My own BotCon Panel write-ups

[griffin]

As with previous years, it takes a while for me to process the hundreds of photos I took and set out the structure for the entire report... but now that the hard part is mostly done, it is starting to be uploaded a page at a time.
This is the easy part now that most of the photos are already on my server.
I record as much as I can of each panel, so people following the global fansites might even find info or pics that were not posted anywhere else.

The main page/index is here:
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc11/bc11intro.html

So far done is
- IDW comics
- Hasbro toys
- Activision DotM game
- Collector Club
- Collector Club Magazine
- Hasbro Future Projects

Next up should be the TF:Prime panel, the Hasbro toy display, the Art display, and then the remaining TFs related pages. After that will be my non-TFs pages that document my entire trip (most of which was posted up in the creative section of this board).
I will post here when more pages are completed and uploaded.

[i_amtrunks]

Nice way to spend the long weekend Griff! :p

I can spend the next few recesses and lunches inside reading them while the kids play inside.

[griffin]

I go back to work tomorrow... so I have to get as much done by then or else it'll be slow progress after that.


The TF:Prime panel write-up is now uploaded.

[Robzy]

Great stuff Griffin! Thanks for writing this up :)

[reillyd]

Griffin's writeups always make for interesting reading, and there is usually
New info that either didn't get fully reported or that I have missed in the glut of different announcements. Not QUITE the same as being there but the next best thing :)

Just read the IDW report
---aargh, they killed Optimus, you bastards!

[griffin]

Just did up the Collector Club Magazine panel... which I had mistakenly included as one done yesterday.
I think there will be one interesting bit of info in there for fans of Gen1 Season 5...


I also added a rant on the intro page (in the 'Bad' section) about the HoF/Erector issue... hopefully that's the last people will hear about that from me. :p

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just read the IDW report
---aargh, they killed Optimus, you bastards!
Don't worry, he will be back!:p

Interesting read there Griffin. I do find you fascination with those hamburgers quite... erm... morbid. :D That Baconater looks like a a double bypass in one bite!

I think Funpub are happy with the way they run things (sadly). Just the level pf 'professionalism' or lack thereof in things in the Magazine and such like gives me a terribly amatuerish feel to the whole club at times.

[griffin]

The feel of it is, still, after all these years, that they are just GIJoe fans trying to do a Transformers Club and Convention. And since we are their bigger membership group (and probably money-maker), they won't let go of that license in a hurry.
From the Magazine to the way they promote the TFs convention... right down to the staff running the Club Store at BotCon (try buying a specific 'retail' Transformers toy that they may or may not have, and you are there for 10 minutes describing it like you would to a Kmart employee over the phone). That sort of frustration makes it obvious that Transformers isn't their 'first language', and they are still muddling their way through after 7 years of doing it.

[5FDP]

A very interesting read as usual griffin. Thanks!

[Kyle]

Lovely reports as always. Reading your write-ups is the next best thing to being there (until I can go there one day). Would love to taste the Baconator. :D Looking forward to the rest of the write-ups. Thanks griffin. :)

[kaiden]

Air Raid (new mould - not the same toy as the JP Movie toy) a green reconassaince plane, with the big circular radar thingy on top becoming a shield and weapon.

do they plan to bring the japanese mold over at all? (under a different name)

[griffin]

Didn't sound like it. They didn't reveal much this year, so anything is possible between now and the end of the year.

[griffin]

Added all remaining panels and the Casino/Dinner/Auction night.
Just need to do the Hall of Fame event & display, the Art Display, Dealer Room and Hasbro toy display. (plus my own non-TFs journal pages).

[griffin]

Hall of Fame and Art Contest Display now up.

[loophole]

i think Abbey Collins from the script reading was Chris Lattas Daughter or something like that

[griffin]

Yeah, I was gonna look it up later, but didn't get to it yet.

First page of Hasbro display is up.

[Hursticon]

Like last year's, a thoroughly informative and great write-up Griffin. :cool:
As one of those who couldn't afford to go if they hoped to, I appreciate the effort you put into doing these mate. ;):)

[griffin]

All three parts of the Hasbro product display is now up.
Not much left to go now that's TFs related... just the overall Dealer Room page (just photos) and the Wed/Thurs registration pickup.

[Paulbot]

In the pic for the Casino night auction you've used from the BotCon website it looks like I'm so bored I'm looking at my name badge to see when it finishes! :D

[griffin]

Added the Dealer Room page... heaps of pics in there to encourage more people to go to future BotCons.

[griffin]

Started on the non-TFs parts now, with the first day posted up. Took longer than I had expected doing just one day (I thought I would be able to do the whole trip today), so this might take a few more days. I'll just mention when it is completely completed.

[Mechbiter]

Griffin, I'd just like to take a moment to say thanks for this report and all the effort you have put into it. I love that you have included a lot of the personal aspects of the trip, as it really does give people a real feel for what the trip would have been like.

Cheers man. :)

While I hope one day to make the trip myself, I have no delusions to the fact that there's a very good chance that I will simply never actually make it to Botcon. So... in the mean time I'll live vicariously though you. :p :D :rolleyes:

[griffin]

Thanks guys for the kind words and feedback.

And after 3 long weeks... IT IS DONE!

For those waiting until it was completed before you started browsing through it, well, wait no more. And for those reading up each page as it was uploaded, the last page is now there for you to look at... but I also inserted more photos into the Dealer Room page, and some of the earlier day pages. (I still need to do a spell-check on it all, but it might be a few days, as I need a bit of a break now)

Plus, look out for the 4 Easter Eggs, and the bonus Easter Egg hidden somewhere in the report.

And did I mention that like previous years, there may be a competition, that has you find stuff in the report... so keep an eye out for that in the 15th Anniversary section.

Please let me know if anything is missing or doesn't work properly.

[orionpax1]

Once again Griff you have outdone yourself, an excellent read.

[loophole]

i cant believe you didnt go on any of the rides at Disneyland :o

so wished that i did six flags with you guys first of all Daffy Duck wasnt anywhere to been seen and i really really wanted to get a photo with him and secondly it was so freakin busy!!! still got onto a few of the rides by using one of those flash passes.

[griffin]

I was surprised as well about not riding anything at Disney, but there were too many people lined up to everything, and I wanted to be sure I saw the whole park first... and when I did, the parade started, and after that I was hung around with Ian's family for the rest of the day.

[Demonac]

Actually, while Griffin was off exploring other parts of Disneyland, we got to go on the Jungle Cruise, Caroline & Emilie went through Tarzans treehouse, and we saw Asimo the robot do his thing.
But pretty much every other ride had wait times in excess of 40 minutes.
I like the way you say that you 'hung around us'. It not like you were unwanted you know. :P

[Hydra]

Nice write-up! I don't really mind the many toys myself, but I agreed with a lot of your points.

I also enjoyed a lot of American junk food while I was there, which was very nostalgic for me!

[griffin]

I hate the year-long wait for sampling American 'cuisine', but at least I didn't grow up on it, so wouldn't miss it as much as you probably do.

But if I could have burgers express posted from America, I would... :p