Musicalcon - ExCel

Some performers will do a roaring trade (CHF, Elphabas, people from Six) in merch and photos which I can't begrudge either.I do think there is a bit of a carny "hustle" tradition about these convention events, however. The smaller performers often handle the cash themselves in their bumbags, and there's something a little uncomfortable/disingenuous about the act of physically paying someone for a minute or so of their time/a signed photo from their stand. It's a little bit of a soliciting situation for my liking...

An actor I worked with previously told me about the "con circuit" and how certain fans will go to every single one, always pay for a photo and autograph, and it was his responsibility for those five or so minutes to be their "friend". He would make notes on certain superfans with key info, e.g. "cat named Fluffy" for example, then when they pay to meet him again he can check his notes and say "how's Fluffy!!?" which would make that customer's day. Basically, creating a false parasocial relationship in order to secure repeat business. Very carny.

I was also astonished how much relatively obscure names can make in one day, thousands of pounds for shaking hands and taking photographs.

That said, if people choose to do it and enjoy doing it, what's the harm?

I will finally also add, people at these events *can* be truly intolerable. You know the screaming fans at, say, a cast change or first night at Wicked? How they will do anything to get attention from "their cast", usually hurting the enjoyment of those around them?

Now imagine that non-stop, for a whole weekend, in costumes. It isn't for everyone, but some will love it, mostly 12-16 year olds.

Security is always on hand at the big events, and there is always at least one fight/notable incident at every one I've had dealings with. Arguments over cosplay, their favourite actor/actress, who gives the best gift to the actor, how long the actor talks with one person instead of another etc etc etc. The ExCel seems worst for this for some reason.

Despite all that, I'm glad it's happening and hope everyone who goes has a great time.[/quote]

Musical con - relying on unpaid volunteers?

I was shocked today to see on the musical con instagrams story a link to a “volunteering” opportunity.

I may be naive but when I think of volunteering I think about giving my time to a charity not a commercial enterprise. After all, if they didn’t have “volunteers” they would surely be hiring more people.

In a cost of living crisis with people struggling (including young theatre fans/graduates) would it not be more in the “community spirit” to pay people for their work? They will say it will give the volunteers “experience” so would working at the event and being paid.

The page states they can only take on volunteers who can cover all dates/times listed:

Friday 21st October 4-7pm (3 hours) and two NINE and a half hour shifts on both the Saturday and the Sunday 8.30am - 6pm. So a total of 22 hours of unpaid work per “volunteer” - even at the minimum wage that’s roughly £210

I’d also like to comment that the volunteering page made no reference to reimbursement for costs.

While I do completely agree people should be paid for their work, it is worth noting that using volunteers for conventions is pretty standard, I believe. It's a way in to comic con (or wherever) that gives you potential behind the scenes access and also 'free' (in exchange for your volunteering time) entry to the event, so I think it's usually pretty popular.

Literally this - conventions being staffed by volunteers isn't new. Whilst I do think the whole thing is wildly expensive, I don't think we can call it a 'con'

“our volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a successful and safe event”

I’m sorry your volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a safe event? The volunteers who can be 18+ and will be briefed about the event the night before? 🤔

I was an unpaid volunteer at the local stadium during the Football World Cup in Germany 2006 - all we got was free food at a special canteen set up for us and undrinkable American piss masquerading as beer, but I didn't regret a single minute of the experience - greeting and helping all the fans coming from all over the world, being able to sneak in and watch the games from the back and my personal highlight was my 80's tennis crush Stefan Edberg asking me for directions ahead of the Sweden game. I almost fell apart!

I'd do it again in a heartbeat!



PS: I do remember now that we also got a full clothes kit from adidas we could keep, but I had happily done it without that. 

Gold passes for LFCC (one of the London comic cons) cost around £260. They still don't pay their volunteers. Whatever your opinion on it (and I'm not saying I agree with it, or that it's right), it is just standard for these type of events.

What you’ve just described is the exact issue. The people who volunteer will be people who can’t afford to purchase tickets. It’s not an opportunity if they don’t get any perks or to enjoy the event. 22 hours is a lot of time to ask people to volunteer and it covers the entirety of the event. The MT fans would also get to “experience” it if they were paid to work at the convention. People are paying to attend the event, it shouldn’t be propped up by unpaid labour. As someone else said if the event requires volunteers to be feasible it’s not a good business model.

As a 31 year old the idea of volunteering for that amount of time in something like MusicalCon sounds problematic and hellish. But I do know that if MusicalCon was round when I was 18 and at drama school then I would have, in all likelihood, volunteered.

I do see the advantages of volunteering. When I lived in a young twink in Chorley, the local theatre would get some pretty huge comedians so I would volunteer to work the bar just to get in and see them. Mind you, that was only 4 hours a night and not 10 hours.

Also, will these volunteers be DBS checked?  I'd hope so, because otherwise, there could be some seriously dodgy characters attracted to volunteering at an event that's going to be packed with youngsters.  

Short answer - no. It's not actually an event marketed at kids and they certainly won't want unaccompanied children attending. I'm sure there's a minimum age limit. No one is going to pay for DBS checks in this instance.

Oh please what?