Convention Survival: Panel Etiquette

Hello darlings! 

I thought I had finished with my Convention Survival series, but I went to Comicon this weekend and realized I'd missed a very important thing: panel etiquette. 

I attended a lot of panels this year, and while it was generally a positive experience, it only takes one rotten apple to spoil a whole bin, and so I felt the need to add one more article.

Panels are one of my favorite parts of a convention. They're a great way to learn about something new, and if you host a panel, it's a great way to teach someone about something you love. :) 

Things to keep in mind for when you attend a panel:

Arrive a few minutes early. This will give you time to not only find the building if it's a venue you aren't familiar with, but also to find a seat and get settled in before the panel begins. I usually give myself between 15 and 30 minutes, longer if the panel is a popular one and I know it will be packed. Seats can fill quickly and many venues prohibit you from standing in/blocking the walkways because of fire codes. Make sure you don't get stuck and miss the panel! 

Bring a notebook and pen to take notes, if applicable. I like to attend costuming and cosplay panels, or panels that are more informational/lecture formatted. I always bring a notebook and take notes, because I know I will never remember everything, there's too much to do at a con to keep it all straight in my head. :P I take detailed notes and review them the week after the con, when I've recovered and my head is fresh. 

Practice common courtesy. Do not speak when a panel host/lecturer is speaking. It's incredibly rude and also distracting to the people around you who are trying to listen to the panel presentation. Be polite. If you want/need to talk, leave the room quietly. 

Turn off your phone! Beeping and ringing cell phones are just as distracting to the people who talk during a presentation and it is disrespectful to the panel host. Put it on vibrate or silent mode, or simply turn it off. 

Try not to leave the panel before it ends. It's distracting to other attendees and not exactly polite. However, things happen, and if an emergency comes up and you must leave, do so quietly. Try to wait until there's a pause in the presentation to leave, if you can.

Do not block walkways or seats with your cosplay props. This is especially important if the panel attendance is maxed out. Taking up a whole seat with your prop is rude if the panel is crowded and other attendees are looking for a seat and blocking the walkway/aisle is often a violation of local fire codes, so security won't allow it. Most rooms have a place for you to put your prop if you can't tuck it in a bag or under your seat. 

Do not let your children run around the panel room unsupervised. Let me preface this by saying I think it is AWESOME when parents bring their kids to cons, especially when the kids cosplay too! Cons are tons of fun for kids, and more and more cons are offering activities for kids. Or perhaps you can't get ahold of the sitter because they're cramming for finals or something. Life happens. But unfortunately unruly kids can ruin a panel for everyone. Not only is it rude, it is dangerous. Children running around making noise during a presentation is distracting to attendees, disrespectful to the panel hosts, and in a split second your child can run out the door and vanish, especially at larger conventions. A couple of my friends bring their kids to cons and they make sure that they pack snacks and activities for them to keep them occupied(charged DSs and coloring books are favorites). As is the norm for parents, stuff happens: If you have a fussy baby or a kid who is just not having it and is tired and/or wanting to throw a tantrum, PLEASE take them outside to calm them down or deal with the tantrum.

Do not use a panel as a rest stop. This might seem like an odd one, but it happens, and it is perhaps the most disrespectful, rude, and low-class behavior you can exhibit at a con. I rank it on the same level as people who photograph cosplayers without permission, or creeps who don't understand cosplay is not consent.

 I was at a panel at Phoenix Comicon when a couple came into the panel halfway through the presentation. They spent most of their time loudly flipping through the program and discussing other panels/events to attend during the presentation! Several of us had to change seats so we could continue to hear the panel and we shot some angry glares their way. If you attend a panel, do so because you are genuinely interested in the panel. If you need a place to stop, get your bearings, and plan your day, do it elsewhere. 

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments. As always, stay fabulous! 

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Food and Artist Alley

Happy Tuesday!

