OverGeek

Absolutely fantastic idea, this has so much potential to it, you could add so many different formats to have a full list of guests even if it's not all main stars it would still be incredible. As suggested even beyond the many stars that have appeared in the series, I think almost any hard core Potter fan would love to meet the people behind the scenes, especially the fx department who brought so many different creatures to life as well as create the backdrops that made the magical world feel so real. And thinking away from the actual movie franchise, I obviously began life as a book so you could bring in the artists who created the fantastic covers as well as the different scenes in the Pottermore website and why not bring in an audiobook reader too. Also next year will begin the theatre production of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, so why not bring in some of the talent who worked on that. Another possibility could be for actual props, set pieces and maybe even a vehicle or two to be put on display. The arena (or hall) could be decorated to look like Hogwarts as well as a few other choice locations in the wizarding world and of course it wouldn't be complete without some of the foods, sweets and drinks made famous in the books. This is the kind of event if done right would bring in a huge crowd and could potentially be ShowMasters greatest convention yet. Though only if done correctly, us Potterheads expect greatness from our fandom and purely relying on a few big guests to make the show wouldn't cut it. If ShowMasters goes for this, they should bring their A game to ensure every little detail is thought through I would happily go to this even if it's an event style convention which I typically avoid, for Harry Potter I would definitely go without doubt.

I've made a dedicated post for photos and videos of peoples personal experience as well as one of the masquerade and a music video done on the Sunday, still hunting out any for Saturday too though I'll post as soon as I do unless someone else uploads one.

Sunday 23rd Masquerade Cosplay Music Video (filmed on the Sunday)

This event we have is hugely popular so why are so many keen to change it? I say keep it as it is and where it is and you could expand in one of two possibilities: 1. Create another similar event at a different time of the year. I know this was tried before some time ago and was a dismal failure though obviously the popularity of the event is far greater than it's ever been, now is a good time when so many are looking for more from this event. 2. Have a second larger event as well as this event. I think this option is the best choice as it gives a best of both worlds choice for people who might like to keep to one event over the other and plenty I'm.sure who'll happily attend both.

Not really the forum for next year can get posted up anytime after the previous years con is done really, there doesn't need to be any guest announcements yet, we can always do a pretty good job of filling these up with loads of different discussions, have to say I always think it's great that for a smaller convention we have one of the biggest communities.

Yep that's exactly what I'm saying, best of both worlds. I like that you can chat for longer in this event with guests, you don't get that with bigger conventions.

Have to say I was totally blown away at the high quality of cosplays on display this year. I have a bad habit of thinking up great ideas but leaving it too late, so I am making a big effort to up my game and already have a epic idea that's totally different to anything I've done before, looking forward to next year already!

Don't get me wrong I would hope this show stays as it is, nothing is stopping ShowMasters making a bigger venue separate from this one.

Yeah, that's why some need advanced notice to make sure they can provide you with a suitable scooter. My wife has Psoriatic Arthritis so I can totally relate to your situation.

It's actually illegal for venues to not provide disability access, this includes providing wheelchairs, mobility scooters should also be available though they sometimes need advanced notice. There's also plenty of services that hire out scooters as well as transport services for those with disability/ limited mobility. It's well worth checking out what your options are and if your unsure never be afraid to ask, disability / limited mobility should never mean you have to miss out.

Anyone take a video of the cosplay competition on either/both days? If so feel free to link them here or on the photo/video page i made. So far no I've had no luck trying to track down any, a problem I knew would occur since the change of names and so many other similar named events.

Photos from Saturday 22nd http://s934.photobucket.com/user/Brian_Cairns/library/

Feel free to share all the pictures and any videos you take of your day on here thanks. I'll endeavour to post up any I can find too.

I want one lol

Hope everyone enjoys the event, especially all the first timers I hope our wee show can bring a smile and you find something geeky to take back home.

I can understand ShowMasters not taking the jump to a bigger venue until they know for sure it's a viable option, obviously arenas like Hydro cost a lot more, so they would need to ensure that it's worth the risk. The geek culture in Glasgow has been growing very strongly in these past few years though as I'm sure it's not gone unnoticed that more and more people know of and go to this event. I'm really hoping GFCC sells out this year to really show how much more interest in these things there is in Glasgow.

As long as it doesn't fire any actual rounds (even soft bullets) and your gun looks like a prop (doesn't look real) you'll be perfectly fine.

I love that twist of two characters, I have an idea that combines two characters too (one just so happens to be Joker) though doubt it'll be done in time for this event unfortunately.

It's always why I have so much fun as a zombie, you have the perfect excuse to be frightening and unsavoury. Keeping in character is always the best way to deal with those people. Had some weird encounters and unusual requests but nothing too major.

Yeah I understand the cheating aspect and I can agree with it to an extent though your sacrificing those who wish to "play" properly and as such cheating the honest people out of what should be the final bid, I would say more controls are needed in how the bidding processes is dealt with. The way it's being run at the moment I think most people, myself included don't really bother with the written down bid as like I say it's irrelevant, so if that runs things fairer then simply change the name and take out the whole written down, seems like this would be the easiest option. I just like to see things run fairly one way or the other and to call things as they are to stop any confusion. This isn't getting at anyone or trying to start an argument in any way, just saying it like I see it.

Wouldn't it save more time to the actual auction part to NOT add bids though I that was the case? The written down aspect happens throughout the day in a separate area from the auction stage so it's really not affected one way or the other on how busy the crowds are. I see no potential for time saving by ADDING more bids onto the final bid you have written down in front of you, it shouldn't really be that big a deal to run the thing right, it's too make more money for the event itself pure and simple!

I always think it's more of a logistics thing, since there isn't many other events or other work they might be involved in that's around the area, it simply makes sense to keep a schedule that doesn't mean too much long distance travelling that and I don't think Glasgow gets a hard sell quite like the bigger shows, the bigger the name the more people they would expect to show and those kinds of numbers only really happen with a much bigger area. I think all the shows would work much better with a specific team focused on that event and no other, also trained staff for each event would make a massive difference instead of volunteers. There's a lot of things that could definitely push these events to be a whole different level, though obviously cost is a huge factor in that.

Just to add onto the tips, once you have paid to get in you should get a stamp on your hand/arm you can now go in and out the event area without standing in lines (just skip past to the front and show your stamp)

"What's the weirdest thing you've ever done?" Typically gets some great responses.

Well as someone else says, if you have a bid written down it makes it totally irrelevant if you can just be outbid by someone else who didn't write down a bid. The clue is in the silent part, this is meant to be a fun thing, but the folk who run it always try and get more money for something that's "too much of a bargain". It's not an outbid auction it's a silent auction with the highest bid winning even if that's just a penny!