Well One big Convention in NYC has came and gone and while we did not attend this year as either a press rep for our show or a fan we have been getting flooded with reports that our sources have told us about things that were seen and heard at the convention which was out of hand.
Ok let me back up those who do not know me, I do an internet radio Show which we have re-branded for the final time due to legal issues that came up. We have done internet radio for over 10 yrs and have a variety of Guests and listeners worldwide, we have also visited conventions with our group of 1. That’s Right when I go as Press, I apply for 1 press pass and go myself with a voice recorder for audio and camera for pictures and video (both of which I ask permission before Snapping Any Photo’s) and include voice permissions as well. Why am I telling you this? Well 3 yrs ago we had an incident with Press liasion at NYCC who did not like a review we gave and therefore has blacklisted us for past 3 yrs, each year denying us for things that have nothing to do with us whatsoever but was just an excuse to say no. (See Prior Posts on Subject I am not rehashing)
Now moving Forward to the Recent NYCC and our Sources who reported from there as well as sources we spoke to via the web on their individual problems. First off let me say years ago there were geeks and nerds, who to see a women was left speechless mostly at the women and if they were revealing clothes was fascinating – Yet they were respected to a degree. FlashForward now to 2012-2013 and this has evolved into Creeps popping out of the woodwork who objectify women now as sex objects because of what they wear and do not even care about the work it goes into to make the outfit, what inspired them and how they feel wearing it in public.
I noticed this last year at the Con when I saw many “Press reps” with video Camera’s who were mistreating female cosplayers and I even spoke out and in a few instances went to security. (Btw when I spoke of this on our show it was held against us as well). Now we go to the con for the panels and the fans and for one person it is rough so we rely on various other sources who willingly gather stories for us. (Also held against us), now when we went this year to apply as press we were conveniently turned down only after Saturday passes sold out (Biggest day of the Con) and ignored when we requested assistance as to why being told they do not make the press criteria public, other than you have to have over 10K viewers/listeners, have to have a blog, or some form of written coverage, cant be related to the con or press agents going hmmm we werent and we were broadcasting everywhere including from the outside of the con.
Last Year Naked News was at NYCC videotaping interviews with female cosplayers and some of the questions led to sexual innuendo and it was a female reporter.
Apparently the Convention does not really care for its members only on the money they can make. We have had Celebrities on the show Like Debbie Rochon, Alexia Anastasio, Bill Plympton, Jeffery Combs, Chris Costello (Daughter of Lou Costello) and countless other guests. Those in media know when you book a guest for a date in advance it is confirmed by the publicist and only cancelled few days prior if some emergency happens and the guest needs to change tactics. So For a convention to sell tickets for 4 days, and 3 day packages or even single days and then announce guests coming and what days shows the lack of care for its fans. When we interviewed the press liaison 4 yrs ago about this we were told, we dont want to say a guest is coming until the day before the con because if they announce it earlier and they cancel fans will be upset and not buy a ticket. Proving they want the money and do not care for the fans.
If you ever went to any other con they release all guest info all throught the planning phase right up until the day of the con so the fans can plan accordingly.
As for the Panels Same Press liaison commented when asked why they cant clear a panel room after each panel before a con they stated it would be too time consuming and need more volunteers to do so they just leave everyone where they are. Example was last years Walking dead panel where I spoke to 25 people who came from LA just for the day of the panel and waited in line for 7 hours being first in line to get a seat to be told 1 hour after panel started that the vips were in as well as a full room sorry go home. (Fans First Right?)
Then Cosplay incidents Ran Rampant last year and was squashed by the con immediately. I rarely see any press on the vendor floor or talking to cosplayers and those that I did see were respectable and a slight few were not.
Why Am I Reporting on this? Well Im willing to bet they don’t allow me a press pass for next year because of this and posting what they did to me as press by keeping me out as press and as a fan. When I contacted Reedpop I got a No Comment from an unnamed source.
Will these cosplayers still get mistreated at the Con? More than likely yes, But do not be surprised if cosplayers get some type of guidelines on dress for next year and what to do if there is any mistreatment.
All I can say is until they address the situation and actually address it not where just 1 person decides what to do but a panel sits down and talks about what they need to do with security and cosplayers and press to resolve this.
Our Idea, SInce press has to Register every year (yes there is a Strict process to register as press) Add the question on if they plan on filming or photographing cosplayers Yes or No Do not list a maybe, this way if they say yes its on their registration and if they have a complaint about them they can take that registration and stamp it invalid for the following year and tack a note as to why. So it is Recorded, because slapping them on the hand throwing them out of the con after 2 days doesnt prevent them from returning the following year or other damage they might have caused.
Now to toot my own horn our website which is finally up http://atwistedmyth.com
Has all sorts of info including past cons, our mission statement and reviews of all other past cons, its a good read.
With that I am CrazyNick
Internet Radio, Tv Cam Host, Blogger
Also for the record when I go to the Cons I go as Press and Not in costume, I bring me, my camera, my voice recorder, business cards. When I go as a Fan thats when I dress up as a cosplayer or normal attire.
What do you think of this story? Whats your Reviews good and bad of the Con? Remember I am sure the Con will be reading this post…
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