Artist Alley Toast

for artist alley jams @ Anime North ... and more!

Advertisement

Artist Alley Toast at Anime North!

View

Navigation

May 26th, 2009

Basic Business 101

Add to Memories Tell a Friend
risu
I know a bunch of you had wanted to go to this workshop at AnimeNorth by the folks at The Heroes of the World, but were unable to. I was able to go and had taken notes, which I will now share with you! Hopefully it's somewhat helpful. I know some of it is obvious and I'm sure a lot of you are doing most of this already, but still could be useful, right? In anycase, there were no slides so I was just jotting things down as it went.

They talked about making a business plan and here are the things to consider:

Product
What do you have to offer? What can you sell to your target demographic?

Think of the long term.
Where do you want to see your business in 5 years?
The Business Plan )

March 9th, 2009

Crafter's Corner

Add to Memories Tell a Friend
freerange maiji whee!
For those who may not know, the Crafter's Corner coordinator has posted the general guidelines for registration, which will be opening this Friday March 13th. ^^

http://teahouseofthemaplemoon.yuku.com/topic/2086

The AN website itself has not yet been updated, but there's also a Q&A thread here:

http://teahouseofthemaplemoon.yuku.com/topic/2087

To those applying, good luck!!

February 26th, 2009

Just an FYI to everyone planning to get a table for this year's Anime North Comic Market (formerly Artist's Alley)...

Registration for tables for 2009 will begin Friday, March 6th at 8pm EST and stay open until Friday, March 13, 2009 8pm EST.

More information, including registration procedures, has been posted here on Anime North's website.

Good luck to everyone!

January 7th, 2009

Just letting all you artistes know that AN pre-reg is now available (the new site design is quite spiffy!)

http://www.animenorth.com/

There is also an outline of all the new changes to the AA. Those of you who were at the Doujinka Festival last August will remember the open floor discussion that took place.

http://teahouseofthemaplemoon.yuku.com/topic/1941/t/Artist-Alley-Changes-for-2009-at-First-Glance.html

And a reminder that AA toast is in no way an official outlet for AN or AN AA info, if you have any questions and need definitive responses you'll need to contact the staff through their info on the official sites (through the two links above).

November 20th, 2008

Hello Everyone,

I'm just posting something here that's not Anime North related, but it might be a possible job opportunity for one of you.

Recently, AN was contacted by a studio looking for an Anime Artists who can assist them with character development for a TV series for kids ages 7-10. The style of anime they're looking for is the type that needs to appeal to both girls and boys. It will have a strong magic component to the story, so they need the style to be a little on the "softer side" and it must incorporate fantasy/magical elements that give it an "Otherworld" feel and a martial art aspect.

They mentioned that compensation would depend on the artist they choose and have an agreement with. The artist they choose may have future involvement in the project if it goes well, like developing scenery and locations, but for now they just need someone to help develop characters with.

Some of the artists they seem to be looking at style wise is similar to are works by "Kurot", KL-chan, Hiruka00, and Boram Ham. They also require for this artist to be in the Toronto Area. So if you're interested, e-mail me immediately at kouken_sasarai@hotmail.com and I will forward your information to the individuals who requested this from us so you can talk to them about the details directly.

October 27th, 2008

Maybe some of you know about this individual already. Nobody's written about it yet, so I thought I would.
A certain artist who's attended Anime North's AA, but not a member here, has gained a bad reputation at artist alleys across the United States and online for multiple reasons, mainly one that bothers me as a AA goer. What they've done is buy up multiple tables at conventions, four (possibly five?) tables at Anime Expo, and fourteen - yes, 14 tables at Otakon last year. The artist and their partner employed family and friends to sign up for AA and each pretend to be the artist in attempt to fool staff, and also offered other artists $200 to buy their tables. Buyers aren't happy either, finding same prints signed by different people claiming to be the artist. Now I know what you're thinking- our staff are smart cookies and table-buying isn't going to get by them. But right now, there's nothing preventing 10 individuals from signing up for AA and having an artist sign 10 consent forms. While you'd think 10 tables is a bit of a stretch- this artist and their team have gone all over the US and are getting banned from cons from pulling this kind of stuff, and are getting more and more recognised by people who aren't impressed with them. With Anime North many months ahead of us, I'd encourage you to send Jess a suggestion (please be mature) that the rules be updated if this bothers you too. This has nothing to do with personal style. Everyone remembers how fast AA got booked up last year. Changing the rules to say one artist can only have one or two tables, and/or sign a consent form for only one or two tables ensures that more artists get a chance in 2009. (And boy, are other artists at Otakon are pissed! :/ )

October 23rd, 2008


Hey guys,

If you don't mind spreading this around, it'll be much appreciated!

http://www.animenorth.com/hallo.php

Regina Simon
AN Liaisons Director

September 1st, 2008

Someone on the AN forum is looking for the artist who did this drawing:
http://www.riraito-designs.net/IMG_4223.JPG

If it's you, or if you know who did it, here's the thread on the official AN forum:
http://teahouseofthemaplemoon.yuku.com/topic/1884/t/Looking-for-AA-artist.html

August 17th, 2008

For those who didn't attend, have a youtube video:



For those who did attend, DISCUSS!!!

