whysoserious79

Warwick Davis would be awesome! Frank Oz and Hayden Christensen would be good big guests, and more realistic than wishing for Harrison Ford!!

But if members of this forum want an indepth disscusion on forum moderation(and it seems like they do) then why don't you just let them? its not really for you to "encourage" what members want to talk about is it? that in essence is what a forum is for, for the members with a shared interest to talk about what they want. The mods on here can dance around as much as you want talking about "Swearing" and "arguments" but you have been instructed to remove posts that don't show SM and its events in a wholely positive light, however slight, that is the 100% truth,end of. The truth 'end of' is that I haven't removed a single post on here on the weekend, and I'd very much appreciate not being told what I've been instructed to do on here or anywhere else. I don't do the Facebook, I haven't removed anything on here, but whether you believe it or not is another thing. All I made this topic for yesterday was to try and chill things out a bit and allow people to comment about the event at the weekend without arguing with each other. I'm sorry if you think I shouldn't be doing that, but I don't have the time to spend all week discussing whether you like my moderating style or not. In the end it's my job to moderate and I'll try and do it how I see fit - luckily, most people responded in kind yesterday by presenting their reasonable feedback and I appreciate that. But there will always be people like yourself that have to criticise every little choice I make, which again is fair enough because that's the Internet for you. But I would much rather be spending my time allowing this event to get better by people giving feedback on it than defending my every decision to those that will never be happy. It's pretty pointless, so this will be my last comment on the discussion. 'Moderators = evil' is standard and has been for years because all forums just get some members that don't like any type of authority. I'm okay with that because I understand how it goes, but I do have more positive and productive things I can do, so I'd rather focus on those. I've not been rude to anyone, just stated facts and tried to help. I'll always aim to keep the majority happy, not worry about the minority. I personally find your writing style a bit cold and not in the spirit of these events. Maybe that's just your personality or maybe that's the way you wish to come across. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, even if you don't agree with them. The weekend organisation was a shambles mate. I think WE - the paying members of the public who essentially FUND these events to happen by paying for and attending them - are MORE than entitled to express our opinions and share our experiences. Anyone who says that Saturday was organised like a well-oiled machine and all staff were in constant communication with each other is an idiot. I had a standard tickets but staff let me in at 10am, I walked in and out without getting checked for my hand stamp, there was absolutely NO indication what queues were what, inside or outside, the VQ were a joke as people were just queuing up regardless of the numbers displayed for Carrie Fisher and Ian McDiarmid ("Just trying our luck") and GOT IN as did I, one staff member didn't even know who Michael Madsen was when I asked about his photoshoot (I actually had to say "Er, he's an American actor, Reservoir Dogs")!!!!!! Face it mate the event was WAAAAAY oversold and why on earth were tickets STILL being sold at 5pm!! That's just money-grabbing! Absolute joke across the board. Just my opinion.

Michael Biehn seemed a bit odd - he was yawning alot while he signed for the guy in front of me! Luckily he actually said a few words to me like 'hello' and 'thanks buddy' but he did seem very uninterested with the whole thing. He also took ages to write even his own name, at one point I thought he fell asleep halfway through signing for me lol! Was still an honour to meet him though! I suppose I'd be the same if I was stuck in that overcrowded oven Earls Court all day!

Wouldn't surprise me if a Dusty Batmobile was a prize on 321 Maybe they should have a Dusty Bin prop at the next LFCC

Did anyone else notice how much dust was on the Tim Burton Batmobile? Come on Showmasters, it's not that hard to dust it off! It looks absolutely crap for photos. They didn't even bother dusting it after Saturday closing as people had actually written stuff on it with their fingers on Sunday. What's the point in having a showpiece like the Batmobile for people to photograph if it's going to be displayed in that condition! Just one of the many other negative points about the weekend that have been covered in numerous other topics.

I was with my mate who asked a volunteer where the Michael Madsen photoshoot would be taking place. She looked at him confused, looked at her ipad showing the timetable, couldn't see him, then actually asked my mate "Who is Michael Madsen?" Words defy me.

I third that! I believe his name was John.

I managed to go out and in without any hassle, but this was because everytime I re-entered the venue, NO-ONE was checking hand stamps. I feel sorry for all the hundreds of people who were queuing to buy tickets on the day - all they needed to do was walk around to the other entrance and just walk in unchallenged! The whole system was beyond a joke, the venue was so crowded you couldn't do anything once you got in there! It was just one big congested bottlenecked horde of standstill people in the merchandise areas, a massive mess of confused queuing for VT guests at the back, the place was like 100 degrees and an absolute nightmare to navigate. Why were they still letting people in?? People were still queuing to buy tickets at 5pm!!! Surely a cut-off limit on tickets should be enforced! Let's hope no-one sets off the fire alarms tomorrow!!

