214 replies to this topic

[showmasters]

I don't really count as a Showmasters person really - I'm just one of the organisers Mums - but I'm finding it very hard to read the number of posts complaining at the lack of organisation etc.
As anyone who has been at the show today (Sunday) will realise there are just SO MANY people to organise and hope to make happy. I don't think anyone could have foreseen just what a HUGE responsibility this was going to be.There are only so many autographs one person can sign in a day, so there are bound to be people who are disappointed. As far as the doors being open early is concerned, if you think about it ,it doesn't really make any difference, because there were obviously more people queueing to get in than could be seen by the LOTR people anyway.

Of course I understand peoples disappointment. But you see, I also see it all from another point of view, and that is from watching my son, Mark, his business partner, Jason,and the rest of the Showmasters team trying so hard to put on the best Show for people that they can possibly manage. They have been living and breathing this show since the end of the last one in May. They love arranging it all and certainly don't see it primarily from a money making point of view - they see it as their 'Baby' and their main aim is to try and get as good a selection of guests together as they can, in the hope that they can make as many peoples dreams come true as possible.

I have only had reason to feel proud of all their hard work and to be amazed at the amount of organisation that goes into these shows. Whilst I know they are philosophical people, I know that it will also upset them to think that through basically getting such brilliant, popular guests, they have inadvertently made people unhappy also.

May I therefore apologise on their behalf for now, as I know it will not be possible for them to be aware of what is being said on the forum etc - probably until the early hours of the morning, because they have so much to do. The last thing they will want is to be making people unhappy - they strive for the opposite of that.

I'm sorry if it annoys anyone for me to say how I'm feeling about this right now, but I felt too upset to say nothing.

And I'm still very proud of them , love them to bits and admire them for trying so hard !!

Thanks for 'listening',

Carole.

[Jog]

There is always going to be disappointment with most things in life! But thats the way it goes. Im sure alot of people walk away happy though.

[snoopys_linus]

i was very very happy with what i got at the C4 event on saturday... no complaints from me very very very good job on all those who helped and made my day very special when i met ASH... i cried like a baby after i met him so thank u very very much showmasters for organising the best day i ever had!!!!  

[hum3z]

It is rather strange how an attempt to please a lot of people can upset even more. Ive never really looked at it like that. But the guests did generate a lot of joy before hand even if you dont meet them.

Apology accepted in my book (although Im going tommorrow)

[Nebula]

I was also very happy with the C4 even though I didn't get all the ones I wanted I thought it went reasonably well. I can understand why people  are so upset, wouldn't most people if they missed the chance to meet such great guests. Good Luck to anyone going tomorrow and keep the great guests coming showmasters.

[illusionist]

i cannot believe people are complaining!!!

I have just got back from Sun C4 and it was brilliant, yes thousands of people everywhere but what do you expect.

I was a little suprised the tickets went so quickly but then again look at the number of people...

CONGRATULATIONS TO SM for organising this, its been the best one I have been too and look forward to it tomorrow.

Considering other conventions out there cost a damn fortune to get into WITHOUTH ANY GUARANTEE of getting any sigs I believe Collectormania is far superior.

Keep up the good work!!!

[Jangojohnny]

We just got back from Sunday and had all the hobbits autographs, although it was a little tough at first to understand what was going on, it soon got back into the usual organised event it always is.

There is NO NEED to apologise for one of..if not THE best event I have ever been too EVER...

EVERYBODY worked thier socks off, eating lunch on the go and the like plus even my young HERO Daniel logan was working hard to keep queues in order.

THANK YOU for an amazing 3 days and if anyone should apologise it should be the people that were MOANING all day and not doing as they were asked time and time again.

The only tough thing ahead now is..... How do you top such an AMAZING EVENT!!

Of course just bring Sam J Jones and Dolph Lundgren to the next event and I'll then die a happy man...




THANK YOU EVERYBODY.....................NEED TO START SAVING AGAIN NOW...

[hum3z]

It will definately help when the bigger guests appearances can be spread across the whole period, not just 1 weekend day.

[Jog]

hum3z, on Oct 5 2003, 05:38 PM, said:

It is rather strange how an attempt to please a lot of people can upset even more. Ive never really looked at it like that. But the guests did generate a lot of joy before hand even if you dont meet them.

Apology accepted in my book (although Im going tommorrow)

Will be nearly dead tomorrow, lol. All the kiddies in school (including me)!  

[illusionist]

that might be hard considering time commitments etc - look what happened this weekend, xtra day added after all so that is something good

[SarahShaz]

it's good to see the SMs realise people's disappointment - if we didn't give them feedback, they wouldn't know would they?!

[Rachiepachie2001]

Wow!  I must say something in the defense of Showmasters.  I have a made a couple of friends who work with them so I must defend them.

I know for a fact how hard these people have been working to bring such a wonderful event to all of you.  It is NEVER a guarantee that you will meet all that you want to meet.  Put it this way.  The event is Free, you don't pay a dime, yet you get to meet these amazing guests.

Please don't chastise the Showmasters for trying to put on such a wonderful show.  It's not easy to get so many guests together like this.  If I could be part of such a team I would be very proud.

The organization is 110% better then it was at Comic Con, and I had to pay to get in.  I didn't get to meet the guys that day either and I was bummed.  But sometimes things go that way.  You just got to think of the good things about the event.  If you were only able to go on that one day, well make the best of it, don't dwell on not being able to meet them.  Then it ruins the whole experience for you.  Go talk to Sala, he's a great guy to chat with.  He'll make you feel better .

