Conventional Wisdom Signal to Noise Ratio

Haven’t done one of these in a while but there has been something that has been going around on the Internet that got me to thinking.

It started with Denise Dorman’s web log entry which you can read here . And the take away line seem to be that Mrs. Dorman hates cosplay from everything you read that was about this web log.

But that was not it at all. She was explaining how conventions were money makers for them and countless other professional artists but now seem to be money losers for them. She did cite the cosplay as an element but it was an example in an essay that talked about a lot more that has changed in the convention circuit.

More importantly she pointed out how expensive it was for the regular fan to just go to a convention much less a professional who was invited. There is less disposable income to be spent on original art and the like between the cost of parking, food, hotel, and the badge.

I do know what she is talking about but then I am another wife of a professional that goes to a lot of conventions. I understand her frustration. Personally we are happy if we break even on a weekend at a convention. Even better if we can walk away with some extra gas or grocery money.

I am also into the costumes. Most of the costumes I make now are for my daughter or a puppet. I have been cosplaying since the late 70s. I have moved to the professional side of the fence and have judged costumes for various conventions. I would not enter a Masquerade right now for a variety of reasons including being told that I shouldn’t because I have been a judge (I really don’t understand that one). I had fun while I did it. Caroline is having the fun now. And we may have one more Mother/Daughter costume in our bag before I totally bow out.

So I understand the POV of a wife of a professional in the industry and the POV of the people who put on the costumes and run around the convention.

I think the point that is buried in articles that refer her original essay is her really point of the entire essay. The other web articles hammer the cosplay but that’s not it at all.

She is talking about whether it is worth her time and her family’s time to go to conventions. If they don’t, Dave can work at home on projects he gets paid for. The family can spend more time together (Believe me being at a convention even if the whole family is there is not really family time). The burden of the household goes down a person. And there is the expense of going to a convention itself.

Networking doesn’t go on as much as it did in the past at these conventions. The most you get is a contact me and we’ll talk more after the convention.

So why go?

Well, Peter does it for the fans. So that he can meet people who have enjoyed his work. That they can have some face to face time with him as a person.

I go with him because I enjoy conventions and interacting with the fans as well. Caroline goes because she is a minor child and can’t been left home alone. The upside is that she enjoys conventions a lot so it is not burden to her to be there.

Mrs. Dorman asks some salient questions about being a professional at a convention which are getting lost in the noise of cosplay bad which is a sad thing because I think her questions are worthy of thought.

I am grateful for the pros and the fans who understand what I am trying to say here.