I'll be at Comic-Con this year for work. I do plan to take some time and check out at least the exhibit hall.

Has anyone been to Comic-Con before?

What should I look out for? Are there any good tips/tricks for getting around?

I plan to check out the preview night if I can change my flight.

ALSO - if you be sure to check out the panel on Walt Stanchfield on Thursday!!!

2nd year as a "pro" although I've never taken advantage of the preview night. As big a spectacle as it is, and as many things they have going on, I find 2-3 days is plenty.

As far as tips go, just know that shit is going to be crowded everywhere, but especially around the video game and movie areas. Ironically, the comics areas are the lease densely populated and relatively easy to navigate through. If you want to see the movie related stuff, it's best to make a b-line towards it soon as the doors open, because the bottlenecks are only gonna get worse as the day progresses.

Wear comfortable shoes because you're on your feet all day accumulating free shit which starts weighing you down pretty quickly. Actually, you know what, that's my tip - Try and curb your lust for free shit. Ultimately most of it is just shiny garbage that you'll never find any use for. Comic Con is kind of like Mardi Gras with the plastic beads. They hold no value whatsoever, but get enough people together at the right time of year in the right town and suddenly they're a form of currency.

Also, bring a backpack and toss some granola bars in there or something. Plenty of great food available outside the con, but if you're stuck on the floor you don't want to be at the mercy of the pretzel stand.

I dunno what your work obligations are, though. Are you going to be working a booth all weekend? If you do have free time I'd suggest you look over the SDCC schedule a week ahead of time and map out any panels you wanna hit. If you try to figure that stuff out while you're right there in the mix, you're going to miss something.

PS Please bathe.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

I will definitely shower regularly. I was lucky enough to get a room at a hotel with a shuttle, too, despite only reserving it last week.

I'm a little surprised there doesn't seem to be a schedule yet.

I've been to the convention center before so I've got a spot or two I'd like to hit-up again (Rama, especially).

But I'll live if they are too packed.

But in the evening time - when the con shuts down for the day - the bars and restaurants seem to fill up pretty fast in my experience. It's crazy because you're outside the convention center walls, and yet everywhere you look, you're still seeing those damn comic-con badges. It literally takes over the entire Gaslamp District.

Keep an eye out for all the local eateries that pander to the crowds with signs in their windows like 'Boba Fett Soup & Sandwich Special $8.99l!' and shit. I always get a kick out of those.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

Should be in the general area of the other indie comic publishers. I hear they have scaled back this year but I assume they'll still have their comics available for sale at the booth.

If they sell out of them before you get there (I AM 100% POSITIVE THIS COULD HAPPEN) they are also available online and via the MC Serch circa-1989 looking guy in the Slave Girl Leia costume wandering the convention floor.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

I haven't been a big comics guy since I was a kid but I still love them and read some occasionally. I'm worried about how much money I'll want to spend there.

If you rely on that debit card it's all too easy to keep hitting up that ATM throughout the weekend. I (and by "I," I mean my wife) set up a little cash allowance beforehand to help budget things out. It's easy to get caught up in the spirit of things and want to buy shit you'd never think twice about in a normal setting. It's a condition I've come to call "The Comic Sweats." Cash feels more tangible and finite than plastic, so having a set amount of dollars per day prevents overspending.

You gonna be there the entire time? Typically everyone does their buying on Sunday, and right around closing time you can get some pretty good deals. Remember, these vendors aren't really trying to lug all that shit back home with them.

I'm pretty much only there for the books and their creators, but luckily I'm also a notorious cheapskate so it kind of balances out.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

but my pass is 4-day + preview night.

Why does everyone buy on Sunday? Just because of the better deals?

I imagine it's a combination of things.

You've probably heard that Saturday is the "crazy" day but I think last year everyone else heard that too and avoided it. I found it to be the least crowded day of the entire weekend (not to say it wasn't crazy...). So you know, the rules aren't set in stone or anything.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

Year 3 = Well fuck y'all I didn't really want to take over your industry any god damn way!


...Sign my omnibus?

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

More 'I'm With Finkelman' buttons?

-------
so I'm in a band now:
album ---> http://greenwoodburns.bandcamp.com/releases
Soundcloud ---> http://soundcloud.com/greenwood-burns

my own stuff -->http://soundcloud.com/lonesomedstringband

avy by buckshot_defunct

No buttons this time but I'm sure I'll come up with some sort of trinket or goodie to hand out the day before I head down

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

Never been to Comicon proper, but if it's like any other comic con I've attended, there will be abundance of recylced air which dehydrate and drain you considerably. Of course, that also means lots of restroom stops, but it's part of the game.

Also, if you actually plan on **buying**/paying for stuff, make sure to have enough cash on you before entering the fracas, because the ATM machines at these things always break down, and a lot of the sellers only take cash.

