People in general, and fans especially, are not confrontational. When they are displeased with something there are back room grumbling and silent walk-aways. You rarely see people stand up and freely speak their mind in a productive forum. For every 7th Fleet that stands up and is a squeaky wheel, there are a half-dozen Camarillas or Mandalorian Mercs who just simply walk away.
When I and others argue about the loss of fans at CONduit, we get countered by "but we had more people than last year." I counter that, it's not just about quantities. How many of those numbers are people that we'll never see again? As anyone in the hotel industry will tell you, one loyal guest is worth more than two transient ones. The convention has to not only draw them in, the convention has to keep them.
When I brought the Camarilla back to CONduit, it was noticed and commented on. As it stands, there is talk of walking away again. Other than selling buttons and knit Cthulhus at the hall table as a fund raiser, there is very little that is of interest to the club's members. People like them who are willing to come year after year are the people that the convention needs to be reaching out to.
I freely admit to being a shit stirrer. In this case, somebody has to do it. Our last one, Rex, has given up. No, I don't expect to get everything that I want. I am politic enough to understand the concept of compromise. As a general sf con, CONduit can't provide everything to any group of people without alienating the rest. LTUE is our academic pro oriented convention. Let's return CONduit to it's core fun, fan oriented roots.
Thank you everyone for participating in this blog's discussion of our future. I truly hope that something positive comes of all of this.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Filk Videos
Videos of the songs performed by the Utah Filk Organization at CONduit 21. We are the convention's traditional half-time show for the Masquerade. They are in the order they were performed.
Cthuhulud
Heart of a Star
I Hate Vampires Who Sparkle
Wings
Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock
Cthuhulud
Heart of a Star
I Hate Vampires Who Sparkle
Wings
Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock
Monday, May 30, 2011
Post CONduit Thoughts
I have been attending CONduit for 20 years. My first one was CONduit 2. It was the only one where I didn't volunteer, run an event or serve on the committee. I have discovered that I am one of those people who can't work a con that I am attending in some way, otherwise I get bored. My official roles at CONduit have included; dealer, game master, panelist, performer, Fan Club Liaison, Print Shop Coordinator, and Gaming Chair. My unofficial roles have included; club member, gamer, costumer, filker, fan and friend. I deeply enjoy both my official and unofficial roles.
Unfortunately, I have watched my fannish home slowly wither over the years. Gradually the fan clubs, bigger dealers and out of town fans stopped coming. Some of this was due to the usual politics that happen when you get enough strong willed and demanding personalities in the same place. In other cases it was due to stagnation; seeing the same panels, costumes, product and hearing the same jokes or stories year after year. As fandom has changed the convention has not. This was even visible this year. Other than a few select panels and events, there were an awful lot of empty seats. Most of the dealers I spoke with didn't do very well this year, either.
This isn't just an issue with CONduit as an individual convention. With a few exceptions, the general sf conventions are all facing these problems. We are in the information age. Other than conventions like DragonCon, Fandemonium and a few others; the general sf con is aging itself out of existence. Fans can get a lot of what is provided at most general sf cons through the internet.
What CONduit needs to do is provide what can't be provided on the internet; guests that they really want to meet, commercial interests who will provide event specific items and a vibrant social atmosphere. The ice cream social and chocoholics are cute, but not exactly vibrant. The golden oldies of filk are fun, but the moon landing doesn't hold the same grip on the younger folks as it does the older. The young people love cosplay games, interactive entertainment like dances, and songs about World of Warcraft.
I saw some steps in that direction this year with the inclusion of several podcasts, performance art and two nerd rock bands. Unfortunately, the convention attendees weren't prepared for one of the rock bands. I was. Tri-Destiny is no longer the folksy, filkish singing trio that the old timers remember. They have evolved into a full-fledged Celtic rock band. Unlike many folks, I actually went to their website and listened to their newer stuff. The mass walk out of the old timers at the concert will not encourage such diversity of performance in the future.
On the guest front, the convention needs to be willing to pay speaking fees. Writers, actors, musicians and filmmakers who elicit enough interest in their fannish demographic will pay for themselves in additional memberships and other sales. The increased attendance can also pay off in increased participation in other events. You just have to be very selective about who you choose and what their demographic is. Someone who made a couple appearances in Star Trek won't cost much and will elicit interest from a fan demographic that we have always included in the convention base. Stephanie Meyers would cost too much and merely ruin the convention for everyone else. Her largely mundane fans will swarm her and ignore or damage the rest of the con. San Diego ComiCon learned that lesson.
