2022 NDK: A Different Perspective

Here comes Mommy Geek's notes from NDK 2022.

9-2-22 Friday 

Major Attaway’s Magical Cabaret Genie’s Jukebox 8pm

Description: Join Major as he signs his favorite songs in this magical live performance! This cabaret was created with the love of the fans in mind, and formulated during his time of playing the Genie on Broadway! Be sure to show up early to get a great seat and be ready to be entertained!

Notes: This was a one man concert that was great.

            -First did a song he wrote that was really great.

            - He did performed the following songs:

                        PAINT WITH THE COLOR OF THE WIND

                        ALMOST THERE

                        SUMMER

                        YOUR WELCOME

                        LET IT GO

                        SONG FROM ALADDIN

Overview: This was a one man concert that was great. His shows are always entertaining and funny. I would recommend his shows to anyone.

9-3-22 Saturday

Mental Health In Anime w/ Maria Droste Counseling Center 12pm

Description: Join our friends at the Maria Droste Counseling Center for a discussion on mental health in anime. This talk includes discussion about specific examples of characters who struggled with their mental health in different in different anime series, and how it relates to our everyday world.

Notes: This was a question and answer panel with 4 panelist who I felt that the new the topic. –

-They said that by liking anime it aloud some to put on a different persona

-Some used it to help with self-worth

-it allows people to be the best that they can be

- helps to accept your demonds –

            -to try to turn it into something good.

- it helps with separating fear tom reality

This was a good panel. It should be seen by anyone who has family that like anime or that likes it themselves.

Women in Anime w/Swasey, Powell and Landa 5pm

Description: A conversation with some of our favorite ladies about their past and current experiences both voicing and working within the animation industry.

Notes: This was a panel of women in voice acting and regular acting.

-          Women characters in Anime is getting better

-          These characters are becoming more human and less perfect

-          Yet they can still kick ass while not being perfect .

-          More movies about women has the main characters is growing

-          More women have roles now like producing then ever which makes it easier to work on things like sex scenes 

Diversity in Dubbing w/Bill Butts 6 pm 

Description: Welcome Bill to his first NDK! Join him in this straightforward Q&A on being a POC in the anime business, followed by an engaging acting workshop.

Notes: Acting class with actor in voice acting and regular acting:

He stated to do the following – all of which is good suggestions for any one who wants to get into the acting field:

-change voice for each time it is used

-have fun with everything even when it is serious

- have fun and stay loose even if you massed up on something

-loosen up and do not be so uptight

-be real, down to earth and do not be a dick or asshole about who or what you are

-watch your delivery and intent

- do not let hate overtake you or the way you deal with people

-take some classes but not tic toc stuff

-take an improve class

-get out and stay out of your own head

Overview:

This gentleman knew what he was talking about but I found him to be very bias. He even stated a lot of times that he wanted to help people of color. He even stated that he has hatred for what happened in the past. He told stories of why he dislikes white people. He was polite to whites even had them come up and do a little acting, but even then I thought he was curt with them.

9-4-22 Sunday

Boarderlands Panel w/ Major Attaway and Jim Foronda

Description: Join Jim and Major, the voices of clay and Claptrap in this panel about everything Boaderlands! Bring your burning questions and favorite things this super popular game series!

Notes: Mr. Attaway plays Clay in Borderlands. They both talked about the weapons used in the game and which they liked the most. They also talked about their favorite add-libs that each was able to add to the games that was not in the scripts. They answered questions and went into details

Overview: This was a fun panel and was worth going to.

CONVENTION OVERVIEW 

This NDK showed improvement.

-          The staff was more friendly and knowledgeable.

-          There was more security this year

-          There were also water stations this year which was a great improvement over the last NDK.

-          Adding the food trucks were great 

There is still need for improvements:

-          There is a need for a lot more seats for the elderly, handicapped and just everyone to set on. There were actually less places to sit this year than last year.

-          There is a need for a first aid station or two that can treat everything from handing out bandages to heat strokes. 

HOTEL – NDK needs to find a different location asap:

-          The food was worse this year than last year at the actual hotel restaurants.

-          One restaurant that served breakfast tried to charge a tip fee of $9 for subpar service for just 2 people.

-          The restrooms needed to be checked on and cleaned more often. Some of the stalls would not even flush.

-          The water stations needed more water and cups all the time.

-          The hotel staff is not that pleasant to deal with.