Something different for PLUS2009 - *** PLUS2009 (our bi-yearly gathering) *** Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
PLUS2009 is in the formative stage right now. Don't know which city will host our gathering, but I do know where ever we end up it will be a lot of fun for all.
For previous PLUS attendees, you know it's a three day event with education classes each day. We also have a large vendor area for two days. The event is capped off on the last night with our gala banquet.
One of my less-than-successful ideas for PLUS2007 was the "Blink-Off" where three light control vendors had an hour to sequence a show to a song. Ended up being a three way tie and I caught a lot of flack about the thing. Lesson learned.
What can we do differently or what new things should we add to PLUS2009?
____________________ Chuck Smith at http://www.PlanetChristmas.com
Don't forget our three PlanetChristmas rules: Positive, family friendly and Christmas centric
Blink off would have worked if it was up on a stage so all could see. I tried to see it an all I could see is the back of heads. Maybe make up a panel of judges next time or something like that. It was a neat idea though. As far as something new.. Christmas bingo night (what were door prizes previously now go to the winners), Go cart night (ok old idea but bring it back), maybe we could have a Christmas display contest somehow. I think just a class on show n tell would be neat.
I wasn't part of Plus 07. Wished I was, But family, work, etc. happened....
I had an Idea. How about making a small house display (miniature). Then have the 3 or 4 different manufacturers 32 channel setups. You could then have the controller setups swappable with a selector switch and a bank of relays. This way you would have the same house (display) for all the different manufacturers. Then create an animation in each software and post it on the web. Then allow everyone to create their own syncronized to music sequence.
With this setup you could have a contest, or everyone could show off their sequencing skills and share their ideas of music and effects. All while using the same canvas...You could also use it year after year.
OR
You could set up times for each manufacturers hookup to be plugged in. 32 plugs, If numbered wouldn't take that long to plug in. this would eliminate the relay box cost.
Just an idea......
edit: Brad's idea of a show and tell would be cool! Stuff seen in person is great. Even pictures on an overhead projector would be good.
How about a swap meet. I don't know if you had one. It seemed like a lot of people had an unofficial one.
Last edited on Saturday February 16th, 2008 02:05 pm by Toymakr000
I have not got to attend a PLUS yet...but 2009 is going to be my year...
I guess after seeing pictures and listening to folks talk about PLUS I have a unique gift...I can look at it with an unbiased eye...I'm not as emotionally tied to the past events as other attendees and SC members are.
Chuck's right that the blink off was not much of a success...but from what I hear it was just poor planning and not set up right...the participants didn't seem to have the time to do what was needed...some didn't have experience with new software and it was just a lot of confusion.
The go cart night seemed to be fun...but it also produced quite a few bruised egos that were not left in Pigeon Forge...I wouldn't suggest doing that again...try something new...
How about that football game that has been in the works for so long...molders vs puffers... or we will even take on the blinkers...bring it...
I think the idea was great and it could be a good addition if put together better and placed on a stage and showcased in a more prominent way.
I think a decorating contest would be nice...everyone loves to deck out their hotel balconies...I even saw cars done up...
It would be cute to have different categories...best balcony display...best room display...best vehicle display...you could even have a group category if a whole floor wanted to get involved an do their hallway..
Another thing I have noticed...people like to showoff all their christmas wear...funny hats...silly shirts...blinking hats....
make it a contest....hold a fashion show...have different categories for that...I can see people now walking the runway in their best over the top christmas outfit!
Toymakr000 wrote: Then create an animation in each software and post it on the web. Then allow everyone to create their own syncronized to music sequence.
With this setup you could have a contest, or everyone could show off their sequencing skills and share their ideas of music and effects. All while using the same canvas...You could also use it year after year.
IMHO a competition between the vendors is not going to be productive no matter how you set it up.
Not sure if I am reading the above right, but here is my take:
I think the idea of a common display is great. What could be done is a group participation activity. Have 3 Workshops scheduled for a 2-3 hour session. One could be AL, D-Lights and LOR. I think those are the dominant controller companies we all leverage (I don't mean to slight the DIY'ers, but that would be hard to organize). In the workshops, those attending can provide input on seqeunce schemes for the display. Have it one song long as before, provide the song and the display "map" to the attendees ahead of time so that they can come prepared with a full sequence, part of a sequence, or some suggestions. That allows the workshop time to review, select, organize and program a collage of ideas to complete the sequence. Posting the final version could then be put on the vendors Support Forum Pages.
