Daisho Con

Ok,

I want to try this again and I think after 2 months we can have a good go at it . First off some necessary apologies:

Cheesus:
It sounds like my friend Theo gave you a hard time. I apologize for this, he's a bit of a loose cannon and can be a jerk, but he is also my best friend and I have found no better light operator.

1st Agent:
I truly TRULY am sorry the lights bothered you. You were one of our biggest supporters before the dance and I deeply regret dissapointing you. As a DJ, I recognize not everyone can be pleased, and you were one of the folks I truly wished to make happy as you had been so supportive thorugh the dance.

Other Con Goers who became Ill:
I am also truly sorry. What theo said in his post is not accurate, this was not my first big event, just my first big even with his equipment and I have never run across lights being too intense. Usually the problem is inadequate lighting. This is something theo and I have taken DEEPLY to heart and are improving not just for future cons, but for all of our events in general. Please understand Theo and I simply wished to deliver the best con dance possible, and I think flaring tempers and ego's (on ALL sides, including my own) got in the way of true constructive criticism the last time I seeked it out.

I apologize here and officially on behalf of myself, theo and my crew to all who felt left out of the dance.

Now... The lighting issue is being fine tuned for maximum enjoyment next year (assuming Zack and Co want us back )

How can we improve our dance formula?

Did you guys ever play the Reverse MAcarena? Otherwise you guys did great.

I'm going to be honest. I really liked it the way it was. Were glad to have you for next year man.

I accept your apology.

Skipping the whole lighting issue (which will be fixed), the big problem with the dance musically was the lack of any J-Rock, J-Pop, anime, or anything to remind me that I was at an anime convention. Also seemed at times to fill requests for the sake of filling requests and not the integrity of the music (No Brand's got a problem with this as well). Those were the other major black marks on the dance.

1stAgent wrote:Skipping the whole lighting issue (which will be fixed), the big problem with the dance musically was the lack of any J-Rock, J-Pop, anime, or anything to remind me that I was at an anime convention. Also seemed at times to fill requests for the sake of filling requests and not the integrity of the music (No Brand's got a problem with this as well). Those were the other major black marks on the dance.

One final FINAL note on the lighting, Theo and I are going to be making a special trip out to Point from Minneapolis to meet with the staff before the next con to explore our options on lighting. We will be discussing the use of filters, adjusting intensity, focus points and those gawd-awful mirrors and chandeliers. Once we know more and come to a final decision our battle plan will be posted in this thread.

Anyhoo!

Music formatting for an event like this is tough. One major thing that collapsed for me was my inability to get a clean broadband signal off my aircard. This made it impossible to download requests on the fly as well web cast the dance like we wanted too >_< (Wi-Fi in the ballroom was non-existant) Hopefully with Verizon's aquisition of Alltel this won't be an issue next year. Now, since the dance, I have been completely inundated with requests for specific types of J-Rock and J-Pop. I like them, and they will get played. Also, I am seriously hoping that next year a time extension can be negotiated with the. Much like the Rave portion on Friday night, I would like to possibly devote an entire block of time to j-rock and j-pop...

At any rate, your comments are WELL noted.

I really enjoyed the dance, and to be honest I didn't have a problem with the lighting. But, I rather enjoyed the straight techno/geek that you played. I know a lot of people wanted J-rock and J-pop, but to be honest, I haven't really found anything J-Pop that I've liked, so it worked for me.

Yeah, I'm the strange guys on the forum, but still.

1stAgent wrote:Skipping the whole lighting issue (which will be fixed), the big problem with the dance musically was the lack of any J-Rock, J-Pop, anime, or anything to remind me that I was at an anime convention.

Same issues I had. When the closet thing to Japanese music played was an 80's rock song by The Vapors called Turning Japanese, you something aint right. As sour of a first impression you left with me, I am willing to give you ONE more chance.

SnazzyAzzy83 wrote:

1stAgent wrote:Skipping the whole lighting issue (which will be fixed), the big problem with the dance musically was the lack of any J-Rock, J-Pop, anime, or anything to remind me that I was at an anime convention.

