Jump to content

The guests are definitely coming, right...?


TurquoiseTrance
 Share

Recommended Posts

Don't know if anyone's mentioned this already (apologies if you have, but I have no intention of reading the entire forum before posting!), but on the forum at reddwarf.co.uk, some of the posters are being very cynical about whether the cast are actually going to turn up to this event and talking about fake conventions... [as I only joined that forum yesterday, I don't know whether that's what they typically get up to over there. ;)]

 

Since this is on the Showmasters forum and I've been to plenty of Collectormanias where the guests I've wanted to see have successfully arrived, I can only hope the same outcome will apply to Better Than Life. Hopefully the fact that it's in such a glamorous location (lol...I'm from Bedford) won't put them off coming!

 

Still deciding whether or not to go, especially in light of these suggestions that all might not be as it seems. It's tempting, but I don't want to spend £50+ on false promises. I know this sounds really neurotic, and I don't mean to imply the event is fake, but something must have gone wrong (or appeared to) at some point to raise these suspicions.

 

Genuine helpful replies preferred please; no telling me to "smeg off" (!) :dance:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the guests are coming (with the exception of cancellations that are always possible, like when someone gets offered a role last minute).

 

I'm not really sure where they got the idea of a fake convention on the other forum. There have been some events by other organisers that failed or never even took place. But Collectormania has been around for years, and Better than life is not the first event that Massive Events is running either.

 

It's true, the Red Dwarf con by Massive Events had to be cancelled last year, but the reasons have been outlined here on the forum. If an unofficial con always was a fake, there'd barely be any events running anymore. :poki:

Edited by Queen_Sindel
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've had a look on the forum you mentioned and the impression I get is that it's just people trying to stir it up.

 

Yes, there was a RD convention planned by Massive Events last year that had to be cancelled. But that was because it was arranged at fairly short notice and people weren't able to save up for it/get time off work etc. and so the advance ticket sales weren't very good.

 

As regards this being "fake", it is an unofficial convention - ME/SM have never tried to pretend otherwise - but it is definitely genuine.

 

And finally, guest cancellations can and do happen but that doesn't mean they will this time. I've met all the RD cast before and can assure you that, unless it is absolutely unavoidable, none of them will cancel. They all really enjoy doing these events and meeting their fans. If, for any reason, any of them did have to cancel, ME/SM would put something on this forum as soon as they could.

 

To be honest, the only things I'm concerned about are what to get signed and what to wear at the Backwards party.

 

Hope that all helps put your mind at rest. :poki:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Showmasters Admin

It's just some people are bitter other companies are running RD events.

 

A lot of what's on that forum is purely some people's sad attempt at sabotaging RD events other than their own or the one they support. At the end of the day, we are all RD fans and should come together. But some people feel they have to "try" and make any RD event that's not "theirs" look bad.

 

I can understand people wanting to warn people about rough events and if they honestly feel people are going to get ripped of. But SM/ME have been around for a long time, they are obviously not some fake, flash in the pan company, here to try and rip people off. Anyone that does any investigation into SM/ME can see that.

 

Did last years event get cancelled. Yes, due to it's last minute announcement there wasn't time to get enough people to it. It was a shame but everyone that did buy tickets got their money back.

 

This event will be going ahead. The guests will be there (baring cancellation which can happen at any event including any "official" event).

 

Pretty much all of the guests that are attending BTL (certainly all of the main cast) have been to a SM signing event. Be it LFCC or a Collectormania.

Edited by Too Tall
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Yes, I have to add that I'll be attending this con, and at previous Showmasters events I've met Craig, Chris, Danny, Robert, Norman, Hattie and Chloe .. some on numerous occasions :poki:

 

So Massive Events definitely have a great working relationship with these guests, and the only thing that may get in the way is work committments, but that's always a risk.

 

Just come along and have a great time. It's a fantastic lineup at an even more fantastic price :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I have gone to the 'Official' RD Con 7 times, and whilst it was a lot of fun, I found myself starting to get annoyed at the poor organisation of the event.

 

When I attended my first Showmasters (hotel) Con, I was very impressed with the whole thing. Everything was done so perfectly. The only thing I could flaw was the disco, which played to much of the same thing, but other than that it was perfect!

 

This year, there is an 'official' and an 'unofficial' event, and I will be going to the 'unofficial' event. Why. Simple, Cos its run by Showmasters who put on the greatest Cons in the world. Get a good DJ at the Disco and you'll get 100/100 rather than 99/100 :poki:

Edited by Duke
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's just some people are bitter other companies are running RD events.

