I have an idea!

[comawhite]

Right,

 

The Twilight guest thread got derailed and the other thread saying the guests suck isn't going to go anywhere nice. So I'm starting this one.

 

There's been a few good idea's regarding prop displays and cosplays and such that don't cost a dime, and after a convo with Jason last year, I know he's open to a few wacky idea's. So with a bit of urging, I'm kicking this off for creative ideas, constructive criticism and any ideas that could help boost the shows.

 

So what do you think would work? A bigger-name headliner? More variety? Better advertising? More community-based activities? More stuff?

 

My first immediate thought is the stalls. Some are amazingly good - sculptures, rare stuff, film cells, promos... but then there's the middle. No offense to any sellers on here, but I can get all that stuff in A1 or Forbidden Planet whenever I feel like it.

 

Which is a major drawback. The bulk of stuff I'd be tempted to buy is already available every other day of the week.

 

Another is advertising - a lot of people I know and have spoken to from the events found out about CMG the hard way or through word of mouth. I know it's been a touchy subject in the past, but I think that could definitely be improved and ideas from the costumed flyering to poster runs further than the usual suspects would be a big help.

[touchthesky]

I think we need a few bigger names. As much as it annoys other people I really do think a Twilight guest would pull in the punters. As with Star Trek cast that aren't just in the background of one episode kinda-thing.

 

Maybe we could have an actual cosplay area? Rather than just a sign-up desk? I know there are space issues but maybe something could be sorted out?

 

We could do with a few dealers that aren't selling the same thing.

[DavidB]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

[JacknDaniel]

All of the Glasgow shows(apart from the Xmas one) I thought were some of SM's most busy shows? Didn't they say that themselves? If that was the case in my opinion, although they say they are wanting to build it slowly, the guests should be bigger each show. The shows been going for a few years now and it's now at the point where I didn't attend last years(despite living just outside Glasgow) purely because there wasn't anyone to interest me.

 

I really think that word would spread and more people would attend if there were huge draws for the crowd.

 

Personally i'm not interested in Twilight so i'd rather see some main cast members of other films or TV shows, and preferably people who haven't been to Glasgow before. Even if I hadn't been to any of the signing events down south i'd be not too tempted to go to the Glasgow events because a lot of the guests that have been to them have been to conventions and signing events in Glasgow years ago when there were the shows in the SECC.

 

I also think that one of the problems(which has been pointed out above is the lack of variety in stalls, which is one of the things that I think could be improved if the show moved the the SECC. It would also give a lot more floor space if they wanted to get bigger names.

[MartyMichaels]

Everything I want to say's been said elsewhere, you all know me, you all know my thoughts on the matter.

[killerinc1234]

i think the prop idea is really cool - if it was possiable maybe some of the famous movie cars in key areas either on the days leading up to or on the days of con.

 

like in the centre of glasgow at the top of buchanan street - have a car there with people with leaflets. i know the king's theatre did it to advertise rocky horror show.

 

or even just in the centre of braehead to get people's interest.

 

there need to be something worth advertising so guest anncounced earlier. in my opinon the guests which really work in glasgow are horror & buffy guests.

 

i think any guests with a wide varity of work instead of just a few lines or have already been a guest in previous glasgow shows isn't a good idea (again only my thoughts on the subject).

[touchthesky]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

As a Twilight fan I'd have to say 1.

 

[comawhite]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

 

That's a tough one. The Twilight option cuts out a lot of potential visitors and is an obvious cut into budget. Sadly, Twilights popularity is high. So their fee's will be too.

 

Option B could possibly be guys from a dying or dead show, so it may be a bit risky. But I'd like to think the appeal of a few leads from various themes would be as much a draw. When I say leads, I mean the top line stars of a show. Say for BSG an Adama or Baltar etc.

 

I love Robert Picardo's work from being the Cowboy in Innerspace to his roles in Star Trek - but he was always more of a supporting role rather than a lead and even in Atlantis where he was the leader of the pack, he was still more of a background charatcher to the main team. Same goes for Tara in Buffy, who was an add-on to a popular charachter more than an appealing one herself.

 

And those two pretty much headlining on the poster kinda felt like the Justin Lee Colin's shows where he tries to get an old cast together, and the leads don't bother showing up at the end.

