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====== Axanar Fan Convention Expected to Lose Money ======

//**Ticket Price Slashed More Than 40% After Complaints, Sluggish Sales**//

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With weeks still to go before Axacon, the long-awaited Atlanta convention for Axanar fans, OWC Studios head [[Alec Peters]] revealed the event is likely a big money-loser.

After many people told him the entry price was too high, Peters announced September 26, 2018, tickets were being slashed by 41 percent, hoping to counter sluggish sales.

<WRAP important>
<wrap lo><wrap em>UPDATE</wrap> In an October 24 blog post, Peters revealed "we have sold a couple dozen [Axacon tickets] so far." Despite his expected loss of thousands of dollars to stage the event, Peters justified the con as a "launching point for serious pre-production … so [the production team] can all get on the same page and get fired up for shooting"; "a celebration of the Star Trek that we all love and the fans who have supported us"; and a means to "create content for our website, our Blu-rays and to promote what is coming."</wrap>(([[https://axanarproductions.com/captains-log-october-23rd-2018/|Captains Log]], Axanar Productions website, 10/24/18.))
</WRAP>

Meanwhile, Axanar raced to pull together the event, pleading with fans to volunteer their time, and slashing ticket prices after initially charging what some believed was a high cost for attending the three-day event in Atlanta.

[{{ :alec_peters.jpg?nolink&150|**Alec Peters**}}]

===== Expected $5,000 Loss =====

In an interview posted September 24, 2018, on the Fan Film Factor blog, Peters admitted Axacon won't come close to paying for itself:

> Honestly, I expect to lose about $5,000 on Axacon.  And that is okay.  But I don’t think there is any way we make money.(([[https://fanfilmfactor.com/2018/09/24/alec-peters-talks-about-axacon-the-latest-axanar-financials-and-the-bridge-set-interview-part-1/|"Alec Peters talks about Axacon, the latest Axanar financials, and the bridge set! (interview, part 1),"]] Fan Film Factor blog, 9/24/18.))

<wrap lo indent> //**See also: [[sphinxcon|Axanar Piggybacks Convention atop SphinxCon]]**//</wrap>

==== Sluggish Sales Spur Discount ====

Peters did not explain to Fan Film Factor whether the expected loss was due to slow sales of tickets some had complained were [[#Cost|exorbitantly priced]], higher than expected expenses or some combination of both.

Axacon's entry originally required attendees to pay to get into [[sphinxcon|both SphinxCon and Axacon]], a minimum $91 cost with ticket processing fees.

However, just days after **AxaMonitor** compared Axacon's price with other conventions, Peters admitted:

> Feedback was most Axanar fans didn't want to go to SphinxCon, and while I'm a huge Honor Harrington fan [the book series honored by SphinxCon], we can't expect everyone to be.(({{ ::peters_axacon_tickets.jpg?linkonly|Alec Peters post}}, Axacon 2018 Facebook group, 9/26/18.))

Tickets now range from $54-82 instead of $91-129, including ticket processing fees.

[{{ ::trekguests.jpg|**TREK GUESTS** Star Trek actors J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, and writer David Gerrold, fill out Axacon's celebrity roster. <wrap indent lo>//Image/Axanar Productions//</wrap>}}]

===== Convention Schedule =====

**AxaMonitor** obtained an advance copy of the Axacon schedule. While not finalized, this schedule gives a glimpse of what organizers, led by OWC Studios head [[Alec Peters]], generally hoped to offer attendees at the upcoming gathering.

**SphinxCon** Axacon was designed as a "con within a con," hosted by SphinxCon; some Axacon events are open to SphinxCon attendees.

**Location** While Axacon is officially housed at SphinxCon's convention hotel, the airport Crowne Plaza, some events (as noted below) are scheduled to be held more than 42 miles away at OWC Studios in Lawrenceville, Ga.

