[Guest Cancellation - Jason Momoa]

..that's definatley going to disappoint a lot of people. I def shall not be attending now.

[Guest Cancellation - Carice van Houten]

Well that my reason for attending gone.

[showmaster please comment]

 

 

Is everyone here desperate for this show to be a failure and never reoccur?

 

I ask only because the comments here seem designed to achieve that and appear in no way to consider SM and their view of the world. There are obviously reasons why you aren't seeing the people you'd like. But regardless of whether you personally or as a group feel the line up doesn't justify attending I see no reason to attack and belittle SM which is what is happening.

 

If I was SM reading this thread and was currently in negotiation with [....] (feel free to insert whoever is your most wanted guest) I'd think about rescheduling them to another event. After all with no attendees what would be the point, there are fees and costs to bringing actors to these events. The tone here seems to be that SM owe you a line up you're interested in, there seems to be a feeling that SM have contractually let you down in some way by not getting at the very least [...] and [...] to the show plus more actors from [...]. This show has 50 guests attending and free entry. If the travel costs/times are too high or there's no one in that 50 that you want then you shouldn't attend. But this approach of demanding an explanation from SM is never going to get a reply. At best you'll get something from Jason telling you why he can't reply and we know these reasons already.

 

SM is a business they exist to make Jason and co. rich. So he wants every event to be a success. Whatever the reasons your favourite star isn't coming its not because Jason didn't want them. But it might be because this thread is persuading people its not worth attending. So Jason knows that inviting [...] won't be justified.

 

So right now I don't think the line up will significantly improve, because like guests who might read these threads and be discouraged from coming, I'm sure SM read them and can be similarly discouraged.

 

If the event is a financial failure then SM will have to think long and hard before running it again. You're not required to support an event that's not to your taste, and if SM aren't getting the guests you want then I don't think you should attend. They are a business they make a profit out of me and you. They don't reduce costs when things go well so I see no reason to support them if there's no one here of interest. But equally I see no reason to attack them and demand they explain why.

I don't think anyone here is looking to belittle the show, in fact from reading the posts here were are all regular visitors to Showmasters events and in some cases have been supporting their shows at MK and elsewhere since the very beginning. Showmasters have given us the chance to meet many great guests over the years.

 

Whilst you are never going to please everybody, I think the fact so many people have posted this time shows that for whatever reason this line-up isn't of the usual quality we have come to expect and I think the general feeling is one of disappointment.

 

I think a number of people have posted similar posts in that they really want to attend, they want the event to be a success etc, but certainly for many people who have to spend a lot of money travelling to come to an event, you really need to have at least 2/3 guests that you really want to meet to justify the expense related to it. If you have a couple of tent pole guests that you are prepared to travel to meet then whilst you are there you will pick up autos etc from some of the other guests, but these guests themselves don't necessarily justify all the expense that goes with attending a show.

 

Over the last few weeks alone I've met some great guests at DS3 and the Winter LFCC and had a great time, but for the first time ever there is no one amongst the Film and Media guests that I want enough to justify the costs associated with getting to the event.

yep, the people on here are not posting because they want the show to fail, it is quite clear to anyone that just the opposite is true. The fans here have a love for the MK show, it's one of my favourites, and it is disappointing that it appears that it's being neglected. No-one is saying that SM are "obliged" or owe us the attendees anything, but given the fact that the MK shows prior to this have had a much more diverse, fuller and at times fantastic guest list it isn't unreasonable to expect something similar. The fans have spent money on hotels, travel, booked time off work etc with that in mind, and are feeling a little let down it sounds like to me.

[Who is still going?]

The plan was that I'd cosplay on the Saturday and just be me on the Sunday, so I'm definitely still going to be dressing up.

My issue though is that I'm awfully shy and this will be my first time cosplaying but my logic was 'the place will be crawling' so I wouldn't stand out too much. I hope this will still be the case to some extent!

The cosplayers add a wonderful dimension to any con and the costumes are amazing. You certainly won't be out of place no matter what happens. If I go with my 6 year old niece I'm sure she's going to be in awe of you and will no doubt ask you to pose with her for a pic if that's ok. :-)

[Who is still going?]