 

Not a knock on the guests - but I can see people shrugging off a headliner who they don't see as a headliner.

 

I also think that one of the problems(which has been pointed out above is the lack of variety in stalls, which is one of the things that I think could be improved if the show moved the the SECC. It would also give a lot more floor space if they wanted to get bigger names.

 

The SECC is a better venue, arguably - just as it's more central and better known. But with the stalls and such, are there enough people willing to hire with the costs most likely going up for rental of the venue?

 

I like kilerinc's idea with cars. I don't know why, but I do... though pricey. Think pics with the cars could cover the costs?

[Turtle]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

 

I think, to be honest, that people are just throwing 'Twilight' around because of that other thread - when I see Twilight I think "reasonably popular guest from a current interest". No doubt it would bring in the numbers, but it might also alienate a few of the regular attendees. I know I would lose interest.

 

That said, a couple of "less expensive, arguably bigger than before" guests (as you put it) would (I would think) create an even wider appeal. Whilst it may not bring in quite the numbers of a Twilight actor, it would probably be better in the long run. There would be more of a chance of pleasing a greater variety of people.

 

I would say the only reason to move away from Braehead is if Showmasters continue to have problems with them... I know it's been said that a lot of issues have been ironed out, but that's been said in the past too. Then Braehead change their minds.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Turtle

[Ravenshayde]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

 

I'd rather go with the second to be honest. If a Twilight guest was announced, I probably wouldn't bother going as you guys would have no money left to book anyone else decent and it's bad enough having Twilight shoved down my throat at every street corner as it is.

[Tanith]

I would rather go for the 2nd aswell. We don't need a big expensive name straight away but I would like to see a progression of moving onto the big names. As it stands most guests have been around the same level at every Glasgow con and we have even had repeats.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Tanith

[ann+sara+emma+dani]

 

I'd rather go with the second to be honest. If a Twilight guest was announced, I probably wouldn't bother going as you guys would have no money left to book anyone else decent and it's bad enough having Twilight shoved down my throat at every street corner as it is.

 

^ Ditto.

 

 

Also, advertising is a key element. The show needs promotion desperately. If this means getting help from us forum members, then so be it. I'd even be willing to flyer in costume if needs be...

Edited March 17, 2010 by ann+sara+emma+dani

[vampiric_kitten]

Just out of curiosity, if people had a choice:

 

1) A Twilight guest, which would eat into the budget a lot, but aim to bring in a lot of attendees.

 

or

 

2) A couple of less expensive guests (but arguably 'bigger' than ones in recent lineups) with a wider appeal.

 

What would people prefer?

I'd go with the second one, a twilight star might draw in the crowds of teenage girls but it would put alot of other people off going. A few more well known names would attract a wider audience. Saying that I still think a smaller twilight guest would still appeal to quite alot of people just because the Twilight name itself is so big right now.

 

I definately think advertising needs to be better. More widespread and more of it. I'm more than happy to help with flyers etc around Glasgow if needed.

[Galaxy-Song]

I loved Robert Picardo last year, he made my day:) I couldn't stop grinning when I met him, he asked how could I posibly be happy when the world was ina economic crisis, I just grinned harder. I would always think he was main charactor in STV.

 

More things to do would be good, at LFCC I loved the drawing area but space would probaly be a problem.

 

I remember there being props last year that was fun:)

[Reverend Scapegoat]

I was actually just coming here to post something that occurred to me today - Might as well put it in this thread.

 

My mantra, as most of you know, is "The con needs to be fun".

You've mentioned that just being able to buy stuff ain't too much of a draw - Especially not in the age of Play.com and eBay.

 

The prop display seemed to go down a treat last year - So, Jason et al, can I ask:

 

 

The large double doors behind where we had the prop/costume display - Just inside those was a large "greenroom" area, with sofas and such.

Lights off, totally unused.

 

Would it be possible to utilise that space somehow?

It's not costing any extra cash - In effect you're paying for it anyway even if it's empty, so let us do something cool.

 

What?

How about we set up a couple of PS3s or XBoxes and run Aliens Vs Predator, or Rock Band?

