Woo, ok. Another in my series of STGCC posts before it hits December!
Haven’t been to STGCC before? Fret not, here’s a recap of what happened last year in my summary post! Yeah, I got to go the conferences last year since I managed to go for “my work”. It was semi related anyway. If you’re too busy to read the post, the video pretty much recaps last year!
Yes, lots of people. Art. Cosplayers. Games. Etc. Much fun! Ok but there are rules to have fun at the convention. If you want a fun time, read my pointers of do-s and don’ts!
To have fun, this post is gonna be SRS BISNEZZZ about knowing what to do especially for those who are flying in to Singapore for it! Although STGCC isn’t as big as NYCC or SDCC, it’s always good to know the locale and culture about it here, eh? This post is assuming you have bought tickets etc so it’s more of how do you get there and do what?
The location
The Singapore Toys Games Comic Convention is happening at Suntec convention hall 401-402. That’s the fourth floor of Suntec. FYI, people will mostly come via the MRT from City Hall especially cosplayers. If you are ever lost, just follow them because more than not, they will definitely head towards Suntec.
Guys like these, well you can tell with the amount of things they’re carrying. If you don’t see any cosplayers, just find people carrying dolls, wear geeky t-shirts, bags of comics and merch to be autographed etc. If not, it’s pretty easy to get from City Hall MRT station. Just go via City Link, that’s the tunnels and there are signs to get there.
Some pointers for STGCC (a repeat of my 2009 flashback post):
- Check the timings for the freebies and rules of getting them. They gave out in ’09 so check if there is this for ’10.
- Join the competitions and contests, it’s fun so stop trying to be shy.
- Look at the official STGCC website and also join the online competitions, especially on their facebook.
- Carry few items. You don’t want to lug unneeded things around at a place like this. However, bring a large cloth bag that you can stuff away to carry whatever you’re buying.
- Don’t be an idiot and block photographers.
- Don’t be stupid either and block entrances and stuff.
- Have a look-see at the guests coming to the event via the website, this way you can bring your comics/books to get them autographed too.
- Toilets gonna be packed. Don’t drink too much stuff. There’s one secret toilet that people ignore even if it’s public though…
- Don’t make a nuisance of yourself.
- Bring CASH. Keep it safe with you because some booths might not have NETS available since they might be from out of Singapore.
- If you’re buying goods at the artist alley etc, don’t be douchey and give them “big” money. Try to give exact change or as close as you can. They’re not the freaking bank so be nice to the sellers ok? STGCC might be the first time they’re selling their own artwork so if you’re having a fun time, let them have a fun time too.
The food and refreshments issue
Usually people will buy drinks and food anywhere but Suntec itself because it’s freaking expensive. Thus, people will usually head on down towards the food court on the first floor to eat or you travel to the main shopping area and walk a long distance towards McD’s, fast food restaurants and such.
To make it easy, just eat first before going to the location. Seriously, it will take a lot of time for you to find a seat or two for you and your friends. It’s best to just buy and eat somewhere else since the places will be packed. Suntec holds a lot of exhibitions and events while also being a shopping area. If you’re really that hungry and want a nice place to eat, you should go to the more expensive restaurants or go FURTHER into the other towers which is at least fifteen minutes walk away.
Toilets
They will be also packed with cosplayers changing out and looking over the mirrors adjusting their make up and wigs. If you’re a “norm”, just don’t get freaked out with this. You can still go use the toilets since they’re more often just using the mirrors and the main “floor” of the toilets to check on themselves. The closer you are to the main exhibition halls, the more packed it’ll be just so you know.
Buying stuff
Bring CASH. Of course there will be NETS machines for some, especially retailers that have shops selling toys and goods in their main shops in Singapore but mostly for those who come in from different countries or the independent ones won’t have them.
This is le sad because the independent artists and companies who come here have VERY fun and tempting stuff to buy. If you’re going for just ONE day, make sure you go look over the stores and calculate how much you need and get more money during your lunch break etc before going in once more.
FYI, if you didn’t bring enough cash, the only ATMs that are close by would either be back at the train stations or 10 minutes walk away from the convention halls, near the escalator towards the other towers of Suntec OR if you cross to the mall opposite, Marina Square for it.
