I think in the future, we will have better talks with the artists and their management. Sometimes, the management looks after the interest of the artists without actually asking the artists themselves about how they feel, or getting an opinion from us as to how to best organize the panel.

But if it's truly by request of the artists themselves that a panel be organized in a specific way, we can really do nothing but honor their wishes.

--------
"Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so."
-- Shakespeare

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-04 AT 08:30 PM (PDT)
 
>I think in the future, we will have better talks with the artists and
>their management. Sometimes, the management looks after the interest
>of the artists without actually asking the artists themselves about
>how they feel, or getting an opinion from us as to how to best
>organize the panel.
>
>But if it's truly by request of the artists themselves that a panel be
>organized in a specific way, we can really do nothing but honor their
>wishes.

Now I hate to step on toes, but I have something to say regarding that.

You do NOT have to honor the wishes of the performers.

I know that there is a confliction of interests regarding Japanese musicians vs. American mangement styles, but just because of that conflict, doesnt mean you have to fold to the demands of the whims of the artists.

The keyword *and I know its gonna sound like I'm lecturing you, but I'm not trying to* to remember in this business is comprimise.

Performers are there to do a job. Sure they may be considered guests, but at the core, they are there to do their job; perform. Its what they do. Now because they are guests, its not a good idea to just let them make decisions, and get whatever they want; but its is essential as a hosting venue, to treat them with respect, and listen to their wishes. If the wishes conflict with a neighboring event or artist, thats when you get the two groups together, under the supervision of the con host, and work to meet a comprimise. We all, performers, guests, and hosts, have to work together for the benefit of the whole; not the individual. And another thing to remember is; this is for the fans. THEY are the number one guests to please; and in the end, they are the only ones that really matter.

The fact is not to become a boss to anyone but a friend in need of a mutual agreement that all parties (this includes attendees) could be happy with. As far as I have been reading, every complaint, so far, seems like the guests must serve every fan's whim in reflection to the guests having "royal treatment". I understand that things didn't go well and there were some problems. The fact is the guests aren't objects to be pushed around and forced to do something they don't want to. They came for a reason, to perform. Yes, I understand that but they perform because they want to... Because they enjoy it... Because they want to share their abilies to everyone. For each person who comes, they are pleased and vice versa. Although they are performing for the audience, they are also performing for themselves as well. So who really matters? The performer or people who want them there?

Personally I believe it's the performer. Without them, there is no show.

>The fact is not to become a boss to anyone but a friend in need of a
>mutual agreement that all parties (this includes attendees) could be
>happy with. As far as I have been reading, every complaint, so far,
>seems like the guests must serve every fan's whim in reflection to the
>guests having "royal treatment". I understand that things didn't go
>well and there were some problems. The fact is the guests aren't
>objects to be pushed around and forced to do something they don't want
>to. They came for a reason, to perform. Yes, I understand that but
>they perform because they want to... Because they enjoy it... Because
>they want to share their abilies to everyone. For each person who
>comes, they are pleased and vice versa. Although they are performing
>for the audience, they are also performing for themselves as well. So
>who really matters? The performer or people who want them there?
>
>Personally I believe it's the performer. Without them, there is no
>show.

But what kinda show is it without an audience? Without an audience, its just a rehearsal.

Its my opinion that, that type of thinking is what caused so much problems with the shows at PMX.

My 2 cents:

The Guests of Honor needs to be treated like royalty regardless if they asked for it or not. They are there because the con *INVITED* them. If the GoH isn't treated with such regards, it's more than likely they'll be dissatisfied of their stay in sunny California. If they have a good time, they'll give the fans a good performance. Remember, some of these Guests are flying from half way around the world just to be here.

Winter: I think you're just bitter because your band Secret Secret got shafted.

>My 2 cents:
>
>The Guests of Honor needs to be treated like royalty regardless if
>they asked for it or not. They are there because the con *INVITED*
>them. If the GoH isn't treated with such regards, it's more than
>likely they'll be dissatisfied of their stay in sunny California. If
>they have a good time, they'll give the fans a good performance.
>Remember, some of these Guests are flying from half way around the
>world just to be here.
>
>Winter: I think you're just bitter because your band Secret Secret got
>shafted.

We arent talking about guests of honor right now, we were talking about performers. GoH and performers are two relatively seperate attendants. Pay attention to the posts your replying to.

And actually, I'm not bitter from PMX treatment at all. In fact, I'm a naturally hostile character. *this is what people like to call sarcastic form of satire*

PS. I love your name. Cant say it without sounding like you're being insulted.

With the exception of TMR, I don't think any of the musicians counted as GOH's. They were all "special guests" or just plain old "guests". And its not a question of being bitter. It's a question of learning from mistakes. Choosing one guest over another or putting the guests happiness before the attendee's and then not making ammends with those attendees is a mistake.

Sure the GoH's and guest traveled at least 4 hrs each (seeing as how none of the bands were from southern California. Secret Secret is based closest and they still had a 6 or 7 hour drive) but some of the attendees traveled just as much and its their money that will help the convention continue to run.

>I will answer your Press/Fan Panel question. It was requested by the
>PLC management to merge to two panel. PLC did not want to do two

>In my humble opinion, I don't think the PLC management made the right
>decision. The panels should not have merged together. I think the fans
>were cheated out of waiting for such a long time and their panel. I
>don't think it's right when they move the panel to a much smaller room
>and some fans didn't get to go into the panel because the press room
>couldn't hold as many people. I feel badly for those who waited longer
>3 hours and were turned away.

I have to add, since my opinion is along the lines of your own.

Completely off the record, might I also add.

The problem I think, was that the heads of PMX were just plain afraid of standing up to the staff management of PLC. Because of this, PLC's management *management, not the band themself mind you* were able to make decisions that were not in the proper jurisdiction of the convention. Its the old military adage: "You dont let the squad leaders tell the platoon what to do. Thats the platoon commanders' job."

PMX heads have to remember for next year: they are the boss. They have the final say; unless contracts dictate otherwise. The management of PLC, or any other potential band DO NOT have authority to be the end all and whole of decisions. The final decisions SHOULD be coming from the heads of the convention staffs, not the heads of the performers.

PLC's management had too much power, because some staffers didnt feel like stepping on their toes a bit. Now I'm going to get blunt, but this message is for all the heads of PMX; you're in charge. You have balls. *figure of speech of course* Use them.

Its one thing to be fair to the performers, but not to the point of allowing them to run rampant and make decisions for the con itself. From my view of things, Rob P. let some people get away with too much, while ostracizing others; not good business. I hate to start calling names, but the only person that I thought handled things with professionalism was Kevin C. *This excludes the people that did the workhorse jobs of the con; you guys were fine, from what I could tell, I was making this comment in terms of the muckymucks that make big decisions*

Goddess...I have so much more to say. So much that I'll just not say it, lol.