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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:08 pm 
Duke Bronson
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Country: Canada
I strongly recommend that you shut down the table at 17:00 all three days.
Triumph wrote:
Is there a plan if we don't have 100% staffing for the table?

We finally admit that nobody likes to be glued to a shitty location in the middle of nowhere that has minimal traffic and zero return for us as far as recruitment is concerned, and we stop asking for a fucking fan table. I've been saying this for years.


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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:47 pm 
Duke Bronson
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Country: Canada
We used to have a prime spot, we had more Marines, we had a better display of kit, but they pulled the plug on us anyway by hiding us first in the Hyatt, and then finally burying us in the Hilton. Unless we have Crüxshadows level budget, we’ll never get out of the Hilton basement, and we’ll have to be content with the periodic mildly curious Millennial that passes by, and wonders what we are, or a a nostalgic Gen X-er who promises to come to the forum, but doesn’t. What you perceive as me being negative is not negativity from me, but is me being completely and brutally honest. You don’t want to face the truth. But here it is: this fandom is dying. We have 16 people for the parade, 9 volunteers for the table, 13 people for the dinner, and struggling to find people to man the table which I keep telling you guys is a waste of time.

Shut the Hilton table down; it’s a waste of energy. Stop pretending.


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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:31 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
I have to agree to what Paul has said. I have heard so many time “well your not a marine” and that pisses me off. How is one costume over another by just what it is. And I’m not talking about skill of the costume. We are a group and should act like one, but that not how it is right now. I mean the aliens, nostromo crew, etc don’t get anything but knowing that they’re helping the group when they participate in anything. But a marine that has a service uniform gets ribbons and medals? Not fair.

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:39 pm 
'Nuff said.
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Location: Effingham, Illinois
Service Number: A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
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Emmaripley wrote:
I have to agree to what Paul has said. I have heard so many time “well your not a marine” and that pisses me off. How is one costume over another by just what it is. And I’m not talking about skill of the costume. We are a group and should act like one, but that not how it is right now. I mean the aliens, nostromo crew, etc don’t get anything but knowing that they’re helping the group when they participate in anything. But a marine that has a service uniform gets ribbons and medals? Not fair.


And what do tell would you suggest to make it fair?

Thanks!

Greg

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Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
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SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 3:45 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
Well first be welcoming for people who aren’t just marines. Maybe have a civilian or other than marine award, make us feel worthy. I mean any person in an alien costume kills them self for it. I don’t think I could handle being in that kind of costume personally.

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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:30 pm 
Duke Bronson
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Country: Canada
You’re upset about make-believe ribbons on a costume? lulz Anyway guys, if you can breathe life into this corpse, I wish you all the best. I really do. Once you get a pulse I’ll resume my tour of duty at the fan table and support it 100%. But in its current state, I see our table as forgettable as the Manticore Navy that are seated next to us. Personally I think the glory days are over.


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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:31 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
Did you last year say that if you don’t do table duty you shouldn’t be in the parade?

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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:35 pm 
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Country: United States
(De-Cloak)
(Takes of Bug Head) <--make a note of that.

All,

It's a FANDOM. It's about having FUN. Between playing soldier and making a mockery of what used to be a good time
ya'll have run this thing into the ground.

It needs new life.. between the new Predator movie.. that other forum that is killin' it... there's plenty to go around. This ain't a military
thing.. it never has been, and never will be.

Go play dress up. Have fun. Remember what it's like to be a kid. If you can't do that.. .take your flags and go home.

(Puts GIANT FAKE BUG HEAD BACK ON)
(goes back incognito)


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:36 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
And you totally missed the point Dom. I was talking about making people welcome and needed. We don’t need those damn ribbons just a little something to people that work hard and want to help the group. But this is all for fun or should be, the last few years has felt like work because of some people.

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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:42 pm 
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Location: Kentucky
Country: United States
Just an idea, not even a suggestion but instead perhaps a jumping-off point for further deliberation/consideration:

For non-USCM costumers (who also do some superb work and are also a great part of this group from this newbie's perspective), wasn't there a line in "Aliens" where Ripley says she has a "Class Two rating"? In fact, didn't Clemons in Alien 3 say something about his "Class 3C" rating too? Maybe ratings would be some way of rewarding our civilian group-members?