I just consulted with a good friend of mine who's covered the event professionally for the last four years or so. In his words: "Simple answer: MAke a list of things you REALLY want to see or do and then plan on only getting to a tenth of them."

-----------------

www.albumism.com

Checkin' Our Style, Return To Zero:

https://www.mixcloud.com/returntozero/

But I just imagine comic-con is a whole other beast entirely.

Plus, with the weather New England is having - San Diego will be a nice change.

Just embrace the craziness like it was the weather or something.

-----------------

www.albumism.com

Checkin' Our Style, Return To Zero:

https://www.mixcloud.com/returntozero/

I would look out for them filming the new Simon Pegg/Nick Frost flick "Paul" out there. I'm really looking forward to that.

Other than that have fun but I hear it's crowded as hell out there.

Here: http://www.animationmentor.com/comiccon/

and here:

http://thedisneyblog.com/2009/06/24/comic-con-panel-profiles-walt-stanchfield-legendary-disney-animator/

Comic-Con Panel Profiles Walt Stanchfield, legendary Disney animator

by John Frost

We�re about a month away from the glorifious geek fest that is Comic-Con. Sadly, I�ve never been able to make it myself. But for those out there in The Disney Blog-land who are going, make sure you catch this session on Disney�s legendary animator and teacher of the craft Walt Stanchfield.

The panel will be moderated by Don Hahn of the Walt Disney Studios and features Glen Keane, Eric Goldberg, Tom Sito, and Ruben Procopio as expert panelists. The panel discussion will celebrate the launch of the new book, Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, the complete series of animation lectures by Walt Stanchfield. Catch it Thursday July 23rd at Noon.

Full Press Release is below the cut:

Acclaimed Animators Celebrate Work and Teachings of Disney�s Legendary Walt Stanchfield at Comic-Con International

Panel to Discuss Inspirational Principles of Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes

AnimationMentor.com (Animation Mentor) and Don Hahn of The Walt Disney Studios announce an inspiring panel discussion at Comic-Con International with acclaimed animators about the life and influence of Disney mentor, teacher, and artist Walt Stanchfield. Open to animators and animation enthusiasts alike, the panel discussion celebrates the launch of the new book, Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, the complete series of animation lectures by Walt Stanchfield.

�Walt Stanchfield has contributed so much to the animation industry through his incredible body of work and the mentorship of a generation of phenomenal animators,� said Bobby Beck, chief executive officer and cofounder of Animation Mentor. �This panel is an amazing opportunity to hear the best animators of our time talk about the influence Walt had on their life and work as well as share insightful lessons that are highlighted in the book, Drawn to Life.�

About the Comic-Con International Panel
Date: Thursday, July 23
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Room 32AB, San Diego Convention Center

For more information about Comic-Con International, visit http://www.comic-con.org/cci/

Moderator

Don Hahn, The Walt Disney Studios

Don Hahn is a two-time Academy Award nominee and film producer responsible for producing some of the most successful Walt Disney Animated films of the past 20 years, including Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.

Panelists

Glen Keane, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Glen Keane is an animator, author, illustrator and director. He is currently executive producer and animation director for Disney�s Rapunzel. Keane is best known for his character animation in Disney classics, including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Tarzan.

Eric Goldberg, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Eric Goldberg is an animator and film director who is currently supervising animator for Disney�s upcoming 2D feature The Princess and the Frog. Creator of Aladdin�s Genie, he was the supervising animator for Phil in Hercules and co-director of Pocahontas. Goldberg is also the author of the book Character Animation Crash Course.

Tom Sito, Professor and Animator

Tom Sito is a 30-year veteran of animated film production. He divides his time as a professional animator and adjunct professor of animation at University of California Los Angeles and University of Southern California and lecturing on animation.

Ruben Procopio, Masked Avenger Studios

Ruben Procopio began his animation career at Disney at age 18, where he trained under Eric Larson, one of Disney�s legendary �Nine Old Men�. His film credits include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. In 2003, Procopio founded Masked Avenger Studios, which provides sculpture, design, comics and animation services.

About Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes

Published for the first time, Drawn to Life is a two-volume collection of the legendary lectures from longtime Disney animator Walt Stanchfield. For over 20 years, Walt helped breathe life into the new golden age of animation with these teachings at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and influenced such talented artists as Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter. This book represents the quintessential refresher for fine artists and film professionals, and is a vital tutorial for students who are now poised to be part of another new generation in the art form.

Or I am going to fight you.

Also. I'll email you a list of things I might be interested in. Followed by some skrilla via paypal.

Don't spend it all on skrippers and egg salad.

.imageyenation.dot.com.

