Contributing factor?

[vakkotaur]

From a Penguicon community post:

Chris Genetti signed up to create our first Furry track.

I'm sure Chris was the major force in this and likely Furry Connection North (the FurCon that took place in the area a week before Penguicon) was significant.

But I can't help but wonder if Orvan appearing last year and this year had just a little bit to do with this.

Comments

Not sure

[jugularjaguar.livejournal.com]

But showing a positive part of the fandom really does help out.

Re: Not sure

[sheryl67.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. You are a definite bonus to the con.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

Can you enlighten me as to what a "Furry track" is?

(I'm with jugularjaguar though, Orvan definitely is a positive ambassador to Furdom. I couldn't help but think when we were at a local community event on the weekend and a person inside a big fursuit to look like a cat (mascot of a community credit union) was going around hugging the kids, giving high fives, and generally "fursuiting" (I wouldn't call the person inside a "fursuiter" as I have no idea if s/he is doing it for pleasure or strictly for the pay) and couldn't help but think "these people who smile when they see "Fat Cat" and send their kids to hug him, etc. probalby also say 'eww, furries!' when the topic of fur fandom comes up. How ironic.")

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Conventions often break down interests into "tracks" and have planning for each particular interest handled separately. Evidently furry has become significant enough to get its own track at Penguicon. It will be interesting to see what all comes of it.

Thank you and I'd like to think so. To my knowledge I've only had one person at a non-fur convention squawk about Orvan - and that I heard second-hand.

I would say "mascoting" or "performing" for that. I expect whoever did was having some fun, even if it was a paid gig, as there was performance and interaction.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

Yes, interacting is a lot more fun. All the "performers"/"mascoters" I've met were in a social setting (community events, sporting events, etc.) and obviously having fun. (And, interestingly, I don't think I've ever met a "mascoter" when I haven't had the kids with me, they've invariably enjoyed them.) But when you talk about "fursuiters" people probably think that they wear them by themselves at their house and at conventions with other fursuiters, they don't connect that (I'm sure) fursuiters also really enjoy the social interaction part (I know Orvan does, and I think that's why he's so highly regarded in and out of furry fandom), not knowing many fursuiters (and having never met one "in suit") I don't know if they perform in social situations and where kids and other admirers would be, but if they do (and I'm sure they must!) this should be made public knowledge! Why do we admire those who "fursuit" (ie "mascot") for pay and shun those who do it for free?

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Non-interaction of fursuiters is a bit of a peeve with at least some folks. Just standing around in suit is, well, dull.. but hey, it's their suit they can just stand around. Doing something is always more interesting than doing nothing. The trick is finding that something. I got lucky with a really easy one, quite honestly.

What could be more mundane than being a deliveryman? But it's just enough, and just a bit more than enough. There's the clipboard bit to make it that much more real and the parcel. And using the ACME name does let others make the joke about any troubles (What great luck, the jokes are at the character's or his company's expense, never the recipient! And it's _others_ making the jokes. People like telling or making jokes, not being joked about.) and it happens to play well to others who see it. As the recipient and delivered item changes, it's always a variation on the theme. It seems about an ideal thing, but I didn't think of all that when I start doing it. It just seemed a fun bit to do, carrying over from IRC though with less slapstick (no spring-loaded pies, short-fuse lit bombs, and so on). The trick is finding the right items to deliver, and there the more help I get the better Orvan does.

Back on topic, I suspect many fursuiters do mainly wear the suit at conventions. Heck, I do. I don't put it on at home, really, though perhaps I should to get used to doing more.

As for the difference, I think it is often a matter of venue and knowing a character. Pretty everyone know Tony the Tiger, but not all that many know Jugular Jaguar - though the same person has animated both characters. Tony is at a store, there's a known promotion, and it feels familiar and safe. JJ is a stranger by comparison. And if someone is unfamiliar with sci-fi/SF or furry or costuming or anime conventions and encounters one the first reaction is likely "What the...?" and not everyone reacts well to the unexpected. Often people deal with the "other" by knocking them down one way or another.

I also suspect that for some the hidden face creeps them out, and the silence, well, mimes seem to have a poor reputation as well for no really discernible reason. Similarly, "clowns are creepy" to many. Why? Facepaint? (See this entry (http://vakkotaur.livejournal.com/406506.html) also.) Hrm, I should ask an aunt of mine about that and see what someone who works as a clown has to say about it.