BABScon Staff releases letter regarding Final Draft incident (UPDATED)



After several days of bits and pieces of the story coming out, we have secured a statement from some of the BABScon staff regarding this weekend's incident involving Final Draft. Read the letter in its entirety below.

Pic related: we aren't making this up.
"There has been considerable controversy surrounding events at the 2014 Bay Area Brony Spectacular Convention (BABSCon) concerning the revocation of Michael Bernstein’s (“Final Draft” of Everfree Network) press pass.  While Mr. Bernstein took to Twitter to establish his own narrative, the executive staff of BABSCon decided to avoid pursuing a heated argument on social media.  Despite his claims that he was unfairly targeted and his pass revoked for no reason, we believe that great latitude was given to Mr. Bernstein before his unseemly behavior made it clear that he was unwilling to abide by the Convention policies he agreed to follow.   
This document serves as a more measured record of the events leading up to Mr. Bernstein’s press pass being revoked, and his being asked to leave the convention space.
Issues with Everfree Network (EFN) began prior to the start of the convention.  BABSCon media policy limited each media organization to five badges unless a pre-con, signed agreement had been reached between a media outlet and BABSCon.  EFN initially complied with this policy, submitting applications for Final Draft, Kiniro, Larscis, Caycifish, and 10th Doctor Hooves.  However, Kryptonlogic later filed a separate badge request for “Everfree News,” despite it being an integral part of EFN.  In fact, one staff member of Everfree News was included in the original EFN badge application.  The second application included badges for Kryptonlogic, Reldan, and “Princess.” 
The Head of PR for BABSCon, WeAreBorg, spoke with Final Draft via Skype and informed him that EFN would have to comply with the five-badge limit, just as other media organizations were being asked to.  It should be noted that some of these others provided considerably more assistance to the con than did EFN.)  Final Draft did not agree with WeAreBorg’s decision and appealed to the Con Chair, Sonya Hipper, and the Vice Chair, Olivia Daniels, for an exemption.  Both refused to consider making an exception for EFN, and EFN chose to  request badges for Final Draft, Kiniro, Caycifish, Kryptonlogic, and Reldan.
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Registration for BABSCon opened on Thursday night, and EFN was one of the first groups to claim their badges.  WeAreBorg came to Registration to greet the press groups and deal with any issues.  Upon arriving, he noticed that the Registration personnel were not using his Press document to account for the badges being issued.  Final Draft assured him that they were keeping track themselves.  However, on inspection of the printed badges WeAreBorg found that EFN had convinced the Registration personnel to print six, rather than the agreed-upon five, badges.

