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Califur 2012 Report!
13 years ago
General
Firstly! I had an amazing time and thanks to all my friends, new acquaintances, and staff members for making califur what it was!
Every year I think the con improves little by little, and attendance increases a bit every year, so that speaks to the fact that there are many things being done right.
However, there is always room for improvement. It's not like me to be so blunt and critical as im going to be, but I feel there are some things that can be done to bring Califur to the next level. Its not my intention to complain, bitch, or make personal attacks, I only delve into such detail because Califur is dear to my heart and I want to see it succeed.
1) Reg - This seems to be a persisting problem every year. My personal experience was not bad at all. There was a short line for pre-reg but alas, the printer was broken. I seems that every year I hear the same thing: the printer is broken. I realize its a special badge printer and probably more prone to breaking, and fairly expensive, but Reg =really= needs a back up. Other than that, I think it was a great improvement overall.
2) Con Book/Schedule - As neato as con books are, theyre a bit superfluous, and I agree with Califur's decision not to continue them, because the con is always strapped for cash. It is good to have paper schedules though, however I had no idea that they were at the con store. Another con-goer told me, but that should have been communicated when I reg'd either by staff or a big sign. More Signs!
3) Area guide - Other con's have this and its really invaluable. I know theres not much around the Mariott, but that's even MORE the reason to have one. It should be part of the con schedule. If that's is not doable, then at least have it posted very visibly and clearly in a common area (think like mall directories). Also, include fun activities to do in the area outside of con, e.g. Boomers, SkyHigh, etc.
4) Cabaret Tickets - So, I heard from numerous furs, that there were people that pre-reg'd and reserved Cabaret tickets, yet were unable to get them, esp if they were not able to reg until Saturday, due to the show being sold out. In fact, some of these had Patron memberships. This is UNACCEPTABLE. For people paying extra to help support the con, they should be treated with WAY more respect than that. Have a total number of tickets available to sell. Before the con starts, check the number of pre-reg's and set aside an equal number of tickets. DO NOT SELL THOSE. If on Saturday at noon, if not everyone has claimed their pre-ordered tickets, then those remaining will go on sale to the general public.
Also, consider raising the price by a few dollars. The cabaret sells out pretty much every year. The con could use the extra money to make improvements.
One other idea that sounds like it might be a little complex... charge different amounts for different times access to seating. Think airline boarding groups. Pay a few extra bucks to get in first, a bit less for the main group, and maybe discount prices for the last seating group for the nose bleed section. Just an idea.
5) Cabaret rehersal. Kudos to stego in spearheading the organization of the cabaret this year. I was very impressed with the different colored sheets for each act for lighting,sound,MC,etc. Wonderful idea. The actual rehearsal consisted of the following - lighting was doing something, but i couldnt tell you what. The sound person seemed to be completely absent, as did many of the performers. Use of the stage was a "if you kinda feel like it" ordeal. This may have worked in the past, but honestly, it results in a choppy, glitchy show. I understand this is all volunteer work, and its unreasonable to expect professional quality, but we can do better. I really think a full run through is necessary. That means: Acts are performed, in order, in costume (or as much as possible), with lights, and sound. actually give everyone a chance to iron out all the kinks BEFORE the actual performance.
6) During the show. I know this is probably going to step on some tails, but I want to be open and honest with constructive critiquing. There is too much lag between acts. Especially once the momentum gets going, having a long break before the next one really kills the mood and the momentum of the show. Keep it poppin' That said, the auctions are the worst offenders. Its not a bad idea for the purpose of raising money, but it takes the show's pace to a grinding halt.
7) Programming: Where to start. Im underwhelmed with the programming of califur every year, but it's time I laid things out. It seems like some of the panels are stuck 15 years in the past. To be blunt: How many people HONESTLY care about the dragon SIG panel (no offense to dragons, i would say the same about feline panels). As the new generation of furs emerge, we demand more interesting and engaging activities. I will be working on a more detailed list of things to include in the programming (its not cool to bitch without solutions).
Just some tips - dont put the good panels like fursuit crafting and drawing panels on friday, less people can make it. those are saturday things.
I think thats all I have for now, but I fully plan on compiling more suggestions.
To recap:
1) get a back up badge printer
2) more con schedules, and better communication where to get them
3) provide an area guide
4) reserve cabaret tickets for those you paid for them
5) Have a mandatory full run through for rehearsal
6) shorten delays between acts
7) Come up with new fresh ideas
Again, this is me focusing on the negatives and offering possible solutions to bring Califur from a mediocre con to an awesome one. Thanks for putting up with my verpose report! Love ya!
Leo
Every year I think the con improves little by little, and attendance increases a bit every year, so that speaks to the fact that there are many things being done right.
However, there is always room for improvement. It's not like me to be so blunt and critical as im going to be, but I feel there are some things that can be done to bring Califur to the next level. Its not my intention to complain, bitch, or make personal attacks, I only delve into such detail because Califur is dear to my heart and I want to see it succeed.
1) Reg - This seems to be a persisting problem every year. My personal experience was not bad at all. There was a short line for pre-reg but alas, the printer was broken. I seems that every year I hear the same thing: the printer is broken. I realize its a special badge printer and probably more prone to breaking, and fairly expensive, but Reg =really= needs a back up. Other than that, I think it was a great improvement overall.
