2012 Toronto Prop Party **JUNE 2nd, 2012**

[Caveneau]

2012 Toronto Prop Party -my take on how it went

Cons
- location – was this a big issue for anyone?
- room size, although many felt the room size was not really an issue based on the turnout
- demonstrations – more of them and longer sessions for presenters
- group photo – completely forgotten
- food/beverages – separately food and drink tickets will be issued with admission tickets
- raffle – better description of prizes and their values and better organization of presentation
- one person’s junk, another’s treasures. Example of last minute donations of misc toys/props/accessories. Could be introduced as secondary raffle for anyone who doesn’t win from the first round
- table arrangements can be improved based on turnout
- more emphasis on buying/selling/trading, it was hard to tell who actually brought stuff to sell.

Pros
- Custom name tags worked out great. Sorry we missed some of you. Next time we can have a name tag check list posted 5 days before the party.
- Raffle contributions were very generous and there were a few really great items
- Great shirts by Dr_Slurpee, thanks again, the logo was superb, a lot of detail!
- Statues and mannequin displays and UD Replicas made for a more interesting exhibition
- Mostly everyone knew each other from the RPF and got to put faces to names.
- Demonstrations(weren’t any last year)
- 2 Deloreans this year!
- Wide diversity of prop making skills of all RPF members
- We had approx 50 people in total who attended.

 

[GhostCinderella]

2012 Toronto Prop Party -my take on how it went

Cons......

Yeah missed one, mate..... more women; less sausage. !!!!

 

[Caveneau]

Sorry Cam, I'll be sure to specify that for next year.:behave

 

[Caveneau]

I've got a rough cut down to about an hour and a half. I want to get it under 60 mins.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

I've got a rough cut down to about an hour and a half. I want to get it under 60 mins.

Split it up into 4 videos to save on the time. One for each demo, one for the raffle (lots of funny moments), and one montage of the party.

That way you'll have MUCH shorter videos. More likely people will watch!

 

[Jaedena]

Jumpergal and I represented the women of RPF! Heck, I was glad that I wasn't the only woman forum member there. Good to see Steph there too

 

[Michael Bergeron]

My thoughts on your pros & cons:

Location: Not an issue, pretty central.

Room Size: Was fine for this time but if we grow at all we need a bigger room (which might mean new location, shop around and get a good price)

Demonstrations: I liked them! Should be kept to 30mins, they shouldn't take over the party (didn't this time but just a thought for next time)

Group Photo: We'll live.

Food/Beverages: Tickets probably a good idea, more organized.

Raffle: Definitely stick to the "pick your own prize" format! That way it's far less likely that someone gets something they really didn't want. Would have been nice to have prizes that were in non-descript boxes unboxed so that people could see them (MOY particularly). I liked that people kept adding to the table, it was fun! Maybe next time though ask for additional donations up front so Cam doesn't flip out on us.

Table Arrangements - Worked for the room and the crowd. A little tight but well organized.

Buying/Selling/Trading: I wasn't very organized, needed a whole table just for my selling! Made some good trades though, happy guy here.

Name Tags: Worked well when I spelled them right (sorry Dave!). Next time we'll be more organized.

Raffle Contributions: Agreed! Very generous! LOVING my 3' long Enterprise, can't wait to get her all painted and lit up!

Shirts: A nice touch and a great logo.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Yeah missed one, mate..... more women; less sausage. !!!!

I spotted at least six women there! Pretty good female turnout considering! :lol

 

[DAVIDYR1]

Sorry to be chiming in a few days after the party, but I really wanted say THANK YOU to everyone involved in organizing a killer RPF Prop Party.

Awesome seeing so many friends in one room, their collections and just hanging out and talking props, costumes and all things Movie-Geek-Cool related. :thumbsup

It's a prop party - not a convention, and as such it was everything I was expecting it to be.

The room size was perfect for THIS size group and sure, we'll need a bigger room if more attend the next one. Otherwise, the size was fine.

I think we all appreciate the transparency Caveneau, and your offer to put the profits towards the next one is pretty awesome...although with everything that goes into organizing one of these I 'personally' find have no problems what so ever with it going towards your personal benefit considering all the time invested in bringing this to life....but, your call there. :thumbsup

The group photo would have been cool, and to be honest I'm not sure how we all forgot about it....:lol

The food...yes that does need a better system so that everyone is covered...but I think that's really the only thing in your list of Cons that I can agree with....everything else was either minor at best or just simple 'growing pains'.

Soooo, in closing...great day, loved seeing everyone....loved talking to you all, great seeing 2 Delorian's outside the doors :love....and how we all vary in our love for the hobby. Some are into weapons or helmets...others dig costumes and wardrobe...electronics...model-making...custom horror displays and masks which were very awesome and very creepy btw...to screen used items.
The party was great...and great to just be able to kick back and enjoy the company.

