Comments on: Con talk back: David Glanzer responds http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:18:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Mcnish http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-3404493 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:33:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-3404493 Insightful. Bookmarked. Insightful. Bookmarked.

]]> by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322771 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:10:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322771 >>> Press can sit there, or stand along the wall, or relax in the Media Center, watching the simulcast while drinking coffee and getting a backrub. >>> Press can sit there, or stand along the wall, or relax in the Media Center, watching the simulcast while drinking coffee and getting a backrub.

]]> by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322755 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:04:36 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322755 The solution is simple: ticket every event in Hall H and Hall 20. Tickets would be handed out early (8 AM) every morning, with a limit per person. If a person wants more, they can get back in line. Gold Tickets are soldseparately at $10. These allow holders to be seated first, with limited reserved seating, and a chance to ask the first and last question. If the reserved seating is full, these "golden chosen " get first choice of any open seats. Each event will be cleared, and attendees will be encouraged to leave by swag. A Con volunteer can man the exit to allow those with tickets to the next event to leave and re-enter. There would be three lines: golden tickets, regular tickets, and standby. Standbys would be seated five to ten minutes after the start of the event, at the discretion of staff. Companies sponsoring each event would be given an allocation of special tickets. These seats would be reserved off to the side, and seated like the Golden Tickets.>>> The solution is simple: ticket every event in Hall H and Hall 20. Tickets would be handed out early (8 AM) every morning, with a limit per person. If a person wants more, they can get back in line.
Gold Tickets are soldseparately at $10. These allow holders to be seated first, with limited reserved seating, and a chance to ask the first and last question. If the reserved seating is full, these “golden chosen ” get first choice of any open seats.
Each event will be cleared, and attendees will be encouraged to leave by swag. A Con volunteer can man the exit to allow those with tickets to the next event to leave and re-enter.
There would be three lines: golden tickets, regular tickets, and standby. Standbys would be seated five to ten minutes after the start of the event, at the discretion of staff.
Companies sponsoring each event would be given an allocation of special tickets. These seats would be reserved off to the side, and seated like the Golden Tickets.>>>

]]> by: Randy Lander http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322022 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:35:45 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-322022 Wow do I love that idea, Tom. I mean, I wanted to go to several Hall H events, and had to pretty much give up on all of 'em when I realized that the only people who were going to see Battlestar Galactica at 3:00 had showed up to claim their seat for the entire day around 9 AM. I don't want to camp. I want to see one or two presentations. And if the price of "Fastpass" is that I only get to pick one, when I pick up my badge for example, I'd be happy to pay that price and make the tough decision about which media panel I want to attend. I know this would require a ton more logistics work, but it's the best suggestion I've heard for how to fix the "couldn't get into the big panels" problem that so many of us faced. It doesn't fix the press issues, necessarily, but it does seem like a really good idea. If one that might take more than one or two years to figure out how to implement properly. Wow do I love that idea, Tom. I mean, I wanted to go to several Hall H events, and had to pretty much give up on all of ‘em when I realized that the only people who were going to see Battlestar Galactica at 3:00 had showed up to claim their seat for the entire day around 9 AM.

I don’t want to camp. I want to see one or two presentations. And if the price of “Fastpass” is that I only get to pick one, when I pick up my badge for example, I’d be happy to pay that price and make the tough decision about which media panel I want to attend.

I know this would require a ton more logistics work, but it’s the best suggestion I’ve heard for how to fix the “couldn’t get into the big panels” problem that so many of us faced. It doesn’t fix the press issues, necessarily, but it does seem like a really good idea.

If one that might take more than one or two years to figure out how to implement properly.

]]> by: Tom Galloway http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321890 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:27:28 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321890 I'll reiterate this suggestion; it's not just the press who have a problem with getting into Hall H and Room 20; it's all attendees who might want to see an item or three in there but don't want to have to camp out for several hours to do so. While I'll freely acknowledge logistical difficulties with this, as a four-day attendee of any type; regular, press, exhibtor, pro, etc., I can sign up for 1 or 2 H or 20 items in advance and get an equivalent of a Disney FastPass for 'em; special door for Pass holders who have seating reserved in the room equal to the number of passes available for an event and which is cleared after each event. At 5 before the event, those seats go up for grabs. That, or let the people camping out in Hall H actually camp out there at night to get them out of the hotel pool. : -) I’ll reiterate this suggestion; it’s not just the press who have a problem with getting into Hall H and Room 20; it’s all attendees who might want to see an item or three in there but don’t want to have to camp out for several hours to do so.