The convention leadership has lost contact with the every-fan. Where does the every-fan get his fannish needs met when not at the convention or on the internet? That would be with their fan clubs. The Trek clubs have an absolutely thriving social scene. The gaming clubs regularly run events and games. The anime clubs even started their own "little" event, called Anime Bonzai. There are also a plethora of other clubs hosting events; Alpine Garrison of the 501st, the Rebel Legion, the Utah Browncoats, the Ghostbusters of Utah, the Utah Filk Organization, etc. (If I didn't list your club it's not intentional.) CONduit used to have a department head level position called Fan Club Liaison. This position hasn't been filled for years. It needs to be resurrected and filled with someone who is willing to spend a lot of their personal time attending fan events of all sorts. The convention needs to reach out to the fan base in the clubs.
I think we are reaching a point where decisions need to be made as to whether the convention will thrive and grow or wither and die. I want it to thrive. We don't need to eliminate the literary base of the convention to do this. We just need to be inclusive of the other aspects of fandom; truly inclusive. Telling people to participate than poo-pooing their ideas or interests is not inclusive.
Now, here's the other side of the coin. If you want something to happen at the convention you need to fight for it. DO NOT walk away at the first sign of confrontation. Show up to committee meetings in numbers (everything is a vote and numbers count) and make your demands heard. The old adage is true. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If every fan I've heard express dislike of the way things are going and of individuals in leadership positions showed up to the meetings, the bums would be out and the convention direction would shift. So you unhappy people have yourselves to blame as much as the "old guard" that you hate. Don't let "tradition" hold you back. The fans are more important than any stuffy old tradition.
In closing. Change or die.
Unfortunately, I have watched my fannish home slowly wither over the years. Gradually the fan clubs, bigger dealers and out of town fans stopped coming. Some of this was due to the usual politics that happen when you get enough strong willed and demanding personalities in the same place. In other cases it was due to stagnation; seeing the same panels, costumes, product and hearing the same jokes or stories year after year. As fandom has changed the convention has not. This was even visible this year. Other than a few select panels and events, there were an awful lot of empty seats. Most of the dealers I spoke with didn't do very well this year, either.
This isn't just an issue with CONduit as an individual convention. With a few exceptions, the general sf conventions are all facing these problems. We are in the information age. Other than conventions like DragonCon, Fandemonium and a few others; the general sf con is aging itself out of existence. Fans can get a lot of what is provided at most general sf cons through the internet.
What CONduit needs to do is provide what can't be provided on the internet; guests that they really want to meet, commercial interests who will provide event specific items and a vibrant social atmosphere. The ice cream social and chocoholics are cute, but not exactly vibrant. The golden oldies of filk are fun, but the moon landing doesn't hold the same grip on the younger folks as it does the older. The young people love cosplay games, interactive entertainment like dances, and songs about World of Warcraft.
I saw some steps in that direction this year with the inclusion of several podcasts, performance art and two nerd rock bands. Unfortunately, the convention attendees weren't prepared for one of the rock bands. I was. Tri-Destiny is no longer the folksy, filkish singing trio that the old timers remember. They have evolved into a full-fledged Celtic rock band. Unlike many folks, I actually went to their website and listened to their newer stuff. The mass walk out of the old timers at the concert will not encourage such diversity of performance in the future.
On the guest front, the convention needs to be willing to pay speaking fees. Writers, actors, musicians and filmmakers who elicit enough interest in their fannish demographic will pay for themselves in additional memberships and other sales. The increased attendance can also pay off in increased participation in other events. You just have to be very selective about who you choose and what their demographic is. Someone who made a couple appearances in Star Trek won't cost much and will elicit interest from a fan demographic that we have always included in the convention base. Stephanie Meyers would cost too much and merely ruin the convention for everyone else. Her largely mundane fans will swarm her and ignore or damage the rest of the con. San Diego ComiCon learned that lesson.
The convention leadership has lost contact with the every-fan. Where does the every-fan get his fannish needs met when not at the convention or on the internet? That would be with their fan clubs. The Trek clubs have an absolutely thriving social scene. The gaming clubs regularly run events and games. The anime clubs even started their own "little" event, called Anime Bonzai. There are also a plethora of other clubs hosting events; Alpine Garrison of the 501st, the Rebel Legion, the Utah Browncoats, the Ghostbusters of Utah, the Utah Filk Organization, etc. (If I didn't list your club it's not intentional.) CONduit used to have a department head level position called Fan Club Liaison. This position hasn't been filled for years. It needs to be resurrected and filled with someone who is willing to spend a lot of their personal time attending fan events of all sorts. The convention needs to reach out to the fan base in the clubs.
I think we are reaching a point where decisions need to be made as to whether the convention will thrive and grow or wither and die. I want it to thrive. We don't need to eliminate the literary base of the convention to do this. We just need to be inclusive of the other aspects of fandom; truly inclusive. Telling people to participate than poo-pooing their ideas or interests is not inclusive.