We keep the prop/costume display as well, but move it slightly so it provides an entrance to the room, and continues inside.

 

The space could be used for any number of cool things - Cosplay workshops, fanfilm screenings, art tables... Even something as silly as a big whiteboard! - Anyone else got any ideas?

 

Jason - I think something like that would be a great addition to Collectormania, so if you could please let me know your thoughts on it, I'd be grateful!

 

 

Also, been looking at some potential venues for a Saturday party, and one obvious option I need input from you on is - I could hire the function suite of whatever hotel you and the crew are staying at.

Or if you can't/won't share that info - Punters, where y'all planning to stay?

Wherever the highest concentration of CM-goers is gonna be, I can see how the costs compare to the likes of Twisted Wheel or Sleazy's etc.

[Reverend Scapegoat]

Ooh! Zombie workshop :)

[comawhite]

Also, advertising is a key element. The show needs promotion desperately. If this means getting help from us forum members, then so be it. I'd even be willing to flyer in costume if needs be...

 

Yes! It's this kind of thing I was hoping to discuss more than the guest line up - lets face facts... guest line ups are expensive. Thats a money issue. If the last event was as good as the J-Man said, that's great. But it would be good to boost it some more and the first step is advertising.

 

I really dig the idea of doing a costumed flyer run. Instantly you draw attention and with the right personalities, it can be quite fun. It may draw very few people, but it may bring attention to a lot of people who are missing the posters that are up (like I did!).

 

As I've barely seen any posters - an extensive poster run through Glasgow might work. I've only done when doing the Gathering - but we'd do pretty much every non-chain shop in Glasgow city centre and surrounding areas and 90% would accept them blindly which helped a lot.

 

Thats the very basic stuff when it comes to advertising locally, but it's worked extremely well and is the cheapest way to get the name out there.

 

Could the posters maybe be more eye catching? Maybe emphasise more than just the guests and show that theres more going on with a glance?

 

I loved Robert Picardo last year, he made my day:) I couldn't stop grinning when I met him, he asked how could I posibly be happy when the world was ina economic crisis, I just grinned harder. I would always think he was main charactor in STV.

 

Robert Picardo just amused me for the outfit That was great in itself.

 

More things to do would be good, at LFCC I loved the drawing area but space would probaly be a problem.

 

What was the drawing area in LFCC?

 

What?

How about we set up a couple of PS3s or XBoxes and run Aliens Vs Predator, or Rock Band?

We keep the prop/costume display as well, but move it slightly so it provides an entrance to the room, and continues inside.

 

The space could be used for any number of cool things - Cosplay workshops, fanfilm screenings, art tables... Even something as silly as a big whiteboard! - Anyone else got any ideas?

 

The Rockband/games idea.... not my thing, but geeks in general love games. So that might be a hit. Is there any way to do a tournament on modern games? The last thing I played was Quake - aside from Raw v Smackdown, and I was bored as soon as I'd made myself

 

I like the idea of a prop room... it does make me think of the Doctor Who exhibition, with the TARDIS outside and cooler stuff inside. Do you think theres anything worth charging entry into the room for? Or would thta be a step too far? (money making ideas... might generate some extra cash for the success of it all).

 

Screenings could be good too, but are there any fan films that would make people watch? Or webisode type stuff that could be added?

 

Cosplay... thats one that gets me.

 

The word is a little... well... it reminds me of little girls pretending to be obscure Japanese characters no ones heard of. I might be (probably am) in the minority, but for a smaller event like this one would a more basic term like 'costume competition' work at all? I'm not sure - either way it might seem daunting to wander around an area of Glasgow dressed up (though surprisingly no one seemed to notice when I popped out to HMV)... but it's just a thought.

 

Also - would it be an idea to make the cosplay sign up thing more noticable? I never saw it - and if I hadn't been here before hand I'd have no idea it was on.

[touchthesky]

The drawin area was just an area of tables where folk learned to draw anime characters and such. I never went but I passed a few times.

 

I don't think I saw the cosplay sign either lol. I only ended up entering because of a certain someone *glares*

[MartyMichaels]

I like the idea of a bigger and better props display - mostly cause I have some stuff I could contribute to said display if you like.

