At a recent West Coast convention, female fans were harassed by a serial groper, who had his membership taken away and was eventually forcibly removed from the convention. By the same token, the abuse that pros have had to suffer at conventions borders on the legendary.
I think it would be an interesting idea to produce a list of simple, basic rights that everyone attending conventions–both pros and fans–should expect. I mean, you’d think that they would be common sense; things that people would just know. On the other hand, the 10 Commandments were pretty common sense too, when you think about it, so I figure if it’s good enough for God…
Obviously there’s the one that tops them all, which naturally I call the Prime Directive:
Fans and Pros have the right to be treated by each other with the same courtesy that they themselves would expect to be treated. Fans and Pros who act like jerks abrogate the right to complain when they themselves are treated like jerks.
But there’s others, such as:
Guest Pros being sponsored by the convention have a right to written confirmation of all terms of their convention attendance at least ninety days before the convention, with travel arrangements finalized no later than thirty days prior. Travel in such instances should never be the expense of the Pro with subsequent expectation of reimbursement unless the Pro agrees to this…in which case, the Pro better be dámņëd sure the organizer is good for it, because otherwise he’s on his own.
Fans and Pros have a right to walk through convention space without being impeded by other attendees who are either taking photographs or posing for photographs. Particularly applicable when large numbers of costumed individuals are posing for a large group of photographers. It’s a convention, not the red carpet at the Oscars. Should such blockages occur, fans and pros desiring to get from Point A to Point B should have the right of way and walk directly through the picture-taking area without the slightest concern about ruining other people’s pictures. If they weren’t courteous enough to worry about you getting to your panel, you shouldn’t have to worry about them getting their photograph of five slave Leias and a Wookie.
Conventions should take security measures and have people designated specifically to handle disruptive individuals, crowd control, etc.
Fans do not have an automatic right to expect an autograph unless a Pro is specifically seated at a table designated as an autograph table. Even then: (1) the Pro is under no obligation to sign more than one item unless stipulated by mutual agreement with the convention; (2) the Pro has every right, at his discretion, not to autograph items, for any number of reasons including, but not limited to, (i) not having authored the work in question, (ii) fatigue, (iii) the Fan is acting like a jerk (see: Prime Directive.)
Fans with excessive amounts of material to be autographed should be willing to go to the end of the line and wait again in order to accommodate fans with fewer books to be signed. The definition of “excessive” will be the sole discretion of the Pro and the convention organizers.
If a Fan tells a Pro that a particular work of his is the fan’s “favorite,” the minimal acceptable response is, “Thank you.” Cringing, making a face, saying, “Are you kidding me?,” “Do you have your taste in your ášš?”, “What is wrong with you?”, “That’s the least favorite thing I’ve ever done,” etc., should all be actively discouraged. If seeing past work of yours upsets you to such a degree that you feel obliged to denigrate both yourself and the Fan’s taste, don’t go to conventions.
Corollary rule: If a Pro has a well-known hatred of a particular work associated with him, do not be a smart ášš and bring it anyway just to get a reaction. Poke the bear and don’t be surprised when you get the claws (AKA The Ellison Exacerbation).
If you’re so exhausted that you think you may fall asleep, don’t sit in the front row in the panel room. For that matter, don’t be on the panel.
Shut off your cell phone during panels. If you forget and the phone rings, people are allowed to voice loud annoyance and vituperation. If you’re ON the panel and YOUR cell phone goes off, loud annoyance and vituperation is NOT permitted. However laughter and snarking are not only acceptable but encouraged.
Fans should not monopolize a Pro’s time. Do not stand at the table for extended periods, waiting for the Pro to say or do something clever. It makes the Pro feel uncomfortable and the Fan come across as kind of creepy.
Authors are not your bìŧçh (AKA The Neil Gaiman Assertion.)
Actors are not your performing monkeys (AKA The Misha Collins Declaration.)
Attendees have a right to expect that convention organizers will heed the Maximum Occupancy signs and not endanger the attendees by overselling the convention. Rarely does anyone cosplay a Fire Marshall; if you see one, chances are he’s real and you’re in trouble. Nobody needs this grief.
These are just some of the ones that have occurred to me, off the top of my head. I’m looking for suggestions which I’m then going to codify into a single draft and post a finalized version. Feel free to contribute, although I offer no promise that I’ll use them. Touches of humor are always appreciated so that it doesn’t come across as too dictatorial.
