Who's going to Wonderfest

[CreepyJeff]

Leaving for Louisville around 2:00 this afternoon, Forry memorabilia all packed.  Looking forward to a quiet, peaceful weekend...oh, who am I kidding, it'll be nonstop go-go-go and talk-talk-talk (monster talk, especially).  Full reports will undoubtedly follow!

Robert - Terry & I with display will be leaving Chicago about 4:30cst and should arrive at the hotel just before midnight.  If I know you Robert (and I think I do), you'll be sitting in the comfy chair in the lobby awaiting our arrival.  Prepare yourself for a "Richard Olson Style Monster Hug".  You have always been quite the hugger.  >

[hammett1]

To all UMA Members heading to Wonderfest, please have a safe trip and enjoy yourselves.  Take lots of pictures and have lots to share when you return so that those of us unable to attend are brought up to speed.  Have a great time everyone, David

[Unknown Primate]

Wish I could be in the UMA group photo with all you monsters...  but then again, I'd hate to break a perfectly good camera.

Have a monstrously great time everybody.

Mark

[HMAEA]

I'll be there! If any mask geeks out there want to talk shop, just flash the secret HMA sign.

[Anton Phibes]

I am going.  I prolly won't be able to buy much...but at least I am going. Yippee!!

[Brother D]

I went, but was not impressed this year with the UMA exhibit. A few changes, but honestly not for the best. I think the UMA has become  focused on certain "personalities" (cerain members), and has become very elitist, and thus has resulted in an every increasing decline in the interest of the UMA display. A good idea would probably be to focus less on these personalities and more on actually generating interest and completely equal discussion of the classic Univeral Monsters topic. This group was MUCH better when it was a Yahoo group.

Brother D

[mike c]

Sorry you didn't like the display; everyone has their own opinion, as ever... but what's this about elitism?
The UMA is the most open, welcoming, least confrontational, least argumentative forum about classic horror around. I'm sorry you didn't like the choices shown in the display, but you have to realize the display is put together by a handful of dedicated UMAers doing it mostly out-of-pocket and on their own time; it's not like the entire UMA gathers for some conference to decide what goes into every detail of the display. I'm sure Ray, Max, Robert, Terry, et al, would love ALL UMAers to be a part of the display, but that's just not possible... so where's the elitism in that?
Which 'personalities (certain members)' are you talking about, anyway? If you believe the UMA is too hung up on 'certain members' and would benefit from changing this behaviour, have the guts to actually name them so we can immediately begin the un-worshipping.
Many other monster/horror boards seem to be generally four or five guys dominating, battling over who's the smartest/best informed/most collected, with newbies generally ignored or referred to the search feature because 'that's been asked/mentioned/debated too much already'.
NONE of that exists in the UMA.
And why do you think it was 'MUCH' better as a Yahoo group? Nothing changed but the format and greater ease of posting. It's still Terry's group, with Max and the others mod'ing.
Unless you're feeling that back when it was more effort to post and reply, and there were less members, it was better. But that would be elitist... so it can't be that. Right?

Elitism? Cripes.

Mike C.

[monsterphile]

The fund raisers help to offset the cost of the display somewhat, but a lot more is spent than is raised.  Over the years pieces have had to be replaced and that costs money.  A van/truck sometimes needs to be rented = more $.  Some of the stuff in the display is brought by the ones that attended, but others are mailed/shipped.  It takes a lot of work and many tiring hours to put the thing together and set up the toys only to do the reverse a few days later.  As the theme of the shows change, the group has tried to tie in with that, but that is not always easy, as toys and items need to be lent.  This year the display paid tribute to Linda Miller and her art, as well as Forry Ackerman.  Linda was a nice, warm woman that contributed a lot to the UMA and Uncle Forry needs no explanation.  I really hope that you're not objecting to this aspect of the display. 

Quite frankly,  I'm actually very disappointed with your posts.  You announced last July that you were "moving on" from UMA and I kind of wish you had just kept on going.

