Gimli's Axe Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Can someone please confirm if Barrie is likely to have any Basil the Great Mouse Detective photos with him? I need to know whether I need to bring something to get signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showmasters Admin Too Tall Posted April 18, 2008 Showmasters Admin Share Posted April 18, 2008 We never confirm what photos a guest will or will not have. If we do people will then assume they will be able to get one and this it not always the case. A shot we intended to have gets forgotten by the printer, they all run out before you get your autograph. The best advice is always, if you want a specific print signed bring one along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimli's Axe Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 We never confirm what photos a guest will or will not have. If we do people will then assume they will be able to get one and this it not always the case. A shot we intended to have gets forgotten by the printer, they all run out before you get your autograph. The best advice is always, if you want a specific print signed bring one along. Essentially that's a bit of a poor policy, and a kop out in trying to blame others for your reasoning. All I would like to know is whether I will need to specifically buy something for a guest in attendence. I find a lack of co-operation from the organisers who are quite willing to take our money a little disturbing. It also confirms that the customers who make these events what they are, are merely viewed as a commodity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showmasters Admin Too Tall Posted April 18, 2008 Showmasters Admin Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) The 2 reason I gave you are valid. Also in some cases guests bring their own pictures so the show don't know for sure until the day what they'll have. SM prefer not to confirm what will be there so no one will be disappointed if they don't get one. This has always been their policy. I'm sorry you feel it means SM are using their customers as a "commodity" and that you are disturbed by it! If it conserns you so much maybe you'd like to discuss it with the organisers, both Dave and Jason will be at the event over the weekend and will be more than happy to hear your complaint. At the end of the day the photos provided by the show are FREE. They are there for you to have if you don't have something of your own to sign. The show are under no obligation to provide anything to be signed, but just to prove how money grabbing and thoughtless they are, they give photos away free. Edited April 18, 2008 by Too Tall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dufresne Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Munch on that - troll ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Home Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) I have to agree with TT - I have never had a problem with any of the photos supplied by Showmasters, but if I want a specific type of photograph signed I take a copy with me. Most of the time SM have had the photo I wanted, if they have run out - that's my loss. Anne Edited April 18, 2008 by Dragon Home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Fooku Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Where else but this forum could there be an argument about June Whitfield one day and Basil The Great Mouse Detective the next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raylenth Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 We never confirm what photos a guest will or will not have. If we do people will then assume they will be able to get one and this it not always the case. A shot we intended to have gets forgotten by the printer, they all run out before you get your autograph. The best advice is always, if you want a specific print signed bring one along. Essentially that's a bit of a poor policy, and a kop out in trying to blame others for your reasoning. All I would like to know is whether I will need to specifically buy something for a guest in attendence. I find a lack of co-operation from the organisers who are quite willing to take our money a little disturbing. It also confirms that the customers who make these events what they are, are merely viewed as a commodity. Actually whilst I can't claim to have been to every single con out there, of all the ones I have been to over the last 11 years, not one has ever listed the photo's they would have beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgill Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I'd like to add some comments but on a slightly different tack - I (and many of the autograph collecting friends I have) get our own items signed. I'm less than happy at having to pay the same amount for these as people who get the photos provided signed (I can't believe they are "free" - they are paid for at some point in the system by showmasters from the money they take from the autographs, photo sessions etc). The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. Additionally, we (me and the group of friends) would like the opportunity to do deals with actors to get multiple items signed, but these never exist at showmaster cons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Fooku Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I'd like to add some comments but on a slightly different tack - I (and many of the autograph collecting friends I have) get our own items signed. I'm less than happy at having to pay the same amount for these as people who get the photos provided signed (I can't believe they are "free" - they are paid for at some point in the system by showmasters from the money they take from the autographs, photo sessions etc). The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. Additionally, we (me and the group of friends) would like the opportunity to do deals with actors to get multiple items signed, but these never exist at showmaster cons. I think the view I've heard, which isn't unreasonable, is that you wouldn't go into HMV and haggle over the price of a CD if you didn't want the case or the booklet that comes with it so why should an autograph be any different. I dont know the answer to this question but do SM say the photographs are free or that they are included in the price of the autograph? There is a difference albeit a very slight one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimli's Axe Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 I am not asking for a list of specific photos, I am merely asking whether or not someone who is signing at this event will have representation in photographic format of one of the things they have been in. I do not think that unreasonable. Surely there would be a means of finding out from the guest/his/her agent beforehand. But I know of some events that