Otakon AMV Contest

[hackerzc]

I am not debating whether or not there is a flood. I am simply saying that the post office has told me that it's business as usual for them.

If you are able to post to this forum, that means you have electricity, and there for it's safe to say that you are not under 12 feet of water.
That being said, getting to the post office should not be impossible.

I was in Baltimore when Hurricane Isabel came through and the Inner Harbor and all low lying areas were under 6" of water (Maryland has more shore line than the entire length of the east coast), and the entire world did not stop because of it (which seems to be what you and DoKool are trying to get at). The entire state was considered a disaster area.
I still had to work (without electricity mind you), the busses still ran, and mail still went through.

See where I'm going with this?
If you still feel it is that daunting a task to send something out, please contact the director and present your case. He will be able to give you a decision either way.

I'm sorry to be so harsh, and hope you and everyone you know are ok. But just because some people are effected by this, does not mean everyone is.

[BasharOfTheAges]

I'm sorry to be so harsh, and hope you and everyone you know are ok. But just because some people are effected by this, does not mean everyone is.

That's not what i'm trying to say at all. If you look at the quote of dokool's that you quoted it spicifically talks about an extention for people in this area that are being effected, not for everyone...

[hackerzc]

I'm sorry to be so harsh, and hope you and everyone you know are ok. But just because some people are effected by this, does not mean everyone is.

That's not what i'm trying to say at all. If you look at the quote of dokool's that you quoted it spicifically talks about an extention for people in this area that are being effected, not for everyone...

Oh I'm sorry then, I must have missunderstood. Well, personally if it was me I'd be more worried about my house floating away than the AMV contest, but anyway if the people effected can see this, get a message to the Director and see what you can do.

[jbone]

The only reason I am part of the contest is because I want to make sure that the contest is the best it can be for you guys.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH *deepbreath* HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahhahaha

[feqqr]

Hello all,

Jason here, Antonio's other assistant.

I'm sorry I haven't been vocal, but I'm a full time attorney with a new baby and I'm buying a hourse. Far, FAR to little time the last few weeks.

However, to the point.

As for a general extension: I'm in agreement with Antonio's decision not to allow an extension at this time. When he mentions that the deadline has been known for a long time, he was not simply refering to the fact that AMVs could have started earlier. What that means is that people KNEW it would have fallen at this time many months ago. Asking for an extension b/c of finals after people's entries are already in is problematic. Had people posted about the conflict when it was announced or when their school schedule told them finals would be set, we would have been more likely to have considered it. Of course, Antonio is head, and if he wants to say otherwise or disagrees with my throughs, please defer to him.

As for the weather based ones, I have heard of the flooding. I am more inclined to allow this extension for people who can show that the weather is the cause of the delays. John - while the USPO may say no delays, that doesn't account for people's ability to GET to the post office. If you are having specific weather related problems, please contact Antonio off list to explain your situation. Please understand that out of fairness to others, Antonio might impose some sort of additional requirement or proof, though at this time, that's just my guess.

Also, a side note to Jbone - John works really hard on this contest, mostly behind the scenes with Antonio. He really does try to make this the best contest, and from the point of view of those he helps, I think your laughing at his comment is heavily misguided.

Jason

P.S. I'm sorry if this isn't my best written e-mail, I'm firing it off on my way to work.

[jbone]

Also, a side note to Jbone - John works really hard on this contest, mostly behind the scenes with Antonio. He really does try to make this the best contest, and from the point of view of those he helps, I think your laughing at his comment is heavily misguided.

You misunderstand. I was directly referring to this comment:

The only reason I am part of the contest is because I want to make sure that the contest is the best it can be for you guys.

He doesn't help out of a selfless desire to improve the contest. All of us who know him outside the environment of Otakon's political bullshit understand this.

[anneke]

I aggree with one of the posts above. If your in a flooded area, if your worried about getting your video in on time, you really may want to re-evaluate your priorities. There is always next year, and other conventions that could be entered. Looks like they will work with people for Non-competeting entries, which is really nice of them, and therefore your video could atleast be shown to an audience. But if all you care about is getting into a contest, then once again, you should re-evaluate your priorities and why your making AMVs.

