Post by dogsoldiersthingy on Oct 21, 2013 15:52:20 GMT 1
I didn't see any thread dedicated to it, so I just thought to start it up. Might give the forum a little boost
First off, I can't give feedback on everything because honestly I didn't succeed at doing much throughout the day. I might even have to go both days to F.A.C.T.S. next year. I've never done the gaming zone (not this year either), but didn't get a chance to attend the Q&A's (which I usually do). Since they were in an other hall, I'm quite sure they were a lot better.
Being there all day, I actually lost a lot of time at the shops. Went to check them all out, but there were so d**n many!
Great variety and I bet a lot of people spend quite some money there. Pesonally, I didn't find a lot of interesting things this year. I didn't even exceed my budget (still got 40€ left even). I thought many things were too expensive for what they were though (but that's not your fault of course). But that was great though, fan village looked really nice but I didn't spend too much time there. I didn't see the TIE fighter till the end of the day, despite being huge.I was there early on saturday and left late, but the crowd was enormous. Any idea what the numbers were? Thing I keep wondering is how will you keep this going. If it grows again next year I'm not sure that the hall would be big enough for such a crowd. I don't handle crowds very well, by noon I felt like going on a killing spree. The ginormous amount of people is the reason why I lost so much time at the shops. So good luck, you guys!
So, on to the parts for which I will offer feedback (don't hate me).
1. Comics zone: I bought the first comic of Pandamonia and would've liked to get it autographed. But the lady near him (Cucca or something the artist's name is) told me that I'd have to get in line. But the line remained long for the rest of the day and of course all those people wanted a sketch. I think I could've simply asked someone if I could just cut in line, but I feel terrible doing that as they've been waiting just as long. I don't get many artists, but it was the same with Dave Gibbons a couple of years back. Maybe decide a certain point in the day during which they only will sign (like one hour or so)?
2. Autograph prices: I still would like to know these on forehand. So many other conventions do it, maybe you could try it too? Just saying between 20 and 30 isn't enough, to me. Three times 20 or three times 30 is quite a difference in total (see point 5 as well).
3. Place of the prices: I wear glasses to improve my eyesight, but they didn't do me much good as the prices were on the wall behind the guests. With the exception of Anthony Daniels, which was the only readable one without having to queue up. Maybe you could put all prices on a side wall? Or maybe in front where you put the "only personal items can be signed" paper? Or you know, just announce the prices on advance.
4. Quality of the pictures: I'm talking about the pictures the guests have on their table. I know you supply some of the actors while others bring theirs with them. I though most were great (Biehn, Blanc, Daniels, Benz) but you often have these pictures that look framed (you should cut the white lines around the pictures) if that makes sense. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of good Bennett pictures, but I understand there were some problems there. And last: I'm sorry but the pictures of the Avellan twins were all simply not of great quality.
5. Expensive autographs (and apparently photoshoots too). I know that for the bigger part, guests set their prices. But I would just ask to put even in more effort to keep those down. I found the prices to be really high. It was a surprise considering F.A.C.T.S has always done a great job at offering those for normal prices (20€). Only one guest was 20€ and she's in my opinion more of a 15€'er. I know some conventions and actors (like SWC) leech on its visitors/fans and that probably makes guests or organisors think that prices like these are acceptable. A friend of mine told me he was quite sure Biehn & Blanc would be cheaper on another convention I'll be attending soon, I'll see if that is the case. Do not take this as an insult, none of us normal visitors know how much effort you might've done behind the scenes. I'm merely saying that this is how some of us ignorant visitors feel. And don't compare prices to another convention that was the same weekend, they're even worse.
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