PAD
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Nice one. But IMHO, the rule regarding the amount of visitors should be higher. Above the one regarding cell phones, to be exact. Yes, I admit that cell phones are annoying, but they won’t get you killed if the building catches on fire.
Ruben, this isn’t the order in which it’s going to go. Depending how much I get, I’ll probably group them into categories and subsets.
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General note, guys: Could we not start picking apart what I’ve already got? The concept is to see what new notions you may want to add, not dissect the rough drafts of the ones I’ve come up with.
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PAD
Oops, sorry. My bad.
I’d add in one that declares meal time to be sacred. Asking for autographs while someone is in a restaurant or has a fork in hand is the height of rudeness, imo.
Now that’s a good one. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been sitting at a table in artist’s alley, wolfing down a sandwich at lunchtime, and someone comes over to me and says, “I don’t want to bother you while you’re eating lunch.” And then they put a stack of books in front of me to sign. What, was someone putting a gun to their head and MAKING them bother me against their will? I mean, I always try to be polite about it, but God forbid I’m eating something with ketchup or mayonnaise. Not only is it in an interruption, but I don’t have times to go wash my hands and make sure I don’t get stains on their books.
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PAD
Not just lunchtime. Restrooms.
Both in the room and loitering outside for someone to come out. Be cordial enough to let everyone deal with their private business in private without making anyone uncomfortable, give them chance to get their game face back on and then try hi.
(I’ve neither harassed nor witnessed an author/guest like this. Just heard stories from people for whom even ‘Hi’ is a fan meme.)
Very simple, PAD. When the fan interrupts your lunch, just ask him if the book/s he wants you to sign are particularly valuable since you can’t clean and dry your hands at the moment.
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OTOH, if the fan just happens to have one of those individual towelette packets with him when he asks for the autographs, that should earn some sort of personalized note.
Ross’ response opens the doors for me to tell one of my favorite convention stories.
We (my wife, daughter and I) are at FX in Orlando, oh, 7 or 8 years ago. My wife takes my daughter — then 3 or 4 — into the bathroom for them to each answer a call of nature. My daughter takes her turn and then — being, again, no older than 4 — gets bored while mom’s using the potty. And starts looking under the wall into the neighboring stalls.
“Mommy, she has big feet,” my daughter says.
My wife, embarrassed, pulls my daughter away from the wall, quickly finishes and exits to wash two sets of hands.
And as she’s washing up, the neighboring stall opens …
… and out comes Marina Sirtis.
So yeah, my kid broke the rule. But in fairness, she was 3 or 4 and didn’t know Ms. Sirtis from, oh, let’s say Walter Koenig (who was also there that year).
The only thing I’d add is that the only acceptable thing to say to the pro is to ask when his next panel is — but even then, as a fan, you should have already looked that up on your con program schedule.
When in an official photograph sessions, actors should be given sunglasses by the organizers….Seriously, I have a photo of me and Ben Browder [Stargate SG-1, Farscape] and I saw the lines at these sessions. Anyway, I jokingly asked Mr. Browder if he was blind yet. He answered ‘No, but I’m getting there’…But I digress…(Sorry, PAD, couldn’t help myself.) Anyway, there’s a flash with every photo. Is asking for a pair of shades to much ?
Well, I prefer no glasses when I’m photographing the subject for Wikipedia. I try to reduce the flash intensity nowadays, and when the subject wears glasses, it’s a problem. If they’re sunglasses, people can’t see their eyes, and if they’re eyeglasses, they reflect the flash. I’d often take pics both with and without the flash, but taking them without the flash often causes the photo to be out-of-focus or entirely blurred. If, of course, the subject insists on wearing them, well, that’s their call, of course.
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Speaking of which, I finally uploading all the rest of my photos from the New York Comic Con from last month. Normally I finish doing so a day or so after the con, but this year, I had too many(328 to compared to last year’s 180). But hey, I got to photograph STAN LEE!!!!!! You can see ’em all here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:2011_New_York_Comic_Con
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And here was a weird anecdote: I once again photographed Peter David, and then, right after him, I continued walking around, until I came across the table of the author of Mouse Guard, but didn’t recall the name of the author offhand. I was familiar with that book, so I photographed him too. His name? David Peterson. Peter David, and then David Peterson. What are the odds?