 

A lot of what's on that forum is purely some people's sad attempt at sabotaging RD events other than their own or the one they support. At the end of the day, we are all RD fans and should come together. But some people feel they have to "try" and make any RD event that's not "theirs" look bad.

 

I can understand people wanting to warn people about rough events and if they honestly feel people are going to get ripped of. But SM/ME have been around for a long time, they are obviously not some fake, flash in the pan company, here to try and rip people off. Anyone that does any investigation into SM/ME can see that.

 

Did last years event get cancelled. Yes, due to it's last minute announcement there wasn't time to get enough people to it. It was a shame but everyone that did buy tickets got their money back.

 

This event will be going ahead. The guests will be there (baring cancellation which can happen at any event including any "official" event).

 

Pretty much all of the guests that are attending BTL (certainly all of the main cast) have been to a SM signing event. Be it LFCC or a Collectormania.

 

True on all counts. Have to say I'm still very surprised at that kind of thing, it's a shame really as a little research would show up the longevity and established reputation of any company..... I just had a look over on that thread and to the sweet person who wasn't sure about exciting events like that happening in Bedford lol, Stargate peeps were there this year and they had further to come :D Red Dwarf next for Bedford! (this is besides all the other many many ME conventions/SM events in Northampton, Birmingham and all over the country etc respectively, successfully run already and lined up!)

Edited by roxy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just had a look over on that thread and to the sweet person who wasn't sure about exciting events like that happening in Bedford lol, Stargate peeps were there this year and they had further to come :thumbup: Red Dwarf next for Bedford!

 

Unfortunately I'm not that into Stargate SG-1, despite sharing a birthday (different year) with Richard Dean Anderson [or whatever his name is!] - in fact, I've watched one episode and that's only because Marina Sirtis (one of my favourite people in the world :thumbup:) was guest-starring in it...!!

 

I still feel it's most un-Bedford-like to have an event happening that actually sounds worth going to!! Also a convention or similar within walking distance of my home would be a nice change and a bargain travel-wise!!! I mentioned this event to one of my friends (who's not quite as sci-fi as me but likes Red Dwarf) but she thought it sounded expensive...maybe I should point out to her that the price isn't just for the entry ticket and some events charge £40 for one autograph, so actually it's kind of cheap really when you think about it.

 

~St*r

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just had a look over on that thread and to the sweet person who wasn't sure about exciting events like that happening in Bedford lol, Stargate peeps were there this year and they had further to come :P Red Dwarf next for Bedford!

 

Unfortunately I'm not that into Stargate SG-1, despite sharing a birthday (different year) with Richard Dean Anderson [or whatever his name is!] - in fact, I've watched one episode and that's only because Marina Sirtis (one of my favourite people in the world :o) was guest-starring in it...!!

 

I still feel it's most un-Bedford-like to have an event happening that actually sounds worth going to!! Also a convention or similar within walking distance of my home would be a nice change and a bargain travel-wise!!! I mentioned this event to one of my friends (who's not quite as sci-fi as me but likes Red Dwarf) but she thought it sounded expensive...maybe I should point out to her that the price isn't just for the entry ticket and some events charge £40 for one autograph, so actually it's kind of cheap really when you think about it.

 

~St*r

 

SM ME are great! they wont let us down if something goes wrong they do there best to correct it!

 

i'm from bedford to its a dump!!..lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

....I mentioned this event to one of my friends (who's not quite as sci-fi as me but likes Red Dwarf) but she thought it sounded expensive...maybe I should point out to her that the price isn't just for the entry ticket and some events charge £40 for one autograph, so actually it's kind of cheap really when you think about it.

 

~St*r

 

 

£50 for a standard ticket is a BARGIN! ^_^ Craig was at another event over the weekend where his auto was £15 and I know himself and the other main cast (Danny, Robert and Chris) usually do charge £15 per auto, though if you are REALLY lucky you might have been able to pick them up for £10 in the past :D Bottom line though, there are 7 guests and you are getting 7 autos for £50, AND access to all the talks/panels, access to the themed partys, access to the dealers room, videos and whatever else SM have got in stall B)

 

it's going to ROCK! :D:P

 

surfy sah xx

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the main problem is that the Official Red Dwarf Fan Club have done these events in the past. It was their event, it had been fun for 14 years, and then another company comes in and does a Red Dwarf event. How would you feel?

 

Of course they don't have rights to a solo event. But would Showmasters have an unofficial Dr. Who convention? Would the Blakes 7 fan club be happy if their event was taken from them? I think NOT!

 

There is always 2 sides to a story.

 

From what I have heard is that the Official events in the past had only stopped due to lack of attendance, something that affected the unofficial event, so you can see why number of people feel this event is taking people away from the main Red Dwarf convention.

