Musical FACTS suggestion

[Stoney3K]

How would everyone feel about hearing some live anime/SF/games-related music on FACTS?

Personally, I think a band like Press Play on Tape would make quite a gig at FACTS.

It's probably to short notice to contact some orchestras, but I know a lot of them have already performed (and therefore rehearsed) movie and game music in the past.

Some additional costs may be involved, but it may also be worth promoting as a separate event.

[hadesgod1]

I think i would be great to hear that kind of music at FACTS
It's also something i've suggested a few years back while we were stil in the ICC (long ago in the past )

But why a band and not the real music from a cd ?

[Stoney3K]

Jun 13, 2010 8:00:34 GMT 1 hadesgod1 said:

But why a band and not the real music from a cd ?

I would certainly prefer the live experience of a band/orchestra over a DJ playing his CD's anytime. Regardless of the kind of music.

You can listen to the 'real' CD recording on your iPod all you want. But you can't watch a live band play the same music every evening.

[hadesgod1]

I'm not saying i'm against it, i kinda like the idea myself of bringing some music during the con
and i might even add we could even disguise those bandplayers as a Jabba band what many people would love to see end hear at FACTS.

Maybe it's just me that i prefer the 'real' version of a song instead of the orchestral version.

[latexstrawberry]

Let me put it this way.

I'd love it if there was a live band playing songs, because live bands have more interaction with the audience (normally they do ) But I think the hard bit will be.
1. Will they be using the podium?
2. then it takes a lot of time to put everthing ON and OFF stage
3. the cosplay thing already starts at 13h or something, so the band should have cleared the podium by then.
But then they'll only be able to play from let's say 11 'til 12.

I like the idea, but i think the schedule is a little bit tight ?

[Stoney3K]

Jun 14, 2010 11:28:53 GMT 1 latexstrawberry said:

Let me put it this way.

I'd love it if there was a live band playing songs, because live bands have more interaction with the audience (normally they do ) But I think the hard bit will be.
1. Will they be using the podium?
2. then it takes a lot of time to put everthing ON and OFF stage
3. the cosplay thing already starts at 13h or something, so the band should have cleared the podium by then.
But then they'll only be able to play from let's say 11 'til 12.

I like the idea, but i think the schedule is a little bit tight ?

IMO, the schedule on FACTS has always been too tight for useful programming.

I'm quite the evangelist when it comes to programming conventions into the early evening hours. Especially when you have major happenings with big entertainment value (e.g. cosplay, music performances), people will not attend these during the morning or early afternoon.

I know from experience that the major portion of the audience (minus the Early Birds) will be in AFTER the 12:00 mark. So any serious programming before that (e.g. big Q&A's, cosplay, raffles, demo's) would be pointless, since there would be little attendance. Actors don't like standing in front of an empty room, and neither do cosplayers.

On the one hand, I'm not at authority to interfere with the scheduling at FACTS. There are a lot of factors involved that determine the eventual schedule. But on the other, everybody's free to start throwing suggestions, so here goes... ;D

1000 - 1100 'Filler programming', for example, projections or game trailers.
1100 - 1145 First Q&A (fx. Actor #1)

1145 - 1300 Filler programming. People can't eat and have their heads with a Q&A at the same time.

1300 - 1345 Second talk or Q&A (fx. Artist #1)

1400 - 1445 Q&A (Actor or artist #2)

1500 - 1645 Ensemble Q&A or panel. LOTS of people in the building at this time, so getting a big Q&A with multiple actors/artists at this time will keep the audience on their feet.

1700 - 1800 Fillers for dinner and technical changeovers.

1830 - 2000 Cosplay competition

2030 - 2130 Band/music performance

2200 Close doors for Saturday

Now the other reason the 'entertainment programming' to be in the early evening is that it's in October, and twilight will set in at about 1900. Which would dress up the stage nicely for the cosplayers in terms of lighting.

Last year we had more of a problem that there was double scheduling going on. The Q&A's were going in parallel with the cosplay competition, while the main stage was empty save for the cosplay and the LOTR demo.

I suggested 15-minute pauses here because of audience changes (they are necessary!) which can be filled up with random video clips or background.

We're going a little beyond the scope of the topic.

[latexstrawberry]

No can do. I'd never join the competition if it were that late. Why?

Running around in a cosplay makes you dead by the end of the day, therefor, acting wouldn't be smart (there are stories that people fainted on stage because of late hours, it takes alot of someone, cosplay isn't all fun and games).

Second reason, people will be leaving earlier (they wont stay 'til 22h, i wouldn't even stay until that late because i wont have a decent ride back to home + school/work) and then LESS people will actually watch your performance, and what is the point of a performance, to entertain people. So less people = less amusement. Certainly on facts, where a 14.000 people came last year. (the adrenaline that alot of people give you is diffirent, makes you stronger)

Third reason, children's cosplay. Those would be home already, and each year the children amaze me with how much dare they enter the stage.

I wouldn't like to have dinner at FACTS either, sorry to say, but it's pretty expensive and you can't eat what you want. If i go home after facts i need my food because my soul is dead from hours of amusement.

Also, i feel like the cosplayers are being pushed asside for the actors/artists. Not everyone wants to listen to a 45minutes Q&A of someone. Also, i think the stage area will be crowded/very loud, therefor it might be making it less amusing for the guests. The nice and cosy room from last year was more personal.

10am - 6 or 7pm would be fine, but until 10pm? that's 12 hours straight, i don't think alot of people can do that for 2 full and straight days and be fully awake/healthy at school/work.