This will most likely be the last entry in our convention survival guide, unless I did, in fact, leave out something important. Here we go!

FOOD

Food is something that is often forgotten when planning out your convention schedule but it is necessary! It is understandable though: walking into a sit-down restaurant or even a Taco Bell when you're dressed as Ryuko Matoi and lugging around a 30 pound scissor blade isn't exactly appealing, most con food is expensive($5 for a cookie? No thank you), and some cons don't have much in the way of food(man cannot live on boba tea alone!). That's where snacks come in! I don't know about you, but I love snacks. Who doesn't love snacks? I digress. Anywho, if you pack the right type of snacks you'll stay nourished and happy throughout the day. I'm not a big junk food eater, so I won't be listing much here today(it won't stay with you anyway, it's empty calories and chemicals). Good snacks and food to pack for a con include:

Granola bars(I'm partial to KIND bars, myself)

Dried fruit(Trader Joe's has a ton of it and it's cheap!).

Fresh fruit in tupperware containers(to prevent it from getting bruised and smushed)

If you can pack a cold pack: Salami, cheese, and crackers

Fruit Snacks

Bottled Drinks

Sandwiches

Proteins will help keep you fuller longer because it takes longer for your body to digest them. Don't forget carbs, they may digest quicker but your body needs them for fuel when you're walking around the con or dancing at a con rave/concert/club. Try to get a good balance of both. Also, don't forget to stay hydrated! When it's hot or you have a heavy costume you will get dehydrated quickly. By the time you feel symptoms your body is already severely dehydrated, so drink a little water even if you don't feel thirsty. 

Note: Check convention rules before bringing food with you! Depending on the venue, outside food and drinks may not be allowed. As an alternative, for Phoenix Comicon this year myself and several others brought ice chests that we kept in the our cars, and when we got hungry we had a mini tailgate picnic in the parking garage. :D 

ARTIST ALLEY

Artist alley can be overwhelming to the newcomer. Manga and posters and plushies, oh my! Here are a few tips for surviving artist alley without having to declare bankruptcy: 

Make a budget and stick to it. Determine your budget before you get to the con. You can break it down by day or have a lump sum for the entire trip, whatever works for you. DO NOT GO OVER YOUR BUDGET. If you go over by one item or a few dollars the temptation to buy "just one more thing" gets stronger and before you know it you might not have enough money for food. Be strong! If you can't afford to get it right away, ask for a business card. Most artist alley vendors have online shops and most dealers have websites. You may be able to get it later, after the convention. 

Look at everything before buying. Some places may be selling the same manga or plushie but at different prices. Look around. Find out who is selling what, how much it costs, and plan accordingly so you don't overpay for something. 

Ask questions. If you are looking for something specific a dealer may have it in their overall stock even if they didn't bring it to the convention. If you are looking for a more customized item some artists do commissioned pieces, and sometimes they don't advertise. Don't be afraid to ask. If they don't have what you are looking for they may know where you can find it. 

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This concludes our convention survival guide! I hope you found the information helpful, and that you have a BLAST at whatever convention you are attending! :) As always, if you feel I forgot something post in the comments and...stay fabulous! 

Three days till Saboten!

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Packing

Now that you have your travel plans hashed out, it's time to pack!

Packing can be overwhelming, and disorganized, but with a little planning and careful thought you'll be able to take everything you need without forgetting something or dragging too much stuff with you. :)

A Basic Packing List

This is in no way set in stone, it's just a reference list for you to get started. Add or remove things from this list as needed. :)  If you are flying, remember that liquids need to be in containers that are 3 ounces or smaller or you will either have to check your luggage or toss the liquid. 

Costumes(Depending on how ornate your costume is, you may want to put together a separate checklist for each one). 

