HigletFilms at VCON 35 – help needed!

Aug 31, 2010

news

VCON 35 promo poster

See you in Vancouver?

Last night we confirmed our table in Artists Alley at VCON 35 – “…the oldest general-interest science fiction and fantasy convention in Canada and the Pacific Northwest…“ (see http://www.vcon.ca/). We are very excited about being there. Since we moved to Canada in 2007 we’ve been promising ourselves we will go, and this year will be be taking our new webseries there.

From the VCON 35 Press Release:

“VCON offers every science-fiction and fantasy fan something to satisfy the imagination. This year, in addition to our three Guests of Honour: author Cherie Priest, artist James Beveridge, and musician Heather Dale, we are very fortunate to have a brilliant lineup of writers, artists, editors, filmmakers, scientists, musicians, and Steampunk experts.”

What do YOU want to see there?

We’re already making plans for the display and items to take but here’s where you can help. What are your experiences of Cons - what attracts you to a table, and what swag do you like to buy/be given? Are you going to be there? Would you like to help on the table? Let us know in the comments – thanks!

More details coming very soon…

9 Comments

BC, Con, October, sci fi, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Vancouver, VCON 35

7 Comments

Megan Lynch • Aug 31, 2010 @11:15 am

I haven’t been able to afford a con in a while but when I could, this is what would attract me to a table:

1) Already being a fan of something.
2) Some ungodly crowd around a table would at least make me curious as to what they were crowding for (although I probably would stay away since I hate crowds).
3) A really friendly person engaging with fans. Sometimes you’re just attracted because someone has charisma.
4) Intriguing artwork. I’m an artist so I’m always interested in seeing good work.
5) Advice being dispensed that might be helpful to me. So a pro talking about how to get in to the business…
6) Spectacle. Again, this is somewhat dependent on charisma as it helps to have someone who’s got that carnie barker engagement with the crowd. Games that bring the crowd in in some way…
7) Great costumes. Also make costumes so I’m a costume fan.

This is probably not that helpful to you, for which I apologize.
admin • Aug 31, 2010 @11:18 am

This is REALLY helpful, Megan! I think we’re going to have our work cut out but we have some ideas – this really does help
Lou Srygley • Aug 31, 2010 @2:28 pm

As a member of the USS Justice, we use conventions to add members and to get more interest in our films. We have a hanging banner we put in the back of the booth using a green screen holder. Sometimes it’s with gaffer tape(which is easy to remove). We also do a presentation board in front with an easel with pictures from the production and some of the movie prints. As an eye catcher it helps.

Make sure to make some nice cards printed up. You can go to staples and get magnet business card backings. Voilà give away.

Lasly, chocolates helps. Even if Hershey kisses, but small wrapped candies and chocolates help and is less messy. Make sure to include a small trash can for the wrapper.

I find that you do not want to be behind the table. It separates, but if you stand in front and to the side, you can actually bring more in.
admin • Aug 31, 2010 @2:34 pm

funny you should mention chocolate – I have a cunning plan for that!

These are great tips, Lou, and will help us to focus on what we can and can’t do. We don’t have a way to display a banner that I can think of at the moment, but it is a really good idea. The tip about standing to the side is also brilliant – we’ll be sure to do that.

Thank you!
Megan Lynch • Aug 31, 2010 @2:56 pm

If you can’t display it on a wall, maybe you and hubster should make Miss America style sashes with Higlet Films written on them.
Megan Lynch • Aug 31, 2010 @2:58 pm

Offer to rate people’s British accents. So many people think they’ve got one, now they’ve got to trot it out! You and hubster can hold up ratings cards a la Olympics. (And/or you can offer free Mancunian accent lessons!)

Has little to do with webseries, but gets people to the table where you can talk to them.
admin • Aug 31, 2010 @6:34 pm

More great ideas, Megan – thank you so much! We will be in character, but I need to get a couple more accessories for my outfit, I think. Hubby is already good to go. We need to make sure that it really does look like we’re in costume, though, and not looking like – as hubby charmingly put it – “…an unfortunately-attired bag person.”

So it’s still all to play for