel room and floor! He kept trying to talk to them and engage them in conversation when they obviously were busy and trying to walk away... what's more he then reached out to grab and held one of the girls, hugging/glomping her and wouldn't let go of her even after her repeated "please let me go"... Turns out later also he didn't even have a badge at all of any sorts, was telling ppl he was "press" when he wasn't and taking random shots of people throughout con (which he tried to show the girls too)... I am going to stress this:
INAPPROPRIATE AND UNWANTED TOUCHING OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING GLOMPS AND HUGS) CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT
I am not saying there is anything wrong with glomping and hugging... Heck, even us friends and staff like the occassional glomp n hug ^_^ BUT please be respectful and considerate... as much as possible, especially if you don't know the other person or persons, please ASK if it's alright with them ok? We want everyone to enjoy their time @ Fanime Con so in order for that we need to look out for each other and everyone around us too. Remember that Fanime is "By Fans, For Fans"... We can have our fun but be safe and mindful and remember that not everyone will respond to certain things the same way... you wouldn't want your con time ruined and cut short because someone made you feel violated or because you were accused of sexual harassment by another attendee(s) despite your good intention and good natured joking...
he is a good close friend of mine lol
And btw it was awesome to always see you again this year and every year! 