Props

Wigs

Makeup

Sewing Kit for Repairs: Needle, matching or neutral colored thread, E6000, Fray-Check, Scissors

First Aid Kit: Band Aids, Scissors, Rubbing Alcohol, Aloe, Advil, Tylenol, Neosporin, Gauze, Medical Tape, Thermometer, Directions and phone number to nearest emergency room

Toiletries: Shampoo, Conditioner, Makeup Remover, Soap, Shaving Razors

Street clothes if you don't feel like cosplaying or if you need to make an emergency trip

Wallet with Money/Debit Card

Cell Phone and Charger

Proper Legal Identification(State ID or Driver's license)

Boarding Pass if you are flying

Camera

Batteries or charger for camera

Extra Camera lenses

Laptop and Adapter

Memory cards for camera

Food, ice chest with ice, and drinks if you are driving
If you are driving: Jumper Cables, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, Tire Jack, tire iron

Packing Your Props:

If you are flying you may have to disassemble your prop to pack it into a suitcase. Pack it carefully. Cushion it with clothes or other padding so it won't get damaged. Baggage handlers rarely pay attention to bags marked as fragile and a broken prop means an unhappy cosplayer.

Pack as lightly as you can. The less stuff you have to haul aroud an airport or to a hotel, the better. Depeding on the airline you're flying or how much space you have in your car you may be able to take an extra suitcase for Artist Alley and dealer room purchases. 

Comment below if you have any pointers to add, and I will be back tomorrow with...food! Eating is important! Eating is delish! 

*crickets*

Ahem...stay fabulous. xD 

-Vik

Convention Survival Guide: Travel

Welcome to part three of our convention survival guide series! Today we'll focus on getting to and from the convention. :3 

TRAVEL

Depending on how far you have to travel, consider driving over flying if you're on a tight budget. It's much cheaper to drive to some places than it is to fly, and if you're going with a group of people it's even cheaper! You can split the gas cost between everyone traveling, you can take turns driving so nobody gets too tired. Added bonus: once you get to the hotel you'll have transportation in case of emergency. It will obviously take longer to get to the hotel than it would if you were flying but depeding on how far you're going and where you're going you could save hundreds of dollars in airfare, and you won't be limited by how much or what you can take on the plane. You might make some fun road trip memories along the way. :) If you're traveling with a group make sure you know who you're going with. Are they good drivers? Can they drive at all?  Do they shower regularly? Are they annoying, loud, or obnoxious? How crowded will the car be? How big will your vehicle be? Five people crammed into a Honda Fit might not be such a good idea. Five people in a Dodge Caravan is much more comfortable. :P 

If you are driving...make sure you have plenty of food and water on hand, espeically if you're traveling during the summer. If you break down you'll need enough water to stay hyrdated while you're waiting for a tow truck. Check the weather and the area you'll be driving through and plan your route accordingly. Make sure there are plenty of gas stations and repair shops along the way in case something happens. Pack the essentials for your car. Before a long trip I make sure I've packed fresh oil, coolant, water, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. If you're driving through a snowy area, carry tire chains and make sure you know how to put them on and take them off, and be sure to pack extra blankets and warm clothing. 

Book your hotel as soon as you can after registering. The closer it gets to convention time  the more expensive your hotel room will likely be, and if the convetion is at a hotel rooms will sell FAST. If the convention is being held at a hotel, call the hotel and see if they have a special discount for people attending the convention. If it's not being held at a hotel, research options thoroughly: how close do you need to be to the convention? Do you have a car? How far are you willing to drive? If you don't have a car, does the hotel offer shuttle service to the convention and if they do, how much does it cost? How much would it cost to take a cab? If you're flying, can you get to your hotel from the airport? Can you get back to the airport when it's time to go home? All these questions are hugely important, make sure they all have an answer before you leave. 

If you're splitting a room, limit the number of people. It may be tempting to cram seven people into one hotel room to save money, but you'll be getting a lot of stress and drama for your efforts. Some people will have to sleep on the floor if there isn't enough bedding, and that's not comfortable nor is it fun. It's hard for that many people to get ready in the morning, especially if you're sharing one bathroom, and only one or two mirrors. You don't get much privacy and you won't get much sleep either. Spend a little more to ensure everyone staying in the room has ample space, privacy, and a comfortable place to sleep. 

