Do you want more?

[zebredy]

I wanted to know what people really think about all these new conventions that showmasters are proposing.

 

IMO I think there are enough as it is, and I always hear people saying on here why so many, why are you adding more cause we can't make all of them as it is (I know they don't have too)

 

But already we have seen one con fold because people were not given enough notice to book time off and there was not enough time to get guests for that con etc, and another SW one had its dates changed and now another signing event has been put back to summer 09, but if loads more keep being added each year, will the quality still be there, and will any others be cancelled, or have there dates changed almost last minute.

 

I hope showmasters do really well, this isn't meant as a put down I'm just curious to see what people think. I would love there to be a con based on every show that’s out there, but that’s a little impossible especially as there are 100's of great shows out there and even if you combined a lot of them it would still probably fill every weekend (yep know that’s not what there doing)

 

So please be honest, and don't just come on here to rip my post to shreds I am looking for constructive answers and what people really thing about it all, even if you are happy with the way things are I want to hear what you got to say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

[nicky]

I always hear people saying on here why so many, why are you adding more cause we can't make all of them as it is (I know they don't have too)

 

You wanted honesty, you got it. It's the same with people saying, "pls stop getting such great guests for this con! I cant afford to meet them all".

 

You said it yourself, they dont have to attend. Some of us would love more guests/cons if it meant meeting more actors etc that we like. Why should we lose out when SM are prepared to get the guests/cons just cos some people can't make it or dont have the money??? There are plenty more people who do. If people dont have the money or cant make it then it's their problem, the cons are planned in advance and they have the dates so those fans need to start working towards being able to go and save up etc.

 

Other than that a con for a specific show would be good like Alien if it's to mark an event like 30 anniversary. I only ever do MK, LFCC and Midlands anwyay at the moment.

Edited August 19, 2008 by nicky

[zebredy]

I always hear people saying on here why so many, why are you adding more cause we can't make all of them as it is (I know they don't have too)

 

You wanted honesty, you got it. It's the same with people saying, "pls stop getting such great guests for this con! I cant afford to meet them all".

 

You said it yourself, they dont have to attend. Some of us would love more guests/cons if it meant meeting more actors etc that we like. Why should we lose out when SM are prepared to get the guests/cons just cos some people can't make it or dont have the money??? There are plenty more people who do. If people dont have the money or cant make it then it's their problem, the cons are planned in advance and they have the dates so those fans need to start working towards being able to go and save up etc.

 

Other than that a con for a specific show would be good like Alien if it's to mark an event like 30 anniversary. I only ever do MK, LFCC and Midlands anwyay at the moment.

 

Yeah but is it a good thing, when cons keep getting moved or cancelled, does that mean there are to many already. And with extra added how can you guarantee the quality, if there are say 3/4 cons right next to each other. How will Showmasters find the time for them all plus the amount of guests that people are used to seeing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

[Queen_Sindel]

Showmasters have explained why Chevron 7.2 and Manchester were moved - exactly to secure what you are worrying about: good guests.

 

What's so bad about that? Would you rather have an event with only 5 repeat guests? A convention being moved doesn't automatically mean there's too many events.

 

Plus the weekend shows like Chevron 7.2, The Hub etc. do not have the amount of guests that Collectormania or LFACC have. So I really don't see a problem with those.

 

I'm very much with Nicky on your general questions. The majority of people can't make all shows. Actually I am rather sure only the majority could even if they wanted.

 

Not everybody likes all of those specialised events focussing on one theme only. I have attended Chevron 7 and Lockdown and am booked for Chevron 7.2. However, I have no interest in Torchwood, Heroes or Twilight. Which is a good thing, cause yes, I couldn't afford everything anyway.

 

But as nicky has said, why should others lose out because I can't attend something? There's still plenty of people who will come, out of different reasons. My main focus is Stargate, so if I'd be forced to decide between (hypothetically speaking) Lockdown 2 and Chevron 7.3, my choice would be Chevron 7.3. Others would decide on Lockdown if they'd be forced to make that choice.

[DavidB]

I've never really been a believer in the "there's too many cons, I can't afford them all!" train of thought. Do any businesses stop producing products because people can't afford all of them? Not that I know of.

 

As with anything in life, it's simply a case of picking and choosing. I can't have everything I want, whether it's attending cons or buying DVDs or buying a house etc. I prioritise, and I'll adjust if there's something out of the ordinary that comes up that I want. It's not always possible, but really it's something that the majority of people will need to do at one time or another.

