Things were scaled back, yes, because year after year we'd been besieged with comments in previous years like "Costs too much" and "too much going on". I fought long and hard to get a real Star Wars guest at Starbase Indy, because I'd always heard "oh, I'd come if you had Star Wars guests" and my reward was not forthcoming from the 501st, the Rebel Legion, the Jedi Assembly, or any other organized Star Wars fan group.
Don't get me wrong. I love them all, but I feel like they all want everything for free just because they're members of those groups. That's not how it works, people, not in the fan-run convention circuit. You gotta pay to play, whether it is volunteer for a few hours to help out, or like everyone on staff did this year, pay to attend. I dumped personal money into this convention for all the props and scenery for the Opening Ceremonies play, payed for my admission, payed for my staff t-shirts, etc, and STILL payed Ray $25 for his scribble on a picture. This was after flying out for C4, going to DragonCon, and a myriad of other conventions this year.
NO, I'm not rich. I blow money like a sailor in port when it comes to this crap, and still budget the real bills of real life. But when I sink money into a fan run convention, whether I work it or not, it's because I believe in the little guys putting on the effort to bring the show to town. I won't turn down free perks if they're offered (like COSI last year), but I won't run away if asked to pay, either.
Jeez, I didn't intend this to be a rant. Anyway, in a nutshell it's this. Premium guests cost money to bring. This cost must be passed on to the attendees. Simple finances. As to Ray's assistant doing his job "unprofessionally", that's simply not true. Certain requests were made of Mr. Park, Mr. Park respectfully declined those requests, and that's the end of the story.
So, at the end of the day, the "fans" killed this convention. It wasn't for lack of trying to make it a special event on the part of the Con Staff. I worked my butt off, and I had a good time. I got to hang out with Ray Park, I had Luke Ski perform in the play (on a day's notice, no less) and kissed a few pretty girls.
ps. I know that Herb made enough money to cover at least a room night from me.
