Doctor who guests (LFCC 2023)

[Mfahey79]

7 hours ago, D-C-A said:

Lets start out by saying my thoughts on this are so heavy that i've cracked out the laptop to type this all out.

secondly 100% i whole-heartedly agree with you but i wanna add my 2 cents on the matter.

With Joseph Quinn it is safe to say that Showmasters grossly under estimated how popular he was going to turn out, whilst i was interested in him (Reasons will follow) thus i never followed how quick he sold out, BUT i do recall that show-masters announced that there would be more batches, to my knowledge they've not done that since even with Ncuti, and then they had the issue of then selling more tickets and exceeding capacity of the venue to where you could barely move inside over the Saturday and Sunday, and then several people were being held outside, his attendance on the Sunday helped this but it was still a mess.

now for my reasons, i was honest kinda annoyed by the absolute rudeness of some of the less civil attendees when trying to move through the guest hall, and the just overall entitlement of such even when there wasn't even a booking from said attendees just the expectation that they've entered the hall and now are going to get to meet Quinn, the other reason is more of a personal one as a lot of people stated since Stranger Things Season 4 the number of people who suddenly found themselves liking Quinn and his character of Eddie, even when they historically would have bullied people who are like the character (Myself falling into the later category) call it pathetic but its a genuine peeve for myself.

Now for Ncuti, announcing him wasn't by any means a bad move, i can't remember the last time Showmasters announced a guest mid event over the speakers, and to that matter one so popular they were 65% sold out within 36 hours, even when i spent said 36 hours bricking it that i'd miss out, but this evidently was something we all showed genuine concern over as we knew from the word go it was going to be messy, from the civil fans who knew that things weren't going to be easy, to the uncivil ones who were going to be making things uneasy either from entitlement or from just over excitement.

of course once Ncuti Sold out we all prayed that was going to be it, and further to that point we on numerous occasion said that it would be bad news if Millie Gibson was booked, which they then did go and book her, at this point there were 10 sold out Batches of Diamond pass and 10 batches of standard Photos all sold out, but then Millie's announcement saw Ncuti sell another 4 batches of Diamond and Photos along with 4 Batches of Duo Photos, meaning that the main guest was now on 14 batches of both Diamond and Photo.

now an seemingly unrelated but contributing factor to the whole sordid affair was that they eventually had 5 Diamond pass Guests, Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson, Michael Sheen (Booked at a notably controversial time, separate topic of discussion in a little, would love to talk about it), Natalie Dormer and Richard Dreyfus, at one point of these 5, only Dreyfus was booked for the sunday, but he was also the only one who was doing the weekend, everyone was just Saturday, until Millie was suddenly announced for Sunday as well, what we initially believed was good news, but was a harbinger.

then within the week of the event, Dreyfus was postponed to Spring (Now July) meaning 4 diamond pass guests and only 1 on the Sunday, then it dropped, Ncuti Gatwa was now doing Sunday, but only half days per day, i mention this chain of events for a simple reason, unless you were a die hard dedicated guest and had some deep pockets, you were likely only attending the Saturday as you would have been after Ncuti Gatwa (And via extension Millie Gibson), this is important to remember.

so day of the event and the crowd is as at bursting point we now only have a 5 hour window per day to get through countless people that have prepaid and booked whatever they've book for Ncuti Gatwa, and of course it all went foul up, Saturday Ncuti signed for an hour maximum before he was whisked off to start the photos, which meant back to back from around 11:30 AM to about 2PM he was doing nothing but photos, the announcement and story was clear Ncuti wouldn't be able to get through everyone, so people were either told they WOULD be seen, or that they would be required to make a return on the Sunday, so by 2PM the crowd was told the bad News Ncuti like Elvis had left the building.

so Sunday was now going to be heavily dedicated towards signing with a heavy range of Photos left untaken.

Showmasters take on the situation was if you were still due anything related to Ncuti you could return Sunday free of charge, but let me take you back to the lack of a draw for Sunday to begin with, this meant that for around 85% of those who hadn't obtained everything if anything on Saturday, returning for Sunday was an idea that could be best described as a nightmare and an impossibility, some people could afford the last minute second day trip, whilst most couldn't travel, hotel and other expenses ruled it out, meaning that whilst they would see up to £296 returned to them, they could still be out a hotel, train and entry tickets for a guest they paid to meet and never did, the refund for these people simply was not good enough.

All in all the choice to book a guest and then proceed to add more tickets on for them was bad enough, the addition of losing a significant portion of time was what allowed for disaster to occur, and with the lack of a Sunday draw added fuel to the fire.

so what can we learn from this?

