I realize that this whole big thing with AnimeFF is more important on the level with all the scams, sorrows, anger, and urge to rip certain people's heads off. But I kind of want to just post what I know from this mess, I understand it doesn't count for anything since I can't help with any useful information against those jerks. Still I'd like to post an attende (sp?) point of view.
I learned about Anime Tour For The Cure about two weeks before the actual convention. Since I'm an active cosplayer I didn't want to pass up the chance to have a little fun and dress up. And hey! The money spent would go to a precious cause. That made it even better and gave me more of a reason to attend.
So I planned for it, got the money, paid pre-registration, and made two new outfits just for this noble cause.
On Thursday (day before the badge pick-up night) I checked the website (no longer active) to see if any last minute changes had been made. And surely enough there was. It turns out MTV was going to be filming cosplayers! I have to admit it was pretty cool that a big time music TV company was willing to come to a tiny two day convention just to tape otaku in their natural habitat. ^_~
Friday morning I was up and about, preparing for the pick-up later that night. I packed all my Yuffie gear into my cosplaying case, I managed to fit my Kagome outfit in there was well. As for the current night, I planned to try out my newly made Rukia uniform.
Due to my own troubles of being late, my friends and I reached the convention center around five PM. We were confused on where the actual pick-up was since I'm used to Anime Vegas I figured it was in the front of the building. No luck. But thankfully a nice guard told us it was around the back. So we headed to the driveway to the back entrance. A small sign was at the driveway that read "Anime Tour For The Cure".
Skipping the parking routine we headed inside, used the elevator and met the others that were already inside.
As we walked in, there were few dealers setting up their stuff for sale...and that was pretty much it. Aside from the friendly guy jamming behind a table, Mr. Jeff I beileve it was. He asked for my friend's ID so that he could get the badge, he gave it to him and wrote his name on the makeshift name tag. He then asked for mine, I handed him my permit (I have to bleach that now) and wrote my name of the little piece of paper. It had a tiny plastic covering that had a safety pin on the back. So I casually pinned it on and he just gave us a friendly smile.
As the night went on I started wondering if this was the only part of the convention. If these dealers were really the only thing they had along the lines of "fun". Don't get me wrong, I loved the dealers! They were nice and friendly...oh and they gave me soundtracks for good prices. Still I figured that maybe these voice actors they claimed were coming may have been there.
Soon after the thought was brushed from my mind and we headed to another "booth". And out of no where this man with a camera approched us. It was strange that MTV would have one camera man doing the job but hey whatever's easier for you. He filmed a lot as we all did random things for the camera. It was fun despite that he didn't offically say he was from MTV.
After a few hours of checking out plushies, my friend and I decided to head back since his brother was still waiting in the car for us (lucky guy didn't register!).
Saturday I got up early, prepared and put on my Kagome outfit. I gathered the money I had for the convention and headed off.
I thought the doors were suppose to open by the time we reached the center but I guess they were running late or I forgot what time they opened. Anyway there was a good sized group waiting out front for the con to begin. I ran around talking to people, meeting new fun cosplayers and trying to ignore the fact that it was freezing and I was in a schoolgirl uniform.
Luckily someone (I don't remember who but I know it was a guy) came out and said we could come in and get warm. The day had begun!
As we walked in I saw Mr. Jeff in the same spot he had been in the previous night. He was still getting people's badges ready and more anime lovers were flooding in. It seemed that the convention may have more people than expected.
For most of the day I shopped around and hung out with new found friends. It was going good especially when I saw theotaku's art contest pariticpants' work up on posterboards. I thought it was slightly tacky but hey they're a new convention so you can't expect fabulous-ness. So I voted and took the scrap of paper to the woman who had the voting box. I don't remember seeing Mr. Jeff but he could have been there.
As the afternoon got closer a group of us decided to head to the "gaming" room downstairs. It was cool to see some Anime Vegas people jamming there since I hadn't seen them in a few months. But everyone there just talked, jammed, and a few comments were made about how tiny the convention was. I don't even think the screening rooms had people in them.
After a while we got bored and decided to go buy more stuff just to do it.
Upstairs though there seemed to be a problem...A BIG problem.
As we walked in we noticed everyone buzzing about some kind of "fight" and how a dealer was leaveing! I didn't believe the gossip so InuYasha (a guy I met) and I went up to ask the said dealer what was going on. He explained that he was supposed to get money back but the head of the convention wasn't paying. Not only that there was some more issues between the man and himself. He apologized that we had to pay for such a stupid convention and said he was leaving. And sure enough they made some final sales and left.
Not knowing what to say I went back down to the gaming room with a few others.
As we were down there a couple girls and I began to plan some kareoke trios, trying to get each other to do trivia and just having fun.
As the day went on a large amount of people stayed in the kareoke room as we began to perform skits. It was all good and after a while Tifa (chick I met) asked me to go with her to get a snack from the vending machine. As we did this a girl that had been helping out came down and looked rather worn out. We asked her if it was a rough day and she simply responded that she had just gotten done cleaning up the upstairs. Confused by this we asked why she was cleaning when there would just be more trash the following day. She then explained that there was no convention Sunday, the dealers had all been angered into leaving, and there was a rumor that a scam had been commited. And that the leader had taken all the money for the cause and left, never to be seen again.
This shocking rumor turned into a nasty truth as it was pretty much confirmed. Everyone was angry at the jerk who was behind this mess! Tifa even advised that we hunt the guy down and use large anime props to beat him! A good idea if I say so myself.
But it got worse as the dance we had been waiting for was canceled. Right as it was about to start! They said that security hadn't been paid to stay so we had to leave the building. We all did as we were told and went into the freezing weather. All of us still angry at the jerk who fooled us...
There were fun parts to this convention but the ugly truth about it really over shadows the good. I just hope that everyone who can do something valuable to help will come forward. These jerks can't get away with what they've done.
Not That This Counts