thewizard

So if I walk around saying 'where am i, where is the loo', you would spring into action?

Many people do get something out of it, they get to numb the pain of reality for a few hours lol. I shouldn't laugh. You could ask them to bring their kids along and then you can hang out and have dinner at their house lol. A lot of works are like that and then in 20 years time you'll be one of them and you can pass your knowledge and wisdom down to another young woman starting on the job. When I was working a lot of contracts and temp jobs everyone had different times for breaks and lunch so you could never really talk to anyone because everyone was different and just did their own thing so there is no choice really but to sit in a canteen on your own or go out and buy something to eat.

I'm much the same way, I don't do the pub or clubbing thing because I don't drink and no one really wants to sit with someone who doesn't drink and I don't know how well many patience and attitude would fare. Different if i'm getting something to eat or something. I've went to a few gigs alone infact just a few weeks ago I went to see Katy Perry alone and much like the last time I went alone I did get some funny looks off people but I'm not a middle aged dude standing with a beer in my hand or some guy who obviously spent more time on his skin and hair than the girl he was with. I'm just a regular guy. Although to be fair the girl was tiny and i just stood in front of her the whole night lol. Ahh my scottishness is coming out now! I'll need to shut up before i tell more stories. It's fine though, I actually like it because I think if you have people go with you then they either go with you out of pity or if your Scottish, they tend to think that means you're paying for them to go so you need to pay for them to go aswell. It's like going to the cinema, some people can't go alone, they just can't do it, they just don't have the confidence for it, they need someone to go with them and it's just like a gig, you can't talk to them during it. It's not a social thing, it's a solo thing. You can only really talk to someone before and after the event but some people do get nervous going alone to things. I went alone to Collectormania Glasgow last year and it was fine. I've been to quite a few on my own. You get more of a laugh I think because you you're not worried about making someone else happy. If you're working full time how much time do you really have to socialise anyway? Not a lot if you're not into socialising or the 'after work drinks' on a Friday. Every place I worked I knew people that lived for Friday, couldn't wait for the Friday so they could drink. There's always one that goes for a quick pint during lunch but that might just be a Glasgow thing. But that's their life. Just work, pay the bills, work all week so you need very little food in the house, get a drink and then back to work and repeat, rinse, repeat. Nothing wrong with it, most people are like that. They have a routine, a way of getting through life and they stick to it. Ours is just a little bit less exciting lol.

haha, i've been up here 3 years so i'm starting to get the hang of it. friends back home say i'm starting to sound a bit Scottish too, but i don't believe them. We really are a friendly bunch, you'll be fine. Last year was my first collectormania and I went with a friend who had no interest in anything there whatsoever. After being asked about leaving every 5 minutes last time, I've decided that this year I'll be going alone (so you wont be the only one). that's good to know :) yea, i'm pretty certain most of my friends would be bored and not want to hang around, so i figured i'd just go alone. and then i saw these forums and decided it would probably be a good place to make friends. haha. to be honest i'll probably have that much i want to do and see when i'm there that i won't even notice i'm on my own. No you need to let them go now. You're in Scotland now, soon to be independant. It's time to find new friends and live a new life. I'm guessing your social circle is like most peoples, the gothy one, the rich one, the sporty one, the brainy one, the one that looks 20 years older than their age. All we need to do is take you to McDonalds and get you a milkshake and sit you in amongst lots of young people at dinner time and you'll be chatting away and laughing and using the free wi-fi then your friends from England will phone and you'll be like 'ach away with ye, i'm too busy eating haggis neeps and tatties and drinking irn bru than listen to you, jock and angus are my new pals.' London is getting more guests because they are trying to make it the biggest event in Europe and also it's London so of course they will get more. That's where all the tourists go and all the famous celebrities live and the TV studios are and the Queen lives there and it's the heart of the UK. That's why big singers do 4 shows in London while the rest of the UK gets 1 or 2. It's London! It's the hub of all things.........popular and cool and ......hip. We'd all love in London if we could wouldn't we. We could get our own big tower block and live in it, all the scottish geeky people. Thats actually another good idea for a movie! I'm gonna write it and get it made. Then i'll be at the shows signing DVDs of it. I'll have my own table next to.....Stan Lee maybe or one of the other big guests like...........someone from Doctor Who. I wouldn't charge much though. I'd want to be different. Even if they just paid me £50,000 for the 3 days I could just sign for free after that and meet all the fans. Infact the more I'm thinking of it the more this idea is better suited to a sitcom. Like a british big bang theory.

