For me, it would be Chris Hardwick. He’s my favorite celebrity and goes to cons all the time.
Sorry, I really didn’t mean my post as criticism. You were at his event; it’s part of the job for him, and he took it on voluntarily. If you wanted to meet him and have a photo as a memento, there’s nothing wrong with that. He was on the job at the time, and it goes with the territory.
I get that a lot of people are fascinated by celebrity and like to have tangible reminders of their brushes with it, but it’s not an impulse I share, so I don’t go to meet-and-greets, book-signings, or photo ops. Consequently, the people I’ve met weren’t “on” at the time, and that’s something I feel should be respected.
A buddy of mine played in the NFL and is in the HOF. He does a few sports shows each year to make some extra cash. I’ve gone along a couple of times.
He is not there to enjoy himself. He does not like the people who pay him for an autograph or picture. In fact, he thinks they’re idiots. But that’s ok, it’s part of his “mystique”.
When someone asks for something extra, like, “oh, I blinked, can we do another?” he tells them no, or fuck off, and they laugh, because they think he’s kidding around with them.
Never heard of this. How much does it cost?
Whatever the person in question wants to ask for. If a signed glossy printed photo is $25, a selfie might be $10.
It was $80 but I owed him the money.
I was walking through with cam-phone out, taking pics of costumed attendees. I walk down an aisle, saw him with someone else and snapped a shot.
And I got yelled at. And… I was in the wrong. So, I apologized, bought a ticket, and did my best to make it right.
texted from my phone while touring Independence Hall.
So help me, The Declaration of Independence…
For several decades, every time I see that actor’s name, my first thought is Morton Downey, Jr. I didn’t want to break it to you that he has been dead for many years, but I did think it was quite an interesting list.
Then I realized my error.
I can’t begrudge anyone who pays their bills w/ these appearances and extras; their likeness is their living, they can’t send chunks of their fan’s affection to the credit card companies.
I went to middle school and high school with him. He’s a condescending asshole. If you never meet him, you aren’t missing much.
Were you inside the convention area somehow or in a common area?
I need to stand in line, to pay $, to meet someone somehow famous for about 3 seconds??? That’s not gonna happen.
Thru a work thing, I got to have lunch with a retired dozen-plus year NHL player two days before he was to play in a Winter Classic Alumni game. I got to know him as a person, not just a handshake. There are others I would like to do that with but not just a picture or an autograph.
I got to grow up around some of my pro sports heroes. When they’re the one who initiate the small talk/pleasantries conversation it felt weird to then break that professionalism to ask for an autograph - this was back in the day of film cameras & before the word ‘selfie’ existed.
If John Cusack is financially comfortable, it’s likely that:
(1) he’s not making any appearances at all
(2) someone is already paying him to be there and he isn’t charging individual attendees
(3) he’s appearing for no money at all.
But (3) is very unlikely. The majority of “celebrities” are at the convention at the first place because:
(1) they need the money
(2) they want the money
(3) a contract requires their presence
Even if a celebrity is appearing just for the sake of his or her fans, it’s not fair to expect him or her to eat the cost of transportation, lodging, food, and booth rental. The vast majority of convention celebrities are not that rich that it’s nothing to them.
Dear Og, why would I want to get a selfie with someone? I’m more in the ‘grab a beer and have an interesting conversation’ camp.
Fame has always seemed to be a horror to me.
Oh, yeah. For some reason I assumed conversation was a given. I want to sit down and talk to Chris Hardwick. Based on his public persona and Nerdist podcasts he seems like the easiest person to talk to in the world, and it’s amazing what he will get out of people. I listened to a recent interview he did with Guy Ritchie and they started talking about addiction (Chris is a recovering alcoholic) and suddenly they are deep into this conversation about addiction recovery and different philosophical approaches to living life. Ritchie was throwing out Viktor Frankl quotes. It was fantastic.
If you don’t even get to talk to the person, I dunno… Sir Pat Stew?
I’m with you on fame, it would be my personal version of hell.
I did that once, decades ago. I was an amateur magician at the time, and David Copperfield came into town. My (now ex-) wife and I saw the show and loved it.
They announced he would be signing things afterwards, so I bought a program or something. We stood line line forever until he finally showed up. They had his chair on a table so he was above the crowds facing off into the distance.
One of the stage hands would take the program, hand it to him, which he silently signed with as much enthusiasm as paying a late fee on a bill, never making eye contact (probably had sunglasses on) and then it was returned and the process repeated.
I think I just tossed the program in the garbage on the way home.
It was set up in rows and columns of stalls, like a flea market. There are lots of things for sale and lots of people in costume. About 2-3 of the rows opened to 2 larger boothed rows with people inside them. Many were away, taking breaks.
I knew about paying for nice pix, didn’t think a snap from 30 feet away would be a problem, but I was in the wrong.
Yes, its picking his pocket. So I bought the right ticket & I did the right thing.
Cool job. But I’m not going to get to meet anyone like that at work or home so… its this or the highway. Look, I’m not bitching about my life; its never ever dull and these are some pretty damn interesting times.
Also, I left with the impression that he was a decent & cool person and very professional.
I know this world is full of jerks and that money and fame can really bring that out in a few people who you really wouldn’t expect it too, but I honestly don’t think that’s him at all.
Also, for the person that asked, no I did not say “I want my $2…”
One of the big differences between a science fiction con and a comic con is the attitude of the BNAs (Big Name Author/Actor) regarding their autographs. At the former, they’re free. As one author put it, “You bought my stuff; I’m happy to sign it.” The signings are regulated to keep them from constantly being stopped for one during the con (“So-n-so will be at the autograph table Thursday from noon to three”) and smart authors will have a stack of books by their elbow to happily sell you at retail to sign, but will be just as glad to sign a battered, obviously cherished paperback you’ve brought.
Having said that, being a Firefly fan, I’ve bought a set of the ship’s papers and have been slowly collecting autographs on the endorsements page. So far I have Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin, and Mark Shepherd at $20 or $40 a pop. I declined the opportunity for Nathan Fillion’s at $80.
I’ve never had a picture taken.
I paid to get an autographed photo of Felicia Day, the selfie was no charge. :rolleyes:
Totally worth it to troll my nerd friends.
I have a pic with Snookie. She was very nice…no attitude whatsoever. She was pregnant and still cute as hell.
She’s a Cutie…! I hope you stole a hug instead of the cold hand-shake.