ATMS ARE NOT NEAR THE CONVENTION HALL.
At least not POSB if so but I don’t remember other banks’ ATM being close by either.
Oh yes, if you’re sticking around until the evening of the last day, a LOT of items and artwork usually go on discount price then so if you think the item you want will not be sold out yet, you can wait for then to just see if it’ll be cheaper.
Autographs for merchandise
Do not bring your whole collection of comics, toys and what have you for the guests coming to the convention. If you do that, you will get a lot of frowns from everyone in the same queue as you. Bring at most one or two items with you from the artist/writer/designer that you like and want autographed.
A tip would be one that means most to you so that it would be memorable since you’re not selling the items off on ebay… ARE YOU? ~insert a look here~
To help out with the autographs, get a post it pad or some piece of paper, write your name neatly on it and place it on top of the item to be autographed so that said autographer will spell your name right! This will help out a lot. Also, if you want to talk to them, keep it quick and simple because there are tons of people lining up behind you.
Security tips
This is more for cosplayers really but for general patrons, don’t leave any of your stuff behind (duh). For cosplayers, please look out for “newbish” looking ones who seem new to the whole convention thing and are just starting out their hobby. If you see any pervy photographers or harrassing people, stop them and alert the security or volunteer staff of STGCC. They should know how to handle them.
You don’t have to be a cosplayer to be harrassed by pervy photogs or people so just keep a general look out if you see anyone in distress.
On cosplayer ettiquette
Photographers, ask the cosplayers for permission and they will either say yes or no to you. If they say no to you, don’t be an idiot and take a pic anyway because they might be tired or they’re not in their full outfit yet and are preparing themselves to show their best. Also, it would be good if you give them your card with your url to where you’re posting their pictures because they might not have the ability to get their own shots due to lack of space of carrying a camera. Please do if possible, show the picture you took to the cosplayer before leaving and thank them. They might say they can do a better pose for you if so since they will want to get the best shots.
A good tip is to bring a small notebook and pencil/pen for the cosplayers to write in their email addresses so that they can get the shots from you or if you want to get explicit written permission later on to use shots as portfolio or to contact the people once more for anything.
Cosplayers, don’t block areas where there’s large amounts of human traffic when posing for photos. Those who aren’t newbies know these rules but I’m just stating them here anyway. Thank the photographers for taking your picture since it’s a two way street. Be nice to other cosplayers even if you’re wearing the same character and if you think the other person “isn’t doing a good job”. After all, this is for FUN. Besides photographers carrying cards with their urls, bring yours too so you can give out to others who are interested in your work. Professional cosplayers like to do this since we’d get to meet other cosplayers or people from the same fandom etc.
However, for both photographers and cosplayers, be sure not to put TOO much info besides your url or email just in case the person you give your info to is a creep.
For others, you don’t randomly touch photographer’s equipment or artists’ tools so you shouldn’t touch or handle a cosplayer’s props or costume unless they let you. It is utterly rude if you do so without permission and what if it breaks, HMM? Are you going to fix it for them or buy a new one if it’s an collector’s edition of something? You can however ask nicely if you wish to touch it or if you want a photo with said cosplayers.
The Last Day
On Sunday, most people will come in “late” because of Friday and Saturday. Saturday will especially be one of the most crowded days since the people from abroad Singapore will be only there then from the previous day. Sunday is the day where you’d have less international guests. It will also be less crowded in the morning because everyone’s tired from either rushing their costume, attending panels and shopping till late on Saturday.
However, this is a good day to finish things up from what you missed in the two previous days. It’s more “relaxed” but heh by then you should at least have met more people. I’m saving all my shopping for Sunday after scouting out on Friday and Saturday.
AND THAT IS IT FOR SURVIVAL TIPS. If you’ve got questions or anything to add, just comment below! There are more that I must have missed out but in general, these are it.
THese are great tips. Its easy to get overwhelmed at a huuge place like Suntec City or the MArina Bay Expo. Go with a few friends and make sure the mobile phone battery is fully charged.