Last year was a trip because it seemed like EVERYONE was either texting or straight up banging on a laptop. Now with iPhones and such being so commonplace I fully expect everybody to spend the con staring at some form of glowing rectangle or another. People following along at home will probably be more up to date than half the folks at the actual con.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

our work twitter account and my personal.

#comiccon will be a trending topic no doubt.

-----------------------------
http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

-----------------------------
http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

My movies: http://russellhainline.com
My movie reviews: https://letterboxd.com/RussellHFilm/
My beer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeertravelguide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vwmxUi5XKE

Which part are you auditioning for Frank?

-----------------------------
http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

My movies: http://russellhainline.com
My movie reviews: https://letterboxd.com/RussellHFilm/
My beer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeertravelguide

will be my first ever going

so i don;t know what to expect.

�If a fat guy falls in the woods and there is no one around to see it, do the trees laugh?

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

They sold out in 1999 and have been taken over by the movie studios.

They run out of all 4 days passes before the event and have ZERO 4 day passes on sale day of - which sucks if you're someone without a credit card - like a kid.

The place is too crowded to walk on the floor - and the big panels are almost exclusively just commercials for upcoming movies (remember the Stealth panel, or the Good Luck Chuck panel??)

And the place smells of sweaty body odor.

Too crowded - too little emphasis on the books.

I won't even go to board meetings any longer.

I get that it used to be a certain thing, and now it's something different, and my heart goes out to the vets, it really does. I'm sure that had I been there back in the day, it would have been a tough transition to witness.

But what about just taking it for what it is?

There's still tons of comics there. There's still tons of amazing creators there. You don't have to stand in line for 2 hours to get a look at the Owlship if you don't want to, ya know? Nobody's forcing you at gunpoint into the Good Luck Chuck panel (Or maybe they were, I can't imagine why else one would attend)

Go talk to the Hernandez brothers if that's what you'd rather do. Check out what Ryan Kelly or Brian Hitch or Jim Mahfood is sketching. Cop that signed and numbered Darwyn Cooke sketchbook. Buy a print from Al Feldstein. Hit up the small press areas and see some rising talent you never even heard of before. Follow Rob Liefeld into the bathroom and... Well you get my point.

I go and I attend a grand total of 0 movie studio panels and stand in line for half as many movie studio booths. It's pretty much all art/comics when I'm there and there *still* aren't enough hours in the day to get everything in. Yes it takes some effort on my part to sift through all the junk and hype, but there's still a quality experience to be had in San Diego.

But maybe I just don't know what I'm missing? Rather than focus on all the bullshit that's been added, maybe you can fill me in on all the great stuff that's disappeared?

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

It smells bad in the halls now.

Too many people to WALK on the floor.

Until they move it to a much larger space , and sell less tickets per square foot, they can choke on it.

But you have fun. I'll always have the 80s and the 90s.

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

Go fornicate yourself with an iron stick.

you want them to sell more tickets but less 'per square foot?'

I can't imagine how crazy it would be with day-of registration. I completely understand the pre-sales.

>you want them to sell more tickets but less 'per square
>foot?'
>
>I can't imagine how crazy it would be with day-of
>registration. I completely understand the pre-sales.

1)More tickets - but less per square foot means LEAVING SAN DIEGO. They need a larger space. It needs to be about twice as big.

2)Presales are fine - but having no tickets available day of for people with computers and credit cards seems unfair and against the spirit of the Con.

I went to the Con for more than a decade. I helped with it's web pages. I arranged for internet access onsite for 2 years. I had my own damned booth on year. I've worked in the onsite registration booth and had a great time. I've helped run the volunteer booth - worked in the Con suite, been to board meetings, helped at disabled services.

But try this: On Friday at 2pm try to walk the floor. And tell me *honestly* if it smells bad . In 2005 it smelled like a untidy gym.

And for the density and the fragrance what do you get? Hollywood movie panels and Steve Swansweet showing trailers for new (and lame) Star Wars videogames.

Con is like ice Cube's career - it used to be good - but now it sucks - and it's more popular than ever.

Ever notice that??

I agree about the crowd issue - Nothing like being shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of sweaty fanboys at a complete dead stop because 20 feet ahead someone wants to take a picture of the guy in an Optimus Prime costume made out of shoeboxes. I've managed to avoid the worst of it by sticking to the comics areas and artist alleys but that doesn't mean it's not a big flaw in the con experience.

But I feel like a relocation and a bigger venue removes Comic Con even further from its roots, which seems to already be what's 'wrong' with Comic Con by many accounts. Not that I'd mind the extra elbow room...

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

Get a bigger place (Vegas?) and have the same amount of Hollywood B.S. as now. So they can make more space in the aisles for people to WALK!!!

Have you seen the BS that people in wheelchairs have to put up with at the Con now? Handicapped Services used to be great at the Con - now they have been hampered by the sheer volume of bodies, vendors, and the aisle width.

