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David Wenham personalised then added "To Victory!" on my 300 mini poster without me having to ask for a quote

Pasting my post from the deleted "not fiction or drama" thread - apologies for those who read it before, but seeing as I took the time to write it I'd quite like SM to actually read it... Firstly, how about some professionalism, Showmasters - the condescending tone of that post is offensive to all those who have raised valid concerns about real problems that were experienced. "sorry that some things are not what you all had hoped for" is not an acceptable apology. It's akin to saying "sorry if you think you need an apology". You need to step up and acknowledge the problems that people experienced. People aren't disappointed because things weren't "what they had hoped for" - it's because things weren't as advertised! If an event this big is put on, it is only reasonable to expect the company running it to deliver a certain standard. For example, the lack of communication outside was appalling - it is completely unacceptable, if you have reached capacity, not to tell people in the queue what is going on for so long. It is completely unacceptable for people to be told to queue in one place, then be moved to another place, only to later be told to move back to the first place and then as a result of the crew's total lack of communication (this is not their fault but the people in charge) have to wait even more hours or not get in at all. Don't tell people that advanced tickets have sold out but not to worry and you still have plenty to sell on the day if the venue doesn't have the capacity! As others have said, you kept saying "this isn't our first event" "we're expecting 80k people" etc (claiming to be expecting 80k and the combined max capacity of EC2 and Brompton Hall comes to 15,750?! That's a FIFTH of the attendees you claim to have been expecting! Surely the only way that would have worked would be if no-one stayed for even TWO hours!!). You can't just say well, everyone who pre-booked got in - it wasn't just a prebook event. Advertising on the day entry continued right up to the event. To claim the high attendance was something you "could not expect or forsee" is utterly ridiculous. Advanced tickets sold out, for the first time ever we were told! That's as clear an indication as you'll get! Anyway. I'm really glad some people did have a great time, but I truly feel for the large numbers of people who had such bad experiences at an event many had looked forward to for a long time.

Was great to finally meet David Wenham - loved that he wrote "To victory!" on my 300 mini poster without me even having to ask for a quote

I got a seat about half way back but struggled to hear much at all - gutted. It was so echoey, the acoustics were awful. Thought it might have just been where I was sitting but I later talked to people down the front who struggled too. So I look forward to hearing what was said!

Well that was exactly what I was worried about... I was helping my sister on her stall and only got in as we bought an extra wristband... I later caught up with other friends who'd queued 8/8:30am and didn't get in til 11:30am, but also heard from others outside that no one was being let in - I think that was around midday... I did manage to get David Wenham's autograph as he was open queue. I wonder how many advanced tickets were sold vs the venue's capacity?

Ah great, thanks for that!

Hi, I'm hoping someone could put my mind at rest - this seems to be the biggest LFCC by far, and I'm a little concerned after the advanced tickets sold out that there may be a situation where the venue's maximum capacity (for fire regulations) may be reached and no more people would be let in until people leave... I heard that happened at another SM event, albeit a smaller one... I am only after one guest (David Wenham) so I wasn't planning on getting an early bird ticket. But now I'm worried about how busy it may be even just by 11am-midday... Hopefully I'm worrying about nothing, but would appreciate any info! Cheers!

