Ideas for the magazine

[Dave Bradley]

Originally Posted by starpaw

the section I was quite surprised made it into the new look SFX, The Spoiler Zone ... I can't imagine now with the rise of the internet who would still use it for information. A lot of the time the episodes have either aired or close to airing

Don't let the title "spoiler zone" distract you (although in fairness it does contain spoilers). What this part of the magazine does is review and discuss TV.

There is still interest in reading SFX television episode reviews and guides. When we went through the redesign process one of the questions I asked readers on this forum and on our Facebook page was what they thought of the Spoiler Zone section – the overwhelming response was that, although it doesn't give advance plot outlines (as perhaps it did 10 years ago) it was still valuable:

1/ So you can read our reviews, opinions and star ratings of the month's episodes
2/ For the additional trivia and "did you spot" information
3/ Once collected, as a handy guide to refer back to

With this in mind we realised axing the section would be a mistake and we chose to keep it for the people who enjoy those aspects of our TV coverage. It's been some years since we claimed that the section is about future TV shows.

[Mr Cairo]

Originally Posted by starpaw

Does anyone else remember the adverts for an independent UK science-fiction film called "legionnaires"? I recall the full page advert had a lot of alien-esque soldiers all standing in a row.

I also seem to remember that it might have hit financial difficulties, I'm not sure.

I dremember it and your right it died due to financial costs ...... really sure that SFX did a piece on it at one time

anyway ...

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~raltec/index.html

http://www.missingfortunes.com/unite...res_refund.htm

[Midnight_Sun]

I would like to see a special or one off section on the mystery that is a “Convention”, it is one of those things that are always on my to-do list, but I find the lack of experience very daunting, and fear that if I have a bad one it could put me off. Maybe a check list of things to take, what to expect, how to behave, what to avoid, that sort of thing.

A sort of “Rough guide to…” if you will.

[Jedit]

Originally Posted by Midnight_Sun

I would like to see a special or one off section on the mystery that is a “Convention”, it is one of those things that are always on my to-do list, but I find the lack of experience very daunting, and fear that if I have a bad one it could put me off. Maybe a check list of things to take, what to expect, how to behave, what to avoid, that sort of thing.

A sort of “Rough guide to…” if you will.

Hard to do, because conventions differ depending on the fandom and the duration. For example, Discworld conventions are four day events centring around a couple of major events, which then break up into clusters of smaller events during the days while at night the AFPers meet up with friends they don't see in the flesh too often, denude the bar of anything drinkable and form an electric folk band in one of the side rooms. Weekend conventions and one-day conventions are more concentrated and have less time for socialising.

[Dave Bradley]

Jedit speaks the truth: the term convention covers many different types of event, festival and gathering.

Maybe all the more reason to demystify it somehow? We have toyed with the idea of a brief "survivor's guide to the convention scene" piece in the mag.

Erm, it's probably too crass of me to say that you should come and experience an event for yourself by buying tickets to the next SFX Weekender, right? Right. Sorry.

[Knappos]

How about a feature (one off or an every now and then)

If you're 15 (or insert age here) or over you might not have seen/read/heard...

If you're 15 or under you might not have seen/read/herd...

It could be an interesting look at the generation gap.

For instance my old housemate's 15 year old brother used to be adamant that Enterprise was the best Trek. Purely because that was the one that he watched at that age. Where as I was always telling him that the of TOS, TNG and DS9 were the better.

The debate woruld rage for hours. But he also knew shows that I sometimes hadn't heard of and when I would mention older shows to him, he looked at me quizically.

Then we started to exchange dvds, cds, books every now and then and you know what, half the stuff I dismissed wasn't quite so bad and he enjoyed most of the stuff I recommended.

He still thinks Enterprise is the best Trek though, poor thing.

[Midnight_Sun]

Originally Posted by Jedit

Hard to do, because conventions differ depending on the fandom and the duration. For example, Discworld conventions are four day events centring around a couple of major events, which then break up into clusters of smaller events during the days while at night the AFPers meet up with friends they don't see in the flesh too often, denude the bar of anything drinkable and form an electric folk band in one of the side rooms. Weekend conventions and one-day conventions are more concentrated and have less time for socialising.

I understand that all conventions are different, but they must have things in common, it would be foolish for me to chose the example above as my first convention. If the people in the know were to pick one convention for me to go to first it would be……and then give me a run down of what to expect.

Originally Posted by Dave Bradley

Erm, it's probably too crass of me to say that you should come and experience an event for yourself by buying tickets to the next SFX Weekender, right? Right. Sorry.

I have thought of this, but I class this as a “Hard Core” convention and still have no idea what to expect, coupled with the fact that I would probably be flying solo, and I am given the impression this is more of a group event, until I know what is in store for me, I will avoid. But nice try.

[Dartfordian]

Originally Posted by Midnight_Sun

I have thought of [the SFX Weekender] “Hard Core” convention and still have no idea what to expect, coupled with the fact that I would probably be flying solo, and I am given the impression this is more of a group event, until I know what is in store for me, I will avoid. But nice try.

The only con I've ever been to is the Weekender. I've taken the family each year and we each just usually end up doing whatever we like, on our own more often than not. Watch a classic film, listen to some special guest speakers or wander around the stallholders' stands, it's up to you. There's nothing 'hardcore' about it; one of the best things is the relaxed atmosphere - it's just a bunch of nice people doing something they enjoy.

Originally Posted by PECO

... Once you are happy with the layout, use double-sided tape to attach the text and images to the page.

John Galt
PECO, Sales Consultant
Mifflin, PA, USA

Thanks, John, I'm sure the editor of the world's biggest SF magazine has picked up some useful tips.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Mr Cairo

I dremember it and your right it died due to financial costs ...... really sure that SFX did a piece on it at one time

anyway ...

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~raltec/index.html

http://www.missingfortunes.com/unite...res_refund.htm

I seem to recall that the pic was actually closed down by the Fraud Office with suspicions that the film was never going to be made and that all the people who'd paid to be in the"film" were taken for a ride.

[Midnight_Sun]

Originally Posted by Dartfordian

The only con I've ever been to is the Weekender. I've taken the family each year and we each just usually end up doing whatever we like, on our own more often than not. Watch a classic film, listen to some special guest speakers or wander around the stallholders' stands, it's up to you. There's nothing 'hardcore' about it; one of the best things is the relaxed atmosphere - it's just a bunch of nice people doing something they enjoy.

For fear of turning this thread into “I know nothing about conventions” subject, this will be the last I mention about it here, but this sounds nice. The impression given in the magazine coverage is “everyone had a mad time” and “we all got dressed up”, “we drank until the early hours”, but to know you can just stroll around is good, but again I was under the impression that to see a guest speaker you would need to get there early or maybe book seats if it was popular, it is this sort of thinking that puts me off a bit.

That’s it now, will not mention it anymore, unless asked