Anime Central Panelist Policy

^{This page was updated 9/15/2011}

All panelists are required to be aware of and agree to abide by the terms of this policy. If there is anything you do not understand please contact us and we will clarify it for you. PanelProgramming@ACen.org or call us at (630)442-0008. If no one answers please leave a message and we will get back to you.

Please see the bottom of this page for how to apply for ACen requested panels.

Deadlines

UPDATE Panel submissions will remain open until we are full past October 31st. But those who submitted within the deadline and are approved will be in December’s schedule release. So keep those applications coming! We’re almost at the amount of panels we had last year but we want more!

Panel submission opens October 1st
Panel submission closes October 31st
Requests for changes in your panels schedule must be made by March 1st
Requests for changing panelists in your panel must be made by March 1st

Panel Requests

Panel requests must undergo formal submission, review, and approval before the panel is included in the Anime Central convention programming.

1. All panelists are required to make an account with Anime Central before submitting a panel request. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT if a discounted or complimentary panelist badge is desired, you will not be refunded. Payment is due only after a panel request is approved/denied (See section on Discounted/Complimentary Panelist Badges below).

2. Panelists MUST specify any requested equipment at the time of the panel request submission. Panelists are required to provide additional needed equipment. You will be notified what we can provide from your request.
Anime Central does not provide :

• Any sort of computer/laptop/tablet etc
• Any sort of cable needed to plug YOUR equipment into the technology we provide (projector, sound equipment, etc) If you need to know what type of cable is needed please email us at PanelProgramming@ACen.org
• Internet is not provided by Anime Central and cannot be purchased for any board room specifically. You will need to purchase it through the wireless connection with the Hotel the panel is being held in.

3. To conduct a Japanese Language or educational panel verbal and/or written proficiency in the language or topic must be demonstrated. Panelists for such a panel may be asked to interview to show proficiency.

4. All decisions regarding acceptance or denial of panel requests are made at the sole discretion of Panel Programming management. A panel may be denied with the exception that it can re-apply if certain changes are made.

5. Panelist requests work on a first come first serve basis. Those who apply first have a greater chance of getting a panel slot. If we have space left by the deadline we will remain open until full. After the deadline applications will be put on a wait list.

6. Any single panelist may not participate in more than 5 panels total. This is to avoid scheduling conflicts that have been an issue in the past.

7. Panel members may only be changed before March 1st. After this deadline panels will be locked to what panelists are registered for it. Changes must be submitted by either the panel leader, or the panel member with the panel leaders email included in the request.
8. A panel cannot charge their attendance money. Panelists may not sell anything during their panel including merchandise or supplies.

Complimentary and Discounted Panelist Badges

A panelist badge is issued as a form of compensation for the service of conducting one or more panels for Anime Central. A panelist badge provides admission equivalent to the purchase of a Full Weekend Badge. It does not provide any back-stage or privileged access to the convention beyond the ability to conduct their specific panel during it’s allotted time period.

This year’s discount is 50% off the current tier price for up to 3 Full Weekend badges for those involved in the panel is given for one panel performed. An additional panel will grant a full complimentary badge to those who already have 50% applied to their badge. Each panelist is tracked separately. If someone in one panel then performs in a second panel without their original group they will still get the full complimentary badge.
One panel = 50% discount off a Full Weekend badge at the current tier price when payment is made.
Two panels = Complimentary Full Weekend badge
There is no discount for additional panels but we do encourage panelists to host more than 2 panels.

1. In the event that a badge purchase was made before the approval of a panel request and application of their discount, NO REFUND will be provided. NO EXCEPTION will be granted under normal circumstances.
2. In the event that a panel request is denied, the registration pricing tier that was in effect at the time the COMPLETED panel request was received will be applied.
3. Attendee badges are non transferable and non refundable. But the status of a Panelist badge can be transferred to another attendee if that panelist is leaving their panel and a new attendee is taking their place. Example – A member of a panel quits, they will lose their panelist badge status and the person replacing them gets that status instead.
4. If you lose your badge there is a $20 replacement fee. A badge can only be replaced once, if it is lost a 2nd time the replacement comes at full at con pricing.
5. A maximum of three (3) panelist badges may be granted per panel group that the discount applies to. You may have more than 3 panel members but they will not benefit from the discount and will need to pay full price for their badges.
6. All listed panelists for a specific panel must take part in performing the panel. Anyone not performing in the panel they are registered for will have their applied panel badge discount revoked.