Also, there's probably more ideas for civilian rewards/ranks to be found in the screen-displays seen in the Gateway conference room during Ripley's ICC/CA hearing with Van Leuwen. Maybe something in that text seen for each member of the Nostromos' crew could serve as rewards/levels/ranks?

Lastly, for our Xenomorph members, perhaps something like the caste-names could be used for promotion, etc? Chestburster, Drone, Warrior, Queen, etc?

These may all be horrible ideas, but just something to get the proverbial ball rolling on some ideas. I hope this helps. :)

EDIT: Re-post - I posted this a minute ago and it never showed up. Apologies in advance if this winds up being a double-post.


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:49 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
I like those ideas. We just need to sit down and make some new things for the group. And my thinking is for people all over not just for DragonCon!

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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:36 pm 
Duke Bronson
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Country: Canada
Emmaripley wrote:
Did you last year say that if you don’t do table duty you shouldn’t be in the parade?

Maybe I have. Table duty is a show of commitment, and anyone who has walked in the parade and hasn't sat at the table for at least one hour is taking advantage of the benefits of this group. But I've done more table duty at Dragon Con than most people in this group. In 2006 I spent my entire con at the table, save for the parade, a photo shoot with Cynthia Scott, and the Colony Sweep. When I've finally realized that very few people were willing to put in half as much energy, I stopped caring. I spend as much money as everyone else, but I look around, and everyone else is doing their own thing and enjoying their free time. Meanwhile, we've been given the absolute worst fucking place for our table. It's really not worth it Emma. If we had a better location, I'd be happy to have zest for it. But I'm done. Dragon Con has killed it for me. I'd rather hang out in the hall. At least we'll have better exposure in the halls for our costumes. In the bottom of the Hilton, nobody sees, nobody cares. If we had a group of ten of us hanging out for an hour in the back near the pool area at the Marriott, with our banner, we'd have 10 times more impact than sitting at the god damned table at the Hilton. I don't understand why you guys are obsessed with that table.


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 Post subject: Re:
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:32 pm 
Pint of AB negative please
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Location: HOUNSLOW, west london
Service Number: A09/TQ2.0.12136E1
Country: United Kingdom
Mantroon wrote:
I have to disagree Dom.

Yes, the table is not in a good place, I’ll agree to that.

As for the fandom dying? Participation levels are drastically down this year, but I certainly don’t think that’s down to people losing interest in Aliens. Look at the popularity of things like Alien Isolation, look at the Weyland Yutani bulletin group on Facebook, they are a HUGE group.

Do you want to know why our group is suffering?

In a nutshell: it’s become an insular group of fans with a military fetish. Need proof? The Color Guard, which was NEVER featured in the movie, it’s all based on one costume from one scene. It’s not a celebration of the movies this fandom is based on, it’s a chance for people to play soldier and strut like peacocks.

I can list a lot of incidents where people, both members and non-members are shunned and given the cold shoulder “because they are not a marine”.

We complain about the 501st being draconian with their clearance. Lord, some on here are much much worse and actually have driven away potential members (and that’s been proven).

This group has become all about the marines and nothing else. The 501st is not just a bunch of Stormtroopers, it’s a Star Wars group and encompasses all the costumes from the franchise.

Want to attract more members? Easy, put the Aliens back in the Aliens Legacy.



THIS^

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A09/TQ2.0.12136E1


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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:11 pm 

Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.82152F1
Country: United States
Well why don’t you try to figure a way to make it better instead of just Bitch about it.. We all agree that we hate the location but we have no control over that. And I’m not just talking about the table but if that’s all you read fine.

And this is the main reason we’re dying, so much damn drama. And people who don’t want to improve on what we have. I’m here trying to help fix this and are jut being yelled at in the process from you. If we keep this up it will dye. Adapt or die.