The answers are (Pick one):
1)Less vendors
2)Less ticket sales
3)Bigger space with same amount of vendor

And San Diego will *not* have a bigger space anytime soon.

there's no excuse for not getting tickets. that's YOUR fault.


now everything else, i complete agree. it's not REALLY about comics anymore, which is sad as fuck.

************************************************************

Not that I'll be there but still...

http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci09_prog_thu.php

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http://talestosuffice.com/
@kennykeil

12:00-1:00 Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes�

Join legendary Disney Animation producer Don Hahn, famed Disney animator Glen Keane, creator of Aladdin's Genie Eric Goldberg, director/teacher/animator Tom Sito, and Masked Avenger Studios owner and sculptor Ruben Procopio for a discussion of the life and influence of Disney mentor, trainer, and artist Walt Stanchfield. Room 32AB

Categories: Animation | Art and Illustration | Movies | Tributes

Have a great time man.

______________________________
PSN: RuptureMD
http://hospitalstories.wordpress.com/

The 4th Annual Residency Encampment: Where do we go from here?

All you see is crime in the source code.

.

************************************************************

I want to start planning ahead for next year, but is it really worth it fly across the country? Those of you who go regularly, would you still if not for work or geographic convenience?



"I halfway hope people put "btw, rappers lie and shit" on CD covers, like a parental advisory sticker." - OKP Villain

www.dreamertodesigner.com
www.twitter.com/lexlamont

Damn you, Yesties!

GOMD

How are the hotel shuttles? Are they packed or slow?

My hotel is 3 miles away but it has a shuttle stop. How early in the AM should I get out there?

Check your local listings for exact times, but G4TV will be covering the Star Wars panel and then follow it with a couple hours of live coverage from the Con...I'm setting the DVR.

What time should I show up to get in for preview night?

Also, printable map:

http://www.boyinsuit.com/2009/07/comiccon-printable-booth-maps.html

Show up early to everything - that's the best startegy

my boys will already be there


can they pick up my badges for me or would i have to be there. I'm not getting into san diego until 12pm and by the time i get to the place it wont be 2 i think. would i still have to wait in line for the badges?

�If a fat guy falls in the woods and there is no one around to see it, do the trees laugh?

Bring me back something nice.

Perhaps this:

http://kronikle.kidrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/amandavisellsdcc_revealed-580x444.jpg

If you could get it autographed that would be super awesome.

.imageyenation.dot.com.

I was at the Kid Robot store in the Haight when I was in SF a couple months back. I wouldn't let myself by anything...

But that. That I need.

______________________________
PSN: RuptureMD
http://hospitalstories.wordpress.com/

The 4th Annual Residency Encampment: Where do we go from here?

All you see is crime in the source code.

BUT i CAN def get you one of the MvsC mixtapes, since i'm on it...


tryna get about 25 of those...early

Final Fantasy 7 + Hip Hop =
"Black Materia."

http://random.bandcamp.com/album/black-materia-final-fantasy-vii

http://www.megaran.com

www.twitter.com/megaran

They put some badges up for sale. I'll be there Friday - Sat- Sun

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

The Con iss elling them on eBay:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/sdcomic-con_W0QQ_dmdZ1QQ_ipgZ50QQ_sopZ12?_rdc=1

They marked them up 10 bucks, but all days, and 4 days are available.

parking is going to be fun...


*CROCKA*

word booty.

HSUBAKCITS

www.smokingsection.net



http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/chowyunskinny/Gold%20Chef/iron_chef.jpg

signing these


http://www.capcom-unity.com/s-kill/blog/2009/02/04/mega_ran_9

and these (230-330)

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2009/07/504x_mvc2mixfull.jpg

Final Fantasy 7 + Hip Hop =
"Black Materia."

http://random.bandcamp.com/album/black-materia-final-fantasy-vii

http://www.megaran.com

www.twitter.com/megaran

Waiting to get into Room 20 is a nightmare. Line goes outside, zig zags the entire length of the con center expansion, goes inside, then crosses over the walk-way and into a single door.

What this means: it took 1.5 hours to get in, and once we were in about 30% of the seats were *EMPTY*!!!!

There's no reason they couldn't have let more people in through another door to fill the seats - they have *a lot* of folks waiting for a long time.

Also there is no way of knowing how long a line will take. So if you show up only an hour before a panel you have a very good chance of not getting in - and no way to predict jsut how long it will take.

I hear Hall H was overrun this morning and security CLOSED THE ENTRY DOORS. That means a mob of people *could have* been crushed. (Thankfully no one was injured.)

The Shuttles were 100% full, and several on the Green Line were filled before I could get on. That added about 45 minutes to the egress.

Positive thing: Ric Meyers showed some of "Ip Man" and it was FANTASTIC.