Before you hit the con this year….

Jealous, boys?

….you need to see this video first.

Yes, it’s convention season again. Over the weekend we had Wondercon, although holding a convention on Easter weekend seems like a bad move. And more conventions are coming. Here in Connecticut I’m trying to get ready for ConnectiCon…by catching up on last year’s panels as well as two other cons I attended last year. Stupid computer issues. For some of you this year may be the first time you attend a  convention. There are some things you should be aware of before you do.

Michael Arroyo, otherwise known as The Navigator, is the host of Anime For Dummies, a show that, while including a review, is more of an introduction to “good anime, bad anime, little known anime, and anime so popular you just want to see it die”. He also covers local conventions in his area like I do with my area, and put together a video for new and regular convention goers with tips for surviving conventions. With his permission I offer that video to you, with a few extra notes of my own.

http://blip.tv/anime-for-dummies/anime-for-dummies-how-to-survive-the-con-season-6561338

What do you mean nobody cares? I work hard to interview pseudo and non pseudo celebrities. I interviewed Frank McLaughlin, man. *ahem* sorry.

All good tips, but I may include an addendum or 5….

1. When it comes to the dealer room I do check out the video and comic/manga dealers, but if you really want a deal, try on Sunday’s, when the dealers are trying to push as much stuff out as they can so they don’t have to lug as much back to their store. Some stores (I know my local comic shop started doing this) will bring stuff they haven’t been able to sell in their stores so they really want to get rid of that. As the Navigator said, a lot of this can be found online or video stores (I wish we still had a Suncoast near me) so focus on stuff you normally can’t get and use the booths to learn about something you might consider in the future.
2. Going by Connecticut’s conventions, or at least the ones I attend, checking the convention’s website is also a good idea if you want to find places to eat or a good nightspot if you aren’t into the music being played at the convention’s nighttime dance party. Most sites, especially if they’re long ones like ConnectiCon, will list various eateries near the convention. (ConnectiCon’s site includes the route for the “Star Shuttle”, a mini-bus that goes around the Connecticut Convention Center and XL Center to the various hotels. Not every city will have one of these but they probably should if they can.) Also check YouTube. I know one guy did a short tour of various activities around ConnectiCon and I’m considering  one myself if I have the time. (Which I rarely do). It will also give you a look at previous versions of the con to see if it is something you’d like to go to.
3. I haven’t had the same experience with panel lines that Navigator has…mostly. (You’ll see what I mean when BW Panelling gets to the first That Guy With The Glasses panel.) Usually ConnectiCon’s panels are easy to get into unless it’s full and there’s enough space for everyone to get around. ComiCONN, on the other hand, had no panels but very tight hallways even if I didn’t have my big messenger bag. (I’m considering a smaller bag for the next ComiCONN although the bag was fine for the other two cons I visited last year.) Going from room to room was at times frustrating and getting to talk to guests in the hallway was almost impossible. I think I ended up leaving my bag in my hotel room after I picked up the comics I wanted.
4. I saw people wearing costumes that had to be only for a quick photo-op in the main area because there was no way they could get upstairs. (I’m looking at you, Tetris pieces.) That’s all I have to add to this tip.
5. I’m not sure about the bandages since you might get them from the hotel staff. I know ConnectiCon has a medical room because I needed it when I did something to my ankle one year but I don’t know about other convention centers. If you do want to carry all that stuff, you can find trial/travel size versions of stuff at most box stores and pharmacies. They’re cheap and easy to carry. You can also find travel-size pill boxes if you take any kind of medicine. I would also add that if you have a room FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TAKE A @#$#@# SHOWER! Unless you’re spending all downtime in the video room I’m assuming you go to your hotel room every now and then, or home, or stay with a friend or relative in the area. You should have access to a shower. Please use it.

I’d like to thank Michael for allowing me to post the video here at the Spotlight. (Fun fact: I knew his girlfriend, Yamiangie, from our sprite comics days. We were both part of a group called Save Sytel’s Sanity. Good times.) Catch his anime reviews because they’re quite informative, and maybe I’ll see some of you at the Connecticut convention circuit this year. Now to catch up with last year’s footage. 😦

Related articles

• BW Goes To ConnectiCon 2012 Day 3: Learn About ConnectiCon (bwmedia.wordpress.com)
• BW Panelling: Jim Cummings’ Guide To Character Development (bwmedia.wordpress.com)