Well, you could have run across Peter David’s table, a table devoted to the old Photon TV & Book series with the first book by Michael Hudson, and the rest of the books by David Peters, and then a table manned by Michael P. Kube-McDowell.
Sorry, Mr. David Peters, but I really did prefer Photon: Thieves of Light.
Luigi,
AIUI, if you are photographing a subject with glasses, have them look slightly off camera, or even half off camera. That way the flash reflection is to the side, not straight on.
At least, that is what works for me… 😉
Charlie
The advice is much appreciated, Charlie, but I prefer for the main photo at the top of a biographical Wikipedia article to have the subject facing the camera.
Luigi, have you ever tried the tracing paper trick? Not sure what kind of camera you use, but if the flash is mounted on the camera, put some tracing paper over the flash. It’ll reduce the flare, but it also reduces the light from the flash.
Hopefully if its a pro photog doing the session they are using bounce flashes anyway…
If you’re going to ask a question at a panel, please don’t ask for A) a hug, B) a kiss, or C) an autograph. And please remember, nobody wants to hear how smart you are, so try and turn your endless monologue into a question. And if you could avoic asking the same question somebody asked 15 minutes ago because you weren’t there yet, that would be great too.
And speaking of autographs? Bathrooms are out of bounds.
I am so glad I’ve never seen bathroom ambushes so I didn’t even think of it. Then again I imagine they’re a lot harder in women’s restrooms than in men’s . . .
How about we add don’t ask for a number or a date, either? I swear, the one time Eva Mendes was at an MTV-sponsored panel (at New York Con, I think) to promote “The Spirit” and at least three, maybe even five people in line to ask a question acted like the worst stereotype of the nerd who has never had a date and asked for her number, a date, to kiss her, etc. to the point where Kurt Loder got visibly and audibly annoyed, going “Come on, guys”
While I agree about traffic being impeded by photo taking and posing, what I’ve long wished cons would do is designate a ‘red carpet’ area for photo taking. That might cut down on the impromptu in-the-aisle photo shoots.
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I’d add a corollary to the restaurant rule that anybody in a bathroom shouldn’t be approached for autographs or photos.
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But as for the ‘I was at the designated autograph table eating and was interrupted’…why do that? it’s generally accepted and stated in your own rules that that’s where the pro is fair game to be approached. Or make up a sign that says ‘On Break’ or something. For that matter, many of the folks who charge for their autographs eat at their tables so as to not miss out on revenue.
Impromptu incidents are unavoidable, precisely because convention-goers have no way to plan or predict when they’ll spot another convention-goer in a really cool costume passing by, nor would it be fair to relegate those in the costumes to one specific spot. It’s not like there’s pre-con publicity about specific cosplayers, who pay the same admission fee to get in and browse the event.
An autograph table is one specifically designated by the convention solely for signings, which typically run an hour or so. Artists alley is the pro’s “store” at the convention. You’re there pretty much the whole day. If you leave it’s a pain to pack up everything so it’s typically easier to eat right there. I’ve seen pro’s in that circumstance put up signs that say “eating lunch, please come back in half an hour” and fans will either ask for signatures anyway or else just stand there hovering, which is a little disconcerting.
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PAD
Corollary to the Security Rule: Convention security personnel should be sufficiently well-trained as to draw a distinction between someone causing a disturbance, and someone pausing in a hallway, inadvertently blocking traffic, in order to check a site map. Call this one the “Elite Security Amendment”.
If you’re a convention security person dressed in costume, it would be nice if you didn’t stay in character the whole time. Just because you’re dressed as a Klingon does not give you license to act like an áššhølë.
Another rule that should be driven into the brains of certain individuals is that /i The actors are *not* the characters they play on screen /i, and they probably know just as much about them (sometimes less) as the people who watch the show.
So, unless they have a technical schtick like Jimmy Doohan did when he was asked those questions, leave the technobabble questions at home.
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I know you asked that we not nitpick, but this is more of a request for alteration.
