Ghostwind
First Post
Once again this year, a Freelancer series of seminars will be offered at Origins. Unlike last year, I have more than two weeks to put it together and get organized. That being said, I am looking for volunteers to serve as panelists and/or chairpersons for each of the following seminars. Ideally, I would like to have four to six people for each seminar with at least one person representing a manufacturer/publisher.
For the Art Portfolio Review seminar, as many industry representatives that we could have committed to this, the better it will be. Last year, we had about 50 artists show up to this seminar and five manufacturer representatives present. It was a good turnout and I expect we will see more this year because of Gen Con’s date move to later in August when many schools are back in session.
If you are planning on attending Origins this year and are interested in helping out, please see the information below. If you are interested in attending any of these seminars as an audience member, there is no charge and you can register for them through normal event registration means (see the Origins web site for details).
For reference, the Exhibit Hall hours are scheduled to be:
Thursday 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please keep this in mind if you are volunteering for a seminar and are also expected to work at a vendor’s booth.
The overall attendance at each seminar last year averaged right at a dozen people with larger numbers attending the writing and game design seminars. Each of these seminars will last approximately one hour, but as you can see from the Origins Pre-Reg book, more time has been allotted should the need arise and the panelists are willing to stay longer. Below is a list of the seminars, the dates and their event number as listed in the Origins Pre-Reg book and on the Origins web site.
Freelancing for Beginners: What is freelancing? A panel discussion of what to expect as you begin a career in freelancing game design. Learn about the more common mistakes made, along with the myths regarding the gaming industry and freelancing. This is an introductory seminar for people just starting out in the business.
Thursday, the 24th at 10:00 am Event #9059 (Panel Full)
Sunday the 27th at 2:00 pm Event #9060
Intermediate Level Freelancing: You have some freelancing credentials to your name and are looking to make the move to the next level with more substantial and consistent work. How do you go about it? Learn more about contracts, rights and expectations, as well as the pitfalls of working for yourself in a volatile industry.
Thursday, the 24th at 2:00 pm Event #9069 (Panel Full)
Art Portfolio Review and Talent Search: Gaming manufacturers and publishers will review your portfolio, looking for new freelancing talent. Bring your best work and a willingness to listen and learn.
Thursday, the 24th at 6:00 pm Event #9068
Freelance Writing for d20 Publishers: Join a panel of professionals as they present an in-depth examination of what it takes to develop d20 material for both print and electronic publication. Proper use of the Open Gaming License and the d20 System Trademark License will also be discussed.
Friday, the 25th at 10:00 am Event #9057 (Panel Full)
d20 Game Design Workshop for Freelancers: A hands-on workshop to increase understanding of the mechanics behind the d20 system. Learn about how to design new feats, classes, races, etc. and the mistakes that typically occur during the process.
Friday the 25th at 6:00 pm Event #9054
PDF Publishing – It’s not Just for Amateurs: PDF publication is becoming more versatile and accepted every day. No longer confined to amateur or small press operations, electronic publishing is now being offered by larger gaming companies. A panel of experts discusses the details of pdf publishing from layout to sales. If you are thinking about self-publication in electronic format, you don’t want to miss this valuable seminar.
Saturday the 26th at 10:00 am Event #9074
Marketing You Art and Building/Improving Your Freelancer Portfolio: Join a panel of illustrators as they review the process of designing a solid, professional portfolio and discuss how to target a specific company. Other topics covered will be the use of digital portfolios, how to get your art viewed by a wider audience, how to develop a fan base, and how to sell to both the client and the public by making your portfolio stand out.
Saturday the 26th at 2:00 pm Event #9073
Freelance Writing & Editing for the Adventure Game Industry: Learn the subtleties of writing and editing, how to ‘break in’ by knowing what companies want, and the mistakes to avoid. The panel also covers the nitty-gritty details like the average per word rate, the use of style sheets, and what constitutes ‘realistic expectations’ for editing.
Saturday the 26th at 6:00 pm Event #9056 (Panel Full)
I have posted a web page (http://www.lklkreations.com/Origins/Origins2004FS.htm) detailing the seminar information above along with the names and a short biography of the panelists that have volunteered so far. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know at ghost.wind@verizon.net and I will pencil your name in on the appropriate seminar(s) that you wish to be involved in. Please include a short one paragraph biography of yourself that can be added to the website.
