Star Trek Convention Cancelled DURING Event

[Newspaper Taxi]

Did you guys notice that the article in the first post has been updated? In case you missed it, here's the additional information:

UPDATE: FedCon spokesman explains what happened
Chuck Ballard, Tim Brazeals’s son and on-site organizer and spokesperson talked to TrekMovie.com about the demise of FedCon USA.
Interview was conducted by DVD Geek’s Mary Czerwinski (aka ‘TeleVixon’), reporting from FedCon for TrekMovie.com.

TrekMovie.com: Where was the breakdown?
Chuck Ballard: I don’t think we were too ambitious. The biggest matter was disorganization. Tim is very smart, but we were spread thin, and some areas didn’t get covered.

TrekMovie: When was the decision made and was it your decision to close the convention?
Chuck Ballard: Yes, this was my decision…Last night, I was going to call it, but the hotel wanted to work with me to keep it open. We ran some numbers last night, and [the hotel’s] administrative staff were trying to make it work. This morning it fell apart. If I try to keep carrying this on, it’s going to hurt more people - not so much the fans, but the talent. John (Billingsley) has really stepped up to bat.

TrekMovie: Does Tim [Brazeal] know you cancelled it?
Ballard: At this point, he knows. Tim knows he’s the fall guy and a lot of people are going to hate him, and I feel for him. I’ll try to help him as much as I can.

TrekMovie: There are rumors that a lot actors didn’t get their plane tickets in advance and that is why they are not here?
Ballard: A lot of the actors had to cancel. I think [the talent coordinators] just waited to book the flight until they have confirmation. You never know. A week or a month before they may have to pull out.

TrekMovie: Have they been compensated for their time - are they getting their rate or a reduced rate?
Ballard: Everyone as much as possible. Not everyone has gotten paid.

TrekMovie: Can you resurrect this con–what about the future?
Ballard: As for other conventions, Tim’s done.

Edit: Maybe this has already been noticed, but I felt it had not, since this Tim guy was getting blamed when the article claims otherwise.

 

[SeerSGB]

Sounds like some people can't get their stories straight:

I am back home from the hospital and after talking to my wife and son and seeing how it is all going there. I have asked my son to shut the show down.

Timmy's First statement on the shutdown. So it looks like they can not only not run a convention, they can't even get the story straight on who takes the fall

 

[1001001]

I don't mind Creation. At least I know they're not gonna fold up on the first day.

Exactly.

I know a lot of people have issues with how they run their events, but they're 100 times more professional and organized than this band of brain donors.

Aaron Douglas flat out called the guy a liar on his own website, so no, I don't feel sorry for the organizer. I'm not gloating over his failure, but I am blaming him squarely for not knowing what the hell he's doing, and empathizing with the fans who paid him good money to deliver what he promised.

I don't need any explanation about "real life", nor do I need to be "more civilized". These people were ripped off! He sold a product he couldn't deliver. Again, all on him.

 

[Luke Lightsaber]

Right. Why do people diss Creation? They run great cons. Have great guests. And charge decent prices for autographs and photos. Can't really complain.

 

[SeerSGB]

I went to a con' back in the late 80s where it all went to hell- not as bad as this joke of a con, but one of those if it could go wrong it seemed like it did-- from the event "organizer" taking off with the money, to the on site ogranizer not getting her shit together and getting things rolling, and that con' wasn't canceled. The actors (Marc Lenard, and I forget the other one) got together with some people, called Pizza Hut put in a hell of a order, wrangled everyone out to the poolside, and we just had more of less a pizza party and just chilled out by the pool, chit chatted, and just hung out.

There are ways of keeping a con going-- if the people want to keep it going.

 

[FalTorPan]

Maybe if fans raise $3,000,000, Fed Con USA will produce a full fifth season of Battlestar Galactica. Or BringBackAdama.

 

[Luke Lightsaber]

Probably the worst/best con I was at was Star Wars Celebration III. I saw a lot of cool things and did fun stuff at that con, but just the sheer amount of people that were there really kind of destroyed my experience with it. I spent more time talking to Joe Wars Fan in line which was a waste. I could have done that at home for free.

 

[SeerSGB]

Maybe if fans raise $3,000,000, Fed Con USA will produce a full fifth season of Battlestar Galactica. Or BringBackAdama.

Nah, see what clearly happened is Les Moonves (you know the cause of bad ratings, bad writing, Hurricanes, and kicker of puppies) sent out his anti-scifi hit squad to infiltrate the convention and the staff over a year ago and take it down from the inside

 

[pookha]

Sounds like some people can't get their stories straight:

I am back home from the hospital and after talking to my wife and son and seeing how it is all going there. I have asked my son to shut the show down.

