So, yeah, it's a little early, but I can't help thinking about it. We already know that this is the last Flan. (Assuming last year's wasn't. ) Even if BE hadn't already said so, they've nearly insured that this will be their last con of any sort. And I don't know of any other Firefly/Serenity-specific con on the horizon for the US. That this one was a sell-out leads me to believe there is still demand for one, and we all know the fan base is only growing. So, my question is what's next? I know I'd surely like there to be something to replace this event.

I have grand visions of using our collective Shindig planning and Charity benefit planning experience to come up with a replacement event that is both a con and a charity benefit, operating as a properly registered non-profit entity, raising funds for causes that are near and dear to Browncoat hearts. Perhaps the stars would be willing to come at discounted rates, or even donate their time for a charity benefit. Perhaps attendees would be willing to push a little harder to get there knowing that their money is going to a good cause or two. Perhaps it can be an annual event hosted in a different large city each year so that people in different parts of the country have an easier time attending.

Just some thoughts....

Anyone else?

And yes, I'm volunteering to work on it, though not alone.
And yes, I said I knew it was early!

Before I can even think about doing this, I have to recover from what happened with Flan. That being said, it's something I've thought about a little since these BE flubs started happening. It's something I'd be interested in being a part of as well.

Like Malgal, I need to recover from this (and the Anti-Flan that the Cali BCs are planning--you folks RWCK!).

That said, I've worked cons before, and I've been friends with planners of cons--which means I'm basicly useless, unless you need someone to work crowd control for Kia Asamiya. However, I'm willing to jump in to do whatever is needed. Given my time is short lately, I don't know how much I could do right now, but give me a few months when things calm down a bit, and I'll be more available.

I do think we can learn some lessons from the very public failings of BE.

But it won't be easy.

First thing first, there needs to be more then two people running the thing, and there should only be one con a year! The group I worked with had 12 people, and they only did one con a year, and they worked their asses off. I never understood how BE could run several cons with limited attendence and with only two people running the show!

I think the answer is obvious. They can't. I agree that we can learn from their mistakes.

I'd do anything to get something like this going! I also know RavenU has been in contact with another event organizer about having these, so you might want to talk to her before proceeding.

If I were still in San Francisco, I'd offer to head up a new annual Firefly con, as I've organized cons in the past and probably have enough street cred and reach to help make it happen after the BE debacle, and have some contacts with having run the Firefly Talk podcast for a year now. But I'm guessing the West Coast is the more proper place to have an annual event, since most of the stars live out that way, and we already have DragonCon in Atlanta in the summer.

If nobody steps up and makes it happen, though, I'd certainly consider helping to do something out on the East Coast if there is sufficient interest in having one around the Baltimore/Washington area. But I think California is probably more practical.

Wouldn't it be a great idea to tie in a shindig with the Fringe Theatre Adventures, which we are already supporting? This is Nathan's home turf, and he may feel right at home in a Browncoat gathering on site of the theatre. There are more possibilities for this coming off a huge success than limiting it to Firefly/Serenity fans. Fans of all or some of his work who are also supportive of the theatre would be interested. The exposure to local media is already built in. Maybe we could build on this?

It could maybe turn into an annual event, like a festival or picnic on the same grounds every year, attracting people and tourists from all over -- and those who weren't Nathan fans could become fans soon enough. Maybe call it The Nathan Fillion Fringe Theatre Charity or something like that....Which would allow him and fellows actors involved to donate their time instead of charging for it. That would be hand over heart, and not on wallet....as there would be no big-time "Boosterish" promoters in it for their piece of silver.

That's a really neat idea but I don't think it would fill the gap left in the wake of the Flanventions. Trying to get other guests beyond Nathan (and the fans) up to Edmonton, especially if the con is run around this same time of year, would be asking a lot. (I've spent many frozen winters in Edmonton!)

And as wonderful as Nathan is, he'd be the first to say that it's not all about him.

That could be a very interesting one off kind of thing, because I dont think repeating it would work without a special reason like his birthday gift this year. Either way it's a great idea. I'm totally game to help with that, or anything else really. Maybe even if we all looked into forming the charity con as suggested, or even a non-profit convention group. I'm sure between all of us we have enough experience to pull events together. I used to book authors for workshops, and such. Like the point brought up though, it would have to be sometime in the summer. Spring is a hit or miss here in Alberta, and winter is absolutley not a good idea for picnics etc... Right now it is a lovely -40 with windchill throughout the province...brrr.

I remember spending over a week in Edmonton in December, where during the DAY it never got above 25F below. Very chilly!

The other thing to remember about Flan alternatives is the Browncoat Cruise that the DTI folks are putting together, starting with next December. I look forward to seeing more details.

I'd urge against the idea of fans running a convention -- at least for the moment, anyway. There's many reasons why, but it's definitely an area to be very careful over as it's a lot of work and it can go so very wrong for all concerned.

Personally, what I think Firefly fans need at the moment is a big & professional organisation to put something together. And, as somebody notes above, this has been under discussion for a few months, and hopefully it happens.

