Visuals
I have some kickass ideas for visuals during the dances if your interested just post.
Because computer visuals are not very good in my respected opinion i would suggest using an xbox 360 or PS3 but if you disagree and hav something else please tell
Milkdrop primarily, yep! 
The biggest advantage to Milkdrop is that it's open ended for user development. You can find thousands of visual presets in the winamp forum, ensuring that no matter how much you watch it, there's always something new to see.
Steve Hopps aka "Simba Lion"
Director of Audio & Video
http://www.anthrocon.org/
E-Mail: smblion@anthrocon.org
@ Proto: Wouldn't it'd be nice to have the lighted floors..ofcourse that's pushing it~_^
@ Simba: Though on a good note. I meant to ask for this years Con, though totally forgot to.
I recently found a way to truck in my 3 laser units to AC without goin' through "carriers" which i felt will get damaged for sure or worst lost. 2 blue diode units at 200mw and the other is a RYB diode at 330 mw and runs on 220V(non selectable).
Just wondering if AC is interested in having more units?
I know this year we had another unit of the green,which made it more spectacular at this years dances.
Welp, lemme know^^
Collin aka Matrix guy to some.
The secret is in you.....
We had 2 color units this year. However that aspect of the show is up to Fizz now, as he's been kind enough to bring and operate the equipment two years in a row. You'd need to discuss it with him, I trust his judgement in the matter
Steve Hopps aka "Simba Lion"
Director of Audio & Video
http://www.anthrocon.org/
E-Mail: smblion@anthrocon.org
i, for one, believe that a linear increase in lasers leads to an exponential increase in awesome. please observe.
1 laser - double the awesome.
2 lasers - four times the awesome
3 lasers - eight times the awesome.
See the pattern? I say we cram the room so full of lasers there's absolutely no chance you can walk in without going blind, and then equip every dancer with at least two (2) laser pointers.
Let's get on it.
I saw two people in the ballroom with laser pointers working on just that. It made it even more awesome. We must work to make this a reality.
_________________
My Anthrocon 2008 montage video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfIYmueKeI
I see..now that explains why the green came out a bit washed. The RYB unit i have is a color merge through a single output path instead of 3 separate paths each representing 1 of the 3 colors similar to having 3 units of different colors. The result is the colors represented comes out cleaner or truer as the colors mixes at the source.
I'll contact Fizz in regards to having this up for next year.
Edit: I'm not sure if this is the same person but is he Fizz Otter per chance?
Just makin' sure i'm gettin' the right person here.
Regards,
~Collin aka the Golden Bullet
Matrix guy to some^^
The secret is in you.....
You are correct, it's Fizz the massively-mohawked otter whom handles lasers at AC.
As far as I know, the lasers Fizz was using this year are prototypes designed by him. Though I don't know specifics, I do know they were running about 6-watts of power between the two systems.
The intelligent lights in the room were overpowering the laser systems, so maybe more lasers would do good for that room.
----------------------------------------------
Oddy
Producer | DJ | Audio Engineer
Prototypes you say?
That's pretty darn good,i wouldn't have thought it was. I also felt that it was more powerful than 6 watts each? Eitherway, it was definately nice to have the light show. I am in no way a specialists in the laser field though,however, i do know how to do basic repairs to the unit which i have and the setup guidelines of the equipment for safe operation.
The secret is in you.....
Just joined on here, but I own a Productions company out of Pittsburgh.
Did you guys hire a professional VJ to run visuals at the event? Because your problem on clarity would be either from having a set up that isn't powerful enough to run software, outdated software, or the person using doesn't know enough about it.
Done correctly computer visuals are the best, you just have to know how to program them and have some high end equipment/software. Using an Xbox pry won't work much better if you're projecting it.
As for Lasers, go with Lightwave if you want quality. Nothing else compares. We used them for Party Monster in 2007 and one of their lasers is better that a room full of midrange. One laser has a full spectrum of colors not just a couple. Mind you the are pricey...but utterly AMAZING
Below are some pics from the party
If you guys are interested I have a professional VJ with my company, as well as a team of performance artists, DJs, Sound equipment, technicians, etc. That means all you'd need to worry about is having a space to put the party in.
My VJ can do 3 layer visuals in HD quality. He normally does work for high end events in the area.
So who all books the entertainment for this? We'd actually be very interested in being involved. We hold parties for a lot of conventions (comic, horror, anime, etc).
You can view a variety of my work at
myspace.com/djcyfi
myspace.com/umbrellaproductionsllc
Kind of you to offer, but all of our performers come from within our group. We do not hire outside artists. Now, if you're willing to work for free, that's a different matter....
