Twice Upon A Time In TOYCON

Things happen when you least expect them. Last year, I unexpectedly became involved with a group of media professionals, FPS Media PH. Attending the TOYCON, the Philippines' biggest and longest-running pop culture event, was initially just for my personal enjoyment. As a geek, I was excited to experience this event firsthand. Additionally, it served as a side hustle and my first attempt at working in the media field while I pursued my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, aiming to become a future media practitioner. This year, I proudly stepped into the role of an intern with the team.

A Year of Growth and Experience

Two years of TOYCON have given me a unique perspective. Being part of FPS Media PH has come with great responsibility—ensuring that every highlight and moment is captured and broadcast to viewers across the country and even internationally. This role demanded skills and knowledge I'd learned in my academic journey as a Communication Arts student, applying them in real-time scenarios.

Reflecting on my experiences at TOYCON over the past two years, I observed both changes and constants in our approach and in the event itself.

Day Zero: Ingress

Some things never change. Our vehicle was packed like canned sardines with essential tools, devices, and materials needed for the three-day event. Upon arriving at the SMX, unloading was just the beginning. It was my first time wrestling with road cases, boxes, and containers—thankfully, it wasn’t much of a struggle. However, the real challenge lay ahead as we built the livestream rigs and set up camera positions. This year, we didn’t set up the 360 Video Booth, which had been part of last year’s preparations. Time was of the essence, and I raced alongside the team to accomplish our tasks within the tight two-hour window allotted for ingress.

During this time, we captured behind-the-scenes footage of exhibitors setting up their booths. Last year, my supervisor, Paul Sanvictores, praised my camera handling skills when I used the Sony NXCAM for the first time to take clips. That initial impression laid a strong foundation for my future work.

One unexpected highlight of my first year at TOYCON was encountering Japanese Idols. They were just a few feet away, and for a weeb like me, seeing them in person felt like stepping into an anime. Their vibrant hair, stylish clothing, and poise were extraordinary.

As the ingress wrapped up, the team split in two and hopped into a taxi bound for our barracks. We were welcomed with a delightful meal. I appreciated Nancy Bautista-Cruz, who ensured we enjoyed a full dinner before preparing for TOYCON's massive opening the next day. This year, my role changed. Instead of building the rigs during ingress, I helped prepare dinner for the team.

Day One: Welcome to TOYCON

Conventions are an exhilarating experience for me. Last year, I struggled to separate my weeb excitement from my professional duties. My director scolded me after I shouted back at the Japanese idols to hype up the crowd while stationed on the main camera. I even waved to the idols on stage, completely absorbed in the moment.

This year, I found a balance. I focused more on my role as a cameraman, providing a live broadcast of the event while still feeling the energy inside. When the Japanese idols took the stage, I had to suppress my enthusiasm. My heart was racing, but I maintained a professional demeanor to support my media team effectively.

As day one came to a close, life resumed as usual. No matter how long the day of filming is, even canned food tastes incredible after a grueling 12-hour shift, considering all the pre-opening preparations each day demands.

Day Two: Far From Over

As I look back, I recognize how quickly I adapted to my mistakes from the first day. This year was particularly memorable because I transitioned from directing the main camera, the Sony PXW Camera, to the side of the TOYCON stage with an NXCam. This change presented new challenges; being close to the stage meant facing enormous speakers and blinding lights that left me feeling dizzy.

To cope, I wore tinted glasses and earphones to minimize distractions and focus on my work. This adjustment allowed me to communicate more effectively with my team, enhancing our coordination and helping me frame each live performance perfectly.

As day two concluded, one aspect remained unchanged: the challenge of booking a ride home. This year, we spent over half an hour trying to secure transportation, allowing us just enough time to doze off on the side of the road after a long day.

Day Three: So Long and Goodnight

This was our final day of filming. Last year, I made a good impression with my camera skills by capturing every performer despite their rapid movements. This year, we ended on a high note. "Let’s create a music video," was the rallying cry before we put our best foot forward as TOYCON came to a close.

However, this finale didn’t mark the end of our work. Dismantling the rigs built on the first day posed another hurdle, as it needed to be completed that night. There would be no next day. We took down cameras, dismantled setups, and carefully removed taped wires from the floor, ensuring everything was as secure as when we first arrived during ingress. This was also our opportunity to unleash our inner geeks. Some team members roamed the venue, hunting for collectibles, while others preferred to rest.

We waited a while for our vehicle to pick us up, and some team members managed to catch a few winks while we waited.

Epilogue: A Career Awakening

Being part of the FPS Media PH team during TOYCON has been more than just a line on my resume. It was a defining experience—one that deepened my passion for media production and storytelling while enjoying the geek culture that made me feel open and vulnerable, a stark contrast to my often mundane daily life.

I learned not only the technical aspects of media production but also the importance of maintaining awareness. This includes observing, listening, and capturing stories with empathy and intention.

Most importantly, this journey has shown me that the most compelling stories often lie in the moments unseen by the crowd. For three intense days, I had the privilege of discovering and sharing those stories—one frame at a time.

I am excited about the future of media production and the endless possibilities it holds. If you share a passion for this field, I encourage you to join us on this exciting journey. For more insights into the world of media and pop culture, check out this link.