You'll need to learn Scottish english then.

I think when stars are in public and they are approached by people holding prints and posters they know they are not true fans and will sign anyway. No genuine fan just happens to HAVE those things on them at the RIGHT moment lol.

We tend to stay in a dedicated hotel for the show because we are all like one big family. Then on the day we all get up at 4am and head off to the venue together, some make tea, some make sandwiches, some bring books and we all help each other out and sing songs and talk about how much fun we're going to have.

In Glasgow they have a special policy at the door where you need to give the crew member giving you your ticket a handshake and also you must try and be as Scottish as possible when talking to guests to make them feel at home. Unfortunately for them that means lots of passive agressiveness and fans not wanting to spend their money. I'm only joking. For anyone visiting Scotland for the first time we aren't really like that. Not at all.

It's also good to show them how to get virtual tickets. No adult attending a comic con can outrun a child lol. I've just given myself an idea for a short film! Why do all the best ideas come to me when I'm on forums and typing and I have not planned out what I'm going to say lol. It makes sense! Get in, find Stan Lee, send them over to get the VTs then sit back and enjoy your short wait. Maybe bring your own sandwiches and drinks and just sit outside and enjoy the sun then you can just stroll in and see Stan lol.

Oh i don't doubt you didn't read my post, it's a trait of many people online. When they realise someone doesn't agree with them they quickly ignore it and especially if they don't join in the love in and oooh I love Doctor Who and Game of Thrones. I hope there is Harry Potter guests this year cause I just can't wait to get my wallet open and spend lots of money on buses and hotels! Yay lets all pretend to be happy because that's how British people are, we're all happy people and all rooting for each other and we all love each other and come on everybody lets all be friends and wish each other well, come on now, everybody do well in life, lets help each other out because we all want each other to be successful. haha. For those of you that don't live in the UK.......we're not like that at all. It's just an act we put on when we are online. I can say anything I want about Scotland because I am Scottish and I live here and I know our ways and we will be independant soon. I'm sure you at some points of the day you are happy and I'm happy that you are that way, I'm glad people like you are quick because it lets fans like me spend more time with the guests. I bet when you met those celebrities you had to learn to talk and speak on your own, lots of pleases and thankyous, you wouldn't have been wrapped in cotton wool and have someone tell you where to walk and when to talk.

There's loads that will happily do it because they know it's a fan thing, that's part of the show is meeting the fans.

That's how we spell it up here in Scotland.

Perhaps Showmsters could give a sticker or something that you put on the back of your item. Obviously don't be shy with the guests. Ask them to hold the item and smile while you take a picture or if possible get them to do the thumbs up.

I'm so glad that the few like yourselves are outnumbered by the many, especially whysoserious79. You must walk around these shows looking miserable as sin at all those happy smiling people. How dare people pay money to get into a venue then pay more money for someone who just happens to be a little bit richer, stays in a nicer hotel and lives life a little bit better some more money to sign a picture for you and want to talk to them! O-M-G! lol. No I wouldn't like standing in a que for 3 hours nor would I take liberties with a guest if there was a huge que behind me but if it was modest and they were chatty then of course I would chat. And of course many guests with no que are happy to talk and shake hands and pass the time with you. As far as me or anyone else taking up a lot of time like 15 minutes say.....I wouldn't put a set time on it. When you are chatting you'll either know when to stop or the guest will stop or It's like any other conversation, you know when it's time to finish up and you say your goodbyes. I wouldn't mean this to sound in a bad way but of course I wouldn't be bothered by anyone else in the que. I should hope that any que I am in, the person in front of me or behind me is there for the same reason as me so why would they take issue with me chatting and likewise, why would I take issue with them chatting. That's probably the only thing we have in common. I should think everyone wants the same thing, an experience they will remember. I think a chat, whether it is 10 seconds or 10 minutes is something to remember but you can't plan it, if it happens it will happen naturally. If for fans it's purely for signing and I'm wrong for whatever reason and everyone there is there just for the signing then I think the guests could do it from a hotel room or a private room because if you're only there for the signature then why stand in a que right? You don't need to see them. They could just have someone take payment and your item, put them all into cardboard boxes then say at 4pm or 5pm you go and collect your signed item and go home. That would make you happy right? That way there wouldn't be any ques or VTs and guests aren't pressured. Would that not work no? Nah I didn't think it would. Maybe it's because I'm Scottish and I see things differently. If we go independant in September there might be a fair few changes anyway. You'll all need visas to come up here lol. No more getting on buses and trains willy nilly. Paperwork will need signed and approved before crossing the border lol. I think for that reason alone Collectormania Glasgow this year might be even more memorable and likewise for Scottish people crossing the border down to England and then the exchange rate since we will need our own Scottish currency. These next few shows will be very memorable.

