UK STEAMPUNK WEEKEND - THE ASYLUM, SEPTEMBER

[Rosel]

re NME article:
TMTWNBBFN are leading the scene? Recession?

1. it's not a music led scene ( I suppose they could be leading the music part of the 'scene' although I thought Abney Park or Vernian Process did that )

2. the kick start came in spring '07 as far as I can see, and the recession only really kicked in autumn '08.

or am I just being picky cause they are talking about 'my' subculture?

[SteamBlast Mary]

Anyone else having to resist the urge to rub their hands together going "Mwa ha ha, and I was one of the first!"* and preparing to practice the benevolent-condescending look of the Old Master to the "scene kids" when they start flooding in?








*I know. Be quiet.

[bizarre_chicken]

Anyone else having to resist the urge to rub their hands together going "Mwa ha ha, and I was one of the first!"* and preparing to practice the benevolent-condescending look of the Old Master to the "scene kids" when they start flooding in?

Hell, yes.

[Herr Döktor]

Anyone else having to resist the urge to rub their hands together going "Mwa ha ha, and I was one of the first!"* and preparing to practice the benevolent-condescending look of the Old Master to the "scene kids" when they start flooding in?








*I know. Be quiet.

PAH! Some of us were hankering for the Neo-Victorian lifestyle thirty years ago!

*grumble, grumble, bloody kids, why does it always have to be about the bloody 'muzic' anyway, I don't know, in my day all we had were synths and syn drums, none of this fancy blah blah blah*

[bizarre_chicken]

PAH! Some of us were hankering for the Neo-Victorian lifestyle thirty years ago!

*grumble, grumble, bloody kids, why does it always have to be about the bloody 'muzic' anyway, I don't know, in my day all we had were synths and syn drums, none of this fancy blah blah blah*

Hey, I still use synths and syn drums!

[Titus Wells]

Anyone else having to resist the urge to rub their hands together going "Mwa ha ha, and I was one of the first!"* and preparing to practice the benevolent-condescending look of the Old Master to the "scene kids" when they start flooding in?

I'm a bit dubious about 'Scene kids' showing up... that ruined the image of the goth culture for me at school and I was into my early twenties before I found 'true' goths. Commercial Steampunk? Urgh....

[clockwork creation]

well its inevitable that its going to happen as our culture becomes more well known 

[Herr Döktor]

"COMMERCIAL STEAMPUNK"? Contradiction in terms, shurely...

Igor, pass me my Thunderbuss, it's time to go huntin'...

 

PS: Slightly worrying is the fact that the spell checker recognised 'Thunderbuss' as a valid word...

[Llrael]

PS: Slightly worrying is the fact that the spell checker recognised 'Thunderbuss' as a valid word...

Your reputation clearly precedes you, Dök!

Given that I've only just arrived at the scene, I feel kinda guilty that I might be one in a huge wave of scenies. Although I'm in agreement that "commercial steampunk" seems to be mutually exclusive.
Still, this could be my chance to get my photo in the tabloids!

[Herr Döktor]

I'll be happy if my my picture gets in the 'Beano'...

[TimeTinker]

Whilst it is flattering that the NME seems to think that the Asylum is one of "The Places" to be seen this summer I don't envisage it actually having a big impact.  The people who have booked so far are a mixture of steampunks, science fiction fans who are interested in steampunk and goths looking to make the shift over to steampunk.  I haven't seen any element of scene wannabies - in fact the younger people who have approached me about attending have all been quite hard on themselves about potentially being wannabies.

I don't want to encourage any form of elitism or patronising attitudes, we are meant to be an open and welcoming community.  However since we have not actually advertised the weekend as such - promotion has been virtually wholly by word of mouth - we should have the "right crowd" attending.

Rest assured that there are no press passes available for NME journos! (I have considered encouraging the Chap and Bizarre to attend? Thoughts?)

[Titus Wells]

Chap should definitely be invited. Actually a bit of media coverage would be quite nice.... says the vanity in me!

[Herr Döktor]

To be brutal, Bizarre ain't what it once was, they 'pick up' the latest edgy thing only to jettison it with sneering derision as soon as it's passé, whereas the CHAP seems to find a remarkable sort of common ground with it's readers and absorbs things that are within the realm of their interests; so invite the CHAP by all means!

[OswaldBastable]

To be brutal, Bizarre ain't what it once was, they 'pick up' the latest edgy thing only to jettison it with sneering derision as soon as it's passé, whereas the CHAP seems to find a remarkable sort of common ground with it's readers and absorbs things that are within the realm of their interests; so invite the CHAP by all means!

well said sir

[Dr cornelius quack]

PAH! Some of us were hankering for the Neo-Victorian lifestyle thirty years ago!

*grumble, grumble, bloody kids, why does it always have to be about the bloody 'muzic' anyway, I don't know, in my day all we had were synths and syn drums, none of this fancy blah blah blah*

See? He's all upset now.

Someone should have broken the news to him in a way that he's more comfortable with.


"De de deeee de de deee.... deee deee de de. and a surprising new entry this week at number five for Steampunk. Alright pop pickers? NOT ARF!!"

[TimeTinker]

I appreciate the comments.  It is some time since I have seen a copy of Bizarre but they were recommended to me.  Your opinions are welcome.  I will contact the Chap.

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Press access is always a problem, there was an Octocon (irish national SF Convention) about 10 years ago which covered it like it was a Star Trek Convention, they had 10 times their normal membership, and most of those dissappointed as it had nothing to do with Star Trek.

The point is that those who have joined to date know what they are letting themselves in for, we all come from related areas of life experience. If someone wants to join because SP is the next big thing in music fine, but they should be aware that their horizons may be seriously expanded with literature, technology, art, science, history, gastronomy, gaming and fashion. Perhaps a warning on the website is required for those who want to maintain their narrow world view.

