We have posted up the dates of the 2008 event and there is a discussion of content happening on the UKG boards.

Thought I would also open up the discussion here and see what you guys think.

We have changed the event slightly this year to become "Movie Mania", this was from feedback we got in 2007 about Sci-fi being seen as a niche and adult genre.

I am talking to Mr Harris and several other collectors about putting on a 7 week exhibition in the JES that will be launched with this event, so I hope there will still be involvement by UKCM (and any of you mad bunch from overseas).

The dates are 15&16 November and we are looking at content now... so the question has to be what do you want to include this year?

Is a third hit of the AE a good idea? Is it too much work? Is it still exciting for the punters? If not the AE then what? Bug Hunts? Marine School? etc...

Your honest thoughts will be appreciated.

What would the nature of the exhibition be, exactly?

_________________

Well from my guard duty on the AE to the paying customers before & after,was the AE went down a Storm,they all seemed to love it Malika. Even your boss & his family when I spoke to them.

So hopefully that say`s a lot,plus on pure selfish reasons I didn`t get a go & would really like to at this one

On the AE & I hope I`m not out of line with my thoughts here.

Maybe having the UKCM take more of an active SetUp/background role with the AE as well as the UKCM presence of bugs & Marines on the ground during open times.
Turning the AE briefing room area also into a UKCM/Aliens display Centre too?
This not only kills two birds with one stone (location for UKCM display & 100% Aliens themed & cared for) but free`s up the area we had in 07 for other venues?

The Bug hunts would be fantastic to keep them too. I think the children really enjoyed that. As too the UKCM Marine School & nerf range. the range & even UKCM boot camp did well with the kids last year.
The range could be housed either in a building or I could bring a gazebo/marquee that`s easily going to house the range under it & have it tied down to the side of the AE? Thus keeping all UKCM/Aliens related (apart from Harry`s collection) together.
Though that`s for Fraz to say if he fancies running that again.

Anyway just a few thoughts there from me.

Jason

_________________
What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

I dunno. I would wonder if the AE would benefit from a year off. It seemed that we had problems getting punters through the door this time round.

However, the Bug hunts were hugely successful this time round, and were relatively easy to put on. And, Abe enjoyed the photos!

However, making the Challenger suite an Aliens area ... Abe likes that idea!

I think it was the event itself that didn't pull enough folks in, therefore fewer people to feed into the AE mill (pun intended). Due IMO to it being on a weekend with a big event anyway - fireworks night.

Having been involved in the BH I can say I didn't receive nor overhear a bad comment about it.

SAS

_________________
Alan T. Alien
1st Lt Smith, SA "Sidewinder"
A13/TQ1.4.19720EX CMA
Founder of UKCM 13th Regt. 1st Batt. Freebooters
Founder of Special Armaments Section (Heavy Weapons)
"People don't understand. people like me"

Well the dates for this years are only affecting my missing my daughters 9th Birthday (16th Nov).
So all being well a Greater crowd puller the NSC will be thus if the AE is a go,that too

No AE this year,a rest? Awww Teckno Viking crys. Abe is a Big Bad Meanie Booo hooo.

Glad Abe likes the idea of the Challenger suit being an Aliens centre though NO secretions please

Jason

_________________
What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

Exactly???

Well that will be decided following a meeting in March, but the general idea is Science Fact and Science Fiction.

Using the JES as a space to have an exhibition of some amazing Science Fiction costumes, props and experiences, but also looking at what the reality is behind a lot of science fiction devices and ideas - cloaking devices, warp core, aliens etc...

We will be working very hard to make it look stunning and be a first in the UK, so if you can keep it under your hats for the time being I would appreciate it.

Once content and marketing in confirmed I will tell all.

Does anyone have statistics for the Alien Encounter? How much worst did it do this time around? Everyone I spoke to after going through thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

I’d have to say the bug hunts appeared to be a great crowd pleaser. I think if we worked on our timings a little more and throw in a few curveballs here and there I think it could be even better.

The kids absolutely loved the shooting range. Many coming back time and again. One kid even said it was the best part of the event.

Too true kev The Bug Hunt & rifle range went down really well for a few pointers A,The enthusiasim of the members along with the public & B, Both were FREE

Not removing any limelight from all who took part don`t get me wrong though for freebies they certainly were crowd pleasers.

I recall suggesting to Fraz if they the Range was in play next time,that a charge be made £1.00 for the Boot Camp piece & £1.00 for the range. As there were some kids who for went the Boot Camp & purely wanted the range experiance. So if the charge is made on the range,well you`ll catch them out & the cash is all for a good cause.

