BigSi13

I find myself thinking this all over again. I wish people would be aware of the facts before commenting. Posting jabs at the organiser is just petty and uncalled for.

sounds rather absurd now, doesn't it? Well, seeing as the Film Production Company got involved this time, I think saying it sounds rather absurb is a bit off the mark. I can't agree (even without your typo). I was always told never to make promises I can't keep. Was there a need to do the childish jibe about a typo? Grow up.

No doubt they will run the Twiathlon again at the cinema. More than likely for the DVD releases.

If not by the organisers, someone take the dvds and watch in your room?

To save you some frustration, maybe directing said frustration through direct contact via e-mail would be better? They have already "hidden" some posts that have gotten personal in name calling etc. The last thing I personally would want to see is someone try and wind you up making you more frustrated. Thanks :) Unfortunately, and I have had this myself in the past, when things go wrong there are people in this world who get a kick out of winding people up and standing back. Some things could have been expressed better when people replied, and in another thread some people were making personal name calling attacks on others as their opinion differed. These posts have been removed as it is not nice. I can see the frustration of many people, and I agree that communications could have been better, But, and this is a big but (not mine ), sometimes it is impossible to comment on contract negotiations etc. It is frustrating for both sides, but I can see how bad it can seem from a fan attending. I had hoped to come to this one, but losing my job stopped that. I can also understand the hotel situation, but in this situation I can see why some people took the "it will not be moved" announcement as final. I have seen events moved or cancelled before, and Massive Events are not alone in this situation. That is why I have always used the convention hotel as there are always cancellation possibilities. I have also seen comments about the website. But the vast majority of people who help organise the events have daytime jobs and do this as volunteers. I could go on and on as a devil's advocate seeing it at both sides, but what I want to say is not to let yourself get too frustrated or upset. Direct your frustration at trying to sort this matter out. see if you can move the hotel booking to a later date and ask them if the date changes (which it will as you do not know the official date), can you change again? I hope it works out for you, and try not to upset or frustrate yourself. Simon

I always thought they were done on a first come first serve with actual photoshoot numbers. There were 18000 people there do not forget. They process them as they come in from orders. So, I do not think it is because you are based off UK Shores.

sounds rather absurd now, doesn't it? Well, seeing as the Film Production Company got involved this time, I think saying it sounds rather absurb is a bit off the mark.

To save you some frustration, maybe directing said frustration through direct contact via e-mail would be better? They have already "hidden" some posts that have gotten personal in name calling etc. The last thing I personally would want to see is someone try and wind you up making you more frustrated.

Is there any reason why you did not use the covnention code reservation system? Or was there one not in place for this event?

ME/SM aren't liable for money you've spent with/lost from someone else. They'll offer refunds on the event tickets but not on anything else. Even thou it is their fault....Even thou it is because they said it would not change which is why I got non refundable tickets! It's a joke...I'm not having a go at anyone but I just think it is absolutely ridiculous and they should fit the bill for their mistakes! I truly do empathise with your situation. But, and this is where I am being a devils advocate, what way was the request by the film makers to not ruin the event prior to the release of The Hobbit, Part 1? I feel for both attendees and the organisers as both sets are between a rock and a hard place. As regards your reservation through LateRooms, have they said why you cannot cancel as there are others who have booked in the same way but gotten refunds?

You may well not be the only person asking for a refund due to the date change. This is also not the only event being handled at the moment. As with previous refunds, they are processed in due course. Unfortunately, patience will be a virtue both with the processing of the transaction and when the bank gives it back to you.

Or maybe they are working on it behind the scenes to see what guests would be up for it.

