Australian fan convention?

[hope]

Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts. I have thinky thoughts.

A while ago sangga mentioned her desire to run an Australian version of Writercon. And now I've just been pointed to the panel breakdown at connotations.

And. I want to go to a fan convention. Like, way, WAY more than I want to go to a pro convention. I mean, I am hella excited about Asylum because, fans! and, Paddywhack! But honestly? The things I love most about cons is meeting up with the fans and talking to them about fan-stuff. So to see a panel listing like that? WANT. WANT WANT WANT.


And, um. I am taking a year of studying next year. Basically, in order to have lots of free-and-guiltless time to spend on fandom things (as well as to give the school thing a rest. It's been about 18 years, after all).

And, I know I always end up tearing my hair out because organising fans is like herding cats, but. I am tempted. Sorely, sorely tempted. To organise an Australian fan convention.

I probably wouldn't know where to start. Finding people who knew what the hell they were doing, probably. Then building up a team of organisers.

So, any Australian fans out there who have experience with conventions want to talk to me? Maybe give me a hand in thinking about this, at least? I'm pretty sure there's no fan conventions in Australia of the ilk of connotations, right? I'm sure I would be aware of them...


TALK TO ME.

Comments

[shehasathree]

if only i had experience...

secondsilk is involved in a Harry Potter convention of some kind (to be held in Sydney)...

[executrix.livejournal.com]

Check out the Websites and LJ comms for the slashcons conneXions and con_txt, too.

[scribewraith.livejournal.com]

I'm totally up for helping out from the Brisbane front. I haven't done fan cons, and yes I think it'd be heaps of fun, but I've run goth clubs, volunteered at events with CAA and with an Environment group when I was at uni the first time. I've got itchyness too - I've got one semester next year and then six months off before honours ;) (am going to do another trip around europe/etc)

ps also keep meaning to volunteer with the podcast but not sure what I can do to help - have time and willingness, particularly if you want someone to take over an episode sometime...

[verylisa.livejournal.com]

Oh, I shouldn't admit this, I shouldn't.

I used to be the chair of the organising committee of Conquest (http://www.conquest.asn.au/), which is a roleplaying convention.

[chaosmanor.livejournal.com]

I was the convenor of Swancon 2005, and I sit on the Western Australian SF board, the incorporated body that oversees cons in WA.

You might want to contact VicSF, the incorporated board that oversees cons in Vic. They'll be able to talk to you meaningfully about public liability insurance, and possibly about financially underwriting a con, so you don't risk any of your own cash.

... do you think I can find a link for VicSF? If you want more info, I cna keep hunting. Melbourne has been putting on cons for a long time, including two Worldcons, so there is a hell of a lot of accrued knowledge out there that can help you.

[futureperfect.livejournal.com]

Would we be talking something fandom[s] specific?

[hope]

Nope! polyfandom.

[futureperfect.livejournal.com]

AWESOME.

[vass]

Pick the brains of the Manifest people if you can. They've been doing this for anime/manga for six years, without significant loss of sanity, life or limb.