Requests From Me to AniMiniCon Soho 2012

AniMiniCon Soho is approaching its 3rd year, and I wonder what it has in store for their attendees. I would like to see some changes or possible improvements to the event as compared to last year. However I am not sure if my ideas are remotely possible due to the space limitations and other factors.

Let’s begin by comparing the first convention, AniMiniCon Soho 2010 to AniMiniCon Soho 2011 followed by thoughts and comments on AniMiniCon Soho 2012 and the convention's future.

From 2010 to 2011, there was a visible increase in attendance at the Soho Gallery for Digital Art, which is always desired. The price for admission increased for 1-day passes and 3-day passes, which is a common practice; from $12 1-day passes to $15 and $30 weekend passes to $35. I do not recall it having online registration for the first convention. However, the second one did; a 3-day pass online was $30, while at the door 3-day passes were $35.

Looking at this year's prices, each pass is increased by a dollar, which makes a 1-day pass $16 and the 3-day pass at most $36. This is not a terrible increase in price, especially when one can save by doing the “SUPER-EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!” pre-registration. It happens to be cheaper than last year's online registration price by $4, which makes that $26. However, if one decides to register between June 16 and August 9, the 3-day pass will be $33, while the door price is $36, which is only sold on Friday, August 10. I am definitely fond of the super early bird bargain price, which is a change that I welcome with open arms. Unless there is not that much interest, I am confident that this will assist in bringing in more attendees. I hope this super early bird discount will be available for future AniMiniCons.

In regards to the dealers room, which was located in the lower level, the amount of dealers increased from 3 to approximately 8. In 2010, the dealers room was limited to two jewelry sellers and one clothing brand. Not much of a selection but in 2011 the dealers room provided a much better variety, which was a great improvement. There was the return of Ichigo Black clothing line and jewelry seller, My Mother Beads. The new additions included artists and anime/manga merchandise dealers, such as Chin Anime Doujin Circle, artist and guest speaker Lizbeth Jimenez, artist Ying Xue Chen, IT Cosplay, and Athena’s Wink, just to name a few. There were at least 7 dealers in the lower level of the venue. If one has ever seen that level, one might wonder how they were able to fit all the dealers in such a confined space (your public school classroom is probably more spacious).

For this year, I would like to see a manga or anime dealer(s), meaning someone who specifically sells manga and/or anime: graphic novels, vintage issues and DVDs. So far, the convention has had handmade products, jewelry and other accessories, lolita fashion clothing, cosplay items, artists' print and original creations, and anime and manga series merchandise for purchase. To have a complete packaged dealer's room, it would need to have a dealer(s) that sells manga and anime series. That is basically the dealer that the convention is missing. However, this all depends on whether or not such a dealer has an interest in having a space at the convention.

The gallery area (top level where the entrance is)was the location for all the events held at the convention: gallery of featured digital artworks; anime screenings; cosplay party; guest speaker panels/workshops; a music concert and a tea party. The digital display and white walls provided a different vibe than the dealer's room which was slightly dimmer with lower ceilings and has stone walls. However, the top level may not be ideal for certain speaker events, especially since there are no dividers to separate audience from random attendees, who are chit chatting with others. Basically, this arrangement can disturb a speaker event, which did happen last year at Brian Mah’s animation workshop. He ended up having to quiet down the people in the back of the room who were not participating in the workshop.

Initially, I was thinking that the dealers room and the events should switch places. When people enter the venue, most likely they will be chit chatting or making noise, which might interrupt the events that are happening. Also, when the music concert is taking place, my understanding is that it is preferrable to not have any interruptions. So attendees were not permitted to enter the dealers room. The dealers actually closed up shop early last year at their own discretion when the concert was starting. Since the dealers room does not necessarily have to be quiet, people can walk right into it without disturbing anyone. Then one can walk right into the lower level for the events. However, I realized that the lower level may not have the electronic accommodations needed for speaker events, such as a projector and screen (I think this is attached to the wall and ceiling). Then the second thing I realized is that the digital display (I think these are attached to the wall too) will be covered by each dealer’s booth.

That being said, it would be nice if the convention staff can figure out a way to not interrupt the speaker events and concerts, while letting others mingle and enter the dealer’s room, if they choose to do so.

In regards to guest appearances, I thoroughly admire their ability to obtain a different variety of guests and rock bands. I do hope that they would continue to do that in the future. However, I do have one request. Instead of having a solo violist with a music recording playing, it would make the classical style more enchanting if we have a string quartet: two violinists, a violist and a cellist. It would be nice to bring in a more fuller live classical feel to the pop/rock music culture environment. Similar to a dealer, it all depends on a musician’s interest and availability.

Lastly, if this event continues to have a growing number of attendees that goes passed the combined maximum capacity of the Soho Gallery for Digital Art, they might want to consider finding another digital art gallery to hold their events. Yes, a digital art gallery, not another usual event space rental or something similar. It is because the digital art feature is what makes AniMiniCon Soho unique compared to other conventions in NYC. We are in the digital era, so might as well continue to embrace it.

So I welcome AniMiniCon Soho 2012 and I wish it much success!

© 2012 Linda Thai

Photography by Linda Thai

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