 

And what's wrong with choice? There's no way that any organiser can operate on the assumption that every attendee is into all shows/movies, and therefore works around not having them clash or too near to each other etc. It's just not feasible to construct a convention calendar in that fashion. Yes, of course there'll be people who like Stargate and Twilight, or Heroes and Torchwood, or maybe even all four! But again, it's generally down to choice and I know I'd rather have the options.

 

Re: guaranteeing quality. Like QS said, they do try to organise the cons around specific times where they've figured out it's likely easiest to get the guests. However there are no guarantees whether it's a signing event or a convention. We're all familiar with this fact, and I genuinely don't believe that the quantity of events changes the reliability of the guests, or the quality. LFACC proved that when things go right, they go right .. and that occured in a time where there's a lot of events, so can we really blame the quantity?

 

In the end, I guess I'm saying it's a risky business no matter what. With or without the conventions, there's always going to be cancellations and problems. Of course with the more events we have, the higher the chance of cancellations because we have more guests .. but that's just logical really. It doesn't necessarily reflect on the job that the organisers are doing.

 

Only the organisers truly know the effect of the quantity of events on the money they're making and the overall attendance rates. That's something we won't know. And as long as they're still creating new cons, you'd have to assume they're happy with how things are going. If they can put on a show like LFACC, I'd have to guess that things in the current climate aren't bad after all ..

[zebredy]

Showmasters have explained why Chevron 7.2 and Manchester were moved - exactly to secure what you are worrying about: good guests.

 

What's so bad about that? Would you rather have an event with only 5 repeat guests? A convention being moved doesn't automatically mean there's too many events.

 

Plus the weekend shows like Chevron 7.2, The Hub etc. do not have the amount of guests that Collectormania or LFACC have. So I really don't see a problem with those.

 

I'm very much with Nicky on your general questions. The majority of people can't make all shows. Actually I am rather sure only the majority could even if they wanted.

 

Not everybody likes all of those specialised events focussing on one theme only. I have attended Chevron 7 and Lockdown and am booked for Chevron 7.2. However, I have no interest in Torchwood, Heroes or Twilight. Which is a good thing, cause yes, I couldn't afford everything anyway.

 

But as nicky has said, why should others lose out because I can't attend something? There's still plenty of people who will come, out of different reasons. My main focus is Stargate, so if I'd be forced to decide between (hypothetically speaking) Lockdown 2 and Chevron 7.3, my choice would be Chevron 7.3. Others would decide on Lockdown if they'd be forced to make that choice.

 

Please don't think Im complaining its just a general question, you don't have to justify things all the time, I just wanted to here peoples opinions not showmasters have explained this and that, how do you as a person feel about it all.

 

As I said before great that so many people are happy, and I am too, but what do others think about it all, as to me (and don't quote me out of context please peopel) its a little ott a little overkill, how may cons does the UK really need, regardless of whether I could go to them all or not.

 

 

I've never really been a believer in the "there's too many cons, I can't afford them all!" train of thought. Do any businesses stop producing products because people can't afford all of them? Not that I know of.

 

As with anything in life, it's simply a case of picking and choosing. I can't have everything I want, whether it's attending cons or buying DVDs or buying a house etc. I prioritise, and I'll adjust if there's something out of the ordinary that comes up that I want. It's not always possible, but really it's something that the majority of people will need to do at one time or another.

 

And what's wrong with choice? There's no way that any organiser can operate on the assumption that every attendee is into all shows/movies, and therefore works around not having them clash or too near to each other etc. It's just not feasible to construct a convention calendar in that fashion. Yes, of course there'll be people who like Stargate and Twilight, or Heroes and Torchwood, or maybe even all four! But again, it's generally down to choice and I know I'd rather have the options.

 

Re: guaranteeing quality. Like QS said, they do try to organise the cons around specific times where they've figured out it's likely easiest to get the guests. However there are no guarantees whether it's a signing event or a convention. We're all familiar with this fact, and I genuinely don't believe that the quantity of events changes the reliability of the guests, or the quality. LFACC proved that when things go right, they go right .. and that occured in a time where there's a lot of events, so can we really blame the quantity?

 

In the end, I guess I'm saying it's a risky business no matter what. With or without the conventions, there's always going to be cancellations and problems. Of course with the more events we have, the higher the chance of cancellations because we have more guests .. but that's just logical really. It doesn't necessarily reflect on the job that the organisers are doing.