1. now Whilst asking for a full weekend booking is unreasonable but should be something that is to be attempted to try and allow for levitation of traffic.

2. the numbers once capped should remain capped, once a guest is sold out your only bet is to try and get the guest on the day but don't go in with hopes held high.

3. Limiting the numbers on diamond pass, they allegedly did this Spring with Billie Piper thus people were now able to get her on the day without the need, however the results are in my opinion inadmissible on account of a train strike and the lack of attendance, this is something that needs attempting on a big event and with more people in attendance

4. making sure that if their will be an unscheduled second day or a day change, that there is a big enough draw to were a weekend ticket would be a wiser choice than a singular day ticket.

5. Extra staff per photo area, and the ability to disperse people who are waiting unduly or if they're place in the pecking order is going to be a while.

100% this, I was going to itemise my response, but it started snaking in a out of all your points, so gave up

If you know the guest is one day only, limit the tickets, put the price up to cover it, and above all else, dont over sell, especially if you know the guest is also expected to be on the stage the same weekend, as was the case with Ncuti, the delay in getting him through traffic in the morning fed into him leaving early to try and avoid traffic. 

But this should have been factored in, and someone should have gone, have we sold too many tickets.

Cap the passes, put the price up if you have to, but return the pass to what it should be, a limited and exclusive item that you have paid for the privilege,  and not have to fight to get what you have paid for. 

Really cap the bigger names, and dont over sell them, gives insurance in case of unexpected events, and if everything goes to plan, you give the day attendees and virtual tickets hope that they can still get them towards the end of the day

Proper control of the photo areas, if need be, have them in a seperate room with proper queueing, that way you are not having a mass of bodies milling around

 

[Mfahey79]

8 minutes ago, D-C-A said:

Also seems they're doing a star wars Zone again so that means we have a lovely chance of snapping up some small timers.

I'd be surprised if there wasnt a Star Wars Zone to be honest

[Mfahey79]

Some great guests tonight, both for us and Indiana Jones. Including one actor who has an uncredited role one Doctor Who, amongst his film credits

[D-C-A]

7 minutes ago, Mfahey79 said:

Some great guests tonight, both for us and Indiana Jones. Including one actor who has an uncredited role one Doctor Who, amongst his film credits

Yeah was happy when i saw his name appear, and its one some good sets for me

[D-C-A]

Also yes i have already booked the pass

[D-C-A]

14 minutes ago, Mfahey79 said:

I'd be surprised if there wasnt a Star Wars Zone to be honest

Wasn't one last year so i'm guessing we're looking at a full hall again, i mean we just had 14 announcements and none of them by any means small small

[D-C-A]

Also i'm calling it now, Andrew Cartmell, Jessica Martin and Paul Cornell will all be announced, they usually do July which suits me right down to the ground, Cornell will go on Season 7 whilst Martin is going on "An Alien Werewolf in London", Cartmell i would love Season 24 and 26 but damn i'm already listing enough boxsets my shoulder won't be able to cope, so i guess my "Remembrance" CD from Fantom or if i have any of his Lost Stories CDs from Big Finish by that point.

[Mfahey79]

35 minutes ago, D-C-A said:

Also yes i have already booked the pass

same, as much as i moaned about price

[D-C-A]

Just now, Mfahey79 said:

same, as much as i moaned about price

I guess thats what happens when you suddenly find yourself one half of one of the face of the most notorious SCI-FI show in history, i'm happy we've got her because she'll be on a set where she ISN'T the companion but the photo will always be reflective of it, did you manage a batch 1 friend.

and yes for those reading who don't respond (Please respond) i am in fact going to be following availability 

[Mfahey79]

44 minutes ago, D-C-A said:

Wasn't one last year so i'm guessing we're looking at a full hall again, i mean we just had 14 announcements and none of them by any means small small

it was squirrelled away in one of the corners, there was only a couple of guests, but it was mainly an activities area

[D-C-A]

Just now, Mfahey79 said:

it was squirrelled away in one of the corners, there was only a couple of guests, but it was mainly an activities area

Given that the website seems to be singling out Julian Glover at the minute i'm guessing there will be more of a pack than previous

[Mfahey79]

12 minutes ago, D-C-A said:

I guess thats what happens when you suddenly find yourself one half of one of the face of the most notorious SCI-FI show in history, i'm happy we've got her because she'll be on a set where she ISN'T the companion but the photo will always be reflective of it, did you manage a batch 1 friend.

and yes for those reading who don't respond (Please respond) i am in fact going to be following availability 

I did, and I guess you did too. Thank paypal pay in 3 for small mercies

[D-C-A]

2 minutes ago, Mfahey79 said:

I did, and I guess you did too. Thank paypal pay in 3 for small mercies

you're telling me, i snapped that up faster than anything else, i know someone who will no doubt be annoyed by my actions because its apparently bragging that i can afford it, but hi-ho can't stop me now.

even then £111 on a pay in 3 is rather reasonable, but whats the betting in may once every ones done that pay in 3 we'll see another big guest.

