Some questions for the organisers...

[danwangkw]

Hello there,

I'm Dan from Singapore. My friends and I intend to attend the FACTS convention and I seek enlightenment for a couple of issues:

1) Have the opening hours for FACTS been determined?

2a) Are the convention tickets only sold on the spot?

2b) Are there any limits to tickets sold each day? Reason I'm asking is I don't intend to fly halfway around the globe only to be refused entry.

2c) Can the tickets be purchased in advance online (e.g. paid via PayPal) and delivered internationally? I envision queues would be long if tickets are sold only on the convention days.

2d) It's mentioned that a ONE-DAY ticket cost 7 Euros. Since FACTS runs for 2 days, can we buy tickets for the second day in advance? I'm trying to save the hassle of queuing up (or is queueing up [and hopefully not in vain] a necessary phenomenon yearly?)

3) What currency are items sold in? Euro or US$ ?

Please advise.

Rgds,
Dan

[e-Mino]

Hi there Dan,

welcome to our convention !

Here's the requested reply to your questions :

1) They very probably will be from 10 till 17 h.
2a) We're currently looking at the possibility of selling them in advance through certain stores. Keep an eye on the site for more info on that.
2b) There aren't up to a certain extent (if there would be so many people inside that it would pose certain security risks, then we might have to temporarily refuse people. This hasn't happened (yet)).
2c) We usually have about 1.5 hour queue at the beginning of the show. This being said, if you show up one hour earlier, you would have no problem.
2d) If we actually offer the possibility to buy tickets in advance, you'll be able to buy them for both days. Otherwise, you will need to have some patience on both days.
3) Euros, although I guess some dealers would accept USD (although I can't exclude their exchange rate would be in their advantage ...).

Hope to see you at our show. Where did you hear from us ?

Best,

Emmanuel

[danwangkw]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Emmanuel.

Greatly appreciated.

A friend of mine told me about FACTS and I thought "why not?" since I haven't been to any convention before and it should be an eye opener. Here in Singapore, there're hardly any conventions and even when there's one, the scale is tiny.

I'll be checking the FACTS website regularly for updates.

Oh. Two more questions:

1) In the FACTS site, it's mentioned that the standard 7 Euro ticket does not cover screenings and celeb autograph sessions. Can you provide a breakdown in ticket prices and what the ticket entitlements are?

e.g. (I'm making it up as an example)

7 Euro ticket = admission (but no screenings and celeb autograph sessions)

14 Euro ticket = admission + all screenings + guaranteed placement in queue for celeb autograph session: a)I don't suppose the convention allows the attendees to simply mob the celebs for autographs during the convention, b)I don't suppose the celebs are going to be there all day and would only show up at an appointed time (correct me if I'm wrong)

I would be delighted to bring back an autographed Dirk Benedict photo or something

2) Will a canteen be set up in the convention centre to sell refreshments and snacks (or even lunch)? I think most people would be spending half a day at FACTS and sometimes having to leave the venue for a meal elsewhere may mean a possibility of missing out on something.

Dan

[perso]

dear Facts,

I have a little question too and deceided to post it in this thread since i thought it wasnt worth it to make a new topic for it.
I was wondering how come the entrance fee went from €5 last year to €7 this year (almost a 50% increase). I will definitely be there this year but I was just wondering. Do you guys have extra expenses or extra activities,..... ?
greetz,

[e-Mino]

Hi there again Dan,

Well, as you pointed out, 7 € will assure you a free entry into the convention room. If you want to see any of the large screen projections (which take place in a real cinema) you'll have to pay approx. 6 € per screening. We are thinking about reintroducing free projections in the convention room, which would then be included in the entrance ticket.

And as to the guest stars' autographs, well all you have to pay is what they charge (we don't get anything on the autographs). Some will charge 15 €, some 20 €, some 25 €, others even more (but they are rare). We always ask them to keep the prices as low as possible, but they decide on that. But we're not charging anything for queuing up to get to the guest stars.

There is indeed a cantina within the convention room which provides drinks and (simple) snacks. There are some snackbars in the neighbourhood as well.


As to perso's question, the answer is twofold. Yes, our costs have been rising over the last few years (the rent of the convention room, the guest stars, the tables, the flyers, etc.).

I would like to point out that 1. we get no funding from the state or anything, we have to earn every penny ourselves and 2. FACTS is organised by a non profit organisation, which is run by fans who do all the work for free. We're not getting paid a dime for the hundreds of hours of work we put into FACTS. So let no-one think we"re getting rich on this (on the contrary !).

Secondly, well yes, we're currently planning some extra activities and might even expand the space we"re using any further. So you should get more for your entrance money.

Best,

Emmanuel

[boomvavavoom]

20 euro for an autograph!!!??

Gotta be kidding me!!

I have FREE autographs in Essen germany!!

Amanda Connor, Jilly Palmiotto, TOny Daniel, David Finch!!

[Draco]

boomboom said:

20 euro for an autograph!!!??

Gotta be kidding me!!

I have FREE autographs in Essen germany!!

Amanda Connor, Jilly Palmiotto, TOny Daniel, David Finch!!

And how much did you pay for the entrence?

Greetz
Draco

[boomvavavoom]

well

it has been a while...

mmmm...believe somewhere between 5-10 euros....I thought it was 6 euros but I just do not remember it very clearly...

but it was no immense fee ;D

[Barney]

My guess is that would be Comic Action in Essen.