 

Only the organisers truly know the effect of the quantity of events on the money they're making and the overall attendance rates. That's something we won't know. And as long as they're still creating new cons, you'd have to assume they're happy with how things are going. If they can put on a show like LFACC, I'd have to guess that things in the current climate aren't bad after all ..

 

 

I hear what your saying but as I just said Im not after what showmasters are doing or have said they are doing, not your moderators opinion on it all but your opinion on it all...

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

Edited August 19, 2008 by zebredy

[killerinc1234]

i like that they are putting on more specialized cons because it gives the chance to meet some of the guests which might not be avaiable for the collectormanias because of filming schedules or they would simply be swamped in a shopping centre.

as for the dont put on more cons cause i cant afford it, iv always been of the opinon if you really want to go then you will find a way if not then deal with it and miss out.

i say if sm think they have enough resources and time to work on all the different ones and bring on new ones then well done them, it just shows how much they are taking over the market and giving the fans what THEY want.

 

 

 

 

 

PS cant wait for the crime con to get a date so i can book

[nicky]

as to me (and don't quote me out of context please peopel) its a little ott a little overkill, how may cons does the UK really need, regardless of whether I could go to them all or not.

Surly you can't have too much of a good thing?

 

I'm sure there arent peopel here who feel a need to go to every con anyway?

[zebredy]

i like that they are putting on more specialized cons because it gives the chance to meet some of the guests which might not be avaiable for the collectormanias because of filming schedules or they would simply be swamped in a shopping centre.

as for the dont put on more cons cause i cant afford it, iv always been of the opinon if you really want to go then you will find a way if not then deal with it and miss out.

i say if sm think they have enough resources and time to work on all the different ones and bring on new ones then well done them, it just shows how much they are taking over the market and giving the fans what THEY want.

 

 

 

 

 

PS cant wait for the crime con to get a date so i can book

 

 

Totally true, I know of others who feel that trek is dead and that a con just based around that would not work, but as there polls suggest a lot of people seem eager for a trek cons so agree with what you are saying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

[DavidB]

I hear what your saying but as I just said Im not after what showmasters are doing or have said they are doing, not your moderators opinion on it all but your opinion on it all...

That is my opinion on it all, and please feel free to reply to my points as such ..

 

Please don't forget that I attend the signing events and the conventions, and have to pay for everything, and so the guest list/s and quality/quantity of them does effect me just like anyone else. Therefore my opinion is based on that alongside whatever knowledge I may have of the runnings of said events based on previous conversations with the organisers etc.

Edited August 19, 2008 by DavidB

[Queen_Sindel]

Please don't think Im complaining its just a general question, you don't have to justify things all the time, I just wanted to here peoples opinions not showmasters have explained this and that, how do you as a person feel about it all.

 

We've been through this "moderators are all brainwashed zombies who can not think on their own" discussion before.

 

I as a person feel exactly like I posted before.

 

As I have said in another topic a while ago: just because I am a moderator here I do not have to leave my personal opinion and feelings at the doorstep. David's and my opinions on that matter are just as good as anyone else's here.

 

Your initital statement is implying that events got moved because it's just too many shows. That's why I referred you to what Showmasters posted.

 

And yes, I do agree with them there as well. Sometimes you are set on a date and find out it just won't work.

If an organiser realizes they are in trouble with getting guests at a date, why not move the event rather than forcing it through with a more or less cr@p line up?

[zebredy]

Please don't think Im complaining its just a general question, you don't have to justify things all the time, I just wanted to here peoples opinions not showmasters have explained this and that, how do you as a person feel about it all.

 

We've been through this "moderators are all brainwashed zombies who can not think on their own" discussion before.

 

I as a person feel exactly like I posted before.

 

As I have said in another topic a while ago: just because I am a moderator here I do not have to leave my personal opinion and feelings at the doorstep. David's and my opinions on that matter are just as good as anyone else's here.

 

Your initital statement is implying that events got moved because it's just too many shows. That's why I referred you to what Showmasters posted.

 

And yes, I do agree with them there as well. Sometimes you are set on a date and find out it just won't work.

If an organiser realizes they are in trouble with getting guests at a date, why not move the event rather than forcing it through with a more or less cr@p line up?

 

I know mods are people as well, I just think sometimes some posts on these forums (and not jsut from mods) come across as though people are speaking on behalf of showmasters and not saying what they may tbhink (not saying you are) thats all

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

[Avengers7]

There is always room in the market for a crime convention which it sound as if Showmasters are trying to address with their polls.