publish pre-order photos of their guests so you get a rough idea of what will be available to be signed. I'm not saying that SM should do this, but I feel an indication would be welcome and not too much to ask. I'd like to add some comments but on a slightly different tack - I (and many of the autograph collecting friends I have) get our own items signed. I'm less than happy at having to pay the same amount for these as people who get the photos provided signed (I can't believe they are "free" - they are paid for at some point in the system by showmasters from the money they take from the autographs, photo sessions etc). The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. Additionally, we (me and the group of friends) would like the opportunity to do deals with actors to get multiple items signed, but these never exist at showmaster cons. I think the view I've heard, which isn't unreasonable, is that you wouldn't go into HMV and haggle over the price of a CD if you didn't want the case or the booklet that comes with it so why should an autograph be any different. I dont know the answer to this question but do SM say the photographs are free or that they are included in the price of the autograph? There is a difference albeit a very slight one! Yet Peter Mayhew - at a SM event in MK - once stropped at someone for trying to take a photo as he had got his own poster signed. It wasn't a pleasant sight and could have been avoided if the message wasn't that these photos are indeed FOC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showmasters Admin Too Tall Posted April 18, 2008 Showmasters Admin Share Posted April 18, 2008 I'd like to add some comments but on a slightly different tack - I (and many of the autograph collecting friends I have) get our own items signed. I'm less than happy at having to pay the same amount for these as people who get the photos provided signed (I can't believe they are "free" - they are paid for at some point in the system by showmasters from the money they take from the autographs, photo sessions etc). The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. Yes they are obviously an over head of the show, but to the attendee they are free... It's like you going to an ice cream van and asking for an ice cream and the man saying do you want free chocolate sprinkles on that and you saying "No I don't, but I'll have some money off the ice cream instead!". Is that going to happen? It's like you going to a news agent to get a magazine and you don't want the free CD with it. Would you ask the news agent for the magazine cheaper because you didn't want the free CD? The answer is NO. Additionally, we (me and the group of friends) would like the opportunity to do deals with actors to get multiple items signed, but these never exist at showmaster cons. I'm not going to get in to the ins and outs of actors contract because every one is different and I'll be honest it's not something I'm involved in, but at the end of the day the actors are under contract with the show. Some other shows let the actors take the risk, the show pays for nothing, but the actor takes the earnings, and so the actor then has a say as to any deals on multiple buys. At SM events most guests are not there off their own back. Travel, hotel, expenses and/or flat fees are being paid for by the show. The show is taking the risk and there for any deals have to be done through the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showmasters Admin Too Tall Posted April 18, 2008 Showmasters Admin Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) I am not asking for a list of specific photos, I am merely asking whether or not someone who is signing at this event will have representation in photographic format of one of the things they have been in. I do not think that unreasonable. Surely there would be a means of finding out from the guest/his/her agent beforehand. But I know of some events that publish pre-order photos of their guests so you get a rough idea of what will be available to be signed. I'm not saying that SM should do this, but I feel an indication would be welcome and not too much to ask. Yes there are means of finding out. You are missing my point completely. I'm not saying it's not possible. I'm saying what someone says today may not be correct tomorrow or the day after that. As I've said above, as soon as we do specify a photo (or type of photo) is going to be there, there is an expectation from the attendees that it will be. And if then for whatever reason that photo is not there some attendees will be disappointed. What is worse? You get told we can't garenttee anything and you go and pay to get the picture you really want and then get there to find there is a similar one at the show. Or that we say yes there will be one of those and so you don't bother getting one and when you get to the show there isn't one. Which is worse? On one hand you have paid an extra couple of pounds but got what you wanted. On the other hand you have spent maybe £100+ getting to the event and on the entrance fee to find out there isn't the photo you wanted. Yes it would be great if we could give a definitive list (or even a list of types) and guarantee everyone gets the photo (or type of photo) they want. But we can't! So we go for the lesser of 2 evils. I'd like to add some comments but on a slightly different tack - I (and many of the autograph collecting friends I have) get our own items signed. I'm less than happy at having to pay the same amount for these as people who get the photos provided signed (I can't believe they are "free" - they are paid for at some point in the system by showmasters from the money they take from the autographs, photo sessions etc). The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. Additionally, we (me and the group of friends) would like the opportunity to do deals with actors to get multiple items signed, but these never exist at showmaster cons. I think the view I've heard, which isn't unreasonable, is that you wouldn't go into HMV and haggle over the price of a CD if you didn't want the case or the booklet that comes with it so why should an autograph be any different. I dont know the answer to this question but do SM say the photographs are free or that they are included in the price of the autograph? There is a difference albeit a very slight one! Yet Peter Mayhew - at a SM event in MK - once stropped at someone for trying to take a photo as he had got his own poster signed. It wasn't a pleasant sight and could have been avoided if the message wasn't that these photos are indeed FOC. The policy is that you receive a free picture to get signed with each autograph you buy. This means as a rule people can take a free picture if they are getting they own item signed. This situation was likely just a misunderstanding with Peter. The pictures may have been his own and he wasn't aware of the SM policy. He does a lot of shows and I'm sure it becomes confusing which show runs which rules. Edited April 18, 2008 by Too Tall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showmasters Admin Too Tall Posted April 18, 2008 Showmasters Admin Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) Everything I've said above stands as the general policy of the shows but............ I've just realised, all this and Barrie isn't even an Autographica guest! He's there with the Terry Nation event with a completely different organiser, so we'd certainly not know what pictures he'll have. Edited April 18, 2008 by Too Tall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autograph_fanatic Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 If we do people will then assume they will be able to get one and this it not always the case. A shot we intended to have gets forgotten by the printer, they all run out before you get your autograph. What would be the scenario for pre-orders? If a person pre-orders a shot (specifiying that they want say a Bond shot signed) do the organisers have these shots signed for the pre-orders before the visitors can have them signed, that being that the pre-order customer gets what they wanted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen_Sindel Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 What would be the scenario for pre-orders? If a person pre-orders a shot (specifiying that they want say a Bond shot signed) do the organisers have these shots signed for the pre-orders before the visitors can have them signed, that being that the pre-order customer gets what they wanted? I'm not sure how things are done for Autographica because you can order from their site directly. If it's just the general direction of "Bond shot" and that's the major role of the guest, there's usually more than one photo of the guest in that role. So it's rather unlikely that all photos will run out at once. MSPG always posts a "sample image" for their pre-orders, and you can describe what kind of photo you want. Like Bond image for Sean Bean instead of LOTR and general things like that. They don't guarantee a specific shot from what I know. Mick would the person who can confirm this exactly. I'm guessing Autographica will handle things the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraHawk Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 (edited) The upshot of the showmasterisation of autograph collecting is that almost every other con has gone down this route. I've never seen it at a Dr Who con, but then they know we like to bring our own bits and bobs! Yes they are obviously an over head of the show, but to the attendee they are free... It's like you going to an ice cream van and asking for an ice cream and the man saying do you want free chocolate sprinkles on that and you saying "No I don't, but I'll have some money off the ice cream instead!". Is that going to happen? It's like you going to a news agent to get a magazine and you don't want the free CD with it. Would you ask the news agent for the magazine cheaper because you didn't want the free CD? The answer is NO. It's not exactly environmentally conscious though either. What happens to all the prints that are picked up (but not used), and for that matter those that aren't picked up? I could go into a shop each time and pick up a FREE carrier bag with each purchase but I don't. Everything I've said above stands as the general policy of the shows but............ I've just realised, all this and Barrie isn't even an Autographica guest! He's there with the Terry Nation event with a completely different organiser, so we'd certainly not know what pictures he'll have. Tenth Planet will probably only have 1 or 2 photos from the Dalek movie, and perhaps a generic photo from his TV story. As a last minute guest I doubt they'd of had time to get much more printed. Certainly with anything BBC it all has to be licensed. However Barrie certainly seemed to have a wide array of his own photos at the badly mispelled event last year in the N.E.C including his Star Trek appearance. Edited April 18, 2008 by TerraHawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators DavidB Posted April 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted April 18, 2008 It's not exactly environmentally conscious though either. What happens to all the prints that are picked up (but not used), and for that matter those that aren't picked up? I could go into a shop each time and pick up a FREE carrier bag with each purchase but I don't. Personally if I take a photo, I may put it on my wall or in a folder with my autos, or even send them off for Through The Mail autograph responses .. or keep them for a premiere etc perhaps. There's plenty of possible uses for them As for those not picked up, I've seen many re-used at later events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicky Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 At the end of the day the photos provided by the show are FREE. They are there for you to have if you don't have something of your own to sign. The show are under no obligation to provide anything to be signed, but just to prove how money grabbing and thoughtless they are, they give photos away free. Like a BBQ - bring your own meat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dufresne Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 He had BTGMD pics yesterday ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilgalad70 Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Personally, the Nation guys didn't interest me, but all this stuff about 'what happens to the unsold photos' panic.. Maybe get put aside for another show? Like what happens to the backdrops at CM shows. I've done a few shows in the US, and the stars set their own prices, and don't give 'freebies' if you take your own stuff. I've known guys take suitcases of stuff to get signed, hardly a good idea to take half a suitcase extra back. Where does it state that SM or ANY organiser will have exact lists of shots that will be available? With Mr Curtis, having lots of shots from every movie/show he'd done, would take a whole stand, let alone a small table before his own table.. And what would happen to all those unused shots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimli's Axe Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Barrie had one BTGMD image that was one that he's obviously comissioned. There were no stills or decent quality photos there though which I was told on Saturday was due to Disney copywriting it all. I'll have to hope he does another one in the future and get myself prepared for it. As it was he was a rather late announcement on this forum I think so I didn't get the chance to get anything in in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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