[Mfahey79]

Now with the new season confirmed to start on April 12th, we have a slim chance of getting a series release before LFCC as it will leave a month after the season ends roughly 

[D-C-A]

34 minutes ago, Mfahey79 said:

Now with the new season confirmed to start on April 12th, we have a slim chance of getting a series release before LFCC as it will leave a month after the season ends roughly 

I'm not optimistic on that one myself, The window would be too narrow and they'd have to start pressing the sets before the series finished broadcasting, then they'd have to be ready for retailers within a couple of weeks, imagine how buggered we'd be if the set released the day after the event.

[D-C-A]

Right lets do this.

announced as a companion before the series had even broadcast Varada Sethu made her debut in Doctor who during the 14th series in the episode "Boom" as Mundy Flynn, Sethu will join the series as the companion when the series broadcasts in April.

At this point all we have is Series 14 which is of course a blessing as she does appear in an episode.

Sethu is attending on the Saturday and is £45 for her autograph or Photo, her Diamond Pass is £110 which includes her Autograph, Photo and a gift, so far the only photo options are standard but of course their will likely be a TARDIS photo down the road.

[D-C-A]

Just now, D-C-A said:

Right lets do this.

announced as a companion before the series had even broadcast Varada Sethu made her debut in Doctor who during the 14th series in the episode "Boom" as Mundy Flynn, Sethu will join the series as the companion when the series broadcasts in April.

At this point all we have is Series 14 which is of course a blessing as she does appear in an episode.

Sethu is attending on the Saturday and is £45 for her autograph or Photo, her Diamond Pass is £110 which includes her Autograph, Photo and a gift, so far the only photo options are standard but of course their will likely be a TARDIS photo down the road.

Also i haven't any idea if "Joy to the world" currently has the trailer for Series 15 on it, as i don't own it IE waiting for as long as possible in-case the set can be released.

[D-C-A]

Appearing in the 2005 episode "Dalek" Corey Johnson played the man who owned the internet Henry Van Statten the owner of the Museum and who only wanted the Dalek to Talk.

for Johnson you'll need either Series 1 volume 2 or any of the many variants of Series 1 that have been released, but as its "Dalek" their is also the Dalek collection released around 2008 which has the episode along with every other Dalek story from that period.

  

Johnson is attending on the Saturday, and his price is £20 for an autograph or a photo.

personally i'm happy as i already have Anna Louise Plowman from the same episode on my Series 1 its perfect for me to also obtain Corey Johnson.

[D-C-A]

In an actor who has a surprising number of appearances given he's best known for an american golden age slasher film, Kevin O'Brien has a cavalcade of Doctor who appearances in the 1980s.

for Kevin here are the sets you'll be after:

• "The Leisure Hive"
• "Full Circle"
• "Black Orchid"
• "Earthshock"
• "TimeFlight"
• "Arc of Infinity"
• "Terminus"
• "The Kings Demons"
• "Resurrection of the Daleks"
• "Timelash"
• "Revelation of the Daleks"
• "Mindwarp"
• "Terror of the Vervoids"
• "The Ultimate Foe"
• The Dalek Collection
• The Davros Collection
• Season 18
• Season 19
• Season 20
• Season 22
• Season 23

Kevin is attending both Days and is £25 for his autograph or Photo.

given some of his credits of course "Earthshock", The Dalek Collection and The Davros Collection will be my selected sets.

[D-C-A]

Okay so just found this one, Anna Shaffer appeared in the short lived spin off "Class" as Rachel Chapman in the series 1st and 3rd Episodes as the girlfriend of Ram Singh who was killed.

of course you'll only need "Class" for Shaffer, which still has me laughing at the inclusion of a series 1 on the box.

Shaffer is attending on the Saturday and is £20 for her Autograph or Photo

[D-C-A]

okay so we've had a reasonable 17 hours to think about, and how do we feel about Varada Sethu being announced, especially as by all stretches whilst she's not the companion yet, they're still charging the price for her, and of course come July she will be the companion, but now we have to hope show-masters have learned their lesson from whats occurred previously, and yes we were talking about it a lot yesterday, but given the ripples its left in the foundation of LFCC its going to be a continued topic, that attendees aren't going to simply shut up and let go of, given that even so many months later they're licking the wounds of the incident.

there are of course those who remain unsatisfied IE the claims of "Never heard of any of these guests", "Why is it always Doctor who" and "Insert X convention gets better guests", when simply i think none of these remarks are true, and are purely just hating at this point maybe the first one yes, but i do feel theirs a certain level of wilful ignorance that goes into ignoring who some of the names are, especially as one is from Raiders of the lost ark, a movie that has transcended itself into cultural icon, so they'd know a face but not the name, and of course Doctor who is an oft discussed show so Sethu will be of course a big well known name, these remarks are usually because they don't get the very unlikely names that anywhere could book, like Stallone or Michael J.Fox.

