Guidelines for Panels & Workshops

REGISTERING A PANEL OR WORKSHOP

Organizing a panel or workshop can be a fun and rewarding experience.  You’ll enjoy discussing the topics that you love with your fellow otakus and it’s a great way to contribute to the overall success of Otakuthon!

In order to be panelist or workshop host, YOU MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED! Early pre-registration closes on May 30, 2009 and late pre-registration closes on June 27, 2009. Please do not miss the final deadline.

There will be a maximum of four panelists allowed per panel and no more than six panels allowed per panelist. The number of people who can sign up for a given workshop will depend on the workshop’s content and format.

A panel should last 45 min and a workshop 1h 30m in order to ensure proper transition between one host/group to the next. Special concerns and requirements about set-up and clean-up should be brought to the attention of the directors.

In order to address issues of compatibility and functionality, we would like participants to bring their own laptop (and corresponding cables) if it is needed.  No Internet connection will be provided.

If you'd like to sign up, you have until July 9, 2009 to send your applications to us at panels@otakuthon.com and/or workshops@otakuthon.com, using the following format:

For every panelist or workshop host:

Name:
Email:
Registration number:
Would you agree to share your email address with co-panelists/workshop hosts?
Would you agree to share your name, email and chosen topic(s) with organizers of other anime conventions? (This choice will have no impact on our selection and scheduling process.)
The list of major events you will be attending at the convention:

For every panel or workshop hosted:

Title:
Description (max. 3 lines):
Language:
Age Rating (please read the mature content guidelines, if applicable):
Status (Open for more co-hosts/Closed and specialized):
Requirements (projector, DVD player, microphone, board, room space, etc.):

You may submit as many ideas as you wish, but remember that you will be automatically considered as an applicant for your ideas (maximum 6).

REWARD SYSTEM FOR PANELISTS/WORKSHOP HOSTS

  • If you present 1 panel/workshop: $10 reimbursement off your convention badge!
  • If you present 2 panels/workshops: $20 reimbursement off your convention badge!
  • If you present 3 or more panels/workshops: full (100%) reimbursement of your convention badge!

You will receive your reimbursement at the end of the last day of the convention upon presentation of your signed attendance sheet.

GUIDELINES FOR PANELISTS AND WORKSHOP HOSTS

Congratulations and thank you for becoming a panelist or workshop host! Here are a few guidelines on how to prepare for your panel/workshop, and what to do at the convention before, during, and after your presentation time.

BE PREPARED BEFORE THE CON

  • Choose the right panel/workshop for you! Mostly, you will sign up for topics that you know well and that appeal to you.
  • If you are talking about a topic with technical or factual details, try to bring quick notes for yourself to review both before and during your panel. It never hurts to have your facts straight!
  • Visual aids are always a bonus and if you are presenting PowerPoint slides, try to make them as clear and legible as possible. The purpose of slides is to focus your audience's attention on the content of your presentation, not to distract from it. 
  • Communication is key! Whether among yourselves or with the staff, it is always a good idea to introduce yourselves and sort out your topics of discussion and other issues as early as possible. We also encourage you to use the message board to help coordinate and publicize your panels.

AT THE CON BEFORE YOUR PANEL

  • Please pick up your badge at the special line-up as you arrive. The regular lines are not only unnecessarily long to wait in but also will not provide you the badge you need.
  • Make sure you sign in at the Panelist Registration Desk in front of the Staff Lounge (Room 522c). Last minute details and questions can be taken care of there. We request that all panelists sign in before their first panel. During the convention, panelists will have free access to the Staff Lounge and are welcomed to use it anytime.

YOUR TURN TO SPEAK!

  • Encourage audience participation when appropriate. Keep the discussions moving so that everyone feels involved. Watch for people who have something interesting to add to the discussion. The goal is to interact. Remember that the audience is part of the panel, too. Use the microphone when available.
  • Wear a watch! The panel is actually only 45 minutes, not an hour (to allow panelists to move around, set up, etc). A workshop is 1h 30m maximum. Try to arrive a little in advance before the official starting time in order to properly set up and prepare yourself, and wrap up the conversation on time to get out of the way for the next panelists. Also please remember that if you start late, it DOES NOT mean that you can run late! Please be fair to the next group using the room.

