Valet Parking
Please be aware that this year the hotel is doing valet parking. Please note that this
is NOT a choice, you must use the valet parking. Also note, the costs of this service
is NO different then in previous years, when you had to pay at the pay machines or through
the hotel if you had a room. The reason it is valet, is that there is restictive parking areas
due to the construction of the condominium complex right next door. They are trying to
maximize parking by having it professionally done. Again I stress, the cost is no different
then previous years using the machines or via the hotel room.
Transportation Head
The Head of Transportation will be responsible for organizing transportation of
supplies from our storage locker and work closely with the Head of Hospitality to
move supplies for the weekend.
The Head, or transportation team member(s), must be available both the
Thursday prior to the convention and the Monday afterwards for removal of Ad
Astra Convention material back into storage.
Judged Art Show Description
In 2008 Ad Astra will be bringing you a new Art Show. Playing off of the conventions
name the art show will be known as Art Astra (or maybe AstraArt... or something, the
name isn't important yet). There will be one major difference between Art Astra and
the art shows of other conventions in Toronto. Art Astra will be a judged art show.
Space is limited, so if you are interested in submitting your work for the competition
please let me know as soon as possible. An official submission form will be available
on the Ad Astra website in early October of 2007, until then feel free to leave a message
here or contact me at
with the subject line of Art Astra.
The word "representational", when used to describe a work of art, means that the work
depicts something easily recognized by most people. Representational art simply means
that we viewers are able to recognize an object (or objects) within the piece of art.
This is the main focus of Art Astra as it relates to thematic genres utilized within the art of the industry.
NOTE: Our judges are professional artists and art directors are ineligible for any awards other than Fan Favorite category.
After tallying of scores, judges will re-evaluate a second time the remaining top entries and
then narrow them down to the top three. This is where the opinion of the judges weighs in most
heavily in tandem with the top three high scores in a specific class.
There will be two classes for each of the awards below, one for Amateur and one for Professional.
Amateurs and Professionals will be judged separately and awarded First, Second and Third Place
Ribbons in the following categories:
1. Best Monochromatic Work
Monochromatic: Using different shades of one color. Most often applied to interior gaming
illustration such as character design etc.
a. Traditional Media
b. Digital Media
2. Best Color Work
Medium applied to a 2 dimensional surface.
a. Traditional Media
b. Digital Media
3. Best Three-Dimensional or Mixed-Media Work
Applies to all non-flat art, typically sculpture or prototype figures or other combinations
of both 2 and 3 dimensional works.
4. Best Science Fiction Work
Specifically pertaining to subject and./or products that contain science, technology,
space and works that lean more heavily to the sci-fantasy theme more so than hard core
fantasy themes such as; Warlords, Barbarian, etc.
a. Traditional Media
b. Digital Media
5. Best Fantasy Work
Classic human and/or animal/monster dark or light fantasy, (Also Horror, until a specific
category for Horror is created).
a. Traditional Media
b. Digital Media
6. Best Historical Work
Specifically pertaining to historically accurate game illustration such as WWII, World
History, Aviation, Military uniforms and weapons, tanks, machines and many other historical
events based illustration. This category could include war miniature models or sculptures.
a. Either Traditional or Digital Media
7. Best Contemporary Work
There are many new categories of gaming illustration that do not fit into the niche of
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, or the others. They might include themes that take place in
modern times or have a political or theological theme using current events of variations
of such to illustrate.
a. Either Traditional or Digital Media
8. Best Game-Related Work
The most important thing that a Game illustrator can do is create an image that brings
the written word or feel of the game to a visual reality that truly screams specific
to that topic or theme. So many times we stare at cover or card art that has little or
NO connection with the product. This is where the artist is commended for the ability
to connect the art with the game.
a. Either Traditional or Digital Media
** The Art Show Award categories and definitions produced by Ed Beard Jr.
Con Suite
Hello.
My name is Roxane Learn. I am on the Board of Directors for Ad Astra. A science fiction/fantasy
literary convention that is based in Toronto Ontario Canada. Please feel free to check out the
convention on our website www.ad-astra.org
For the upcoming 2008 convention we are doing things a little bit differently and would like to
tell you about it. Each year in the past we have hosted a Con-Suite for the convention membership.
