Comments

[DavidB]

I really only want to say one thing - please try not to argue with each other over who's right and who's wrong and attacking each other.

 

SOME people had a great time. That doesn't make them SM apologists or whatever. They just genuinely did.

 

OTHER people had the worst time in their life. That doesn't make them evil or trolls. We all know that things went wrong, and hopefully in time Jason will come and address them but that won't happen straight away. SM do need to look at everything and take it all in before commenting on it, which I think is the most sensible way to approach it. So do know you're not being ignored :)

 

So please, whether good or bad feedback, there's really no need to cause arguments amongst yourselves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on their own experience.

 

Thank you.

[Lenasbitch92]

And I met lena three times so I had a great time woooo but I didn't meet you I didn't see you at all yesterday

[MrsEllacott]

Thank you for writing this David! I will admit I am arguing back because I am annoyed that I am being made to feel guilty for having an amazing time and for genuinely only having positive things to say about this weekend!

[Salemzorro]

Good point, I just hope that Showmasters take on many of the suggestions being out forward to make the Con better for both the public & the staff.

 

Fans want to attend a well run convention with great guests, talks and displays of course. It also needs good communication, space to move & to shop, clearly defined waiting areas, easy entry throughout the event, places to relax & buy refreshments all while feeling safe. I really don't think this is too much to ask for.

[cropsy2008]

I myself and those with me had a pretty good time but i met loads who we're having a nightmare so i'm kinda in the middle with it all. We are all the same though so certainly won't argue with anyone. Some better thought and planning for next year(Don't scale the event back just get a bigger venue) and all will be fine.

[farmer]

I think some of the people giving praise and adulation had the expensive passes.

 

Thus they were able to see and do far more things, and therefore had a completely different experience than the 'average punter'.

 

It's a little misleading when they start arguing that it was wonderful, and that everybody is just moaning for the sake of it.

 

Although some pass holders seemingly had an equally bad time too...

[Lenasbitch92]

I think some of the people giving praise and adulation had the expensive passes.

 

Thus they were able to see and do far more things, and therefore had a completely different experience than the 'average punter'.

 

It's a little misleading when they start arguing that it was wonderful, and that everybody is just moaning for the sake of it.

 

Although some pass holders seemingly had an equally bad time too...

I only had a standard ticket and I had a great time

[touchthesky]

My weekend wasn't tainted too much. My only issue was our friend was waiting outside for 4 hours and never got in and he ended up leaving. We daren't leave the court to go see him as we had heard rumours they weren't letting folk back in!!

I am sad that a lot of people had such an awful time, and I do hope that Jason etc can come up with a reasonable response to the problems. I beg you, guys, DONT come at this all defensive. People are angry. They aren't going to respond well to an angry post from showmasters.

 

If LFCC is going to become bigger, why not offer ticket packages? No more pay on the day. If people want to meet someone they will know about it beforehand. Surely? Advertise more, and sooner.

The internet is a massive tool. Use it.

[farmer]

I think some of the people giving praise and adulation had the expensive passes. (except Lenasbitch92 who had a standard ticket)

 

I edited my comment just for you

[Hapfairy]

Thanks for this response, David!

[MrsEllacott]

 

I think some of the people giving praise and adulation had the expensive passes. (except Lenasbitch92 who had a standard ticket)

 

I edited my comment just for you

 

 

Nope I could never afford those passes!

[AxelV]

Totally agree. If they come on and comment without addressing it fully people will jump on them like hounds so it's definitely best to take time, look at all areas and only THEN comment.

[discodiva]

I really only want to say one thing - please try not to argue with each other over who's right and who's wrong and attacking each other.

 

SOME people had a great time. That doesn't make them SM apologists or whatever. They just genuinely did.

 

OTHER people had the worst time in their life. That doesn't make them evil or trolls. We all know that things went wrong, and hopefully in time Jason will come and address them but that won't happen straight away. SM do need to look at everything and take it all in before commenting on it, which I think is the most sensible way to approach it. So do know you're not being ignored :)

 

So please, whether good or bad feedback, there's really no need to cause arguments amongst yourselves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on their own experience.

