Preliminary report

Masquerade's Gallery

The lineup went quick and it became more of a scamble to get a good location to tape the masquerade. What really impressed me was seeing a number of people using camcorders on tripods instead of cameras.

It seem a lot less flash this year and I don't think that it had to do with people having to tell people. I hope that people had learned from experience that flash doesn't work nor do they get the pictures they want. I do wonder if I manage to influence people to switch to a better way. It is more likely the influence of Youtube than me.

I as rule check with those behind me if the tripod interfered with their view and struck up a conversation with the guy behind me with HD camcorder with tripod. It was good to talk shop with another experience photographer and to share tips and failings. This guy was part of the Otakkuthon staff and the way it sounds their con is more close to the original Anime North setup. Anime North is Anime North and nothing other than itself can take it away. Still the passion of the new smaller cons that have sprung up matches the original flavour of Anime North. I hope that Otakuthon has good success but not to grow too far from it's roots.

I was a little surprised to see Gord Rose back as MC. After all, the word was he retired from the position but then he loves his job.

The masquerade ran smoothly except for some lighting and audio glitches. Lights would have been good for introduction of the judges. Still the stage was fairly lit well, when it was lit. The washout of people was less than I had expected and using the spotlight exposure setting wasn't necessary.

I wasn't without a few gaffs furing the taping though less so than last year's con. No following to closely to what was on stage not switching batteries and tapes smoothly enough between skits. Starting mid tape since I had recorded the Skit masquerad ethe night before threw me off. Roughly, the battery and tape would end about the same time. This time it was every half hour I had to change a tape or battery.

Sadly it ight take a while to get to the footage of Anime North. I'm taping a friend's wedding next weekend.

End of the masquerade was hectic as usual which is why I (and most of those I saw with camcorders and tripods sticking to ilse seating. it allows for better unobstructive view and a means of getting camera and gear quickly out of the way so others can leave.

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