One day entrance fee for Comic Action was 10 Euro, thus double the price of what you had to pay for FACTS 2003.

Comic Action covers only the 'C' part of FACTS. And no offense, but the guests at FACTS are known to a much larger audience than the four you named there. I guess you have to be really into comics to know, whereas if you take FACTS' guest John-Rhys Davies from last year... who hàsn't seen him play in a movie yet?

I guess it's also a matter of profession. AFAIK the comic artists, or illustrators or such, always were seated separated from the actors who hand out autographs. I could be wrong, but I don't remember illustrators on FACTS asking (a lot of) money for an autograph either.

[boomvavavoom]

Serge said:

My guess is that would be Comic Action in Essen..

correct

Serge said:

Comic Action covers only the 'C' part of FACTS. And no offense, but the guests at FACTS are known to a much larger audience than the four you named there. .

you are right!!

Serge said:

I guess it's also a matter of profession. AFAIK the comic artists, or illustrators or such, always were seated separated from the actors who hand out autographs. I could be wrong, but I don't remember illustrators on FACTS asking (a lot of) money for an autograph either.

probably right...they only have superstatus in comicfan-eyes and not in 'normal' eyes... Romano at least is not charging anything, free sketches and portfolio reviews also!!

[Serenity]

Last year Marvano was supposed to come (The forever war, ...). But he never showed up... so there I was with my comics and all... Apparently he didn't come because others were charging for drawings and signatures and since he didn't charge anything, he didn't want to "steal" customers from the others... big disappointment

[Sakura]

I may have overlooked this somewhere, but on facts 2002 the entrance was free if you were a cosplayer.... does this count for facts 2004? I think it would stimulate people to enter the cosplay contest!

[Serenity]

what?
I payed last year...

[Mr. Facts]

Correct. In 2002 the entrance fee for cosplayers was half the price to stimulate people to attend facts in their best costume.

And also correct that last year the cosplayers had to pay the full price.

We'll discuss if we can make another gesture for the cosplayers this year. No promises, though.

Mr.Facts

[Mr. Facts]

Good news for the cosplayers. The F.A.C.T.S. team has decided that the entrance fee for visitors who are in costume (or make up) from feet to head wil be 4 Euro.
In case of doubt, the F.A.C.T.S team at the ticketting will have the final decision if you get this reduction or not.
Please note that we cannot control all the bags with your clothes in.
To avoid any debating, it's better to come dressed at F.A.C.T.S.

Mr. Facts

[Sakura]

WOOOUUUUWWW that's great ;D
Thanks to the facts team! You have made a great decision! Because cosplayers contribute to the whole atmosphere of the convention, and this way people will be even more encouraged to make an effort to come as a cosplayer! Thank you very much!!!!!

[Serenity]

yaaaaaaay!

That makes 6 euro extra to my budget for the weekend!

Thank you sooooo much FACTS-team!

[Draco]

That would be great indeed. And if it wouldn't come through, maybe it would an idea for next year to put on the flyer and the website there are actually costume competitions, which is for everybody, not only for some clubmembers or something. I think many people don't even know they can come as a cosplayer, just cause they don't know everybody can do it. And if it's on the flyer or something, I guess more people will do it. I would do it now if I know how I would get some clothes.

Greetz
Draco

[sennin]

this may be vague but previous year there was a stand owned by an englishman who sold signed celibrity pictures and movieposters,will that stand be at facts this year,i really hope to get some signed photo's .

[Fenicia]

Draco said:

That would be great indeed. And if it wouldn't come through, maybe it would an idea for next year to put on the flyer and the website there are actually costume competitions, which is for everybody, not only for some clubmembers or something. I think many people don't even know they can come as a cosplayer, just cause they don't know everybody can do it. And if it's on the flyer or something, I guess more people will do it. I would do it now if I know how I would get some clothes.

Greetz
Draco

I have alot of costumes for rental , just visit my site: The Mermaid and mail or phone me for an appointment.

[Max]

Hi i'm 12 year old. I wanna go to facts whit a friend but are there people from my age? I'm i to young to go to facts?

[e-Mino]

Hi,

don't worry, you'll find other people of your age (even if most of our visitors are rather between 18 and 25).

So, you're not too young to come to FACTS at all.

Best,

Emmanuel

[Mooki]

Hi all,

I would like to know how the rules are for taking "weapons" to the facts con. What I mean is can you take a katana or a gunblade to the con or does it have to be made out of cardboard?

I'll be attending a con for the first time with some friends (who have been at facts before), and I promised I would cosplay ^^;. So my Squall costume is about half-ready now. Now that I know about the reduced fee for cos-players, I'll try to convince more friends to go cos-played! ;D

[e-Mino]

Hi,

well, you can take along some weapons with you, as long as you make sure :

1) they can't hurt people. e.g. no fireweapons and/or rasor sharp blades !
2) you keep them with you at all times. Don't leave them somewhere where other people, esp. kids, could take them and hurt someone.
3) manipulate them carefully ! Even a blunt blade can hurt if thrown at someone !

And of course, any use of weapons is at your own risk. We can't be held responsible for any accidents.

Best,

Emmanuel

[leonie]

Cool!!! You have a Squall costume? I want to take some pics with you I do have a Final fantasy X-2 Songstress costume and my Yuna Gunner costume is almost finished. And I've always wanted to make a Rinoah costume!