 

Truthfully.... The only reason we are going is for Amanda Tapping. Nobody ese even comes near worth going to see for us. I will be cosplay back ops Stargate. Fingers crossed more people are announced and fast ![/quote

Yer, at this rate Amanda will be the busiest guest there, let's hope she doesn't cancel! Fingers crossed :-)

[Who is still going?]

 

 

As has been said before - it's all down to personal preference. You can personally look at an event and there's some YOU want to meet. I might look at it and not think there's anyone for me at all.

 

You'll look at guests from other events and wish they were here etc.

 

So yes, unfortunately this event might not have any for you, but I know people going meeting 5/6 guests already.

 

Not only is it about personal taste, but how many you think is a good number to meet also. It can range from people being happy meeting 1/2 to people who won't attend unless there's over 10 that they want to meet. We're all different.

I usually agree with you on this one David, but for whatever reason I do think this guest line up is looking like one of the weakest at MK in a long time which is such a shame. Whilst I'd accept I have been going to these events for a long time, I don't think there's ever been a show at MK where we have been under 3 weeks away and there hasn't been at least 2/3 Film/Media guests I would want to meet.

Yes it is upto the individual's personal taste, but the guest list does nothing to draw in a variety of fanbases, and has been said before many of the guests that are attending are really supporting/background actors. I'd take quality over quantity anyday, but I don't think this guest list gives us either at present.

[Who is still going?]

Ahhh, I know it was years ago but May 2008 has names like Santiago Cabrera and Amy Manson and now I'm really jealous.

 

Well going through the entire page there's at least three names per event that I really want to meet. Those must have been great days to attend!

Yes they were, and there have been brilliant guests in subsequent years too. Somebody said we're moaning and knocking SM. I think there are just a lot of very disappointed people tbh. MK is one of those shows were because of its more relaxed nature, gives you more time to actually talk to the guests without being herded along. It's been a great experience for myself and many others in the past, so no surprise then that given the current line up the fans are hurting a little. Let's hope it improves over the coming fortnight 😊

[Who is still going?]

 

 

Look at last years lineup for a reminder of what this show used to give us.

Who was there last year?

The link below will give you an idea of previous MK guests..

http://www.collectormania.com/previousguests/previousguests.html

[Will it be quiet?]

How strange it is that before the Summer LFCC people were discussing how crowded it would get, now we are talking about how quiet it might be. Lol! What a difference a guest list and a few months makes..

[Who is still going?]

I didn't attend the Winter LFCC or Autographica just before that due to so so guest lists, and this will probably be the next. Last year I went to all three and I really like the MK show, but it's another dull line up ( for me anyway) so even though it's free I doubt I'd go. Shame.

[New tickets and new things in store for 2015 LFCC]

It still seems quite a restrictive way of offering the chance to meet a big name.

 

Say it's £400 quid for one of these Diamond tickets (and I'm sure most guests who participate would be doing an auto, a photoshoot and a 'talk or meet/greet').

 

You've already reduced your potential market hugely.

 

What difference does it make offering this:

 

1 Diamond ticket (includes photo/auto/talk) = £400

 

or Splitting it up?

 

1 Photo ticket = £160

1 Auto ticket = £200

1 Talk = £40

 

The person who was intending to get what is essentially a 'diamond ticket' can still buy all 3 items...

 

But since your customer base is much larger, by splitting and offering it as individual items, aren't you more certain of selling all your photos/autos - you've opened the market much more widely...there's a large percentage who are in the category of only wanting a pic or auto or even a talk...

And then for everybody that says that someone else would say "why didn't they just sell it as a package"...

I think to be fair to Showmasters they would have looked at it from all sides and decided that it is the simplest way to just do it as it is. I think they said to do it like that was the only way they could obtain a diamond guest in the first place, basic economics I guess. At least it's a choice for us all to make.

[Anyone remember...]

