Ask A Nation Panel - Suggestions, Thoughts, Discussion?

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Hello, comm~

All right, for Anime Expo 2011 (so far away, i know, but this is srs!) I want to run the Hetalia 'Ask a Nation' panel. I'm sure some of you here have attended one/participated in one, and I want to know your thoughts or suggestions on them. In general, what do you think of them, what would you like to see in one, complaints about them, etc.

For my panel, I hope to recruit a group that contains the Axis Powers, Allied Powers, plus Canada and Hungary. Subject to change, lol.

((Sorry if this is a silly post.)) 

Comments

[seraphoftales.livejournal.com]

Dude, if you ever, I'd want to attend/join in

Ask A Nation panels are always so much fun~

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Haha, glad you think so~ I've seen some videos of them on YouTube, and they look like a great time! Plus, I have a thing for speaking in front of people, so running a Hetalia panel would be the greatest for me!

[seraphoftales.livejournal.com]

It's awesome! Lots of crazy stuff goes down. I hope you get enough people! Do you already have anyone in mind?

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Well, I myself would be France, and a friend of mine is going to be Canada. So I basically need the Axis Powers, England, America, Russia, China, and Hungary for the group I want to have. I think any more nations than that would be too hectic.

I was thinking of holding Internet auditions for the other unclaimed nations, ya know? :3

[seraphoftales.livejournal.com]

Good luck then~ >:3 Post up when you will be holding the auditions!

[twyxted-mind.livejournal.com]

Haha, I've been in an "Ask a Nation" panel before; it was NUTS! (Okay, so technically, it wasn't the entire panel, but it was a significant chunk.)

Well, if you're going to run one, it's probably better to have everybody ask their questions on the spot instead of trying to come up with a set list beforehand; the people who ran the Hetalia panel at Animethon tried that and it... sorta worked. Some of the nations who had specific questions didn't show up at the panel. Also, don't worry too much if more than one person dressed up as a particular character; that just makes it funnier. (Say there's two Germanys, one Italy, and somebody asks about his curl. Hilarity will most definitely ensue.)

Aagh, sorry for the wall of text. Bad habit of mine.

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was going to start the panel with a little introduction before just calling on fans one at a time to shout out their question to whatever nation they wanted.

Well, there wouldn't be the problem of two Germanys or some such thing, since I would have a set list of one cosplayer for each country done before hand, these cosplayers having contacted me through auditions or some such thing.

And I love walls of text, haha! Thanks for you input!

[mizabee.livejournal.com]

Fail fan is fail. When my friend and I went to AX 2010, I was aware of Hetalia two days before. So the fan I could be wasn't fully developed. However I can say this, my friend drgged me to a Hetalia panel with fans and it was bombtastic. I hope AX 2011 is just as awesome as 2010 was! (I've been excited for it since July 5th orz)

So anything with Hetalia and AX will most definitely be on the to do list of my AX day XD

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty cool story, lol~ When I went to AX 2010, I didn't know what Hetalia was. I remember pointing out a Prussia and asking my friend why he had that weird flag with him. Her response?

"Oh. He's just from that gay country anime, Hetalia."

And I'm glad you would join us! Hopefully, this panel will pull through for me. I just have to make sure I have first dibs on running it, and that the programmers will accept it. They should, though, since there was one last year.

[mizabee.livejournal.com]

haha I remember asking my friend "who is this Prussia and why is he so awesome?" Her response was among the lines of "it can't be explained. You have to watch the series to find out." And of course I did and BAM I knew instantly why he radiates awesome. lol

As confused as I was about the idea of Hetalia and soon realized the madness I missed out on, I had a great time being at the World Summit. And I pray that this will pull through for you so we can gush about the deliciousness that is HETALIA! What like about 7 more months? orz If I can wait two years to meet Vic Mignogna I can wait a few months for this panel. BRING IT.

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Prussia. <3

I love your enthusiasm, whoosh! It makes me uber excited. -squirms-

It's actually like nine months but whatever!

[oichibi-chan.livejournal.com]

Oh! I'm planning on going to AX this year! If you guys can plan on, I can pretty much rest happy. XDD

But yes, , me and a bunch of friend just held a panel at Afest not too long ago and this is my advice to ya:
-Make sure the group is at least semi-organized.
Its fun to just let people do what, but sometimes if you are in a group that don't know each well like mine did, then its best to have a planned event. Ex. Have some character act a mini skit thing to get people entertained and loosen the mood.
-Don't stress too much. Its all about having fun. so its best to not worry about the little things. The only thing you need to concern is that everyone has fun. Sometimes the funniest things can be the unexpected, so if someone has a funny idea, try it out. :3
-Make sure when theres a question that it isn't dadled on to long. If take too long to answer or get distracted, you kinda lose the audience interests so be sure to just keep moving and talking.
-Be sure that everyone is participating. Like if a certian character isn't saying or doing much, be sure to have them at least do or say something once. It keeps from having people feel left out. Be sure that for the audience asking questions that everyone gets a chance also.
-Be sure to not be too biased. Head cannon ideas can be fun, but don't involve it too much into the panel.
-Lastly. even though this may be a lot, don't sweat it and just have fun!

Lol sorry its so much, but hope it helps!

[youshi-semenjyu.livejournal.com]

O halo thar~

Elaborating on the skit note; it's also best to keep it feeling natural. You don't want to have anything feel rigid or forced, because then it's just awkward!

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Wow, these are exactly the sort of tips I was looking for!

I will do my best to follow them, thank you~!

[youshi-semenjyu.livejournal.com]

From my experience being in one, it's really best to ensure that you have people who know and can play their characters well. Play off of each other, improv, and let the audience really guide the panel.

[colonel-alqui.livejournal.com]

Right, I want the cast to be just right, which is why I would be holding auditions for the characters~

Thanks for the advice!