Otakon Tip #1

It is that time of year where Otakon is right around the corner! It’s happening from July 30th through August 1st! Of course, the pre-registration, for those of you who paid ahead, occurs on July 29th. And that is what today’s Okaton tip is about today.

Ok, as we all know, this is when I start giving out tips on Otakon. It’s for those of you who are new the convention, and for those of you who really should know better. I realize it’s a bit repetitive from year to year, but hey, better forewarned than looking like a shmuck.

OTAKON TIP #1: The Pre-Registration Line

Listen…its summer. It’s hot. Otakon is in Baltimore, a city. Cities have a tendency to amplify the heat. Yet every year, we all flock down on the Thursday before the con to get our passes. So let’s review some Pre-Reg line tips.

You don’t actually have to be the first in line. Really. You don’t. Unless, of course you are one of those people who feel the need to get whatever you need ASAP or just to be able to say that you got there first. Kind of like waiting in line for the newest iPhone. So unless you are one of those people, you literally have until around nine at night to pickup your pass.

If you’re like me, you sort of consider the pre-reg line as a part of the convention. I usually bring my camera, take my pictures and video and then make a YouTube vid later that evening. Still, even I don’t show up until somewhere around five or six. I wait no more than hour or so and I get my wondrous pass. The guys running Otakon know what they are doing…there’s no need to camp out on the sidewalk, in the heat, pollution, dying a slow death of dehydration, because…

Odds are some of you didn’t bring water.

This is something I don’t get. You know it’s hot. The line is long. And if you decide to cosplay…you just upped your misery. I always carry extra water, not just for myself, but because I almost always find that poor person who is so red-faced, shuffling their feet, arms limp, tongue hanging out until they trip over their costume and fall and not get back up. This year, I swear, I am going to tape you first, then help you…like a PSA for YouTube.

Also, don’t show up drunk or drink while in line. Aside from the afore mentioned health risks of dehydration…you will most likely look very, very foolish…and wind upon YouTube to be laughed at by some fanboy in Japan. Seriously, being sober is a good idea, because some of these girls in fukus that you are hitting on may actually be boys. Again…you run the risk of being immortalized on YouTube.

Next week are tips for you cosplayers!


SIDE NOTES:

kanon is appearing at Otakon! I may have to check this out at the rave. Just watch for a big guy spinning out of control! http://www.otakon.com/guests.asp#kanon

I have some vids I made that I think are funny. Or it could just be me. Debating to send some in for the Fan Parodies.

Ok, as always, give me vlog some love. This week I talk a little bit about Pre-Reg, the best sha cha beef in the area…and my favorite megaphone guy; the Creature Feature Preacher!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tBEzDjd588


TONIGHT’S PLAY LIST:

Go here and then go to the music section to hear the music!

http://bigstevegearhart.multiply.com/


“Dimension of Love” – Dimension
“Noise, Noise, Noise” – The Damned
“Labour of Love” – Frente
“Wishful Thinking” – The Ditty Bops
“Rapture” – Blondie


I need to update my playlist…like to hear something I haven’t heard before. I’m pretty open to anything. If you would like to tell me about an artist or band or if you would like to send me a music file (please!), then email me at stevegearhart70@hotmail.com

Thanks!!!!

My AMV and Otakon!

So remember how I was joking about the trials and tribulations of creating an AMV? Yeah, well, it pretty much happened to me. Without going into too much detail go ahead and click on the link to see a rather lame AMV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9y7-MIVDQ

Well, hopefully I can get a better one next year. But, I go confirmation of its delivery and hopefully it passes technical muster and make it to the Overflow.

GETTING CLOSER TO OTAKON 2010!!!!!!!

Ok, we all know what that means, right? That means Otakon 2010 will be the topic of discussion from here until the con is over! And as I do every year, I will provide some convention wisdom and tips for those who are new to the con…as well as to those who should know better…. So starting next Sunday, I will be posting on a weekly basis (every Sunday).

And then I will post links to the videos I will be making of Otakon. One per day! Starting at Pre-Reg on 7/29/10, a Thursday! They will be uploaded at the end of each day, so they will be on YouTube pretty late at night.


SIDE NOTES:

More guests at Otakon! www.otakon.com

Give my vlog some love! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdzJncm5y1o

TONIGHT’S PLAYLIST:

Since it was so short…I didn’t really have a good list to give to you all. But you will get one next week!!!!

Anime Music Videos!

UPDATED!!! Go here for the vlog version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BliLVVY-3t0


Wonderful to watch, great to debate over, to give adulations or criticisms to…but to create one…for some, a delight, for others…it is their very own, personal “Heart of Darkness” movie.

Under a deadline. Rushed to create. Picking the clips. Picking the music, the audio. Synching it, sequencing…the PC or Mac crashes….have to start over…even more rushed…trying to get that one, that one perfect moment of music and image…staying up…having Red Bull-induced hallucinations…which are not much better than beer-induced hallucinations…and a the end…at the end…at the blessed end of it all…

You’ve made an AMV. Congratulations. Hopefully YouTube won’t block it for music copyright violations.

Ok, seriously, whether you make a good one or a horrifically bad one, it’s fun to do. Especially if you are a creative person, you really like anime and music. Also, I don’t know about you all, but when I can post one to YouTube, or whatever, I love seeing the hits I get and from where they come from. But then there are the competitions.

Again, this year, I will be submitting an AMV to the Otakon contest. And I have to get moving on this because the deadline is June 20th. At this point, I can tell you that it will most likely be a CowBoy BeBop AMV. I’ve narrowed it down to three songs/concepts. Once it’s done, you all will get to see it. But until then, a few comments on AMV’s.

Everyone has their own process and equipment when making an AMV. But there are some unwritten rules that should be followed. Never take an AMV that is not yours and incorporate elements into your own. That’s just rude. Don’t make it too long. People want to be entertained, not bored to tears. And please, please, be aware of over-used anime and songs. If I ever see another Naruto/Linkin Park AMV…I will strangle somebody.

Ok, enough of me. Allow me to offer some links to AMV’s that I personally like. Some of them were finalists at previous Otakons, a couple may be my own personal creations! Anyway…enjoy!


Azumanga Daioh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSLQ9b4mrzk&playnext_from=TL&videos=umRy507oUmw


Cowboy BeBop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBFSpe2mCM&playnext_from=TL&videos=5XPLuiavQ7U


Kuroshitsuji

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B084zv59WwA&playnext_from=TL&videos=Xiu_vMFA7SQ


Full Metal Alchemist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw0-ehiL0uw


Assorted Anime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfzdehEqT1s


SIDE NOTES:

Pre-reg earlybird pricing has been extended for Otakon! www.otakon.com

I think FMA: Brotherhood is finally getting better and going in a new direction, also there is a new anime on adultswim…more on that later!


TONIGHT’S PLAYLIST:

If you are reading this on Yahoo 360, click this link to be able to download the music: http://bigstevegearhart.multiply.com
“Creep” – Afghan Whigs
“Super Bon Bon” – Soul Coughing
“Time Is Running Out” – Muse
“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” – Afghan Whigs
“Snow Drop” – L’Arc en Ciel