Bev

Owl post, I really think you should leave this topic alone now. You took photos when there were clear signs saying No Photos. You got away with it. You bragged about it on a public forum. Other posters, inclusing Crew and Mods, have expressed their disapproval. Continuing to try to justify your actions is just making it all worse. Please drop it now.

Gillian Anderson would be terrific Who-niverse guests - Tom Baker? He's always a great guest. John Barrowman Eve Myles Ian McKellen Patrick Stewart

I am genuinely non-plussed, Never, as you are not the subject of this thread. Were you at CM London? Did you or your friends cause trouble there? If the answer to these questions is No, then you have nothing to worry about If you have concerns, take them up with SM.

Did the sign say John had personally requested it? - I honestly don't remember. Even if it did with all the bods in the way, it wouldn't be impossible to miss. So unless it's made crystal clear (which could made on websites - this one and his well in advance) I'm not sure it's entirely fair to use the guilt trip of John's wishes either. There is also the thing about suggestion with some people - No THIS Don't THAT. The last word that goes though your head is THAT. There were things at school I'd never ever even thought about doing, till I was told not to do them That's the question: did John ask for No Photos, or did SM themselves impose this rule? Either way, it comes down to respect, and if the sign (and it was big enough) said No Photos, then what satisfaction does an individual get from flouting the rules and then boasting about having done so, whoever made the request?

No problem Let's keep this a nice place to be

It's one thing to tell someone they're in the wrong (and report it to crew/mods as needed), it's another to continually berate them and make other snide comments about it in other topics (note: not necessarily you, have just seen other posts with this type of content, gave up looking at usernames eventually), when DavidB and TooTall's initial comments/replies basically said what was needed already - the latter is what is tending towards bullying. For the record, it doesn't come across to me as stirring; it's a valid observation/question to SM regarding what has been said in this thread. For the record, as a CM London attendee, I am delighted that the Crew are now aware of potential problems/troublemakers. That should make future SM events the pleasant experiences they should be, for attendees and guests alike. As far as the accusations of "bullying", I think David and Too Tall have said all that needs to be said. Best leave it at that, glee.

Well, it could be misconstrued as stirring.... I haven't seen any bullying here. Someone broke the rules, boasted about it on a public forum, and then doesn't like it when other attendees and Crew/Mods tell them that they were in the wrong.

Did you attend CM London, Never?

Wow, those 5 extra images really were worth £40! I could have shock! horror! donated a bit of that to Kai's charity or worse spent it on people I like! Dear god no, I went, I saw, I took photos to remind what a good time I was having or had (I have a terrible memory, seriously all I remember of Kai and Gareth's shopping list is beer, whisky and Pepperoni Pizza). You're trying to divert the topic and wriggle out of accepting responsibility for your actions. This has nothing to do with Kai or Gareth, or your supposed valuation of the images, as you well know. It has everything with looking at a sign in John's area, which said "NO PHOTOS" and then deciding to take photos anyway, so that you could boast that you got away with it on a public forum (very bright - not!). Not only that, you showed total lack of respect for John's wishes. And that's the crux of it for me: getting what YOU want at the expense of other people. With fans like you.....

I was CM-MK. Your "account" of this is totally untrue. I can't vouch for the time John arrived, but he did a photoshoot with 600+ people and apart from lunch he sat and signed, and signed, and signed. I was there early, got a low VT number, and had a chat with him (albeit brief) while he signed personalised autographs. A friend who arrived later had a ticket in the 800s, and still got an autograph in the middle of the afternoon, and a chat/smile from John. I was told by a crew member that they had given out 1000+ VTs for John. At the end of the day, and yes, he did stay all day, he went open queue, so everyone who wanted an autograph got one. What do you and your friend expect? A long discussion about philosophy? You, or your friend, went for an autograph. You got an autograph. That's what it says on the tin. Stop comlaining. As you're the person who was bragging here about taking photos of John signing even though he had clearly asked for NO PHOTOS, I don't think you have anything to complain about.

"Jokes" like that can do more harm than good

You mean people actually pay money to buy this newspaper (and I use the term loosely)??