No, we don't work for free. However we could work something out regarding us organizing a party, handling all the arrangements and you claiming it as your official afterparty. That way you have no investment other than some lines of txt and a little bit of time. What we normally do is rent out a venue exclusively for the event, set a very low cover ($5), make it exclusive to convention attendees, and handle all the arrangements. This adds an event on with little work on your end, provides for much more promotion, and provides for some amazing advertising footage for the coming years. We also come with our own professional photography and video, which is available to document the convention as well.
While keeping events closed has it's merit, it can also lead to stagnation and in some cases a lapse in quality due to a lack of understanding. Bringing in performers from the cities you hold conventions in helps to spread the world as well as getting a influx of new attendees. Not to mention it gives you a promotional edge if you are dealing with professionals.
In my time scrolling through your boards I've run into mentions of many small technical errors that could easily be avoided.
Last year my company suspended international model and performance artist Perish (myspace.com/perishable) in the air with a flamethrower strapped to his back so that he could soar over the crowd throwing 10ft+ fireballs above their heads. This was accomplished without incident. That's just a mere example of the stunts we create.
Mike
this inst some concert you know. you realize that if something were to wrong kage is legally responsible for whatever damage is done not to mention that the hotel or the convention may not want to hold AC anymore
Oh I know. That's why I have a legal Cooperation and insure my events. I don't take on unnecessary risks, nor do I choose to endanger my patrons. When I say I am a professional I mean I am the real thing, not some fly by night drug party promoter.
If you will notice I did state that I normally rent out a venue near to the convention to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest and every one is kept safe. Though that isn't even a matter that I am concerned about. I have a rather good idea of how conventions such as these are run, my company is made up of a variety of well rounded individuals and so far we have never damaged a venue or broken a contract.
I understand the apprehension, hell I've seen the worst the industry has to offer...that's the main reason I have created Umbrella Productions. If we can't do a stunt safely, we don't do it. Nothing is worth the risk of our audience's safety...we love to shock and scare them, but there is only the illusion of danger.
For example the event where we used a flame thrower was carefully monitored and planned. We had every possible safety measure in place, including a incendiary specialist who is currently involved with the Navy in Japan, fire dept, ems, police, etc. There has never been an injury to an audience member at an event we've thrown.
If done correctly any theatrics can be done safely.
Not the most dangerous stunt, but an angle grinder taken to a small piece of metal strapped over one's tender bits is one of the more impressive and safe tricks...don't try it at home.
With all due respect, we would appreciate it if you take your business elsewhere. The answer was no, we are not interested unless you are attending and volunteering your time and equipment. However, if you do change your mind and you'd like to volunteer that may be a great way to promote your company with limitations following the cons rules,conduct and guidelines.
~Collin aka GoldenBullet~
The secret is in you.....
Please contact our A/V department at about this matter if you are interested in working with us; negotiations of the sort that would result in a 'yes' answer are really not going to be performed on a public forum.
I will say this: We like very much bringing our DJs and our show performers within the fandom. We are less concerned with being a growth organization with providing excellent experiences to the furry fandom. We don't have a dance to 'have a dance'. All of our current DJs are in-fandom people who attend and bring their music without pay; ditto our laser team, ditto our A/V team. We take great pride in being an all-volunteer, non-profit organization for the fans and by the fans, and let promotion and growth happen organically.
--Chiaroscuro, Anthrocon's Director of Registration
I really have to agree with Chiaroscuro here. While hiring a professional company would have its benefits I would definitely prefer to see DJs, performers and such continue to come from within the fandom. It is opportunities like these, whether helping unloading trucks and volunteering during registration (like me and my family did) to having volunteers as DJs, AVs and what not, that really give Anthrocon the feel that it is OUR con and not just an event that we are attending. This was my first year attending AC and I had a lot of fun but there was still that feel that the con really belonged to us as a fandom. I really think that says a lot considering how large AC is growing.
And boy, does our growth happen organically.
I messaged them quite a while ago and hadn't heard anything back...
So I posted it for open discussion.
I'd just like to point out that I never said anything about cutting out YOUR performers, that was never the intent. The intent is to improve the quality of their performance.
Also I offered to VOLUNTEER most of my resources to the convention given the ability to throw a club based after party associated with the con in a more informal manner. Which has no cost for you, benefits you, and provide some professional tools and assistance to your current performers not to mention a lot of promotion in the tristate area. In a our current economic state it's going to get harder and harder to get even true fans to spend the extra money, because there really isn't a lot of extra money going around. The added help can provide one big bonus LOWER TICKET PRICES because the word of what you are doing can reach more people (and I don't just mean the dance either)
I can throw a two stage, 5hr event with solid performers switching out ever hour on a budget of $200...you're in the business, you know how ridiculously low that is for an overhead on a major event. I can't work with a loss, but I can work with almost no budget.
