ENNies 2003 Jugdge Application Discussion/Questions

[seasong]

IMHO, the d20 on a pedestal was genius. I'd leave it alone.

Other than that, the ideas for ways to de-hitch the ceremony sounds good.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Anyway, I'd like to volunteer to be both Stage manager and technical director. This is what the job involves in case anyone else is interested. Unlike judging, this is something that REQUIRES that you be at the con.

Technical Director
The technical director does the technical preparation for the show. This person either prepares all the props and equipment for the show or assigns lackeys to do it for him. In a typical theatre show you have designers for lighting, sound, set, costume and make-up -- We certainly don't need all that. At a minimum we need sound squared away and after sound designing 3 shows at the University of Kentucky I know how to handle this part on my own. Lightning is another possibility, but this is partially determined as to where we are going to throw this show in the conventions center.

Most convention centers have preset light arrangements. They can hang other sets if you wish, for a fee well beyond what we could pay (Peter might be able to get it done but I doubt it AND I doubt it would add enough to the ceremony to be worth the expense. If this was desired I do know how to do a lighting design skematic to give to the house manager (which is an employee of the Indy convention center).

The Technical director is also in charge of seeing to it that the props are ready to go. In our case, this is the completed awards statues. Finally the tech director works with convention personell to set up the stage area, podium, etc.

Stage Manager
The stage manager's job is during the show. The main part of this job is crew boss. This person calls the cues of the show - i.e. when the lights go up, when music is played and when it is turned off. Basically the stage manager's job is to make sure the show goes so smoothly that no one realizes that he's there.


In closing, while the judges deal with the who gets what award, I'd be dealing with making sure the show itself goes off without a hitch. Last year's show was fun, but I think I could help to give it a little pizzaz. Further, it would take some organizational work off of Russ' shoulder's, and with all the work he does for us that can only be a good thing.

I think this is a great suggestion. Morrus, can you get in touch with Morris some time? It looks like he's got some great ideas...

 

[Michael Morris]

Comments

On Statuettes...
I liked last year's statuette design too, and if it where my decision it would stay. I would recommend some kind of plaque for the nominees - but that would mean a lot of plaques and I don't know what kind of budget we have to work with.

On sound systems.
Some of the show rooms of the Indy Con center have their own sound systems. The convention itself may have it's portable system. If we rent our own we're looking at $100 - $200 dollars. I would rather work with Peter Adkinson on this before jumping to any conclusions though - I'm sure that Gen Con has some sound equipment that we can procure (just as they provided the chairs, tables, etc.)

On taping the show..
I have no real expertise on this. I'd be happy to work with whoever does this to provide what they need and arrange the setup of the equipment beforehand, maybe even help set it up.

As an aside, I presume our setup won't get to start more than 6 hours or so before the con. If it is complicated enough to last more than that I would want to be able to arrive on the Wednesday before the con officially starts to do it. Be mindful of the fact that there will also be a dissasembly time as well.

On our program...
I would recommend trying to get this put into the convention goodies bag rather than the program itself. Yes, this year's con is in July, but next year the con moves back to August and during it's 5 year stay at Indy it will be moving later and later into the month. Also - in addition to the nominees all presenters and crew need to be represented.

 

[Grazzt]

Regarding Tome of Horrors - I posted stats for a couple of animals some time back (the deer and the moose) on the Creature Catalog message boards. Scott basically took them and reworked/improved them, and eventually posted his revisions of them on the CC site. His Deer and Moose stats made their way into the ToH, but he was kind enough to give me a mention for the stats I had posted way back when.

The Colonel is correct. I remember the stats he did and liked them quite a bit. So, I asked him if I could use them and I changed/tweaked/reworked them, etc.....and whatever.

I gave him thanks in the book for that, but really because he is the Colonel. What more could ya ask for.

 

[Mangrum]

I'd like to see just one change in the ENNies this year: A full list of all products submitted to each category posted... well, anywhere.

In other words, I'd like to be able to see which companies/products were actually in the running, and which ones sat out.

 

[Psion]

I'd like to see just one change in the ENNies this year: A full list of all products submitted to each category posted... well, anywhere.

In other words, I'd like to be able to see which companies/products were actually in the running, and which ones sat out.

That's probably not going to happen for that exact reason. Some companies may feel like they are being publicly trounced if it comes to light they submitted a lot of material and didn't win anything. Further, I imagine that Morrus doesn't want to create the impression that he is calling out people who choose not to participate. That being the case, as last year, I suspect that it will be up to the companies to disclose whether they submitted or not.