DragonCon 2008 Musings

[puppetmaker]

Hard to believe that a week ago I was in the middle of DragonCon. This week I am at home tracking a storm and trying to see if it is going to pass us by or drop a lot of rain on us.

I am going to talk in generalities rather than specific happenings. I ask that if you comment to this post, you keep it the same please. I am not trying to be mean or bash anyone. These are observations of mine having walked around the convention for four and half days. I am also placing behind a cut since it is rather long.


Dear Cos-player,
I love the costume. You did a really good job at recreating the character you are playing and you are in character to the nth degree. I appreciate the detail in what you have done.

However DragonCon is a crowded place. The elevators can be a horror show. When carrying large props (swords, hammers, key blades, bottle, umbrellas, crosses) please be aware of where they are in relation to the crowd esp. for our shorter members of the convention and I am not just talking about the kids.

Thank you-
The women who watched more than one person ducking and dodging to avoid being hit or impaled or squished

Dear Stormtroopers-
What amazes me is that you dress up in armor in Atlanta at the end of August and walk around the convention. I also love it when TPTB use the 501st for crowd control. Fans give you the authority to tell them what to do and where to go. You police yourselves well so that if someone in the group is acting like a jerk, the rest of you come down on them like a ton of bricks. I also love how you interact with kids. They are fascinated with you and Vader and no matter how long you have been standing around, you make the time for kids. It reflects well on you and your group.

Thank You-
The woman who heard a little kid declare to his parents he wanted to be part of the 501st when he grows up

Dear Steamers,
Dudes and Dudettes, y'all impressed the heck out of me with all those costumes. Jules Verne is a personal favorite of mine and it was spiffy seeing all you. I might just have to join you next year.

However, you need to be aware of the people around you and how your clothing may be invading the personal space of the person next to you. The guns were impressive but I did see a couple of people getting thwapped by them. And getting mad at the person you hit with your prop because the prop might be damaged is just not cool. It is your responsibility to know what is going on around you and they did try to get out the way.

Thank you-
The women who almost stepped in to point this out to you when someone else did
Dear DragonCon Staff-
Ya know I love y'all. There could be no convention without you. Sure there were some rough patches because there are always things that need to be worked out or revised. But over all you got the job done. Everyone had fun and there were no major problems even with all the football fans wandering around Friday and Saturday.

So hugs to you all. You make it work.

Thank you-
The woman who had a very good weekend

Dear Costumers-
Ya know that I love you. I really do. You are an imaginative lot.

However wearing the same costume for four days is a little much. Believe me that I know how much work went into the outfit. But I have seen you in it every time I have seen you and I have seen you through out the days. It is to the point that people are starting to question your sanity or at least your hygiene.

Thank you-
The woman who had to stand next to you in an elevator

Dear Fans,
Getting upset because an actor doesn't make it to the show. Or isn't at the walk of fame when you are there is rather petty. They have lives too. Also the handlers are human too. They are not there to make your life miserable but to protect their clients and their clients' interests. Believe me, they serve a very useful purpose. There are tales I could tell that don't show fans in the best of lights. So please treat everyone well and I think you will be much happier. On the other hand sucking up to the handler is just annoying and is probably not going to get you any closer to the object of your desire than you are now.

Thank you
The woman who had dropped into the Walk of Fame at the request of a friend to drop something off to them.

Dear people standing in line,

I know the lines are long and the waiting is interminable. Please don't shoot me dirty looks when I go to the front of the line and into the room before you. I may not be on the panel but I might be there at the request of someone attached to the convention. Also another family member might be on the panel or getting off of the previous panel so I do have a reason to be there. Trying to blow me up with your laser like gaze and mumbling under your breath is not going to endear yourself to me. I have VERY good hearing and I did hear what you had to say. I did not stay for the panel, but found the person I was to escort at their request and we went out the other way so I didn't take up that space you were worried about.

Thank you-
The woman who probably had people scratching their heads to figure out who she was

Dear Online Readers-
Thank you to all who identified yourselves to me. It was really cool to meet you all. For those of you who didn't, I don't bite esp. if there is not a full moon. *grin*. I understand after reading all this why you might be hesitant but understand I do love fans. I love meeting people that I exchange words with online. I like putting names to faces.

Thank you-
Kath the Puppeteer

I am grateful for all the fun I had at DragonCon

Comments

[vampry.livejournal.com]

You make great points. Thank you.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see either you (and Caroline) or Peter at the convention. Maybe next year! I'm glad you had a good time.

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

Summed up nicely, firmly polite.

As for the 501st, aren't they just swell? I had so much fun at previous cons talking to them. I'm very impressed by the group as a whole. One Imperial officer had her four-month-old with her, and the little tyke was decked out with matching cap and hand-sewn badges that mimicked the shiny medals that would have ended up in his mouth. (This was a few years ago, but it really impressed me.)

[althenesanguis.livejournal.com]

Very well put! I was a bit sad that I didn't get to see you this year, but I'm hopeful to amend that in the future. :D

[bevlovesbooks.livejournal.com]

Rock on. It was good to see you and Ariel again, and Dobby was a big hit at the Ball.

[sneezythesquid.livejournal.com]

Great comments. I'm sad I never found you at the con, but I did get to swing by the art show and your puppets were great. I hope to catch you next year!

[omahastar.livejournal.com]

Nicely summed up. The only thing I would add would be something like:

Dear con-goers with wings, please be aware of your surroundings. Having wings pointing out several feet with big sharp pointing things is not endearing. No need to eliminate them entirely, just please keep an eye open so someone else doesn't lose theirs.

Thank you -
The guy who kept getting poked, and not in the fun kind of way.