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How do?

So GW appear to be doing more seminars at more events - including one on rules writing at Adepticon.

Ok. If you've finished having a giggle at that concept (and not an unfair one), I'd like to share with you my experience of Seminars.

First of all, you get the opening chit-chat and that, before they get down to the nitty-gritty of the subject at hand.

Here, it's vitally important you keep the noise down. There's little more irritating than missing something that sounded interest because the small group behind you was making what I'm sure they felt were 'witty' comments to one another. At that stage, you're there to listen.

But once that bit is done? Its Question and Answer time! Yay! Wooo! This is the besterest bit. But also.....the worsterest bit. Why that duality? Really good questions - ones that are relevant to the subject and those giving the answers can shed light on upcoming stuff. Well poised questions can get really cool or interesting information, occasionally more than they intended to give.

What's wrong with that? Absolutely bugger all, that's what. Open questions rule.

But sadly, there's always those that ruin it. The Q&A has limited time. That means limited questions. But there's always those desperately trying to score cheap points by asking closed, rhetorical, hyperbolic questions - ones that make it clear the questioner has no actual interest in the answer, they were just having a dig.

To be fair, some of those questions may not have been intended in that way - they've just been asked awkwardly, with no malice aforethought. Be that as it may, they're still wasting finite, valuable time.

But that doesn't mean anyone should shy away from difficult or awkward topics for the panel. A seminar with just soft, gushing, praiseful questions is also largely a waste of time. The trick is to ask questions that invite an answer.

So I'd like to give you some food for thought. I'm not looking to put words in your mouth, but I am hoping to give you something to think about, regardless of the question you might hope to ask. This is by no means definitive or authorative, nor is it intended to be - it's just tips and observations based on my experience of seminars.

1. THERE IS NO POINT BRINGING UP PRICES. You're talking to the writers, games designers and sculptors. They have no input into the pricing structure. That means they can't answer that question. And it's all been asked before. So please, literally save your breath.

2. Think constructive criticism. Yes, the points are all over the shop. Yes, GW could and should do better. But think about your wording of the question. Asking 'why cant you get the points right' isn't terribly constructive. And it may get their backs up. Insightful answers require insightful questions. Take your time. Think of how you'd like your question answered first, then think how to illicit that information. So here, a better question might be 'are there plans to offer points changes and updates for 40k, as you're doing with the Age of Sigmar General's Handbook updates?'. It's specific. It addresses that some points are way out. It suggests a way they could do it that's already been welcomed by a portion of the community. It invites a response. You could even add 'and will, like the General's Handbook, that be achieved via community feedback' - that's showing a willingness (however reluctant it might be) to get involved.

3. Listen to the questions as well as the reply. Sadly, theres a fair chance that someone will essentially just rephrase a question already asked. Again, that just wastes time. If the panel was evasive or reticent to answer, chances are they can't or won't talk about it. Disappointing sure, but it is what it is.

4. If you're thinking of a question beforehand, ask yourself 'is it actually interesting?' Of course, the answer to that is up to you! But do consider the phrasing. If in a design studio seminar, a 'dull' question might be 'when are you do Squats?' - but 'if you were to do a Squat model, what would it be?' is a better question - ultimately neither are going to get a 'next November' type answer, but the latter opens the subject up, and requires an insightful response.

And finally? A general Nerd Gathering Tip. Before you go, have a shower, wash your hair, fresh undies and socks, clean clothes. Ain't nobody enjoy being sat next to a Nurgle Worshipper.

Anyone?

No?

Dust.

No?

Anyone?

Dust.

Really good insight there, especially for those thinking of going to warhammer fest. would be nice if this could be stickied somewhere but I'm not sure where, methinks we need a thread for upcoming events/reporting on events.

Good insight, but A) doubt people will read this or B) heed it's advice.

That last point in particular will be ignored, there is always a fusty odour knocking around in every seminar I have been in since the 90s !

Just like in the cinema please avoid noisy snacks where possible

and if you plan to record the event (egitimatly or otherwise) holding up your phone and blocking the site of everybody behind you is both antisocial and liable to get you booted out if recording isn't allowed

 jreilly89 wrote:
Good insight, but A) doubt people will read this or B) heed it's advice.

But at least I've said my piece

And as a professional dispute mediator, I'm surprisingly well versed in a give party refusing to actually listen or take heed of the letter I spent three days writing - the letter that had they bothered to read instead of skipping to the end they'd have found actually covered and defeated their complaint points, citing enclosed evidence....

The important thing is that, in my own, completely non-comprehensive way, I've lit a torch. Follow it or not, that's to the individual. But for those that don't consider,I get an ever growing bag of 'I fething told you so'

Always ask when the sisters will get a new codex and plastic squads. Trust me, they love it

 kronk wrote:
Always ask when the sisters will get a new codex and plastic squads. Trust me, they love it

Just be prepared for someone to leap over their table to wrap their hands around your neck and shake it like you owe them money.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
How do?

So GW appear to be doing more seminars at more events - including one on rules writing at Adepticon.

Ok. If you've finished having a giggle at that concept (and not an unfair one), I'd like to share with you my experience of Seminars.

First of all, you get the opening chit-chat and that, before they get down to the nitty-gritty of the subject at hand.

Here, it's vitally important you keep the noise down. There's little more irritating than missing something that sounded interest because the small group behind you was making what I'm sure they felt were 'witty' comments to one another. At that stage, you're there to listen.