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CIV Jones, E Emma Ripley A05/TQ0.0.82152F1


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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 10:52 pm 
Expendable
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Location: chicagoland
Service Number: A05/TQ0.0.52155E1
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since we have gotten off topic, i feel i need to put in my two cents.

I've only been part of this group since 2010. i got my armor and stuff and started trooping around Chicago since i could not afford the trip to dragon-con or any other major con. The group of members i assembled in those 4 years around Chicago, we've always used the name Aliens Legacy vs strictly Colonial Marines. And our reasoning for it was we welcome all members of the Alien fandom, not just of the second movie. You want to show up in a nostromo costume, we welcome it. We never want to have someone show up and feel they are not part of the group because they do not own a set of colonial marine armor. The Aliens Legacy is about the Alien Universe, movies, comics, or video games. All fans are welcome.

since 2014 when i attended my first dragoncon, i've noticed participation waning. At first, i thought it was because people found other costume groups and commitments at Dragoncon. I myself am guilty of that. But the more i looked at it, i realized it was apathy. People have stopped caring about the group. It is not a lack of fandom for movies that are 40 years old, it is simply because we dont care about the group. Some of us that apathy formed because we feel we are left out because we don't have a marine costume, some of us it is because we formed clicks within the group. The thing that has been tearing our group apart has been apathy. The fandom is strong, places like Weyland-yutani bulletin prove that.

Now, Dom does make a good point about the table. We are placed in an area where we didn't get as much foot traffic as maybe the Marriott back in the day. The problem with that is not us, it is Dragoncon itself. Dragoncon has doubled, if not tripled in size in the last 10 years. Maybe a static table is the old way of recruiting and maybe we need something as simple as getting ten of us, in all forms of costumes, walking around and talking with people. I know it would be very beneficial to us if we ran a proper photo shoot that is open to anyone, not just members. But I still think a table is a good way to direct people to us. Yes it may only snag us a member or two, but it is still better than none. People message the facebook site asking how to meet us and a table is a good way to direct them too us. If they join up or not, that is on them.

Ultimately, I love this group. This was the first costume club i joined when i got into costuming, so it will always be special to me. There are several members who i've noticed over the past year who still love this group too.

As far as the topic at hand, all i ask is an hour of your weekend. I will not force you to come to the table. All I ask is an hour of your time to show you still care about the group.

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PFC Mike Rizzuto MVM
USS Blackhawk
3rd Batt 12th Regt


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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 2:47 am 

Service Number: A05/TQ2.0.32141E1
Country: United States
In my experience staffing the table can be a pain, but with enough folks it can be done. Unfortunately it falls on a core group of people and no matter how much you try for whatever reason the same folks will end up staffing it no matter how hard you try to get help.

I will absolutely agree a roaming group will work as good or better than a table.

I will also agree that Dragon con is becoming a bit problematic as even I am having issues coming up with the amount of capitol needed to attend...

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The impossible takes a while longer and goes over budget too...


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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:46 am 
Wild Brew
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Location: PNW
Service Number: A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
Country: United States
hunterkiller86 wrote:
since we have gotten off topic, i feel i need to put in my two cents.


Ultimately, I love this group. This was the first costume club i joined when i got into costuming, so it will always be special to me. There are several members who i've noticed over the past year who still love this group too.

As far as the topic at hand, all i ask is an hour of your weekend. I will not force you to come to the table. All I ask is an hour of your time to show you still care about the group.


I’m with you Mike. It’s my first group too. The universe as a whole has not lost its fan base. The W-Y boards are active and my SG rib always impresses at other conventions when I carry it. I’ve seen nothing but welcoming for those in nostromo costumes or W-Y scientists. I know the USCM gear is the most recognizable compaired to others hence the feeling that we are a Aliens group only.

As far as gear in the color guard goes the US flag carrier and rifleman escorts should be in some measure of dress for sure to look the best. But the follow on flag carriers can be any member of the group in an Aliens verse costume as long as they are respectful to the colors they carry. That’s my personal opinion and based upon other parades with more than the US flag being presented. My 2 cents for what it is worth.