Something to maybe consider anyway

I too would love to hear how good/bad the AE did,cause from everyone I sent in (whilst on AE Guard Duty) they did truely love it staggering out (yep a few of those happened through the day).

If I could go out on a limb.No intentions to offend anyone here.

What if the AE was handled purely by the AL/UKCM ? This would put the Aliens only costumers in one place,with the main goal of carrying on the AE along with any UKCM related in the same stage area.Bar bug Hunts.

This would of course serve any UKG`s/UKCM not wanting to be Marines all weekend free to pursue any other costuming/Activities for the other film genres?

After all the UKG play far more fiddles than the UKCM,who pretty much are solely driven to the Colonial Marine costuming.
The UKG have a far deeper costuming areana than we do & thus this method would take advantage of all parts from both bodies I think.

Oh I`m not saying no participation from UKGs on the AE,rather the AL/UKCM organise it & run it with any input/Participation gratefully recieved from the UKG.

As said my thoughts,what do people think?

Hope I`ve not stood on any toes for these thoughts. Though that`s what this thread was for,ideas & thoughts.

Jason

_________________
What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

my thoughts exactly techno.

_________________

The AE worked well last time. More screamers and it ran quite smoothly other than a couple of technical hitches on the Sat morning . However, a strange thing happened: On the Saturday, rumours were going around that we had sold out all tickets. Then, the AE closed early because of lack of punters. That put a downer on it a bit.

As for one group doing the AE, I dunno if we could or if there would be much value in doing it. The staffing for marines and Aliens were tight with both groups working together. Although there was some friction in the AE (as can be expected), it was all personal stuff and not "UKG vs. UKCM" friction. I didn't see any of that in my time in the AE, and I don't think it is anything more than hot-air. (Star Wars is rubbish though... )

IF the AE is included this year,and I think there would be no harm in seeing it take a rest for one year either btw, then I don't see any reason to change how it is run.

The UKG have done a fantastic job of putting on the AE and organising it with help from some of the UKCM members and I don't see any reason to turn that the other way round.

I don't think putting a display or base of operations in there would work tbh as the debriefing area is used to seat the punters and show them the DVD. This would be difficult with tables with displays on them not to mention the noise of people talking and walking around etc. Even after the punters moved on into the control room it would, I think, ruin the experience if they could still hear other customers wondering around in the entrance area looking at the displays.

I think the bug hunts worked fairly well although they either need to have a shorter run up to the confrontation on the mezz area or more needs to be made of the "hunt" itself.

As far as I could see the Boot camp and especially the rifle range were well recieved also and I'm sure would be a good addition at any future event.


Cheers

Darren

You will have to excuse my ignorance on this as I havn't attended an NSC event yet so am pretty much none the wiser.

Is the form then that the UKG organise the AE but don't have the properly costumed punters to run it so then call on the UKCM to provide the manpower? Or is it a joint planning and effort thing?

There's a good chance there will be an extra Alien knocking about this year so was kind of curious about the whole thing.



Chris

The UKG do have Marine and Alien costumers for the AE.

Thoughts of a small cog in a big machine:

I have to say, I utterly loved working in the AE, especially with so many great folks, and would happily have done it all weekend. :p

We picked a slightly pants weekend for the show methinks; apparently there was some local football game as well as fireworks night that weekend, which seemed to kill numbers. The Saturday ticket rumour really bugged me too... Was still an amazing weekend for me though!

Like the idea of it being a movie event though; sounds like it would have a much broader appeal.

The only concern I had for the Bug Hunts was doing two a day, as there was a few kids spoiling things on the second run-throughs by telling others where the Alien was going to show up, so not to bother with the actual hunt.

Looking forward to whoring the Boot Camp and Bug Hunt tickets again.

_________________
Steve
Corporal in 69th Regt. 1st Batt. Homer’s Heroes.

"I'd like to die at the age of 80 in my own bed, with a belly full of wine and a girl's mouth around my c**k."

The AE changed between the first and second time we ran it

On the first time we did it everyone involved was a UKG member baring Darren and Gareth.

After that the UKCM had a boom in members so it allowed more UKCM members to get involved.

I for one loved doing the AE first and second time round, but If it goes ahead this year I wont be taking part of the actual AE

But if you need and input for the planning or help on the day behind the scenes all you need to do is ask

For me this time there will be one phrase:

"Busting makes me feel good"

_________________
Geordi,
A01/TQ2.0.62155E1
(CO of the Bucketheads)

Marc Freedman

I'm happy to run with the AE again this year if Malika wants it to take place. If it does take place, I would like to make some changes to the previous two years. (THis will be discussed in the usual place if its going ahead.)