Just thought that we could work together, help each other. I wish this wasn't such a foreign concept these days. But hey, do what you want. Just remember that not every one is out to ruin what you have going on. Some people just find it interesting and would like to come play too, support comes in many forms and they don't always have to look like you or be like you. My culture has been mixed with yours since the days of the Lime Light and Clara: The Carefree Chicken, us Club Kids are a little bit of everything.
last post regarding this.
Peace out, maybe I'll make it to the con next year if I'm not booked.
Mike
theres no need to post such snobbish comments. This topic was merely one i posted to see how my ideas would work. Good work animelover another nail in the coffin for you, you jackass.Btw i think that the audio and video did an excellent job. Oh and to let you know cy fi it takes a special person to be a furry not just because you have a mechanical chicken.
I did get your e-mail and was going to reply privately but I thought it'd be better to reply here in case anyone else is wondering. Our performers come from within our membership and are all volunteers. In fact, one of our primary reasons for holding dance events at the convention is to showcase the top IN-FANDOM talent. Therefor we don't pay for DJs, but most importantly we don't book DJs who do not hail from within the Anthropomorphics fandom itself.
While we certainly appreciate your interest, what you are doing is not what we look for in any fashion. Sorry!!
Steve Hopps aka "Simba Lion"
Director of Audio & Video
http://www.anthrocon.org/
E-Mail: smblion@anthrocon.org
Thanks for the public reply Simba. I think it's important that our membership remembers that virtually everything we offer...from those awesome medallions, to the dances and light show, to the stage shows, to the costume head drying tree in the headless lounge...all of it comes from within our membership. It's all provided by folks who want to see the convention more prosperous. That's the wonderful thing about our group. We make it happen ourselves.
(And mad props to Fizz for his laser show...t'was definitely something that helped the dances be a lot of fun.)
How do you even know exactly what it is I do? I mean other than throw the best events out here and not because I have parties for the sake of it, but because I actually CARE about the cultures I work with and want to help them flourish.
Last time I checked there was a direct link between Club Kids and Furries, or do our roots just not matter these days?. I guess history is just history though, nothing important. Silly me...you know thinking that your culture would continue to accept mine, much like mine accepted and welcomed yours in the 80s and 90s...and still does.
Oh and if you want to fix your problem running visuals: STOP USING GAMING SYSTEMS! they aren't equipped to handle and program the software correctly. Yes PS3 might have enough chips in it to help North Korea shoot missiles in to the ocean but they aren't anywhere near powerful enough to give you crystal clear, high quality visual. You'd be better off with the room full of laser pointers solution.
For projected visuals buy GrandVJ, a good laptop and a projector
For laser visuals: get the appropriate software and a computer than can run the software, a good enough laptop can run both. You'll also need a technician with training specific to the programs.
You can email your response because well I offered, I tried...good luck.
You can't help people that don't want it, and team work is sadly a thing of the past.
Mike
they didnt use game systems you moron they used other equipment. i just plastered it with an idea because this was my first con and protocollie told me why yhey dont use them. now i see why AC doesnt want your business. i may be just a noob at this but im not going to let a person come in and smear everybody because of my post. they can ban if they want but this my post and i want you stop making pepol feel sorry for you
It bears pointing out that the individual who does the Anthrocon laser effects is a laser projectionist and equipment/software developer who has done large scale laser shows around the world. (Largest I believe being the unification ceremony of China and Hong Kong.) He is simply bringing to the convention things that he feels the attendees would like as part of his desire to add to the Anthrocon experience.
There is no disrespect that is intended from the Anthrocon staff to you. (You will always be able to identify a staffer or board member by a little icon below our avatar.) We simply have a belief that the true strength of our event comes from the input and contributions of our members. Once someone has paid a membership, they should not need to pay an additional fee to be part of the programming. The single exception to that rule is a charity performace held by two of our more prominent stand up performers. All proceeds from that event go directly to our charity and none of the funds go to the performers. This is why the idea of a cover charge to fund higher end visual effects at an Anthrocon dance is not something we wish to pursue.
Please understand that it is not a lack of wanting "help" or a lack of teamwork that prompts such decisions. Rather it is more simply the desire to allow those within our rather small community to have an opportunity to share their accomplishments, technical skills, and knowledge with the rest of the convention. Our personal triumphs may pale by comparison to activities that have corporate or high finanical backing, but in the end, it does give our attendees something that they can look back to and quite proudly say "My friends and I did that."
I think we're pretty well done with this topic. We are grateful for everyone's input, but it's time to put it to rest.
i believe that simba runs milkdrop for visualization, and it's far better than anything the ps3 or xbox's onboard visualizers can put out.
they're a pretty minor part of the overall dance, to be honest. the big lights and lasers are a lot more fun :]