Ron Weasley Made Me Sad (Fan Expo Story)

[palitoy]

I can relate to this article, I've been going to Cons since the mid 1980s, I've watched the cash grab escalate to epic proportions.

Last year, my kids wanted to attend a "Doctor Who Event" that cost me $200. It was a panel, nothing more than what is regularly (and deservedly) FREE at SDCC. It's essentially why I'm done with these larger con experiences.

http://thewalrus.ca/ron-weasley-made-me-sad/

[Mikey]

I never could understand the idea of celebrities charging money for photo's and autographs.

Maybe i'm being naïve but for the most part this doesn't happen at stuff like rock concerts etc.

The band doesn't perform and then sit in a lemonade stand selling autographs.

Actually, I think Ted Nugget does it

[Fitski]

Guess you never heard of meet and greets with musicians before their concerts? They have a mini fan expo with fans paying a ton of cash to get autographs and pics.

[Brazoo]

On one hand I get the outrage, but I actually have a decent amount of sympathy for the actors in this situation. I think it's really difficult to make a living as an actor. There are many cases where an iconic roll actually limits the work an actor can get too. Also, the way I see it, the actors didn't create this market - the fans did.

My guess is that most of these actors would be happy to sign a free autograph if you met them on the street. This is a different situation to me. The actors are there to work. For a lot of these guys it's probably their main source of income.

[Brazoo]

Wow - just realized Jonathan Kay wrote this. You know what? He can afford it.

[Mikey]

I kinda partially agree if the actor is a so called has-been --- but IMO for a working actor it's kinda degrading and embarrassing from both sides of the isle.

I've said this before, if this happened in the old days Bela Lugosi would have been worshipped as a living god at shows like this -- instead of dying thinking he was forgotten by most.

[Fitski]

Judging by the guests at the Fan Expo I wouldn't call anyone there a has been (ok maybe Skeet Ulrich) , I think they are smart to cash in on their popularity now and looking at their lineups people were more than happy to pay the prices there.

[Goblin19]

Never been an autograph guy. Part of it is the expectation that I might run into this type of situation or worse. Having said that, I'm shocked Billy Dee isn't in more demand. He'd probably be the one I'd go for.

[cjefferys]

Yeah, this kind of thing has gotten crazy, I'm not interested anymore either, especially at the prices being charged. Of course, I'm old school and remember having my comics signed for free at cons back in the 80's (even guys like John Byrne and Frank Miller signed my stuff for free back then). I'm not interested in the whole photo op thing myself and the last autograph I paid for was George Romero signing my Dawn of the Dead script around 10 years ago at Fan Expo (cost me $20, but I got to talk to him for a bit and shake his hand, it was worth it to me).

[palitoy]

Guess you never heard of meet and greets with musicians before their concerts? They have a mini fan expo with fans paying a ton of cash to get autographs and pics.

I did that this summer, we got to sit on the sound check, meet the band, get a great photo with them, two autographed posters and some other goodies, it took well over an hour and a half. It was a terrific value and experience.

[palitoy]

I think my point outside of this article wasn't that it's wrong per say or whether people can afford it or not, it's that it's just really getting out of hand.

Cons are supposed to have panels, when you have VIP seating and then charge admission for everyone (who already paid admission) that's gouging.

[great_chandel]

I am a massive autograph collector! I have collected through the mail for many years! My collection is so extensive, Autograph Magazine did a story on me years ago. However, I do NOT like paying for autographs. Paying for postage and sending a request is more than enough!! Postage is not getting any cheaper. However, what I have found out, is more and more celebrities are either not signing, charging a fee, or are sending out an auto-pen picture. Many celebrities claim they are tired of people getting autographs and selling them on Ebay. Even if that is the case, so what???? Now I collect for pure enjoyment. I love movies and TV. It is the only thing that makes checking the mail any fun! Yet, who cares if people sell them. Jack Nicholson said it best about people selling his autograph, "you have to help support the working man." Yet, with all that being said, you will always have celebrities who charge (which is ridiculous), or just flat-out refuse to sign for fans. Humphrey Bogart comes to mind. He said many times, "I owe nothing to my fans but a good performance." That is sad. Yet, that was his prerogative.

[Goblin19]

I get it. I skip Cons nowadays. I just don't see the value in them. Price doesn't equate to experience.

[Fitski]

Now that would be super cool to do!

I did that this summer, we got to sit on the sound check, meet the band, get a great photo with them, two autographed posters and some other goodies, it took well over an hour and a half. It was a terrific value and experience.

[Duncan]

Wizard is in Columbus this weekend, and I have no interest in going. It's a free market, and people who are willing to pay are free to do so. I don't care. I kind of wonder if this is the top of the market/bubble. Wonder how I short autographs...