emmangel

To be fair, when the guests are really, really packed, I may not like it, but I can understand it, because even if we're not aware of it at the time even taking photos in the queue can take up extra time, as people tend to move slower to get a few more shots in. However, at the time I went down, there were two people in front of me and no one at all behind me until after I had left, so it wouldn't have actually delayed anything (and I only really wanted 1 photo anyway). It's times like these that I don't understand why it's not allowed, as it won't delay anyone.

I saw Eve around 1.30pm and she personalized. However I thought not being allowed to take photos in the queue was a bit off since there was only two people in front of me and no one at all behind me (and still wasn't until a few minutes after I left). I can understand when it's busy, but when there was no queue I don't think it was really fair (argue all you want, I stand by what I say). I didn't bother to see John after that, put me right off. I'll just see him another time when I CAN take photos.

Ah, I assumed it was someone from SM/ME since my room wasn't cleaned on the Saturday. If it's the housekeeping staff that went in to put them in the rooms that's fine, I don't have a problem with it. It was just given what Jason had told me previously and the fact that I spoke to the housekeeper about not cleaning my room I assumed it was someone from the event. :)

Sorry, just thought of one last thing, with regard to the room gifts. I'd talked to Jason at one of the signing events before the con where we voiced our concerns about how the room gifts were going to be handled. We were told that they'd be placed in the rooms on the Friday before everyone arrived and not after we'd checked in. Now, I know things can come up and change, but I was extremely uncomfortable to find out that someone had come into my room on the Saturday to put these gifts in our rooms (esp. when they could have been slid under the door). I'm not doubting the honesty of the staff that put them in the rooms, but it still made my feel uneasy. I dislike the Housekeeping staff coming into my room, let alone people who I'm not expecting and I know several other people felt the same way. Perhaps this can be fixed for next time? I'd vote against that, it it can split up friends and family who booked only minutes apart and are still in the same 'group'. I think putting signs on the isle seats indicating the sections (like other cons do for stewards) would work though, so everyone knows what area they should sit in.

I believe one event did, but it was somewhat of a mess from what I understand (and they went out of business after one event - even made Watchdog!). It really does make things a lot leess stressful for all. For us since we're not struggling with a load of extra stuff (I include bags in this since we normally don't have to lug them around too), and you can just chat while you're waiting instead of trying to get that 'perfect' shot. Plus I'm sure the guests feel better for not being snapped at all the time. I think the problem is that a lot of people are just used to doing signing events, and thus feel like they're losing something. You're really not, it makes things much nicer for all.

I agree with this. I was only 5 rows back and am tall, but had trouble seeing on Saturday and on Sunday couldn't see at all. The fact that they were on low chairs didn't help matters. A slightly highter stage will help everyone, esp. at the back. It'd also help stop people's cameras getting in the way. With the guests in easier view, people can hold their cameras at a much lower level.

As I think LFACC proved, Heroes has drawn in a lot of new people to events. A lot of shows have a core of fans who tend to move from one show to the next (Buffy>Angel>Firefly>Actors other shows for example) where as this show doesn't really have that unless you could Greg and David for the Alias fans. Even then there most of them are new to events too as there were only a few Alias events and there were several years ago. So yes, lots of new fans who don't know how things are run, which is why it's esp. important to make things as simple to understand as possible, until they get the ropes. I'm sure they'll get the hand of things in time though.

Ah, didn't have a great view so must have missed that. I thought it was a well known fact that they ingore their own rules on a regular basis? As for how big a problem it causes, I can't say. All I know is that it can cause a problem as I've seen it do so in the past. If Massive are happy with mobiles left on though, fair enough. I just thought it was worth mentioning. I would suggest however that people who do keep mobiles on in the future keep them on silent, as for nothing else it's polite not to interrupt the guest with the latest jazzy ring tone.

Moblies switched on (even on silent) tend to cause a big poblem with equipment normally, and kill radio mics. I know they didn't use radio mics at this event, but they could still cause problems with other equipment. I know among other things it can affect the video recordings, depending on the type of equipment is used. This may not actually be a problem for this event, but since it is for others I figured I'd mention it just in case.

Oh, thought of another thing. It was mentioned once at the beginning of Sundaym but perhaps mention at the start of every block of talks that there is no videoing and mobiles should be turned off. For some people it'll stop them, for others they'll have no excuse for why there were doing it if caught. I saw a ton of people with phones on, as as much as I like the X-Files, I didn't really feel like hearing the theme tune during the talks!

You clearly don't understand the difference between a SIGNING EVENT and a CONVENTION. You have plently of time to take photos during the guest talks, taking photos at the autos does slow things down. As someone who had to wait until just before the final auto session closed to get one autograph, I woudln't have been able to had people been faffing with cameras. For what it's worth, I believe you should always be allowed to take photos at signings, unless there is a good reason. However conventions auto sessions should stay camera free. Things are much more relaxed as a result, as are the guests. I'd suggest to showmasters to have a bag drop for autos like at other events to stop people taking photos (as I saw one person doing so and asking for a posed photo eith David on Sunday), but given how the autos are broken up I doubt it'd be pratical sadly. ETA: Plus people wouldn't just stop at taking a photo getting the item signed. They'd be taking photos all down the queues, awful idea.

I haven't. I didn't have too much of an issue with Gold tickets as they were limited to 100, but extending this tiered system is something I don't agree with as it reminds me far too much of how US cons run things and puts people who can't afford to pay higher prices at a disadvantage, esp. given how standard seating is also assigned. If you want a good seat with a standard passe have no chance. If the guest list is good and there are people I want to see I may buy a ticket just before the event, but I currently don't think I will. It's a shame as if the even had the same levels/prices as last year I may well have.

Yep. After the gold tickets they called people in by group name, which had about 25 people in each. That I didn't have a problem with, as each group was assigned based on ticket number. However with no numbers on the tickets, there was no way to make sure the ticket you were given was correct (I'm not doubting the staff, but some of us like to make sure everything is correct because mistakes can happen). I was in the 30's, so was in the second batch of tickets. This was fine, but a list detailing the groups/ticket numbers posted somewhere near reg would have helped anyone who just wanted to double check things.

It wasn't the autos that I was worried about, more regarding the seating. I booked early to get a good seat, and would have liked to be sure I had the correct ticket before being called in. I must admit I wasn't too sure about the backgrounds at first, but was rather pleased with them when I saw how they looked in the end. I still disagree there. I've only ever been to one other convention with one all the others have not and work fine. Having mikes set up stops the time taken to run around trying to find people and keeps things running smoothly. I think having a mix of the two could work, so that you wouldn't have any dry patches, but still let things flow a bit better.

I have no opinion of the price of photos, since I only ever get single shots, but I will say that I felt the price of the group shot was good value. Other events charge a fair bit more than that, so £40 seems a very good price.