Convention Autograph Fees Reach New Low By Reaching New High
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You know Patrick Stewart, star of Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand and that delightful one-man stage version of A Christmas Carol? Who doesn't? What geek doesn't wake up in the morning to "Tea, earl grey, hot" and think of the Great Bald One?
Well, you better switch to decaf, my good friend, before you read this news: At the upcoming Chiller Theatre convention, one of the larger horror/sci-fi/kitsch festivals on the East Coast, Mr. Patrick Stewart will be commanding $100 per "photo op". That doesn't appear to include an autograph with it. Oh, and and would you mind forking that over in advance, his handlers ask you kindly.
We've reported on this consistently over the years. There's a lot of talent on the convention circuit that make their living at these shows. And 99% when you buy an autograph they're cordial, maybe you get a great story out of them, and they're happy to take a picture. Hey, if you can eke out a living off your one appearance in a cult-classic, be my guest. You earned it, buddy. But aggressive wallet-rape of excited fans really needs to be called out. Patrick Stewart did not make a one-off appearance in some late-70s chintzy Charles B. Pierce number. He's a grown-ass working actor with a multi-film blockbuster franchise and a TV series that ran 8 years to his credit--for both of which he likely receives healthy residuals when you buy a copy or they air on TV.
Of course, the excuse most likely to be lobbed at you by unsavory "convention agents" and "celebrities" appearing at these show is, "Whhaaaaaaa...eBay ruined it for us!". Well, I'll tell you what, let's take a quick survey. Anyone out there in Iconsland wanna buy a picture of me standing next to George Kennedy? (Put your hand down, Phil, you work here.) It's inexcusable.
Fandom has it's price, an undeniable fact. We'll travel hours to see movies, we'll hunt down all the merch we can find. Yes, I have an extensive collection of autographed merchandise, a lot of which I had to pay for. But after I work my ass off at a shitty job all month to save, after I travel the 5 hours in New Jersey traffic, pay my admission fee, wait in line for another hour to JUST to meet YOU, and hand you over that $25 to sign my DVD...won'tcha just let me take a picture with my own camera. Really? You know I'm really starting to wonder if the IRS is aware of these shows...
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Comments
Wow. What an asshole. I can't imagine paying anyone for thier wutograph or charging anyone for an autograph. Isn't it enough to connect with your fans and show them you're a real human who is happy to have the source of someone's enjoyment instead of a bloated hollywood asshole?
Posted by: RevSean | September 28, 2009 04:59 PM
Hell, he was charging $200 at Dragon*con just last month! His autograph was $60. He's definitely making the rounds this year.
Posted by: Convention Fans | September 29, 2009 02:18 AM
Wow, how timely - I was just at a con this weekend and was discussing this with friends.
What happened to the time old tradition of the celeb just having stuff you could buy while there, and not charge for the actual autograph? What happened to the hour long talks and fan Q&A's you'd get at the con in addition to the autograph times? Now it's just show up, sit there and sign stuff while your handler collects your hard earned cash.
It might just be that I'm remembering cons of the early 90's with rose colored glasses, but the experience with the celebs back then just seemed less hollow somehow.
Posted by: ConventionN00b | September 29, 2009 02:29 AM
This crap of high prices, including signing autographs and special high rates for schmoozing came LONG before eBay came onto the scene. Creation Entertainment has been charging high membership fees since the mid 80s, and has ruined smaller conventions everywhere as a result. They can afford to pay someone $20 grand to come to their shows, which pretty much leaves all other cons in their dust, or striving to one-up Creation by being more creative with who they bring in as guests. But the truth is, some fans don't really care WHO brings in the guest, just as long as they come.
How can any of us compete against that kind of unscrupulous convention organization? One convention organizer said to me some time ago, now, that one actor wanted $25,000 as a guest, and a limo available 24 hrs. each day he would be at the convention. If that isn't pure
greed, nothing is.
There have been a few actors who basically told Creation to go screw themselves, but it would be great to see more do it, even if it costs them to do it.
Posted by: hyphenate | October 5, 2009 05:10 AM
This is not to knock him. He played my favorite character in star trek TNG. My question is this and this is a serious one no joking at all. My question is about when I went to the chiller just this weekend in nj to get a picture with him. My friend went to shake his hand complimenting his acting being great and all. Anyway he said he didn't shake hands. My question is he germofobic or is he just being concieted? Seriously if it was because of being germofobic I'd be fine with it but truthfully if it was for the forementioned alternative I have to say I'd be very dissappointed. I just want to know if anyone had an experience like that with him? This post is not meant to disrespect Patrick Stewart in anyway this is just for clarity. Thanks.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 3, 2009 12:44 AM