The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby dwchang » Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:21 am

Castor Troy wrote:Otakon's not turning into AX now, is it? :x :x :x :cry:


It will the first year you or any of those west coasters attend so don't attend j/k ;)
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (Almost time to panic!)

Postby outlawed » Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:19 am

VicBond007 wrote:Main Events is one of the halls in the BCC. The 1st Mariner Arena is being used exclusively for the masquerade, while the rest of us have to juggle schedules and make compromises. A/V will be out of sync because we'd be putting our video scaler behind their video scaler, adding a big delay. This doesn't happen in Video 1 because we have a direct line to the projector


I'm surprised they let you hook up your own equipment in main events. I know AWA has to make a DVD of the contest when they have a showing in main events. At least they did when I went in 2007. Of course that could be more about logistics than limitations set by main events. What about mastering a DVD of the finalists? Or is the usage of main events room more than just a plug and chug of the contest finalists. I'm honestly curious since I've never had a chance to attend Otakon and see how you guys do things.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby Adv1sor » Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:57 am

Sorry to hear about how poorly they are treating the AMV contest at Otakon.

Why don't you just master the contest to a DVD, fixing any color issues at this end, and run it straight in to the projector and sound system without a front end scaler?

I know the video quality would suffer a little but it would be better than an A/V delay.

Hope they work things out for the best.

See you at the con.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby VicBond007 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:37 am

As it looks right now, there is both a screening of the main contest on Friday and Saturday.

Otakon is turning into AX as far as I can see. Fan produced content takes a back seat to industry/egos. When the simplest changes are shot down because the video department doesn't want "their guy" to "go from one end of the convention center to the other" and this is considered a legitimate reason for denying my requests, as far as I'm concerned there's little hope for this current administration.

I can't give out Otakorp contact information since that's private, but Meredith Davey is the head of programming. This either is public knowledge already, or will be once the program guide is published along with the staff list for this year. The Otakon website also has a contact form with a division for "Programming". "AMV Contest" goes right to me, so don't waste your time, I already know your concerns ;)

I don't actually have the OK to hook anything up in Main Events yet. It's entirely possible that I have to burn DVDs, which means recompressing everyone's videos again, and opens your submissions up to theft/copying by shifty staffers/gophers. When your content is on the server, the power button is physically locked with a key. Alan and I are the only people who can access it. Plus, DVDs at Otakon have problems like this:
http://animealmanac.com/2009/07/19/otak ... in-tweets/
Scroll down to "Eva fail!" Sadly this happens every year and we can't do anything about it because we're forced by contract to use DSL as our tech company. They know that they can't be replaced no matter how bad they do. My solution for AMVs, which worked relatively well last year, was to have them install a mechanical switch between DSL's equipment and ours. Good thing, if it wasn't for our equipment, the Eva movie would have been cancelled outright.

You can't correct videos "ahead of time" for a projector that you don't have access to. You're correcting for the room, not the content. This is why when you go to a con with 2 screens in one room, one is more blue, and one is more red. Whatever contractor hangs the equipment just plugs the same settings in for both devices, and doesn't take into account the variations between each device. Every bulb, LCD screen, lens, and screen are slightly different, even if the part numbers match.

This would be real easy if I didn't care, but I do. Anyone who takes the time to generate content for my event, TRUSTS me to put on a good show for them. I believe that any event that takes submissions from fans, and takes money from fans, should do their best to support the fans endeavors.
Last edited by VicBond007 on Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby alchemist4 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:48 am

That is crap. The AMV contest has been one of the most popular events that I've seen in action at Otakon so I can't believe they'd treat it so crappy. I'd say its only second to the Masq in terms of popularity and crowd size (from my point of view of course and I don't count the dealers room lol). Disappointing from what is supposed to be the "premier" anime convention on the East Coast

Would they do the awards during the break at the Masq? I notice a lot of AMV awards from other cons during that time
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby VicBond007 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:02 am

alchemist4 wrote:That is crap. The AMV contest has been one of the most popular events that I've seen in action at Otakon so I can't believe they'd treat it so crappy. I'd say its only second to the Masq in terms of popularity and crowd size (from my point of view of course and I don't count the dealers room lol). Disappointing from what is supposed to be the "premier" anime convention on the East Coast

Would they do the awards during the break at the Masq? I notice a lot of AMV awards from other cons during that time


Matt Pyson's last year as AMV Contest coordinator was the last year that Masquerade let us use their halftime space for AMV Contest awards. As soon as he left, they shoved the AMV award ceremony into closing ceremonies. Iron Editor provided a safe haven where we could announce winners to a crowd that was legitimately interested in seeing them, without impacting the existing schedule at all. Masquerade has their own halftime concert or something now, so that's not an option, especially if the second screening doesn't take place until after the Masquerade. The issue isn't IE's placement in the schedule, it's the AMV Contest's place in the schedule. If it happens early enough on Saturday, there isn't that much of a problem when it comes to showing the winners. It only takes about 3 hours to count 1,000 ballots or so, plus running the final numbers and making the playlist.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby dwchang » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:31 am

I'm sorry to hear about all this Vic and knowing you personally, I know you are doing everything in your power to remedy the situation. You have done a fantastic job the last few years (especially in comparison to your predecessors)and I hope this will not be your last year in charge. I have every intention of making one last AMV (been lazily working on it for years) and submitting it to my favorite AMV Contest in the country, Otakon. I truly hope these comparisons to AX turn out to be untrue :(.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby VicBond007 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:49 am

dwchang wrote:I'm sorry to hear about all this Vic and knowing you personally, I know you are doing everything in your power to remedy the situation. You have done a fantastic job the last few years (especially in comparison to your predecessors)and I hope this will not be your last year in charge. I have every intention of making one last AMV (been lazily working on it for years) and submitting it to my favorite AMV Contest in the country, Otakon. I truly hope these comparisons to AX turn out to be untrue :(.