Research airlines before you book your flight, and check TSA regulations. This is one of the most important things a cosplayer needs to do if they're flying to a convention, especially if you have props or weapons. TSA regulations may prohibit you from taking certain props as carry-on luggage, especially if you have props that are large, oddly shaped, or look like weapons. Also research airline policies reguarding checked luggage and carry-on size restrictions. For example, Delta charges $25 per checked bag, while Southwest allows two checked bags for free(additional bags are $25, I belive). Also check to see how large the aircraft is. I'm not kidding. I never gave this much thought until I had to fly out of town last-minute. I ended up on a Delta flight instead of Southwest, which is my usual airline. Southwest's planes are MUCH bigger than Delta's. I could barely fit my carry-on luggage during my Delta flight, and the overhead compartments were so small even bags that were within Delta's carry-on size restriction had to be checked on both my flights(they don't charge when this happens). If you have a large, ornate cosplay with lots of props and elements to it, Delta might not be the airline for you. 

Book your flight as ASAP! Hotel room rates go up closer to the convention and so do airline tickets, more so than hotels. Booking a last-minute flight can cost an average of $700 or more depeding on the airline, and that's for cheap airlines! The farther out you can book your flight the better. 

As always, comment if you feel that I forgot something, and stay fabulous!

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Pre-Convention Preparation

Hello darlings! 

Now that we've gone over etiquette, let's focus on some planning and preperation. Organization is important! I was originally going to cover both packing, planning, and travel but once again, it got lengthy so I'm breaking it down again. Today we'll focus on basic planning. 

REGISTRATION AND PLANNING YOUR SCHEDULE

Determine your budget. This should actually be done BEFORE you register. There's nothing worse than registering for a convention and then realizing you can't afford to go. :( Things to budget for include(but are not limited to) the following:

• Travel(plane tickets or gas, rental car, cab fare, etc.)
• Food and Water
• Hotel/Lodging
• Artist Alley/Dealers/Vendors
• Extra Convention Events(Cafes, Concerts, etc.)
• Convention Registration(basic or VIP pass?) 
• Emergency Cash is good to have on hand in case something unexpected comes up. 

Pre-register if you can! It's cheaper, and you'll spend less time waiting in line for your badge once you get there.

Test drive your cosplay(s) before the convention. This includes makeup, props, and wigs. Wear them for a full day if you can. Check how they fit and make any alterations or repairs before you leave. Does your costume hold up well to a day's use? It is hot, heavy, or difficult to wear? How heavy is does the prop feel after carrying it around for eight hours? Did your hair and makeup hold up or did you need to fix it? You may need to carry extra makeup with you and touch up throughout the day, or you may need to re-style your wig. 

Make a list of EVERYTHING you will need, no matter how mundane. Check each item off as you pack it, and double check to make sure you have everything you need. If you don't have a list, chances are you will forget something. 

Make a meal plan. Look up nearby restarauts and/or grocery stores around the convention, and see if there will be food vendors at the convention. Be warned: convention food isn't cheap.

Be weather-ready. Will it be hot? Pack extra water and sunscreen. Will it be cold? Perhaps cosplaying Rukio Matoi isn't such a good idea if it's going to be chilly. If there's rain and/or snow in the forecast, make sure your cosplay is waterproof in case you get caught in a downpour. 

Review the schedule of the con before you go!  Conventions are huge! There's tons of things to do and see: skits, concerts, cafes, panels, presentations, anime viewings...this list is long! I print out the schedule as soon as it's posted, highlight what I want to see and do, and then plan around that. Keep your eyes open for opportunity, and don't feel like you have to stick to a rigid schedule. Random events and occurences are one of my favorite things about conventions! 