But once that bit is done? Its Question and Answer time! Yay! Wooo! This is the besterest bit. But also.....the worsterest bit. Why that duality? Really good questions - ones that are relevant to the subject and those giving the answers can shed light on upcoming stuff. Well poised questions can get really cool or interesting information, occasionally more than they intended to give.

What's wrong with that? Absolutely bugger all, that's what. Open questions rule.

But sadly, there's always those that ruin it. The Q&A has limited time. That means limited questions. But there's always those desperately trying to score cheap points by asking closed, rhetorical, hyperbolic questions - ones that make it clear the questioner has no actual interest in the answer, they were just having a dig.

To be fair, some of those questions may not have been intended in that way - they've just been asked awkwardly, with no malice aforethought. Be that as it may, they're still wasting finite, valuable time.

But that doesn't mean anyone should shy away from difficult or awkward topics for the panel. A seminar with just soft, gushing, praiseful questions is also largely a waste of time. The trick is to ask questions that invite an answer.

So I'd like to give you some food for thought. I'm not looking to put words in your mouth, but I am hoping to give you something to think about, regardless of the question you might hope to ask. This is by no means definitive or authorative, nor is it intended to be - it's just tips and observations based on my experience of seminars.

1. THERE IS NO POINT BRINGING UP PRICES. You're talking to the writers, games designers and sculptors. They have no input into the pricing structure. That means they can't answer that question. And it's all been asked before. So please, literally save your breath.

2. Think constructive criticism. Yes, the points are all over the shop. Yes, GW could and should do better. But think about your wording of the question. Asking 'why cant you get the points right' isn't terribly constructive. And it may get their backs up. Insightful answers require insightful questions. Take your time. Think of how you'd like your question answered first, then think how to illicit that information. So here, a better question might be 'are there plans to offer points changes and updates for 40k, as you're doing with the Age of Sigmar General's Handbook updates?'. It's specific. It addresses that some points are way out. It suggests a way they could do it that's already been welcomed by a portion of the community. It invites a response. You could even add 'and will, like the General's Handbook, that be achieved via community feedback' - that's showing a willingness (however reluctant it might be) to get involved.

3. Listen to the questions as well as the reply. Sadly, theres a fair chance that someone will essentially just rephrase a question already asked. Again, that just wastes time. If the panel was evasive or reticent to answer, chances are they can't or won't talk about it. Disappointing sure, but it is what it is.

4. If you're thinking of a question beforehand, ask yourself 'is it actually interesting?' Of course, the answer to that is up to you! But do consider the phrasing. If in a design studio seminar, a 'dull' question might be 'when are you do Squats?' - but 'if you were to do a Squat model, what would it be?' is a better question - ultimately neither are going to get a 'next November' type answer, but the latter opens the subject up, and requires an insightful response.

And finally? A general Nerd Gathering Tip. Before you go, have a shower, wash your hair, fresh undies and socks, clean clothes. Ain't nobody enjoy being sat next to a Nurgle Worshipper.

I would add that the seminar is not for you personally. Keep the ridiculous off comments and side conversation with the presenter to an absolute ZERO. Look, Listen, Be quiet.
Ask questions when asked "Are there any questions?", or After the shows over and there is opportunity to talk to the speaker.

Been to my fair share, and there is always one gakking Nub who wants to be the star of the show in the audience.

Spot on in your discussion.

Shorter version.

As in seminars - as in life - don't be an idiot.

Shout down idiot questions.

I will never forget the Q&A we went to at a convention with Walter Koenig and some smug fethnut opened with a question on his son's suicide and how it affected him... plummeted the entire thing into the abyss and visibly upset that really nice bloke.

 Bi'ios wrote:

 kronk wrote:
Always ask when the sisters will get a new codex and plastic squads. Trust me, they love it

Just be prepared for someone to leap over their table to wrap their hands around your neck and shake it like you owe them money.

QTF


But everything said in the OP is good and legitimately helpful.

Well, we're now mere days away from Adepticon, so I decided on a smidge of not-quite Threadomancy.

So, all the above stuff, and don't forget to walk sexy in the queue.



Good huniting, and remember to take lots and lots of piccies!

Since we are even closer to Adepticon, I thought I would throw in my own personal observation. Back when GW held a two-day Games Day in Baltimore, they would hold multiple seminars there, actually discussing upcoming products and events (gasp!).

I found it incredibly useful to wear a fez.

This is because I think I was able to get in three questions, thanks to that fez. When a flurry of hands flew up, usually someone would shrug and say, "Uh--the guy with the fez?"

It helped that I was basically following the advice Mad Doc covers above. I paid attention, I asked short questions, I was already pretty well informed so I didn't ask something that I could have easily learned somewhere else a week ago, etc.

But doing something minor and inoffensive to stand out from 200 other gamers in black T-shirts helped me get my questions selected.

If you've got a good quip, funny comment or joke to do with what the presenter is saying, keep it to yourself. I've seen far to many presenters thrown off their train of thought by some singular wit failing to use their inside voice.

If you feel compelled to check facebook, surf the internet or look up some tangential factoid, do so before or after the presentation, not during. Using your phone for anything during the presentation is just damn rude.

There's always a moron with a mouth bigger than his brain that has something "smart" to say. Don't be that guy.

However, DO use your phone to take pictures (if allowed) for people that can't make it! Spread the word, the news, the pictures of minis!

And in true GW sneak peak form, make sure your hands are shaking so that the pictures are fuzzy. Drink a 2L of Mountain Dew or something.