There are logistic things to work out, but I don't think none are unsurmountable. It is not positioned as a competition, and at the closing gala, have the final show.
A number of presenters have 3 minutes to tell about a project or their display (somthing interesting). The time limit includes their introduction. Props are manditory incuding pictures, video, cardboard cutouts, etc. Allows for a lot of participation.
One of the professional meetings that I attend does this in a rapid fire manner and its a lot of fun and the most attended session.
Hey Chuck, what about the people that want to be there but just can't. why not a online live or recorded daily program feed. every thing gets recorded and shown. Id pay if i couldn't be there.
How about a hand made decoration competition! Bring your best hand made decoration for judging by Mr Christmas himself. Winner get bragging rights.
It has to be completley designed and built by you. You must submit the designs with the decoration.
All entery designs get put into a Planet Christmas DIY book. That would be cool. kinda like the cook book of 05 only this one has step by step instructions of how to build your hand made decoration. The book could be sold for an amount decided by the steering committee with all proceeds going to plus 2011.
____________________ Scot Meyers http://rockymountainlights.spaces.live.com
"What matters most to me? Helping people to decorate their hearts with peace and love"- Wally Bronner
I like the idea, but how would people who fly in to PLUS get their handmade decoration to PLUS. ALso what about the folks who have made large display items, that could present a problem, unless you are talking about a scale model.
Is cool though.
Marilyn
____________________ Marilyn Caron
The Christmas Lady
How about pictures, easy to take with you, put a limit on how many you can submit, make a display board in the vendor room or the open areas between the class rooms. I know not every one a great photo taker, but they would have plenty of time to get it right.
Hey Chuck if you need city ideas, the City of Allentown Pennsylvania has a great Agri-Plex Complex at the Allentwon Fairgrounds. Alot of security included too. They hold many shows there, almost every weekend, from Home Improvement Shows, train shows, computer shows etc. I would love to see something like that closeby to enjoy and visit since there is nothing like that around here it would probably have a positive turnout.
____________________ Clark they're not twinkling, I know Art and thanks for noticing.
Like Dan said they have to submitt their design plans with pictures and/or Video of the finished decoration.
The design plans and some pictures get put in the Planet Christmas DIY book.
also all entries get either the diy book free or at a reduced rate
(because i feel the you should get something for all your hard work to just give it away)
____________________ Scot Meyers http://rockymountainlights.spaces.live.com
"What matters most to me? Helping people to decorate their hearts with peace and love"- Wally Bronner
I am only 17 and i know for a fact my parents wont let me fly to one of these alone. (and they wouldnt be intrested in it). But i personaly think there should be a thing setup wear someone is hired or even someone volunteered to videotape 90% of the PLUS 2009! Then you could make a small DVD of it and sell it or just make a link to a download file of it on the site for us to see. You could also sell the classes to.
Just a thought because id love to see one of these but i just cant get there unless its in philladelphia or new jersey. but thatl never happen =p
To tape PLUS, would require many more than a volunteer. You are talking 2.5 days, several classes being conducted, in different classrooms, at the same time, a large vendor area, the kid's room, the banquet, etc. One person could not handle this. IMHO, it would require at least four, if not more, dedicated people, who then would not be able to enjoy and participate fully in the PLUS experience.
In addition to the logistics of trying to tape the entire event, you then have to consider the time involved to produce the DVD. I really don't think one small DVD would handle it. There was a DVD of PLUS2005, which only captured snippets of the event.
To hire a crew to film, again IMHO, would be cost prohibitive, and it would or could possibly raise the cost of those attending.
Having attended PLUS2005/2007, I just don't see this as a viable possiblity.
In addition, the instructors of the classes would have to agree to having their classes taped and published. That is also an issue.
Don't get me wrong, it has been suggested for previous PLUS events and due to the logistics, it just hasn't been possible.
These comments are strickly based on my personal knowledge of the two PLUS events I attended and in no way to take be construed as the final word. I'm just trying to explain why it hasn't been done before and why I think it would be a logisitcal nightmare to try to accomplish.