Timmy's First statement on the shutdown. So it looks like they can not only not run a convention, they can't even get the story straight on who takes the fall

yeah i noticed this.
and now there is the contradiction that it was the hotel demanding something like 30,000 last week that caused things to landslide.

there are things they could have done to at least carried through to the next day.

 

[SeerSGB]

Sounds like some people can't get their stories straight:

I am back home from the hospital and after talking to my wife and son and seeing how it is all going there. I have asked my son to shut the show down.

Timmy's First statement on the shutdown. So it looks like they can not only not run a convention, they can't even get the story straight on who takes the fall

yeah i noticed this.
and now there is the contradiction that it was the hotel demanding something like 30,000 last week that caused things to landslide.

there are things they could have done to at least carried through to the next day.

I seriously doubt the truth will ever be known-- at least to any completely accurate extent. The people involved are in full CYA mode and trying to pass the buck. But no matter what one thing is clear: No one appeared to have a flipping clue as to what they were doing. From the accouts I've been reading of people that were there, it's clear that this was an unprofessional cluster fuck of the first order.

 

[MattJC]

I checked out screen shots at TrekCore and it appears Brazeal is on one of the bonus features on the Enterprise season 4 DVD. He was taped giving an interview during the rally outside of Paramount studios. Enterprise fans are stuck with that frauds face should we decide to watch that feature again.

 

[Keith1701]

That's just terrible. Completely unprofessional.

Reminds me of the Booster Events Serenity debacle.

Say what you want about Creation, at least they show up and finish what they start.

My condolences to those who spent their hard earned cash and valuable time on this mess.

I agree..... to Creation

 

[JoeZhang]

sounds a complete clusterfuck:

My name is Mike Cope and I host a News-Talk radio show on KXYL FM in Brownwood, Texas-- about 200 miles away from Dallas. I came to Fedcon USA as a member of the media (and as an enormous science fiction fan). It was my first, and probably last, sci-fi convention. I started contacting the Fedcon media liaison several months ago and was delighted to do everything I could to promote this event. I was promised a slate of guests to interview-- first by Chris McKeown, then by Steven Burkholder. None of those interviews ever materialized. My station gave away 10 pairs of tickets to eager fans wanting to attend. I promoted the event on my personal blog and talked it up on my program. Needless to say the station was highly embarrassed to have to track down those winners, many of whom had already checked into the hotel, and tell them to go home.

I knew things were in trouble when I got to the site and they had no press kit, no media credentials-- they couldn't even produce a lanyard in which to display the day pass I was given with "Press" hastily scrawled across it. I tracked down Steven Burkholder on Friday and again was promised one-on-one face time with the guests. Again on Saturday I left voice mail, and hunted Steven Physically until I cornered him and he again promised interviews. (I think I saw Robert O'Reilly in the elevator," he told me.) I spent a good part of Saturday morning sequestered in the deserted press room waiting for Steven to deliver somebody--anybody to interview. Whenever I made a foray into the convention looking for Steven I was told by staff, "I'm not in charge of that," or "That's not my job," Or "I'll see what I can find out," upon which they disappeared never to be seen again.

I personally observed volunteers mis-charging for tickets because there was confusion over prices. "I'm just doing what I'm told," was the standard response. By Saturday, the events were thrown wide open to anybody who wandered downstairs, no doubt to the chagrin of Gold level ticket holders who shelled out big cash for special access. Nobody seemed to know what was going on, nor did anyone appear willing to take responsibility for a convention that was falling apart even before it got off the ground. The guests were all class, put on brave faces, and did what they could not to disappoint the fans. The guests shouldn't have had to shoulder that burden. Too bad that this fiasco has left such a bad taste in people's mouths. I doubt that Dallas will see another Sci Fi convention anytime soon. I heard there was a Hell of a party on Friday night, though. Too bad I missed it.

http://fedconusa.com/community/index.php?showtopic=374&st=0&start=0

 

[JoeZhang]

Also seems that people were flat-out lied to:

We were informed that not only had FedConUSA licensed the name but that there was substantial financial participation and other commitment from FedCon Germany. None of us were informed when this financial participation was withdrawn months ago. If we had been aware of this most of us probably would have withdrawn from the convention.

http://fedconusa.com/community/index.php?showtopic=374&st=20

 

[HRHTheKING]

FedCon Germany were absolutely crazy to let Brazeal use their name. I'm sure many would have bought tickets thinking that FedCon Germany were actively involved in organising the event properly. Had they known that it was Brazeal's "team" (IE: his sycophants) in charge, they may have reconsidered parting with their money.

Why FedCon Germany allowed Brazeal to use their name is beyond me. He had achieved absolutely NOTHING in Star Trek fandom to place any trust in his abilities.

He led the deluded up the creek without a frickin paddle with the idiotic "we can fund ENT" campaign, all the while neglecting to publically announce (other than a brief reference buried in a web-chat thread, which wasn't even noticed) that Paramount had already made it clear that no money would be accepted.

