Katsucon 2007 on DCM: April 1st, 2007

- Report by TakagiNaoSama -

This convention we tried something different. On the drive home we decided to rate the different aspects of the convention based on our personal experiences and opinions of the events. This is how Katsucon withstood our wrath >:)


-Katsucon by the numbers-

Con staff
(Our experiences with the convention staff overall, including event coordinators, press heads, and of course security.)
We actually considered not going to Katsucon this year because of the problems we had with security last year. Constantly being told we couldn't take photos where we wanted doesn't make our jobs easy. This year was a little better, though we still got hassled for going places we had a right to be in. The rest of the staff was understanding and very helpful most of the time which gives the staff it's higher mark, though we did have to deal with a rather rude gentleman while setting up to film the masquerade..
Average Score: 70%

Hotel & Hotel staff
(The quality of the hotel, ease of check-in, and the friendliness and helpfullness of the staff.)
A very rude confrontation with the manager of the hotel (of all people) gives this category it's low marks. We were also hassled constantly when unloading and loading our vehicle, and the Omni bellhops are relentless. If it wasn't for the unique architecture of the hotel and the generous convention rate, I doubt it would have gotten much of a score at all.
Average Score: 45%

Masquerade Technical
(Just about every aspect of the masquerade except the actual skits. The MC, technical, judging, timing, etc. Basically everything the convention staff had control over.)
Oh where to start. Well, I'll say that there was nothing wrong with the MC. And the event started on time...that's about all the good I've got to say. The technical crew did NOT know their place in the show, nor did they seem to know what they were doing most of the time (you gotta watch out for those MAC users..) The judging was a COMPLETE fuck up and everyone knows it, so I don't have to go on a three-day rant about that. What made me the most angry out of anything though is that there were two skits that hadn't submitted their music in the proper format. Now, nothing wrong with that; mistakes are made. However, instead of making sure everything played properly BEFORE the masquerade started, the poor cosplayers were scolded as they were standing on stage waiting for their music to start. Adding embarassement to nervousness as someone is standing on stage in front of thousands of people is not a good way to envoke confidence in the people who are providing the talent for your convention's main event. Fail, Katsucon. Total fail.
Average Score: 35%

Masquerade Skits
(The quality of the skits themselves. The variety, innovation, fresh content, and entertainment value of the show overall.)
It was almost unanamously agreed that this was one of the best masquerades we had ever seen. Many skits took advantage of the Omni Shoreham's projector screen and used it to greatly enhance their skits, or simply do things that wouldn't be possible without it. We were very impressed with the variety of content, and the hard work cosplayers continue to put into their performances even months before the convention.
Average Score: 81%

Gameroom
(The size of the room, number of machines/consoles, location, and overall presentation of the gameroom.)
Katsucon will always get high marks for its entire room of free-play arcade machines. But not only that, but an entire second room full of consoles, including the newly released ones. Projector screens with music games add to the atmosphere of the room. Multiple copies of popular games are set up so there's less waiting to play. The gameroom is one thing Katsucon has always gotten right.
Average Score: 89%

Dealer's Room
(The size of the room, number of merchants, variety of merchandise, hours of operation, location, lighting, etc.)
Katsucon's dealer's room is large and has a wide variety of dealers. There's a fair amount of room to move and the location isn't too out of the way. What brought the score down for us is the atmosphere. It's in the Omni's parking garage. This makes things quite dark and dreary inside, and the low ceiling doesn't help.
Average Score: 75%

Artist Alley
(The location and size of the alley, placement of the artists, variety of art, etc.)
Katsucon's AA isn't the biggest, but it's got good variety and some very talented artists. It's also in a foyer by windows so there's a lot of natural light.
Average Score: 71%


Overall
(This is our entire con experience including all of the above and everything else that goes into a con weekend combined.)
Amazingly, this score is only about a percent away from the above seven scores averaged! It's surprising because all the events are weighed differently for each person, so simply finding the average of the above wouldn't be an accurate representation of our overall convention experience.
Average Score: 68%


Final Grade: D+...Better luck next year Katsu

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