Same issues I had. When the closet thing to Japanese music played was an 80's rock song by The Vapors called Turning Japanese, you something aint right. As sour of a first impression you left with me, I am willing to give you ONE more chance.

I appreciate that. I have recieved many pm's too. Before I go and set expectations way too high, and before i promise anything not cleared by con staff though, it needs to be said that everyone will need to make compromises. More J-Rock and J-Pop needed to be played. You are all 100% correct.

Lighting Update:

Theo and I are going to begin reprogramming our light system this weekend. It will be a long process. For those with some pro lighting background we use a full DMX 512 intelligent lighting system. Also, assuming the dance is held in the same room as last year, theo and I also need a hand ful (3 or 4) people willing to assist us before the dance(s). We will need help lifting stuff, running cable and covering those god-awful mirrors. These individuals will be paid in food, caffeine and glowsticks before the dance and after setup (im not cheap, it will be worth it, we're talking like steak here [or something]). We do have a few requirements for volunteers though.

Volunteer Prerequisites:
Ability to Lift 20lbs Over The Head Unassisted (speaker towers and light towers)
Willingness to follow directions to a T
Ability to Get out of my Way when I am running Around Frantically Checking Sound Levels
Not Offended by Absurd Amounts Of Swearing and/or Profanity
Ability to Take Anything Negative Said By Theo With a Grain of Salt and NOT Personally (seriously)

More details to follow. If interested PM me and give me a brief run down of who/what you are and if you have had any past experience operating A/V equipment.

-Jason

We're full up on volunteers, thank you to everyone who responded! Keep an eye on your PM box, as we get closer to Daisho I will have nstructions for those who responded.

-Jason

If you need help with j-rock...I can find you some songs to dance to..

Cheesus wrote:If you need help with j-rock...I can find you some songs to dance to..

Your advicve would be much appreciated!

I LOVED the Star Wars remix that you ended Friday night with. That was worth it right there.


However, in all the raves I've been to, I have yet to hear remix versions of any famous anime songs. Not just J-rock or J-pop, but ANIME songs.

My friends told me they remixed "Rise" from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex at Anime Detour, but I missed out on hearing that one.

So many upbeat Cowboy Bebop songs like Tank that just beg to be mixed up but good too.

Lucky Star released two whole albums full of techno remixes of Motteke Sailor Fuku, the opening song. Go play the REDALICE remix, Naka no Hito on the Floor remix, or Burning remix versions. You don't even have to mix those yourself and you'll have people dancing.

As annoying as it can be, I'm still waiting for the day when a rave plays CaramellDansen.

Those are my suggestions.

Batou wrote:I LOVED the Star Wars remix that you ended Friday night with. That was worth it right there.


However, in all the raves I've been to, I have yet to hear remix versions of any famous anime songs. Not just J-rock or J-pop, but ANIME songs.

My friends told me they remixed "Rise" from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex at Anime Detour, but I missed out on hearing that one.

So many upbeat Cowboy Bebop songs like Tank that just beg to be mixed up but good too.

Lucky Star released two whole albums full of techno remixes of Motteke Sailor Fuku, the opening song. Go play the REDALICE remix, Naka no Hito on the Floor remix, or Burning remix versions. You don't even have to mix those yourself and you'll have people dancing.

As annoying as it can be, I'm still waiting for the day when a rave plays CaramellDansen.

Those are my suggestions.

When Sarah and I walked into the dance at Detour, they were playing Caramelldansen. Later in the night, they played the openings to Naruto and Gantz. I enjoyed the dance at Detour. They don't necessarily need to be remix versions (although as you said, they're certainly out there). Hell, even Greg Ayres played the Beck opening straight-up last year. The songs just need to be played. A mix of everything is the way to go, so long as the DJ can justify everything played beyond "it was requested."

And while I tend not to make specific requests, say the word and I can send a ton of anime music that I'd consider dance-worthy.

Yeah, I just happen to miss the dance when those songs are played. My friends said they did a poor job on "Rise" anyway.

Cheesus wrote:If you need help with j-rock...I can find you some songs to dance to..

Gee, I wonder which band that might involve?