[Mfahey79]

9 hours ago, D-C-A said:

okay so we've had a reasonable 17 hours to think about, and how do we feel about Varada Sethu being announced, especially as by all stretches whilst she's not the companion yet, they're still charging the price for her, and of course come July she will be the companion, but now we have to hope show-masters have learned their lesson from whats occurred previously, and yes we were talking about it a lot yesterday, but given the ripples its left in the foundation of LFCC its going to be a continued topic, that attendees aren't going to simply shut up and let go of, given that even so many months later they're licking the wounds of the incident.

there are of course those who remain unsatisfied IE the claims of "Never heard of any of these guests", "Why is it always Doctor who" and "Insert X convention gets better guests", when simply i think none of these remarks are true, and are purely just hating at this point maybe the first one yes, but i do feel theirs a certain level of wilful ignorance that goes into ignoring who some of the names are, especially as one is from Raiders of the lost ark, a movie that has transcended itself into cultural icon, so they'd know a face but not the name, and of course Doctor who is an oft discussed show so Sethu will be of course a big well known name, these remarks are usually because they don't get the very unlikely names that anywhere could book, like Stallone or Michael J.Fox.

We're in the rather bizarre situation, in the case of the diamond pass, of paying for her to be added to projects, or sets, without actually seeing her in the role. I know people who were getting Pearl on publicity photos before filming began, but that was in the theatre and for free. 

The guests who were announced yesterday, cast barely a ripple in the Doctor Who world both in quantity announced and for the roles on the show, Varada being the exception. 

We have no offence to Kevin, someone who would be considered an extra, albeit one with a substantial amount of background roles, and a main guest star.

We had more guests announced for the Friday the 13th franchise.

We also have the tank gunner from the greatest film of all time, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

And as for getting the likes of Michael J Fox and Stallone, Michael was a one and done. And if they did get Stallone then the backlash would be tremendous as you would be looking at a starting point of £600 minimum for his autograph, let alone a diamond pass

[D-C-A]

3 minutes ago, Mfahey79 said:

We're in the rather bizarre situation, in the case of the diamond pass, of paying for her to be added to projects, or sets, without actually seeing her in the role. I know people who were getting Pearl on publicity photos before filming began, but that was in the theatre and for free. 

The guests who were announced yesterday, cast barely a ripple in the Doctor Who world both in quantity announced and for the roles on the show, Varada being the exception. 

We have no offence to Kevin, someone who would be considered an extra, albeit one with a substantial amount of background roles, and a main guest star.

We had more guests announced for the Friday the 13th franchise.

We also have the tank gunner from the greatest film of all time, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

And as for getting the likes of Michael J Fox and Stallone, Michael was a one and done. And if they did get Stallone then the backlash would be tremendous as you would be looking at a starting point of £600 minimum for his autograph, let alone a diamond pass

Obviously MJF and Stallone were two of the top of my head but if they were announced you can imagine people would then complain about them being too expensive.

As for who we got we did technically get all ranges, Companion, Notable guest spot, extra and spin off, so we didn’t do too badly.

but again with Sethu we are only able to view the 1 episode which I’m guessing once the series is being broadcast the tickets will start selling more, based on people wanting to see her in action first.

[Mfahey79]

10 hours ago, D-C-A said:

Obviously MJF and Stallone were two of the top of my head but if they were announced you can imagine people would then complain about them being too expensive.

I know you were using them as an example. 

I think even Showmastrs have said on occasions, people cry out for the top tier Marvel guests, would shout louder when they realise how much the prices for autographs and photos would be if they announce them

There's only one person I'd pay the crazy money for and that's Mark Hammil, but he's another i cant see travelling for a show in the UK 

[Mfahey79]

Since I haven't added this yet. Of the new announcements.

Corey, will be going on my season 1 steelwork. Next to his Metaltron. He'll also gone in the Diary

Kevin, had he been £10 cheaper would have found his way onto a both Dalek covers, but if I had to choose now it would be Revelation, also the diary

Varada, if the new series is released before the show will go on that, if not then she'll be going on my 15th Doctor poster. She'll start a new Diary funds depending or end the old one