Creation Entertainment puts on many SciFi cons...

http://www.creationent.com

There are complaints about them from time to time but I just attended the official Farscape con in Burbank, CA earlier this month and they did a very good job.

They were also kind enough to allow us at 'The ScapeCast' to do a LIVE podcast during the con as well.


Kevin

Despite how very very upset I am about Flan, this made me go, "oooooo".

Haven't read everything here yet but this' a fast post before work...

I'm planning to look into how one puts together a convention.. there's room here in Kingman and all ..

Mor elater..

I'm not trying to be negative, but this makes so much sense to me. Given the number of fan run conventions that are failing lately, I think many people would be wary of attending something fan run right now.

Something successfuly run by a large organization would help restore our faith.

I would love to visit Edmonton and see the Fringe Theatre when Nathan is performing there! But 40below? Ye GODS that's cold!

I recall 60F below at night was a typical temperature during the coldest week I was there. That's an interesting experience for your lungs, when it hurts to breathe!

Any town that has "x-second flesh freeze warnings" when you turn on the radio as a regular part of the weather report is just a tad too cold for me. 30 seconds was often what I heard: 30 seconds till exposed flesh freezes.

ok, i'm going back to my warm cozy flan-related nervous breakdown now

Gossi, are you including our cruise in this statement regarding fan run cons? Because in my opinion, we are seeing it as more of a con-like cruise, or more accurately a themed cruise. But even if it is viewed as a full blown Con, I'd like to think that we have proven ourselves capable of pulling together a big job on budget, and not to get 'star struck' to a fault. Though we aren't a big organization, we do have the talent, skills and contacts to pull off our cruise. Also, the lessons learned from BE will not go unheaded, and in fact we plan to be very open and public every step of the way. And we plan to spend virtually none of the registration money until we are 100% sure the cruise is going foward. I guarentee there will never be any big surprises like we are seeing now with BE.

That being said, in the unlikely event we are unable to sign up any "A list" talent, the cruise will go forward (at a reduced rate). And we are still planning to include some "B listers" and turn it into a shindig on a ship, at a minimum. Anyway you slice it, it'll be fun. And again all developments will be made public as they happen. I'm all about transparency.

Jeremy
www.DoneTheImpossible.com
www.BrowncoatCruise.com

This post has been edited by Jeremy: Nov 29 2006, 08:44 PM

Jeremy - no. I was actually just going to email you about it, as it happens. You guys have proven you can run a project and make a profit from it (Done The Impossible).

Browncoat Cruise?? I think my credit card just burst into flames (by that, I mean that it sounds awesome).

Like the others, I'm still too hurt by all this Flan nonsense to think of trying to organize a future con. I think it's cool that Jeremy is doing the Cruise, and I also like the idea of a professionally-run con. Mostly, I just want the con that I've already paid for and have been planning for all this time...

Yeah, I think it's too early for folk to be looking at this at the minute. Let's get this weekend out the way first, see what happens with Flanvention, try to get everybodies money back if we can, and then see if other events can be put together properly next year.

Ahhh, the memories of home LMAO!

Edmonton is very, very, very, very, very chilly indeed.

I thin kthe browncoat crusie is afabolous idea, and I am sure Jeremy and compaany will do a smash up job consdiering how wonderful DTI turned out.. but make sure that you give a "realistic" timeline this time Im just teasing a little
Prakas


and i bitch and complain about montreal weather... man we are spoilt here! LOL

I agree completely, there's plenty of time to discuss future events after next week.

Jeremy

Okay, psyched about a Browncoat cruise. If Flan gets canned (canned flan, heh), and I get my money back from BE (HAHAHAHAHA!!! whew! That's a good one!) or from my Visa card, I can certainly see myself getting a ticket for this. And to ease my guilt at being all spendy for yet ANOTHER con, I'll invite my mom.

*It would be awesome to have the tix go on sale around tax refund time *

...Cruise? Browncoat cruise? *ears perk up*

Wow, that browncoat cruise sounds AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If by some miracle I can save up enough money in just a year to go to this, I'll so be there!

Yeah, the Cruise does indeed sound promising. We've got plenty of time to plan for it, a year, and they've gotta get the bugs straightened out. There is a website, but as of now it's more of a general Info Board. It should be up and running soon, and they've promised to announce what Port the cruise will be from by Dec 15th.

http://www.browncoatcruise.com/

-Gonna be a Shiny Site when they get it done!

You wussies. LOL It's regularly that cold here (middle of AK, probably same latitude as Edmonton). It's pretty much a given, though, that at 60 below, you don;t go anywhere unless you HAVE to. Your car belts snap, metal becomes brittle and you risk cracing your engine block if you try to turn it over without having plugged it in...and yeah, you breathe through a scarf or risk frostbiting your lungs.

I suspect those who live in CA are about ready to dive under the couch at any mention of visiting said latitude in the winter, though. Ah well. So much for the Firefly Ice Carving Contest!