<wrap lo>**ELIGIBLE ATTENDEES** <wrap lo>//Click each date below to view its scheduled events//</wrap> \\ {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}All Axacon attendees • {{:blue_ticket.jpg?nolink|}}Special ticket required • {{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Open to SphinxCon attendees • 💸Axanar donors only</wrap>

--> Friday, November 2 #
<WRAP lo>
^ Time ^ Event ^ Panelists/Hosts ^ Location |
| 2 p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar set tour | Alec Peters | OWC Studios |
| 4 p.m. | {{:blue_ticket.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar Live! | J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, Alec Peters, Steve Jepson \\ Keith M. Sedor, Jonathan Lane | OWC Studios |
| 5 p.m. | {{:blue_ticket.jpg?nolink|}}Reception at Alec Peters' home | Alec Peters, Crysstal Hubbard | Peters' home near OWC Studios |
| 10 p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar hits the bar! | Fans mingle with con guests and Axanar team at the hotel | Crowne Plaza |
</WRAP>

<--
--> Saturday, November 3 #
<WRAP lo>
^ Time ^ Event ^ Panelists/Hosts ^ Location |
| 9 \\ a.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Fan Film Top 10 | Alec Peters, John Adcox \\ Keith Sedor, Jonathan Lane | Crowne Plaza |
| 10 \\ a.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar update | Alec Peters, Paul Jenkins \\ Mark Edward Lewis, Keith Sedor | Crowne Plaza |
| 11 \\ a.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Honor Harrington's influence on Axanar | Alec Peters | Crowne Plaza |
| 12 \\ noon | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Star Trek moments | Gary Graham, J.G. Hertzler, Keith Sedor | Crowne Plaza |
| 1 \\ p.m. | 💸Axanar donor lunch | Alec Peters, Steve Jepson, Paul Jenkins | TBA |
| 2 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar fan fiction | Jonathan Lane, Mark Largent \\ Mark Payton, Alec Peters | Crowne Plaza |
| 3 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Scripting Axanar | David Gerrold, Paul Jenkins, Alec Peters, Jonathan Lane | Crowne Plaza |
| 4 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}The Axanar ships | Alec Peters, Keith Sedor | Crowne Plaza |
| 5 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Star Trek fan film preview | //Pacific 201, Romulan Wars, First Frontier//, Jonathan Lane (host) | Crowne Plaza |
| 6 \\ p.m. | 💸Axanar donor dinner | J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, Alec Peters \\ Steve Jepson, Mark Edward Lewis, Jeff Barklage | TBA |
| 7 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Klingon costuming: From screen to con | Don Gaffney | Crowne Plaza |
| 8 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar: The fans' perspective | Reece Watkins, Lee Benjamin, Steve Dixon \\ Lee Mavity, Keith Sedor | Crowne Plaza |
| 10 \\ p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar hits the bar! | Fans mingle with con guests and Axanar team at the hotel | Crowne Plaza |
</WRAP>

<--
--> Sunday, November 4 #
<WRAP lo>
^ Time ^ Event ^ Panelists/Hosts ^ Location |
| 10 a.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Starship combat in Axaverse | Alec Peters | Crowne Plaza |
| 11 a.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Actors on Axanar | J.G. Hertzler, Gary Graham, Alec Peters, Jonathan Lane | Crowne Plaza |
|12 \\ noon | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Garth of Izar: Kirk's hero | Alec Peters | Crowne Plaza |
| 1 p.m. | {{:blue_ticket.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar lunch | Alec Peters, Steve Jepson, Paul Jenkins | TBA |
| 2 p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Admiral Slater: Misunderstood | Steve Jepson, Alec Peters, Jonathan Lane | Crowne Plaza |
| 3 p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}{{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Fan filmmaking vs. fan-to-pro | David Gerrold, John Adcox, Matt Green \\ Alec Peters | Crowne Plaza |
| 4 p.m. | {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}Axanar trivia | Alec Peters, Steve Jepson | Crowne Plaza |
</WRAP>

<--
\\

<WRAP lo>
^ <wrap em>Axacon Tickets</wrap> \\ //<wrap lo>Minimum for entry</wrap>// | //Original Price// | //Discounted Price// |
| SphinxCon charge* | $64 | $27 |
| Axacon "crewman" add-on admission | $27* | $27 |
|  **Total** | **$91** | **$54** |
^ <wrap em>Upgraded Admission</wrap> \\ //<wrap lo>Special access and swag</wrap>// | //Original Price//  | //Discounted Price// |
| Axacon "officer" admission | $55 | $55 |
| SphinxCon deluxe admission | $74 | $27 |
|  **Total** | **$129** | **$82** |
| * <wrap lo>All prices include processing fees</wrap> | | |
</WRAP>

==== Panel Descriptions ====

Full descriptions of all the panels offered at SphinxCon and Axacon [[https://sphinx-con.org/panels|are available]] at the SphinxCon website.

