Confurence Invites The Man Show (or: How NOT To Run A Con!)

[giza]

Yep, you read that subject line right. I wish I could say I was joking, but I'm not. Darrel "I don't know the first thing about media relations" Exline actually invited these clowns to Confurence. He invited them! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, DARREL?!?

*pants* Here are some more details:

Highlights: http://www.livejournal.com/users/harpyfeathers/13624.html
Backstory: http://www.livejournal.com/users/harpyfeathers/13894.html

According to the above LJ entries:

"The worst part was, they had thier OWN staff of bizzarely dressed fursuiters there to act like asses so they could "spice up" the show. They also had strippers, and other people in diapers and stuff off in this room, and they were doing this big old production. And they were all comedy central employees."

...

"This was all a put on. There were no furs in there at all. They were making this big production I guess because the con was just too boring to be good man show fodder. Sucks."

"And these people absolutely ruined the con. The atmosphere was ruined. And it was bad enough before. I think refunds should be in order. Hmm?"

That's just great, too. Manufacturing the news. I CANNOT believe that Darrel stood by while this crap went on. Oh yes, Darrel didn't bother telling the attendees before the con that there would be a camera crew running rampant. Nope, he decided to tell them during the opening ceremonies. Good going Darrel, I'm sure people enjoyed that little surprise.

I think you owe a LOT of people some explanations for your behavour, Darrel. Better start talking!

[Update 29 Apr: The explanations that Uncle Kage gave in his annoucement did a lot of clarify the situation about Darrel. I personally am satisfied by the explanations.]

Comments

[tigerwolf.livejournal.com]

Its simple, dear, he's being a sellout. He has run CF into the ground over the past few years, and now he's trying to make some of his money back from it. I saw something like this coming a mile away..

However, no one truly takes The Man Show seriously, unless they're a TOTAL backwoods redneck. So I'm not too worried.

[blaze-heartfire.livejournal.com]

00 *jaw drops* wow... news certainly spreads fast, from one coast to the other in a matter of hours. Luckily I didn't go to that con, and I must say I'm very happy I didn't. No matter what twist anyone will give saying you didn't have to be on camera, you just had to avoid them, that is no excuse for what happened in my book. If you go to a con, or just outside, you don't need to spend your time avoiding a camera lense. I think the guy was a complete moron for doing it too, and I would love to hear his reasons why. Despite most of the socal furs on the group here feel the reason was financial.

Little note, supposedly the con was going through financial issues, so he might have done this to take care of some of the funding issues. And this was the last one too, so you can say he wanted to piss everyone off then leave, or just make the beating of lack of funds go easily... Either way though he should have informed the attendees well in advance, and for not doing that, he has no excuse so the idea of making everyone and the fandom look bad seems that much more likely, no matter what explanation can be given.

Whoo.

[stahi.livejournal.com]

Grab a beer and drop your pants,
send your wife and kids to France,
It's the Man Show!

Quit your job and light a fart,
yank your favorite private part,
It's the Man Show!

It's a place where men can come to-ge-ther,
look at the cans on this chick named Heather.

Soggy girls on trampolines,
time to loosen those blue jeans.

It's the.. MAN SHOW!

Cons and the Media

[doniago.livejournal.com]

I'm forced to wonder what he _thought_ was going to happen. I mean really, didn't he see the MTV documentary?
It would be nice to think that furs could invite the press to a con and they would paint a realistic picture of the majority of the fandom. And parts of the MTV documentary were a bit on-target. But anyone who thinks mass media is _not_ going to go for the sensationalism is likely fooling themselves.
Unless it's an interviewer going around or something, and I'm given certain assurances in advance, I'm certainly not going to be pleased to find myself in the spotlight.
Although...it might be interesting for them to interview someone who deals with the fandom but doesn't really consider himself a part of the bulk of it...

Re: Cons and the Media

[giza.livejournal.com]

>Unless it's an interviewer going around or something, and I'm given certain
>assurances in advance,

You have no guarantees when talking to a journalist (http://www.claws-and-paws.com/furry/media/Frampton/furry_media.shtml).