Now, here's the other side of the coin. If you want something to happen at the convention you need to fight for it. DO NOT walk away at the first sign of confrontation. Show up to committee meetings in numbers (everything is a vote and numbers count) and make your demands heard. The old adage is true. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If every fan I've heard express dislike of the way things are going and of individuals in leadership positions showed up to the meetings, the bums would be out and the convention direction would shift. So you unhappy people have yourselves to blame as much as the "old guard" that you hate. Don't let "tradition" hold you back. The fans are more important than any stuffy old tradition.
In closing. Change or die.
I Am a Childe of Caine
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston
Original Lyrics: Naomi Ward Randal and Darwin Wolford (I Am a Child of G-d)
Original Tune: Mildred Tanner Pettit (I Am a Child of G-d)
I am a Childe of Caine
And he has made me here,
Has given me an eternal quest
With powers strong and queer.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine
And so my Beast is great;
Help me to comprehend this news
Before it grows to late.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine.
Rich vitae is in store;
If I but learn to hunt my prey,
I’ll live for all time more.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine.
I commit for sure;
Eternal glory shall be ours
If my pack can endure.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night
NOTE: This is from the perspective of the Sabbat in Vampire: the Masquerade. It's the first filk I have ever entered into a writing contest and it won the first prize in the parody category. This was at CONduit 21.
Original Lyrics: Naomi Ward Randal and Darwin Wolford (I Am a Child of G-d)
Original Tune: Mildred Tanner Pettit (I Am a Child of G-d)
I am a Childe of Caine
And he has made me here,
Has given me an eternal quest
With powers strong and queer.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine
And so my Beast is great;
Help me to comprehend this news
Before it grows to late.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine.
Rich vitae is in store;
If I but learn to hunt my prey,
I’ll live for all time more.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night.
I am a Childe of Caine.
I commit for sure;
Eternal glory shall be ours
If my pack can endure.
Keep me, drive me, chase behind me,
Teach me all the rites.
Drill me in all I must do
To be as strong some night
NOTE: This is from the perspective of the Sabbat in Vampire: the Masquerade. It's the first filk I have ever entered into a writing contest and it won the first prize in the parody category. This was at CONduit 21.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Another Scion RPG Filk
Called to Action
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston
Original Lyrics: Grace Gordon (Called to Serve)
Original Music: Adam Geibel (Called to Serve)
Called to action, break the bonds of chattle
Chosen e’er to struggle against retreat,
Far and wide we fight the holy battle,
Far and wide our foes defeat.
Forward, pressing forward, as we battle for our homes;
Forward, pressing forward, as we battle for our homes;
Beyond, ever beyond, as clam’ring battle rings
Worship our power; thrust beyond ever,
Called to fight our war.
Called to guide the people of this the world-
Sons and daughters, children of the gods-
Strong of soul, fury and vigor hurled,
Triumph against all the odds.
NOTES: Filk song inspired by the Scion RPG.
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston
Original Lyrics: Grace Gordon (Called to Serve)
Original Music: Adam Geibel (Called to Serve)
Called to action, break the bonds of chattle
Chosen e’er to struggle against retreat,
Far and wide we fight the holy battle,
Far and wide our foes defeat.
Forward, pressing forward, as we battle for our homes;
Forward, pressing forward, as we battle for our homes;
Beyond, ever beyond, as clam’ring battle rings
Worship our power; thrust beyond ever,
Called to fight our war.
Called to guide the people of this the world-
Sons and daughters, children of the gods-
Strong of soul, fury and vigor hurled,
Triumph against all the odds.
NOTES: Filk song inspired by the Scion RPG.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Scion RPG Filk
I’ll Be a Weapon
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston
Original Lyrics: Nellie Talbot (I’ll Be a Sunbeam)
Original Music: Edwin O. Excell (I’ll Be a Sunbeam)
Amun wants me for a weapon,
To kill for him each foe;
In ev-ry way try to kill them,
In shine, in rain, in snow.
A weapon a weapon,
Amun wants me for a weapon.
A weapon a weapon,
I’ll be a weapon for him.
Amun wants me to be cunning
And kill all foes I see,
Showing how rapid and ready
His righteous wrath can be.
A weapon a weapon,
Amun wants me for a weapon.
A weapon a weapon,
I’ll be a weapon for him.
NOTE: This was inspired by my Scion RPG sniper, child of Amun-Ra, player character.
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston
Original Lyrics: Nellie Talbot (I’ll Be a Sunbeam)
Original Music: Edwin O. Excell (I’ll Be a Sunbeam)
Amun wants me for a weapon,
To kill for him each foe;
In ev-ry way try to kill them,
In shine, in rain, in snow.
