| Fan Expo 2010: Beyond the Cool Costumes I attended Fan Expo in Toronto, for the first time ever, this year. Yes, cartoonists get to go to cool events like this, as part of their work! The five main areas represented were anime, horror, science fiction, gaming, and comic. Along with the general fun, carnival-like atmosphere, there were a lot of great sessions on the business of all things cartoon-related, such as videogames and comics, as well as some cool technical sessions on writing, painting and drawing. There were also a lot of information booths. I wasn't able to get to all the sessions, but the ones I could attend had valuable information, which I'm sharing here, along with some pictures from the event. Enjoy! |
| Yes, there were crowds. But everyone was good-natured, and that helped a lot! |
| A typical panel session--questions from the audience were encouraged, and knowledgeably answered. |
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| Lining up for events was a way of life, but well worth it once you got in! |
| Steam Punk! |
| Storm Troopers Helping People! The 501st Legion was there to assist the 'Make A Wish' Foundation. Who says the Empire doesn't have a heart? |
| Session: How to Break Into Voice Acting (Anime) This was a three person panel--two Canadians, one American--so some information was U.S.-based. They all generally agreed that, as with many things, they were in the right places at the right time. But they also were actors, and were asked to audition for voice acting work because they had that background, and because they got to know people. How do you get to know people? Work on those personality skills, volunteer if you can't get paid work, just to learn more about that great field you're interested in. And just be the kind of person people want to work with--it goes a long way! |
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| Coming: Cool weblinks, for Associations as diverse as Steam Punk and Star Wars! Stay tuned! |
| Coming: The State of the Local VideoGame Industry! Stay tuned! |
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