===== Cost =====

Axacon's cost had been criticized by some Axanar supporters as high for such a small, three-day convention, ranging from $91 to $129; attendees were required to purchase admission to SphinxCon. They were also required to find their own transportation for the 80-mile roundtrip to OWC Studios outside Atlanta.

At the new discounted Axacon price, SphinxCon was to receive $25 from each Axanar entry — half its original take. Axacon attendees who want access to any SphinxCon sessions would now have to pay extra.

==== Price Comparisons ====

**DragonCon $85-95** \\
By comparison, Atlanta's immense five-day Dragon*Con, featuring dozens of well-known guests from many genre films and TV — especially Star Trek — costs a minimum $85, if purchased a year in advance. Closer to the event, admission is $95.

**Star Trek Las Vegas $173-$1000** \\
The official Star Trek convention, a five-day star-studded annual event, costs a bare minimum $300 if tickets are purchased on a daily basis, though shortly before the con tickets can be discounted as low as $173 for five days' admission; daily admission ranges from $50-75. Premium packages go for about $1,000.

[{{ ::starfleet_ui.jpg?direct&350|**BRIDGE PANELS** Volunteers are working against a November 2 deadline to complete the Axanar bridge set, featuring artwork like this. Click to view full size.<wrap indent lo>//Images/Axanar Productions//</wrap>}}]

**Treklanta $45-60** \\
This local Star Trek convention also in Atlanta, and like Axacon also three days, costs $45 in advance, $60 at the door. Attracting more than 300 attendees a year, it offers many more celebrity guests than Axacon for less than half the admission price.(([[wp>Treklanta#Eighth_convention|Treklanta Wikipedia page]], retrieved 9/23/18.))

[{{ ::ares_bridge_wagner.jpg?350|**AXANAR VOLUNTEER** Dana Wagner works to complete the Ares bridge set in time for Axacon. <wrap indent lo>//Image/Fan Film Factor//</wrap>}}]

===== Bridge status =====

Despite volunteers' efforts to complete the U.S.S. Ares bridge set, Peters told Fan Film Factor it would not be finished in time, but it would be "close. Good enough for Axacon."(([[https://fanfilmfactor.com/2018/09/24/alec-peters-talks-about-axacon-the-latest-axanar-financials-and-the-bridge-set-interview-part-1/|"Alec Peters talks about Axacon, the latest Axanar financials, and the bridge set! (interview, part 1),"]] Fan Film Factor blog, 9/24/18.))

Despite his locked script Peters told Fan Film Factor he has not yet determined if the set will even appear in the two Axanar short films he says is coming in 2019. He said completing the set has cost him personally several thousand dollars.

==== Con Volunteers ====

Meanwhile, Peters pleaded with supporters to help to pull off the convention, with no discount for volunteering:

"I need you sounding off if you will be attending Axacon. I will ask each of you to volunteer 2-3 hours a day. I can't give away any free passes as SphinxCon is not giving me any, and I am putting in a ton of my own money to make this happen."((Alec Peters Facebook post, 9/13/18.))

SphinxCon chairman Dave Weiner explained no SphinxCon volunteers, including organizers, are getting free admission to their own convention.

=== Guests' Admission ===

Convention guests, such as actors J.G. Hertzler and Gary Graham, are paid to appear. Guests such as pro-Axanar fan film blogger Jonathan Lane and Axanar podcaster Keith Sedor do not have to pay to attend. {{:axamonitor-ico.gif?nolink|}}

<WRAP tip 75%>
<wrap em>COMMENTS</wrap> \\
Discuss this article in [[face>groups/138880103293512?view=permalink&id=492518417929677|AxaMonitor's Facebook group]].
</WRAP>
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**Keywords** {{tag>Axacon}}