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SN A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
USS Columbia, Heavy Weapons Section
"If you are going to die, die with a real weapon. Not a little sissy gun like that. "
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:09 am 
GarageGeek
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Country: United States
are there photos of the previous table setup? I noticed this "sci-fi corridor setup on ebay.
I wont be able to make the con. But hope in the future I can help in some way with setup. Ive got ideas.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/9x6FT-Spaceshi ... Desc=0%7C0


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:43 am 
GarageGeek
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Country: United States
I dont mean to spam this thread but maybe some buisness cards or flyers from Vista print would be great for everyone to carry around and hand out when people ask for photos. look at how the 501st do it. I would be happy to pitch 5 bucks towards ordering some. Someone with a little design skill could make some really badass ones.Seems this community is getting smaller lately. I also like the "put the aliens back in aliens legacy" sentiment. haha. I recently met a dude in full Alien costume who had never heard of this site. Or maybe each year there could be a group fund to get a community member flown out who isnt otherwise able to make it. Or perhaps someone from the movies crew or something. just thoughts..

https://www.vistaprint.com/?couponAutol ... 8103&GNF=0


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:49 am 
Wild Brew
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Location: PNW
Service Number: A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
Country: United States
We actually have a stack of vista print cards in the dragoncon table bins. I’ve got a batch that I split with the other members of the USS Columbia. It might help if all members carried a few around to hand out...

_________________
SSGT "Giggles" W.A.L.
SN A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
USS Columbia, Heavy Weapons Section
"If you are going to die, die with a real weapon. Not a little sissy gun like that. "
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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 5:59 pm 
Duke Bronson
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Country: Canada
Mantroon wrote:
Well how about we cancel the parade group too?
Do it. I won’t lose any sleep. In fact, I may gain some.


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 Post subject: Re:
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:46 pm 
'Nuff said.
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Location: Effingham, Illinois
Service Number: A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Country: United States
NeedanID wrote:
We actually have a stack of vista print cards in the dragoncon table bins. I’ve got a batch that I split with the other members of the USS Columbia. It might help if all members carried a few around to hand out...


Actually there is not any business cards in the table box. I pointed that out last year. Since I am moving I have had some delays in getting the redesigned card out. They are not that expensive and turn around is in a week or less. We will have new ones for DragonCon.

Thanks!

Greg

_________________
CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.


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 Post subject: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 5:57 pm 
'Nuff said.
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Location: Effingham, Illinois
Service Number: A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Country: United States
Yes I did tell you. I told everyone there were not any cards. The only couple cards are the one of Frank's and the one on Mike's. I have said this for the last year. That is why we only passed out the can koozies at the last 2 FanBoys. That and all the acrylic sign holders were broken.

Thanks!

Greg

_________________
CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.


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 Post subject: Re: 2018 Dragoncon Table Sign up
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:10 pm 
'Nuff said.
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Location: Effingham, Illinois
Service Number: A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Country: United States
I do not want agrue about it either. I asked several times when I got the box, was told maybe they were not packed in it, and that they would be looked for. As for no one saying anything it has been posted several times on the board in the past couple months. I have also messaged members over the table about it. Again, as Mike said, this thread is about scheduling table time. I would suggest a new thread to big up new topics or improvements.

Thanks!

Greg

_________________
CPL A08/TQ0.0.12146E1
Newell, Greg A aka Gman
Illinois - USA
UKCM
Shoot first, think never.
Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun.
SMMFD
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist.


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 Post subject: Re: USCM improvements
PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:33 am 
Wild Brew
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Location: PNW
Service Number: A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
Country: United States
I remembered a big stack of cards after my shifts last year. I ordered a brick of 250 cards and will bring them this year for the effort. If it ever cools off out here in Seattle we can laser cut some card holders also.

_________________
SSGT "Giggles" W.A.L.
SN A11/TQ2.0.72140G1
USS Columbia, Heavy Weapons Section
"If you are going to die, die with a real weapon. Not a little sissy gun like that. "
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