Our Space At Gencon (was: ENNIES 2004 Ceremony Planning Thread)

[DonAdam]

I'm not sure about local Indy laws, but is there any place we could go where we could reserve a room, there could be alcohol, and minors could be around? Because after 10:00 is past the time for sugar and well into the time for beer.

 

[Michael Morris]

I'm going to disagree with this sentiment. I mean OK, we talked too much this past year; fair enough. However, I think silver winners should get to say something. There are simply very few times that people in the game industry get this sort of recognition. Why shouldn't a designer or artist get a minute or two to say something?

Frankly, I find the speeches the most interesting part of award ceremonies. A cavalcade of people walking onstage, saying "thank you", and walking off is boring. I like to hear what people have to say.

That said, I can see the logic of limiting it to one speaker per award.

If there's time for everyone to speak then I'd like that to occur personally. But 2 1/2 hours is about the cap on the show - any longer and I fear it will feel dragged out.

One thing I will assure you that will be done it that a clock will be visible to the speakers to let them know how long they've been talking. I won't jerk the mike if time runs out, but I believe it will keep things under keel.

Now, say there are 20 awards next year. At 1 minute per award that's 40 minutes (silver & gold). The MC is going to take at least 20 minutes in award intros, so we're up to an hour in projected time - and let's add another 1/2 hour for applause / walking to and from podium. That's a projected time of 1 1/2 hours - which is reasonable I think. It's certainly less than the 2 1/4 hours of this year's show.

That's my thoughts on this at the moment anyway.

 

[Michael Morris]

Not if they did so before the ceremony. My friend who does not hang out on these boards walked out of the ceremony after ten minutes. His complaint was that everything going on seemed like an inside joke he wasn't in on. The informality of the presentation was off-putting. If the ENnies are supposed to be a serious award, they should be treated seriously at the award ceremony. Have a place where all the nominees can meet you (like at the EN Pub booth) on Thursday or Friday and have them give a list of names of attendees for the ceremony and who will go up for which award. This is not that hard. Disignate someone to put these names on notecards to be given to the award presenter at the ceremony (and to whom the publisher can go to if a change is necessary).

While this sounds like a good idea, I don't know if it is practical for the following reason: This awards ceremony is part of a larger con. As such, everybody has a whole list of things they'd like to be doing, attending, etc. Rounding up everyone for the ceremony itself is already a bit of a pain, and having a pre-ceremony meeting - while good in principle - probably wouldn't fly. But you are right, something needs to be done. I'd like a little more order to it - though I don't want it to be a tux and dress affair

 

[Michael Morris]

I'm not sure about local Indy laws, but is there any place we could go where we could reserve a room, there could be alcohol, and minors could be around? Because after 10:00 is past the time for sugar and well into the time for beer.

Heh. Such things are the purview of the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis. Clay's brother should know since he runs a bar (he hosted the Sunday get together last year).

 

[zenld]

although i was unable to attend this year i have been around many award ceremonies over the years, and in general i agree to the limitations on speakers. give every award one speaker, and limit their speaking time.

i don't know if this of any use to you, but i have many years production experience in theatre and entertainment and am available for assistance. please contact me if i can help.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I've been made the official Floor Manager for the show. While Michael takes care of everything on stage, i work with him to take care of everything off.

I need a number of volunteers to be ushers during the show.
Granted its too soon now. But i'll be needing anywhere from 6-10 for what i have planned.

 

[Sam Witt]

Please mention the writers of the books, somehow. If you just want to put it on the little slideshow thingy, whatever, but it'd be nice to see the names.

Sam

 

[jmucchiello]

While this sounds like a good idea, I don't know if it is practical for the following reason: This awards ceremony is part of a larger con. As such, everybody has a whole list of things they'd like to be doing, attending, etc. Rounding up everyone for the ceremony itself is already a bit of a pain, and having a pre-ceremony meeting - while good in principle - probably wouldn't fly. But you are right, something needs to be done. I'd like a little more order to it - though I don't want it to be a tux and dress affair

Everyone doesn't have to meet at once. Each publisher has to track down each of his respective nominees. Find out which ones will go up to the podium if they win and then the publisher reports the list of names to the ENnies presentation committee (probably by leaving the list at the ENWorld booth). I wouldn't suggest all these people meet before the ceremony. That would be impossible.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Everyone doesn't have to meet at once. Each publisher has to track down each of his respective nominees. Find out which ones will go up to the podium if they win and then the publisher reports the list of names to the ENnies presentation committee (probably by leaving the list at the ENWorld booth). I wouldn't suggest all these people meet before the ceremony. That would be impossible.

I've been talking with Micheal in Private on how speaking time and who speaks will be handled. I think we've almost gota solution. It's also gonna effect how i plan to seat people.

This is what I personally would like to do with the seating arrangements.

Each nominated product will have between 2-3 seats (5 MAX only if nessasary). One of the 3 is always for the publisher or whomever is representing the publishing company. The second is for the person directly involved with the material that got the award dominated. The 3rd is someone who was involved but less so and or someone special the nominee's might care to bring up. A wife or child or some such.

This means that
A. If a single company wins multiple products then I can automatically narrow down the spaces cause you have one person representing them all. Chris Pramas for Green Ronin for example, who was up for mutliple awards.
B. Less people able to easily jump on stage. Hence you have only the speakers per winning product on stage.
C. Far more organized show with no hectic seating arrangements.

If all the nominees are successfully in the first 2 or 3 rows that drastically cuts down on time needed for them to get to the stage and back.


Also, for the actual awards. I think that it would be safer if after the awards were accepted there was a table on the side where the recipeints could place them instead of holding them. At the end of the show the winners can organize themselves to carry the awards and the risk of one breaking is far less.

Poor Chris and "The Privateer Press Guy" aka jmucchiello, had a lot to carry and hold.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I just had another idea.
If i can get the after show reception off the ground id like to do the following.

I can set up a looooooooong table to the side (away from the food) where all the winners can display their Ennie along side their winning product.

Yes I know that most winners will do so the next day at the show, but Not everyone at the show has seen all the products or will have a good chance to find all the winners and check out the products to see if they want them.

This way as part of the reception they can walk up to the table and check out the product and if they like buy it the next day. So long as the nominees bring one or two copies of their product This wouldnt be a problem to set up. Of course the winners would all have to be willing to set their ENnie down with a copy of the book for an hour