LA Monthly Game Art Meetups?

BlvdNights

Hey yall,

MeshModeler (Javier Perez) and myself have been trying to organize a (monthly?) game art meetup similar to the WIGI or drink up but solely art focused for awhile.

We have some ideas of where/when we might do it but wanted to ask any local LA artists if they had any input on days of the week or locations. Right now we're leaning towards somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.

Thoughts? Ideas? Waste of time?

Let us know!

MeshModeler

definitely more art centric, kind of what you would find at the PC meetup in SF.
People talking art, and sharing portfolios.

Brian "Panda" Choi

Maybe make it redundant at Busby's in Pasadena? Just do a different Thursday night apart from Game Dev Drinkup

Swizzle

I'd be interested. I always feel weird going to a lot of these meetups because probably only a quarter of the people involved are doing some sort of art stuff. Seems like most people involved are usually management, production, programming, or QA, so I never know what to talk about and just end up drinking in a corner and looking at my phone a lot.

An art-centric meetup would be sweet.

BlvdNights

Brian,

Totally agree. We dont want to compete with the monthly drink up at Busbys or the WIGI meet up. Hopefully avoiding that whole week.

In terms of locations I dont think there's a perfect one, but ideally, some place that wouldnt be too far out of the way for most people to go.



A big question too: Weekends or weeknights?

Swizzle: I know that feel

Brian "Panda" Choi

You know, if you're up to it, maybe you can find a way to use a local uni campus.

I'll vouch for USC, there's nice facilities, computers, and decent food nearby. Would not be surprised if the USC Games faculty would be open to help facilitating something.

As well, maybe Glitch City LA would be another place to look into.

My assumption is you want to really meet instead of the usual "food and talk" situation.

BlvdNights

That's an interesting idea to explore. Not sure if it's something to do just yet. Still trying to gauge interest

Drinks/food are fine and it be easier to organize at first I feel. But if you have contacts for those two, it be awesome to reach out and see what they'd say.

Brian "Panda" Choi

Let me get you in touch with Rob Manuel. He's been visible with the LA Indie Game scene pretty decently. Does a lot of media rounds, currently Student Advisor at USC. I would think the only general stipulation is that you'd be open to students showing up, but I'll leave that up to you.

BlvdNights

The more the merrier. Open to any artists

Jesse Moody

USC is in the ghetto....

Brian "Panda" Choi

But parking in the immediate student living areas is usually safe. USC's been progressively ballooning its presence throughout South LA, to the chagrin of the local community.

BlvdNights

My other concern someone brought up to me would be that getting to that area is a shit show in the evening

Brian "Panda" Choi

True. The 10 and 405 are kind to no one.

BlvdNights

Considering late next week to get this party going. Otherwise, because of drink up/E3 stuff, it might be awhile.

Thoughts?

Brian "Panda" Choi

I'm down. Would love to meet more LA artists.

abcdethan

I would be interested in meeting up with LA artists. What about meeting in the Glendale/ Echo Park/ Highland Park area? There are plenty of food and drink options and not located in the center of the city with lots of traffic.

BlvdNights

Totally open to suggestions. Trying to find a walk-in bar so we dont have to worry about getting seated. Totally open to suggestions.

Right now I'm looking at the Burbank-ish area. And aiming to finalize a place today or tomorrow.

Right now the idea is to have it next Friday (May 29th)

abcdethan

In Glendale, near where the 5 and the 134 meet, I have been to the Golden Road Brewing Company. It is huge but can get busy. There is also Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, if you like craft beer and sausages.

Swizzle

I like the Burbank idea.

Mostly because I live in Burbank.

BlvdNights

Yeah I thought of Golden Road but it's usually packed. I was using Busby's, the place they use for game dev drink up as the archetype of a spot to look for.

abcdethan

Just wondering if this was still going on. It's not necessarily my kind of place, but Barney's Beanery in Burbank might be roomy enough for a group of people. I am into meeting up in that area.

BlvdNights

Cool! We're still on and still trying to find a spot. Aiming for the week after E3 Now.

abcdethan

That is good timing for me. And now I'm commuting through that area. Keep me posted!

maximumsproductions

This is probably unreasonable and you already know..butt just throwing it out there, I bet if this was near Gnomon you'd get a bunch of lovely students and profs who usually rely on walking transportation :P.

BlvdNights

Only problem with Gnomon's location is Hollywood is a shit show in the evening and parking can be a big issue. Ideally I'd like to pick a spot that is a nice middle ground between the valley, and over the hill.

That said if you know of a walk in bar that could hold 10-30 peopleish in that area, I'd love to look into it. Having a hard time finding one in the NoHo/Burbankish areas.