(Apologies to Skewerly who I kept call Maiji all day, I blame my 3 hours of sleep.)

August 11th, 2008

Hi! Is anyone else selling comics/doujinshi or going to the Anime North 2008 Doujin Festival at the JCCC? It's in five days. (I still have to run around and get last minute prints.)

If you're selling doujinshi/comics, what are you selling?

Oh! And I'll be selling Two Ouran High School Host Club Doujinshi, One Gurren Lagann Smut Doujinshi (ID please! XD) and one Original Doujin, possibly some prints (all made my me, obviously). If I can finish it, I'm selling one more. Maybe...

I will also be selling several copies of a Valkyrie Profile Anthology with the pairing Lezard and Leneth by [info]trecomics and friends (hoping that the release forms arrive soom) and an original comic called Yokai Dash by [info]candidkage.

July 15th, 2008

I'm posting this in behalf of Jessica, since she technically isn't supposed to post AN announcements to unofficial AN places. But since AN is over, there has been a lull in the message boards, and not a lot of people are checking it anymore. So here is a reminder, just in case no one is aware. There are still a few tables left, and it is now open to regular fan artists (printed art and commissions only, please. Unfortunately, no craft items to stay with the doujinshi theme). But artists who are selling doujinshi's and original comic books will still have priority as long as there are tables still available. So act quickly before all the tables run out!

Regina Simon
AN Liaison Director

***


ANIME NORTH 2008 DOUJINKA FESTIVAL

 
Check out Toronto's local doujinshi and original comic book artists and artist circles in AN's first "comiket" event.
 
When:  August 16, 2008
Where:  JAPANESE CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE,  8 Garamond Court , Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5
Time: 11 AM - 8 PM
Admission: $10  ($8 if you show your AN08 Badge or  JCCC Membership) at the door, no pre-registration required.
 
Note: There are tables still available and are now open to regular fanartists (printed art and commissions only, no craft items please).
 
For more information or to apply for a table,
 

or e-mail:

Jessica Simon, AN Doujinka Fest Coordinator

 

June 23rd, 2008

Doujinka Festival

Add to Memories Tell a Friend
Kaluin
Hello, everyone!

We now have more information about the Doujinka Festival (also available on the website)! For those who would like to attend, these are the new information~

Date: August 16, 2008

Hours of Operation: 11am - 8pm

General admission: $10 CDN or $8 with an Anime North 2008 Badge or a JCCC Membership.

Location: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
8 Garamond Court
Toronto, ON M3C 1Z5

Artists and Dealers may refer to the official poster for more specific information. Policy for the Artists can be found here. (Please read it carefully. A signed policy will be required from the participating artists and must be brought along to the event.)

Also, note that the Event Coordinator can be reached at kouken_sasarai@hotmail.com instead of the email address mentioned below.



Spread the love! :)

June 20th, 2008

*phew*
Happy First Day of Summer, everyone~!

After going to as many tables in the AA and Art Room as I could, collecting business cards, it's finally done. I've just finished a large update to the "directory of AN AA artist websites":
http://community.livejournal.com/aatoast/1329.html

If you would like to be added or if any edits need to be made, please let me know!

June 2nd, 2008

I know that people already started this throughout the other posts. I have to say I'm also a bit biased since I am AN staff (albeit another department). But I'm telling you, the stuff we experienced this year in Liaison is tamer than the drama in Artist Alley. You artists really take the cake when in comes to the dramatics... (and I'm the one who's supposed to be in theatre!) ^_^.

But I think its only fair to also put in the positive experience in the Alley, since there are two sides in the same coin, right? While the very vocal had their say and gripes, I think those who had a good time in the alley should have their say too. And I'm talking about both regular congoers who visited the Alley and Artists. 

As a side note, what's annoying with the Artist Alley staff (especially Jessica) is that they are all willing to take these beating from disgruntled artists who don't get their way, but refuse to boast the compliments they receive. It's not a sin to tell people of your accomplishments. 

The one comment that Jessica shared with me during one of our downtimes in the con that struck me was a compliment left not by an artist, but by a regular congoer, who was very impressed with our Artist Alley. This person has attended various large conventions throughout the years, and testified that of all the big cons in Canada and the US, Anime North has the best Artist Alley. The layout is nicely spaced and the artists are easy to find. And most important of all, he was impressed by the variety of Art present. He really loved the fact that he discovers new faces and new talents showcasing their stuff in the Alley every year. 

