Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Panels are live!

Panels are now live at newyorkcomiccon.com!

Posted by Peter Tatara at 3:22 PM

32 comments:

Shawn said...

Awesome!

These look amazing...not that last year's were bad at all, but this is a HUGE improvement over last year's programming.

And you've still got all of the IGN stuff to announce...

Wow...

January 7, 2009 4:31 PM
Anonymous said...

You can not be serious.....Charging for autograph tickets??????? With this economy you are finding a way to charge people even more???????? WTF??? I hope this does more harm to the con then good

January 7, 2009 5:09 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

Anonymous, why so angry and so anonymous, but mostly angry? It’s so easy to spell your name. Watch L-A-N-C-E even I can do it! I’ll blog this tomorrow if I have time, but we have tried to create a ticketing system that gives everyone a shot. Don’t wanna do lines? You have a chance to buy a ticket in advance for a few bucks. Like to camp out to assure a ticket? Great, you’ll be rewarded with a more foolproof ticket distribution for those that really were FIRST inline. Don’t want to pay or camp out? Then you too get a shot with the lottery which is mathematically fair. Seems equitable, don’t it? Calm down anonymous, in this economy, can you afford to be so angry?

January 7, 2009 6:01 PM
A-N-O-N-Y-M-O-U-S said...

I will continue to stay anonymous for now. And why so angry? Well, haveing been to the con the last three years I know full well how things are run. And i know for a fact this will be a complete mess.
Lets see, you claim thet only 75 tickets are avaible for the some (in other words most) signings. Now if you well all 75 online, then you screw everyone that was planning on waiting on line out. If there are more then 75, and each location (ie....online, outside, and lottery) get 75, well then you just lied about the amout of tickets to create a bigger dash.
Next, lets say I decide to wake up crack of dawn to stand in the cold. 7 AM arrives, which you claim is the time the doors open and tickets will be handed out. Well, if I recall every year you have claimed the doors would be opening at 7, and you have yet to meet that deadline. So there in lies more doubt.
But, me being a trusting fellow, I will believe the dors will open at 7. Are you handing out tickets as we walk in, or as we walk in do we have to make a mad dash to another location?? Like you tried 2 years ago (for the first Stan Lee signing) and then changed your mind after?
What about the fact that many Guests that could require tickets, may be doing signings at other locations? You don't mention that. For Example.....NYCC year 1 you handed out tickets for a Jim Lee/ Brad Meltzer siging (do you recall)? Well, after that ticketed signing they both got up walked over the DC booth and did signing there. I am not saying every ticked guest does this, media and certain other do not. I am just saying it is possible and does happen, and you make it sound as if this is the only possible way you can get a signature for EVERY guest you will ticket.
These are but a few of the question people will have, and I am sure you will try and give what you think is the correct answer, yet come Feb 6th, well shall see.

January 7, 2009 6:44 PM
Psyburn said...

Man, I can't wait for the autograph list to go up.

Last year my experience was almost ruined with all the signing stuff going on. I went mostly to get autos, but yeah, all the tickets were out. Went to the Dark Horse booth several times and got 7 tickets for Hellboy 2, two of which were literally one number off. Meaning if I showed up a few seconds earlier I would've gotten in. Yeah, it was awful.

I'm really happy you guys revised the system this year, but my adrenaline is going crazy right now because y'know, I need this. Except the tickets go on sale during my school day, meaning I might have to skip or something.

The tickets might end up on eBay though.

January 7, 2009 6:56 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

OK, OK, First off, I should not have taken a snide tone. Not nice of me and I apologize. Long day, long week and the beginning of allot of 7 day work weeks leading up to the con.

Now, you have EVERY reason to be skeptical. Every reason. We have never done this well in the past and it has become my obsession this off season.

I hope the difference is this year is that I personally spoke to anyone that felt screwed that I was made aware of (I’m sure there were a lot more than I talked to though). And as often as I could, I asked them for suggestions. I sat with 4 guys in my office at the con for 35 minutes discussing how to improve this aspect.

Then this fall we did a fan forum with about 50 fans and asked them how to improve this system.

Then in the past few months the NYCC team sat for a sum of about 6 or 8 hours and worked through multiple scenarios on how to do this.

Then we sent it to 20 fans to ask them how they felt about what we had come up with

This was not poorly thought through, but execution is key of course.

