Comic Con '07: Tips 'n Tricks

[Moonman]

Alright. This seems like a sensible topic to discuss. To begin:

I've made three attempts to attend the San Diego Comic Con over the past four years and this looks to be the first time I'll actually be able to make it. w00ts. However, once I get there, I don't want to spend my time wandering around like a chicken with my head cut off having no clue what's up and what's not. Not just events and such, but also preperation, attire, all the classic issues when dealing with an event of this size.

I'm gonna be a n00b there, but I want to be as little of a n00b as possible so I'm asking for any tips and such regarding the event from other members who are no doubt experienced with San Diego's Comic Convention.

Thanks.

[drugmassacre]

1. get there early on wednesday to get your bagde and get it over with, if you pre-registered. otherwise, you'll have to wait until thursday to regiaster on site and i recommend going EARLY

2. dress for WARM weather. last year it was nusually hot and muggy in san diego, but it's usually in the 70s-80s outside. INSIDE is an entire other story, where you have 100,000 people moving and carrying stuff, and a good amount of them are overweight. by 2 or 3 pm the place is really muggy and smells AWFUL

3. wear very comfortable shoes, and i wouldn't recommend sandals because you will get your feet stepped on a lot

4. bring a comfy, roomy backpack. It sucks carrying a bunch of shit around unless you have to, like a print or poster or something. In your bag deifnately pack a water bottle or two, and snacks. the food inside of the convention is really awful and extremely overpriced. If you have a fuill schedule of events lined up, you may get hungry waitning in lines and stuff so it's good to have food with you that you know you like. Also make sure to bring a guest sketchbook because you'll never know who you'll run into, and pens and pencils because artists alsways fprget shit and you don't want to miss a unique opportunity because both you and your idol are blockheads

5. If at possible, make time during the day to get out of the con to eat, and get some fresh air. there are a TON of good restaraunts around the convention center, as well as a Ralph's grocery store within walking distance. the convention can be very overwhelming, even for veterens, and simply sitting down in a stairwell is not good enough; get out and get some nice california ocean air, get some good food, and relax

i had my first and only anxiety attack at SD con two years ago and it was a terrifying experience

7. try and PM and exchange contact info with as many people from the board as possible before you come out. The experience is a lot more fun if you have people to hang out with. It's amazing how friendly we all are. i won't be there unfortunately, this year

i'll try to come up with other stuff later, but feel free to ask a gaggle of questions

[Moonman]

See? That is what I'm talk'n bout. That is so helpful right there. Thanks a bunch.

But here's a good question I fergot: Moolah, dinero, bread, dough, crisps, cold hard flippin CASH!

What would you suggest for a guy on a tight budget? I don't really intend to grab anything beyond food if necessary and check out a few events. I've heard I hafta pay to see them even after I get into the con. If that's true, do they have a standard price set up for 'em or do they vary from event to event?

[drugmassacre]

you'll need to be more specific when you say the word "event"

there is basically 24-hour programming including interviews, speaking panels, behind the scenes movie and tv presentations, film festivals, movie screenings, a costume ball, the eisner awards, and TONS more stuff that is all inclusive with your badge. i'm honestly not aware of any events within the convention that you have to pay for

[Toonimator]

The Masquerade's the only thing I seem to recall having a separate ticket... may be wrong about that. Eisners are free, right? The only other 'pay' thing I heard of last year was to go see some movie, outside the Convention, but was mostly a Con-only sneak-peek. Maybe it was 2 years ago. I don't even remember what film!

[drugmassacre]

The Masquerade's the only thing I seem to recall having a separate ticket... may be wrong about that. Eisners are free, right? The only other 'pay' thing I heard of last year was to go see some movie, outside the Convention, but was mostly a Con-only sneak-peek. Maybe it was 2 years ago. I don't even remember what film!

even the ticketed events are free; the only reason there are tickets are because of limited capacity. They started doing that for the really big events such as presentations for huge films that had big movie stars showing up to do Q&A sessions

[Animal Qwacker]

The schedule of events is up on the official site now. It'll give you a general idea of stuff you want to see and skip. You'll get a printed version with your badge.
Everything's pretty much been covered. Try to bring water and snacks with you if you can. Con food is always overpriced and generally inedible.
Try not to blow all your money on the first day. You still gotta eat (and drink)!
If you're looking for professional contacts, a small portfolio and business cards isn't a bad idea.
I'll just echo comfortable shoes. I wanted to cut my fet off a couple years ago from all the walking. You can always take a cab outside, but hoofin' it will do on a budget. There's also alot of bicycle drawn cabs that are all over like flies on shit. They're also more desperate and tenacious than your average prostitute.
Mostly, have fun and take your time because you'll never be able to see it all.

[ocngrl]

A few tips from me...

1. If you are planning to walk to the entire sales floor, do it on Thurs and/or Friday. I didn't even step onto the sales floor Saturday last time I went. WAY to many people in there.

2. Food...it's been said, it's worth repeating. Con food is way overpriced and not that great, don't go for it unless you are about to have a diabetic reaction from lack of food. Within walking distance there is a big mall which translates into food court. Perfect place to get out, stretch the legs and get some decent, cheap food.

3. If you are thinkin of buying prints or posters, look to invest in a poster tube to carry them around in. Nothing sucks more than having a wonderful print and no way to protect it.

4. If you want anything signed...get in line early. That's all there is to it.

5. Check the floor map and programming schedule early and make a plan of what you want to see and do. Find out where this stuff is early so you're not stressing out looking for it later.