The "pressure" on the costumed members was down to a couple of factors. Originally quite a few people said they wanted to be part of it, so a rota was set up to include everyone, then, several people couldnt make it, which caused probs with the rotas being re-jigged to fit those remaining in. By then, other rotas had been created, adding to the problem. In the end it all worked out, just caused quite a lot of stressing on the run up and during the weekend.

The AE took up something like 5 months of my and other folks time first time round, and probably only 2 months or so last year. I would estimate its probably going to need a couple of months to get stuff sorted again if we do it.

I do not remember a drop off on the punter numbers, except for starting a bit later due to set up problems, though I didnt live in the Challenger Suite this time round!

Members of both the UKG and AL boards were involved in the organisation and running of the AE- it was very much a joint effort.

_________________
TTFN

Jon.

As I said I wasn`t trying to put down the hard work that`s been done by the combined efforts of the UKG & AL/UKCM with the last two AE`s.

I mearly was thinking (out loud) that if there is an AE this year that maybe the AL/UKCM could run it with all & any assistance given

As said the UKG have a wide bag of tricks of costuming concerned with the major ALIENS only by most AL/UKCM members.

It was a best of both worlds idea from me,that`s all.

I saw the DVD of the first one & know full well how fantastic it went & worked. Then 2007 I heard again how excellent it all was from those who went through & also those who manned the AE. Still kicking myself for not getting a go through though

So as this was for ideas & discussions I mearly put forth an idea.

No matter who man`s the AE (if it is on this year) I will be happily offering my services for a stint on guard duty again (loved the winding up of the paying customers) & damn sure I`ll be going through it too

As for the combined AE/Aliens display (none harry collection). I was thinking we could open that up to anyone when the AE was NOT in use,then the building will be 100% used either way.

A, AE running & B, People viewing the collections in the lulls of the AE.

Just a thought.

As for other Movie ideas Malika,why not have miniture set up areas of various films? ie SW section (Star mock-up or corridor),ST section (Bridge mock up) ,War section (Militaria stuff kicking about & plenty of scrim),Harry`s Aliens section,GhostBusters (Ecto One or a Holding chamber for the spooks),Dr Who section a mock up Tardis, etc?

Just something to give each section it`s own identity?

jason

_________________
What ya gonna do when I TECKNO HUG Youuuuu!!



Pvt.
STEAD,J "TECKNO VIKING"
A06/TQ1.0.22140E1

Skype: ulthur1

I don't think that the AE AND other exhibitions both going on in the Challenger Suite is possible.

What I meant was that if there is no AE, the Challenger suite would be a perfect (if small) area for an Aliens Exhibition...

It was AL/UKCM run last year!

_________________
TTFN

Jon.

So what we really need is a more learning based experience?

A brief history of armour. From early style (Terry English tie in) to the Marines armour (some good ballistic test pics in the tech manual), you could even include spacesuits or other 'enviromental' armour.

Would it be worthwhile speaking to the Anchorpoint essays webguy and making some Alien lifecycle posters.? You could even make comparisons with certain animals life cycles. Wasps that lay eggs inside hosts. Venom spitting snakes, That eel with the inner jaw. That kind of thing.

_________________
STEVENSON F.
A11/TQ0.0.82148E1

"You are not your Drop Count."

We could do a puppet show for the younger kids, like Sesame Street!
"A is for Abe. HE'S MY COUSIN!"

I'll ask Paul to give Castro a ring later if you like


On a serious note :

I agree with a small charge for the shooting range and boot camp if we do them again - 50p or a pound isn't too much I don't think.

If we were to do booklets for Boot Camp, though, we should maybe print them off / photocopy them in small batches?
That way we won't end up with lots left over unused...

_________________
MSgt, UKCM 42nd Reg., 1st Batt. : Hadrian's Wall. UKCM

Wasteland Workshop
Props, cosplay pieces, upcycled ornamentation, and miscellanea;
For the discerning survivor of the apocalypse.
Steve Fletcher : Maker, Scavenger, and Junksmith.
linktr.ee/wastelandworkshop

Could you not maybe use the Challanger Suite as a hive for punters to walk through and have us aliens hiding in certain area's to scare the punters minus the marines ect, ?

Would be ashame not to have some sort of "experience" at the event.


Bri

_________________
In Space No One Can Hear You Scream ...
Dave Xeno - missed but never forgotten......

I would still like to see the AE running, it's a great attraction, if we have this along with the GhostBuster shows. Both of them should attract the crowds with the right marketing. To run these Live shows, it takes a fair amount of time, commitment and manpower. Without these, we are stuffed. I know for a fact some UKG members are selling their USCM gear as I speak.

The more diversity of things for the public to see and get involved in can only enhance the whole Movie weekend. .