Now, I am not a genius, but I can do math. If I have 75 tickets for a signing, we won’t be selling 75 online in advance! We will allocate appropriately to ensure the balance we were seeking throughout this plan.

As to 7am. The crew that I met with last year when I got to the building at 530 suggested, fairly, that there is no reason to make people wait or move to another location (that’s how the line got so jumbled) so we’ll hand out tickets there (although the people lining up will be responsible for maintaining a line – we can’t police every move). The doors may or may not open at 7 depending on a number of variables, but I will be there to hand out the tickets at 7 to those in line.

As for signings other than those that we organize, honestly, that is beyond our control. We are controlling, promoting, and organizing the signings that we conduct, not what the publishers do. So I’m not clear on your point there. We do our best to solicit all of the events that all of our exhibitors have going on during the con (we want everyone to know about the cool stuff!) but often we don’t get all of the info from them.

The bottom line is that this system will be flawed too. People will be upset. It will not go smoothly. What I am hoping for is vast improvement from previous years, a chance for everyone to get a ticket, fairness and a system that we have solicited lots of feedback from fans and carefully thought through. That’s my point.

January 7, 2009 7:00 PM
Anonymous said...

How do you get the autograph list to go up? Where is the autograph list?

January 7, 2009 7:24 PM
Hanny said...

How do you get the autograph list to go up? Where is the autograph list?

January 7, 2009 7:30 PM
Anonymous said...

I have to agree with A-N-O-N-Y-M-O-U-S on this one..... I do not have a problem with a first come, first serve basis on attaining tickets. I do not have a problem with charging for celebrities and their ilk, but I do think it is a bad precident to start charging for signatures of artists and writers (I am assuming that this is the case becasue we do not know who is going to be sold yet). It feels like a money-making opprotunity. Are these tickets going to be all up at once or are you going to put them up as new names are announced? How are you going to be able to purchase these tickets? More questions to follow as they come to me......

January 7, 2009 7:44 PM
kristin said...

i never know where they are handing out tickets. year one wasn't worth waiting because i knew i wouldnt get a ticket, and 2-3 i never got a chance. Will there be an advanced ticket sale for autographs online?

January 7, 2009 8:26 PM
Hanny said...

There is supposed to be but there is no list despite being advertised on the website.

January 7, 2009 8:30 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

Autographing names will be out in the next week. Sorry for the misleading graphic on the front page. We are still adding and shoring some things up. Sorry about that!!!

January 7, 2009 8:34 PM
Shawn said...

Lance - a question about the panels.

I know the IGN Theater has a designated VIP section for those with IGN VIP passes.

Do the other panels have seats reserved for VIPs this year? I didn't see any specific mention of it.

Thanks! I'm already sketching out what panels I want to see, and the answer will help me with that.

Shawn

January 7, 2009 9:09 PM
Mike said...

Can't wait to view a PDF of the panels in calendar form, it will help planning my weekend.

Will there be more panels announced? In my opinion the panels seem a little lackluster compared to last year's (at least on the Movie/TV side of things)...

For example I do not see the Disney panel at the IGN on the list, it will be added right?

January 8, 2009 11:13 AM
Paul said...

The Disney presentation of its 2009 film slate at the IGN Theater on the 7th at 2:30-3:30 is mentioned on this site, but not the NYCC panel schedule yet. And will When in Rome, which is also a Disney offering, be included in that event?

Thanks.

January 8, 2009 11:14 AM
Shawn said...

Mike - it was mentioned before that the IGN Theater stuff would be announced in the next week or so.

January 8, 2009 12:15 PM
Mike said...

Shawn I remember reading that but there are other IGN panels on the schedule now (including those from Summit and the Chocolat screening) so I wasn't sure if what we heard was the inclusive list or not...

January 8, 2009 1:13 PM
Rick said...

Anonymous is pretty spot on and has every right to be pissed off. I've also been going to the NYCC every year since the first one and last year was the only year that I didnt show up at 5:00AM on saturday to try and get signing tickets. Mainly because I dont trust the organization of this part of the con...AT ALL.

I didnt want to get there at the crack of dawn and FREEZE my ass off just to shuffled out of my spot by a move to another location.

So seriously Lance, unless you've been on line in the Freezing cold for ours on end just to get jerked out of tickets by the poor logistic planning of the con staff, you really have no idea what it feels like.

January 8, 2009 1:26 PM
A-N-O-N-Y-M-O-U-S said...