Then the laughable Al Vinci saga. Then "Sci-Fi Studios" where people can pay (ker-ching!!!) for the honour of being called "Executive Producers" for new science fiction franchises and productions that do not exist.

Nothing from that should have convinced FedCon Germany that Brazeal was capable of organising a convention. But if you are familiar with TU's forums you will be well aware that delusions of grandeur are nothing new.

And now the debacle in Dallas. For those who honestly did not know about Brazeal's history of failure and thought this would be a FedCon Germany organised convention (which is understandable given the name of the Dallas event), I hope they get their money back. For the actors and guests who got burned, hopefully they will have nothing to do with Brazeal ever again.

For those who spent their money knowing what Brazeal was all about, and for FedCon Germany who either A- knew about Brazeal and his record of no achievements or B- didn't bother to do their research properly and still allowed him to use their brandname, you all got what you deserved!

 

[SeerSGB]

I checked out screen shots at TrekCore and it appears Brazeal is on one of the bonus features on the Enterprise season 4 DVD. He was taped giving an interview during the rally outside of Paramount studios. Enterprise fans are stuck with that frauds face should we decide to watch that feature again.

More than that, you're stuck with him as your public face for the Save Enterprise campaign. Save Enterprise, Enterprise fandom, et. al. will forever be linked to Trek United and Tim Brazeal.

And here's a thinker for you: What if cause of the projects/programs he endorsed when he was leading the Save Enterprise campaigns, Paramount dug in their heels and refused to deal with a group that-- to any objective observer, and business thinking mind-- looked like their were out to try to get a slice of the 'Star Trek' pie for themselves. No one gives a studio money with no strings attached, it was clear that Timmy boy had stars in his eyes (his his sci-fi studios or whatever it was called).

 

[MattJC]

No need to try to throw it my face, pal.
I do not regret taking part in the effort to save Enterprise.
I do not anyones permission to spend my own money.
The only thing I regret is TrekUnited being run by a scumbag.

 

[SeerSGB]

It was a serious comment, not "throwing it in your face." If I was throwing in your face I'd been LMAO and saying "Told ya' so." But it is a serious thought to ponder: How badly did SE get screwed over cause of the way Tim handles things.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

sounds a complete clusterfuck:

My name is Mike Cope and I host a News-Talk radio show on KXYL FM in Brownwood, Texas-- about 200 miles away from Dallas. I came to Fedcon USA as a member of the media (and as an enormous science fiction fan). It was my first, and probably last, sci-fi convention. I started contacting the Fedcon media liaison several months ago and was delighted to do everything I could to promote this event. I was promised a slate of guests to interview-- first by Chris McKeown, then by Steven Burkholder. None of those interviews ever materialized. My station gave away 10 pairs of tickets to eager fans wanting to attend. I promoted the event on my personal blog and talked it up on my program. Needless to say the station was highly embarrassed to have to track down those winners, many of whom had already checked into the hotel, and tell them to go home.

I knew things were in trouble when I got to the site and they had no press kit, no media credentials-- they couldn't even produce a lanyard in which to display the day pass I was given with "Press" hastily scrawled across it. I tracked down Steven Burkholder on Friday and again was promised one-on-one face time with the guests. Again on Saturday I left voice mail, and hunted Steven Physically until I cornered him and he again promised interviews. (I think I saw Robert O'Reilly in the elevator," he told me.) I spent a good part of Saturday morning sequestered in the deserted press room waiting for Steven to deliver somebody--anybody to interview. Whenever I made a foray into the convention looking for Steven I was told by staff, "I'm not in charge of that," or "That's not my job," Or "I'll see what I can find out," upon which they disappeared never to be seen again.

I personally observed volunteers mis-charging for tickets because there was confusion over prices. "I'm just doing what I'm told," was the standard response. By Saturday, the events were thrown wide open to anybody who wandered downstairs, no doubt to the chagrin of Gold level ticket holders who shelled out big cash for special access. Nobody seemed to know what was going on, nor did anyone appear willing to take responsibility for a convention that was falling apart even before it got off the ground. The guests were all class, put on brave faces, and did what they could not to disappoint the fans. The guests shouldn't have had to shoulder that burden. Too bad that this fiasco has left such a bad taste in people's mouths. I doubt that Dallas will see another Sci Fi convention anytime soon. I heard there was a Hell of a party on Friday night, though. Too bad I missed it.

http://fedconusa.com/community/index.php?showtopic=374&st=0&start=0

Wow...that sounds REALLY grim.

How horrible for the fans...and for the guests.

 

[SeerSGB]

What makes this all the worse is that it looks like something that could been avoided or fixed before it got this far. Smaller venue (ie less expensive) for the con, not going for some many headliners for a first time con, open lines of communication-- real seems to have been a real big issue, no one was talking to anyone else or at least was passing the buck all along.