Frequently Asked Questions
Most members of Satellite 9 will have been to previous Satellite conventions. However, for others, this may be your first Satellite convention, or even your first science fiction convention. Congratulations and welcome! This section is mainly aimed at you. You will find information here that will help you to get orientated and find your feet quickly, so as to get on with the important business of enjoying the Con. We also include some information that may be of interest to more seasoned con-goers.
An SF convention is an event for people interested in SF. There are two main types:
- Conventions such as Collectormania that are run for profit by professional companies. These often feature actors from media SF (TV and movies).
- Conventions such as Satellite that are run on a not-for-profit basis by volunteers. These usually have an emphasis on literary SF, although topics such as media SF and space science also play an important part.
The formal part of the convention consists of a programme of events. Smaller conventions may have just one programme stream, whilst larger ones will have several streams running in parallel. In addition, there will often be an art show featuring both professional and amateur artists; a dealers’ room where you can buy books and other items with an SF or fantasy theme; and a games room.
Many different types! There will be lecture presentations on a variety of subjects; panels where four or five people discuss a topic; workshops where you can try something new; and quizzes including variants on popular TV and radio formats. There may also be author readings, book launches, tasting sessions, and items called ‘kaffeeklatsches’ in which a small group of fans get to have coffee and a chat with one of the Guests of Honour.
Evening events may include music, comedy, karaoke, a ceilidh or a disco. The final evening of the convention sees the Dead Dog Party. This is a tradition where those still standing get together to talk about the weekend’s events over a drink.
No. Your membership entitles you to attend all programmed convention events, including any evening entertainments. The only restriction is that a few programme items – for example tastings and kaffeeklatsches – may have limited capacity. There will be sign-up sheets for these, with places available on a “first come, first served” basis.
Not at all. We welcome members wearing costumes, but it is by no means compulsory. If you do decide to cosplay then please ensure that any weapons worn are obviously replicas or toys, otherwise they will be confiscated for the duration of the convention. Generally, dress code is whatever makes you comfortable and is not offensive to other members.
Satellite 9 is aimed mainly at adult fans, but children are welcome provided anyone under the age of 16 is accompanied by someone who is 16 years old or over and also a member of the convention. We are much too small an event to be able to offer crèche facilities.
No. As a small convention, Satellite 9 does not have the resources to record programme items or stream the convention live.
Yes please! Satellite 9 is 100% volunteer-run, and there are numerous things we really need your help with. These can be divided into:
- Pre-con tasks. Anything done before the convention, from small jobs such as putting up posters in local libraries to large jobs like helping organise and source the tech (sound mixer desks etc) needed for the convention.
- At-con tasks. Anything done at the convention, or immediately before or after on site, from helping with set up/tear down (called MIMO i.e. “move in, move out”) to general gopher duties (see separate FAQ item if you’re wondering what small furry animals have to do with conventions)!
Please fill out the Volunteering section when joining the convention or email us at volunteers@Nine.SatelliteX.org.uk to let us know where you would like to help. You don’t need to have prior experience but, if you do, please send us a short summary of it.
A gopher is someone who helps with general at-con tasks. This might involve checking badges to make sure only convention members are in convention space, moving materials needed for a particular item from the secure store to the programme room, or a plethora of other different tasks. The name derives from the fact you will often be asked to “go-for” something.
Yes. Most programme items at a volunteer-run SF convention are suggested by, and feature, convention members. Please fill out the Programme Volunteering and Areas of Interest sections when joining the convention. You can email programme suggestions to programme@Nine.SatelliteX.org.uk. Note that we won’t be able to use all of these since space is limited, but we will certainly consider them carefully.
At any point during the convention, a specific member of the committee will be designated as the first point of contact to deal with any convention-related issues arising. They can be identified by wearing a white waistcoat and contacted through Ops (Operations).