For the past several years, the purpose of the Con-Suite has changed as we are now outsourcing more
to the hotel, than providing things ourselves. (IE On site food and drink sales.) This year the
Convention Committee has decided to take a different turn in events and offer the Con-Suite space
to other parties. Our first choice was to approach the upcoming committee's that have current BID's
for conventions, then to offer it to the convention membership.
This is how we were hoping it would work. The convention is offering the space of the Con-Suite for
4 different blocks of time during the convention. The space offered is free of charge for the hours
allotted. The other conditions are listed below:
1) The party who signs up for the allotted hours are in the understanding that any event that happens
in the space is open to all of the convention membership. Badges are to be present. There will be late
night badges at regristration for those who only come to the convention for the evening parties, as well
as a person at the door to sell late night badges to anyone who comes with out one for a minimal charge.
2) The party who signs up for the allotted hours are in charge of the cleanliness of the space once
they are finished.
3) The party who signs up for the allotted space is in charge of throwing their own style of "room party".
This party then takes the responsibilities for all of their own supplies, food, decorations, and drinks.
This party also takes responsibilities if alcohol is being served that each person is of legal drinking
age in Canada.
4) The party who signs up for the evening spots, have to understand that this room, the Con-Suite is also
used as "crash space" for AdAstra's volunteers who need it. The volunteers have the understanding that the
crash space provided might not be quiet, or during the hours they would like to sleep, that the space is
just that - a place to lie your head. The party who has the evening spots has to understand that some
volunteers will be coming in and grabbing a chair, couch, or a piece of floor and falling asleep around them.
This does not mean the partys' event has to end, that is up to the them.
5) The party who signs up is assured that the convention is still having their security team come in and
out of the room to ensure order.
6) The room that is being offered is large. There is a full bathroom, a living room space, and adjacent
room off the living room, a dining area space (only with a table) and small kitchen counter area with a
fridge for preparation and storage, as well as a balcony for smokers.
The spaces that are available are on a first come first serve basis, and for a $10.00 charge could be
advertised with the W5's post in the program book.(who,what,when,where & why)
The times spots are as follows:
All Time Slots Filled
| Friday March 28/2007 | 6pm - whenever you would like to shut down.(before 9am)Time Filled |
| Saturday March 29/2007 | 2pm - 8pm Time Filled |
| | 8pm- whenever you would like to shut down.(before 9am) Time Filled |
| Sunday March 30/2007 | 2pm - 8pm Time Filled |
If you are interested or have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact myself at
Thank you.
Roxane Learn
Secretary & Guest of Honour Liaison
Calling for DJ's!!
(Has been filled!)
Hello All.
This year's DJ is going to be
RadioFreeZetox
If you would like to request any music ahead of time go to his website at
RadioFreeZetox.
For the 2008 Ad Astra (and the following years), we are in need of a DJ for our
Saturday night Dance. The dance runs from 8pm until 3am March 29,2008.
We would like anyone who is interested to please submit a proposal to the Convention
Committee with the following criteria.
1) A description on the type of music, and style that you hold. A rough song list of
approx. 50 songs that would be played.
2) Please specify what equipment you provide and / or what is needed to perform the job.
All submissions to be sent to
,
with the subject line DJ PROPOSAL ADASTRA.
Deadline: January 4, 2008
The DJ selected is given weekend membership to the 2008 convention, and a room night
for the Saturday night at the hotel.
Thank you.
Official Call for Ad Astra T-Shirt Logo Contest.
(Has been decided!)
This year we are doing something different, we are extending the opportunity to all
the membership to participate in designing a t-shirt logo for the upcoming convention.
The logo is to have a final dimension no larger than 4 x 4 inches. The logo design
should be simple with a description of the colour scheme (maximum 2 colours.)
Ad Astra means "to the stars", and is a Science Fiction / Fantasy Literary convention,
please keep that in mind while designing. Also don't forget to add the year 2008 into
the design.
Please submit the files in a JPEG (high resolution) format.
The deadline is January 4, 2008.
Submit through an email to
The winner will have their design printed on the 2008 convention shirts, as well given
a complimentary shirt. A mention of the winners name and design will be featured in
the conventions program book.
Thank you and Good Luck.
Ad Astra Convention Committee.
