Podfic Cons!

[paraka]

Podfic as a fan art is still relatively small, even if it's growing quickly. There are positive steps that can be taken to help podfic as a fan art grow. To learn how check out pod_aware on LJ or DW.

Today is the last day of pod_aware and the theme is encouraging podfic. Know what I think would be awesome for encouraging podfic? PODFIC CONS!!!

Back in August, the amazing general_jinjur posted a poll about a European podfic con (if you're interested in going to European con and haven't already done so, you should go fill out general_jinjur's poll and let her know!) but now I'd like to talk about a North American con. First, a poll:

Poll #8539 North American Podfic Con

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 27

View Respondents

Would you attend a podfic con in Toronto, Ont. Canada around May 2012?

View Answers

YES!
5 (18.5%)

I'd try.
17 (63.0%)

Maybe next year?
4 (14.8%)

No.
1 (3.7%)

The vision I have of the con right now is a smaller affair. I'm imagining 3 rooms, one for panels, one for hanging out and one for group podfic recordings (think how much easier it would be to collaborate with everyone in the same room! When you can have a full cast!) and other fun stuff like that.

I'm thinking about doing it in May since university students should be out of school at that time but it's before the summer rush of vacations happen (also, last I heard the Euro con is aiming for the end of summer and I don't want to overlap so people can go to both if they want to/can).

So what do people think? What would you like to see at a podfic con? What kinds of events, panels, parties? Would you be willing to volunteer to help out (tentatively, I'm not going to hold anyone to this if they say yes)?

Would you be interested in getting more information if I move forward with this?

(Also posted on LJ)

ETA #1: I've gotten a couple comments so far that May isn't that great of a month for people. Keeping in mind that there's no one time that'll work work for everyone, feel free to suggest when a better time for you would be.

Comments

[luzula]

Ooh, cool! I would actually be pretty likely to come if it was a little bit earlier, like, the middle of April. I'm going to bitchinparty on March 31-April 1 in Seattle, and then I could do some traveling in between and come to Toronto after that. Since I live in Europe, I'm not likely to make two US trips the same year.

Obviously, this is just me, though, and I get your reasons to put it when you did! : )

[paraka]

As a student I don't think it'd be possible for me to have it earlier. :(

[were_duck]

I would love to, but May never works for me (end of school followed closely by WisCon). Maybe in a few years when I'm done with school I'd be able to do it, though--might not be able to right now no matter WHEN it is :/

[paraka]

Thanks for the reminder about Wiscon, I wouldn't want to go against that on the same weekend. Unfortunately it seems like every weekend has some large con going so I don't think it's possible to choose a date that isn't near something else.

[were_duck]

Totally fair! Nothing you choose will be perfect for everyone, I totally get that.

[were_duck]

I'd prefer June, personally, but I'm not sure if there are other big cons we'd be up against then, too.

[paraka]

I think sometime next week I'll set up a comm for the con and can do a poll asking about what specific weekends work best for people and choose something based on that. :)

[were_duck]

Sounds excellent!

[jesse_the_k]

www.doodle.com has poll tool tailored to making calendrical choices.

[sophinisba]

I like your plans for the three room setup! It sounds like a lot of fun.

The later in May it happens, the likelier that I'll be able to go (and, you know, June would be even easier for me). I think a lot of other people on college/university schedules do still have classes in the first half of May.

[paraka]

*nods* Maybe pushing it to June would work better, I'll probably post a follow up poll in a con specific comm if there's enough interest asking for people's opinions. I just know that June tends to be a super busy month for people too. :S

[aethel]

I have never been to Toronto and would go just for that, plus I can sort of drive to it from Massachusetts. :)

[paraka]

:D

[emef]

I'd change my answer from "I'd try" to "I will totally go if it does not conflict with RL in a major way".

[paraka]

Cool, I'll put up a poll this week to see what weekends work best for people and we can decide on something that way. :D

[aphelant]

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS AND NOW TO FILL OUT THIS POLL!

[aphelant]

Okay so here is the thing: I work for a large company that requires us to book our vacation far, far ahead of time. And whether or not if I ask for time off after the 'close' date *and get it* is a crapshoot. So as much as I REALLY REALLY WANT TO GO, it might be entirely impossible for me to attend. Also, money will be an issue if, you know, I'm going to Pacificon at the end of March and then this in May/June and then...lol the Europe con in late summer. Hahaha! :O

But I'm going to say that June will be a bit easier for me money-wise, and that I will do my absolute best to attend whenever it's decided to be held. \o/ \o/

[paraka]

*nods*
I'm going to put up a poll this week to find out which weekend works best for the most people, so I can hopefully get a firm date by next week so people can try to book time off. :)

[smittenfancy]

I voted "YES!", but it'd really depend on when. I'd prefer the summer over May, but that's only because I'm going to London in March and will need to recover from that financially. However, whatever works for the collective is what's best. If it's May, I'll hustle however I can to get there.

...all assuming I'd be invited. I'm just a listener. But I'd love to volunteer!

[paraka]

Of course you'd be invited! It'd be open to anyone who wanted to attend really, but yes, definitely listeners too!

And I know I want to make sure that the panels that happen are things that non-podficcers would be interested in too. :)

[smittenfancy]

I'd be interested in anything, really. pod_aware has given me a new appreciation for all things podficcy. :) If you create a con comm, I'd definitely follow it with extreme interest and contribute anything I think could be useful. :D

[cookiemom6067]

Son is getting married in May, 2012!

[yue_ix]

Yes! Toronto was lovely. The one con for certain I'm attending is at the end of summer, so unless RL has other plans it's a yes.

It'd be so strange to have all these voices we're used to hearing being all around us. =D

[curiously_me]

I would do my gosh darn best to be there! Strangely, my schedule for May 2012 is pretty open. I'm not sure what I've forgotten, lol, but who cares if we can have a Podfic Con?

Heck, it's only like a 16 or so hour drive from Memphis (which is nothing for me) and I would be more than willing to pick people up on the way!

p.s. even if it's not in May, I'd do my best to be there.