The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

[alchemist4]

It's funny cause most of my con going friends...people who lived and breathed Otakon for years are passing on it because its just gotten too commercial, too poorly run, and too boring frankly. Because Otakon has gotten so big, they are starting to lose focus on what made a con "a con" to begin with. Travel back to a time when a bunch of people worked their asses off to ensure the fans got what they want and people had a good time overall. Now people work their asses off to please the powers that be. I think that's why people might gravitate to smaller cons in the end because that's what Otakon used to represent.

It's just a shame cause the highlight of Otakon was the stellar AMV contest showing because of Vic's work. I've been to many shows with distorted audio, no audio, cropping issues, etc. When you enter Otakon's AMV show you are ensured that things will have a high probability of things going smoothly and looking good (even in the Overflow, which many cons might see as a throwaway). Perhaps that's why I desire the most to be a finalist in an Otakon show over any other haha.

[SailorDeath]

here's the latest from Ree, head of the video dept.

So 2 things. 1, Industry > Fans. 2, non-finalists should be weeded out so that they're not a burden. Oh and 3, ya'll are amateurs Please don't go quoting this e-mail. I probably shouldn't be sharing (though the e-mail came from her hotmail account and thus isn't accompanied by the usual "property of Otakon, for private use only" disclosure) but you folks should know where you stand in Otakorp's eyes. This is the behind closed doors stuff that they probably don't want the "amateurs" hearing about.

PS: There's a fuckton of "room". They offered us a huge block of time in main events, the same time that could be used by us in Video 1.

Room has always been an issue with Acen's amv department as well. Every year they have to figure out where we'll be. I know some people complained about the room we had this year and I had those same complaints while we were setting up. But for next year we have a crystal idea of how we want to set the room up, we made some adjustments on what kind of screens we need (ones that can be seen from the very back row), and we even know what kind of equipment we need to get.

But the important thing to note is that I've never had anyone speak to me like that regarding AMV fans or my department. The attitude I picked up in that convo is one I dread seeing cons take on: The fans are like cattle and will eat anything the convention throws into the trough." Basically they feel that AMVs are disposable so they can kill them off and nobody is gonna complain but the amv people. The folks in charge may get mad seeing all those e-mails but at the same time, if they don't see how people are going to be upset, then in their minds they really think nobody cared.

[irriadin]

Maybe I can't say much since I've only been to Otakon once (and it was the only con I've been to) but I never felt that it was "too commercial."

Anyway, moving to the issue with the schedule. I think the main problem is that it appears that some people on staff look at the Overflow as being dispensable; granted, it's a viable position. But I'm pretty sure even the overflow showings of the contest are still very popular, much more so than most of the video rooms, which are sometimes nearly empty or filled with sleeping people. Not to mention the overflow definitely is an incentive to submit stuff to the contest, knowing that by doing so your video will most likely be shown in some fashion.

[Jefferys]

Anyway, moving to the issue with the schedule. I think the main problem is that it appears that some people on staff look at the Overflow as being dispensable; granted, it's a viable position. But I'm pretty sure even the overflow showings of the contest are still very popular, much more so than most of the video rooms, which are sometimes nearly empty or filled with sleeping people. Not to mention the overflow definitely is an incentive to submit stuff to the contest, knowing that by doing so your video will most likely be shown in some fashion.

Overflow has the nice touch that even though the pre-screenings to determine the finalists are chosen at best a minimum number of select fans, it's the larger fan network (ie. the congoers) that are able to see what the pre-screeners mostly watched weeks before the convention. I mean, how else was the "dirtly little secret" that was "Reh-dogg" supposed to come out in public purview? Granted, quickly shoving that concept under the carpet again is probably for the best...*heh*...

[Castor Troy]

It's make the finals or nothing now...

[Adv1sor]

I think AUSA is a pretty cool guy. eh has a dedicated AMV room and doesn't afraid of anything.

AUSA was the first place I saw an AMV and it's always been the best con for AMVs. Just knowing there is a room where you can stop by almost anytime of day or night and see some good AMVs, wow.

