Category: Events

No, This Isn’t an Overwatch Blog Now

~ mellopanther

Every so often, I find myself realizing that I haven’t updated the site in a while. Part of that, unfortunately, is my nature. MelloPanther Productions isn’t part of my regular routine, and there’s still not really space to insert it neatly into my work/life balance (though that may change this year). However, between work, (lack of) cons and now having a paid game show gig I’ve started watching Overwatch League with more reckless abandon. I like sports very much, and while I still have no real desire to pick up the game, the way OWL is presented is very compelling and it scratches my math itch, so I’ll occasionally post here to scratch that itch. It’s a better use of the space than what it was doing previously, which was nothing.

That being said, I still continue to use this site as a central point for all of my convention comings and goings. Just because I’m going to be out of action until the fall (though I’ll probably be working with Megaroad at Otakon) doesn’t mean I have other things to do. After another successful run of programming at Tekko, Pop Ramen has officially joined the content farm at Unlocked and it’s only a matter of time before I start trying to infiltrate our channel with some of my content. As a side effect of this, I’ve also decided to dust off my more personal Twitter (which was only actually being used to access MikuMikuDance content…don’t ask) and start throwing in some musings that aren’t big enough for blogs.

In summation, the spring and summer may be slow on the convention side, but it’ll be busy on other fronts. I know I want to have another OWL article to put up during All Star Not-Actually-On-A-Weekend (which will be less mathy, I promise) and more will come as it is available and inspires me to post. Thank you for your continued support.

Tekko 2014 recap

~ mellopanther ~ 1 Comment

Apologies for the delays, but thanks an expected-but-still-arduous move, it’s been a little hectic at MP HQ.  However, there is a recap for Tekko 2014.

First of all, thanks to everyone who came to everything I did.  On Friday night I ran an 18+ panel about show that aren’t really all that 18+ and 70 people showed up!   Anime Fight Club was Standing Room Only, and yet 3/4 were newcomers!  Seriously, what?!

Speaking of new, a lot of new material was tried out over the weekend.  “How To Set Your Table(top RPG)” was the only panel of mine that I had done before, but initial feedback was good.  Obviously, there’s room to improve, but I’m definitely on to something, which is always a plus.  The other good omen was a Madoka showing up to the Madoka edition of RIYL.

Regarding the stuff that wasn’t mine, there was, of course, the Improv.  My gratitude goes out to Nancy Kepner for allowing us to torture her (PS go buy her stuff) and for the hundreds of fans that turned out to watch.  We’ll do better next year.  Additionally, Brian and Anime Fight Club continues to surprise and amaze me.  There has never been a year at Tekko where I’ve been disappointed.  If you went to the panel, you might have seen some of the people that support me and that I want to support back.  I’ll drop the links to them here, in case you were interested at all.

Again, thank you all for coming out and supporting me and my friends.  I hope to see you all sometime soon.

You should be writing

~ mellopanther

Because I’m doing the same.  I’ve signed up for National Novel Writing Month and for nearing halfway through the month, I’m about halfway done.  Sadly, it doesn’t look like I’ll be hitting 50,000 words, but if I finish my book, that’s good enough for me.

Since I’m doing this as part of my Otaku Drive Time duties I’m writing under otdt_chris on NaNo’s site.  Let’s talk about procrastinating together! \o/

Comings and Goings

~ mellopanther

It looks like the 2013 convention cycle has come to an end for me, but I can’t say I’m too disappointed.  Considering I was thinking of starting full-scale in 2014, an early con or two is a bonus, really.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to make it to a lot of shows and make some new friends along the way.

But, just because conventions are done doesn’t mean MP is done.  Instead, I’ve been focusing a lot of effort in a venture with some of my friends called Otaku Drive Time. I’ll be blogging and podcasting and all sorts of fun stuff as we take on Japanese nerdity for American sensibilities.  I’m even working on a “special project” for later in the year, so definitely stay tuned for that.  OTDT is where most of my personal views is going to be, while MP is going to be mostly about the business and promoting what I have to offer.

Like I said, no conventions, but still lots of activity.  Hope you all will check it out.

Back from…well everything

~ mellopanther

Sup, y’all?  I’ve been absurdly busy over the past few weeks.  Between Tekko, Easter, and all the other real life stuff, I’ve been leaving this space rather neglected.  Because this is my hobby and not my full profession, other things take precedence, but I will try to further my involvement on this blog while furthering my pursuits on this vocation.

MelloPanther @ Tekkoshocon X-2
Not gonna lie, Tekko was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.  On Friday, I ran my “How To Run A Panel” Workshop, hosted The Game of Shows, and emceed the always-hilarious Tekko Improv, this year featuring Uncle Yo.  If you didn’t catch me on Saturday in actual cosplay (thanks to Tekkoshocon Founder Rebecca for that), you may have caught me Saturday night running the board for the 8th year(!) of Anime Fight Club. Tekko is always a fun time–next year will be my tenth–and I’d like to thank Jim, Jeanie, Ada, Dan, and the rest of the staff for putting on an awesome show.

Catching up with old business
The Puzzle Strike footage still isn’t ready yet, mostly because I haven’t had time to sit down to edit it, but it had a great impact.  While there were 14 participants, one person who couldn’t make it was my acquaintance, and board game aficionado TJ.  Apparently, he wasn’t all that aware of the game, but that quickly changed.  Armed with the knowledge that anyone can play Puzzle Strike both online and offline, TJ returned to the underwater moon base of CGRUndertow and produced this short film.  I hope you enjoy it.

Bunnychan is still awesome, but Gary decided that he needed some space (or something like that) and started his own Facebook page. Now that I linked it, maybe he’ll give me back my shoes. >_>;

That’s all for now, but work on the next convention has already started, whenever and wherever it may be.

Crash Party

~ mellopanther

I like planning long-term, but sometimes things pop up that can be just as fun.  For example, I’ll be teaming up with the Pitt Gaming Club for a Puzzle Strike Tournament on March 2nd at 2PM.  Here’s the Facebook Event page.  Puzzle Strike is one of my favorite board games, so I’m glad I can help organize a PS event.  Hope to see you there!