Is it just me, or does the quality of the TT18 video is uh.. not really all that great this year? (not that that has changed much but this year is not as good as before)

The light is bad.. sound is bad.. maybe it can be tested out before the masquerade starts or something I don't know..

I know it's not a TT production but I was not sure if there are tenders that go in for it or what?

Ya know ...

I've been a loyal supporter of Toronto fandom with not only my sweat and stress levels, but also with my wallet, for many, many years now.

This year's excuse of a Masquerade video has caused me to further question whereI go from here.

I mean, there is only so much I can afford to pay to support people who take the time to tape the show, and make copies of it.

This year's video was their vote to decide not to buy them anymore.

I'll set up my own video camera, for free.

Sorry to say it, but there are only so many costs I can justify for the sake of convention appreciation.

I just saw the video this weekend and I have to agree. Oonquest seems to have been getting worse over the last few years. I think it might be complacency.

I watched it with Dave Graham and some friends. We all were shocked at the poor quality. Then we saw that the original footage was included after the first copy and it seemed much better than what was done ... although it was still poor in general quality as a masquerade video.

SID, if you set up a video next year it may turn out to be a better copy than the "official" one. :)

Originally posted by sugar daddy@Sep 12 2004, 09:06 PM
SID, if you set up a video next year it may turn out to be a better copy than the "official" one. :)
That's a scary concept - putting me in charge of a video is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse, or aomeone we are mutually disgusted with to look after your daughter.

Ok, that was bad, sorry.

But the point I guess I should make is perhaps setting up a squared off area for people to set up their video cameras and record - whether or not a 'professional' camera is set up.

Hell, I'd be happy with a shot from the back of the room without the needless zooming or bad angles that made me disappear (how can someone as tall as me disappear? Oh yeah, I'm a ninja...) from the screen. The lighting in general would make for a decent image that way.

I should pass along a note through the official channels that T Trek should make some considerations regarding how the taping is done.

I agree - it's great to have volunteers do it separate from the corporate entity that is the TCON Promotional Society - but enough is enough, take some responsibility and make a decision (any decision)regarding the highest attended event all weekend.

When considering tenders, perhaps they should watch the video at a concom meeting and count a vote against using them again for every epileptic seizure induced by the chopiness of the video. I honestly thought I was going to be ill after watching it.

Mind you, the-after performance photography by them is absolutely fantastic!

I have a cross-promotion going on with them coming up on my post TT18 site. I am going to show smaller versions of their work, and provide contact info for purchasing the photo CD's.

I would think they may want to reduce their workload and focus more on the great photos they do if the videos they produce are geting worse (No comment on how good they even were in the first place).

Yeah, I'm pissed off - and I'd ask for a refund if it were possible. But I'll offer my criticism, concerns, ideas and my comments to those who can do something about it (fans and volunteers alike) and take it from there.

Originally posted by SID@Sep 13 2004, 02:16 PM
Mind you, the-after performance photography by them is absolutely fantastic!
If you're talking about the guy who does the photo CDs, he is totally unrelated to the group that do the video.

They actually told me last year that three of their cameras broke during the msaquerade and they had to fix them quickly. Geez, how bad is that? And they are telling people this?

Originally posted by sugar daddy@Sep 13 2004, 10:52 PM
If you're talking about the guy who does the photo CDs, he is totally unrelated to the group that do the video.
D'oh!

You are right, I got OonQuest confused with Kel-Pics.

I guess I got messed up because their tables were so close (together) this year ;)

Originally posted by Miko@Sep 14 2004, 12:22 AM
They actually told me last year that three of their cameras broke during the msaquerade and they had to fix them quickly. Geez, how bad is that? And they are telling people this?
They actually told me last year that three of their cameras broke during the msaquerade and they had to fix them quickly. Geez, how bad is that? And they are telling people this?


Ya got your story a bit messed there. Three of thier cameras didn't break, they're big pro camera was fried when the power surged and blew it out at the Regal. I know because I was there.

I agree that the quality this year was in the crapper, but I much rather have it than nothing, and since I can't tape it myself, I'm glad someone provides the service. If any of ya are gonna tape the thing are you going to make copies available to the rest of us smucks?

Originally posted by BrickhouseBiker@Sep 17 2004, 10:33 PM
If any of ya are gonna tape the thing are you going to make copies available to the rest of us smucks?
If I did, I certainly wouldn't charge $20 - $30 for it.

I'd charge a nominal fee for putting it in my vcr and making a copy.

And, I would only charge specifically or by c.o.d. for the actual delivery of the video...none of this paying extra for postage I don't need crap. I'd let you know when and where you could pick it up for cheaper if you would so wish.

I am going to try to check out the video camera I have access to and try taping in a few types of lighting condtions as a test in a month or two.

Enough is enough - if T Trek won't take responsibility of the video creation and this is the stuff we have to accept as par - I say screw it and change things up a bit.

I mean, I've heard that it can be difficult to wrangle certain people to tape the Masquerade - if this is the quality (or lack thereof) we are offered, a change is definitely in order.

Sorry to hear about their camera though and I honestly hope that if they do it next year, it's better.

I've got a few taped, and have a decent camera, plus access to some pro gear. *shrug* might be something to consider, if I can get a decent spot to set up.

Originally posted by BrickhouseBiker@Sep 17 2004, 10:33 PM



Ya got your story a bit messed there. Three of thier cameras didn't break, they're big pro camera was fried when the power surged and blew it out at the Regal. I know because I was there.

Yeah I guess hearing right from the guy selling hte videos that 3 cameras screwed up is pretty messed up eh