While I’ll freely acknowledge logistical difficulties with this, as a four-day attendee of any type; regular, press, exhibtor, pro, etc., I can sign up for 1 or 2 H or 20 items in advance and get an equivalent of a Disney FastPass for ‘em; special door for Pass holders who have seating reserved in the room equal to the number of passes available for an event and which is cleared after each event. At 5 before the event, those seats go up for grabs.

That, or let the people camping out in Hall H actually camp out there at night to get them out of the hotel pool. : -)

]]> by: Susie http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321486 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:17:54 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321486 The studios probably wouldn't agree to a recording of their panels, but a simulcast would be awesome. The only problem is finding another room to put people in. A simulcast in the Press room is an even better (and maybe easier to implement) idea. As an aside, I'm seeing all the news outlets boast that the Con sold out for the first time ever...but isn't this the first year there's been a cap on attendance? The studios probably wouldn’t agree to a recording of their panels, but a simulcast would be awesome. The only problem is finding another room to put people in.

A simulcast in the Press room is an even better (and maybe easier to implement) idea.

As an aside, I’m seeing all the news outlets boast that the Con sold out for the first time ever…but isn’t this the first year there’s been a cap on attendance?

]]> by: Bruce http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321474 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:24:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321474 I definitely second the idea of simulcasting the video to other places, so that people can experience the presentations vicariously if they are not able to get into the room. Or make the video available online later in the day. My company has pitched the Con organizers on this before, but they have (understandable) reservations about the logistics of it. I definitely second the idea of simulcasting the video to other places, so that people can experience the presentations vicariously if they are not able to get into the room. Or make the video available online later in the day. My company has pitched the Con organizers on this before, but they have (understandable) reservations about the logistics of it.

]]> by: dave roman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321260 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:43:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321260 Maybe charge $10-$25 more to attend preview night (since they get access to the exclusives and what not) and then use that money toward a worthy comics related charity. Or use the extra funds to help make more low-cost tables available to artist alley or small press. Those sections seem to get smaller each year, dwarfed under the shadow of the movie studios. I'm obviously biased but I think the more help given to artists (young and old) so they can survive in that competitive environment the better the industry will be as a result. Helping B-movies succeed won’t help us sleep at night, but encouraging struggling artists not to give up is a worthy cause! Maybe charge $10-$25 more to attend preview night (since they get access to the exclusives and what not) and then use that money toward a worthy comics related charity. Or use the extra funds to help make more low-cost tables available to artist alley or small press. Those sections seem to get smaller each year, dwarfed under the shadow of the movie studios. I’m obviously biased but I think the more help given to artists (young and old) so they can survive in that competitive environment the better the industry will be as a result. Helping B-movies succeed won’t help us sleep at night, but encouraging struggling artists not to give up is a worthy cause!

]]> by: maija http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321248 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:15:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321248 Something needs to be done about the roadblock of studio pavilions smack in the middle of the hall. All the dangerous congestion happens there. Go to Artists Alley, the Small Press Pavilion, anywhere outside the middle and you could almost swing cats, but try to cross through the Hollywood gauntlet and you risk getting crushed. Since Hall H is the center for movie stuff, maybe everything related should be shoved down to that end. At the very least, maybe tickets for autographs and promotional give-aways need to happen at designated times at the rooms way up on the back hall upstairs, out of the way. And Hollywood celebrities have to stay off the floor. Sails Pavilion autograph area and panel appearances only. And no more promotional carpets. That stupid yellow Tin Man carpet was full of rolls and folds that nearly got people trampled on Preview Night. Who the hell can look down at the ground anyway when they're desperately trying to avoid getting a some cosplay character's cardboard hair spike in the face? On the whole I actually had a great experience at this year's con, but then I went to Balboa Park on Saturday and only came back in time for The Goon panel. I also let go of my desires to see or obtain anything. Preview Night was terrible though. With no programming to suck crowds off the floor, something else needs to be done to reduce numbers. Maybe the three-day passes will have to exclude Preview Night. Something needs to be done about the roadblock of studio pavilions smack in the middle of the hall. All the dangerous congestion happens there. Go to Artists Alley, the Small Press Pavilion, anywhere outside the middle and you could almost swing cats, but try to cross through the Hollywood gauntlet and you risk getting crushed. Since Hall H is the center for movie stuff, maybe everything related should be shoved down to that end. At the very least, maybe tickets for autographs and promotional give-aways need to happen at designated times at the rooms way up on the back hall upstairs, out of the way. And Hollywood celebrities have to stay off the floor. Sails Pavilion autograph area and panel appearances only.