Rob

[Brother D]

There was only a VERY small section devoted to Uncle Forry, if we are going to be accurate. A much larger section was devoted to Big Foot and Loch Ness Monster toys. In any event, you have proven my point, thanyou. The UMA does not take objective critisism lightly. I posted (by the way) more as a LONGtime Wonderfest attendee than a former UMA member.

Brother D

[mike c]

In any event, you have proven my point, thanyou (sic). The UMA does not take objective critisism (sic) lightly.

Silly person... No one got 'heavy' about your dislike of the display; it was your cowardly half-slam of the UMA that would bother anybody.
Your criticism was not at all objective.
How is 'this was MUCH better as a yahoo group' in any way objective? It's your opinion.
How is 'the UMA has become  focused on certain "personalities" (cerain members), and has become very elitist' in any way objective? It's your opinion.
The rest of your post is just the same: 'every (sic) increasing decline in interest', etc. is unprovable, unclaimable. Just your subjective opinion.

If the criticism is based on flawed ideas or simply untrue assertions why should it be taken lightly? No one takes objective criticism lightly, so I don't know what "point" you were trying (poorly) to make in the first place.

Emphasizing your status as a 'LONGtime Wonderfest attendee' doesn't grant you any objectivity or right to gripe; but it does show a bit of an elitist streak.

And what's this about 'former UMA member'? You're still here.


Mike C.

[Gasport]

Uhhh...I didn't attend Wonderfest, so please pardon my being confused. Are the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot the ones with the ego problem you were referring too??

[monsterphile]

As for making Uncle Forry's section bigger--how much of Uncle Forry's stuff do you think we have?  Robert Taylor packed a lot of stuff and filled up a large portion of the vehicle that he came in (along with his cousin and his cousin's son).   Joe Moe brought along some key Forry pieces, but if you're looking for Forry's rings or capes, we don't have them.  You have no idea how much time and effort goes into the thing months in advance.  Next time try constructive criticism.

[poseablemonster]

There was only a VERY small section devoted to Uncle Forry, if we are going to be accurate. A much larger section was devoted to Big Foot and Loch Ness Monster toys. In any event, you have proven my point, thanyou. The UMA does not take objective critisism lightly. I posted (by the way) more as a LONGtime Wonderfest attendee than a former UMA member.

Brother D

Brother D,

The UMA Toy Tour began, and continues, as a labor of love for all the things we as a group have in common.  There is no egotism involved in it.  It is a lot of hard work, planning and a huge group effort - not to mention expense.  As a Wonderfest attendee and UMA member - former or otherwise - you have every right to voice your criticism of the display; but you should expect a passionate response from those people who worked so hard to bring the display to the public.  It is easy enough to be uninvolved and critical; if you care enough about it you should know that any member's efforts in the project are welcomed and appreciated.  

And I think that there are some people who prefer the old days of the Yahoo group, which is valid for those individuals.  However, there is no denying the growth that the group has shown.  Not just in numbers or size, but the depth of conversation, the wealth of information and the ease of using features like pictures and links - there really is no comparison.  I don't think that the spirit of the community has suffered in the least.  This is a welcoming group of people - good people who are passionate about the hobby and good friends to one another.  

[drmonster]

Okay. I just posted some pictures from Wonderfest on my website. If you appear in an image or have a model depicted and wish to have it removed just let me know through a PM. I did not include pics from the Old Dark Clubhouse though I have some of those as well.
It was very nice meeting everyone and hope to see you again soon!
http://monstermoviebooks.homestead.com/untitled1.html

[hammett1]

Thank you to the super team of UMA members for the wonderful work done on the UMA display at Wonderfest.  Even though I was not able to attend, the great pictures supplied have been enjoyed greatly.  The exhibit was great, in my humble opinion.  Wish I could have been a part of the group at the event.  Thank you all.  David