Otafest 2010, May 21 - 23, 2010

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Nov 2009

How do i answer all three days?

"Hello? Yes, Ill be needing you to get me another car immediately. Preferably one that cant be BLOWN UP BY A *!&$(*@ CAMERA!" - Tsujido - Speed Grapher

Apr 26, 2010 1:56 PM

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Jun 2009

356

Brassiris said:
How do i answer all three days?

Woops. I forgot that option. I've added it.

I'll go Saturday and Sunday for sure. Friday's tight because of work.

Rukia13Apr 26, 2010 9:03 PM

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May 15, 2010 1:47 PM

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Feb 2008

For those coming, be aware that the C-train is, like every year, closed this long weekend from downtown to Sunnyside. So if you're travelling from the South, do take that into account.

Schedule is up for those interested. http://www.otafest.com/2010/

SohKaiMay 15, 2010 2:10 PM

May 15, 2010 9:00 PM

Sarvison

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Dec 2007

^Good thing I live to the north of the University Station. xD

Hm...Really does depend, but most likely Saturday for me. o.o

SarvisonMay 16, 2010 10:23 PM

May 16, 2010 9:44 PM

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Jun 2009

356

Thanks SohKai. Hmm...I too am undecided.

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May 17, 2010 8:26 PM

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Nov 2009

Ok. so for saturday. what is the plan.... i wanna get in early with a bunch of you weirdos :) what time you gonna hit the place Rukia?

"Hello? Yes, Ill be needing you to get me another car immediately. Preferably one that cant be BLOWN UP BY A *!&$(*@ CAMERA!" - Tsujido - Speed Grapher

May 17, 2010 8:36 PM

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Jun 2009

356

Egad, Brass, I haven't thought past "How the heck am I going to make a death scythe". I printed off the schedule. I'll check it out on my next bookkeeping break. Stupid office bookkeeping. Gets in the way of teaching and playing music.

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May 17, 2010 8:43 PM

poohkiez

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Jul 2009

Brassiris said:
Ok. so for saturday. what is the plan.... i wanna get in early with a bunch of you weirdos :) what time you gonna hit the place Rukia?

I don't know if you saw my post from the main page, but I'm not able to make it this year :o(. But!! To brighten my spirits, I've got a (cheap aka. free) date with a young Maestro that day.

May 17, 2010 9:58 PM

#10

Kippercha

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Feb 2009

2362

Not sure what days I'm going (Hopefully Saturday and Sunday) but I know I'll be going... However, no cosplay *Sigh*

May 17, 2010 10:47 PM

#11

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Jun 2009

356

@ Kipcha - you could always wear a cosplay cap or a cool geeky t-shirt to get into the spirit.

@ Brassiris - Yahoo! bpo and I (with a little Divine intervention) are going to bring Poohkiez with us. She can't back out now. And yeah, that means bpo is coming too (but no cosplay).

Cosplay registration starts at 10 on Saturday. Should we aim to be there around 9:30 to get our day pass? I think I'm just going to go on Saturday. Work's been hectic and I'm still trying to get over a cold.

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May 18, 2010 7:30 AM

#12

poohkiez

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Jul 2009

*sniffle, sniffle* Rukia, bpo... you guys are great!! I love you, man!! hahaha

@Brassiris, I think 9-9:30 would be a good time to meetup.

May 18, 2010 12:51 PM

#13

kirant

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Aug 2009

I'm attending. Completely forgot to get a cosplay ready though...(I'll be half-assing it as Kiprusoff...don't ask why)

Question: Where IS it at the U of C? I've been assuming Mac Hall this whole time...but I just realized...that makes no sense.

Burkeism - Our president is more truculent than yours.

May 18, 2010 1:29 PM

#14

Sarvison

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Dec 2007

@ kirant
From what I remember, it takes place in the Science Theatres, Science A and B, Earth Sciences, and Mac Hall.

May 18, 2010 5:45 PM

#15

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Feb 2008

http://www.otafest.com/2010/info.php
For location and whatnot. If you get there by C-Train, just simply walk down and keep to the straightest path. If you're going at opportune times, you'll most likely identify others who will be going to the convention and can simply follow them. If not, you'll have to take a near U-turn up a small fleet of stairs once the opportunity arises. Kinda hard to explain, just look at the maps.

For Olympic Oval, head towards MacHall and keep going past the food court. You'll find vendors and lots of people who can direct you to registration.

In most cases though, you'll probably find other people who are going to Otafest and can simply follow them. It's a fairly large crowd that's highly identifiable (seriously). The convention guidebook you pick up does have a map and if you're ever lost, volunteers patrolling the halls are there to help.