You wont know until the day, there's always guests that wont be able to do photos of any kind at the table because of how busy they are,The only way then of getting a photo is by getting a photoshoot ticket. You wont get a conversation in the photoshoot but definately say hello or shake their hand and then it's a case of smile, get your photo and off you go. Definately ask before videoing of any kind.when you are speaking to a guest. Not everyone wants to be filmed. I know in other countries in Europe and America at conventions it's fine, guests are filmed or fans ask for something to be said for their Youtube or website or ask a question on camera. Here in the UK things are very very differnt.I know it's not unusual for people to stand together in a que but the person behind is filming the person in front saying hello and whatever they need to say rather than you going up with the camera or phone doing it. They film the moment for that person so they can remember it and any photos at the table if they are allowed is you in front of the table with them behind it. It might not turn out perfect but in many ways it is perfect because you can't plan it. It's natural,it's not fake in anyway. It's a genuine smile from both of you and it's real in that moment. You should go on Youtube and search for Showmsasters videos and 'Meeting xxxxx ' videos and you'll get an idea of what it's like.

OK well never mind about the blue pen situation. Please feel free to ask around the internet or do research and you will read many stories of singers and actors refusing to sign with blue sharpie pens. I get everyone wants to pin the blame on me and make it sound like it's all hocus pocus but I didn't say it was going to be an issue, of course celebs at signing events will use blue pens. I'm talking about outside of events where fans are approaching them in their personal lives or waiting outside theater doors or arenas. It's just those pens are known trademarks of dealers and there's people like me who do know about these things and I guarantee the stars know about them and even though we are all polite enough to not say anything out loud, at the back of those celebrities minds and at the back of my mind if I see someone bring their own blue pen is that person has no intention whatsoever of keeping that item. It's the truth! I'm sure there is some naivety involved. Some fans really will just bring it because they like the colour blue but most aren't naive. They spend a fortune on trains and hotels, they're not just the fan on the sofa watching the TV shows, they're far more savvy than they let on. They know well and good what they're doing. And good on them i say because more fans attending means more events and more events mean bigger and better guests, it's the circle of life! Hakuna matata! I've spent time looking at my signed stuff and I don't regret any of it, anything I have personalised is because I was asked my name. All the others were just signed.