I just wish people would learn to differentiate between events. Yes, there are issues elsewhere, but that does not mean this event will not go forward. It is all bonkers. Instead of getting stressed, then ask a Mod like yourself a question and it will be answered. Too much scaremongering going on, and I feel for Jason & Co. Yes, by their own words they respect feedback and look to learn from mistakes made. People expect miracles. And some seem to want to ignore the fact that some things cannot be divulged until finalised. But, that is what you are here for as i have said before i have never been to a convention before and although you said maybe January before any announcements are made, others who have been to cons for years are also worried. i do not like to be made to feel stupid by others who expect people to instantly understand everything. I'm doing my best to learn how things work - that's why i post on here, but if this is how newcomers are treated i won't bother... It is unfortunate that you have taken my post reply to Queen Sindel as directed at you. It was not. Or others who are new to eventing or this forum. That is why I used the term scaremongering. There have been posters who are regular attendees at events run by Showmasters/Massive Events and others. They have unfortunately, in my eyes, left people like yourself and other newbies concerned about this event. Those posters, in my opininon, have not seen the potential impact it could have on other people. In a similar way with my post. As I did not specify who was doing the scaremongering in my post to Queen Sindel, you appear to have taken it as it was directed at newbies like yourself. I try to help new people like yourself as I was once a newbie to eventing. As I tried to point out in my prior post to Queen SIndel, I wish people would learn to differentiate between events. People who have attended events for many years will more than likely know events can change in many forms. There is a current issue with another SM/ME event, and I get the impression that some posters have taken the implications there and mirrored them to other SM/ME events. Which is very unfortunate and unfair to both the organisers and fans such as yourself who are new to the scene so to speak. Please be assured that my prior comments were not directed at you whatsoever. You should not be made to feel stupid by others comments, and anyone expecting people new to the scene to understand things straight away are out of order. We have to learn at some point, and that is why I decided to reply to your post in a rather long winded manner. I am confident that SM/ME will have many irons in the fire for this event as it was announced sometime ago, and for a themed weekend event that is new to their line up, that is rare or unheard of. Take care and ask all the questions you need to about the events. Moderators like Queen Sindel, 1of2, DavidB and Too Tall are great fountains of information as they both help at and attend the events.

So, this event was changed date wise after the film makers "made a request" to Massive Events? Kind of a no win situation for Jason & Co.

I just wish people would learn to differentiate between events. Yes, there are issues elsewhere, but that does not mean this event will not go forward. It is all bonkers. Instead of getting stressed, then ask a Mod like yourself a question and it will be answered. Too much scaremongering going on, and I feel for Jason & Co. Yes, by their own words they respect feedback and look to learn from mistakes made. People expect miracles. And some seem to want to ignore the fact that some things cannot be divulged until finalised. But, that is what you are here for

Love the fact that they had two Cosplayers..one as Data and one as a Klingon. The article called one Brent PINER and the other one WORF. Good fact checking there. Especially as they were sat outside a toilet!

Yep, thanks for posting it. Quite an informative article there. Don't understand why it's released a month after though? Did it take the author a month to type up? Unwritten 1st rule of Journalism Club - Don't talk about Journalism Club.. (couldn't resist). A good friend of mine is a reporter and she says that the unwritten rule is that unless it will jump off the page, use it as a filler piece down the line. In this case, I would say it didn't grab the journo as something ultra important, thus it took a few weeks to surface,

If you choose to believe rumours, then that may make you think it is to be cancelled. Just because another event has 9 guests already signed for the same time of year, does not mean this will not run. It means those people for the other event know they can attend, have signed contracts and returned them to Massive Events/Showmasters. For all we know, contracts could be signed or waiting to be signed by guests for this event but have not reached the organisers. As I have indicated to others, until the organiser says anything, then sit tight. Not all situations are the same.

Until they say it is cancelled then it is going ahead. Simple as. Also, people have asked on this event and others about wanting updates on what is happening or if anything is in the works etc. But, when they get mini updates, but no confirmation, they still complain. Damned if they do. Damned if they don't.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Armin many years ago, but I have never had a photo with him. Time to change that next year.

There are some 7 months to the event. Guests will be being approached and hopefully signed in due course. I could understand the worry if it was 1-2 months until the event, but it is many more months. I know other events around or after the same time, but these are guests who know their filming schedule for that period of the year and thus have decided to sign up now. As with all of the events Showmasters/Massive Events run, they will be approaching guests all the time. So, keep the faith that Jason & Mark will sign some excellent guests for what will no doubt be an excellent weekend.

Regarding the hotel, I would not take this as read until the event organisers say so. I have been to previous events organised by other event companies and have phoned up about the booking and special needs only to be told no event was booked in. However, it is a case of speaking to a member of staff who knew nothing about bookings and chose to give a simple answer without checking. I am aware of the frustration, but long time attendees of Showmasters will know of their love of everything Tolkein. They will be moving heaven and earth to make this happen.

No time of day was specified. Just Thursday was said. He has also said that he is waiting fro confirmation. It may well be frustrating, but it is not going to expedite things.

If Yvie has not been informed of any cancellation, then she is one person who would know rather than not. I have been to conventions for many years past and sometimes the wrong member of hotel staff is asked a question and they answer something you do not want to hear. Wait for Jason to say it is not going on. He is the one running it.

Chevron is on this weekend. So, probs won't see a reply for a few days