Rukai13: Make sure to check with the staff on the scythe if you still plan on making it. /Large/ and /dangerous/ props are iffy this year due to troubles at Otafest Lite. All weapons and lookalikes are pretty much banned. But do still check on the forums. There should be a thread up, but I've never personally cared about cosplaying.

As for getting there on Saturday... 9-9:30 AM means pretty hefty lines. I'm not personally sure about the times, but I can see the lines when I enter each year... and it's not pretty. Regdesk apparently only opens at 10AM this year too, from the volunteer schedules, which will slow things down. I remember them opening registration at 9ish most years. Or maybe I'm just going crazy. If you plan on going for Saturday and Sunday, it might be wiser to pick up a weekend wristband Friday night at 8, 9ish.

And /please/ fill this form out before you get there.
http://www.otafest.com/2010/Otafest%202010%20-%20Reg%20Form%20Final%20Printable%20Price.pdf
It will save you time and lighten congestion in the general registration area.

SohKaiMay 18, 2010 5:56 PM

May 18, 2010 7:15 PM

#16

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Nov 2009

Ok. so 9-930 on sat.... so.... where? near ctrain? at doors? in teh washroom? where? i wanna find a more exact location then Comic Expo :P

"Hello? Yes, Ill be needing you to get me another car immediately. Preferably one that cant be BLOWN UP BY A *!&$(*@ CAMERA!" - Tsujido - Speed Grapher

May 18, 2010 7:22 PM

#17

kirant

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Aug 2009

Sarvison said:
@ kirant
From what I remember, it takes place in the Science Theatres, Science A and B, Earth Sciences, and Mac Hall.

Thanks. Will anything be notable from the opposite end? (I have a parking spot at Lot 18 by the Mech Engg building...so when I get there, I'll be walking from the back end...)

Burkeism - Our president is more truculent than yours.

May 18, 2010 8:47 PM

#18

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Jun 2009

356

SohKai said:
http://www.otafest.com/2010/info.php

Rukai13: Make sure to check with the staff on the scythe if you still plan on making it. /Large/ and /dangerous/ props are iffy this year due to troubles at Otafest Lite. All weapons and lookalikes are pretty much banned. But do still check on the forums. There should be a thread up, but I've never personally cared about cosplaying.

As for getting there on Saturday... 9-9:30 AM means pretty hefty lines. I'm not personally sure about the times, but I can see the lines when I enter each year... and it's not pretty. Regdesk apparently only opens at 10AM this year too, from the volunteer schedules, which will slow things down. I remember them opening registration at 9ish most years. Or maybe I'm just going crazy. If you plan on going for Saturday and Sunday, it might be wiser to pick up a weekend wristband Friday night at 8, 9ish.

Thanks SohKai. I'm hoping that Maka's scythe falls under "prop of unrealistic weapon = allowed for photography area and cosplay" but yeah, I should double check with the staff.

Ugh..lines again? I remember showing up at 7:30 in the frickin' morning for Comic Con last month. Don't tell me we have to do that again. Please don't.....

[EDIT] Yay! Otafest staff said Soul's scythe form is a "fantasy weapon" and therefore allowed in the photography area and cosplay areas only. I'm currently only my second coat of red and silver. Hopefully, I can squeeze in another coat here and then I'll tackle the black after work tonight.

Rukia13May 19, 2010 2:28 PM

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May 19, 2010 6:13 PM

#19

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Feb 2008

I was manning one of the registration debt machines last month at the Expo on both mornings, so I know how long those lines were. To be honest, Otafest's traffic is nowhere near the Expo's. They had >20k people this year while Otafest is estimating ~4k again. However, Otafest's registration line tends to move slower than the Expo's for a number of reasons--#1 being no pre-reg line. Add that Saturday morning is the busiest time of the convention, and I'd personally be a little cautious. Unless you seriously /need/ to be there exactly at 10ish for an event or be the first to go into the vendor's hall, arriving a little later wouldn't hurt.

I wouldn't be too worried about missing cosplay registration as that does last until 2:00PM.

May 19, 2010 10:32 PM

#20

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Jun 2009

356

Well, last year, I met my group near the registration desk between 10:30 - 11:00. The line up wasn't too bad at that point.

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May 20, 2010 5:27 PM

#21

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Nov 2009

OK! we meet you then... then.... look for the poorly dressed Dr. Stine :P

"Hello? Yes, Ill be needing you to get me another car immediately. Preferably one that cant be BLOWN UP BY A *!&$(*@ CAMERA!" - Tsujido - Speed Grapher

May 20, 2010 9:16 PM

#22

teiza

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Oct 2009

247

Yo! Lars and I will be there all three days (most likely lol)
We are totally going to check out the speed dating thing tomorrow haha.