 

Lets hope it gets off the ground.

[Queen_Sindel]

I know mods are people as well, I just think sometimes some posts on these forums (and not jsut from mods) come across as though people are speaking on behalf of showmasters and not saying what they may tbhink (not saying you are) thats all

 

Maybe we shold add disclaimers to our posts then.

 

The moderators on here are fans like everyone else. Nobody had to sign a "gag clause" or however you may call it making him promise to only post what goes along with whatever Showmasters say. Just because we agree with certain things doesn't mean this is not our true opinion.

[Daniel]

I'm hoping for a Buffy and Angel con. It got by far the most votes on the poll. It would be unfair if one was not run now.

[nicky]

There is always room in the market for a crime convention which it sound as if Showmasters are trying to address with their polls.

I'm hoping for a Buffy and Angel con. It got by far the most votes on the poll. It would be unfair if one was not run now.

Twilight was one of the options with the least amount of votes and yet SM have just announced a con for that and thus I would take the poll with a pinch of salt. Or maybe it was a reverse poll and SM were going to make cons from the options that had the least votes, not the most.

Edited August 19, 2008 by nicky

[kel]

I crew - just saying that up front and no disclaimer !

 

SM always try and offer a wide variety of guests and events based on feedback and what they know works - thay have been doing this for ages and really care. I am sure that every event that runs will be focussed on giving all attendees a good time - I see that behind the scenes and work to it. Honestly, that attitude comes from the top down and we really do try.

 

Having said that - think of me working all of these! I sall be a poort tired little bunny in need of lost of foot rubs...and wine........!!!

 

Kirstie

[selby]

Im glad there doing these Cons but I feel they have to many shows/cons and the guests quantity/quality is showing that. Look at E1 had great guests and had plenty of guests announced before it (I know most cancelled) E2 has 2 guests and thats it no news for months and we are 3 months away other organizers have 4 guests announced for shows next year.

 

As for that poll i think its poo as buffy/angel and Lost kicked ass yet it seems Twilight, SPN (whats already covered by another company) and Crime con has been chosen even though they all had lower/low votes.

[DavidB]

I know mods are people as well, I just think sometimes some posts on these forums (and not jsut from mods) come across as though people are speaking on behalf of showmasters and not saying what they may tbhink (not saying you are) thats all

I made the effort to reply to your topic as that's what you asked for. Then I basically get my opinions fobbed off because I'm a moderator. It's a little unfair. I can tell you right now that my opinions are my own, and I've never once been told to say something because I'm a moderator, nor to speak on anyone elses behalf.

 

So if you'd like to take the time to re-read my opinion, and perhaps reply to whatever you agree or don't agree with, then we can have a proper discussion about it like you seem to want? Forget the moderator, forget the guy who crews, and consider my opinion as someone that's a fan and wants the best events possible. I'd be interested in your rebuttal of sorts, rather than brushing whatever I said aside

 

I'm hoping for a Buffy and Angel con. It got by far the most votes on the poll. It would be unfair if one was not run now.

 

As for that poll i think its poo as buffy/angel and Lost kicked ass yet it seems Twilight, SPN (whats already covered by another company) and Crime con has been chosen even though they all had lower/low votes.

I'm using those two quotes together as they're pretty much the same thing. I have to say that the poll is obviously just a way to canvas opinion - it's not been presented as a "WHATEVER WINS THE POLL GETS A CONVENTION!" type deal.

 

For one, that'd be crazy because there's only a fraction of overall/potential attendees that belong to this forum. Then it'll only be a fraction of those that actually vote in the poll. Then there's multiple aliases etc to consider too. So while the poll is fairly useful, it's never going to be something that can be solely used as the basis for a convention being created. And I would imagine most people would realise that.

 

Im glad there doing these Cons but I feel they have to many shows/cons and the guests quantity/quality is showing that. Look at E1 had great guests and had plenty of guests announced before it (I know most cancelled) E2 has 2 guests and thats it no news for months and we are 3 months away other organizers have 4 guests announced for shows next year.

Other organisers have announced a lot of guests previously well in advance, only to have them cancel. It's not always the best strategy. Other organisers have events taking place in the next couple of months with NO guests so far. Each to their own. It doesn't mean they're doing a bad job - and that includes Showmasters. There are risks whatever way they choose to do things, don't you think?