I don't know if they spent all the money at LFCC Summer, but it certainly feels like they spent all their efforts on it, at the expense of the subsequent shows. Yes the shows since have had some guest that interested me, but on the whole they were made up of very recent repeat guests and supporting/uncredited actors. Ironic, since it feels that these supporting actors are being used as supporting guests to make up the numbers. Almost as if SM know that announcing 15 background actors from Star Wars will help fill out the guest list. As was said before, it's good if you like that sort of thing, but even so...Quentin Pierre was at the last Collectormania, and both Comic Cons this year, so surely even Star Wars fans must be feeling the repetition.

The missus and me were just saying the same thing the other day, but of course the numbers were up 25% at the Wlffcc according the SM so everything is hunky dory for them

[Anyone remember...]

At the start of the year I'd have said it was a nailed on certainty I would be attending, but now I doubt I'd go unless the guest list improves. I've chosen not to attend the last two SM shows because of lack of interesting guests (to me personally), but i do really like the MK show and it would hurt not to go. I hope theylle some interesting announcements soon.

[Something big is coming to LFCC Summer 2015]

Jurassic World released next year, could be Mr T Rex himself....:-)

[Photo Thread]

Dear me! Having worked as a photographer for many years I have to say I think the group shots are appalling, I would have been sacked on the spot for turning out such a badly composed and exposed image. Just looking at them from a photographers point of view I'd be asking for a refund, there is no way they are taken by a pro.

[How was your day?]

("Given how drained I feel today, I'm hardly surprised that many of the actors were knackered yesterday. In fact I'm willing to retract my previous grumble about SPS withdrawing his photo ops. For future events I seriously think they should time limit the autograph area to shorter sessions at pre-agreed times (possibly set days so people know when to turn up), not only for our sakes but for the actors too given everything else they're being asked to do. I'd be exhausted too if I had to smile and hug someone with the same arm for a photo at a rate of 300 an hour, even if only for a fraction of that time.")

 

I hear what you say and I know some of the actors are getting on in years, but there are lots of people who have spent a lot of money to meet them, and let's not forget that they probably earned in one weekend what many would earn in a year. As I say though i can understand the older actors getting tired just as Stan Lee did at LFCC. As for the younger guests, there are lots of people out there doing a lot harder jobs than signing autographs, hugging fans and having photos taken for a lot less money so I do expect them to work hard I'm afraid.

[Autograph Tokens - Thoughts]

The whole autograph experience was a complete nightmare and I was only getting two autographs ! It was very stressful, frustrating and annoying.

 

Virtual Queuing, a selection of photos and pay by cash has been working fine for years at Showmasters Events, so why Media 10 would choose not to use this tried and tested model is beyond me.

 

So compare the two experiences (one hypothetical of course and one real)

 

Getting a Bruce Greenwood autograph:

 

DST

1. Join a big queue to get autograph token

2. Crew members fails to add up the cost of my two tokens correctly even using a calculator and then argues with me over the amount.

3. Queue again, well sort of at the photo desk to get a Bruce ticket, seemed like a free for all and only one image of Bruce available

4. Queue again for Bruce, Bruce isn't there, when will he be back, nobody knows, so I'll just spend an hour or so here shall I on the off chance that he might turn up at some point , missing out on talks, looking at the Museum, Stalls etc

 

Verdict - Frustrating, annoying , very poor system

 

LFCC

1. Head straight to pick up a VQ ticket for Bruce (and relax)

2. Go and enjoy the rest of the event.

3. Arrive at Bruce's desk when number is reached, choose from what I would think would be a much broader photo selection

4. Hand over cash job done

 

Verdict - Enjoyable, relaxing, works like clockwork

That's pretty much spot on! The VQ system is as good a system as there is at the moment for the bigger cons.

