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Forum - View topic[semi OT] Volunteering at an anime convention
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Viga_of_stars
 Posts: 1240 Location: Washington D.C. in the Anime Atelier |
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I'm signed up to volunteer at AnimeUSA this November. I thought it would be useful for me since I can get the crash space but what should I know about volunteering. You know like how to do this right and stuff to watch out for and stuff NOT to do. Thank you.
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marie-antoinette
 Posts: 4136 Location: Ottawa, Canada |
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Make sure you know the con rules and the con location as well as you can. Try your best not to get upset at stupid con-goers because they are the source of revenue. Remember to eat and take breaks when you can (sometimes the best part is when you get to leave the con). Don't try to usurp the role of staff because that pisses them off (though they should be happy to have someone to make do stuff).
Most importantly, have fun 
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Viga_of_stars
Posts: 1240 Location: Washington D.C. in the Anime Atelier |
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Yeah I ran into someone who used their status to be a level 10 bizznatch
 . I know not to do that. Besides that's a load of uncool.
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Randall Miyashiro
 Posts: 2451 Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park |
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I used to volunteer at cons back in the 80s and early 90s. Although you can save some money I found that I was often spending a good amount of convention missing panels and events. There were some nice fringe befits and the staff parties can be fun, but overall I would feel so drained by the end of a sleepless weekend. I retired from staffing Expo in 1995, and in 1996 I managed to get a ton of signatures compared to years past and slept in during the con instead of waking up early which I hate
The most memorable moment would have to be from Animecon 91 in San Jose. After the convention there was a staff poolside party with us and the Gainax hosts. The Japanese staff got really drunk and started throwing people in the pool! Those Gainax guys were fun. |
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marie-antoinette
Posts: 4136 Location: Ottawa, Canada |
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Sometimes it is called for, but not usually, and certainly not by volunteers because they honestly don't have the authority to be bitchy in the situations that warrant it (we had a problem at Animaritime with people coming in through doors that they weren't allowed to come in through and so had to threaten anyone using said doors with being kicked out, since using them could allow people who hadn't paid access to the con). |
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Viga_of_stars
Posts: 1240 Location: Washington D.C. in the Anime Atelier |
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*Looks at you with awe* Is that the same animecon with the super secret premier of Otaku no VIdeo!? WOW! Plus you partied with Ganinax! Legendary! Back on topic i'm not worried about missing some panel or events. You have the ability to pick hours and most panels aren't that great now a days. |
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CorneredAngel
 Posts: 856 Location: New York, NY |
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I gofered at Otakon'99, way back when, and, interestingly, at the first AnimeUSA, in the fall of 1999. Baically, just repeat to yourself: "I am just a little flower. I have no interest in con politics, etc." As a volunteer, basically, just do what staffers tell you to. Just like in any other job, a lot of their decisions and orders and whatever may not make sense initially. But eventually, they will. And, treat the attendees with the *utmost* respect - they are the ones who give the money that goes to pay for your "free" crash space. Though, also, as a volunteer, you probably won't be faced with any major challenges or issues. Just enjoy yourself, don't forget to take a break every now and then, and remember that in your own little way, you are contributing to some kid having *absolutely* the time of his life! |
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Randall Miyashiro
Posts: 2451 Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park |
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THe funny thing is that we never intended on playing Otaku no Video in the wee hours of the night. The funny thing is that Gainax didn't even tell us what the film reel "Otaku no Video" was so we assumed it was something old and obscure since it wasn't released yet. I actually was the projectionist for this 16mm print and showed it after midnight, I think after Twilight Q and some other lesser known films. We however fortunately knew about the yet to be released Giant Robo (I think Newtype had an article on it) and we played it at a decent hour. The funny thing was we actually kept the Giant Robo print for a few weeks after the con and watched it a few more times (I was one of two employees at a small Japanese video shop where we used to hang out after hours) on my personal 16mm projector before sending it back to Japan. It's nice that the conventions have big enough staff to give flexibility. I remember their only being around 4-5 (Kent, Terry, Niko, myself) of us comprising the entire dealers room staff during the first few Anime Expos, back when con attendance was below 2000. I can't imagine how many people it takes to run the dealers room now. |
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jetz
 Posts: 2148 Location: Manila, Philippines |
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The Filipino forum I frequent is currently advertising this major con (sponsored by the cable channel the forum represents) that will be held this december, and I wanted to volunteer and others did too but one of the mods said that we probably shouldn't. He says it gets really crazy and you won't be able to participate much in the festivities. That's why I decided to just cosplay and maybe join the battle of the bands
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