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“Fans and Pros have a right to walk through convention space without being impeded by other attendees who are either taking photographs or posing for photographs. Particularly applicable when large numbers of costumed individuals are posing for a large group of photographers. It’s a convention, not the red carpet at the Oscars. Should such blockages occur, fans and pros desiring to get from Point A to Point B should have the right of way and walk directly through the picture-taking area without the slightest concern about ruining other people’s pictures. If they weren’t courteous enough to worry about you getting to your panel, you shouldn’t have to worry about them getting their photograph of five slave Leias and a Wookie.”
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Maybe it’s just old hat to you, but for my family and I and a lot of others that I know, that’s a big part of the fun. Getting to see these awesome looking costumes that these people worked so hard on and getting pictures of/with them. I would suggest simply designating some areas as “high traffic” areas based on central locations and proximity to panel areas and artist allies and having those be zones where no photographs can be taken and autographs are not given. That way, you can have areas that allow you a clear run for most of your trek and some areas can be designated for such group photos that are more out of the way.
Agreed. Just because it’s not the Oscars, having my picture taken with someone who makes an awesome real-life Jean Grey, Wonder Woman or the Asian Batgirl is a huge part of the fun.
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To me, it’s not just fun for fanboys/girls, but like Jerry said the people who work hard on their costimes and look good in them.
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Heck, my Facebook profile pic is of me and “Sela” (the star of Zenescope’s “Grimm fairy Tales”)from WizardPhilly this year. Not only did she look great, but she was thrilled I recognized which character she was. She said she had been there all weekend (this was Sunday) and I was the only person who recognized her character.
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She said I made her convention and she added another memory to mine, so what’s the harm?
Maybe there should be a specific area for such pics to be taken. Perhaps one with backdrops or chromakey walls.
Jerome, let’s say it’s Saturday (or heck, at this point any day) at Comic-Con. The floor is crowded. You’re already at the point where you’re considering genocide against anyone with a stroller (if the kid’s in a stroller, they’re not getting anything out of the con and won’t remember it). And then, there’s cosplayer(s) and photographer(s) taking up the entire aisle, expecting everyone to come to a halt while they take pictures.
I quit caring about them years ago, and will just walk right through their shot with a “Don’t block the aisle” statement as I do so.
Note that I do *not* do this in areas like the convention center foyer where there’s plenty of room (on the other hand, if you expect 20+ feet of empty space between your camera and its subject in a crowded area, you need to adjust your expectations).
Really, all he’s asking is that if you spot someone like that and they agree to a picture, ask them to move out of the main traffic lane with you.
Okay, that sounds reasonable.
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Well, he mentions groups and there’s a real problem. At this year’s Dragon*Con for example, you had large groups forming in the main lobbies to be photographed. We’re talking 15 or 20 people being photographed and more than that forming up in an ever shifting group at a distance of about 30 feet from the group to photograph theme. You either waited, walked through the shot or went the long way around the elevator area to loop back around to where you were going.
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For me, it wasn’t a big problem since my “schedule” wasn’t as tight as someone like Peter’s would be and my 4 year old son loved seeing all of the superheroes he watches as cartoons walking around in real life like that. Designated “No Photo or Video” zones is probably a good idea.
Sorry no, but I can’t get behind this rationale. If it’s crowded and you’re taking more than ten seconds to snap a photograph, you’ve lost your grace period. Besides, this is the age of digital cameras. if someone walks into the frame and ruins your shot, delete it and take another. The cosplayers will understand.
Not sure if this applies to conventions, but here’s a good rule: If a Pro will only be signing one thing, that information should be provided with every advertisement of the event, not as a surprise to the fans. (This comes after a Bruce Campbell book signing at the Book Revue in Huntington, NY. Folks turned up with an amazing variety of things to be signed — from books and DVDs to action figures and even a fake deer head — and right before Mr. Campbell started speaking the store folks announced that not only would Bruce only sign copies of his new book, but also that those copies had to be purchased at the store and a receipt needed to be shown. (So much for my buying a copy of the book beforehand and reading it so I could have something to say to Mr. Campbell.)
I think it’s only fair to the Fans to know what they can get signed beforehand, whether it’s a number of items that can be signed or a very specific limitation.
Not sure if this is a rule, but it’s a good guideline: It’s possible for a Fan to disagree with a Pro, and/or to express disappointment with a work, and still be polite. Just because a Fan didn’t like a Pro’s work or can’t believe the Pro liked/hated something doesn’t give the Fan the right to start hurling insults or trashing the Pro. Most Pros I’ve met can take intelligent criticism/disagreement, and many actually welcome it. But none of them need to hear any commentaries that begin “What the hëll is wrong with you?” or “How the hëll could you release something like…”
Wait, um, ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’ needs clarification?
