Atlanta Ball Jointed Doll Convention 2013

I see in her post there was a misunderstanding... I'm glad to hear this. This would be such an unfathomable thing. But still to be cautious, it should be clear that recast aren't allowed. No sitting on the fence sort of thing... no don't ask, don't tell kinda policy... no turning a blind eye.

Cristy received a response: "RECEIVED AN ANSWER!!! They said they were indeed asked the question and the person who answered took it the wrong way and extended an invitation to the recasters. They were clear that the ABJDC did not support recast. Thank goodness. I feel so much better. What a horrible thing to get mixed up."

(another post) "... The person I spoke with was very nice and once again assured me she was against recast. ANSWER: My stance on the dolls is that it's a pc of art someone birthed into existence and I would hate for my art to be stolen so I won't buy one.
I legally for the convention won't allow them to be bought or sold at the convention.

As far as girls having them I can't stop them from doing what they will do. We can't police it either as we often don't know a recast from a real one, we discussed it the other day as to our approach.

So basically if they have one they will have one and I am going to police drama ie no elitism, no bashing anyone etc.

That is what she was trying to get across"

 

I'm really looking forward to the con. There are never enough doll related events at anime cons.

 

I'm very glad that it is against the official policy of the convention for recasts to be sold/traded. However, this statement really needs some clarification:

Teacupdreams, was that you being quoted? Trying to dispel any lack of clarity or rumor-mill issues, because this needs to be spelled out explicitly.

If someone has a known ILLEGAL RECAST, it is not "elitism" or "bashing" to say so publicly or to call them out for it. Nor is it "drama" -- it's pointing out a violation of both the law of the land, and the spirit of the BJD hobby in general, which *should* be to support artists and crack down on the people who steal from them.

A clarification of the convention policy to say that *recasts will not be tolerated, period*, would be welcome -- yes, some people may try to sneak them in, because some people are unethical -- but it's important to take a strong stand against recasters and the people who support their theft from BJD artists.

 

I agree with what Ashbet has said above and I think that if the organisers of doll conventions etc expect the artists to support them they should in turn support the artists by taking a stand against recast.

 

I know that you can't "police" people or check the CoA of every doll there (hell, I don't have CoAs for quite a few of my dolls, because I bought them secondhand or I bought them many years before pro recasts were a problem.) I understand that you can't, logistically, prevent someone from bringing a recast if they are sneaky about it.

I would strongly suggest, however, instead of talking about "bashing" or "drama," that you update the convention page (btw, I'm still on there as a guest, as well as on the Indiegogo -- have you had any luck getting that taken down?) and simply state something like this:

This convention does not permit recasts to be sold, traded, displayed, or brought on the premises. The Atlanta BJD con does not condone theft from doll artists, and our stance is that we are officially "recast-unfriendly."

I realize that you can't *police* it, but that's the best way to cover yourself legally, as well as being seen to take a strong stance against an issue that is a blight on the doll community as a whole.

I'm sorry this whole thing came up, I know it has to be a nightmare to deal with, but the best way to dispel any confusion/rumors/etc. is to put up an unambiguous statement like the one I suggested. If it's part of the con's TOS, it also gives you an opportunity to ask someone to leave if you catch them trying to sell/trade a recast, without having to give them a refund for their ticket price.

I'm all for avoiding any drama or bashing or brand-elitism in general, but for the issue of recasts, it's not "drama" to say that they are illegal and therefore unwelcome.

Good luck, and I hope that you can get the page edited so that this issue doesn't cause any ongoing confusion!

Best wishes,

-- A

 

As an artist attending and selling at the con, a strong statement such as Ashbet has stated sure would ease my mind and that of some of the other vendors.

 

I understand how daunting a task it is to support and protect the doll artists and legit companies. But it HAS to be done. A strong and clearly worded statement that recasts, bootlegs and counterfeits are not allowed at the convention in any manner is the only way to do that.

You can't check every single doll, but you can be vigilant about who is allowed to have a booth in the vender space and who is allowed to give panels, host events and to enter contests. Making it clear that only legit dolls are welcome will help put attendees, participating artists and sponsors at east. You are not excluding recast owners and promoting drama and elitism with those actions...you are PROTECTING the artists and their legal rights.

 

FYI -- Renee/Teacupdreams is working a con this weekend and can't be online to deal with this right now . . . she says that she'll post later when she gets home.

(Just adding this so that the thread doesn't blow up in her absence -- she's not going to be able to be on here to respond until she's done with work.)

 

Excellent statement, Renee -- that's what people needed to hear.

Hopefully, if anyone is concerned about whether or not the con welcomes recast dolls, they will see your update and clarification. I'm glad that you spelled it out unambiguously, because now it's dealt with, and you have written grounds to eject people if they show up with known recasts.

I know it had to be awful to have this blow up today while you were trying to work (which is why I let people know that you'd reply when you got home), but I'm really glad that it's resolved in a positive manner. It's really important for *all* BJD cons and events to take a strong anti-recast stance, because they're causing so much damage to artists, small companies, the secondary market, and legitimate collectors.

Thanks for spelling it out clearly so that there is no chance of anyone mistaking your meaning!

Cheers,

-- A

 

Thanks, teacupdreams. I'm glad you added that information to the convention's FB page so that it's clear now. I'm sorry this blew up on a day you were so busy.

