Discussion on C4 - What we did well and what we could do better within the The Sarlacc Pit forum, part of the Community category; As C4 was our first true publicity event, we would
As C4 was our first true publicity event, we would like to go over it with you, our members, and get your take on what went well, and what we can change, remove or add to make it even better at future events! So give us your thoughts, opinions and ideas! Remember, the ultimate purpose of having a booth at these events is to raise awareness for the website and bring more members to this community.
One thing I really liked is when there was stuff on the table to display and get people's attention. A good example is members' helmets and blasters. I noticed it seemed to catch a lot of people's interests who were just walking by. It's funny how I heard the question "are these for sale" popping up.
Having said that, there is one suggestion I would make (especially since that golden statue was on the table.) There should be signs on the table that say "please do not touch." Well, maybe that's just me ... I usually just freak out when I see a visitor just randomly pick up a helmet, but I'd hate to see anything get damaged or destroyed.
Yes, there definately needs to be a do not touch sign. Some people might think its rude to come just come out and say "don't touch my stuff", but when theres a kid who just goes around touching everything and trying to pull triggers on the guns and make the RF's go down then it needs to be said. Maybe there should also be a not for sale sign, too.
Oh, and a foam floor under and around the tableWhenever I heard a thunk of something hitting the floor my heart skipped a beat.
You guys are right. Having a "prop" table behind the people at the booth just in front of the banner could show off props that we don't want touched, and the front table could be for "hands on" items and stickers, cards, etc.
Having props at the booth really peaked people's interest, so finding a balance between safety for the items and showing them off is a good idea.
Oh, I think we ran out of stickers too, they went like hot cakes!
The last sticker went at exactly 10:52am Monday morning!
How about some sort of a glass case that is open from the back? That way members working the booth can get to the items and the public can't.
Not a bad idea at all. It definitely helps to have a few props on the table. Gives people something interesting to look at. Also, some printed fliers that people can take back home with them with the web address and some minor info. I know for the NEG, Brian's made some nice costume pricing sheets to give people a 3,000 foot overview of how much something will roughly cost to make.
On the note of protecting stuff... we did a costume workshop at the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit. I looked a way for a moment, then came back to see someone walking off wearing my Fett helmet!
I went over to the kid, probably about 16, and rather aggressively recovered my property. He claimed that the thought that it was ok to take, since it was out on the table.
On the flyer note... that's definitely a good thing. The costume pricing one has been really popular, as have the general recruiting ones.
I think for TDH, making something up based on the "how much will you spend" thread would be ideal. It would be great for the folks that are really into it, and would save other people the trouble of getting all excited about doing it, then realizing how much time and money goes into it.
Definately the glass case is a good idea. While everyone was having a blast down at CIV, I did a troop up here in MN, and some lady started walking off with my blaster when I set it down for a minute, and was pointing it at people. Law enforcement almost got involved!!!! So yeah...I like the case idea!!
D
We honestly wanted to do some type of a case originally for those reasons but then we looked at prices... We were pretty limited with our budget due to the costs of banners. My question would be, is there anyone out there that might be able to construct some kind of case, or cases that we could use for display purposes? I think this would really be incredibly helpful. Because we did not, that is why I only asked folks to bring stuff when they were working, so they could keep an eye on it and no one else would be responsible for it. It just amazes me people just walking up to the table and picking stuff up that doesn't belong to them.
what about picking up a couple of ikea detolf cases? they are only $60... probably cheaper than building something. i was thinking about trying to put one on its side for display
I have no idea what that is cause I don't have an Ikea.
Yep, a display case of some sort would be ideal. We had a few little ones that lunged at some of the helmets and other props (if I was 7 hell yeah I would too!!!) Luckily, all our volunteers we extra mindfull of all the goings on in our surroundings that we had it pretty much in control. We got lucky. Do Not Touch signs are a must.
I do know that the side banners need to be off the ground some how as well. Ideally it would have been way better to have them on the sides of the table, though due to Union rules, we had to stay within the footprint as indicated by the tape on the floor. The higher up we can get the side banners, the better! Also, a live internet connection would be great (LA Convention Center wanted $1000 for an internet connection!!!) for on site regristration for new members (Brak's idea) I can tell you folks had we been able to regrister new members on site, we would have at least garnered 150 new members this past weekend.
Originally Posted by Mirax H
I have one right across the street from, my work. I can go check em out if anyone wants.
Detolf Case <---click
-x
I would have LOVED to have internet! Hopefully it will be a possibility the next time we do this. I wonder if it would have worked if we had a wireless internet card, like sprint or whoever, if that would have worked or if they would have been able to block it. Onsite registration would have been awesome!
WOW! That case is pretty awesome and that is an incredible price! I think I need some of those for myself! I'm thinking though we would prefer to have something that we could place on the table. I know we were thinking of helmet cases for buckets but it would be great to have something a bit bigger for other pieces.
Word of caution on the Detolf case. I have one, love it. It's great as a helmet display. However, it's no where near practical to move around. I dread just having to get it up the stairs when I eventually move. Dismantling it is out of the question, too, and it's very, very heavy.