I heard that Artist registration this year went smoothly and was pretty much done in just a little over an hour. Considering I waited for almost 3 hours to go through Anime Expo's Artist Alley registration last year... and that's not including the extra 2 hours we waited in line at the crack of dawn to make sure we get a good table (which is not guaranteed because artists in front of us kept letting their friends butt in line) since tables are not pre-assigned... there's also the fact that artists save tables for the friends who haven't arrived yet as well.  I think that's really damn good considering we have almost as many artists and tables as Anime Expo. (Though Otakon is still the mother of Artist Alleys... the last time I was there, registration wasn't as bad as a headache as AX)

The AVEX Japan representative that I gave a tour of the TCC was just as impressed by how things are laid out and how easy it is to find your way around.

That's just some of the things I can think of from the top of my head. I'm sure the people who were actually there the whole weekend instead of flitting in and out like me would have more good things to say. And again, I encourage you put it up, because the Alley Staff also learns from verification of successes. And I'm sure they're needing a little ego boost right now. 

Regina Simon
Anime North 2007
Liaisons Director

June 1st, 2008

I have been consulting a number of persons who were mistreated, misinformed and abused by this staff. This is a compilation of those complaints, posted in an effort to start a dialogue with the staff and to find a way to improve the Alley as a whole.

Here are some of the problems I and others witnessed. I complied these from DA, emails, LJ and the AA boards. I'm sure there are more. Suggestions generally came from those who informed me of problems. In some cases, I added the suggestions.


1. Registration for tables was ridiculous. Tables sold out in 30 seconds.
Suggestion: Do a lottery AND give those who have been with Anime North AA for years first chance.

2. Walk-in registration was not handled well at all. People who were told to "come back later" were bumped to the back of the line.
Suggestion: Write down names as people arrive. Give all empty tables away in order.

3. One girl claims she was harassed by the staff and head of AA through emails. She wanted to sell Chii ears and was told no on the forums. Then her emails to staff members were faked to look harassing. She had a friend who tried to sell her stuff in the Alley but the head of AA told her friend she wasn't allowed to do that. Her boyfriend tried to talk to the head of AA but he was turned away and tried making a complaint with the people who run AN but they turned him away.
Suggestion: FIRE the person in charge of AA! I haven't personally confirmed that all of this happened but I have seen the emails. If this is how the head AA person operates then she doesn't need to be charge of anything.

4. Table stealing has to stop. One girl told me a boy claimed an empty table and when he was told to leave he gave the staff trouble. He didn't get kicked out! He was still there! Her suggestion is a good one!
Suggestion: Kick out the troublemakers!!! They make the rest of the artists look bad and make things uncomfortable for us when we have to sit next to them or have them walking around behind the tables! This guy kept coming back to see his friend even after he gave up trying to sit at the empty table! I wanted him to leave because he was so rude and mean! So, I guess you CAN get a free table at AN if you don't pay and just behave badly!

5. Forbidden items? What? The staff told a group that they couldn't sell cut outs of Pirates of the Caribbean. They said, "They are replicas so its okay" The staff argued with them and then the head of AA told them to put them away. They kept selling them but would take them off the tables when they saw the staff.
Suggestion: Don't ban anything. Make artists sign a waiver so they are responsible for any copyright infringement.

6. Two chairs per table, plz!
Suggestion: Sell full tables at a higher price and include a second chair and badge for the table.

7. Bring back helper badges.
Suggestion: We need helper badges! One per space or something. I felt bad asking someone to watch my stuff while I went to the washroom

8. Obnoxious kids screaming their "sales" (especially on Sunday)
Suggestion: Make them shut up. It's disruptive and rude to those of us who are trying to draw AND it is offensive if I am seated next to them

9. I got tired of the staff coming by and checking my "adult art." It seemed like every half hour someone would make sure it was covered. I'm not a pervert and I don't sell to kids so this was pretty insulting.
Suggestion: Make the staff back off checking for "adult art." Those of us who sell it know how to conduct ourselves so we don't get in trouble.

10. I didn't make as much money as I expected because the staff put kids who were selling fan art of Naruto next to me--four tables of them ahead of me. By the time customers found me at the end of the row they were not interested.
Suggestion: Ban fan art or spread it out. Make people register their fandoms and don't seat people near each other who are selling the same fandom.

