Post by vern on Nov 17, 2010 2:07:16 GMT -5
Hello to one and all! I'm here with good news: ASTL 2011 Panel Registration is open from now until February 28th, 2011! The form is available here: animestl.net/2011/panelreg.htm and we are going to do our best to make this year bigger and better for the list of panels our amazing fan community runs. If you ran a panel, or multiple panels, at Anime St Louis 2010, thank you for offering your time and your dedication to putting on some great panels to offer to all the attendees!
If you did not (or even if you did!), but you thought to yourself "How come there isn't a <insert fandom or topic here> panel?" then please, consider filling out a form and making sure it's on our schedule and run by someone who is really intrigued by the topic: You! That being said, here's a few questions I want to answer and a few tips I'd like to give to all our panelists or prospective panelists:
FAQ
Q: I started a thread about <insert topic> so I'm definitely running the panel, right?
A: Unfortunately, no. If you want to run a panel, you must complete and send in a Panel Registration form to me, no exceptions. We have a first come, first serve policy, so if someone else submits a panel registration form of the same nature before I receive yours, I will ask you if you'd either like to see if I can arrange for both panelists to work together, or if you'd like to change your topic.
Q: I really want there to be an <insert topic> panel, but I don't feel confident running it myself. What should I do?
A: You have several non-exclusive options here:
* You can (if you haven't already) start a thread on our forums about your preferred topic, and ask if anyone is interested in running it, and whether you work with them or just attend the panel at con is up to you.
* You can ask your friends and other fans you know in your daily life if they're interested in said panel.
And if you decide to submit a form but are just nervous or uncertain:
* You can find time to talk to panelists at the next convention you go to about how they prepared for their panel and for any advice they might have.
* You can remind yourself to analyze the panels you go to and ask yourself what worked, what didn't, what ideas did you take away from the panel, and how did you and the other attendees respond? I think the more you see other panels, the more comfortable you are about running your own.
*Practice! Create an outline and rehearse it to yourself or your friends. Or-
*If you are part of an anime club or meet-up group, suggest an open discussion/panel to be part of one or more meetings. If you haven't yet, you might even find more people to run the panel with this way!
These are just a few of many ideas on how to find someone to run a panel, work with you on one, or give you advice and encouragement for running a panel.
Q: I want to be in or attend the Masquerade, the Date Auction or a Guest Panel, etc., and I was scheduled at the same time as <insert event here>! Isn't it the schedule coordinator's fault?
A: Not exactly. At the bottom of the form we ask you to leave any notes or questions, and specifically mention the Masquerade and the Date Auction. If you want to participate or attend one of the large events and don't want your panel scheduled at the same time, this is where you let me know. Now, this is not a guarantee. If half the forms I receive say they can't be scheduled against the Masquerade and that they will only be there on Saturday, I have a problem. The problem is: not all submitters will be happy. There are only so many panel rooms and so many hours a day. I do what I can to follow your requests, but it is your responsibility to make sure I get that request. If you change your mind later or plain 'ol forget to ask, you are welcome to e-mail me with a scheduling request at panels@animestl.net . However, if it's within the last two weeks leading up to the convention, I may already have the schedules printed. You may try, but absolutely, the sooner the better.
While I'm thinking about it...
Q: I'm only going to be there Saturday, I'm not sure if I should write this somewhere on the form...?
A: Yes please, PLEASE write in the "notes" section of the form if you will only be available one or two days of the con for your panel. I will very likely have to move a panel or two to Sunday, and unless you have a note telling me otherwise, it could be yours.
And the last note isn't a question, but just a clarification: The schedule might get too full, I might accidentally miss a note on your form, and if you have any questions or concerns, send an e-mail to panels@animestl.net and I will do whatever I can to help. At the same time, not everyone can have their perfect time slot and we'll have to compromise someway. Thanks in advance, I can't wait to see the ASTL 2011 panels!
~ASTL Programming
If you did not (or even if you did!), but you thought to yourself "How come there isn't a <insert fandom or topic here> panel?" then please, consider filling out a form and making sure it's on our schedule and run by someone who is really intrigued by the topic: You! That being said, here's a few questions I want to answer and a few tips I'd like to give to all our panelists or prospective panelists:
FAQ
Q: I started a thread about <insert topic> so I'm definitely running the panel, right?
A: Unfortunately, no. If you want to run a panel, you must complete and send in a Panel Registration form to me, no exceptions. We have a first come, first serve policy, so if someone else submits a panel registration form of the same nature before I receive yours, I will ask you if you'd either like to see if I can arrange for both panelists to work together, or if you'd like to change your topic.
Q: I really want there to be an <insert topic> panel, but I don't feel confident running it myself. What should I do?
A: You have several non-exclusive options here:
* You can (if you haven't already) start a thread on our forums about your preferred topic, and ask if anyone is interested in running it, and whether you work with them or just attend the panel at con is up to you.
* You can ask your friends and other fans you know in your daily life if they're interested in said panel.
And if you decide to submit a form but are just nervous or uncertain:
* You can find time to talk to panelists at the next convention you go to about how they prepared for their panel and for any advice they might have.
* You can remind yourself to analyze the panels you go to and ask yourself what worked, what didn't, what ideas did you take away from the panel, and how did you and the other attendees respond? I think the more you see other panels, the more comfortable you are about running your own.
*Practice! Create an outline and rehearse it to yourself or your friends. Or-
*If you are part of an anime club or meet-up group, suggest an open discussion/panel to be part of one or more meetings. If you haven't yet, you might even find more people to run the panel with this way!
These are just a few of many ideas on how to find someone to run a panel, work with you on one, or give you advice and encouragement for running a panel.
Q: I want to be in or attend the Masquerade, the Date Auction or a Guest Panel, etc., and I was scheduled at the same time as <insert event here>! Isn't it the schedule coordinator's fault?
A: Not exactly. At the bottom of the form we ask you to leave any notes or questions, and specifically mention the Masquerade and the Date Auction. If you want to participate or attend one of the large events and don't want your panel scheduled at the same time, this is where you let me know. Now, this is not a guarantee. If half the forms I receive say they can't be scheduled against the Masquerade and that they will only be there on Saturday, I have a problem. The problem is: not all submitters will be happy. There are only so many panel rooms and so many hours a day. I do what I can to follow your requests, but it is your responsibility to make sure I get that request. If you change your mind later or plain 'ol forget to ask, you are welcome to e-mail me with a scheduling request at panels@animestl.net . However, if it's within the last two weeks leading up to the convention, I may already have the schedules printed. You may try, but absolutely, the sooner the better.
While I'm thinking about it...
Q: I'm only going to be there Saturday, I'm not sure if I should write this somewhere on the form...?
A: Yes please, PLEASE write in the "notes" section of the form if you will only be available one or two days of the con for your panel. I will very likely have to move a panel or two to Sunday, and unless you have a note telling me otherwise, it could be yours.
And the last note isn't a question, but just a clarification: The schedule might get too full, I might accidentally miss a note on your form, and if you have any questions or concerns, send an e-mail to panels@animestl.net and I will do whatever I can to help. At the same time, not everyone can have their perfect time slot and we'll have to compromise someway. Thanks in advance, I can't wait to see the ASTL 2011 panels!
~ASTL Programming