 

And as for comparing E1 to E2, there's not really any point. No convention ever has a particular schedule for obtaining and announcing guests. It'll never be the same from one to the next. I don't know why they haven't announced them, and neither does anyone else really, but as there are plenty of valid reasons for it I'm willing to wait and let them do their job.

 

As I've said elsewhere, if they can produce a lineup like LFACC then I don't think it's guest quality/quantity suffering overall. It may not have been to your own personal taste, but that lineup was exceptional. It's just a case of things working out .. sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It's the nature of the con business, and it certainly doesn't just happen to Showmasters.

[Lambourne]

To be honest, I don't care how many conventions there are, just as long as there is room for a Lost convention (Prays for Lockdown 2!!!!!!)

Edited August 19, 2008 by Lambourne

[Stevie79]

I don't care how many cons there are, as long as the guests who I want to meet keep coming, I'll be there. Simple as.

[Wyn]

Difficult one for me i find it easier with hotel conventions the decision is easy do i love the show/film enough to go to a con, signing cons like lfacc/mk are more difficult cause there will often be one or two actors you'd like to meet at each.

 

I know personally i need to cut back next year for money reasons so i'll prob just stick to a few hotel cons at the mo a lot of the tv shows i watch aren't con material so i won't be going to as many but that;s a good thing money wise.

 

But yeah when i went to c4 that was it now there are tons i guess you just have to be sensible with the money you have.

 

Don't know if that makes any sense at all prob not ah well.

[lams9999]

As long as there are no clashes between conventions or between shows, I have no problem with the proliferation of events except that more choices have to be made as it is impossible to attend all of them. On the other hand, I have the feeling that it reduces the quality of most events (LFCC and Eclipse excepted) and the number of attendees at each event.

[jael001]

I think it just gives us more choice. For the weekend cons, I am only interested in Eclipse and Lockdown for the moment, the other fandoms are not ones I have any interest in and if they add a crime con I will go to that too.

 

As for the many signing events, well I go to LFCC and the MK cons. I did go to the first Gmex and will again in the future if there are guests I particularly want to meet and the same goes for Midlands. I will almost certainly never go to Glasgow, too far, but I think it's good that there are cons for those north of the border too, I dont see why we should have everything down here all the time.

[zebredy]

I know mods are people as well, I just think sometimes some posts on these forums (and not jsut from mods) come across as though people are speaking on behalf of showmasters and not saying what they may tbhink (not saying you are) thats all

I made the effort to reply to your topic as that's what you asked for. Then I basically get my opinions fobbed off because I'm a moderator. It's a little unfair. I can tell you right now that my opinions are my own, and I've never once been told to say something because I'm a moderator, nor to speak on anyone elses behalf.

 

So if you'd like to take the time to re-read my opinion, and perhaps reply to whatever you agree or don't agree with, then we can have a proper discussion about it like you seem to want? Forget the moderator, forget the guy who crews, and consider my opinion as someone that's a fan and wants the best events possible. I'd be interested in your rebuttal of sorts, rather than brushing whatever I said aside

 

 

 

Im not having a go at you, or didn't mean too sorry if it came across that way, I value all opinions given, wasn't meant at you but often when on sites, (this and others) sometimes people come across as if they know what the organisers are thinking / want to say and I hate when that happend. I did not persoanlly mean it at you, sorry, and yes I did take on board what you said.

 

To what you said before, yes its nice to have choice and I suppose if you don't want to attend them all, no one is being forced to.

 

Sometimes though (IMO) when to many events are near each other it feels like the first one (as it should) takes priority and then it seems almost the week or two before a con now when guests start getting announced.

 

Before when showmasters only ran say 4 maybe 5 events a year it seemed like there were more guests announced for each event say 2/3months before the con was on unlike now where as I said cause there are so many so close they have to priorotes and I wonder if that will also affect attendance numbers as many people need more then 2/3 weeks notice of who a lot of the guests going are, in order to book.

 

So in that respect is having so many a good thing due to having so many more, close to each other, and with regards to what I said above, Im not sure, I think only time will tell.

 

And I would say regarding the poll, IMO (as much as I would like too) you can never 100% go by a poll like the one showmasters did above as quite often people will like two options and being only allowed to post in one, means the poll isn't as acurate for that reason, as well as the fact that as some have mentioned above about not all attendies posting on the forum or taking part in the poll.

 

I know at least three people who havn't the time, nor do they see the need to ever go on a forum yet they love attending conventions, which also doesn't always help with the acuracy of the poll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLAP

Edited August 20, 2008 by zebredy