The queuing was out of control, but I'm amazed that Showmasters were STILL SELLING tickets to people who were still queuing up at 5pm!! I recognised several people in the queue as I walked past a few times going between buildings, some of them must have been queuing for at least 4 hours, poor people. No organisation, no proper signage, I think the staff were ovewhelmed by the sheer numbers by the afternoon that they weren't even bothering to check tickets or my hand stamp. At 1pm I tried to get out of the unbearably hot overcrowded venue by one of the side exits only to be told that I couldn't because it lead to a 'VIP' area - HA! Well in actual fact it just simply led to the side of the building! What VIP area!!? I was standing there earlier and I was standing there again after I made my way through herds and herds of people bottlenecked at the main entrance. Note for tomorrow: LET PEOPLE OUT OF THE SIDE EXITS - it just leads to the side of the building where anyone can walk! Joke.

I got a VT ticket no. 890 for Carrie Fisher at 10:30am, at 4pm she was packing up ready to leave with VT no. 400 on the board.

I thought the event was utter chaos, way more busier than last year. I got a VT ticket no.890 for Carrie Fisher at 10:30am. When I went to see her at just before 4:00pm they told me she was getting ready to leave, the VT was only up to 400 (luckily the staff did let me be the last one to go in - thanks John!) People were still queueing to buy tickets at 5pm! At around 12.00pm the venue got so unbearably hot and so ridiculously packed with people, you couldn't really do anything, you couldn't browse the stalls or navigate your way around anywhere. My advice is to get there as early as possible, wear something comfortable and cool, and bring plenty of drinking water!

If you say you think it's a bad idea to spend a grand on auto's that's an opinion. When you start saying you think people are sad for doing it, that's judgement. Actually if I think someone is sad, it's still my opinion - albeit a judgmental one - but opinion nonetheless. We ALL judge people, whether consciously or sub-consciously, it's human nature. Anyone who says they don't is an idiot (now THAT's a judgmental opinion!). I've spent a grand on some top end electric guitars, they have given me years of absolute pleasure and creative outlet. If having a collection of autographs does the same thing for people then hats off to them, I could never ever justify spending that much on just a load of signatures. If I was to say I spend £20 on a single packet of crisps and it gives me great pleasure and no-one has the right to have a 'judgemental' opinion of me - well, I challenge anyone to NOT have an opinion on that! I'm sure the immediate thinking, conscious or sub-conscious, from most folk would be "no packet of crisps is worth THAT much!"

Didn't expect this much response! All I was stating was, in my opinion, spending one thousand pounds for some autographs seems a bit barmy to me in the same way some people will fork out a few hundred pounds on a single pair of jeans. There is no right or wrong opinion - if I think it's a bit sad to fork out a grand for some autographs then I'm right, if someone thinks that's perfectly justifiable then they're right. Each to their own. (But seriously, A GRAND!!??)

I've been to Istanbul, Venice, Florence, Prague, New York, Cuba, Thailand, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Rome, Verona, Crete, Greece, and so many more... I'm not talking about lying on a beach for a week. Travelling fills you with so many memories and broadens your mind, introduces you to new cultures, foods, languages, traditions. Autographs don't do any of that, I was merely commenting on how disproportionately expensive autographs are in terms of what you get out of them as a person, and spending such huge amounts on them seems a bit sad in my opinion - life is short, go out there and experience it!

I've been to Istanbul, Venice, Florence, Prague, New York, Cuba, Thailand, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Rome, Verona, Crete, Greece, and so many more... I'm not talking about lying on a beach for a week. Travelling fills you with so many memories and broadens your mind, introduces you to new cultures, foods, languages, traditions. Autographs don't do any of that, I was merely commenting on how disproportionately expensive autographs are in terms of what you get out of them as a person, and spending such huge amounts on them seems a bit sad in my opinion - life is short, go out there and experience it!

I love autographs as much as the next person, but people who have budgeted £1000 for what amounts to a squiggle...really???? You could go on a couple of amazing holidays abroad for that much!!!

I hear Suarez might be attending and giving out personalised shoulder bites...

Very impressed with this announcement, well done all the folk who work hard to get these guests! Just a quick suggestion about autographs - if a guest decides they aren't going to do personalisations, maybe it could be an idea to post that fact somewhere on this forum? That can be the deal breaker for some people and it would save time and money for people who want to purchase their own stuff/bring in their own stuff to get signed if they knew before hand and not at the event itself. Cheers!