 

I'm with CW all the way on the cosplay thing. "Cosplay Masquerade" is what it says on the website and that's gonna have people either scratching their heads or keeping well away from the imagined furries. "Costme Contest" is much more generic and much more accurate.

 

As for fanfilms, the only stuff I can think of worth a look is Sandy Corolla's stuff and any nerd worth his salt's seen them already. I did see some interesting "pre-make" trailers and some nice short films recently, so instead of screenings as much how about a loop of shorts playing continually?

 

Video games are always good. Set up tournaments with a free auto at the end (someone good, no Jawas) and watch those thumbs fly. Not Rock Band though, something good. Tekken and Street Fighter tournaments are never dull, and even the most newbish or newbs can button mash their way though a round or two. If you really wanna be cool, I can bring my SNES and we can have old school Street Fighter tournaments.

 

Flyering - good idea. Flyering in costume - great idea. But like I said before when this subject came up, I have other stuff on at the weekends... That said, this new attitude of comradeship on the forums has gone someway towards warming my icy heart, so I could be convinced. It'd be nice seeing everyone again!

 

Here's an idea: business cards. You can get them made up on machines in most shopping centres, or if anyone can get decent ones made that'd be better. What we do is we get a bunch of business cards and give 'em to the costumed guys - me, CW, Raven, Vicky, Scrapey, Coco, Kiddo and the rest. They've got the forum name and URL on them and we give 'em to people that we don't know. I saw a ton of people in costume last year that weren't forumites (the Joker and Harley duo for example, though I do keep in contact with them) and the more opinions we collect, the better an idea of what people like and don't like about the show Jason and the team get. Just an idea.

 

Anyway, we now return you to your regularly scheduled flamewar.

 

[killerinc1234]

for the fanfilms why not ask the local uni/colleges to sumit short vids/animation meeting a certain style/age range that way it wont cost money in copyright to show them if they are promoting themselves.

 

dropping leaflets and posters at colleges/uni would also be a way to reach an larger audience

[Reverend Scapegoat]

I chatted to Turkfox last night, and the general feeling from the folk who ran last year's costume competition ( I agree, that's a better term to bring in non-scene-folk ) that the table - Much as it was one of the first things folk passed - wasn't visible enough and the signup desk would be better placed in the main hall.

 

I think if we get the room I have in mind, we can make it VERY visible, and possibly even have a presence for them in there as well - As I said, workshops and the like.

 

Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable charging money for folk to simply look at my prop collection.

The reason I have it is so I can show it to people - the most I'd maybe do is get a donations can from Children In Need or similar and ask folk to stick some change in it if they want to actually handle the props for photos...

Edited March 18, 2010 by Reverend Scapegoat

[MartyMichaels]

I chatted to Turkfox last night, and the general feeling from the folk who ran last year's costume competition ( I agree, that's a better term to bring in non-scene-folk ) that the table - Much as it was one of the first things folk passed - wasn't visible enough and the signup desk would be better placed in the main hall.

The positioning of the table was fine - in fact it was in a primo spot. What was missing was a huge ass banner saying COSTUME CONTEST REGISTRATION. Heck, even a couple of A2 peices of paper would've done the job.

[Too Tall]

I chatted to Turkfox last night, and the general feeling from the folk who ran last year's costume competition ( I agree, that's a better term to bring in non-scene-folk ) that the table - Much as it was one of the first things folk passed - wasn't visible enough and the signup desk would be better placed in the main hall.

The positioning of the table was fine - in fact it was in a primo spot. What was missing was a huge ass banner saying COSTUME CONTEST REGISTRATION. Heck, even a couple of A2 peices of paper would've done the job.

I can bringing three A3 sheets next time, with COSTUME, CONTEST and REGISTRATION on them if you think it'll help.

[TurkFox]

Guys, you've basically changed the name without even asking me. Maybe let me think about it before you start advertising it under a different name?

[Too Tall]

Guys, you've basically changed the name without even asking me. Maybe let me think about it before you start advertising it under a different name?

Ruth, sorry that was not my intention and I'm sure it was not Marty's either. He's just made a suggestion on a rename. I was purely suggesting I could help with a sign, the name on the sign wasn't the point, just offering to create the sign was.