P.S.: The cosplay competition started at 1pm last year and only ended at 5pm(announcing the winners) . (It took very long because we had ALOT of contestants) I wouldn't like it when they make te show time less or when they have to deny people to go on stage. People work hard for their acts and cosplay.

But that's only my opinion.

[Stoney3K]

Jun 15, 2010 20:02:46 GMT 1 latexstrawberry said:

No can do. I'd never join the competition if it were that late. Why?

Running around in a cosplay makes you dead by the end of the day, therefor, acting wouldn't be smart (there are stories that people fainted on stage because of late hours, it takes alot of someone, cosplay isn't all fun and games).

If you decide to dress up for the entire event, and go on stage with the cosplay competition afterwards, it's YOUR choice. It's not mandatory (and, IMO, not recommended either), and I personally like to see cosplays revealed only when they are entered in the competition, enhancing the surprise effect for the audience. If a participant decides to show his/her costume he/she has worn for the entire day already, that's less fun.

Second reason, people will be leaving earlier (they wont stay 'til 22h, i wouldn't even stay until that late because i wont have a decent ride back to home + school/work) and then LESS people will actually watch your performance, and what is the point of a performance, to entertain people. So less people = less amusement. Certainly on facts, where a 14.000 people came last year. (the adrenaline that alot of people give you is diffirent, makes you stronger)

There is not enough space in the schedule to accomodate any additional entertainment. Not everyone will stay until 2200, but quite a few people will (especially those accustomed to large conventions) and I'm just trying to find something special to set up to celebrate the 20th FACTS.

The party at the Billy Bob's last year wasn't a success because of the venue, which wasn't considered well enough. People had personal space (and smoke) issues, which lead to a lot of people going home and cosplayers not showing up at all.

Third reason, children's cosplay. Those would be home already, and each year the children amaze me with how much dare they enter the stage.

There is no reason you couldn't accomodate the children's cosplay or Hall Costume (people showing off outfits on stage) ahead of dinner.

I wouldn't like to have dinner at FACTS either, sorry to say, but it's pretty expensive and you can't eat what you want. If i go home after facts i need my food because my soul is dead from hours of amusement.

The 'dinner' schedule element is just a gap in programming where people can get their own food (or use the cantina if they want). And that includes the FACTS crew, volunteers, and guests.

Also, i feel like the cosplayers are being pushed asside for the actors/artists. Not everyone wants to listen to a 45minutes Q&A of someone. Also, i think the stage area will be crowded/very loud, therefor it might be making it less amusing for the guests. The nice and cosy room from last year was more personal.

The artists could claim the same. Remember, FACTS pays quite a bit of money to get actors and artists to attend, which also means they are an attraction for audience. Loud and crowded stage areas should not be a problem, actors are supposed to be used to that. It's their job, after all.

An empty room which is barely accessible because of the enormous number of spectators watching the cosplay is more embarassing for an actor than a crowded room. The 'cosy' room would have worked out great, if we had the means to dress it up and decorate as such, since the 'garage' (as Kevin Sorbo accurately put it) also posed technical issues when it came to sound.

10am - 6 or 7pm would be fine, but until 10pm? that's 12 hours straight, i don't think alot of people can do that for 2 full and straight days and be fully awake/healthy at school/work.

Also remember that not everyone commutes to FACTS. I've been attending SF conventions for 5 years now, and 9 out of 10 times, people will book a hotel room to stay for the entire weekend. That opens up opportunities for going out together and organising stuff in the evening. Which, considering the fact that this is FACTS number 20, is worth it, IMO.

P.S.: The cosplay competition started at 1pm last year and only ended at 5pm(announcing the winners) . (It took very long because we had ALOT of contestants) I wouldn't like it when they make te show time less or when they have to deny people to go on stage. People work hard for their acts and cosplay.

True. It would have saved us a lot of time if contestants submitted more stuff beforehand (sorting out and fixing music tracks was a real time-gobbler), and even if you were to schedule 2-3 hours for the main cosplay event, time will ALWAYS be limited. That's also why there are rules for cosplay acts.

Remember that although the cosplay may be the main attraction for FACTS, FACTS is not strictly a cosplay-convention. The artists and actors deserve at least as much audience attention as the cosplay participants. I've been to large events (>2500 people) and even organised one or two conferences, facing the same issues, so I've been there, done that. Yes, scheduling is a biatch. ;D

[dogsoldiersthingy]

a live orchestra performing the Imperial March on F.A.C.T.S., how awesome would that be?

[grievous444]

Oct 19, 2010 19:21:02 GMT 1 @dogsoldiersthingy said:

a live orchestra performing the Imperial March on F.A.C.T.S., how awesome would that be?

EPIC

But quite impossible.

[Stoney3K]

Oct 19, 2010 19:48:24 GMT 1 grievous444 said:

Oct 19, 2010 19:21:02 GMT 1 @dogsoldiersthingy said:

a live orchestra performing the Imperial March on F.A.C.T.S., how awesome would that be?

EPIC

But quite impossible.

Nothing's impossible. A student association orchestra in my town once performed a Lord of the Rings arrangement, just because they could and for the challenge of it. The actual things you need to arrange a performance like this are not that challenging.

The question is, though, whether it's economical for a convention like FACTS to do so in their current context. You need to make the consideration 'how many tickets are we going to sell on this, and what's it going to cost us as an organisation?'

As much as I would like to see something more 'live' enhance a great event experience like FACTS, I don't know whether FACTS would be the right place for it (at this time). A separate event would be more feasible.