Another thing you might want to think about is a camera that can run on both rechargable batteries and standard ones, just in case. Remember if you are recording the panels thats usually 3-4 hours straite of recording, if you only go to the afternoon ones. Also if you can't afford to check or buy a Tri-pod, you can get a Mono-pod fairly cheaply and that works almost as good at keeping your arms from getting tired.
Oh, and Calthine, I don't link that picture everywhere anymore, cause I now have a video.
Edited, Jul 16th 2010 9:52pm by KelaRavenwood
Calthine's Fan Faire Tips
Maximize your Fan Faire experience with these tips from veterans!
The Nectar of Life: Coffee, that is. Every time I've been to Vegas there's been no coffee pot in the room. Nothing is free in Vegas: Bally's wants you to buy room service, rent one of their pots, or get a $6 Starbucks. Me, I pack a little travel coffee maker. Have I mentioned I'm cheap? It cost me about $15, and easily paid for itself the first trip. It works great to heat water for tea too!
Want to be Wireless?: Most hotels in Vegas don't offer free Wi-fi, and Bally's is no exception. High-Speed internet is available in your room at a “nominal fee” for 24 hours. The script the nice young man read me last year specified you need your own laptop with an Ethernet card. Don't forget the cable!
Tech Toys: Don't forget your phone chargers, laptop peripherals, mp3 chargers, and all those other miscellaneous wires that are scattered around your desk! If you leave one behind the only reasonable options will be to buy a replacement or do without. To my embarrassment, after saying that last year I forgot the proprietary cable for my camera and was forced to use crappy cell phone pictures during Fan Faire. At least 15 people attempted to read that card for me, too.
Forget Something? Fortunately there is a Walgreens and CVS on either side of the road right near the Paris, which is connected to Bally's. The tricky part is getting across the street, because it's a bit of a walk to the nearest corner.
6-2-1: This is the third year I've recommended the 6-2-1 rule. My friend Rijacki told me at my first Fan Faire that to "function" at a con you need 6, 2, and 1 of three things:
- showers
- hours of sleep
- meals
It works in any combination. The recommended configuration is 6 hours of sleep, 2 meals, and 1 shower. But it's been done as 2 showers, 6 meals, and 1 hour of sleep. I skipped this one day last year and regretted it badly the next day.
Leaving: If you're taking a shuttle to the airport, call the night before for a pickup. If you're taking a cab, it's pretty quick to get one at the front door. Check your room. Check it again. And again. If you leave something there's a slim chance it'll be found and you can get it back, but don't hold your breath as it may be hard to find your cell phone in the giant box of abandoned cell phones at the lost and found. Plan on being at the Las Vegas airport two and a half hours before your flight departs.
Do you have a Fan Faire tip? We'd love to hear it! Leave your comments below. We'd also invite you to link your personal Fan Faire blogs, photo galleries, and other interesting stuff on our SOE Fan Faire wiki page.
All pictures are from the Fan Faire site.
