First convention memories (Or Plans?)?

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Sun Feb 01, 2004 3:41 pm

Shoujocon 2002 was my first convention and first experience in an AMV contest, and holy mother of god, it was so much fun! I'm an incredibly quiet, shy person and when I was there, I just got to feel so open and got to express myself ^_^ It was also a blast seeing my video on a big screen and hearing applause from the audience.

It was also the first time I had met any other AMV creators. There I got to meet Meri and Mike, who are still my good friends, as well as Anneke, which ended up with me joining her studio, Scott Melzer and Jon Miller, two great guys, and Silvercat, who was such an awesome person ^_^ I still try and keep up with all of these people regularly.

My biggest piece of advice is be prepared for the worst. During conventions, things can indeed go wrong. Your favorite panel may end up being cancelled. The AMV contest may be played upside down. The dealers room may be the size of your bathroom. So yes, never think it's going to rock your socks off, because even though it might, you may end up being disappointed ^_^;;

So keep yourself full of food and water and have one good time!

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:14 am

dokool wrote:Despite the fact that I live in Philadelphia, I still count AB as my home con. I'm co-hosting three panels this year and participating in a fourth, and despite the fact that I'll have just returned from Tokyo (knock on wood) next April, I'm still planning on heavily participating in AB2005 in May. Unfortunately, in 2006 when I'll be finishing my thesis work, I may not be able to stay for the whole weekend...

I must admit I don't understand the concept of "home con" as I've seen it used here and in other places.

Also, how does one get involved in such panels (not that I'd ever want to myself)?

dokool · Post by **dokool** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:46 am

Scintilla wrote:I must admit I don't understand the concept of "home con" as I've seen it used here and in other places.

Also, how does one get involved in such panels (not that I'd ever want to myself)?

A "home con" is generally a con in your backyard, something that you've been going to since you first started going to cons, etc. AB is really a quasi-home con because it's close to my school (just across the state). Being in Philadelphia, Otakon's really the closest big con to me until Kosaikon switches to a weekend format.

As far as getting involved in the panels, it really depends. Last year, I was an ambitious little prick (having 2 AMVs in all, both mediocre) and wanted to help run a panel, Ashyukun was there and we teamed up. This year we're running two bigger panels (90 minutes instead of 60), and it should be a blast. Usually panel-runners are looking for panelists, so if you email them saying you're interested, you may just be a panelist. Although I think panels at big cons (Otakon, for example) are more invite-only...

-DOKool

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:23 am

dokool wrote:
Scintilla wrote:I must admit I don't understand the concept of "home con" as I've seen it used here and in other places.

Also, how does one get involved in such panels (not that I'd ever want to myself)?
A "home con" is generally a con in your backyard, something that you've been going to since you first started going to cons, etc. AB is really a quasi-home con because it's close to my school (just across the state). Being in Philadelphia, Otakon's really the closest big con to me until Kosaikon switches to a weekend format.

I'll agree with the second statement, but not the first. I consider my "home-con" Anime Central, but I am in Austin, TX which is > 1000 miles away (hardly my backyard). However, it was (as you said) my first convention and the one I attended in college. Also helps that I'm "teh Iron Chef" there and am forced

to go

.

genestarwind21122 · Post by **genestarwind21122** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 8:03 am

My first convention was Otakon 9 (2002). It was a lot of fun. I dressed up as one of my own anime characters that I created. And I brought some stories I wrote along with me for people to see what plans I might have if I did want to create an anime series. I really enjoyed the skits and the amv's. I remember the Otakulese challenge from that year. It was good. I was actually apart of it. We lost in the first round playing the Pika pocky polt. Then after that round was over I went ahead and rock bottom the Pikachu. Followed by the people's elbow. Then last year at Otakon 10 (2003) I did it again except without the rock bottom and stuff. Instead I kicked the Pikachu and it hit the celling. At Otakon 10 I was Gene Starwind from Outlaw Star. When your at a convention just have fun. That's what I do. No one will know who you are unless you tell them or it is one of friends.

Gene Starwind 21122

MAS PRODUCTIONS · Post by **MAS PRODUCTIONS** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 11:54 am

My first con was A-kon 13. It was a pretty cool con and I had good times. My only regret is not meeting up with La Familia longer and catching the lesbian action

. This year might be different though since its taking place in June, so I can arrive early on Friday and leave late on Sunday.

SarahtheBoring · Post by **SarahtheBoring** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 12:39 am

My First Con(tm) was Tekkoshocon 03, since it's the local con and I thought I'd ease into it.

It was about this big ----> [ ] ...but still a fun little introduction to the whole thing. Sis and I went for one of the days, Saturday, I believe. Just wandered around and bought a couple of things and watched people play DDR and got bored out of our minds during the cosplay intermission and, y'know, stuff.

I had to leave halfway through the AMVs, though, from being all zoned-out and overstimulated. Yeah, I was a wimp.

It was fun, though. And hey, it set up the cooperation necessary for getting myself to Otakon, which was mega-fun.

longview606 · Post by **longview606** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 2:47 pm

My first was Fanime last year. I plan to go again this year and also I am for sure going to AX this summer. Last year was fun seeing a bunch of new things, seeing the amv contest, watching some new anime, looking at fanart and laughing at cosplayers (btw I am going to cosplay at AX so I dont want any flames). Over all it was fun except for the fact that I was with someone who had to be home early so that ruined it a little.

Densetsu · Post by **Densetsu** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 8:28 am

AX 2000. Funnest one I've been to so far, actually, despite that they had it on Disney property so Disney guys regulated a bit. They had Esca movie and ccs movie 2 world premiered. AX isn't so much fun any more, Pacific Media Exchange better kick ass

lilgumba · Post by **lilgumba** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 7:04 pm

My first con was ACen 2003. It was really cool. I got to see the Yoko Ishida concert which was pretty good. I got autographs and listened in on some of the panels they had there. Anime Hell was HELL to me. It had it's funny parts like the farting preacher guy but I refuse to sit through another Heino again. I'd rather die. Midnight Madness was good. Watching people screw up karaoke was great and of course getting tips at the AMV panel and watching the Iron Chef contest was cool. The video rooms are nice too. It's not too crowded late at night either so you shouldn't have any problems seeing.

Only things I would advise you to do is see how far the nearest fast food place is cause food is overpriced at the hotel, beware of funk...it is everywhere, get in lines early because they could be suuuuuuuuper long, bring enough money cause dealer rooms have some pretty nice things there, and finally....if you pre-register give them a last name. It's hard to find yourself if you don't have a last name and didn't know they called you *first name* Doe and you look goofy with a Doe tag. I learned that the hard way. -_-