AT THE CON AFTER YOUR PANEL

  • After each and every panel you hosted, you must have your attendance sheet signed by one of the Panels or Workshops directors or assistant-directors. This will be necessary for you to receive your reimbursement at the end of the convention.
  • After the panel, also make sure you fill in your panel survey sheet to return to the Programming Staff. Your opinions and suggestions allow us to know what to keep doing well or what to improve next year! You can return these at the convention and save on the stamps!

MOST IMPORTANT THING, LIKE, EVER

  • Have fun! And try to help make it fun for everyone else!

GUIDELINES FOR MATURE PANELS & WORKSHOPS

Panels and workshops that will have mature content must abide by the following restrictions:

  1. Panels & workshops that will have content or discussions involving graphic violence and/or sexuality, eroticism, ecchi, horror and full frontal nudity will be scheduled after 8 PM.  Content or discussion involving hentai, explicit sexuality or other pornographic material, as well as extreme or excessive violence and gore will be scheduled after 11 PM.
  2. Panels & workshops that have been designated as “mature” will be held behind closed doors and will have age restrictions (either 14+ or 18+) on who could enter (IDs will be checked at the door).
  3. The consent of participants must be obtained before taking part in any forms of “fanservice” (no coercion, no forcing, encouragement is acceptable).
  4. Inappropriate behaviour and/or nudity either by the panelists or the audience is forbidden.
  5. The decision to designate an age rating on the panel/workshop by the Panels and/or Workshops directors is FINAL.

SUGGESTED PANELS/WORKSHOPS IDEAS

Favorite Anime Series/Movies/OVAs (Discussion on a specific title, studio, or group)
Anime in Quebec (e.g. Goldorak, Albatoir, etc.)
Anime Industry
Anime that you Love
Anime that you Love to Hate
Anime in General
Favorite Anime Characters
Favorite Anime Villains
Favorite Bishoujo/Bishonen Characters
Most Hated / Least Popular Anime Characters
Live Commentary of an Anime Episode
Japanese Tea Ceremony (Discussion)
Anime Music Videos (Discussion, How to, Competitions)
Anime Conventions
Cosplaying (Forming a cosplay group, Sewing/How to, Photography, etc.)
Early Days of Anime Fandom
English vs. French Dubbing
Live Action Shows
Anime Turned into Live Action or vice-versa
Popular Japanese Seiyuu
J-Music (Pop, Rock, Alternative, etc.)
J-Pop Idols
Manga (Discussion on a specific title, publishing house, or group)
Doujinshis / Fan-produced Mangas
Must see Anime (e.g. What’s new in Japan)
Shonen-ai / Yaoi (Mature content)
Shoujo-ai / Yuri (Mature content)
Hentai Anime (Mature content)
Ecchi Anime (Mature content)
Mecha Anime
Harem Anime
Shoujo Anime
Shounen Anime
Samurai/Ninja Anime
Magical Girl Anime
Classic/Retro/Old School Anime
Religious Themes/Overtones in Anime
Fanservice in Anime/Manga
Anime/Manga in the World
The Animation Process
Japan and the Anime Culture (history, analysis, etc.)
Video Games (Discussions on a specific title or company, specific genre - RPGs, FPSs, etc.)
Women and Video Games
Video Games Based on Anime
Doujin Games
Hentai Games (Mature)
Dating Sim Games
Influence of Japanese Culture on our Lives
Kimonos (Discussion or workshop)
How to Write Fanfiction (Workshop)
How to Draw Anime (Workshop)
Website Design (Discussion, workshop)
Canadian/Quebec Anime Market (distribution, business opportunities, etc)
Geisha (dance, costume, makeup, etc)
Ninja/Samurai Culture
J-Fashion
Origami (Workshop)
Martial Arts (Discussion or workshop)
Lolita Styles
Karaoke (Discussion, history, popularity)
Japanese Calligraphy (Workshop)
Showcase/Exhibition of Anime Paraphernalia (models, posters, figures, artbooks, etc.)