Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
This forum is in permanent archive mode. Our new active community can be found here.
Sci Fi Cons
So tomorrow I embark on a journey to my first sci fi con Mars Con in Willamsburg, VA. It's a really a con with programming on a variety of geek subjects and has my favorite filker Tom Smith. I also have gaming and anime as a back up if the other fare isn't really good.
So for those who have been to these type of cons before, what am I getting into? As far as I know this is a much different world from the anime cons.
...BI MON SCI FI CON!
So for those who have been to these type of cons before, what am I getting into? As far as I know this is a much different world from the anime cons.
...BI MON SCI FI CON!
Comments
YMMV, but don't expect an anime or gaming con.
Of course, if it's truly a genericon, like Connecticon, then it could well be awesome.
If they have a charity auction, it's sometimes fun to go to that ad see what's there. you never know what'll come up, and you can sometimes get cool stuff for cheap.
Of course, IMO small cons are far better for socializing than big cons. Sure, Dragon and Otakon may have lots of stuff to do, but it's so big that no one socializes with people they don't know. They already have a schedule and an agenda, and you're not in it unless you planned to meet up ahead of time. The staff is usually less stressed, and it's harder to get lost. Plus, did I mention the parties? Even if you don't drink at all, they can be great fun!
The difference that was really apparent was demographics. There was mostly 25+ people. Other than the young children of the con goers I was one of the youngest.
Most of the panels were done by guests and and creating like Nuri said. Some were very new to me, like a storyteller. Basically talking about his life in the area being the only redneck comic fan. The other was a shadowcast. I never heard of those before, but it was Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Basically, they act along with a showing of the film, like a play in front of a movie. I didn't like it and mostly pay attention to the screen. Plus, there was filking! Lots of it! The Fliking panel was the best. Also, if I didn't say it before I'm going to say it now. Celtic style rock is awesome. Look up Coyote Run.
The real different things compared to anime cons is the size and the fact that the cons wants to keep it small. Really, the only new people are ones that heard it word of mouth or was looking for a scifi con online. After talking to a bunch of people who work at the con or run similar cons they want to keep it small to keep the atmosphere. Some reason was that it's easier to manage. I spoke to the people who ran Ravencon at their party and they are actually looking to attract new blood and worked stuff out with Anime Mid Atlantic. I basically said if they want to attract more try getting a table at an anime con or putting an ad in their book or even doing the party thing like there.
Parties. There were several. Just people opening up hotel rooms and throwing one inside. I drank vodka with a kilingon and grog with historian pirate fans. Had swill with cosplayers of Labrinth and some fruity drink and some ale at the Raven party. Topped it all off with cookies with The Doctor. At anime cons you usually have to be in the know to find a party. At sci fi cons there's whole floors with parties and hanging out with many people.
Another difference was that there's only tabletop gaming. No video games which I thought was strange and the one anime table in the dealers room also sold bootlegs.
As I declared at a party while drunk, I LOVE SCI FI CONS! I can't say they're all good, but Marscon of VA is one of the awesome ones. If Katsucon is not good this year I think I'll dump it for Marscon and perhaps Shevacon.
It's something I want to explore and maybe by talking to them I could do something.
Or just take over the anime programming and screening room. The one at Marscon had these creepy guys watching a sexy moe and no one seemed to know it was there. Plus, there's anime fans at these cons, but they watched in the older days and don't really know what else is good out there. I said to myself, "It's time to plan a panel."
I almost forgot! The crowning moment for me at this con was talking about Hetalia with Tom Smith. And then singing the theme song. I didn't think he would know about that show. YAY for anime watching girlfriends everywhere!
And also, you're thinking of planning a panel? If you do, I would totally check it out, but where would you do it? Would it just be something to see at anime cons (maybe not just anime cons) where you try to get people to go to sci-fi cons?
I was thinking of a panel that is about newer high quality shows that would appeal to a young adult and adult audience. Since some of the older sci fi fans liked anime back in the day, but didn't know where to go from there, I would do a re-intro into anime. Kinda like an anime you should see panel, but about shows comparable to older shows.
If you're going to some of the northeast cons (Anime USA, Otakon, Anime Boston, Katsucon, T-Mode) then I hopefully will be doing something. I am for Katsu definitely.