And the pokemon league on sunday....;3

And like everything else on Saturday.

*is so excited*

Oh sheesh ya'll
Twas a dream.

Instagram | Deviantart

May 21, 2010 9:32 AM

#23

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Jun 2009

356

Sounds like a plan!

Well, it's a PD day so no students today (yay!). I have to catch up on work though because I spent so much time....making my scythe. I still have the boots and buttons to do so as much as I'd like to go tonight, probably won't make it till tomorrow.

BTW, a couple of guys from the Geek Social Club Meetup will probably hang out with us for a bit - Peter and Domino. They'll meet us at the meeting point too.

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ChibiSamuraiTV | My YT Channel | www.youtube.com/user/chibisamuraitv

May 21, 2010 11:08 AM

#24

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Nov 2009

Sorry I wasn't able to be a part of this cosplay razmatazz. I seem to be unusually busy for an unemployed person.

Edit:
I also don't know if I will be there today or not, seems like there isn't alot there for me today. Generally I don't take flirting tips from recluses ;p. Saturday for sure though and most likely Sunday, unless something horrible happens to me.

May 21, 2010 10:49 PM

#25

IrisThyme

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Dec 2009

Finally done the costumes.*Celebrates* Now to go let my hands rest - so much stitching. I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday. See you there.

May 23, 2010 9:10 PM

#26

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Jun 2009

356

It was awesome seeing the gang! Here's my photos from Saturday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49663166@N05/sets/72157624123213086/

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ChibiSamuraiTV | My YT Channel | www.youtube.com/user/chibisamuraitv

May 24, 2010 12:36 AM

#27

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Feb 2008

Oh. You were the person people were talking about with the extremely large scythe. This whole weapon policy really didn't live up to how extreme it was worded at first.

May 24, 2010 11:32 PM

#28

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Jun 2009

356

Yeah, it was a little hard to miss the scythe. I tried not to poke people with it but it is pretty big.

I was pretty surprised that I was allowed to carry it, but the security volunteers said it was "ridiculously unrealistic". I think the scythe is actually bigger in the show but I had to make sure it would fit into my hatchback.

The guy with the giant butcher knife had me beat though. That thing was HUGE!

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ChibiSamuraiTV | My YT Channel | www.youtube.com/user/chibisamuraitv

May 25, 2010 6:38 PM

#29

Paski

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Apr 2009

how was it this year? i usually volunteer and help out but was unable to make it this year.

May 26, 2010 7:33 AM

#30

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Nov 2009

I thought it was a blast (but then again this was my first year) :P

"Hello? Yes, Ill be needing you to get me another car immediately. Preferably one that cant be BLOWN UP BY A *!&$(*@ CAMERA!" - Tsujido - Speed Grapher

May 28, 2010 1:38 AM

#31

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Jun 2009

356

Here's my review - hot off the "press".

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May 29, 2010 12:54 PM

#32

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Nov 2009

Brassiris said:
I thought it was a blast (but then again this was my first year) :P

This was an alright year for sure!

May 31, 2010 7:36 PM

#33

VisualDisorder

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Mar 2010

Does anyone know the what the AMV's were at the AMV Contest on the Sunday?
(Or some of them...)

May 31, 2010 9:54 PM

#34

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Nov 2009

I didn't watch them, sorry.

Jun 1, 2010 8:04 PM

#35

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Feb 2008

http://www.otafest.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=3215

Thread for the AMV contest prize winners. For some odd reason, the full list for this year has yet to be released. Either Jenny has given up on uploading the excel chart or she's not planning to do it anymore.

Thought this year's entries were pretty lackluster despite what Vlad had tried to advertise otherwise.

Jun 2, 2010 2:51 PM

#36

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Nov 2009

SohKai said:
http://www.otafest.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=3215

Thread for the AMV contest prize winners. For some odd reason, the full list for this year has yet to be released. Either Jenny has given up on uploading the excel chart or she's not planning to do it anymore.

Thought this year's entries were pretty lackluster despite what Vlad had tried to advertise otherwise.

I've only ever been to the event once and I believe I left because I didn't really enjoy it. Most of what I saw was people matching anime characters' mouths up to the words in the songs and then deciding that was how a music video was supposed to be. In my opinion things probably should have been feasibly related to the music in spite of being taken out of the actual context, most of it was inappropriately placed scenes. Although none of this actually bothered me in the slightest, what really bothered me was big gales of stupid laughter at things that weren't funny :(.

Jun 2, 2010 4:26 PM

#37

VisualDisorder

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Mar 2010

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Some of them blew my mind, but others I thought were pretty boring.
And some of them made me laugh pretty hard.

Jun 2, 2010 7:05 PM

#38