[Autograph Tokens - Thoughts]

I think the tokens were ok for dstl but wouldn't like to use them at lfcc just think of the queue

I agree with this. I had doubts about it when they first announced it, i was at the show on Saturday and it was quite sedate compared to other cons, ( which was nice tbh). I've experienced the token system now and I still cannot see the point in it really. If this was introduced at LFCC I think it would cause bedlam and huge queues. Basically everybody goes to buy the tokens as soon as they get in, AND you then still have to queue again to to see the celeb as normal. Unless it's something to do with not wanting to have money changing hands near the celebs table I've no idea how it's supposed to be an improvement. Enjoyed the show, nothing bad to say about it, but as previously mentioned some of the actors looked lacking in enthusiasm if I'm honest.

[how diamond tickets would work?]

Attendees will have to have a tickets for next year. No on the doors sales on the Saturday will happen. For this reason there will not be massive queues of people trying to buy tickets and then getting upset at not getting in because they didnt plan ahead. SM will only sell to capacity and when that is sold that is it. As for diamond tickets, these are only for certain massive guests that we would in no other terms get to meet. This is why they are diamond and they will cost so much to bring oved. Do you have any idea what it costs for a guest of a certain calibre. One of the main supernatural stars can easily cost £300,000 or more to bring over, I used to work for a convetion company so I know this as fact. It gives the people with enough money the chance to meet them while other who cant affortld it dont, seems harsh but no body could charge £80 Stallone for example as that isnt feesably possible.

Yer, I was reading the other day a con in the US offered Harrison Ford their entire budget of $200k to speak for an hour and he wouldn't even consider it. All those hoping for him to be announced might be disappointed.

[New tickets and new things in store for 2015 LFCC]

 

 

im still a bit concerned about everyone trying to get in at 9. even with pre-buying the tickets there is going to be some SERIOUS queuing going on. its definitely concerning, even with multiple entries, especially after how crazy the queuing was at the last LFCC. at least with the early entry and then normal entry it spread the amount of people going in at any one time.

 

also wondering how things will work if there venue hits capacity when there are still plenty of people outside.

 

aside from the entry stuff everything else sounds really good.

 

 

One of the main reasons that they are only preselling tickets and not on the day is that they can only sell enough tickets that everyone can get in, so hitting capacity with people not in yet can't happen!

As far as I can see no one has said what the capacity is, against the number of tickets being offered for sale.

[Tickets on sale online now]

 

 

I've ordered our Gold Passes yesterday!!!

 

But... eh... can anyone explain why I have to pay for shipping (7 GBP as i am outside the UK) if the passes won't get shipped?! Surely we'll get refunds for that right? Misters Showmasters? :-) Thanking you!

the shipping is for them to send us our tickets whitch wont happene till nearer the event. some of showmasters events (e.g. chevron) you just have an email you can print out at home to take but comic con's you get your tickets posted to you so you have to pay P&P. hope this helps.

Yer and to be fair to Showmasters I don't think their shipping charges are outrageous, we all no that using the post can be expensive these days. Pity there is no system to print your tickets at home, I'd like to see that introduced in the future.

[Tickets on sale online now]

Mmmm, I could never justify the cost of the gold personally. With just the early bird at this summer LFCC and a bit of self organisation I managed to get everything done inc meeting Stan Lee, Carrie, John Hurt, Summer Glau, Jenna etc etc and others too on just the Saturday. Still, if money were no object I'd probably have one :-)

[Tickets on sale online now]

Just as a side note, I wonder what measures if any are in place to stop the ticket touts buying up large numbers in the online shop to sell at a handsome profit later? I saw this at the Summer Show for Stan Lee tickets. I hope Jason and the team can find a way to stop this happening.

[Tickets on sale online now]

 

 

Hope I can get our Saturday entry tickets tonight!!

Why wouldn't you? Do people around REALLY think the event will sell out in 24h??? Come on people, stop panicking!!!!!

Lol! I know, I don't know why there is such hysteria about this. I don't really understand the logic in putting the tickets on sale now anyway, why not in the new year? But I guess some people just like it sorted and out of the way.

[New tickets and new things in store for 2015 LFCC]

I've not been following this new ticketing thing too closely so any chance somebody can explain the reasoning to me as to why the tickets have to go on sale now? It's like buying a ticket to the cinema when you don't know what's showing?