The 501st had a good idea putting the costumes inside a wire mesh cage, so people wouldn't touch. Maybe we could make a display out of the vinyl coated wire mesh that is used in those closet kits. You could make them just big enough to hold a few helmets, and fold them flat when you transport them. It may seem tacky, but you could put them together easily with Zip ties. You could make some that are longer to hold a blaster. There wouldn't be any glass to break, and their pretty rugged. You could make them any size, and they could fit on a table. You could keep them closed with a small lugguage lock, and it would definatly keep people from touching. If people were really interested, you would have the option to take the stuff out for a picture, or for people to look at.. at your discression.
i have verizon's wireless service. it works well anywhere that there's a strong verizon signal.
i'm planning to bring it to dragoncon, so if there is to be some TDH thing there, i may be able to offer it up. i've got a few laptops too, so i could just leave one with the table
live TDH webcam feed? that seemed to work out really well for the 501st table at c4.
i've got 4 at home, and am thinking of a 5th.WOW! That case is pretty awesome and that is an incredible price! I think I need some of those for myself!
the caution of moving the cases is definitely valid. i built and moved all 4 in one shot, and it was somewhat less than fun. not out of the question, but not easy either.
something smaller and table based would definitely be more practical. anyone who has seen the amount of junk i usually bring to events we do here knows how much stuff i tend to bring, so that suggestion probably wasn't well thought out
That's kinda what I was thinking...maybe a life-size mannequin of Boba or Jango??
The reason I say that is when the photo-shot was over on Saturday, me and Mrs.Spideyfett manned the table right after, and well we didn't have costumes...(still working on that btw). So there were momments when there were no fellow TDH members in costume around, so we had no real costumes or props on hand to show-off.
And def MORE STICKERS!!
Since we were low I tried to limit them to the kids...
**and rather than give them the stickers we would actually Stick them on people and kids that wanted one, especially the ones in costume....INSTANT Walking advertisement for TDH....
The sticker design was a last minute thing and I know that both Gino and I want to revisit it. We would really like to do a custom cut vinyl sticker in the shape of the new dent logo but the last time we priced them, they were pretty high compared to a round of square sticker.
We will definitely do more stickers. I know the times I called, our allotment was gone by like noon. Again, our budget limited how much we could do and we honestly didn't know how much to get on things. This definitely helps us out. We only had 1000 stickers total and I am betting we probably could have used 3 times that.
Having the helmets and/or other props on the table really did bring people in! (As did the fantastic banners might I add!) Having a Boba/Jango/Mando standing around doesn't hurt either!*Zam would be a good addition too!
* People did tend to want to touch the props though.
A live internet connection to the website and live sign-ups would be great as well! A place to store the accumulated junk - out of sight - would be nice. A cooler, a Barbeque, hammock... pool... things like that..
I've actually been toying around with the new logo as a custom cut vinyl sticker in my free time, and it's totally feasible.
I made this premasked decal for myself. It's red and measures approx 4.5in x 11in overall. Sorry for the blurry picture...
I definately could do these for you. They would be one color, and would have to remain this size or larger, but like I said, it's totally feasible!
I'd just need a little more time to work on them than I had for the C4 stickers.
I'll look into pricing if you want.
Just pm me.
I really didn't feel there was a problem with the way our props were handled at C4. As long as someone was always at the booth, I felt safe with my props there; no one seemed to grab them without asking. Just to be on the safer side, plexiglass cases would be simple and easy to assemble.
Actually, what Braks was thinking was of the actual "dent" much like what Goro did for the display stand for his gold Boba statue. But that looks cool Matt!! I think I need like a huge one to go all the way across my windshield in back
How about instead of having the props sitting on the table they be behind the table on display? That way they'd be safe from prying fingers and still visible enough to draw interest.
We here in FL have come up with a very good solution to the people touching things problem that didn't cost much. We just got a couple of long thin sheets of clear acrylic and some metal brackets and screwed the brackets to the plastic and then stood them up in front of the props and what not. Think of it like a sneeze guard at the salad bar. It was cheap and very effictive. Plus they are light weight and easy to transport.
Check this pic for what I am talking about:
That idea seems the best.
On another subject other than props..........
How bout
Name Tags!!!!!
Much like the cool silver imperial/rebel ones, not sure which they were but im sure someone knows what im talking about.
The name tag could be like the chest display on boba with our real names on top and our board names on bottom?
And possibly (if anyone doesnt care too much about straying from costumes)
Some sort of tdh patch we could put on our armor much like a clan or the 50lst patches?
I like the plexi-shield idea Mark. Makes sense and it's cheap and lightweight.
As for the badges, I know that Damien Metz from Las Vegas makes the 501st ones. They're laser etched and really awesome. I love mine!
Plexiglass
Badges
triple ditto on the badges!
I must have intruduced myself 3 times to each member. Nametags are a must.
I had my 501st badge on a lot of the time.
Badges with the new logo/branding.
Hmmm, so what you are guys are saying is.... we need badges? Just want to make sure I'm understanding what your saying
Talk to Damien Metz if you need badges made. He's doing them for the 501st Legion, the Rebel Legion, the R2D2 builders Group. They are professionally done and look great. Design something and he can make it, and he won't kill you with a price.
we totally need badges the ones I saw at CIV looked amazing.. I was having badge withdraw LOL
I dont see a need for badges.
We don't need no stinkin badges!!!
Come on someone had to say it...
-x
Ok, is there anything else besides badges?
TDH Trading Cards!
*just kidding, that would be a LOT of work!*
Sure... lanyards, trading cards, coins (we have those already
It seems like this is no longer a forum, and almost turning into a costume club.
I want TDH action figures! Oh and a movie. A calender spread would be nice. TDH halloween costumes!
Put me down for some action figures.
How about cardboard standees, and some busts of us all?
TDH, the Flamethrower! The kids love that one.
Whatcha talkin about? I remember you .........uh...........bud.
(Seriously, I do remember you TeamFett)
How about just some knees that don't break?
Seriously, having the badges, plexiglass, higher stands for Mirax and Graeme's images, and additional stickers are the main items.
Of course TDH temporary tatoos would be cool.
TDH: The Dented Hotties?
TDH: The Dented Hotties?
Because we're so hot in our armourTDH: The Dented Hotties?
All very good suggestions. We will be working on many of these bwtween now and Dragon Con!
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