6. Use the public transportation if you need to travel anywhere. The trolley system in San Diego is wonderful and I use it every time I go to the con. I can get a hotel farther out, which is cheaper, park somewhere not insanely crowded, and get to the con in about 30-40 mins with no stress....ahhhh.

7. Most important....PACE YOURSELF! People have told you how big this thing is, you've seen the numbers online, you think you have an idea of the scope of this...but you don't. Nothing will prepare you for your first look at the mayhem that is SDCC. Take your time and don't burn yourself out on the first day. Four days is a lot of time, make the most of it and take breaks when you're tired.

8. Have fun and take lots of pictures!

[chris pitzer]

Also, if you want a TON of information, you can check out Tom Spurgeon's (and other's) suggestions on his site The Comics Reporter:
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php ... comic_con/

There is some seriously good information there (some of which will echo what's been said here already).

But yeah, definately take in some of the programming. I'm stuck behind the booth, but my wife would go and come back and tell me all the hot new shows that we'd be seeing in the Fall. We actually got to see the Lost pilot before it aired, and it was a nice little break from the con floor.

[tsm]

Like it was said before, having a plan is very important (especially if you are on a budget or limited time-wise). Have a list of booth names and locations. Make one pass first and then go back and buy the things you want.

If you want to get from one part of the floor to another quickly I sugggest exiting the floor itself and using the main hallway (this applies to Fri Sat and Sunday mostly). It's sooo much faster.
The huge media presence creates massive bottlenecks in the middle 1/3 of the convention floor (and to me puts a big wedge betwen the good stuff on the ends).

Have cash ready and a sturdy bag or backpack for your stuff (do not rely on the plastic comic con bag they give you).

[drugmassacre]

ah yes, cash. do try to get cash OUTSIDE of the con before you go inside because the long atm lines can be enormous headaches

[digitaldreammachine]

1. I don't know if they still have it there, but Ralph's grocery store right near the con was a decent value if you want to cook your own stuff, make sandwiches, etc. The deli area can get quite busy now though.

2. Bring your own pens, Sharpies, pencils, etc. If you want somebody to sign something, doodle in your sketchbook, etc. Not everybody has one.

3. Hand sanitizer. I don't know if they have it there now, as I haven't been to SD in a few years, but there are definitely some folks who don't wash after visiting the restroom.

4. If you want autographs or photos from the 'superstars' who sign in the upstairs halls, you'll likely have to skip their presentations. i.e the big film presentations. The lines are already way too long at the autograph areas from people who didn't go to the presenations. Even if you want to see the presentations, you have to line up a heckuva lot earlier now than a few years back.

5. Bring some kind of folders or hard carboard if you're carrying small prints in your shoulder bag or backpack. It'll give a bit more protection when your bag gets bumped by Gandalf's staff or Pikachu's tail.

6. Bud Plant, Check their booth always. At least I do when I go. You always find deals on books and other stuff that you will pay much more for at other places. Also, if you miss picking up an autographed sketchbook or two, Bud Plant usually has a few towards the later days of the convention.

7. Often, your cell phone might not work. Whether it's the rumored cell phone blockers, or the thickness of the building or the sheer number of signals in the area. Step outside the con if you want to make a call with it.

8. I cannot agree with this point more. The cash machines can have long lineups. Try and find one in the mall, at your hotel, etc.

One of the things you can do is check out the free movie screenings. Unfortunately, the bulbs on the projectors when my wife and I went weren't as bright as they should be, but we had fun watching The Lord of the Rings films with other fans.

Despite the craziness, there can be some real good things about going. I wish I was!

Enjoy!

Oh...I think you should seek out Dr. Tran's Guide to San Diego Comic Con!

[CosmicPencil]

I think everyones mentioned all the very important things about the convention.

Things I found handy as well:

-If you are walking the main floor, stay away from costumed people like the plague, unless you want to take their photo. I was walking behind one guy dressed as Jack Sparrow last year, and I could not count how many times people would ask him to stop and strike a pose so they could take a picture of him. It's a real time killer!

-Speaking of time killers, it's important to know what time it is during the convention. You'd be surprised how quick time flies when you walk the floor. I've almost forgot to eat lunch a couple times with getting caught up at the convention.

There are all different types of con-goers. There are ones looking for jobs, ones looking for autographs, and ones who are just looking to get some cool swag. There are certain valuable things to do depending on your main goal of the convention.
>If it's to have fun- just go out and enjoy what you can! Panel discussions, sketchbooks, talking to creators and meeting new people. Live it up!
>I'm not exactly sure what's the best route for autographs. I don't typically get my books signed.
>If you are looking for a job, find out where the places you want to apply at and make a mental note of what area they are in, as well as where the closest entrance. This is a big time saver, and you can maximize your time at the convention by taking tsm's advice of not walking the main floor!

Pre-planning is a big thing, but the convention is quite over-whelming. It's really hard to have a plan set in concrete before you enter the convention, as there are many things to do and see and buy (I blame Chris Pitzer for the last one, as I will be getting a lot of stuff from him!!!).

It also might be helpful to know someone who is a frequent San Diego goer. I have been their six years and it still blows my mind everytime. Although each and every year I figure out new ways of doing things to maximize my enjoyment.

Enjoy your first year and don't let it scare you too much! And also don't forget to have meds with you! An upset stomach or headache can ruin any day at that convention.

-matt

[Sirspamdalot]

Let me second just about all of the above, and add my own tips:

http://sirspamdalot.livejournal.com/33038.html

[SteamCrow]

Great tips.

I've written 3 "Survive SDCC" Articles of my own:
(About 21 tips so far)

http://steamcrow.com/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=48
http://steamcrow.com/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=33
http://steamcrow.com/index.php?option=c ... &Itemid=33

Good luck!