A weapon a weapon,
Amun wants me for a weapon.
A weapon a weapon,
I’ll be a weapon for him.
Amun wants me to be cunning
And kill all foes I see,
Showing how rapid and ready
His righteous wrath can be.
A weapon a weapon,
Amun wants me for a weapon.
A weapon a weapon,
I’ll be a weapon for him.
NOTE: This was inspired by my Scion RPG sniper, child of Amun-Ra, player character.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
This Week's Convention
Despite what my previous rant may have made you think, I truly do participate and help improve our local convention. I have been a part of the CONduit family for a very long time. We're just going through a dysfunctional period and I'm trying to decided whether to move out of the house into my own place or help the family work on the existing house.
I plan on dressing in costume for at least all day Saturday. Friday is a maybe on the costume front and Sunday is a definite no on costuming. Sunday is my sloppy shorts and nerd t-shirt day due to lack of sleep. I'll be bringing my laptop and dice, that way I can drop in on any game that may appeal to me.
The Camarilla and UFO will have hall tables. The Camarilla will be selling the usual awesome buttons and NEW this year are hand crocheted, stuffed Chtulhus of various sizes and colors. UFO will be selling the group's CD, UFO: First Contact. Please buy from both groups. The money helps pay for the clubs' activities. Come say hi to me, I will be sitting off and on at both tables throughout the weekend.
Here is my official panel/events list for CONduit. These are just the ones where I am officially listed. It looks like the bulk of my stuff is on Friday. I will do my best to not fall asleep during the Sunday one, as I doubt I will be sleeping much Saturday night due to the all night filk on Saturday.
Friday
Noon: Convention Etiquette 101
4pm: Why to join a fan club. You start your new job. What happens when your co-workers find out that you are a Lt. Commander on the USS Tsunami or that you are an Honorable Lady in the SCA? What you could say could frighten them off or introduce them as possible new members to your organization.
5pm: Archaeology in SF media
9pm: Filk Showcase as part of the UFO Chorus
10pm: Late Night Filking/Hymnal Filk Never been to a Filksing? Come try it out! We’ll be here late! (2:00am) We will start the evening off with a sing along and then move to a poker chip-bardic circle. Hymnals included!
Saturday
6pm: Bad fairy! You're NOT a Vampire! How recent books and media have warped Vampires into fairies and love interests.
8pmish: Halftime Masquerade Show as part of the UFO Chorus
Sunday
11am: A day in the life of an ancient Egyptian
The only way to make things the way you want them to be is to make an effort at doing so. Show up to CONduit. Enter suggestions on the comments cards. Go to the praise and gripe panel on Sunday. Tell them where they went wrong or right. Let them know what fandom really thinks, not just what they think it should think.
I plan on dressing in costume for at least all day Saturday. Friday is a maybe on the costume front and Sunday is a definite no on costuming. Sunday is my sloppy shorts and nerd t-shirt day due to lack of sleep. I'll be bringing my laptop and dice, that way I can drop in on any game that may appeal to me.
The Camarilla and UFO will have hall tables. The Camarilla will be selling the usual awesome buttons and NEW this year are hand crocheted, stuffed Chtulhus of various sizes and colors. UFO will be selling the group's CD, UFO: First Contact. Please buy from both groups. The money helps pay for the clubs' activities. Come say hi to me, I will be sitting off and on at both tables throughout the weekend.
Here is my official panel/events list for CONduit. These are just the ones where I am officially listed. It looks like the bulk of my stuff is on Friday. I will do my best to not fall asleep during the Sunday one, as I doubt I will be sleeping much Saturday night due to the all night filk on Saturday.
Friday
Noon: Convention Etiquette 101
4pm: Why to join a fan club. You start your new job. What happens when your co-workers find out that you are a Lt. Commander on the USS Tsunami or that you are an Honorable Lady in the SCA? What you could say could frighten them off or introduce them as possible new members to your organization.
5pm: Archaeology in SF media
9pm: Filk Showcase as part of the UFO Chorus
10pm: Late Night Filking/Hymnal Filk Never been to a Filksing? Come try it out! We’ll be here late! (2:00am) We will start the evening off with a sing along and then move to a poker chip-bardic circle. Hymnals included!
Saturday
6pm: Bad fairy! You're NOT a Vampire! How recent books and media have warped Vampires into fairies and love interests.
8pmish: Halftime Masquerade Show as part of the UFO Chorus
Sunday
11am: A day in the life of an ancient Egyptian
The only way to make things the way you want them to be is to make an effort at doing so. Show up to CONduit. Enter suggestions on the comments cards. Go to the praise and gripe panel on Sunday. Tell them where they went wrong or right. Let them know what fandom really thinks, not just what they think it should think.
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