Tomorrow I'll cover travel. As always, if you feel that I forgot someething, let me know in the comments! <3

-Vik 

Convention Survival Guide: Basic Cosplay Etiquette

Happy Friday! 

There are going to be a lot of first-time cosplayers and attendees at Saboten this year so I felt I should write up a little something about surviving your first convention. I started typing and it got hideously long. xD So...I broke it up into sections. I'm starting with convention etiquette, since I feel that's one of the most important things to know. 

Read convention rules thoroughly and abide by them. This might seem like a no-brainer, but different conventions have different rules regarding cosplay props and weapons, how much skin you can show, or what you can and can't do in the hallways(Saboten, for example, prohibits the performance of skits in the hallways and has a PG-13 requirement for dress). Rules are often influenced by things like fire codes, liability concerns, policies and rules of the place where the convention is being held, and incidents from past conventions. Unfortunately it only takes one rotten apple to spoil a whole bin, and rules that may seem silly or stupid are often there for a good reason.  

ASK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU TAKE PHOTOS OF ANY COSPLAYER. I cannot stress this enough! It’s incredibly rude to photograph a cosplayer(or any other human being for that matter) without asking permission. It’s also kind of creepy. Don’t be afraid to ask! Most cosplayers know they will be approached for pictures, and as long as you remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ they will be more than happy to oblige. If they say no, don’t force the issue. They may have a good reason to decline, and if they aren’t nice back to you they aren’t worth your time. Also, if you plan on posting your pictures on sites like Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr, make sure you ask permission of the cosplayer before you post.

When posing for a cosplay photo, don’t block the walkways. This includes places like Artist Alley or the dealer’s room, or busy hallways with a ton of foot traffic. It is inconsiderate, it slows traffic, creates a hazard for the people around you, and some convention rules explicitly prohibit it to keep the traffic flowing. Saboten, for example, has prohibited cosplay posing and photography in the vendor’s room this year. If someone approaches you for a photo, look for a place out of the way to take the photo. Likewise, if you ask someone for a photo and they start posing in the walkways, politely suggest a better area.

Be careful with weapons and props, especially if they are heavy. Be aware of the people around you. Don’t swing your prop around wildly or let it hang out in aisles or walkways for people to trip over. It could seriously injure another person if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you accidentally bump someone with your prop, apologize. Conventions get crowded and sometimes accidents happen. Also, make sure your props are within convention guidelines. It sucks to haul a prop all the way to a con only to be told you can’t carry it with you.

Remember to bathe, and pack/carry strong deodorant. This might seem like another no-brainer but it seems like at nearly every con there are people who don’t shower, and you can smell them long before you ever see them. I feel that for Saboten stressing this is incredibly important. It’s hot in the Arizona desert, and to make matters worse we’re in the middle of a wicked monsoon season, so it’s going to be super humid. You are going to sweat, and if you’re wearing a heavy cosplay outfit you will sweat more than you ever thought you could. Why would you honestly want to stay sweaty and yucky all weekend? You’ll feel better if you shower and your fellow cosplayers and con-goers will thank you.

Be patient with con staff and volunteers. Most conventions are run entirely by volunteers. They put a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice into making sure their convention goes off without a hitch, without a financial reward. Planning and hard work goes into a con, and they’ve been at it long before the registration line opens, so they will most likely be tired and stressed. Be polite. Be patient. Thank them for their hard work. Without them you wouldn’t be here.

Handle rude people with class. While most con attendees are awesome wonderful people you’ll want to hang out with, there is the occasional jerk. Be the bigger person. Don’t sink to their level and cuss them out, or throw a punch, or something equally unclassy. That makes you no better than they are and you’ll only end up embarrassing yourself.

Okay, that’s all I have today. xD I’m pretty sure I covered the basics, but if I left anything out please let me know in the comments!

Stay fabulous!

-Vik