animeNEXTconvention: Somerset, New Jersey. June 18-20th
Is anyone coming??? I love conventions...anyone have any tips on how to fully enjoy/participate in a convention? How not to get too visually overwhelmed? How ok is it to bring a notebook and pick up inspiration? How ok is it to bring a business card/promo material of your own??? I need some basic protocal tips.
AND, FINALLY, has anyone ever wore a super cool costume to a con before??? I thoroughly enjoy costume design and implimentation.
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last time i went, though, i was just going as an observer. i didnt know anything about it. this year, i want to really dig in and get the most i can out of it as a fellow artist & storyteller. i dont want to feel on the outside.
what does akon mean in this context?
They have like 15,000 people attending- the artist's alley is HUGE the dealer's area is HUGE and there are so many poeple! plus, it's pretty much 24 hours a day, so there are always people around- and probly more in costume than not. crazies! i'd like to have a table of my own- but i'm not sure if i could get one and it's always a choice of which cons to pay for. it can get so expensive- and even breaking even can be hard... but then the advertising of it is a good factor, too.
Greg Bollinger said:
one pocket for my own promo materials (mini comics, etc)
one pocket for cards i'm giving out
one pocket for cards i'm receiving (those card cases are good, too)
(my typical pockets for wallet, phone, usual stuff)
a pocket for the convention guide
a pocket for pens and sharpies for getting (and giving?) stuff signed- or taking down notes right quick
also- if you can't jot stuff down in your phone or something- it's good to have that notebook for taking notes of other stuff you hear.
and then in the messenger bag, i'll typically have an example of all my recent work/portfolio, more sharpies, a water bottle (and crystal light packages or something)- you never know who you'll run into and having that stuff right there can help. and don't forget the power of printing your own work at home (or even a good office depot!). you can actually print a decent looking preview book on your home printer- or business cards, too. especially if you don't need a thousand copies! and try to make your self as accessible as possible. i'll throw all my contact info on the preview books, too, so that if a card is lost or whatever, it's all there!
there's just so much to do at cons! imagine! thousands of people- who have similiar interests as you- all together! it's something very special and if you try, you can make a lot of it!
how to fully enjoy the con:
#1- either have a set amount of money you want to spend or a plan of stuff you want to buy, or even better both- because othewise, you will end of spending way more than you expected- you probly still will anyway
#2- look at everything there- make a plan of what you want to do, schedule of panels, people you want to meet, exhibitors you want to hit up, etc. you will still probly miss some stuff, but it helps,
#3 by all means! have a sketchbook or whatever- also take snap shots of people in costume for reference, if you like.
#4 don't go without your own promo stuff! last year at comic con, my main plan was to promote my own comic! show your stuff to pros, you'll probably get some good input. give stuff away. you never know who you'll meet that is just around. business cards are good too- don't go wihtout that stuff. but go with traditional businss cards that showcase your art. if i get a generic business card from an artist, with no example, i'm probably not going to care. also those weird smaller ones or whatever or different shapes look cool- but if it doesn't fit with the rest, i'm probably going to loose it.
sounds like you'll have a good time, enjoy!