11. I really, really wish they would screen people for age and quality. I know that sounds elitist but I am sick of seeing 15 year old girls sit there, unprepared for a convention, using the AA as their social gathering ground and tying up a table I could have had.
Suggestion: Have artists submit 3-5 pieces for approval before registration. Do not rent to anyone under 18

12. Is there a list of people they don't rent tables to? How do you know if you're on it and why?
Suggestion: If such a list exists, contact people who are on this list and explain why they are and if there is a way to get off of it.

13. I noticed a lot less con-ops guys in the alley than last year. I felt less safe. I know that sounds paranoid but since I've had some run-ins with con-goers who were drunk/high/rude before I always like to see those guys hanging around the Alley. I also think it helps deter theft since people know they are being watched.
Suggestion: Create a special ops group just for AA or maybe hire private security for the Alley. I wouldn't mind seeing table cost go up a bit to cover that

14. This year was a disaster from the start of registration. The staff posted their list of demands as well as their list of what cannot be sold. People who were asking legitimate questions were insulted and told to shut up, posts deleted and a declaration to respect the staff who "work for free" was emblazoned as a sticky post.
Suggestion: Let's be honest--the staff doesn't work for free. They get free passes, food vouchers and a hotel room at the cost of the con. Those who were being rude on the boards deserved to be put in their places but others were questionable. Like all forums I don't think there's a solution to this other than people need to respect each other in general

Anything else? Leave a comment. Be sure to list a SUGGESTION to fix it.
I wanted to post this to [info]artists_beware but they haven't approved my membership. If anyone wants to C/P to put it there please do.

May 29th, 2008

Someone on [info]artists_beware posted a link to this entry with a review of a recent contract offer from Tokyopop to aspiring manga artists. I'm not a manga artist myself but I think that the discussion of contracts, and knowing exactly what we as artists are giving away when we sign a contract, is worth reading, even with a grain of salt for bias or misinterpretation. The comments left in the entry are also very interesting, with people sharing their own experiences.

This sort of talk about Toykopop may not be new to some (not me, for one) but I hope people don't mind a little friendly PSA :)

Remember, just because you are a starting artist doesn't mean you have to sign your life away! If you are ever offered a contract, it's in your best interest to read it carefully before signing anything and the really safe thing to do is contact an agent or talk to someone with law experience to review the contract and look for pitfalls. Words like "perpetual" and "royalty-free" are really important to note how they are being used. You have every right, both morally and legally, to control your art and to be paid fairly for it :)

~Sunhawk

May 25th, 2008

Artist Alley

Add to Memories Tell a Friend
Eye of blue fire
I had lots of fun meeting people and getting art! I didn't cosplay because I ran out of monies. So now I ask questions for the artists so when I finally get a table I know what people think.

What did you like about the Alley? What did you hate about working in the Alley? Were the staff nice? Did you sell a lot of stuff? What did you sell that made a lot of money? What didn't sell well?

May 21st, 2008

Hello everyone, it's getting so close! (So many things left to do ARRRGH *head explodes* During the time, I ended up with a worst problem! My USB card had problems(as in, was probably too close to my magnets I was making) and I lost (to the net) my registration form for both me and my boyfriend. Does anyone know if it is alright to reprint and make a handwritten copy of our AA registration forms? Granted they won't have exacly the same same thing in the "brief destriptipon" part, but I was hoping this was alright considering.

Thanks for the help!

- Getting nervous. XD

Edit: It is okay, for all those who also might be wondering. :D Just do the 2nd by hand.
Remember a while back we were all talking about how neat it would be to have a North American Comiket (market for doujinshi, fan and original etc.)? In the comments, tThe coordinator for the AN Artist Alley mentioned that they had been looking into such an event and would be making an announcement soon.

Check out the AA page and scroll down!

http://www.animenorth.com/artist_alley.php

May 12th, 2008

Hey everyone!!

My roommate [info]sylverskye and I started a website to sell plush sushi pillows, and I just finished launching it ^____^

Skyefish Sushi Bar --> http://sushi.strayfish.ca

Please check it out if you have time! Plush sushi pillows and heat packs make cool and unique gifts, and we chose all our material to be super soft and cuddly. We're also going to have a bunch that have little anime faces on them. So cute!

We'll be in the artist alley at Anime North, so come and say hi if you're coming (I'll also be selling my prints). Just so you know, what is shown on the site right now are basically our prototypes. When we actually make all of our AN stock and any custom orders, it will look slightly different (the meat will be longer and the nigiri bigger, basically). We'll update the images as we go, of course.

If you like what we're offering, we would really appreciate it if you decided to help us out by telling your friends about us or linking us on your webpage. We would be more than happy to put a link back to you in our links page as thanks. :)

We also started an LJ community if you'd like to join for announcements and pictures: [info]skyefish_sushi

To the mods: If this shouldn't be here, please delete this post :)
Powered by LiveJournal.com

Advertisement