The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

[VicBond007]

Well I lucked out. turns out Ashyukun is handling our connection in Main Events. In true Otakorp fashion, and proving that it's who you know and not what you can do, it looks like the technical issues in main events will be minimized to some degree. I've been promised additional manpower to count ballots, so we might be able to knock out the awards in the latter half of IE. Fan parodies is building their own server to be used in the Hilton. The only remaining suck is no chance for overflow.

[Honou_Miko]

Well I lucked out. turns out Ashyukun is handling our connection in Main Events. In true Otakorp fashion, and proving that it's who you know and not what you can do, it looks like the technical issues in main events will be minimized to some degree. I've been promised additional manpower to count ballots, so we might be able to knock out the awards in the latter half of IE. Fan parodies is building their own server to be used in the Hilton. The only remaining suck is no chance for overflow.

....WASHUU'S ADVICE WORKED, GUYS.

*points to the sky Kaká-style*

[NightMistress85]

Congrats, peeps! Still gonna be a surprise for me to see who did what for most of those in there. Here's hoping Otakrap can somehow salvage this. AMV related events are the only thing they provide me with that's of interest these days. Start neglecting that and the hundreds of dollars and vacation time I spend going to this seem much less worth it.

*EDIT* That's good that they'll try to work out a few things, but no overflow is still a pretty big drag.

[chui101]

Well I lucked out. turns out Ashyukun is handling our connection in Main Events. In true Otakorp fashion, and proving that it's who you know and not what you can do, it looks like the technical issues in main events will be minimized to some degree. I've been promised additional manpower to count ballots, so we might be able to knock out the awards in the latter half of IE. Fan parodies is building their own server to be used in the Hilton. The only remaining suck is no chance for overflow.

I dunno who Ashyukun is, but if you say he's good, then I guess that's pretty reasonable... even though they are renigging on the published rules about non-finalists being given an overflow screening.
I guess I'll just be spending more time honing my photography skills this year!

[Honou_Miko]

Ironic, but that pic just reminded me that this year, Otakon's official theme is in fact "music".

Could the theme be any broader?

No, far more ironic, because they're the ones messing with the A"Music"V's ...

My thoughts exactly.

They can just call them AVs now.

Maybe that means Audio/Visual here, but we're at a Japanese animation convention; we have to go with the Japanese definition, and you know what that means

[Gaelstrom]

I'm hoping nothing strange happens with the fanparody schedule... not even because I'm involved in submitting stuff, but just how the energy of the parodies seems perfectly situated at that time of night now. It clears up until 10 for other things and then just spending the rest of the night celebrating the fun sides of anime with our own twists as a culture, and then going to sleep with good humor and waking up the next morning ready for more. Putting such a large block earlier would really cut into other things and cause people to not feel as into it because they may be feeling like 'hmm... I want to see that too' meanwhile the last few years, really the only thing they're missing is hentai.

Honestly, how is it that the corporations have sway on what happens at Otakon? I thought it was designed specifically to be a stand-alone entity. Can someone explain this to me? I feel like I'm missing something. Right now I'm starting to regret the several hundred I spent on DVDs in support of them in the past couple months.

[AngelDragoon]

Honestly, how is it that the corporations have sway on what happens at Otakon? I thought it was designed specifically to be a stand-alone entity. Can someone explain this to me? I feel like I'm missing something. Right now I'm starting to regret the several hundred I spent on DVDs in support of them in the past couple months.

Well...it's all practically on the basis of assumption. They're booting the AMV blocks for corporate programing because either, a) They just don't like/are screwing with the community because of previous experiences, b) Are getting large 'donations' from those who want their stuff shown, or c) Actually do care, but want to fit everything they can in what little time they can. In the 'B' option, it's kind of like politics, I suppose, (well...it is politics, but on the business front). They're not legally suppose to get paid, but if a particular benefactor comes along and pays thousands in 'donations' for a certain agenda to get pushed, it is likely that said politician is going to listen to what that benefactor wants the most. If the owners of Ramen Fighter Miki donate thousands and offer/want for them to show the series, it is likely Otakon will do anything in their power to show it, in the hopes that the owner will donate again. Is it fair? No, but it is technically legal for them to do, because all of it is practically word-of-mouth, to the answer of, 'We're doing it because we felt it was in the con's best interest'.

Again, unless we all see their financial books, (which...yeah, no, not going to happen), this is all purely guessing. I honestly have no idea of their business practices, but this seems to be the most probable economical answer to what's going on, (particularly if they don't give a reasonable explanation as to why they are doing what they are...If lying is the case, as has been brought up...Yeah. I'll let that sit).

[Gaelstrom]

Well I'm not suggesting anything untoward is happening like that, even if I recognize the possibility. It's more in a technical manner that I'm curious if corporations can legally influence anything in Otakon based on the way Otakon is as a corporation. I just don't really understand how it was made, but that's just because I don't know anything about the legality of it. I'm not sure what the anime companies would gain by doing what you say, since Otakon already deals with the hundreds-of-thusands to millions each year, and anime companies are apparently in dire straights as it is, so who knows. But really I'd love to know the mindset that would allow the companies in outside the dealer's room. Sure they can show a movie here or there and get some interest spread, but it can't even be seen by more than a couple thousand people at most, so it's hard to consider they have any type of financial benefit from spending money on Otakon themselves.

Originally we had no issue with fansubs, because it increased interest, but in recent years they've finally gotten off their asses and gotten things over in a timely manner. I just hope Otakorp isn't getting blackmailed in regard to not getting sued for showing the companies' licensed material so they get to have a say in what goes on... I mean yes, technically they have the right to shut them down for showing what they want, but seriously... I'd really like to believe that they aren't that much of assholes. But then again I believed in Santa at one point.

[AngelDragoon]

Legality issues concerning fansubs/playing licensed material are absolutely possible, considering that the bigger something gets means the more attentive companies become. As much as it would be terrible for Otakon if foul play were at hand, it would paint the situation in a different light. While I can't say that they would tell every one of their staff members the situation, it would make much more sense for them to at least give a better reason than, 'We need this space for set up, but we already have set up space, etc., etc.' I would love to give them the benefit of the doubt, but from what I have been reading, it just seems rather peculiar. If Otakon was a major enterprise over the seemingly failing animation companies, these animation companies would surely sue for what they're worth, but playing their real merchandise over paying retribution seems like the wiser choice on Otakon's part. Though it doesn't make sense they they wouldn't at least inform the heads of their events...Unless of course they were deciding to be hush-hush about it from it leaking to the public, which is possible, but still makes them look like jerks to the rest of us. Then again, if it were on the basis of previously stated 'donations'...well, business is business, regardless of what outlet they make money or what section of the tax box they're falling under. Some exposure is better than no exposure, and what better venue for a floundering anime company than one of the largest conventions in essentially the biggest consumer country?

In any case, it's probably something we'll never fully know.

Edit: Also...

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn24 ... Otakon.jpg

This made my day. I haven't laughed so hard in a while, so bravo.

[moonbunnychan]

Aw, kind of bummed I didn't make it in, I thought I had a real chance this year. Ah well.
Congrats to the (provided nothing bad happens) finalists!