Anneke

[hackerzc]

He doesn't help out of a selfless desire to improve the contest. All of us who know him outside the environment of Otakon's political bullshit understand this.

Actually I do. Point in fact, none of you DO know me outside of a Con/AMV setting.
I honestly do not know what it is you think I'm doing here. By all means let me know in PM or EMAIL.
My reasons for being here are that I have a certain loyalty to Otakon. It was my first con, it was where I saw my first AMV, and where I submitted my first AMV.
When Matt Pyson was looking for people to take over the contest I volunteered to help because I wanted to be part of it (apparently I was the only one who did). The question was asked whether or not I was interested in running it, and I declined because I honestly felt I could not do the job.
So if you think that I'm here because I want to run things, you are mistaken. I was Head of Nekocon's AMV contest and gave that up last year, in order to put more time and energy into THIS contest.
Maybe you think there is some sort of popularity associated with being staff for the contest... I don't know. If there is, I fail to see how it's benefited me in any way.
I worked on the contest for 2 years before making staff. Having to put up with you sending in letters to staff telling them they should get rid of me, and telling me just how much you wanted me gone.
Normally I'd say "hey, people don't want me around" and step aside, because it would be MUCH easier to do.
If you actually knew me, you would know that I don't care if you laugh at my reasons for being here or not (in fact I expect it). The reason I stick around is because I enjoy doing what I do, and I do it well. That is also why I am now staff. You can either except that or choose not too.
If there is something I can do for you related to the contest, I'll do whatever I can. What I won't do however (to be totally blunt) is kiss anyone's ass, or run away simply because you or anyone else doesn't like me. I honestly suspect that is the true reason you have issues about me.
If you really feel that I am responsible for ruining the con, then please present your case.
If you feel that way because I don't suck up to you like some people do... Then I'm sorry, but that's simply not good enough.
Either way, please make your point and move on so I can get started with the work I need to do.

*sorry if this sounds disrespectful to anyone else, but as a person (not a staffer) there is a point where you have to say enough is enough. I am just sick of hearing this stuff from the same people year after year. Please, give it a rest.*

[kisaragi]

Hello everyone!


It's Antonio here, poking my head in the forum
to see what's up. As some of you know, since I
have been in touch with you, I have been compiling
entries and sending confirmation email. This
and personal life stuff has kept me busy. I apologize
I have not posted about this myself, and I thank John
for his efforts in keeping a constant presence of the Otakon
AMV contest staff on the 'org.

I want to let you all know I have thought about the issue
of extending the deadline. Both sides of this issue
have its pros and cons. I want as many people as possible
to display their editing talents in our contest, but a contest
it is and so there are challenges to be met, the deadline being
one of them. With that in mind, being in a situation that's
beyond your control should gain you consideration.
There has been talk of people who fear they won't make the
deadline because their branch of the post office is
not operating at optimum efficiency, or that it is dificult for them
to get to the post office at all. If your video is
done and what you need to do now is get it out to me,
we can possibly work something out. Also those of you
who want to simply screen your videos and not take part
in the contest, email me directly and lets talk about it.

For those of you who question why the deadline is placed
so far in advance, please remember there was a time
when a person could submit multiple videos and still the
total amount fit in a single two hour tape. As Otakon has grown
so too have the events held there. It is no longer a simple matter
of adding up videos and screening them in the contest.
Pre screenings were started with Matt Pyson as a way
to fairly form a selection of videos to pass on to the
main event. Even if we devoted all our time to this, it would
still take a while to do and we can't devote all our time to it as we
all have day jobs as well. So as John said we estimate how
much time, in realistic terms, is needed to fully go through this
selection process. I am always open to suggestions though,
so please contact me at ajimenez@otakon.com if you have
any ideas on how to shorten the preselection processes
and extend the contest entry time.


yours,
Antonio Jimenez
AMV coordinator 2006

[Brad]

It's kind of unbelievable how we seem to go through this same dramatic malarchy every year with this contest. Kind of makes me glad I didn't end up submitting.