2) Con Book/Schedule - As neato as con books are, theyre a bit superfluous, and I agree with Califur's decision not to continue them, because the con is always strapped for cash. It is good to have paper schedules though, however I had no idea that they were at the con store. Another con-goer told me, but that should have been communicated when I reg'd either by staff or a big sign. More Signs!
3) Area guide - Other con's have this and its really invaluable. I know theres not much around the Mariott, but that's even MORE the reason to have one. It should be part of the con schedule. If that's is not doable, then at least have it posted very visibly and clearly in a common area (think like mall directories). Also, include fun activities to do in the area outside of con, e.g. Boomers, SkyHigh, etc.
4) Cabaret Tickets - So, I heard from numerous furs, that there were people that pre-reg'd and reserved Cabaret tickets, yet were unable to get them, esp if they were not able to reg until Saturday, due to the show being sold out. In fact, some of these had Patron memberships. This is UNACCEPTABLE. For people paying extra to help support the con, they should be treated with WAY more respect than that. Have a total number of tickets available to sell. Before the con starts, check the number of pre-reg's and set aside an equal number of tickets. DO NOT SELL THOSE. If on Saturday at noon, if not everyone has claimed their pre-ordered tickets, then those remaining will go on sale to the general public.
Also, consider raising the price by a few dollars. The cabaret sells out pretty much every year. The con could use the extra money to make improvements.
One other idea that sounds like it might be a little complex... charge different amounts for different times access to seating. Think airline boarding groups. Pay a few extra bucks to get in first, a bit less for the main group, and maybe discount prices for the last seating group for the nose bleed section. Just an idea.
5) Cabaret rehersal. Kudos to stego in spearheading the organization of the cabaret this year. I was very impressed with the different colored sheets for each act for lighting,sound,MC,etc. Wonderful idea. The actual rehearsal consisted of the following - lighting was doing something, but i couldnt tell you what. The sound person seemed to be completely absent, as did many of the performers. Use of the stage was a "if you kinda feel like it" ordeal. This may have worked in the past, but honestly, it results in a choppy, glitchy show. I understand this is all volunteer work, and its unreasonable to expect professional quality, but we can do better. I really think a full run through is necessary. That means: Acts are performed, in order, in costume (or as much as possible), with lights, and sound. actually give everyone a chance to iron out all the kinks BEFORE the actual performance.
6) During the show. I know this is probably going to step on some tails, but I want to be open and honest with constructive critiquing. There is too much lag between acts. Especially once the momentum gets going, having a long break before the next one really kills the mood and the momentum of the show. Keep it poppin' That said, the auctions are the worst offenders. Its not a bad idea for the purpose of raising money, but it takes the show's pace to a grinding halt.
7) Programming: Where to start. Im underwhelmed with the programming of califur every year, but it's time I laid things out. It seems like some of the panels are stuck 15 years in the past. To be blunt: How many people HONESTLY care about the dragon SIG panel (no offense to dragons, i would say the same about feline panels). As the new generation of furs emerge, we demand more interesting and engaging activities. I will be working on a more detailed list of things to include in the programming (its not cool to bitch without solutions).
Just some tips - dont put the good panels like fursuit crafting and drawing panels on friday, less people can make it. those are saturday things.
I think thats all I have for now, but I fully plan on compiling more suggestions.
To recap:
1) get a back up badge printer
2) more con schedules, and better communication where to get them
3) provide an area guide
4) reserve cabaret tickets for those you paid for them
5) Have a mandatory full run through for rehearsal
6) shorten delays between acts
7) Come up with new fresh ideas
Again, this is me focusing on the negatives and offering possible solutions to bring Califur from a mediocre con to an awesome one. Thanks for putting up with my verpose report! Love ya!
Leo
Let me use my table as an example - I just put my stuff out there and assume that people will be interested. They're not. You have to draw them in, engage them.
This would be the third year in a row I've missed Cabaret, so I can't comment on that aside from A) Ticket prices likely need to go up if it sold out that damn quickly, B) If the bit about people who bought tickets ahead of time couldn't get them was true, then tickets equal to the ammount preordered need to be set aside. If unclaimed, these tickets should be sold at the door - no sooner.C) Scalping was apparently going on this year - this can be solved by matching tickets to badge numbers.
Programming... we could probably get enough stuff for Sunday to be a full day, with Monday having some minor stuff in the morning, as well as potentially the art auction for the art show. Dealer's den would be closed, I guess?
I've personally not had much of an issue with the pacing of Cabaret, I like the pauses in between acts since they usually involves joking around with the audience, but i can understand how that can bug people and mess with the performers.
I agree about the panels though, i've honestly never attended a single panel aside from Omi's fursuit handling panel a couple years back. I've never really had an interest in panels at all, they just seem like snooze fests but i'm not sure how to solve that myself.
I did like how Dealers den was set up this year, since the art show was seperated it was a lot more spacious.
And who's interested in the Dragon SIG or the Feline SIG? Dragon and feline fans of course! Whaddya think?
I've had quite a bit of other non-furry life things occupying my thoughts recently, but I would be happy to contribute my ideas as they come. I have been chatting with Oggy a little online.
Overall, I feel furries are seeking more active and more engaging activities, so my train of thought is to ask myself what is there to DO, not just watch/listen.
Also thank you to being open to input and ideas.
Leo!