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February 28th, 2011
10:35 am - Redemption
Wow I am tired today after the weekend at Redemption. This is an SF con of medium size, with a balance between media fandom and literary SF, and a lot of varied fan activities.
I do like the feel of the Redemption con atmosphere; it's very participative. There were too many interesting discussions to attend all the ones I wanted to hear, and I took part in quite a few. I think I only sat on one panel where I was completely de trop: this was on biology. The panel was lead by a lady from the BBC natural history unit, who was not only knowledgeable but confidently articulate. She had contributed assertively and constructively, from the audience, at a feminism panel I sat on the day before, and I felt that the best way I could return the favour was to shut up and let her do her stuff.
On another panel - on the impact of developments in technology - I knew very little, but I was able to contribute by asking dumb questions (not hard, as I was the dumb one). I think this helped the flow of the discussion a little.
In other panels - on Misfits, Lovecraft, werewolves, short SF stories and ghost stories, and as I say feminism - I felt I could contribute more constructively. However, in all cases, at Redemption it is about what the audience bring, to the extent that I hope the panel/audience distinction can break down. I was also a Masquerade judge: six or seven sharp costume presentations. I felt that the Cabaret acts which followed were well conceived - working to people's strengths, snappily introduced by  the_magician, not outstaying their welcome - better than at Eastercon where some I felt were more suitable to be shared with a small circle of friends.
And of course it was great to see my friends, many of whom are on livejournal, and are very varied and interesting bunch. Some of you I only see for one weekend every two years - how strange that is. Some I missed - I may have passed you in the corridor, but I tried to spot names and faces that I knew.
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The four book thread ones worked particularly well this time, I think, with an excellent balance between panel & audience contributions. Yes, and helped by the room, even if it was a bit small - it broke down the barriers It is indeed gorgeous -- it's by spellcoats from a cover of the Dalemark Quartet by Diana Wynne Jones. I'm sorry I missed the con, and another opportunity to meet you. We had a family tragedy and it was only on the Saturday that I remembered that I was supposed to be in Coventry. I think this is the third Redemption that I've paid up for and failed to get to! I am sorry to hear it. It would have been nice to meet you, but a very minor consideration when things like that happen. Eastercon takes a different approach to panel interaction from Redemption, which is one of the things I make clear during the How to run a panel item on Friday. Eastercon aims to have an authorative group of panellists who generally talk amongst themselves, opening up for questions at the end. Redemption likes to bring the whole room into the discussion as soon as possible (within the first ten minutes).
There's nothing wrong with either approach, but it's certainly a bit of a shock if you think you're in a room following one model, but are actually in a room following the other. I had no idea who you were until somebody called you 'jekesta' at the feminism panel. Great to see you - what a laugh it was. It was good to see you again, and thank you for helping out with the book panels - I thought they all worked very well.
Glad the cabaret was good - it's a shame I didn't get to see it. Yes, it was a great weekend. I am always nervous in advance; it's like plunging into another world for a weekend, but then it's such fun. It was very good indeed to see you again - and to see H, as well.
I'm not surprised you're tired, though; I know I am, too. I hope you can take it more quietly and recover for a few days... I went to sleep in front of the telly yesterday. But this morning - exciting - happytune and I are running our first workshop. Hope it goes OK. Brilliant. You'll be fab. Look forward to hearing about how it went. Good luck - I hope it goes well! It was great to see you there.
Thank pinkdormouse, it was great to see you too. You seemed to be everywhere. |
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