We've cut back on the cons, now Otakon is the only one on our schedule. I hate to see them mess up the AMV contest.

But I would like to see the contest moved from a server to a DVD medium. A little worse quality perhaps. (I don't think most people would notice it given the quality of the projectors, screens, and sound system at Otakon. Or maybe it's just the poor way in which it's all set up by those hard working union guys?) Much less chances of technical problems and delays with a DVD, assuming you have a back up DVD and player

As for the overflow, the room always seems packed and there are a lot of good AMVs to be seen even if they didn't make the cut!

I'm two for four in making the cut at Otakon, but I've only made it once at AUSA. The two contests, even if ran by the same guy, are on two different levels. (of course, I've never sent the same AMV to more than one contest, whether it made the cut or not!)

Still looking forward to Otakon!

[SailorDeath]

AUSA was the first place I saw an AMV and it's always been the best con for AMVs. Just knowing there is a room where you can stop by almost anytime of day or night and see some good AMVs, wow.

We've cut back on the cons, now Otakon is the only one on our schedule. I hate to see them mess up the AMV contest.

But I would like to see the contest moved from a server to a DVD medium. A little worse quality perhaps. (I don't think most people would notice it given the quality of the projectors, screens, and sound system at Otakon. Or maybe it's just the poor way in which it's all set up by those hard working union guys?) Much less chances of technical problems and delays with a DVD, assuming you have a back up DVD and player

The problem with using DVD is mostly compatibility. DVD-R/+R/DL manufacturers have varying methods on how they make their dvds. Combine that with a wide array of dvd laser manufacturers there are and you're going to find a lot of issues. The biggest problem I've seen is a DVD working in one player/drive but not for another. For example, with AWA's older pro method of judging when they first started sending DVDs in the mail, people have had issues in their players ranging from choppy video to not working at all. Most conventions also get REALLY CHEAP dvd players, and when I say really cheap I mean $30 bargain wholesale players like this: http://www.amazon.com/Craig-CVD327-DVD- ... B002SDCQJK Cons like doing this because 1. it helps cut costs and 2 its expendable.

Its these off brand players that generally have the most issues with DVDs and it REALLY sucks when you find out at con that the dvd you spent hours putting together is not going to work on that player. Main programming is generally the ONLY place you'll find a higher end player but then that's not always a guarantee.

[teabo]

Just wanted to chime in and say I've been going to Otakon for 11 years and never noticed it getting worse or more commercial... just bigger and better. Maybe because I'm oblivious to the drama behind the scenes I don't project that onto the con experience.

Also, results of whose going to be in competition aren't available yet... right?

[SailorDeath]

Also, results of whose going to be in competition aren't available yet... right?

Correct, We probably won't see the finalists until Otakon is right about to start (maybe not even then given Vic's woes right now.)

[Jefferys]

Advantages/Disadvantages of a DVD playback system vs. Server playback system

DVD Playback
-------------
Advantages - 1. Hard copy of content for easy playback in DVD system.
2. Useful for backup in case server goes down for some reason.
3. Not prone to server delays in system as playback is local.

Disadvantages - 1. Content is not tweaked for audio/visual setup in whatever venue it is located. |
2. Sound processing may be possible at the venue, but only if there is soundboard setup which can be monitored throughout.
3. Video correction can only be done before the DVD is processed and mastered, so it cannot recompensated for any projector setup (usually "zeroed out" by the technical contractors) at the venue.
4. Playback issues with player itself can cause the DVD not being able to played at all (blame the hardware, blame the DVD mastering application, blame it on crap files, or blame it on all three).

Server Playback
---------------
Advantages - 1. Audio/Video compensation can be done on the fly at the venue.
2. Playback of files can be accessed to rearrange playlist to suit for matters related to scheduling, timing, or instant requests.
3. Useful in case DVD playback is incorrectly mastered for some reason.
Disadvantages - 1. Prone to delay if setup is through a different server.
2. Server isn't available because it can't be accessed at a certain (um...maybe).