 

Thank you.

Thank you for a decent response....and for admitting that things have gone wrong....hope you don't mind I screencapped that....it's nice to have someone admit something in the correct manner on here....I appreciate it.....

 

 

I am sure we will get some answers.....please if you have any influence over the organisers, the Health and Safety aspect of Saturday needs to be addressed urgently....

[DavidB]

It won't just be feedback from attendees but also from the crew who experienced how things went too. So there will be many comments fed back to those in charge, and all of these will be taken on board in various ways. But yes, like some people have said, it's better to take a little time to assess things and then respond.

[MissShell]

Apart from the things I've mentioned in other threads, I genuinely had a good time and every single guest I met was lovely, especially Kate Dickie, she was a sweetheart. I'm just very concerned from a health and safety perspective and I really do hope that the comments are acknowledged in the proper way

[RedSimon13]

I really only want to say one thing - please try not to argue with each other over who's right and who's wrong and attacking each other.

 

SOME people had a great time. That doesn't make them SM apologists or whatever. They just genuinely did.

 

OTHER people had the worst time in their life. That doesn't make them evil or trolls. We all know that things went wrong, and hopefully in time Jason will come and address them but that won't happen straight away. SM do need to look at everything and take it all in before commenting on it, which I think is the most sensible way to approach it. So do know you're not being ignored :)

 

So please, whether good or bad feedback, there's really no need to cause arguments amongst yourselves. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on their own experience.

 

Thank you.

Good on you David. It is obviously a hard balancing act, and also the same goes for Moderators on here. Classy statement from you.

[stevie_g]

Saturday was just like newcastle film and comic con but on an even bigger scale in terms of queues, demand and issues of people being like sardines. Actually it was worse but there were similarities. I generally had a good time but the atmosphere wasn't as much fun because of everyone being wound up. I really enjoy these events so I hope things are seriously looked at.

 

They guy running photoshoot A on sunday for stan lee did a great job, full of praise for him. Unfortunately he had to try to be heard over the YALC talk going on and that must have been difficult. So give these guys a megaphone or a mic or something.

 

The photoshoot layout was wacky. C's queue meshed with autograph queues, and rather than following D, E was the other side of the hall, so it went A,B,C,D,F then E right off into the distance. This confused a lot of people.

 

Some of the congestion might have been eased a bit if space was better used. The drawing tables, and big cardboard standees for turtles and transformers took up a lot of useable room. I know a lot of people like to draw at cons but maybe those could have gone in brompton hall?

 

You need to buy rope for queues inside, and hire barriers for outside. And handle the ouside queues more. I almost accidentally queue jumped myself on sunday because I thought I reached the end of the queue till a woman yelled at me (I can't say I blame her but it was an honest mistake).

 

Signpost everything better. Better visibility and more of it. Not just at the stations themselves but more 'this way to' signs.

 

Your crew work extremely hard. Give them all the info they need. I felt bad for them this weekend.

 

Don't promise things we aren't getting; apparently the game of thrones talk's special guest was a pinata (a practical joke on the audience is fine if it is free but not if it's paid) same goes for the comic awards. People understood it to be an evening celebrating comics with guests. It only ran an hour and thank god for Antony Head, he really should be greatly praised for making it entertaining. I kind of feel bad for the people organising, they probably had grander hopes for it too, but for everyone who spent 20 quid on it, we were a little shocked at the brevity of it.

 

Trailer fest was only 3 looped trailers. Though in all honesty I was glad of the seat.

 

The programme raffle was a bit off. Maybe in each programme there should have been a detachable number than upon purchase you put that number into the hat. The programme itself was really nicely put together.

 

I enjoyed the talks, Stan Lee knocked it out of the park. Although at first we almost didnt get in as we were told it was over capacity in the building.

 

Loved the greenscreen photos. Keep em coming.

 

Same goes for the old arcade machines. These were super popular (especially the star wars one) so please, please bring them back.

 

Over all I had a good time but in some cases small revisions on showmasters part could have really helped. So I am hopeful that these will be seriously taken into account.