The most upsetting aspect of this article for me is that the money we pay for the photos/autos/talks gos to SM, and not directly into the guests' pockets. I doubt JB was paid anything like the amount claimed by the S*n (and no, I'm not asking, because I don't care) and the fact that people were willing to pay these amounts in the first place is a tribute to him as a person and actor. The bottom line as far as I'm concerned is that JB has been signing autographs and allowing people to photograph him for FREE after virtually every performance of La Cage Aux Folles for about 12 weeks. He also posed for photos at £20 a time for Children In Need. He didn't get a penny for any of that. And of course the article didn't mention that at all. I see this article as less an attack on SM, and more an attack on apparently greedy celebrities, and I'm hugely upset that a decent man like JB has been singled out for this criticism. Rant over.

For quite a while now John has asked people to make a donation to one of his favourite charities instead of buying/giving him a gift. http://www.johnbarrowman.com/fanzone/charityindex.shtml

I use Arrowfile folders, which are like ring binders and have acid-free refills/inserts that you can buy separately in many different sizes to take a wide variety of photos or other items. Go to www.arrowfile.com I was recommended to them by someone on here a while ago, and although they are not cheap they are excellent quality. They do a 10x8 refill page, which has a tiny pocket at the bottom for slipping a card with a note of the date/location etc.

The money you paid to get into CM did not entitle you to show total disrespect for the guests or the rules. I'm hoping Too Tall WILL be looking out for you in future - if you have the gall to attend another event.

I'm shocked that someone who is a *fan* (and I use the word loosely) of this super guy could behave in such a selfish and disrespectful manner. If John asked for no photos while he was signing, then who are you to think that it's acceptable to do otherwise? John did not one but TWO photo sessions with fans on Sunday, and photos were allowed during the Torchwood talk (without flash of course). But that's clearly not enough for you. Let's hope he decides to come back for another CM for the fans who really appreciate him, and isn't deterred by someone who likes to break the rules.

John was certainly not as busy as he had been at MK, for example, and I'm sure the fewer number of people might be accounted for by the fact that John has been signing at the stage door for several weeks. In view of the fact that he has been doing 8 shows a week in the West End since the middle of September, and finished only on Saturday evening, I think it's amazing that he did anything at all! I have only total respect for John

Well some people clearly decided John was worth getting out of bed early for! And they were the ones who got personalisations and, I have to say, nice (albeit brief) chats with John. The low VTs and photos/talk were not mutually exclusive. It was possible to do them all. Of course if people decided they couldn't be bothered to make the effort of getting there early, then they have only themselves to blame and can't complain. As far as I'm concerned, John went above and beyond the call of duty for his fans yet again.

It's difficult to enforce a No Photo rule in a public place. However, if John had said "No photographs please", it would have been rude at the very least to have disregarded his request. If it was indeed John who asked for no photos at CM, then we should respect that.

Although I understand that people like personalised autographs, sometimes it's just not possible, for a variety of reasons, and a decision has to be made: it's up to an individual if they want to pay £20 for an unpersonalised signature or not. John's queue was much quieter than at MK last year, and I for one am pleased that it was less manic. And he stopped personalising at MK quite early on in the day, if memory serves. A likely reason for the relative quietness at CM is the fact that he has been signing autographs for free at the theatre for about 11 weeks! But two photo sessions, autographs and a talk - what a great guy.

I'd just like to pitch in with a comment about the quality of the photos. In the past I've had photos that have been "landscape" format, with the guest and me rather small in the frame, and a lot of background colour either side. This time the photos were "portrait" format and the guest and I are practically filling the frame. They are very clear, and I ended up with an extra image from one shoot because Malcolm wasn't happy with one, so thanks for that. On top of it all, they were returned from processing extremely quickly, and I am totally thrilled with them. They are maybe a touch on the expensive side, but overall they are a great way to remember the events.

Slightly off-topic, but - thanks guys for the numbered Torchwood prints. A nice gesture, much appreciated (and the talk itself was a blast!)

I'd like to add my thanks to the Crew and everyone who was involved in making CM run so smoothly. Special thanks to the amazing Malcolm for his awesome photos, and thanks too for whatever arrangements were put in place to get the photos back so quickly. Those dealing with the Barrowmania phenomenon deserve special thanks, especially the guys at the photo sessions for keeping things moving, and Phil at the autograph area for managing the VT queue with a smile on his face And thanks to JB himself for doing two shoots, endless autos and a talk. What a star

A plea to Showmasters: these guys are terrific, they really entered into the spirit of things. Let's have them back for every Collectormania pleeeeeeeeeease!