Panel Length and Scheduling

All panels are a minimum of 1 hour long. Time will increase in intervals of 15 minutes. (1 hour, 1:15, 1:30, 1:45, 2 hours, etc) Panelists should consider the time it takes to break down their panel (10-15 minutes) when requesting their time slot.

1. Panelists MUST begin wrap-up a minimum of 10 minutes before the scheduled ending time. This is so they will end on time. Staff will enforce this.
2. All panel rooms are seated on a first come first serve basis. They will be cleared of attendees after each panel has ended. Staff will enforce this.
3. Panels that begin late due to late arrival and/or problems setting up equipment that was not provided by Anime Central will still be required to end as scheduled.
4. Panels that begin more than 10 minutes late due to the late arrival of the panelists will be canceled.
5. Anime Central Panel Programming staff must be informed in the event of an emergency or other occurrence that will prevent the panelists from conducting their scheduled panel(s). You can contact their publicized phone number in this case.
6. Anime Central retains the right to reschedule a panel to a different time or room. The Panel Leader will be notified if any changes are made to their panel.
7. Panelists may request a change to the scheduled time for their panel before March 1st. It may not be possible for Anime Central staff to grant all time change requests. Time slots and room location are given out on a first come first serve basis.
8. Panelists may inform us of when they are absolutely not available due to involvement in other ACen events such as fashion show, masquerade, etc. We will consider this when placing their panel into the schedule. We must be informed of this in their submission form.

Panel Leader Responsibilities

Each panel group must select one panel leader. The panel leader will act as the point of contact for a panel group and has the responsibility of coordinating with Anime Central staff about the details of their group’s panel(s). They can contact us at Panelsubmissions@ACen.org

Panelist Conduct

Panelists are expected to behave in a professional manner when coordinating with Anime Central staff and while conducting panels at the convention.

1. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. It is Anime Central staff’s right to determine what is considered inappropriate.
2. Panelists may not consume alcohol just before or while conducting a panel.
3. Panelists may not offer food and/or drink to attendees while conducting a panel.
4. Behavior deemed inappropriate for panels where legal minors (defined as those under 18 years of age) may attend could result in the termination of a panel in progress and/or the cancellation of a panel group’s scheduled panel(s).
5. 18+ panels – Government issued ID will be checked at the door. We do not accept any other form of ID. No panelist participating in this panel may be below the age of 18.
6. Panelists may not present materials that violate copyright or other intellectual property rights within the United States. Reasonable Fair Use exceptions may apply.
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/
FanSubbing – fan-subtitled content is a violation of copyright laws in most countries including the US. Unless permission is granted by the party holding the copyright to the material.

Penalty for Policy Violations

Violation of the terms of this policy may result in:

1. Termination of a panel in progress and/or cancellation of a panel group’s scheduled panel(s)
2. Their badges which have the panelist badge discount applied to will be revoked.
3. Probation for the next convention year that a group requests to conduct a panel.
4. Panelists violating the terms of this policy while on probation will be subject to being banned from conducting a panel for a minimum of two convention years. During this time, banned panelists may not submit panel requests to Anime Central or act as panelists during the convention.

Extreme violation of the terms of this policy will result in immediate banning from conducting panels at Anime Central for a period of no less than two years and may result in a permanent ban. It is up to Anime Central staff to decide the severity of the violation.

Handicap Policy

1. Handicapped attendees are given priority entry and/or seating, and are allowed to bring up to three companions. Panelists must be aware that people using wheelchairs or scooters will be requested to park in front of the first row. Anime Central staff may, at their discretion, either A) allow them to enter during setup time (Preferred), or B) allow the handicapped party to enter first once the room is ready and hold the line back until they are seated.

Artists who are also Panelists

1. Your Artist Alley badge takes priority over your panelist badge. You will not have 2 badges, you will only have an Artist badge but your panelist discount does still apply.

Information for Panelists!

