So.

[shadesong]

I've been reading posts by sambear and voltbang, and comments in yendi's journal, about how inappropriate some of the stuff at DragonCon is for kids, despite the fact that they claim to be family-friendly. And I got to thinking.

What would it take to create a family-friendly Con? A small and affordable one, on the scale of Tropicon in South Florida, not on the level of DragonCon or even MegaCon. With comics guests like maybe Linda Medley and Mark Crilley. Not just comics, but media; focusing primarily on the stuff that both kids and their parents enjoy. I can see a kids' role-playing track; I can see possible sponsorship by the Girl Scouts (who could have a booth) or Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Anyone know how this would work? How we could make it happen?




Comments

[technomom]

A group of folks from the Atlanta Science Fiction Society have formed a separate list to discuss a more literary-focused, family friendly con. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/galitcon/

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Yay! Joined. :)


6

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

Just make a science fiction. Don't put a pedophile in charge. Don't invite porn producers as guests, don't sell table space to porn sellers in the dealers room, don't advertise adult programming. Have adult parties, after 9 or 10 pm, run by responsible adults, but don't make them a focus of your convention. Focus on your literary or media guests. Focus on science fiction as literature and art, and denigrate the shows and movies that play to the baywatch mindset. When people behave inappropriately, toss them out, and don't let them come back next time, don't invite them to the green room or the con chairs private suite party.

Seriously, when the con chair keeps his 14 year old boy nearby even at adult parties, it pretty much raises the go flag for everyone else.

There are thousands, tens of thousands, of people at DC, and most have fun and see a good show and get a little tittalated, and no harm is done. But a few people go over the lines and behave inappropriately, and if you compare it to a healthy convention, it looks scary at times. Like the evil twin of a good friend. The vibe at D*C is just a little off fromthe real thing.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know *what* want to do, I just need to know *how*... fundraising and getting guests and stuff. :)

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

Oh, in that case, hook up with the more literary group someone else mentioned, and agitate to drag all your LJ friends into it. You have enough warm bodies to help move a fledgeling convention along.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Already joined it, and will agitate. :)

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

There's got to be a washning machine pun in there somewhere, but I'm just not up to it.

[pandora7.livejournal.com]

What a good idea!
Good luck, I hope you can make it a reality. :)