Well, Thank you Rick. You are 100% correct about how frustrating it is to stand outside freezing only to be screwed by piss poor planning.
Now Lance, I am a realist. I understand that you can not (and lets be honest, don't want to) speak with every fan that walks thought the door. But, do you honestly expect me to believe that when you sat down with 20 "fans" (I tend to believe friends, but thats me) they best idea you could come up with was sell tickets? O, wait i better not forget about the "Lottery"

As for my comment about the Math skills of the ticket system, at least hear me out before you claim you and the other can add. NYCC year 2, Stan Lee ticked signings. There were x amount of tickets for the morning signing and x for the afternoon, mostly due to Stans schedule and his limited time. How come no one factored in the VIP's who pacjkage included a Stan Lee ticket. I had to explane to the people at the booth why they had maore then 100 tickets for the morning signing, when the con people to them it was only 100. That is why I doubt your math skills Lance. People don't think, and frankly whether or not this was your fault, as the face of the con it falls in your lap.
Would you like me to keep going....???

January 8, 2009 2:42 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

A-N-O-N-Y-M-O-U-S, Rick -

I can't win here, so I will disengage from this conversation in this format. However, I would REALLY like your help in doing it the best we can. So here is my idea for you guys, and for anyone else reading. Call me: 203-840-5507, email me lfensterman at reedexpo dot com let's have conversation about your ideas on how we can improve any part of the con. That's my goal is for you guys to be happy with the event. I would happily meet you just about anywhere and buy you a cup of coffee or lunch and get your ideas. Why do I want to piss you off? Why would I do it deliberately? It makes no sense, so you can yell at me and call me dishonest on this blog? That’ serves no one. I want to build a great con for the fans that is in everyone’s best interest, so I’d welcome your help in doing so. Call or email and let’s talk about your ideas to improve things, I would honestly value that.

January 8, 2009 3:09 PM
aristeia said...

Just a few questions, Lance!

1. Am I going nuts or are there no "Ultimate Experience" tickets this year? I really enjoyed the Gaiman one last year and I was hoping for something similar, etc.

2. Closer to the NYCC's date, will there a pdf version of the panels up, as there was last year? That was very convenient for printing, highlighting, etc purposes. I really hope that gets up soon.

3. Is there a full list of all the ticketed autograph guests? I'd like to know in advance so I know whether or not I'm desperate enough to buy a ticket (how much are these tickets anyway?) or just get in line on Saturday.

Depending on how much the tickets are for autographs, I think it's a pretty decent idea. I missed out on any ticketed autographs last year, so it'd be pretty awesome to get at least one this year. Ticketed autographs aside, I got plenty of awesome autographs last year from non-ticketed signings-- including the Romitas. No complaining here. :)

January 8, 2009 4:39 PM
Paul said...

Lance, my concern is this; I'm a newbie attendee this year, and there was no mention of VIP passholders getting reasonably good seats in the IGN Theater. Reading the non-IGN VIP perks strictly, it would seem that if you don't get in the theater early enough, a VIPer may wind up being nearer the middle or back, rather than in a section right behind the IGN VIP folks. I believe that's how Creation does it with their multi-tier ticket packages. Hopefully those who shelled out $150 will get good seats in the theater.

Or am I wrong?

January 8, 2009 9:36 PM
Keith said...

Regarding the ticket distro system, I believe that the more you want something then the more you should place extra effort to get it like everything else in life. If that means camping out in from of the Javits at 3am or shelling out cash for a ticket, so be it. Keep in mind that purchasing a ticket is an OPTION and not the only way to get a ticket.

HOWEVER, I thought that overall staff/volunteer/sign communication was lacking in the autograph ticket lines last year. I just gave up in trying to get any tickets at all after getting incosistent answers to the same question. NYCC needs to be as transparent, consistent, and accurate with the who, what, where, when, and why of the process before, during, and after people get on line. Bullhorns and giant colorful signs would be nice.

January 8, 2009 11:32 PM
Brian Greenzang said...

Can we get an idea of how much auto tickets will cost ?

January 9, 2009 12:43 AM
Louis Rivera said...