Edited July 14, 2014 by stevie_g

[Wall_E]

I loves it all, I just want to hear something about the raffle program's. Nothing has been mentioned anywhere about them

[eccheetham]

I was at LFCC on Saturday i had a good time. showmaster really outdid themselves on the guests. I loved meeting Philip grieve, David Wenham, Adam Brown and Anthony head and my friend also met T.J.Thyne who was generous enough to give gifts to all the fans that met him. there were plenty of dealers stalls some regular and some new which was good to see. overall I had a good day.

my only bed comment would be the SHERE number of people in the building mad it feel like you were in a sauna all day so maybe we might need a bigger venue or less people to be aloud in the building next time. It seemed on 1 or 2 occasions like a bit of a health and safety risk as my and my friend almost got crushed and felt rather faint form the heat a couple of times.

Overall good day.

definitely glad I pre bough tickets so only had a half hour wait to get in.

p.s. was a tad disappointed there was no LOTR/hobbit talk on Saturday (was only able to attend for 1 day) really wanted to see one.

Edited July 14, 2014 by stargate geek emily

[Starbuck17]

Saturday was just like newcastle film and comic con but on an even bigger scale in terms of queues, demand and issues of people being like sardines. Actually it was worse but there were similarities. I generally had a good time but the atmosphere wasn't as much fun because of everyone being wound up. I really enjoy these events so I hope things are seriously looked at.

 

They guy running photoshoot A on sunday for stan lee did a great job, full of praise for him. Unfortunately he had to try to be heard over the YALC talk going on and that must have been difficult. So give these guys a megaphone or a mic or something.

 

The photoshoot layout was wacky. C's queue meshed with autograph queues, and rather than following D, E was the other side of the hall, so it went A,B,C,D,F then E right off into the distance. This confused a lot of people.

 

Some of the congestion might have been eased a bit if space was better used. The drawing tables, and big cardboard standees for turtles and transformers took up a lot of useable room. I know a lot of people like to draw at cons but maybe those could have gone in brompton hall?

 

You need to buy rope for queues inside, and hire barriers for outside. And handle the ouside queues more. I almost accidentally queue jumped myself on sunday because I thought I reached the end of the queue till a woman yelled at me (I can't say I blame her but it was an honest mistake).

 

Signpost everything better. Better visibility and more of it. Not just at the stations themselves but more 'this way to' signs.

 

Your crew work extremely hard. Give them all the info they need. I felt bad for them this weekend.

 

Don't promise things we aren't getting; apparently the game of thrones talk's special guest was a pinata (a practical joke on the audience is fine if it is free but not if it's paid) same goes for the comic awards. People understood it to be an evening celebrating comics with guests. It only ran an hour and thank god for Antony Head, he really should be greatly praised for making it entertaining. I kind of feel bad for the people organising, they probably had grander hopes for it too, but for everyone who spent 20 quid on it, we were a little shocked at the brevity of it.

 

Trailer fest was only 3 looped trailers. Though in all honesty I was glad of the seat.

 

The programme raffle was a bit off. Maybe in each programme there should have been a detachable number than upon purchase you put that number into the hat. The programme itself was really nicely put together.

 

I enjoyed the talks, Stan Lee knocked it out of the park. Although at first we almost didnt get in as we were told it was over capacity in the building.

 

Loved the greenscreen photos. Keep em coming.

 

Same goes for the old arcade machines. These were super popular (especially the star wars one) so please, please bring them back.

 

Over all I had a good time but in some cases small revisions on showmasters part could have really helped. So I am hopeful that these will be seriously taken into account.