It's not the end of the world.  It just means we (all who went) will have to wait for the next one.  Then we will know and be prepared for what’s to come.  Hell next Comic Con, I'm camping outside the damn convention center .

Anywayz, CHIN UP! It will all be okay.

Cheers!

[Kari]

I just got back from C4(after i got a proper  hi from david! thank you very much!) And i got every autograph i wanted. I can honestly say it was like..the best day of my life and im gonna get a thank you card in the week for the showmasters people even though they deserve sooo much more.

For the people complaining it isnt showmasters fault you didnt get your autographs. You may now know that you need to get there early (veeery early for Elijah - there at 8.30 and didnt get one till 4)).

So yea..we all live and learn ((Specially you David! I want a nice hi even if you are busy!hehe))

[snoopys_linus]

good point there kari... people were expecting this day top be the most hectic so it only common sense to get there very very early... was was elijah like? was he cool??? and what about sean was he cool too.. i know it a buit pushy but if u did get pics with them could i see them please?? ojhhh and just to add that i think its rude    people are taking it out on showmasters! like rachie said its a free event! enjoy the day u go even if its not great be grateful u got close enough to at least see them!!!

Edited by snoopys_linus, 05 October 2003 - 05:41 PM.

[Eogwyn]

  I do appreciate the apology from Showmasters,      but I've still had a very disappointing day.  We've looked forward to C4 for so long after having a wonderful time at C3, but came away without seeing any of the hobbits.  Although I don't think much more could have been done - so many people wanted to see them.  I know I'll get over this, but it does put me off coming to C5 which is a great shame.  I suppose the bigger and better guests you get, the more this will be a problem.    

Never mind - we've still got so much to look forward to this year, the extended DVD and ROTK of course.  Good luck to everybody going tomorrow - say hello to the hobbits for me!      

[Bohan]

Had a great day today but must say it is annoying that the event is billed as starting at 10.00 but when i arrived at 10.00 i was told that 1000 tickets had already been gave out for all the hobbits and no more would be issued.

Advanced autograph booking for next year people?

[snoopys_linus]

Eogwyn, on Oct 5 2003, 06:40 PM, said:

  I do appreciate the apology from Showmasters,      but I've still had a very disappointing day.  We've looked forward to C4 for so long after having a wonderful time at C3, but came away without seeing any of the hobbits.  Although I don't think much more could have been done - so many people wanted to see them.  I know I'll get over this, but it does put me off coming to C5 which is a great shame.  I suppose the bigger and better guests you get, the more this will be a problem.    

Never mind - we've still got so much to look forward to this year, the extended DVD and ROTK of course.  Good luck to everybody going tomorrow - say hello to the hobbits for me!      

but u saw them tho right? i mean u must of walked past or by the line were everyone was queueing???? i mean if u went to C3 and had a great day u did know that today was going to be busy?? im not having a go i just think showmasters are getting all this stick when if it wasnt for them then none of the LOTR people would be there

[Bohan]

I think the hobbits being present somehow ruined my day, the place was packed and i ahve came to a conclusion that MK is a s***e venue.  You just cannot walk through those dealer aisles without being crushed!

[Loremaster]

First off, I don't buy the argument that the event is free. I have many, many showbiz autographs from shows I have paid to go to and the autographs were free afterwards. Here it is simply the other way round as I understand it, you go to the show free but pay for the autographs. That is not an event where you get to see the people for free.

Second, while I understand any Mum's loyalty to her family I think those who turned up before the scheduled opening time and found that all the tickets had been given out before the scheduled opening time for an event that couldn't be pre-booked, in most cases after a lengthy journey, deserve and hopefully in time will receive an apology from somone other than the organisers' Mum. No offence meant, hopefully none taken.

Third, I don't buy the argument that the crowd was bigger than could have been expected. If you bring in a few half-known stars from a couple of cult TV programs then you anticipate a certain number of people. At the other extreme, when you bring in a lot of stars from a number of cult TV programs and then top that with the most popular stars from the most popular film of the most popular cult book it doesn't take a genius to anticipate record crowds. The failure to plan for that is a failure, no more no less.

Finally, no-one who was there this morning can claim that it was well-organised. People were queuing with no clue as to whether they would get a ticket and whether that ticket would get them in or not, in many case they were still queuing with no information  long after the tickets had stopped being issued. Some were told they had standby tickets, others had standby tickets but weren't told that.

I accept that every customer of this event (many of us have never been to this or any other similar event before so it's a new experience for us) will have learnt either to get to a future one very early, or more probably and worryingly for the organisers, not to bother. Hopefully the organisers will have learnt that if nothing else is improved in the future then at least communication must be - when the tickets are stopped then tell the people still in the queue! If the event opens at 10:00am but the doors open and tickets go on issue at 8:30am then tell us that too! Heck, it's not exactly rocket science is it?

[Kari]

i'll do you one better. When i get my pics developed i will post you one. I have lots of Elijah and Dom. I took one of Dom as he walked past me and the flash went off in his face and he laughed at me.

OH YEA! Funny thing happened. Right Elijah and Dom were hitting each other with this paper axe and Doms fly was open   So yea. That was the enertainment.