To state "Blue Sharpie = dealer" is ridiculous. If you have a photo/DVD cover/whatever that has black or dark areas, if the person signing accidentally (or chooses to because of lack of space left by other signatures) signs wholly or partly over that bit then blue will show up better than black. With tickets or programmes I'll always offer a blue pen so it shows up over any text - I tend to avoid silver as they always seem to dry out on me. I have an avengers pic that Tom Hiddleston very kindly signed at the premiere, but when Chris Hemsworth signed it too, the only space left was over a dark area and as he was using a black pen unfortunately it is barely visible . Of course it was still great to have those few moments but as we all know, we love autographs as mementos of these moments! I understand that at premieres swapping pens slows things down, but I've had other occasions when an actor has taken my blue sharpie I've offered, signed for me and those around and then passed it back to me, despite others holding out other black pens so clearly many have nothing against signing in blue! David Tennant very kindly signed a pic through the mail for me, in blue sharpie - it was a Christmas promo shot so with the colours of the photo blue looked lovely, much nicer than black. I have taken a black sharpie but only if I have a photo I know it'll show up well on eg if there's plenty of light areas... At autograph events where someone can sign sitting down, with your photo etc nicely flat on a table and take a moment or two to choose where to sign it, one would hope that they would choose an appropriate colour that would show up. But you do hear from attendees occasionally when that hasn't happened, and if we're paying for an autograph, I feel we should be able to have it signed in any colour we like. Personally at an event I've seldom had any trouble - if I have something that's already been signed, I've found guests usually either ask which colour I'd like them to use or choose themselves but check with me before starting to sign. But less so with 8x10s though, and unfortunately I have had an occasion when I was buying an autograph for someone as a present and after signing my pic in silver the guest chose a gold pen for my friend's (we were chatting and it was too late before I realised) and it just didn't show up well at all on the colour of the photo's background - very disappointing when paying good money. Since then I have always made sure that if a guest is having to sign quickly I'll always quickly ask "could you possibly sign in (eg silver) please?" after greeting them to try and avoid that situation again!

Oh no, such a shame Hope he can do another event.

YAY!! Will be getting him for 300 - got a 16x12 already signed by Gerard Butler at a premiere and both Lena Headey and Andrew Tiernan at previous SM events so would love to add his auto to that. Thanks SM!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it! Will definitely bring it to get signed :)

Yay! Now I have a dilemma though - maybe other X-Files fans could give me their opinions? I have this poster http://images2.fanpo...7-1000-1260.jpg which I've already had signed by Gillian Anderson and William B Davis (I *wish* I'd brought it when Mitch Pileggi and Nic Lea came!!)... Now I know Brian wasn't in Fight the Future... and this poster was a promo for that movie... but it doesn't actually say the movie name/details... but it's x-files and already signed by GA - I can't start another poster lol! Do you think it'd be weird if I ask him to sign it? I kind of think of it as an x-files poster rather than a fight the future poster, and he played a great mytharc character... Would love your thoughts! Thanks!

Nice guy, I was lucky enough to get his auto at the Skyfall premiere :)

Oh cool! She was great in Ripper Street! Nice one SM :)

I'd love it if you could get Manu Bennett (Spartacus, Arrow, The Hobbit...) for any of your events!! And any other Spartacus guests! Please?

I'd love it if you could get Manu Bennett (Spartacus, Arrow, The Hobbit...) for any of your events!! And any other Spartacus guests! Please?

I've met him before, nice guy :)

Sounds pretty good!

I am on such a Spartacus kick right now! Any of the main cast would be great, but if I had to pick one - Manu Bennett! Great for Hobbit fans too, and Arrow...

I agree ONE BILLION percent!! Manu Bennett is top of my list of ideal guests right now! Would love to meet other cast members too, but Manu being announced would be absolutely awesome!

I thought he was great - very polite and had a little chat, maybe not so immediately open and chatty as say Norman Reedus that day, but then I'm not sure many people were lol! He added CSM to his personalised sig without me having to ask, and was happy to have a photo at his desk too (I saw him Sunday). I didn't ask for a quote this time but last time he was very happy to do so. Also, I was a little worried that as I couldn't attend til much later than I'd intended on Sunday, what if he was quiet and left early (as he'd been there Friday and Saturday already) as some guests have done in the past? But I needn't have worried :) Was really glad I met him again.

Thanks very much. I love V for Vendetta so much, I'm really excited at the prospect of getting a sketch Thanks for the quick replies!

Hi everyone. I've never asked for a sketch from any of the comic artists before, but I'd like to get one from David Lloyd tomorrow. My question is do I need to bring a sketch book or paper etc? I had assumed they'd have their own, but I just wanted to check while I've still got time to buy one last-minute! Thanks a lot!

I'd be so happy if it was someone from the x-files!

Suspense!! It's 3am... Must...get...sleep...