FaireGoddess
05-02-2008, 03:51 AM
I'm surprised there's not a feedback thread yet, so I'm going to go ahead and start one. ;)
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed myself at the con! This was my second CostumeCon (the first being 23 in Utah), so I sorta knew what to expect. I'm glad I managed not being dragged into staffing the con, as I didn't spend a lot of time out of my room/not sewing anyway. I did manage to hit two panels (the Gusts' special effects panel, and the EL wire panel), and they were both full of interesting, helpful information that has set the gears turning for future projects.
I do wish the programming had been better-scheduled.. I know there were issues with availability etc., but it seemed like many of the panels in each track were scheduled opposite each other, where it might have made more sense to devote a room to a track and have the panels run back-to-back all day. (I also would have preferred fewer programming rooms with longer hours, so there weren't as many conflicting panels.) I'm also surprised that CC26 didn't seem to actively solicit panelists on the C.com forums; a lot of anime folks showed up, and were disappointed by the lack of panels of interest to them. Yes, I know, if you want programming, volunteer. ;) I will say, though, that the amount of programming felt on par with the amount at CC23.. but with three times the attendance, I was hoping there would be at least twice the programming to coincide. I hope CC27 takes note and tries to pull in the anime crowd both as members and panelists, what with the Otakon population so close. :)
I enjoyed myself during the various competitions/masquerades, etc. Participating in the SF&F, I was (as many others were) frustrated with the tech rehearsals. Yes, things run behind and I understand that, but it would have been nice to have someone letting the contestants know what was going on. I sat around for 45 minutes before I got a 3-entries-until-your-turn warning; if I'd been told "Oh, there are (ten, fifteen, twenty) entries ahead of you in line" when I arrived, I'd have returned to my room to continue prepping for the show and returned when it was closer to my turn. As it was, I had to rush to make it to green room in time, and I know I wasn't the most impacted of the entrants. That said, once in the green room things went smoothly. My den mom was fabulous, nice, and terribly helpful, especially as I was sharing a ninja with a friend in another den. I would have preferred fewer entries lining up backstage (two dens' worth seemed a bit overkill, and there were several people whose costumes were not conducive to standing for long periods).
But really, all that said, I think the show ran reasonably well.. heck, it was smoother than the last one I ran, so I can't throw stones! :)
I also really enjoyed watching the Historical masq, and from where I was sitting, didn't see any glaring issues as an audience member. I appreciated the band that played during the judging; I just felt bad that so many people abandoned the room! The Future Fashion Show was great fun to watch. I wish, though, that the designers who won awards had had their designs mentioned.. eg, Dawn McKechnie won multiple awards for her designs, but I don't know which designs those were (without referring to the folio after the fact).
Um... yes! Overall, I had a really pleasant con. I wish I'd been able to see all the exhibits, but I guess that's what happens when you're sewing up until the last minute! ;) I'm looking forward to the possibility of CC27 in Baltimore next year - just need to make an excuse to travel across the country! XD!
I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed myself at the con! This was my second CostumeCon (the first being 23 in Utah), so I sorta knew what to expect. I'm glad I managed not being dragged into staffing the con, as I didn't spend a lot of time out of my room/not sewing anyway. I did manage to hit two panels (the Gusts' special effects panel, and the EL wire panel), and they were both full of interesting, helpful information that has set the gears turning for future projects.
I do wish the programming had been better-scheduled.. I know there were issues with availability etc., but it seemed like many of the panels in each track were scheduled opposite each other, where it might have made more sense to devote a room to a track and have the panels run back-to-back all day. (I also would have preferred fewer programming rooms with longer hours, so there weren't as many conflicting panels.) I'm also surprised that CC26 didn't seem to actively solicit panelists on the C.com forums; a lot of anime folks showed up, and were disappointed by the lack of panels of interest to them. Yes, I know, if you want programming, volunteer. ;) I will say, though, that the amount of programming felt on par with the amount at CC23.. but with three times the attendance, I was hoping there would be at least twice the programming to coincide. I hope CC27 takes note and tries to pull in the anime crowd both as members and panelists, what with the Otakon population so close. :)
I enjoyed myself during the various competitions/masquerades, etc. Participating in the SF&F, I was (as many others were) frustrated with the tech rehearsals. Yes, things run behind and I understand that, but it would have been nice to have someone letting the contestants know what was going on. I sat around for 45 minutes before I got a 3-entries-until-your-turn warning; if I'd been told "Oh, there are (ten, fifteen, twenty) entries ahead of you in line" when I arrived, I'd have returned to my room to continue prepping for the show and returned when it was closer to my turn. As it was, I had to rush to make it to green room in time, and I know I wasn't the most impacted of the entrants. That said, once in the green room things went smoothly. My den mom was fabulous, nice, and terribly helpful, especially as I was sharing a ninja with a friend in another den. I would have preferred fewer entries lining up backstage (two dens' worth seemed a bit overkill, and there were several people whose costumes were not conducive to standing for long periods).
But really, all that said, I think the show ran reasonably well.. heck, it was smoother than the last one I ran, so I can't throw stones! :)
I also really enjoyed watching the Historical masq, and from where I was sitting, didn't see any glaring issues as an audience member. I appreciated the band that played during the judging; I just felt bad that so many people abandoned the room! The Future Fashion Show was great fun to watch. I wish, though, that the designers who won awards had had their designs mentioned.. eg, Dawn McKechnie won multiple awards for her designs, but I don't know which designs those were (without referring to the folio after the fact).
Um... yes! Overall, I had a really pleasant con. I wish I'd been able to see all the exhibits, but I guess that's what happens when you're sewing up until the last minute! ;) I'm looking forward to the possibility of CC27 in Baltimore next year - just need to make an excuse to travel across the country! XD!