Thank you.
For the Art Portfolio Review seminar, as many industry representatives that we could have committed to this, the better it will be. Last year, we had about 50 artists show up to this seminar and five manufacturer representatives present. It was a good turnout and I expect we will see more this year because of Gen Con’s date move to later in August when many schools are back in session.
If you are planning on attending Origins this year and are interested in helping out, please see the information below. If you are interested in attending any of these seminars as an audience member, there is no charge and you can register for them through normal event registration means (see the Origins web site for details).
For reference, the Exhibit Hall hours are scheduled to be:
Thursday 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please keep this in mind if you are volunteering for a seminar and are also expected to work at a vendor’s booth.
The overall attendance at each seminar last year averaged right at a dozen people with larger numbers attending the writing and game design seminars. Each of these seminars will last approximately one hour, but as you can see from the Origins Pre-Reg book, more time has been allotted should the need arise and the panelists are willing to stay longer. Below is a list of the seminars, the dates and their event number as listed in the Origins Pre-Reg book and on the Origins web site.
Freelancing for Beginners: What is freelancing? A panel discussion of what to expect as you begin a career in freelancing game design. Learn about the more common mistakes made, along with the myths regarding the gaming industry and freelancing. This is an introductory seminar for people just starting out in the business.
Thursday, the 24th at 10:00 am Event #9059 (Panel Full)
Sunday the 27th at 2:00 pm Event #9060
Intermediate Level Freelancing: You have some freelancing credentials to your name and are looking to make the move to the next level with more substantial and consistent work. How do you go about it? Learn more about contracts, rights and expectations, as well as the pitfalls of working for yourself in a volatile industry.
Thursday, the 24th at 2:00 pm Event #9069 (Panel Full)
Art Portfolio Review and Talent Search: Gaming manufacturers and publishers will review your portfolio, looking for new freelancing talent. Bring your best work and a willingness to listen and learn.
Thursday, the 24th at 6:00 pm Event #9068
Freelance Writing for d20 Publishers: Join a panel of professionals as they present an in-depth examination of what it takes to develop d20 material for both print and electronic publication. Proper use of the Open Gaming License and the d20 System Trademark License will also be discussed.
Friday, the 25th at 10:00 am Event #9057 (Panel Full)
d20 Game Design Workshop for Freelancers: A hands-on workshop to increase understanding of the mechanics behind the d20 system. Learn about how to design new feats, classes, races, etc. and the mistakes that typically occur during the process.
Friday the 25th at 6:00 pm Event #9054
PDF Publishing – It’s not Just for Amateurs: PDF publication is becoming more versatile and accepted every day. No longer confined to amateur or small press operations, electronic publishing is now being offered by larger gaming companies. A panel of experts discusses the details of pdf publishing from layout to sales. If you are thinking about self-publication in electronic format, you don’t want to miss this valuable seminar.
Saturday the 26th at 10:00 am Event #9074
Marketing You Art and Building/Improving Your Freelancer Portfolio: Join a panel of illustrators as they review the process of designing a solid, professional portfolio and discuss how to target a specific company. Other topics covered will be the use of digital portfolios, how to get your art viewed by a wider audience, how to develop a fan base, and how to sell to both the client and the public by making your portfolio stand out.
Saturday the 26th at 2:00 pm Event #9073
Freelance Writing & Editing for the Adventure Game Industry: Learn the subtleties of writing and editing, how to ‘break in’ by knowing what companies want, and the mistakes to avoid. The panel also covers the nitty-gritty details like the average per word rate, the use of style sheets, and what constitutes ‘realistic expectations’ for editing.
Saturday the 26th at 6:00 pm Event #9056 (Panel Full)
I have posted a web page (http://www.lklkreations.com/Origins/Origins2004FS.htm) detailing the seminar information above along with the names and a short biography of the panelists that have volunteered so far. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know at ghost.wind@verizon.net and I will pencil your name in on the appropriate seminar(s) that you wish to be involved in. Please include a short one paragraph biography of yourself that can be added to the website.
Thank you.
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