Woa Guys......Take it easy on Lance here. I was one of the people that Lance contacted about Helping to make the con better this year, and I 100% guaranty you he is doing everything possible and is totally Genuine about making this an experience we all can enjoy ! First lets not forget this is a business so if were not happy , we don’t go. If we don’t go , He makes no money ! So if you cant believe that he actually cares about our opinions then at least take the economical stand point and realize he doesn’t want to Fu*k us over cause he wants to make money and to make it successful . Now as far as the Autographing tickets go, Look nobodies ever going to be happy, Unless all 300,000 people got a ticket to get Stan Lees autograph , Somone will always think its not fair. This year he made it so that everyone had some kind of chance to get a ticket, you have options , Do you have to camp out no, but then you have to pay , and if you want it that bad then you will. Will most of these people Signing for free inside, Yes , will the Big Two have theses guys at there booth's doing signings , Yes . But there is no Guaranty and Lance has no control over what Marvel or Dc or any other Company Does with there allotted Signings. All he can do is provide a limited number of Guaranteed signings. Which is what he's doing ! If you don’t want to be in the cold at 7am , then buy a ticket, if you don’t want to spend the cash take your chance at the Lottery or head right over to Marvel & DC and ask them if the person you want will be doing a signing for them. There are always different ways. Lance is just trying his best to make it fair to everyone. And as far as trusting him to be there at 7am All I can say is im one of those people that camps out and Lace has always been the first one there at 6:00 or 7:00 am to great everyone , So when he says he will I believe him ! So again guys chill out, give the man a break ! He's trying his best. If you have an opinion just share it with him. He's willing to do what ever it takes to make the best con possible.

January 9, 2009 10:23 AM
hanny73 said...

The detailed autograph page has to go up before Monday if they intend to go on sale Monday.

January 9, 2009 1:55 PM
Lawrence said...

Awesome that the panels are up.

Is there a way it can made easier to transfer the information to Outlook, like an Excel sheet or something? Each panel can be made its own .ics file. I can help with this.


(Yes this is the same as the email.)

January 9, 2009 5:30 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

Lawrence, here is a cool new feature to plan you con, use this url:

http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?Show_ID=NYCC09

Sorry, no plans for excel or outlook export yet.

January 9, 2009 5:37 PM
TheBigTog said...

Awesome feature, Lance!

Excel export would be cool, though.

January 9, 2009 5:45 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

Louis is not my brother in law, I swear it. Thanks man, I could not have said it better. Really I could not, I tried to explain my intentions and I put both my feet in my mouth. Thanks dude.

January 9, 2009 9:00 PM
Lance Fensterman said...

PS - I'm blogging the current signing list at 6am tomorrow. we'll be adding a lot more though as we confirm them in the next few weeks.

January 9, 2009 9:01 PM
Rick said...

Okay, let me be clear here. The 1st 3 years I WAS up at the crack of dawn, out there in front of Jacob Javitz in the dark so I could get tickets of signings. The 1st year that Stan Lee was there I was lucky enough to get a ticket for his signing, DESPITE the best efforts of the logistics of the con planners to screw that up (thanks to the kindness of a fellow line attendee. )

I've got NO Problem camping out or going for I what I want. My issue is that I dont want to be screwed regardless of that.

@Louis youre absolutely right about not supporting something that isnt worth it and if this year doesnt pan out in the way that I'd like I wont be back. The Con has gotten better overall since that first disasterous year, but you'd really have to work to be worse than that.

Basically, if there were a way to make sure that the people who are on line early are rewarded for actually BEING THERE early to get signing tickets I'd be fine. Seriously. Even if it's something as simple as a sign in chart that's passed to the first 75 people on the line, that'd be fine by me.

That way whoever in charge of ticket distribution has a name to assign possible choices of tickets to. And that sheet should be passed out and monitored by someone at the con for the 10-15 mins (OK 20 min, let's face facts our hands will be frozen still by that time...) that it will take to get that done. If not by an actually employee have someone get "deputized" to take care of the sheet. Preferably someone who is alone or with one other person and not part of some large group.

It's an idea and probably one that's already been thought of but it beats the "every man for himself" or the "I'm not responsible for the line" schtick.


My beef is simple. If I show up at 4:30AM to in order to be eligible for tickets and there are 20 people in front of me, I dont want a move by the con staff to screw me out of my place in line. By this I mean if there's going to be a move from the outside of the javitz to another location on the inside of the javitz it should be managed in an orderly fashion and the integrity of the line needs to be maintained by staff.

Because If you ask someone like me to maintain the line and I see that a group of people who were about 15 -20 people behind me wind up in front of me during some mad dash, things are going to get ugly FAST.

January 9, 2009 10:59 PM

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