I'll be suprised if the England team even make 10 consecutive passes let alone get out of the group stage!! Viva Italia!

At last, someone in this forum who actually talks with common sense! Harrison Ford's autograph would be the ultimate 'Holy Grail'

He's definately a legend, I agree! But if you really want to meet him and get his autograph it's so easy - go to one of his film premieres in London, he spends ages talking to and signing for people plus poses for selfies! I met him again a few days ago and got 3 autographs and loads of pics... for FREE!!

So you're a 'Mr Know-alll' as well. I still appreciate the fact that you adore the sound of your own voice.

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. Firstly, the correct spelling is 'queue'. I've many Scottish friends and they have never heard of this word being spelled differently in Scotland. Secondly, I just glimpsed at your rant (couldn't be bothered to read it all) but I would say that I am a perfectly happy chappy at these events and always leave with a smile on my face AND the knowledge that I haven't pissed off hundreds of people who have queued up, unlike yourself. I've met the likes of George Clooney, Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Cruise, and James Hetfield so I don't require a lecture on how to talk to celebrities, but I appreciate the fact that you seem to be the type of person who adores the sound of his own voice.

Incorrect. Regardless of what you think the autograph sessions are designed to be that and are advertised as such, http://www.londonfil....com/autographs They are not advertised as a meet/greet/chat, although that is a bonus of the process if there is time to have a quick question answered etc. However people are their to get autographs and if it is busy then the procedure needs to be kept as quick and efficient as possible to allow as many people as possible through in the available time. They also aren't advertised as signature only, move along asap and get out the way as quickly as you can. I can understand a company saying those things but fans? Fans telling other fans to think about other fans and don't hold the que up? Come on. It's never gonna work. No person over the age of 18 that pays rent or a mortgage or has responsibilites is going to be going to a signing to stand in line like a school boy and be told to move along once he has paid for his 'signature'. It will never happen and in the 7 years I've been attending shows in the UK I've never seen a member of staff tell me to move along and i'm not there chatting for long. I did get some extra doodles from Robert Englund last year and spent 15 minutes with him while there was a huge que behind me but that is Robert Englund, he likes to chat, everyone had fun, I even let the people behind me join in on the conversation at one point, no big deal, everyone was happy. No angry words were said. I know that is not going to happen all the time because guests are just regular people and everyone has good and bad days but I don't see any issue with chatting to guests. And that's why Virtual Tickets are really there. Because there would be chaos with the bigger guests. If everyone was really there just for a signature there would be no need for them but Showmasters knows the real reason why people buy tickets to shows. The real reason is people go to meet their favourite stars and without those Virtual Tickets and staff manning the que you would have people standing there all day chatting. The people that go purely for a signature and have no interest in the guest signing their item are very much in the minority So you'd be perfectly happy to stand in line for an entire THREE hours while just 12 people in front of you chat for 15 mins each to a guest??? That, sir, is complete utter rubbish! The point of queuing to see the guests is to get an autograph, any other chat/interaction is a bonus and should be treated as such, it is not an entitlement! Do you really think the majority of guests actually really care what anyone has to say anyway? It's just polite friendly chit-chat mate so don't fool yourself into thinking they're your friends just because you've watch them on TV and have now spoken with them for 15 mins!!

I do take on board alot of your points mate i do, i frequent a few boards that are under moderated and it gets out of hand very quickly. I'll never see the point of criticising any guest as its a myopic stance and many actors have varied credits, i.ve got to be honest though i don't see the difference betweeen someone hoping its Mark or Carrie and someone whos hoping its not. Btw, i am a SW and Got fan and plan on meeting guest from those franchises but plz More HORROR :) I agree wholeheartedly with Cropsy2008. All guests are people. Actors, directors, etc all have access to the media, just like us (shock!). Does this mean that Empire magazine should never make a critcism just in case an actor might read the article? Or how about at the actual LFCC event - should people not discuss their dislike for certain TV shows just in case someone overhears them? Internet forums are supposed to be a means of fans coming together for discussion. What is the point of having 10 pages filled will people saying "yes, I met he/she last year" or "omg I'm gonna faint" etc. That, for me, is absolutely pointless and not a discussion. Maybe this 'forum' should be renamed 'Guest Appreciation'. That way it should be clear that no one may have an opinion that may 'offend' someone and those who feel the need to post the fact that they intend to buy an autograph or photo with a particular guest, can do so in peace.