This was a clear violation of BABSCon policy, as listed on the Convention’s press page (www.BABSCon.com/press):  Each media group was to be granted five press badges in return for assisting in promotion of the Convention and adhering to the policies and procedures of the Convention.  It was also a violation of the agreement made between the Con Chair, Vice Chair, and Final Draft before the con, namely that EFN would receive press badges for Final Draft, Kiniro, Caycifish, Kryptonlogic, and Reldan.  The extra badge had been printed for CowboyDave. 
When confronted on the violation, Final Draft’s explanation was that CowboyDave was to be a member of a panel being run by Final Draft and therefore needed a panelist badge, and that he had gotten permission for the additional badge from the Con Chair.
WeAreBorg later sought to confirm Final Draft’s claim with Sonya Hipper.  She stated that she did not recall approving a sixth badge for EFN and that his claim was not true.  This badge, then, was obtained under a falsehood and is considered a theft of a badge by the BABSCon Staff. 
A more serious issue cropped up during the VIP Meet-and-Greet, an event staged for attendees who had purchased a Premium membership which entitled them to attend a get-together with the Guests.  This was not a press event, nor were press invited to attend (unless, of course, they had purchased a Premium membership on their own).  Final Draft entered the room using only a complimentary (i.e., provided free of charge) press badge.  A member of the VIP Liaison staff noticed him and brought him to WeAreBorg’s attention.
After a brief discussion with Karen Padilla, Head of VIP Relations, WeAreBorg sent Karen to approached Final Draft and informed him that he needed to leave the Meet-and-Greet, since his complimentary press badge did not entitle him to attend.  Instead of complying, Final Draft moved to the other side of the room.  WeAreBorg then spoke with the Vice Chair, Olivia Daniels, who then escorted Final Draft from the room. 
However, the most troubling incidents involving Mr. Bernstein concerned his interactions with some of our Guests of Honor.  Below is an excerpt from the BABSCon press interview request form, which set forth clear guidelines.  Con policy, which all members of the press agreed to follow in return for their complimentary press badges, laid out the procedures and limitations for conducting Guest interviews at BABSCon:
“The GoH has the final say when it comes to interviews. If at any time they wish to cancel an interview you must honor that request. If a GOH wishes you to edit something out you must comply. 
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the immediate removal of your badge and press privileges. Anyone caught asking for interviews directly will all also result in the immediate removal of your badge and press privileges.“   (Emphasis added.)
WeAreBorg scheduled several interviews with Guests and emailed members of the press group for phone contact information.  From EFN, he received the following email. 
“Thanks but we've already taken care of the interviews ourself.
Regards,
Jose [Kryptonlogic]” 
This was a direct and admitted violation of the policy concerning direct arrangement of interviews, as clearly stated in the policy.  Furthermore, throughout the day WeAreBorg received reports from several VIP Liaisons that the guests they were escorting had been approached by Final Draft for interviews, including a report that Final Draft had managed to enter the Autograph room before it was open to attendees (including press), and proceeded to work his way around the tables and press each guest for an interview.
In particular, his constant (and increasingly demanding) requests made one Guest (who wishes not to be identified by name) very uncomfortable. 
At this point, Final Draft’s flagrant disregard for con policy could not be ignored.  The Vice Chair and WeAreBorg, accompanied by two members of the FLARE Safety Team, confronted Final Draft with their concerns.  Instead of discussing the issues and coming to a mutually-agreed solution, Final Draft became belligerent.  SInce no satisfactory resolution could be found, WeAreBorg requested that Final Draft surrender his press badge.  Final Draft continued to argue loudly, and in the end was escorted out of the convention space by the Safety Team members. 
This was not the resolution the staff of BABSCon sought, but it became the only one available to us.  We are sorry that it was necessary, but are firm in our belief that it could have been avoided if Mr. Bernstein had followed the policies laid out by the Convention ahead of time– policies that Mr. Bernstein agreed to comply with in return for receiving a free pass and extra access to our Guests.  Prior to the revocation of his Press pass, Final Draft violated Convention policies on multiple occasions. Though he claims he was arbitrarily removed for personal reasons, we believe he was given ample opportunity to continue attending despite his refusal to follow the clear policies of the Convention.

Overall, BABSCon was an incredible event to be involved with.  We wish to thank all of our volunteers, for giving freely of their time and energy to put on a great event, the vendors for bringing an astonishing array of well-made and pony-tastic goods, our attendees for coming and creating a positive and exciting energy throughout the entire event, our Musical Guests who put on an amazing show that kept people going all night long, and everyone who helped spread the word, make preparations, and assisted in putting on a truly Spectacular convention, the first Ponycon in the Bay Area! 
And most of all, we wish to thank our Guests for coming and spending time with us, and for working so hard to create the amazing show that brought us together.
-BABScon Staff"



Final Draft has taken to Twitter vowing to give his version of the story.


Update: Bronytime has released this podcast dealing with BABScon and the Draft situation. The Draft talk begins around the 16 minute mark.




Comments (48)

  1. Well, this confirms what I already believed. Final draft is indeed a massive cock gargling faggot.

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  2. Ha
    Tiny horse drama

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  3. Looks like There won't be any suitable venues anytime soon for final shaft

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  4. I was about to insinuate something about Draft loving penises, but realized that it would be an affront to penises everywhere. I wonder if he'll wander off into the sunset searching for an appropriate venue.

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  5. I'm curious how one could undermine Final Fuck's Minneapolis con, to teach him a lesson. I suspect >Horse-News would have a difficult time getting a press pass to that event...

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    1. Do we need to do anything? How will he get any VIPs to show after creeping one of them out like this? It's a small community.

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    2. Spread this info, that's what you can do. See if you can find anyone who saw stuff and get them to add it. I know people who witnessed a few of these events, the BABScon letter is fairly accurate.

      As for MLP:MSP, Draft's behavior is likely to come to the attention of the agents of the VAs as well as other show staff, and that should make his horsefame life interesting.

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    3. Ha! Good angle!

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  6. Draft is creepy as hell, this is just more proof

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  7. I was planning on going to MLP-MSP but now I'm just not so sure anymore because Draft is such an overwhelming poop face. But... The Living Tombstone is gonna be there. >:|

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    1. Who's The Living Tombstone?

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    2. Living Tombstone is at EFNW I think. Head there instead.

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    3. I heard MLP-MSP is asking FD to step down. Anyone confirm this?

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  8. So basically Draft thought the Press Pass was an All-Access pass. If a special privilege pass was issued, it would be a good idea to suggest purchasing a convention attendee badge if attendee privileges were to be desired, especially special attendee privileges.

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    1. In other words, Draft should have checked his privilege.

