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Lol, I mostly went to guest panels in my first trip to Otakon in 07.  I mainly skipped them in 08 for many of these very reasons.  There were also a few times, especially on the people with the huge introductions, that I thought the audience was going to go up and forcibly take out the question asker.

@joshsanimeblog: Otakon 07 was like, my 2nd con, I might have been at some of those panels!

Yeah, I know the brutal feeling of rage that overcomes the mind when someone asks the same question more than once. Though, I'm more bitter because the same question about the same gundam series get asked every time. Though it's better now that Visual and Entertainment are the same company. I can't tell you how my head hanged low everytime I heard people asking questions about another company's title.

I agree with most those points.  I didn't agree with this part.

Yeah at the BlazBlue/Guilty Gear panel the same question was asked 3-4 times and the crowd got pretty damn angry at the last person to ask the same question.

I always ALWAYS make sure it's not something totally stupid, or googleable (although my Blu-ray question to the TTGL folks may have been a poor choice, I felt the need to ask and had no idea Japan didn't even have it and I thought it would be quick, same at Funimation panel).

@N15PCA: Whoa, whoa... "new" spawn cartoon? Tell me more magic man.

I loved, loved, loved spawn, until I stopped. I felt McFarlane may have went too far and gone over to the dark side, but I still respect his accomplishments thoroughly.  Plus, I VHS'd the 90's cartoon off of HBO. was it HBO, I forget. I'm gonna stop before I start prattling about The Maxx

@John_Martone said:

" @N15PCA: Whoa, whoa... "new" spawn cartoon? Tell me more magic man.I loved, loved, loved spawn, until I stopped. I felt McFarlane may have went too far and gone over to the dark side, but I still respect his accomplishments thoroughly.  Plus, I VHS'd the 90's cartoon off of HBO. was it HBO, I forget. I'm gonna stop before I start prattling about The Maxx "

Here the link

I'd add one more to your list: Don't ask a question if the answer only matters to you.  Here are a couple of examples:
"Hi, I've been taking Japanese for three months and I'm really good at it. I sent you an email with a sample of my work, but I never heard back. Why are you ignoring my brilliance?"
or
"I bought a copy of the Sailor Moon video that you guys put out in 19xx and the tracking is all wonky now.  If I come by your booth later, do you think I could get a refund?"

Seriously?  Sit down.  No one cares but you.

The ones I hate are, how do I get in the industry questions?  The answer almost ALWAYS is, well everyone gets in differently, there is no set way.  And I've seen some fans try to give their writing or resume to someone.  Unless this panel is designated for the topic, don't ask.  I don't mind if you ask how that person got started,  but the panel was not set up to be your way to promote yourself.

There are exceptions to the rule, for instance, a Neko-sensei cosplayer proposing marriage to the creator of Princess Tutu = appropriate. :)

But otherwise, yes Gia, I am in SUCH total agreement.

I can say that as a fan, I do my research before going to the convention/event... and when I ask questions, the guests always can tell that here's a fan with real insight, and real questions! And as such, I've had some amazing experiences because of that.

For instance, a few years ago Oni-Con in Houston, TX had Yoshitako Amano (who began life as an animator on shows like Devil Man, Gatchman, etc. worked as an illustrator to the Vampire Hunter D novels, and as a character designer for several of the Final Fantasy games. He's also worked as a set designer for Opera, done numerous commissioned non-anime statues for public places, done jewelry design, stained glass, and even original kimonos. He's also done some collaborations with Neil Gaiman/Dark Horse's Sandman, Marvel and DC Comics.)

Amano is probably one of my favorite living artists (and I don't just mean because of his work on anime related properties). So here is Oni-con with an amazing guest... his panel begins 20 minutes late. Not because he was late, but because someone from the staff was meant to introduce him. When the staffer finally gets there, their introduction consists of "So like he's worked on Finfal Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D). Here's an example of a convention that can't even do their homework, which unfortunately set up the panel for a Q & A session that was horrendous. All of the questions were related to VHD and FF and most had nothing whatsoever to do with what he had worked on. So when I finally got to ask my question... I could tell a sense of relief from Amano-san.

My question to Amano-san: SO I know several years ago you had an exhibition in NYC that included an exhibition of some of your original kimono designs, are there any plans for an art book showcasing this collection to be made, or does that exist somewhere in some book I haven't been able to find?

My efforts paid off in the autograph session that followed the panel. I was located in the middle of the autograph line. By the time it was my turn he spent about 5 minutes with me, conversing through the translator, as he did an original sketch in 5 colors for me on my shikishi. What did he draw? A woman in kimono, with a crane in the background in flight. Inspired by my question. I was later told by the security staff working with him in that autograph line that I was the only one he spent so much time with, and that got such a detailed drawing from him. And that shikishi, and experience with him is one I will always treasure. In his own way he rewarded me for caring, and he could tell that I was someone who definitely found the exchange meaningful.

On another occassion I was asking Princess Tutu creator, Itoh-sensei a number of questions on behalf of the Princess Tutu community on livejournal. I had already removed the questions that were easy to answer. And during the panel at Ushicon... pretty much peppered her with all those questions. Alternating between others in the small panel, and myself (they knew I was the 'voice' for dozens of folks from the internet who couldn't be there). The translator told me later that she was really impressed by the questions, and the forethought that had gone into them, as it showed how much the fans had cared. And isn't that the impression we want to leave on these people whose work we admire so -  that we care?

But as much as it behooves an individual to do some research before asking a question, I also say that it behooves the convention, or whoever is running the panel to give some thought into the panel's structure. A good introduction will help educate your audience and increase the chances of your audience asking more relevant questions.

@gia said:

" @N15PCA: Keep in mind that these guidelines ARE generalizations, and that there are therefore exceptions to each rule.

On the intro front, I maintain that going off for two minutes about how amazing the creator is, while well-intentioned, still a complete waste of time. A quick, short "thanks, love what you do" is sufficient, and if you want to blather more, try and cram yourself in with the crowd that hangs around after the panel.

Your right about that gia.  On second part I would have to curb my enthusiasm if did see Rumiko Takahashi at a panel and not thank him for over minute.  

@omo
Yes, I think asking that question in the right way can be informative.  How that person got into the industry was my example.  To ask if someone can read their treatment on a movie/comic/whatever because they want to use the Q&A to jumpstart their own career is selfish.
Also, con Q&A's are usually on a time limit, because the room has to be used for the next panel, so how long a question takes to even be asked is important.