Stage Zero

In a land clogged with attendees, artists, dealers, and cosplayers, where does one turn for comfort, relief, and entertainment? Stage Zero, of course! 

Stage Zero is located smack dab in the middle of the San Jose Convention Center Concourse for your  random entertainment needs. Watch AMVs, performances, or listen to fantastic music while you plan out which panel to attend. Have a seat, watch the wackiness, or participate in games for prizes while you wait for friends to come back from the bathroom. 

Let Stage Zero be your information nerve center to the rest of the convention by way of its talented staff. So don’t be afraid to take a load off your feet for a while and absorb the amazing that is Stage Zero!

Stage Zero will be returning for FanimeCon 2024, and we hope that you’ll come and join us.

We thank everyone who contacted us with regards to performances or events on Stage Zero for FanimeCon 2024. Below is all the information you need to know and send to us to apply for one of our performance times.

Requesting Time on Stage Zero

To request time on Stage Zero, please email the following information to stagezero@fanime.com

The deadline is March 31, 2024. Industry requests are not being accepted at this time.

Contact Info
Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address

Event Info
Event Title:

Style of Event:  For example, Demonstration, Musical Performance “Original Tracks,” Musical Performance “Non-Original Tracks,” Dance Performance, or a combination of any or all styles listed!

Event Details
Event Description: This is the text that will go on the website, as well as our Stage Zero schedule. Descriptions must be 140 characters or less, including white spaces.

Event Overview: Explain to Stage Zero Staff what you want to do on stage and how you plan to do it.

List how many personnel are part of the event, including personnel that will require a guest pass for the event.

Song/Video Selection: Please list the songs or videos you are planning to perform to. Stage Zero wishes to showcase a variety of music.

References: To help us have an idea of what you would like to do on Stage Zero, please list any video references you may have with your performance or event here.

Tech Requirements: Stage Zero will not accommodate your personal equipment. If you have audio or video that is part of your performance, please make note of the following rules:

Audio

  • Microphones needed (up to eight [8] wireless microphones are available; this is subject to change).
  • Audio Playback (Yes or No). If yes, please provide all audio on a USB flash drive 15 minutes by May 1st: 320kbps Constant Bit Rate Stereo Quality .mp3.

Pictures/Images

  • Pictures or images to be shown during performances should be 1920×1080 pixels. Pictures and images should not include references to websites or promotions of companies, contact information, or social media – other than the names of your group, performers, and/or song name.

Video

  • Video Playback (Yes or No). If yes, please provide all video on a USB flash drive, 15 minutes by May 1st. Files must be .mp4 or .mov container, with the h264 codec. Stage Zero has a High Definition screen, thus High Definition is recommended at 1080p. However, 720p is also acceptable. Standard Definition will be accepted, but sizes must not be below 720×480.

Scheduling Preferences

All scheduled events on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be in 15-minute time slots. Monday time slots will be 30 minutes. Schedules and allotted times are subject to change and not all slots will be filled. Current times available are as follows:

Friday: 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm (noon), 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm (noon), 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm
Monday: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm (noon), 1:00 pm

*For preferred time slots, please list your top five (5) choices. Choosing time slots on other days will increase your chances of being selected. We will adjust to fit the schedule and needs of Stage Zero and FanimeCon 2024.

Please note the size of our stage: 12 feet deep by 24 feet wide by 24 inches high. The floor is sectioned and cannot take too many people or too much stress. The stage has stairs on the sides and a projection wall in the rear. It is recommended that you refer to videos of performances on Stage Zero from previous years of FanimeCon (in-person conventions, 2015 through 2023) to understand how our stage works. Please set your performances to cater to the safety of your performers, the stage, and the attendees of FanimeCon 2024.

PLEASE READ:
All performances are subject to rules and regulations from Stage Zero, FanimeCon 2024, and the San Jose Convention Center.

Your performance on Stage Zero is a voluntary (unpaid) performance.

IMPORTANT for 2024:

Performers on Stage Zero are expected to be registered attendees or staff of FanimeCon 2024, as following the mantra of “By Fans, For Fans”.

Should your performance include members who are not registered attendees of FanimeCon 2024, and/or parents/guardians would like to view their child(ren)’s performance, please specify the number of non-registered viewers on the application. Stage Zero will have a limited number of performance-only badges available for non-registered viewers.

Non-registered visitors and parents will be escorted from the badge check entrance below Stage Zero to Stage Zero and back by Stage Zero staff for their performance. Once the performance has been completed, all performance-only badges must be immediately returned to Stage Zero staff.

IMPORTANT for 2024: All performers are subject to the COVID-19 Policy of FanimeCon 2024. Please refer to the FanimeCon 2024 COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for details. Currently, performers are required to wear masks over their nose and mouth prior and after their performances, with on-stage mask wear subject to the convention policy. Should changes occur, Stage Zero will inform you of such changes.

There is a maximum of 10 performers on stage at any time during a performance. If you have more than 10 performers, please adjust your transitions to fit the limit of people who can be on stage. Requests for larger groups on stage at the same time will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Stage Zero is not accepting performances involving live instruments (including electric guitars, amplified instruments, etc.) at this time.

If events have multiple parts that require mics to be on and off stage, please provide a list of how the performance will happen with when mics are needed on stage.

Microphones must be returned to a Stage Zero staff member immediately if they are not being used in a performance.

Stage Zero does not have a dressing room available for costume changes. Please be ready in your costumes prior to or during your performance.

Failure to inform Stage Zero of any changes to the performance will lead to your performance being canceled.

Any performances that might cause damage or harm to Stage Zero, Stage Zero equipment, the attendees, staff, others participating in FanimeCon 2024, and/or the San Jose Convention Center are subject to immediate shutdown.

Thank you and best of luck!