:thumbsup

David

 

[Michael Bergeron]

I think we all appreciate the transparency Caveneau, and your offer to put the profits towards the next one is pretty awesome...although with everything that goes into organizing one of these I 'personally' find have no problems what so ever with it going towards your personal benefit considering all the time invested in bringing this to life....but, your call there. :thumbsup

I agree, but knowing Andrew that would never happen so I suggested putting it to the next party.

 

[Jumpergal]

Women ROCK! I agree with Jaedena, it was nice not being the only girl there!

Demos were excellent and gave us some good ideas. Looking forward to bookbinding next time.
Hotel - not bad, and the layout was nice, but it would be cool if we could put chairs near or behind our tables. Would mean a larger room which could = more $$ - hotels aren't the only game in town, though, often rec centers have large rooms that are rentable and a good rate. Just a thought.
LOVED the nametags. Danny was envious. I told him he has to join up!
Group photo would have been nice, but next time.
Excellent Ts.

 

[Caveneau]

In editing the footage that was shot, what I notice really shines through is the sense of respect the community has for each other. There are candid moments of people joking around, laughing and really taking an interest in every conversation. I think that's great and in my mind, in that sense the party was totally everything I hoped it would be.

I'd also like to give a huge public thank you to 2 people in particular whose contributions were vital.

Mike Bergeron and John Anderson. You two have such professional attitudes and work ethics that made it a pleasure working with you. So much of your time was put into assisting me and your support made everything run so much more smoothly.

Also, thanks again to all those who came from out of town to support the event. Calling it the Toronto prop party is almost too narrow in scope, more like the Ontario prop party, but then we'd be the OPP.

I could not possibly have any higher praise for every single RPF member who attended. Your attitudes, dedication and skill in your specific fields embodies the BEST of what the RPF has to offer...

You all made it happen. I just booked the room.

 

[gmprops]

Calling it the Toronto prop party is almost too narrow in scope, more like the Ontario prop party, but then we'd be the OPP.

:lol I love it!

 

[Caveneau]

I posted all of my decent pictures on my Photobucket site. They're all about 4" x 6"

2012 Toronto Prop Party pictures by caveneau - Photobucket

 

[CJS]

Women ROCK! I agree with Jaedena, it was nice not being the only girl there!

Demos were excellent and gave us some good ideas. Looking forward to bookbinding next time.
Hotel - not bad, and the layout was nice, but it would be cool if we could put chairs near or behind our tables. Would mean a larger room which could = more $$ - hotels aren't the only game in town, though, often rec centers have large rooms that are rentable and a good rate. Just a thought.
LOVED the nametags. Danny was envious. I told him he has to join up!
Group photo would have been nice, but next time.
Excellent Ts.

My GF, Sharlene. Couldnt miss her lol. Loved it, she's not a builder but love to collect Living Dead Doll (I even made her a custom coffin cabinet). She had a great time seeing everyones stuff. Loved the GrimmStitch stuff beyond all. She had a really good time as I did, considering we didnt know what to expect at all it was great. Next year I'll bring a bigger gun lol.

 

[dr_slurpee]

I think putting the extra funds toward next year is a great idea, takes some of the worry off for funding for next year, though if Andrew wanted to keep it I doubt any would object! I was able to break even with the shirt sales including the money put towards pizza and a few shirts for the Know Your Props contest, so that was great! Glad to have been able to add that to the mix!

Great turn out and great to see everyone! Andrew and I are trying to compile a complete list of attendees (and their guests), though it is mostly covered already, as well as prizes, prize values and winners, so if anyone has any info on any of that be sure to let us know.

 

[Dave Porter]

I think putting the extra funds toward next year is a great idea, takes some of the worry off for funding for next year, though if Andrew wanted to keep it I doubt any would object! I was able to break even with the shirt sales including the money put towards pizza and a few shirts for the Know Your Props contest, so that was great! Glad to have been able to add that to the mix!

Great turn out and great to see everyone! Andrew and I are trying to compile a complete list of attendees (and their guests), though it is mostly covered already, as well as prizes, prize values and winners, so if anyone has any info on any of that be sure to let us know.

I know I was astounded to have won 3 times.

I never win draws.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Mike Bergeron and John Anderson. You two have such professional attitudes and work ethics that made it a pleasure working with you. So much of your time was put into assisting me and your support made everything run so much more smoothly.

Aw schucks, I didn't do much! You did a great job Andrew, hard to imagine it would be this successful in only it's second year!

I know I was astounded to have won 3 times.

I never win draws.

Of all the days to start winning! :lol

The model Enterprise has a value of about $120 I believe. Tempus won it and then VERY generously gave it to me... So he also won my heart! :love

Primrodo won the QMX Trek badge magnets & Ken won the Trek poster. aaronViolator won my grail diary (much to the dismay of a few other members... lol). Brian won my BTTF paper props.

 

[Jaedena]

I like your grail diary!

 

[Dave Porter]

I won the Warp Core PADD - I think Gerry said $350?

I gave Mike the Enterprise, and then got a Playmates Tricorder from Andrew - not sure what the value of that is.

Hope that helps.