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axacon_schedule [2018/09/23 01:29] – created Carlos Pedrazaaxacon_schedule [2018/10/30 16:44] (current) – updates with ticket sales, Peters' justification for money-losing event Carlos Pedraza
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 {{::axacon-logo-720px.jpg|}} {{::axacon-logo-720px.jpg|}}
  
-====== Axanar Races to Prepare for Axacon in November ======+====== Axanar Fan Convention Expected to Lose Money ======
  
-//**See the Tentative Schedule of Events for the Three-Day Con**//+//**Ticket Price Slashed More Than 40% After Complaints, Sluggish Sales**//
  
 {{TOC}} {{TOC}}
 {{page>byline}} {{page>byline}}
  
-With its November 2-4, 2018, convention just a few weeks away, Axanar raced to pull together the event, pleading with fans to volunteer their time and charging what some believe is a high cost for attending the three-day event in Atlanta.+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.
  
-[{{ ::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>}}]+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> <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 ===== ===== Convention Schedule =====
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 **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. **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** \\ {{::axaicon.jpg?nolink|}}All Axacon attendees {{:blue_ticket.jpg?nolink|}}Special ticket required {{:sphinxicon.jpg?nolink|}}Open to SphinxCon attendees 💸Axanar donors only</wrap>+<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 # --> Friday, November 2 #
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 \\ \\
  
-<WRAP right lo 50%> +<WRAP lo> 
-^ <wrap em>Axacon Tickets</wrap> | //<wrap lo>Minimum for entry</wrap>// | +^ <wrap em>Axacon Tickets</wrap> \\ //<wrap lo>Minimum for entry</wrap>// | //Original Price// | //Discounted Price// | 
-| SphinxCon basic admission | $64 | +| SphinxCon charge* | $64 | $27 | 
-| Axacon "crewman" add-on admission | $27* | +| Axacon "crewman" add-on admission | $27* | $27 | 
-|  **Total** | $91 | +|  **Total** | **$91** | **$54** | 
-^ <wrap em>Upgraded Admission</wrap> | //<wrap lo>Special access and swag</wrap>// | +^ <wrap em>Upgraded Admission</wrap> \\ //<wrap lo>Special access and swag</wrap>// | //Original Price//  | //Discounted Price// | 
-| Axacon "officer" admission | $55 | +| Axacon "officer" admission | $55 | $55 | 
-| SphinxCon deluxe admission | **$74** | +| SphinxCon deluxe admission | $74 | $27 | 
-|  **Total** | **$129** |+|  **Total** | **$129** | **$82** | 
 +| * <wrap lo>All prices include processing fees</wrap> | | |
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
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 ===== Cost ===== ===== Cost =====
  
-Axacon's cost has been criticized by some Axanar supporters, as high for such a small, three-day convention, ranging from $91 to $129; attendees are required to purchase admission to SphinxCon. They are also required to find their own transportation for the 80-mile roundtrip to OWC Studios outside Atlanta.+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 ==== ==== Price Comparisons ====
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 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. 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 $300-$1000** \\ +**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; daily admission ranges from $50-75. Premium packages go for about $1,000.+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 this artwork designed by Alexander Richardson. Click to view full size.<wrap indent lo>//Images/Axanar Productions//</wrap>}}]+[{{ ::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** \\ **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.)) 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.))
  
-==== Bridge status ====+[{{ ::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>}}]
  
-Peters has led the effort to complete, or at least get closer to complete, the U.S.S. Ares bridge set, which was to have been featured in Axanar: Unmade, the feature film foreclosed by the copyright infringement lawsuit brought against Peter and his Axanar Productions by [[CBS]] and [[paramount_pictures|Paramount Pictures]] in 2015.+===== Bridge status =====
  
-==== Volunteers ====+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.))
  
-Meanwhile, Peters pleaded with supporters to volunteer to pull off the convention, with no discount for the free labor:+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.)) "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.))
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 === Guests' Admission === === 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. {{page>footer}}+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|}}
  
-{{tag>Axacon}}+<WRAP tip 75%> 
 +<wrap em>COMMENTS</wrap> \\ 
 +Discuss this article in [[face>groups/138880103293512?view=permalink&id=492518417929677|AxaMonitor's Facebook group]]. 
 +</WRAP> 
 +---- 
 +**Keywords** {{tag>Axacon}}