Ron Weasley Made Me Sad (Fan Expo Story)

[Wee67]

This is just the other side of the coin of Geekdom becoming more and more popular and, hence, more profitable.

We all enjoy seeing are bits of nerd subculture finally getting turned into major projects. Its great to be able to see stuff I love getting made on all different levels. Heck, even accessibility to those things is much, much easier.

Of course, the other side of that is things like this. But Huedell is correct- this is just the market determining that there's gold in them there hills. It's hard to blame the miners or even the gold.

Even understanding that and not wanting it to change, I do sometimes miss nerd culture being our little secret.

[Brazoo]

I love Motor City, it knows how to treat people as opposed to Fan Expo.

Even when it was swarming with people I don't remember feeling like cattle there. I had so many fantastic encounters with comic legends there too; Will Eisner, Jim Steranko, Al Williamson, Don Heck, Martin Nodell...

The movie/TV celebrities seemed really accessible compared to Fan Expo as well.

There's no reason I stopped going, except for my own laziness and lack of budget. I should check it out again.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I was actually a "guest" at Motor City for two years in a row in the late 90s. Tiny comic outfit I was working for set up there. Somehow, we were treated (very undeservedly) as real professionals. Very relaxed atmosphere back then. Got to go back to the complimentary room and eat chili two tables over from Billy Dee Williams. Literally almost ran over Kenny Baker coming out of a men's room. It was all very surreal.

My friend Mitch and I were the only folks in the room when a group of people walked by, staring into the room and assessing the situation. You would have thought it was the secret service, prepared to evict us from the premises. Turns out it was just Jonathan Frakes' entourage. Apparently Number One likes to eat nachos alone.

Chris

[palitoy]

I love Motor City, it knows how to treat people as opposed to Fan Expo. I was once berated by a FE employee to "Get the **** out of his way" at the top of his lungs. I fought the urge to relieve his shoulders of his tiny head.

[Brazoo]

I used to love the Motor City con, but I haven't been in years.

[Brazoo]

Times change---the market changes---but, what doesn't change is that the market dictates reality, not arbitrary assumptions and/or perceived consumer entitlements.

Good point.

[Mr.Marion]

Those panels are complete mark-fests. Dorks laughing at jokes that aren't funny. I'd like to go the motor city comic con but $30-40 admission a day is a little much.

[daz71]

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.

that's awful i've met quite a few people in bands and they were chatting to people signing autographs having pictures taken never asked for money.i once met u.s. hardcore band agnostic front walking around my city lost .

[huedell]

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

And that's that.

As is common with a thread with multiple posters attempting to challenge the market on setting a price for something in the entertainment media industry---a small summation like Goblin19's says it all.

Irritation over paying a set price is understood, but claims that those prices are inappropriate are empty claims.

Times change---the market changes---but, what doesn't change is that the market dictates reality, not arbitrary assumptions and/or perceived consumer entitlements .

That said: I do understand that misrepresenting what an event is for deception to nab extra cash's sake (as in what Brazoo noted) is unfairly frustrating.

[Brazoo]

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.

For the record, I agree completely with the point you made. That's sounds like a pure bait-and-switch scam to me. Even though I think the author Jonathan Kay's point was related to your thoughts I think his specific viewpoint regarding the experience he paid for was less valid. I guess it's a symptom of the same issue, but I think that if the issue is about the monetization of "fandom" then I don't think it's fair to blame the actors for their part in this without also blaming the fans. In your case I think the issue is crooked event promoters, which is why I think it's a slightly different issue.

[SainthoodDenied]

We have Dragoncon here every labor day wekend just over an hour west of me in Atlanta, I stopped going when it got so big the local small dealers I buy from couldn't afford tables anymore. If you don't support your local people then don't expect my support. Those guys were the dealers there when it was small and trying to stay alive from year to year. Now it's all movie and media and corporate stuff

[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...

[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.

[Goblin19]

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

[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.