I would suggest that The Chap is acceptable, they too seek to look at the whole Chap experience, and not just facial hair and bespoke tailoring. The also treated their Steampunk edition with proper respect and appear to be huge Doctor Who fans to boot, ones who know their classic Who. They are definitely fellow travellers.

[AndiiV]

Tinker: I think by denying the NME access - at least in official press capacity - you might just whet their appetites for steampunk even more. That or they'll just go away and make something up which is potentially a lot worse... It might just open their eyes to the fact that steampunk is much much more than any music associated with it.

[TimeTinker]

I didn't say I was denying them access just that I am not inclined to issue any "Press Passes" at all to the event.  If they want to attend as paying members that is fine.  I will be as friendly and welcoming to them as to anyone else.  Let's be honest what is "official press capacity"?  The overblown self importance that the press think they have as guardians of free speech and integrity? (If it wasn't so transparently untrue it would be funny).

The key point is that whilst this event might be interesting to the public it is not "in the public interest".  By not issuing press passes we have recourse in law should they publish a photo which is less than flattering for example and they haven't bothered to get a release signed by the people in the photo.  They are likely to print what they want anyway but it does give us a little bit of protection should we ever need it.

Of course bands, authors etc want publicity and we will work with the press to try and facilitate this.  Any writer or reporter that wants access to the event should be asked to email me at majortinker@aol.com and we will try to accomodate them as best we can whilst not surrendering our own integrity.

[AndiiV]

Totally agree. Let the buggers pay. I'm sure their expense accounts can more than accommodate it.

[Sir A Poiselamppe]

I seem to recall that the Chap - excellent organ that it is - was in recent need of funds due to adverse financial Trading conditions...and has been saved by the generous contributions of its readers....

Curiously this places it on a par with the Left wing organ The Morning Star... which occasions me merriment from time to time.. who solicit funds for their day to day survival...

As such I feel my support for The Chap should become more proactive than it has been hitherto...

Support The Chap... you know it makes sense.... (must sent £20 to the Morning Star, to be fair to them...)

BTB Bizarre magazine has certainly gone downhill from when I first started reading it...

[Vampyre Master]

I didn't say I was denying them access just that I am not inclined to issue any "Press Passes" at all to the event.  If they want to attend as paying members that is fine.  I will be as friendly and welcoming to them as to anyone else.  Let's be honest what is "official press capacity"?  The overblown self importance that the press think they have as guardians of free speech and integrity? (If it wasn't so transparently untrue it would be funny).

The key point is that whilst this event might be interesting to the public it is not "in the public interest".  By not issuing press passes we have recourse in law should they publish a photo which is less than flattering for example and they haven't bothered to get a release signed by the people in the photo.  They are likely to print what they want anyway but it does give us a little bit of protection should we ever need it.

Of course bands, authors etc want publicity and we will work with the press to try and facilitate this.  Any writer or reporter that wants access to the event should be asked to email me at majortinker@aol.com and we will try to accomodate them as best we can whilst not surrendering our own integrity.

Greetings all
NME! Bizarre! no way i hope!! the Chap may be welcome but I for one will "not be amused" If I thought people were getting in for nothing
Oh! and yes this is not a music led subculture, its about neo Victorianism, steam, modding what you find, not buying new commercial props!!

regards
Colin

[TimeTinker]

As I have said earlier in the thread and to press enquiries already received and handled.

There are NO PRESS PASSES available for The Asylum.  If reporters wish to pay to attend that is their own prerogative. They will be welcomed just as I will welcome everyone attending, no more, no less.

If a reporter wishes to speak to me about this ruling they are perfectly welcome to email me.  The ruling is made and will be stuck to out of fairness.  I may be able to help a reporter by pointing them in the direction of bands or authors etc.  Ideally this will be done in advance of the event.

Commercial photography of the event is not permitted without the written consent of the people who appear in the photographs.  In other words press and agency  photographers need to get model releases signed by anyone who appears in their pictures.  Private photographs taken as snapshots by people attending and not sold/distributed for gain are unaffected by this.  This means that people attending can share their pics on facebook, flickr etc as is normally done but cannot sell them or have them published in magazines, newspapers etc without the consent of the people in them.

I am willing to take advice on this from people attending.  This is the current situation and I will need a strong case to move on it.  The photography aspects are legal and fit NUJ and PCC guidelines.  Press photographers know this.

I will leave this post here for a couple of days for input then will add this information to the main website.

Your ever humble and open to guidance servant.

Tinker

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

It is not common practice to issue free press passes at SF Conventions unless there is a quid pro quo on promoting this and future events, and the organizations involved are responsible, of which there are all too few.

In the SP world outside of the likes of Steampunk Magazine only really The Chap qualifies. I would be hard pressed to think of any other similar periodical.  SFX might put us in 28 days later, but we could be full by then and it would have little point, no good advertising something already full.

What might work would be to have a newsletter at Con, but one which could be disseminated after the event. These are staffed solely by members at the Con who take photo's(with permission) seek out stories about the doings of fandom at Con (with permission) for the edification of the Members. They bring their own cameras, laptops, printers etc. There is a place EZines where you can download fanzines (as they are called, a contraction of fanatic and magazine), and there is even an award for SF fanzines and their writers and artists, the Nova Awards, at Novacon in November which SP Fanzines should be eligible. Paper copies are distributed at other Conventions and events.

Of course no journalist can ever be a described as a gentleman, so a massive sacrifice would have to be made.

[Herr Döktor]

Of course, we've got plenty of talented wordsmiths right here that could write articles and submit them to said magazines...