I went to DragonCon in Atlanta this weekend and it was the first time I’ve ever been in an autograph room. It fascinated me. It’s strange to see so many recognizable faces lined up like whores in Reeperbahn windows and to see who’s aged well, who hasn’t, who seems really outgoing, who seems a douche, etc…
The big star attraction was Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) whose line stretched not just out the door but down a staircase through a hall on a lower level- he must have signed thousands of autographs and all at $30 per.
A sad booth: Loni Anderson- who is teensy tiny in person and practically has “Made by DuPont” visible through her skin- and Howard Hesseman, who looked 112 years old and not helped by the fact he looked like he hadn’t bathed in a couple of days and was wearing a suit that looked like it was made from a pair of pajamas. Saddest thing: all the times I went in the room there was never a line at their table and I only saw one or two people buying.
Most changed in appearance from his ‘not that long ago heyday’: Nicholas Brendan (Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer); at 40 the puppy dog cuteness is gone, the gray hair is coming in everywhere but not in a flattering way, and his face looks like it’s been 40 rough years. He also never had much of a crowd; per others in attendance, he’s a bit of an ass.
The only autograph I bought was from Beau Bridges. He started a conversation with me when I was standing near his booth and after we talked for a little while (very personable super nice guy) I felt I owed him. Though frankly I’d have felt less obligated if I’d noticed he charged $30 first (most charged $25).
Longest line for a relative has-been: Elvira. Her line was out-the-door at one point (and her booth wasn’t that close to the door) and was never less than several people deep. Also, she looks mahvelous- she was in full gear and it was hard to believe she’s 60 because other than some mild crow’s feet when you’re up really close she looks the same as in her heyday.
Christopher Lloyd came in as I was leaving and passed a few feet from me. He’s 73 and looks it but got a huge ovation when he went to his table. I don’t know this for certain but somebody told me his autograph was $50 and there was a big sign saying No Photographs. He quickly drew a long line.
Carrie Fisher was also there- I don’t think it would surprise anybody to learn she looks like hell and sounds like she’s smoked 5 packs a day since The Empire Strikes Back, but seemed to enjoy her fans and had a respectable line at all times.
Bigger stars were in smaller and less Reeperbahn rooms:
Martin Landau- he’s 84 and looks absolutely ancient and like he’s out of The Motion Picture Home for the day. He was sitting next to Ernest Borgnine who’s 94 and looks like… Ernest Borgnine. Ernie seemed super alert and like he’s got a few thousand more miles on him, which I hope he does (there need to be a few “stars long before I was born” people around and kicking for a while).
James Marsters wasn’t at his table when I was there but I’m told that when he is he gets a huge line. One reason is he has a reputation for being super nice to his fans. Even though he’s done several things since he played Spike he sometimes even bleaches and close cuts his hair for their benefit; no idea if he did this year.
Joe Manganiello (Alcide from True Blood) was there and is as gucking forgeous in person as he is on the show, and ditto Misha Collins, but both were selling their autographs for something like $50.
Anyway, as mentioned this was in Atlanta. Most of the autographs were at least $25, some more (most expensive was William Shatner- $70), and in most if not all cases that was cash only. (Shatner may have been the exception- you had to pre-purchase and they might take cards.) As mentioned some had steady lines and some had long dormant periods.
The bigger/busier stars like Felton and Lloyd, neither of whom seem to lack for projects, earned a small fortune probably (I’d be very surprised if Felton grossed less than $50,000 the 3 days he was there) but then they get paid a lot of money for their projects; on the other hand unless Loni Anderson and Howard Hesseman, neither of whom are overly busy these days (no idea if that’s a choice or not- Hesseman works more than Loni but mostly in episodic guest shots) had much bigger crowds when I wasn’t around I’d be surprised if they made more than a few hundred dollars- if that- after paying for their hotel and transportation.
So I was curious if there’s any inside scoop on the economics of these shows. Does anybody know if the stars pay their own way/pay for a booth or if the convention organizers pay them/guarantee them a minimum or an advance? I’m guessing the fact most of the payments were in cash is significant- they probably lie to the IRS about how much they took in if they report it at all, thus every $1earned signing autographs could conceivably be the equal of $2 or even $4 earned on a movie (on which they’d pay full taxes, agent’s commission, personal assistant, etc.).
Are these significant sources of income for these people (the lesser employed anyway) or more side-money and self promotion?
The person who sits with them and takes the money at their booth: is that usually an agent of the celebrity or somebody who works for the autograph venue?
Anybody know about any of these things?
And if not, feel free to share anything autograph show related.