Marilyn
____________________ Marilyn Caron
The Christmas Lady
nanac1 wrote: To tape PLUS, would require many more than a volunteer. You are talking 2.5 days, several classes being conducted, in different classrooms, at the same time, a large vendor area, the kid's room, the banquet, etc. One person could not handle this. IMHO, it would require at least four, if not more, dedicated people, who then would not be able to enjoy and participate fully in the PLUS experience.
In addition to the logistics of trying to tape the entire event, you then have to consider the time involved to produce the DVD. I really don't think one small DVD would handle it. There was a DVD of PLUS2005, which only captured snippets of the event.
To hire a crew to film, again IMHO, would be cost prohibitive, and it would or could possibly raise the cost of those attending.
Having attended PLUS2005/2007, I just don't see this as a viable possibility.
In addition, the instructors of the classes would have to agree to having their classes taped and published. That is also an issue.
Don't get me wrong, it has been suggested for previous PLUS events and due to the logistics, it just hasn't been possible.
These comments are strictly based on my personal knowledge of the two PLUS events I attended and in no way to take be construed as the final word. I'm just trying to explain why it hasn't been done before and why I think it would be a logistical nightmare to try to accomplish.
Marilyn
Having been the guy that produced the DVD of PLUS 2005, I'll weigh in.
Marilyn was correct. To try to film the number of simultaneous classes we had would require the commitment of 4 people (for PLUS 2007, only 2 for PLUS 2005) who would then be giving up attending the classes they wanted to, as Terry Dyke did for all of us when he filmed PLUS 2005.
As each DVD can hold no more than 2 hours of video (or you rapidly lose video quality!) you are talking a number of disks. 4 classes at a time, each one 1.5 hours in length, that's almost 2 disks per time slot! Multiply that by the number of slots each time, times 3 days, and you wind up with a library.
Then there's the poor production guy (me) that has to sort though all of that, etc....
Nice idea, but unfortunately it won't work out.
I did get videos of PLUS 2007, but after discussing the situation with Chuck, the decision was made to not make a DVD for PLUS 2007, as we could not enough of all of the classes to give folks a fair idea of what went on during that mega event!
So I have the honor of being the only person to have video of some really exciting happenings and activities (yes I got the pirates in action, and the race track, and Just Pancoast live, etc).
Great memories...
This is also why video streaming over the Internet wouldn't work. not with all these simultaneous activities going on.
It is much easier to do with a smaller event, but unfortunately it is not practical with an event the size and scope of PLUS...
The long and Short of it is that the only way to experience all that PLUS offers is to attend. If you can't attend PLUS 2009, always remeber there is always the one that will follow!
Greg
Last edited on Wednesday February 27th, 2008 04:14 pm by Greg Young
Jdwagner888 wrote: I am only 17 and i know for a fact my parents wont let me fly to one of these alone. (and they wouldnt be intrested in it).
We had about 7-10 teenagers came to PLUS with their parents/family (or other parental substitute) and attended PLUS classes during the day while their family members did the "tourist thing".
We even had one teenage PLUS instructor who was teaching a class room full of adults!!
The best part was that the teen's families got to meet PLUS folks during the non class time like meal times, evenings and other family fun events like go-cart racing, miniature golf and Pirate Camp for the younger kids.
Most of the teen's family's developed a new respect and appreciation of their teenagers hobby and were much more supportive of the kids attending the local Mini-PLUS events since they had actually met many of the other people who would be attending!
So, never say never! You may be pleasently surprised with what happens if you convince your parents to take you to PLUS (instead of Disneyworld) for your next family vacation!
What about haveing a podcast from PLUS2009. Would only require a laptop and a microphone. The podcast service could be set up in advance via the PlanetChristmas website. And maybe have the instructor slides available prior to the event. That way people not able to attend might be able to catch a few of the sessions and be able to fallow along.
I like the idea of a Plus09 DIY book. Maybe have people submit their plans, instructions, and photos prior to Plus, and than have the book available for sell at the event. Open a voting poll prior to Plus so the top 5 or so inventions/displays could be presented during the banquet. Even have a section on tips and helpfull hits. All displays/designs must be original and not a modification to an existing display/idea.
____________________ Kevin
Colorado Springs, CO
Moderation is the last refuge for the unimaginative http://www.coloradoxmas.com
There Glows the Nighborhood in the Battle of the Bulbs
