kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Sept 27, 2011 8:59:44 GMT -5
I dunno, being part of the 21-25 group I wouldn't go to a con just for a YouTube celeb or a costumer. But the thing with this, is these people are the ones with millions of views, endorsement deals because of it, cameos in web-series, etc. It's not what 1 or 2 people think, it's what their results have brought them. Their results say more than how a couple people feel. I could apply that same opinion to me at almost every celebrity Bollow has had at Cyphan so far. The only two I cared about were Jewel Staite and Robert Picardo (thus making it 1 celebrity each year). Everybody else? Didn't make the decision for me to come.
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Post by Sparrow of WPA on Sept 27, 2011 14:51:57 GMT -5
Didn't Bollow say that he had tried a YouTube celebrity before though?
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Sept 28, 2011 10:34:07 GMT -5
No, he tried Ginny McQueen before, she didn't pull in much of anyone.
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River
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Post by River on Sept 29, 2011 8:40:05 GMT -5
My point though, is that we haven't been getting a draw in the first place with choices in guests/celebrities as is, so thinking celebrities from social networking sites would either be the same outcome we have been getting, or better. That's all I'm saying. If what we've been doing, and the choices we've been picking for guests, haven't been working, it might not hurt to try something new. Epic Meal Time would bring in a draw. Guaranteed. There were people at Cyphan even wearing their shirts this year. I do agree with you K that the draw from celebrities hasn't seem to change much. But what I'm feeling is that YouTube Celebs would be a huge gamble especially if Bollow has to pay them. (which he's stated he wouldn't). As for endorsement deals, i've seen nike and addidas have spokespeople from Biggest Loser or Survivor and honestly i don't see them having that much of a following. More of a "Flavor of the month" So if we did do a Youtube Celeb i think Bollow would only do it based on these factors: 1. They wouldn't charge bollow alot or anything at all! 2. May have to be someone whose up and coming or has the numbers to prove their draw, i.e. Epic Meal Time. Never heard of them, but if they've got t-shirts and stuff. Well i'm guessing that says something. 3. Hopefully they aren't a flavor of the month, whereas by the time they sit down at Cyphan, people are flocking to the next Youtube Celeb. I'm not saying this is a bad idea, but it's very risky. Sure we've had low attendance before, but I'm afraid that we'll go from nominal/low attendance to barely anything. While the classic BSG people may not have interested you, it did a number of people who went there. Picardo was a bonus and quite awesome but costed Bollow a good penny and i have no idea on the ROI he may or may not have received. Now if Cyphan had no problem bringing in people, then i'd say SURE let the dice fly! but we're at a point ( I feel) that we need to make sure every investment counts. Bottom line, Bollow has to make the call. SO until he gets back from FL. i think we should just wait and see what he wants to do. -River
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Sept 29, 2011 14:10:02 GMT -5
^ Oh I'm not saying BSG is meaningless to me (well, I mean it IS, but, I love me some Robert Picardo because of TNG), I'm saying to a handful of people I 'interviewed' who went to the first Cyphan and not the second. You know, asking them why they didn't come. That was one of the reasons.
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Post by Michael Bollow on Oct 3, 2011 9:20:12 GMT -5
I'm not totally against a you tube celeb like Epic Meal Time, but I think we'd need a media celeb as the guest of honor, like Ray Park. The problem I forsee with Epic Meal Time is they are an ensemble cast and I can NOT buy multiple plane tickets.
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River
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Post by River on Oct 4, 2011 5:10:59 GMT -5
I'm not totally against a you tube celeb like Epic Meal Time, but I think we'd need a media celeb as the guest of honor, like Ray Park. The problem I forsee with Epic Meal Time is they are an ensemble cast and I can NOT buy multiple plane tickets. ok cool! So Epic Meal Time is in, with limits... So how many are in the cast and could we invite just two of them? Would that make a difference? K, i beleive you said they have done cons before? Would be neat to see them set up a live 'kitchen' demonstration, unfortunately I don't see hotel allowing for kitchen appliances. LOL. Bollow what say you? Would two (or maybe 3) of these guys be acceptable? let me know i'm sure you, K, and them would have to negotiate the terms. -River
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Post by Michael Bollow on Oct 4, 2011 8:33:06 GMT -5
"Bollow what say you? Would two (or maybe 3) of these guys be acceptable?"
Unfortunately no. I can't afford airfare for 3 guys and the hotel will never allow them to cook anything. Epic Mealtime is a bust I think.
