Since the topic du jour is the lack of compensation for brony musicians from most conventions, it’s probably high time to discuss how conventions work when it comes to money. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of avoiding bankruptcy (usually), let’s cover a few basics:
Every con is different.
There’s really no such thing as a typical con. What works in NYC may not work in San Francisco, and neither may work in Dallas. Furthermore, every con has its own vibe: BABS and BronyCon put on some amazing spectacles, whereas NMND and MWBF aim for a more sedate pace. However, we do share a lot of the same expenses. Those little bastards can always be counted on.
Prices vary.
Texas has 99 problems, but space ain’t one. Our venue cost is almost embarrassingly cheap. However, flying in Guests of Honor from Vancouver is a little more expensive for us than for, say, EFNW or BronyCAN.
Most costs are up-front.
Again, every con is different. However, most venues demand full payment in advance. Furthermore, airlines are typically reluctant to accept an IOU. Appearance fees for show staff are (partially) due 30 days ahead of the event. If your venue is providing any catering, even things as simple as coffee and snacks for your Green Room, that’s due in advance, too. If you’re going to end up with money to spare, often it won’t be until you’ve counted up your Friday and Saturday at-the-gate sales.
This is why we beg you to pre-register, by the way.
With all this in mind, let’s talk about where all that sales revenue goes, and why pony cons aren’t exactly stacking knots.
The Guests of Honor
Again, amounts vary, but the majority of show staff will have an appearance fee. Most writers don’t, most IDW Comics folks don’t, most other staffers do. Add to that a per diem, travel to and from the convention, airport parking/cab fees (for their home airport), and a room. Some show staff stay at the venue; others don’t. This adds up faster than you might expect. Appearance fees alone can range from nothing to five figures per guest.
The venue
Five or six figures. You’re paying for all the public meeting space. You’re paying for the aforementioned Guest of Honor rooms. You’re paying for all food and beverages consumed. You’re paying for rooms for at least some of your staff, plus crash space for your volunteers. You’re paying for anything that gets broken (seriously). You might be paying for vendor loading and unloading. You might be paying for AV equipment. You’re paying for public wifi access. You’re paying for extra power draw. And all of it is at those inflated hotel prices.
Marketing and advertising
Flyers, postcards, tablecloths, banners, advertising in other conbooks, printing your own conbooks, t-shirts, signs. Printers got to get paid, yo. We also comp tables for our staff artists, which is lost revenue. But we get to keep our souls.
AV equipment
You would not believe what it costs to rent for a weekend. I could buy a decent used car.
All the little things nobody thinks about
Badge printers, badge blanks, badge ink, lanyards, keychains, buttons, and any other tchotchke you want to give attendees.
So, what does all this have to do with (fairly) compensating brony musicians? I’m glad you asked! The convention is either out of up-front money or fairly close to it by this point. In fact, you’re often counting on at-the-gate sales to pull you out of the red. Now, here’s where I can only speak for NMND: In order for us to have enough to cover the costs of our DJs, we’d have to do one of three things. We could raise our badge prices, charge a premium for the concert, or invite fewer Guests of Honor. One idea that I (Bob) had was thoroughly shot down, but I’ll lay it out for you, anyway. We rent all AV equipment that the musicians request. We charge whatever the musicians agree on at the concert door, giving Tyvek wristbands to concert attendees so they can go in and out whenever they like. At the end of the night, we subtract our AV costs and hand the rest to the musicians. If their show is as popular as many bronies feel it would be, then that cash would cover their travel, room, food, and other expenses with plenty left over for their pockets. Or preferably for our vendors/St. Jude Children’s Hospital, but who’s counting?
If nothing else, this makes for an interesting thought experiment, doesn’t it? If a lot of fans are excited about the concert, the musicians will be well taken care of. If not, it’s a risk-free (for the con, at least) way to find out that compensating musicians would be an unrecoverable expense.
As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and abuse: @nightmarenights on Twitter or nightmarenightsdallas@gmail.com
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