Tips and guidelines for making your panel application are posted on our Panel Programming Forum. Click Here

Join our Panel Programming email mailing list!
Get updates on policies, changes, and everything we think you’ll need to know when hosting a panel at Anime Central. Apply to join at the following link! Click Here

ACen Requested Panels

Panelists who apply for these specific panels and are approved to do them will receive a full 100% discount off their badge instead of the normal 50% off for one panel since these panels are requested by ACen. The limit of 3 badges discounted per panel still applies to these panels. Anime Central Panel Programming staff will work with you throughout the year to ensure these panels go in the direction ACen would like them to but it will mainly be left up to the panelists to design these panels around our general concept. The following list are panels we would like hosted at ACen and have noticed have never been hosted or they stopped years ago. More panels may be added to this list throughout the year, even after main panel applications have closed if we see a panel we would like hosted that isn’t being hosted. All other panel policies still apply to those panelists who are chosen to do our requested panels. Panelists who are chosen to do these panels are not considered ACen staff, they are still part of the general panelist attendance. Those applying for these panels still need to follow the normal application process.

If you have any questions please email us at PanelProgramming@ACen.org or call us at (630)442-0008 between 12pm-8pm Central time. If no one answers please leave a message and we will get back to you.

We are looking forward to your applications!!!

Workshops

Kawaii/Kokoii crafts – This will be an ages 14 and under workshop. Girls and Boys crafts, Cute/Cool. Those applying for this will need to submit pictures and step by step summaries of how to make their crafts to show they themselves are aware. List what supplies are needed, we may be able to supply some or all such as scissors, glue, paper etc.

Poi – How To – With ACen hosting 2 dances this is actually fairly popular at the convention. We would like an experienced performer to host a workshop where they will teach beginner to intermediate “tricks” and safety. How not to hit others and yourself! Please submit how long you have been doing poi, if you have a video that would be best. We will not allow fire poi, but glow poi, sock poi, etc. is allowed. We will consider making poi sets to supply this workshop with.

Japanese Nail Art – This is a very stand out style of nail art. Please submit pictures of nails you have done. List what supplies will be needed, we may be able to supply some of them.

Belly Dancing (it’s in japan too!) – Please list your experience in Belly Dancing. If possible show any cultural flairs Japan has added to their belly dancing such as changes in costume etc. This is a teaching workshop. If you have video of yourself belly dancing that would be best to submit as well.

Yoga – Please list your experience with Yoga. A brief cultural history should be presented to it’s attendance. This is a teaching workshop.

Lolita Finishing Touches – These are the nails, makeup, hair accessories, etc. Those finishing touches that add that something extra to your outfit. Please list supplies needed, we may be able to supply some of them. Submit pictures of your work with your application.

Panels

Japanese festivals – Cultural history, why certain things or events are done the way they are, customs, etc. What is celebrated and how is it done compared to American celebrations? Please submit an outline of what you will cover concerning this topic. Discussion and audience interaction is strongly encouraged.

Dating/Mixer 18+ – Either speed dating, a mixer, a social event to get those boys and girls together! This panel will be strictly 18+. Please outline what sort of activity you will host to get folks talking. And outline how you will manage it’s attendance.

Voice Acting – How to, how to get into the industry, how to do it for fun as an amateur on youtube, etc. We would prefer someone with experience at least as an amateur to host this. Please submit an outline of your lesson plan.

Translations – Namely the stages and changes manga and anime have to go through to convey jokes and other differences to Western audiences. Please submit an outline including anime and manga you will be using as examples. Discussion on this topic with your audience is encouraged.

Dubs in Japan – How Western shows get changed when they go over to Japan or other countries. Please submit an outline including the shows you will be using as examples. Discussion on this topic with your audience is encouraged.

Japanese Fashion Styles – There isn’t just Lolita in Japan. What other styles stand out above the average casual dresser? How is it different? What is it’s key point that makes it that style? Please submit a summary of what different styles you will be covering. Discussion is encouraged with your audience.

Japanese legend/mythology and culture and how it gets worked in to anime/manga stories – Please submit an outline of which legends/myths that are focused on in the animes or manga you will be using as examples. Discussion is strongly encouraged with your audience.