 

Ah the comic book awards. I shall never forget them : p

[LadyDeTemps]

Well I think I'm in neither the worst ever or best ever camp. I try to take adversity as an adventure rather than a chore as I'm used to things always going wrong. I had some nice chats and met a few people in the queues that helped them pass without any boredom. Didn't even take my crochet out to do.
It was my first time. I had no expectations. I didn't want to overstretch myself so booked earlybird and only one photoshoot ticket.
I arrived about 9.20am just in time to hear someone shout out prepay and directions. So we walked and walked and walked fearing we would join a very long queue only to find a relatively short prepay queue. Got in by about 10am, then queued for 2 hours in what we hoped was the correct queue to get talk tickets. In reference to this can I suggest signs on poles so it can be seen above peoples heads from the back of the queue.
I had money all ready so only took a few mins to get tickets. then had time to wander around, wish I'd known to get autos before standard got let in…but that leaves me something to do next time. We nearly accidentally joined the auto queues a few times as there was no clear lanes roped off or anything and the moment you paused to find your bearings a queue formed behind you. lol!
All was going fine until we wanted to get out with so many people getting in there was a bit of a blockage by the stalls. Couldn't got forward or back. Fortunately I'd allowed plenty of time (as I have no sense of direction and generally get lost in big venues) and made it out and got into Brompton hall without any fuss. Had to get my hand stamped again because I'd sweated the original off. :/ (I'd prefer wristbands or lanyards instead).
Managed to sweep round and familiarise myself with layout before loitering by the batmobile I noticed the sherlock queue start to form and quickly joined it.
Got a nice seat…although there was a lack of elbowroom. Everytime I put my hand up for the Q&A I feared I'd knock the person next to me out. lol!
Now the only problem I had was getting from EC1 over to EC2 through all the crowds - progress was very slow - and locating the photoshoot area I needed. Then I had no idea if I needed to queue up or what. We asked the crew member near the area and she soon informed us they weren't doing it in number order(?) and we were rushed in I didn't even get time to worry about how I looked. Paul Mcgann was a real gem. And put me at my ease. Now I have my photo with the real 8th doctor (my fave). Kudos to the photographer you did the impossible you actually got a photo of me with my eyes open and I got portrait pic I wanted without even having to ask.
Bonus!
Then it was a shuffle outside for group dr who shoot. Which was cool. And a chance for me to get fresh air and eat some lunch.
Then we headed back over to EC1 I went to join cosplay masquerade and my cousin went to go play the arcade games. I wasn't sure where I was supposed to be going but hoped that the crew at the stage would be able to help. Found a handful of others who were also there we were soon whisked away to the right place. The girls running the cosplay masquerade were well organised and helpful. Great for a newbie to it all like me.
Then afterwards I was in perfect place to queue again for dr who talk. Which was really good despite a few microphone issues. Then after that was planning to get autographs (hoping it would be quieter) but found out after joining the queue for autos that there was no VT left? this wasn't clear or else we wouldn't have bothered to queue. Again I think a clear sign up high would have helped.
After that we had last look round stalls before heading home.
So didn't get any autographs I originally intended to get but I did get to do all I'd prebooked/paid for…so on the whole it was a success.

 

apologies for the essay.

[bellymctubs]

It was my first time at a con... on Saturday, the sheer amount of people was a bit overwhelming to start with! But then I got stuck in during the afternoon and on Sunday and had a great time! David Hewlett has to be one of the nicest people I've ever met! Finn Jones and Gethin Anthony were great too! Really please I came.

Having seen some people's complaints though about not knowing where different things were, which guests had cancelled etc, I realised that a lot of that info. was limited to only being on this forum from what I could see. Perhaps having fairly basic info. like the layout and cancellations on the main website and social networks would reach a lot more people.

[DavidB]

I spent 14 hours a day over the past couple of weeks at least passing on every single piece of information on Twitter, so I've certainly been trying. I agree more things need to be clear on the website itself though.

[Starbuck17]

One thing I think would really help (Something LadyDeTemps touched on) is more signage especailly for the photo areas. For the autographs it was great because I could see the pictures of guests above the crowds and was able to head in that direction. I struggled to find the photoshoot area despite looking at the map. If the letters had been higher up I would have seen it and known where I was going.

[Lando_Cal]

I had a great time, met everyone I wanted to and even had time to spare. I know that SM did mess up on a few things but it must be stressful for them. Me personally I didn't queue for any photoshoots because i ordered them. For me I am prepared and I always see the people I want to. A lot of the complaints are from SM but I have no complaints really, I mean it was hot and they could have fans but besides that it was AMAZING!!! Also some of the complaints seem that it is down to organisation.