 

People will stand by what they think, but you have to take both sides into account, and know the reasons for such actions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of course they don't have rights to a solo event. But would Showmasters have an unofficial Dr. Who convention? Would the Blakes 7 fan club be happy if their event was taken from them? I think NOT!

 

They've had both actually! Currently Bad Wolf/ Invasion... and they had Blakes 7 one last year I think!

 

Can't you just be happy that the whole cast are going to a cheap, well run con?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Showmasters Admin

ME have had a Blake 7 event. And through Tenth Planet have a number of Dr. Who events. But that's not the point here.

 

No one is saying that these fan club members are not allowed to feel upset about it. But there's a big difference between....

 

"we feel the only event should be the fan club event, because.....we do xyz....and have abc...." Explaining why they feel it's the best and should be supported!

 

and

 

"that other event is a fake, the guests won't turn up, it's a waste of money"! Therefore undermining the ME event.

 

The first is reasonable and fair the second is far from it. I understand that what a small number of members post over there is not the feelings of "everyone" in the fan club. This is reasonable but rather than saying that and explaining that the majority of the fan club members have no issue with the ME event. You seem to be saying what they are saying is justified?!?

 

You've said there's 2 sided to this. I agree there always is. But what you seem to be saying is that they should be allowed to say these things because they are upset because they did it first!

 

They may feel that their event should be the only one and that the ME event is diluting the fan base. They have every right to say so on their forum if that's the way they feel. But to be malicious and make new people to the RD event scene believe the ME event is a fake is pretty unprofessional, isn't it?

Edited by Too Tall
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like any forum you get remarks that don't reflect the whole story, yes it is petty that people post things like that but, it's a forum.

 

I'm not saying that it's ok to do so, but you have to give reasons to why they would, it's certainly not one sided. From one I can see the post saying that this was a fake event was not made by anyone connected with the Fan Club.

 

I'm not defending one side or the other, I'm giving an objective option on what I see.

 

I'm quite happy that the cast of Red Dwarf are going to the events, but to add that this is a cheaper and better run event Lizzy, just shows your in the same position as everyone else.

 

All I will add that having 2 events will dilute the fanbase and will make different sets of people making comments about the other event, you have to expect it, only in this thread someone has said they went 7 times to the other event, and found it poorly organised, it took you 7 attempts??

Aha because there was no alternative?

 

I'm sure the organisers of the official event would make a comment if the posts were perceived as harmful to either event.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Showmasters Admin

I would like to add that I have no issue with the RD fan club. I was a member myself for a while and have attended their events.

 

I just don't like it when we get threads like this when it's clear that someone has been giving new people in to a fandom false information. Especially when it appears to be driven by self interest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i'm from bedford to its a dump!!..lol

 

Try living in Kempston - there's more atmosphere in one of Rimmer's morris dancing magazines!! lol

 

 

lol rough placve at night tho

im about 2 mins away from bedford park

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Showmasters Admin

I think the main problem is that the Official Red Dwarf Fan Club have done these events in the past. It was their event, it had been fun for 14 years, and then another company comes in and does a Red Dwarf event. How would you feel?

 

Of course they don't have rights to a solo event. But would Showmasters have an unofficial Dr. Who convention? Would the Blakes 7 fan club be happy if their event was taken from them? I think NOT!

 

There is always 2 sides to a story.

 

From what I have heard is that the Official events in the past had only stopped due to lack of attendance, something that affected the unofficial event, so you can see why number of people feel this event is taking people away from the main Red Dwarf convention.

 

People will stand by what they think, but you have to take both sides into account, and know the reasons for such actions.

 

 

hay 'Clapper' i have been reeding you one sided post and i think you really have an agender and you keep banging away at it but i have one or two things to say and i would really like an anser from you on them

 

 

ln 2007 the fan club stopped running event

 

we tried to run one in 2008 with little time to promote it so we stopped it but so many fans emailed us and contacted us to run a con we felt it could work.

 

we talked to the cast and they have all worked with us before and are very happy to work with us again and in fact two of them asked us to run this event as they missed not going to a devoted con , so that what we did

 

my point is this ware were the fan club last year and when we started to promote this event there events was not anouced and was not planed till months latter ?

 

so how were we saposed to know if they were ever going to run another event ever again ?

 

and another thing the club have never talked to us once and we would have been more than happy to help promote them but we could never get ahold of them we did try to email them but there email adress did not work and in the end we tried to contact people involved with the club but no one ever came back to us , so i do think all this rubbish about the club and us is really silly as no one here did anything to anyone or tryed to upset anyone , its just this no one was running an event so we did , we was a fun event we know we can make it better for the next one and thats what we are going to do

 

jason :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...