We're getting a new head of Programming, and I think a new President next year, so the only reason I wouldn't continue is if they asked me to leave, or the next crew is even worse than this one. I'm actually unable to effectively negotiate further, but Jeff thinks he can do something, so if things work out for the better, EVERYONE IN THE THREAD OWES JEFF HELLER A BEER.
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby Adv1sor » Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:02 am

VicBond007 wrote: I'm actually unable to effectively negotiate further, but Jeff thinks he can do something, so if things work out for the better, EVERYONE IN THE THREAD OWES JEFF HELLER A BEER.
Agreed. Jeff Heller, :beer: A beer awaits you if you pull this off. (A real beer, not just an icon!)
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby CodeZTM » Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:24 pm

Sounds like you have everything under control then. That's really reassuring to hear! Thanks for everything you're doing and attempting to do. ;)
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby Castor Troy » Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:04 pm

Save us Jeff-us Christ!
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby Honou_Miko » Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:44 pm

VicBond007 wrote:I can't give out Otakorp contact information since that's private, but my name is Vic Boruta and my email address is vboruta at otakorp dot org. Infer from that what you will. Meredith Davey is the head of programming. The Otakon website also has a contact form with a division for "Programming". "AMV Contest" goes right to me, so don't waste your time, I already know your concerns ;)


At this point, is it wise to still take advantage of this little tidbit of information? Or would that be risky and should we just leave everything to Jeff?

And, should one of us decide to take advantage of that info via the Otakon website, should this ~person~ wait until the contest results are posted? I believe ~this person~ is slightly concerned about how to formulate her argument, and avoid sounding like "welllll I dunno if I got innnnnnn buuuuut... i worked rly hard..... desu." This person would rather pick a fight and stick with it (i.e., if she makes the finals, the quality of the contest screening; if not, then the importance of the overflow screening, and in either case, stress the whole "this has been a work in progress for ten months, on top of being a full time student, planning a wedding, and holding outside jobs" deal). If time is too short, though, she would like to get any opinions in as soon as possible, and not wait for contest results.

This person was able to effectively suggest better cafeteria options for her school by giving a massive essay to them (mentioning that her friend bit into a dead snail from the salad bar, not that this is relevant but) so perhaps she can attempt to use this luck of persuasion for the purposes of the AMV contest.

But mostly, I think she's just ready for battle. :ying:
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby VicBond007 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:31 pm

Honou_Miko wrote:
VicBond007 wrote:I can't give out Otakorp contact information since that's private, but my name is Vic Boruta and my email address is vboruta at otakorp dot org. Infer from that what you will. Meredith Davey is the head of programming. The Otakon website also has a contact form with a division for "Programming". "AMV Contest" goes right to me, so don't waste your time, I already know your concerns ;)


At this point, is it wise to still take advantage of this little tidbit of information? Or would that be risky and should we just leave everything to Jeff?

And, should one of us decide to take advantage of that info via the Otakon website, should this ~person~ wait until the contest results are posted? I believe ~this person~ is slightly concerned about how to formulate her argument, and avoid sounding like "welllll I dunno if I got innnnnnn buuuuut... i worked rly hard..... desu." This person would rather pick a fight and stick with it (i.e., if she makes the finals, the quality of the contest screening; if not, then the importance of the overflow screening, and in either case, stress the whole "this has been a work in progress for ten months, on top of being a full time student, planning a wedding, and holding outside jobs" deal). If time is too short, though, she would like to get any opinions in as soon as possible, and not wait for contest results.

This person was able to effectively suggest better cafeteria options for her school by giving a massive essay to them (mentioning that her friend bit into a dead snail from the salad bar, not that this is relevant but) so perhaps she can attempt to use this luck of persuasion for the purposes of the AMV contest.

But mostly, I think she's just ready for battle. :ying:


If anyone is thinking of contacting the Programming department, i would use the link on the website first, and then follow-up with a direct e-mail if you're ignored (which is just plain RUDE if that happens). it's also difficult to voice your concerns when you don't know ALL the details. It's a lot to discuss, and not all of it should be public. So, you're welcome to voice your concerns that your efforts are being neglected but as far as essay writing, I don't think the general public is in any position to offer suggestions, only voice concerns over what's been proposed.

If I were "this person" I would assume that "this person" has scored high enough to make the final contest. :uhoh:
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby kireblue » Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:36 pm

How much longer do you think it will be before you can announce all the finalist?
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Re: The Otakon 2010 Thread (OK now panic)

Postby TnAdct1 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:15 pm

VicBond007 wrote:If anyone is thinking of contacting the Programming department, i would use the link on the website first, and then follow-up with a direct e-mail if you're ignored (which is just plain RUDE if that happens). it's also difficult to voice your concerns when you don't know ALL the details. It's a lot to discuss, and not all of it should be public. So, you're welcome to voice your concerns that your efforts are being neglected but as far as essay writing, I don't think the general public is in any position to offer suggestions, only voice concerns over what's been proposed.

Besides, there's a 1000 characters when you write a message to programming from the web site, so essay writing is out of the question.
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