Quoteth the paper:

"You’re not in control when a journalist is around. If you say something, and subsequently regret it and ask for it to be out of the article, the reporter is under no obligation to remove it from his or her notes. They tend to treat such slips as revealing of one's inner person -- the unscripted person."

"You’ll almost never get a chance to look at any stories or photographs before they’re published. Deadlines make this impractical; moreover, it’s against journalistic practice to allow sources to see a story and allow them to edit it."

"Everything you do is generally fair game for a journalist to comment on, especially if they’re writing a longer story -- called a ‘feature piece’, which goes more in-depth than a simple news story. If you are at a convention, and your inhibitions are lowered, you may talk freely about your sexuality, or take the journalist to your room, or to your car. If they’re profiling you, that can provide a journalist a perhaps unflattering picture of you. Left a box of condoms out in your room? That might well merit a mention in a long magazine article. Left a pair of boxer shorts with naked vixens on them on the bed? Your grandmother may well know about those when she reads the piece."

Re: Cons and the Media

[melkitsune.livejournal.com]

Hmm... as a fur hoping to pursue a career in journalism... interesting points, everyone.

Re: Cons and the Media

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

There are furs in the media, don't worry. They don't mix business with pleasure however.

Good luck with your career choice, and I pray you are allowed to report the facts instead of just making carp up like Vanity unFair and MTV have done.

Re: Cons and the Media

[melkitsune.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I hope so too, as I'm really no good at making up crap ^_^

[taral.livejournal.com]

Actually, apparently he was being sane about this one -- he just didn't realize that this season the Man Show is being run by new people with a new way of doing things.

They were complete idiots. Didn't have their stuff together, interfered substantially with the con, etc. It wasn't supposed to happen that way, but I'm really surprised he didn't kick them out of the con.

[cjthomas.livejournal.com]

Actually, apparently he was being sane about this one -- he just didn't realize that this season the Man Show is being run by new people with a new way of doing things.

Don't trust media. Ever. Their interests are not your own.

Kage has an interesting rant about this one, broadcast via 2. It should still be on 2's site somewhere.

[foxiecrumz.livejournal.com]

God that's horrible. That's exactly why I'm 100% anti media.

[wolfmech.livejournal.com]

Wow, certainly glad I didn't go to CF. But then again, considering what I heard about last year, I really had no plans to attend.

Should we really be surprised..

[sympolarbear.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it amazes me that things like this still happen. Most furries been around for a while and seen the negative press we ALWAYS get. The media sells by making things as bad as possible. When do you ever hear of the good things the con does. The money raised for charity's and such. Never. Why? Cause nice stuff like that does not sell. And when the media shows they want things are freakish as they can find to sell their crap.

Now I did not go to this con and have never been to a CF but after this incident I think its going to stay that way. Their are several other cons where they have a 'no press' rule. Thanks Goodness for Anthrocon, Camp Feral, Midwest FurFest, and Further Confusion. Those I will continue to attend cause at least at them I know the staff, and they know better then to let the media in.

You want to talk to the media about furry, fine go and do it. But don't be surprised when no matter what you say gets all twisted and warped and you come out looking bad no matter. You will never see me on such. I got more sense and respect for others than to do that crap.

Thus ends my rant to this.

Sensing the Vibes

[doniago.livejournal.com]

Of course, to go anti-media and assume they will always do the worst for us would be no better than how they treat us. If we are to think the worst of them we have no right to expect better treatment from them. Can't expect to be given a chance if you won't give one yourself.

I am convinced there are journalists who would present an objective view of furrydom. I just don't think you can know who they are in advance.

Post-Script

[doniago.livejournal.com]

Just a note that I had a fairly bad headcold when I wrote that, so if it makes no sense at all you know why. It's sad when just typing takes effort.

Re: Sensing the Vibes

[kinkyturtle.livejournal.com]

"I am convinced there are journalists who would present an objective view of furrydom."

This is true. The fandom does occasionally get good press.

"I just don't think you can know who they are in advance."

This is also true.