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  9. wow, what an asshole

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  10. With a last name such as Bernstein, you gotta give him credit for thinking he was smart enough to pull that off.

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    1. The name does actually kind of fit him, since he does resemble some sort of ugly hairless bear.

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    2. I was thinking along the lines of a cheap, money extorting jew rather than a horrid bear, but that works too.

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  11. And no... he hasn't read the letter.

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    1. If he hasn't read the letter, how the hell can he claim it's full of lies? Should be pretty simple to fact-check, no?

      Did Draft manage to get a badge for CowboyDave, yes or no?

      Did he buy a supersponsor ticket? If not, why was he in the VIP meet?

      For fuck's sake, Kryptonlogic has CONFIRMED that yes, they DID arrange their own interviews. He gave a reason, but the policy was laid out, and they broke it.

      Frankly, I think you're full of shit sayin he hasn't read the letter, because he needs to figure out how to craft his story to spin events. Problem is, he doesn't quite know who knows what, and who might call him out on it.

      Like people saying he harrassed Ashlei Ball. If he did, he's gotta be careful even addressing it, lest he be called out.

      That's what I want to see- I want to see if he's in so deep he'll say it's false. Either it didn't happen, or he'll call HER too stupid to realize he was joking or something.

      'Specially since I know several parts have been confirmed.

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  12. Does anyone listen to EFN podcasts or shows? It would be fun to hear how he frames this situation, in the face of evidence against him.

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  13. I'm sure his statement isn't going to be self-serving at all.

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  14. And it begins. I'm going to love to see him attempt damage control over this.

    Also hoping he's banned from other cons as well and goes on a bitching spree. One can only hope.

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    1. I second that. Now if they can do the same thing to OsakaJack.

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    2. Who is OsakaJack? Some EFN white knight?

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    3. When whoever writes the definitive article that summerizes why we don't like Draft, include why we don't like OsakaJack. I'm more confused about why we don't like him.

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    4. OsakaJack is a brony from the U.S. living in Osaka, Japan. http://www.areyouhorsefamous.com/osaka.html

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    5. OsakaJack runs a show "Into the Spotlight", featuring lesser-known fans and occasional show guests. I'm confused, too.

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  15. I still can't believe that he's really "that bad" as everyone says :/

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    1. Does it hurt to have his dick up your ass so far?

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    2. At least mine is longer than yours as I guess due that comment.

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    3. >At least mine is longer than yours as I guess due that comment

      Look at your name. Look at your posts. You are, what we call an underage faggot, get out.

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  16. It's pretty sad and telling of what this site is when their recent posts are mostly about Draft's pasty manchild ass being ejected from Babscon, and not about the incident involving an 11 year old being nearly abducted by a pedophile at Babscon. Congrats Bronies and HorseNews. Your concern for others is dutifully noted.

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    1. An 11 year who got abandoned by their parents and "rescued" by someone who was more interesting in bitching about bronies on tumblr than making sure the child was actually safe.

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    2. And the people who didn't report it to the con security in favour of making up a bunch of shit to make bronies look bad have exactly how much concern?

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    3. I smell an EFN shill.....

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    4. http://www.horse-news.net/2014/04/advice-for-babscon-delete-facebook-hit_22.html

      Yup, this pony-themed The Onion knockoff totally ignored that incident (if we pretend that the article where they did address it didn't happen, of course). Clearly this is worse than the people who saw the girl, and according to their own version of the story decided to IGNORE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A CHILD IN IMMEDIATE DANGER AND DIDN'T INFORM ANY CON STAFF OR SECURITY ABOUT THE PREDATOR, and instead decided that it was much more important to let the criminal roam free and post a story on to tumblr after he left when it was too late to do any good.

      Yup, the satirical fake news outlet is clearly the bad guy in this story.

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    5. Fun fact, failing to report suspected child abuse is a crime in the state of California with a penalty of imprisonment for up to 6 months, a $1,000 fine, or both.

      http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0058.htm

      I wonder why the original tumblr post where she claimed to have committed a criminal act suddenly disappeared?

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  17. Ohhh this is great. So much drama, so much butthurt. Looking forward to the next installment of The Final Draft Diaries: How I Got Fucked Like I Fucked Others and Threw a Tantrum.

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  18. Final Draft is just gonna bitch about how those gosh darn PVLs and 4Chans are conspiring to kick him out of every con.

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  19. ahahahaha, fucking Final Draft

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  20. thats our ryuko
    you'll always be best girl

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  21. well he's fucked now. serves him right.

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  22. Jeeze. It's like EFN is turning into Amy's Baking Company.

    It wasn't surprising at first, but this seems bad even for EFN drama.

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  23. The fact that this seems to matter to anyone makes me sad for mankind.

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