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Oct 4, 2011 8:35:27 GMT -5
They've only been to one convention, and that was SDCC this year. The two MAIN people are Harvey (the guy I talk to) and his partner in crime "Muscle Glasses" LOL. Harvey is the guy that's the founder for EPT, so even if we just have him as a guest to sell his stuff maybe? Or if just Harvey and Muscles come, they could do SOMETHING (I agree on the hotel's food issue, but I can tell you that just knowing they're THERE not having to HAVE a panel, would bring people in). Plus these guys are HUGE partiers. www.epicmealtime.com/They have deals with Netflix, Gamefly, and other big names. "For live appearances please contact: Douglas Edley Vice President Gersh
9465 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 600
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 205-5885
dedley@gershla.com www.gershcomedy.com" (even though I talk directly to Harvey, Bollow) www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpi6p8AaDo(their first and only con appearance so far, with a live performance. They go to cons all the time, but not perform).
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Oct 4, 2011 8:39:02 GMT -5
Bollow, you should talk to Frankie about having a Wolf Pack Elite booth. You want to promote costumers? That's a way to get a crowd. Bring up the Dragoncon/Megacon crowd to us.
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River
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Post by River on Oct 5, 2011 8:37:30 GMT -5
So Bollow,
Getting back to the guests, it does appear that EMT is a bust. It sounds like you really can't just have 'the one' guy, Harvey without at least one other member of the cast there to play off of.
Now who is Wolf Pack Elite? is there a link to these guys? And can you elaborate as to how they will promote costumers? I'd like to hear more.
Thanks, -River
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Oct 5, 2011 13:52:45 GMT -5
WPE, or Wolf Pack Elite (http://www.wolfpackelite.com/), is a branch of elite costumers who broke away from the Wolf Pack (http://wolfpack-scifi.org/), that originated in the Florida/Georgia area.
It's like the 501st. Can't get in unless you've been approved.
If you went to Dragoncon, there was an exclusive members only party at that Hard Rock. The entire place was packed to the neck in people. They always have celebrities guest star at WPE parties, too.
Bollow, Frankie is a part of the board committee and she's been trying to get WPE to spread to Chicago.
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River
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Post by River on Oct 7, 2011 5:09:42 GMT -5
Ok so I went to their webpage, and i found nada. I don't know if they're just updating their page or what the situation is.
I dug around on the net to find some stuff. Sad to say not much was found.
Now what I saw, from horror to sci-fi, the costumes are awesome. Very well done. My ONLY concern, and I say this because of people that are IN the 501st. Is the fact that they use the term "Elite" in their title.
In the 501st "Elite" is like a 4-letter word. What I wouldn't want to see is people from this group (or any group) judging others on the quality of their costumes. If anything, i would hope that they would be willing to give suggestions or advice to others on improving costumes.
I'm not saying anything negative will come about this, i'm just letting you know that, for some, when someone states they are 'Elite" some people frown upon that.
It's great that Frankie is trying to spread this into the Chicago area though and yes, the quality of the costumes does match that of the 501st in many ways.
How many people do you think Frankie would pull with this group? I see where they are popular in FL. Hugely popular. so I take it Chicago is a new market for them?
-River
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River
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Post by River on Oct 7, 2011 5:12:10 GMT -5
Bollow,
another thing i've been chewing on. i know this may seem insane, but what about reality tv guests? I know it seems right in line with Youtube celebs. And i have no clue what they would charge. Again, just something i'm throwing at you.
-River
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kearstin
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Post by kearstin on Oct 10, 2011 20:00:55 GMT -5
They're not to be affiliated with the 501st for comparison in work results, I only said they were similar in retrospect as in "you're not a full member until you have been approved" which is a process to become a part of it. That's it.
They're in no way shape or form literally saying that they're BETTER than anybody, especially from a costuming perspective.
Elite, being used to separate membership from the original "Wolf Pack".
You're not going to see anything on the site because you're not a member. Just like 501st's forum. It's an exclusive membership. They are a huge scene, huge club, and bring one hell of a party. That's why I want them for Cyphan. The roster is growing and if Cyphan can be the "go-to" convention for WPE to host/represent their events at, as they do down south for Dragoncon, then that will help market for Bollow with his costumer/party audience. That's my point.
I was brought on board to bring in my connections, my expertise (which includes costuming, and WPE is right up there if not higher than SCF) so because you haven't heard of them, nor have been impressed by seeing the extremely limited forum to the public (I only posted the link for general reference), that doesn't mean you can sit there and say they're this pompous group of costumers who think they're better than everybody just because "Elite" is in their title.
In fact, they're actually huge on helping and teaching others. It's a congregated group of people who take it seriously. Not buy a premade suit on eBay, wear a slutty outfit from a Halloween store, and call it cosplay. WPE, WP, and SCF are incredibly huge, a lot in which ALSO include 501st/Rebel Legion members. 501st actually has more 'elite' tendencies than WPE does in admission retrospect. The detail, specifics and requirements needed to be deemed a member are way more strict that WPE. WPE is more involvement in the community, peers, advertising and helping others as their requirements.
The term elite is used by them to represent the seriousness, devotion, collaboration and excellent quality the group delivers.
Not vanity.
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