This is an excellent point, Kyrenea. I want to add to this and make an important distinction about some specific phrases.

"Bashing," "elitism," and "drama" are words that *recasters themselves use* to falsely frame the anti-recasting community in a negative light in hopes that we'll feel bad enough to abandon our stance against recasting. They use that language as a silencing tactic, an attempt to stop the conversation so that we'll shut up and they can keep stealing art unimpeded. We need to not buy into that tactic.

Refusing to support recasting, criticizing art theft, speaking about the demonstrated negative effects of recasting (using facts!), and even potentially tossing a recaster out of an event: these are not the same things as "bashing" or "creating drama." "Bashing" connotes unfounded, mean-spirited, underhanded criticism made for the sole purpose of narcissistic gain -- clearly nowhere even close to the anti-recast position. Additionally, taking a position that is backed by facts and a multitude of copyright and trademark laws is not the same thing as "being elitist." Obeying the law is not elitist -- but recasters thinking they're *above the law* seems pretty dang elitist to me.

So we need to stop using recasters' silencing language in our own discussions and in the spaces and events we create for ourselves. Taking a firm position against recasting is nothing to be ashamed of. We do not need to apologize for being anti-recast. And we should pay ZERO mind to anyone who accuses us of bashing, drama, or elitism. Those people can take their art-thieving interests elsewhere.

 

*wild applause*

That was the part that I was taking issue with earlier -- I've seen that language used BY RECASTERS/RECAST-BUYERS to try to shut down people who are appalled at their illegal activities.

Thankfully, it is now CRYSTAL clear that the con is recast-UNfriendly, which is as it should be. It's a damn shame that it even HAS to be spelled out, but I'm glad that it IS spelled out now, so that no one can claim that they "misunderstood" the rules.

-- A

 

I am very very very sorry that I have caused such an uproar. My message was posted without any approval from the creators of the ATL BJD Con. They did not have anything to do with what I posted and I am not in any position of power at this con to make decisions for it. I misinterpreted an answer to a question that I was asking for a few individuals I converse with in a private facebook group and I only posted my message in that private group. I did not mean for it to cause any harm. I was only trying to raise the awareness of the con so that there would be a larger turnout. I am extremely excited about attending this BJD and doll specific event as anime and comic conventions do not ever focus on these and wanted as many doll lovers there as I could help gather. I am again extremely sorry for promoting the wrong way.

I have since then, removed my post and apologized to those people of interest, telling them that I was very wrong and the con will not be recast-tolerant but extremely anti-recast.

 

I am unfortunately not going to be able to come to this now (thank YOU Congress ~hate~) - I think I'd offered to bring my SD size pool table I hope this goes fabulously & everyone posts beautiful pics!

 

^ Awesome, thank you for posting the panel schedule!

 

Hey hi! Is anyone traveling from the Orlando area? Totally need a ride up. Willing to chip in gas money! I can give you my cell number in a PM.

 

I'm really sad that I won't be able to go this year. I was gonna go but then I had made a promise before this was brought to my attention, but now even if I didn't have the promise I wouldn't be able to go for poor financial planning on my part XD. I hope everyone has a fantastic time and I hope there will be lots and lots of photos

 

Sooo excited!!

 

So ... who's going? I just signed up over the weekend. Really looking forward to the face-up classes. And I'm wondering about the dollie meet and swap, since I've never been to anything like that. What does it involve? Should I bring doll items I don't want or need anymore? Will there be dolls to trade?

Looking forward to meeting some DOA folks!

 

I'm definitely going on Saturday. Can't wait to show everyone my anthros!

 

SteampunkAlice and I are coming on Saturday Ive never been to a doll-only con before, not sure what to expect.
How many dolls do people usually bring? Will there be places to settle and talk?

 

I will be there! I'm thinking I'm going to stick with bringing minis - maybe 3? I'll probably carry one and leave the others in the room, except maybe at mix and mingle meetup time. I really need to start packing!

 

Anyone going from Northern Virginia? I'd like to go but no ride or people to room with hotel wise. I can wait for the Dollism USA con in NY but it's going to be the same situation for me ride and hotel wise.

Have fun everyone! Take pictures!

 

Well, looks like I won't be going this year, but hopefully I'll be able to join the fun next year ^^; Have fun, ladies and gents!

 

A friend and i went yesterday(saturday). We had a really great time. It was really great to meet folks. I really loved the panels that were held. And the vendor room was really great. Ako, my Obitsu SD was so glad to finally get out and about. She was 10 years in the making. She was super shy, but glad for all the lovely compliments on her white fluffiness. Thank you so much!!! And we all look forward to next year.

 

It was totally fun! My Dear Mine Angela got so much attention, it was awesome!

 

I'm sad I was not able to attend this year, please post pictures. I'm starting the plans for next year NOW!

 

Even though I was only there on Sunday I had a lot of fun. I look forward to next year! I took a bunch of various pictures of dolls.
http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/elfqueenvik/library/ATL BJD Con 2013?page=1
I Really Enjoyed the faceup workshop the most and I plan on getting a body to complete the doll.

 

I wasn't able to go to the convention but I hope to attend next year. I've seen some photos around the web and it looks like everyone had a great time.

 

I wish I could have made it! I had been hoping to attend.