Complaint regarding the Gold pass

[nasreen77]

I really didn't want to get my head kicked in

Really? You actually perceived that as a likely possibility? Either in front of thousands of witnesses at the show itself or in broad daylight in the fairly civilised streets of West London afterwards? It's a convention for sci-fi and cult film/TV/comics, not some illegal dogfight or badger baiting. The only thing you're likely to be assaulted by is the very occasional aroma of the odd attendee with an overelaxed approach to personal hygiene.

Don't underestimate people's aggression; I was at the recording of "Eurovision: Your Country Needs You" (yes I know... really LOL!) and my friends and I had been there all day and through perseverance and patience managed to secure front of stage standing positions for the final recording. We were told we would have to dance and smile for the camera and we were glad to.

 

However, 5 minutes into the live recording three girls pushed their way to the front and elbowed me and my friends in the back and kicked us until we final gave in and let them in front of us. They never danced or smiled and the cameras had to keep stopping short of getting their sour-puss faces on the TV.

 

Eventually I plucked up the nerve to explain they had to look like they were enjoying themselves if they wanted to stand at the front and was told "we're only here to see the Sugarbabes". When I explained the Sugarbabes had been on earlier in the day (their 'live' segment had been filmed in the afternoon) one of them pushed me, while the other kicked my friend and pulled her hair. And there was nothing the staff could do, even though they saw what was happening, as the show was going out live (live live... no 10 minute delay!) and they couldn't get to us. The girls were finally escorted out when a film clip was shown and staff could get to us.

 

So as much as you might not necessarily get 'your head kicked in' other people can make it very awkward and painful for you if you "squeal them up" or fail to let them get their own way!!

 

That sounds like a really horrible experience and I doubt anyone can blame you for being concerned about potential confrontation possibilities having experienced that.

That said, the vast majority of people that attend conventions are amazing friendly people and won't kick off like that, so should you ever think someone is taking advantage in the future, dont be worried about speaking to a member of crew.

[Queen_Sindel]

What nas said.

 

Plus thankfully no one there will be no one worrying about a "live broadcast" being interrupted simply because there is none. So in the extremely unlikely case something should happen action will be taken immediately.

[SlippDigby]

Attened 3 talks over the wkend, Buck Rogers, Hellraiser and Tom Sizemore's on the sunday and don't recall seeing a sign at any of them

 

Let me address the folks that are mentioning the idea that some non-GOLD holders were sitting in the front two rows, and complaining about this situation.

 

There were people sitting in the GP section who were not GP holders...my wife, my son, myself and some others - for some of the talks, and with good reason too.

 

I was there for the Sunday Tom Sizemore and Robert Knepper talks in the afternoon, so let me elaborate a little more as to what happened for these particular events.

 

The crowd for TS was not very large after it had filtered into the hall. The "GOLD PASS" signs were, to me at least, very clear and easy to see...first two rows for GP holders only. My son and I were going to find seats in the third row (but still cracking seats) at the centre aisle so as to not miss anything. We would have been very happy to sit right there.

 

But when the person in charge and wearing the a blue shirt noticed that the total number of people was not very big for TS and that alot of the Gold Seats were also empty, he called all the audience to move much further up the hall and sit nearer the stage in the nearer rows, and to be much nearer to Tom. So we (us and others) moved to the front rows.

 

Fair play to him, that was the right call to make. He should not be castigated for this as it made it more cosy and personal, and it would have made Tom feel better too. It was the bang-on correct choice.

 

But I can assure you, as the tape will show....there was not, even after moving up closer nor at any time, anything like full GT seats, in fact, this situation bled over into the Robert Knepper talk...the GP seats were never full. Not by any stretch.

 

If I had been asked to move back...well, the need would never have arisen as I would've sat in those seats unless invited to do so, as we were (I don't take what's not mine, nor not offered freely).

 

Hope that clears things up a little more.

Edited July 13, 2011 by SlippDigby

[Rockstar6662]

To add to the above, if there's lots of space and gold pass holders have their seat I don't particularly have an issue with others filling the gaps as long as any gold holders that turn up later are allowed preference.

 

As I said I did see crew regularly asking people to move but I certainly wouldnt have a problem with the situation described above if a crew member told people to move to make better use of the space. As long as no gold pass holder lost a seat in one of the front rows I see no problem in this case.

[timelord81r]

i think the alex talk is where it did happen, crew did have to move ppl from the front row and the hall was full

 

the karen talk, many tried to view for free at the back, tootall dealt with that

 

I only went to these talks cos of clashes, I didnt notice the signs, BUT i wasnt looking really either as I knew where I was heading for, as close to the stage as poss lol

 

 

 

my only issue as it were would be the auto packs but this is minor as im not all that into autos and its not what I bought gold for.

 

I had some which were poor images as in grainly, out of focas images, not what the actual image was of, I had new who mixed in when I asked for classic and im pretty sure Ive got one that is on an image from an ep he wasnt in, will need to check the sig. I barely looked at them during show as I was too busy. but they are luck of the draw, lucky dip so thems the cards I was dealt.

[Rockstar6662]

i think the alex talk is where it did happen, crew did have to move ppl from the front row and the hall was full

 

the karen talk, many tried to view for free at the back, tootall dealt with that

 

I only went to these talks cos of clashes, I didnt notice the signs, BUT i wasnt looking really either as I knew where I was heading for, as close to the stage as poss lol

 

I was a little surprised at how open that stage area was at the back. Thought it might be a bit more enclosed, say with the walls running across the back and a small opening to let people in like at the side. Would be much easier to stop people trying to get a look in to the paid ones.

 

But I soon figured out how it all worked and wasn't really looking for signs etc. I noticed most people being told on the way in not to use the first two rows but a few people did just aim for the front and had to be asked to move but they all seemed to do it without problem. I don't know if anyone without a pass managed to stay at the front.

[del-boy]

how do you know they did not have a gold pass ??

 

i know two gold pass holders that do not ware there gold passes as they were having photo ops all day so had them in there top pocket .

 

so you think they were not gold pass holders but you do not really know as you did not ask or tell anyone ??

 

i think the crew are good at picking up on people trying it on and the people that you saw were gold pass holders

 

but thanks for pointing this out but in future do tell a crew person if its worrying you

 

thanks

 

jason

i also had a gold pass but kept it in my top pocket ,i showed when i needed to but i did not have it around my neck,i dont like to have it on show in my photoshoots,all 17 of them!