There's definately tricks and celebrities who have been doing the signing circuits for a long time on both sides of the pond tend to ask your name anyway. If you're ever at any of these shows, go round the dealers stalls and look at their autographs and I'll guarantee you over 90% of them are in blue sharpie. Most sports memorabilia that is signed is signed in blue. I didn't say that everyone who carried a blue pen with them is a dealer, what I said was, for the stars that are signing all the time, they're used to it, they know generally what that means. At a signing event like LFCC then absolutely no star will refuse to sign in blue., you're paying for it so you have it any way you want it but if you're one on one with someone outside of working hours then it's a different thing altogether. If you have a blue pen at a signing event then you either really like the colour or you're more smarter than you're letting on. Oddly enough some of the stars i've met at Showmasters events did the convention circuit all year round in the States, not so much now and I noticed when they signed my 8x10s, they either wrote a quote from the movie aswell as their name or the signature they gave took up a lot of space on the 8x10. Some were very busy but in open ques and asked me right out who am I signing this to? Even though I like having them personalised I don't think I could have said to them, no don't do that just write your name. I know it shouldn't matter but I think it would have made things a bit sour but they done that years and years on end several times a year. It was a treat having them over here but it was second nature to them. I think it was just to be nice, it wasn't done so that I wouldn't sell it on later in my life. Unless it is a real legend, or someone who has been dead a long time, no one will buy an autographed item addressed to someone else, because you're buying someone elses memory. It's not for you but absolutely there are stars out there that do ask your name for that reason, in their mind they consider themselves a big deal. You know that anyway, a lot of stars tend to put themselves on a pedestal. Paranoia comes with the job.

I think it is an unwritten rule that there be no personalizations on posters. I know a lot of people are now into the 12x14 mini poster prints for getting signatures from cast members and they're still big enough to enjoy the artwork and get all the signatures and are easy to frame. I find photos can be dark. I've got some silver signatures on darker photos and even the silver looks dark on it. I'm not a huge fan of Sharpie's, even silver ones. A few years back I was at a signing and just to be different and because I wanted to try it out I got this silver marker extra fine point pen and it did look nice but you had to shake it quite a bit before using. That is something I'll probably look into and see if there is any other fine point pens that really jump off the print.

Kenny Baker and David Prowse! It's been so long since we've seen them

I don't need to think about why, I know why. I also said if a fan brought the pen themselves, not if it's on the table and the guest decides to use it. If someone buying an autograph brings their own pen and it is a blue sharpie then I would bet everything I have that person plans on selling it on. You've been hearing it for years because it it's by and large the truth and if a restriction is put in place then that means one of two things, the guest is popular and does tons of shows therefore it's not that hard to get their autograph so no point selling it on anyway or the guest is a rare signer and the price will reflect that, which it nearly always does in which case it wont matter because they will make good money on each signature and they know anyone thinking of selling it on will have a harder time doing it.That's why you pay high prices for some of the big name guests Why wouldn't you want something signed to you if you could and with each show there is only a handful of exceptions.

There is one very big reason why celebrities do personalisations and that is to make them essentially worthless. It's just a shame that it isn't compulsory because that would make sure the people getting stuff signed are genuine fans since no one in their right mind would buy an autograph dedicated to someone else. That's also why many signed books in person by authors don't fetch much on the second hand market because they are mostly written to the person getting them signed. If you're name's Mark you don't want something saying To John lol. I encourage more personalisations when possible, guests that have been on the convention scene a long time are usually smart to it and will ask your name. They're usually also smart NOT to bring any blue sharpies. If you see a fan bringing their own blue sharpie you know right away that it's to sell on.

Can you arrange for her to dress like the way she is in the third picture?

I don't go to meet the guests, I just go to meet other fans and say hello and make new friends and swap phone numbers and take selfies. No seriously, I don't. I'm Scottish so I'm not that perky about meeting people and it's slightly alarming to see so many of you so chirpy and happy to meet your favourite stars but since I'm Scottish I know that this is one of those things in life I was not supposed to understand! I meet people I like and I don't follow trends so anyone I meet is someone who I've been watching a long time and admire. I like a lot of independant film and old horror movies which they don't really do with big events in the UK but they do elsewhere in the world so I think if that was catered for more or events came up that focused on that kind of thing I probably would meet more people but I can't see that happening.

I've always wanted to meet Jack Nicholson and was a little bummed to find out the last time he came here for a premiere which was for The Bucket List he spent lots of time signing for fans. I understand the hatred for the people that sell autos on but I am a little jealous. I'd love to say hello to him and an autograph is a bonus but at his age and him not doing anything recently I just don't know if I'll get that chance again. For him I would make that exception. I'd love to be with all those paps that follow celebs around and know everywhere they go.

That's what you should do Swany you should tell us all you're doing one thing and then on the day you can be like ta-da! It's me Swany, didn't know it was me did ya!