And no more promotional carpets. That stupid yellow Tin Man carpet was full of rolls and folds that nearly got people trampled on Preview Night. Who the hell can look down at the ground anyway when they’re desperately trying to avoid getting a some cosplay character’s cardboard hair spike in the face?

On the whole I actually had a great experience at this year’s con, but then I went to Balboa Park on Saturday and only came back in time for The Goon panel. I also let go of my desires to see or obtain anything.

Preview Night was terrible though. With no programming to suck crowds off the floor, something else needs to be done to reduce numbers. Maybe the three-day passes will have to exclude Preview Night.

]]> by: Christopher Moonlight http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321247 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:10:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321247 Yeah, I miss pro con. It would really help to take the stress off of those of us who are there to do some read business. Yeah, I miss pro con. It would really help to take the stress off of those of us who are there to do some read business.

]]> by: Jerry Beck http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321216 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:28:01 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321216 I hope CCI:SD will consider several concrete options for expansion I heard bandied about during this year's event. The Con should start Tuesday as a trade show for professionals and press and "Preview Night" starting at 6pm; then open for an additional full day of programming on Wednesday. It may not be the solution, but it's a start. I hope CCI:SD will consider several concrete options for expansion I heard bandied about during this year’s event. The Con should start Tuesday as a trade show for professionals and press and “Preview Night” starting at 6pm; then open for an additional full day of programming on Wednesday. It may not be the solution, but it’s a start.

]]> by: Steve Flack http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321170 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:25:16 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321170 How about simulcasting the video from Hall H and Room 20 to the press room? That way the press can watch the presentations, while the actual live shows can be saved for who they are meant for: the fans. -Steve! How about simulcasting the video from Hall H and Room 20 to the press room? That way the press can watch the presentations, while the actual live shows can be saved for who they are meant for: the fans.

-Steve!

]]> by: Christopher Moonlight http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321153 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:10:05 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321153 Some people have said that this year marked the beginning of the end for comic con due to problems like the ones addressed by David G (and I do agree he is a hell of a guy) but I don't think so. Over all I think the man did as good a job as anyone could do. San Diego (along with comics themselves) are entering a new era. What that era may be, no one can know for sure, but I'm excited to find out. When I got back, one of my co-workers where I teach art at told me that he watched comic con unfold onG4 , and it made him want to go. That's a very good thing for comics right there. Just the year before that, floored to be watching a history of comics (and a history of Superman) on the History Channel. We're getting to where we always wanted to be. I'd warn those who might focus to much on the negative to take a look at these facts. Some people have said that this year marked the beginning of the end for comic con due to problems like the ones addressed by David G (and I do agree he is a hell of a guy) but I don’t think so. Over all I think the man did as good a job as anyone could do. San Diego (along with comics themselves) are entering a new era. What that era may be, no one can know for sure, but I’m excited to find out. When I got back, one of my co-workers where I teach art at told me that he watched comic con unfold onG4 , and it made him want to go. That’s a very good thing for comics right there. Just the year before that, floored to be watching a history of comics (and a history of Superman) on the History Channel. We’re getting to where we always wanted to be. I’d warn those who might focus to much on the negative to take a look at these facts.

]]> by: Martha Thomases http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321028 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:33:50 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/08/09/con-talk-back-david-glanzer-responds/#comment-321028 David Glanzer is not only a sweetie, but remarkably responsive to criticism. If only some politiicians would be as open and honest about admitting mistakes and considering solutions. David Glanzer is not only a sweetie, but remarkably responsive to criticism. If only some politiicians would be as open and honest about admitting mistakes and considering solutions.

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