It doesn’t matter what someone is dressed as or who they play, they are not that character. Respect that. The 700 slavegirl Leias you see are not actually slavegirls. (Well, if they are, you most likely aren’t their owner… and that’s a separate discussion.) The women dressed up in skintight Catwomen costumes are not Catwoman. Just because you are dressed up as Batman does not mean you are getting sexyfuntimes with them in the evening… Nope. (Insert whatever characters you want there. You get the idea.)
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Under this: the Pro has every right, at his discretion, not to autograph items, for any number of reasons including, but not limited to, (i) not having authored the work in question, (ii) fatigue, (iii) the Fan is acting like a jerk (see: Prime Directive.)
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Something should be included about body parts. I realize that that could fall under (i) and/or (iii) plus the ‘his discretion’ and ‘not limited to’ but from some videos I’ve seen lately, apparently some things need to be spelled out.
Wait, um, ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’ needs clarification?
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Based on the vast majority of the population … sadly, yes.
Credit where credit’s due, the following was tsken from Sal Piro’s RHPS Guide. When there are people in costume that may be not up to YOUR standards, don’t criticize them. Unless you created the character, the character doesn’t belong to you. Just because someone may not have the cash/talent/time/resources to make the perfect costume or even do something (GASP!) differently than you would have does not in any way negate the jerk rule.
This should include men dressed as female characters, women dressed as male characters and all variations.
A male Mario costume may have a man or a woman in it. A female Mario costume make have a man or a woman in it.
Thank you Tara, that’s exactly what I wanted to say. I don’t want to stop people from getting their photo taken with whoever takes their fancy, but don’t do it in the middle of an aisle. It’s just basic geometry and a bit of self-awareness.
Another security rule corollary: authorize security to eject people who smell really bad. That would solve a long-time problem, particularly at Star Trek conventions. The fact that the Federation tolerates beings of all races, creeds, beliefs and whatnot doesn’t mean that we must tolerate all odors, especially from folks who believe cons to be safe places to release such odors wherever and on whomever they please.
For the love of First Cause, people, you either live nearby, or you have a hotel room. Even the cheapest motels have showers! It takes like three minutes to take a quick shower, and the motel even provides little bars of soap for you. USE THEM!!!!
Unfortunately, way too many people who don’t bother to bathe tend to think that soap and deodorants smell bad, bizarrely enough.
Even more unfortunately, that still wouldn’t solve the problem of, for example, morbidly obese fans walking around in ST:TNG 1st season monosuits and blowing out apocalyptically awful farts and, when confronted about their foulness, responding by bellowing “FÙÇK YOU!” to said confronter. Just another need for tighter security…
On the anime con circuit, there was the “1-2-6 Rule.” It stood for 1 shower, 2 meals, 6 hours of sleep. I used to emphasize that it meant per day, not per con.
AnimeCentral in Chicago went as far as to have a “Got Soap?” campaign, complete with a new t-shirt each year featuring a different anime character bathing.
Fer, the 6-2-1 rule long predates anime cons, and has long been said at sf and comics cons. Usually with the addition that you can’t mix up the units and numbers; 6 showers, 1 meal, and 2 hours of sleep doesn’t work (at least not for more than one day).
I think I’m gonna avoid matters of personal hygiene. If nothing else I don’t need to be deluged with bìŧçhìņg from people who claim I’m insensitive to their medical conditions that cause uncontrollable aromas to emanate from their bodies.
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PAD
Something Positive did a guide to convention hygiene:
http://www.somethingpositive.net/wash2.gif
So, con organisers could include that as a supplement to PAD’s bill of rights if they wanted to.
As a related issue, Raymond Chen wrote about Microsoft employees being explicitly told to change their undershirt every day:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2011/09/20/10213802.aspx
As an equivalent rule here, maybe: “If you have a cool T-shirt that you want to wear at the con, that’s great. If you have another cool shirt that you can wear the following day, that’s even better!”
Regarding cameras, here’s an idea I came up with at EuroDisney: “On a digital camera, memory is cheap, so you don’t have to be selective about your photos. Don’t spend ages lining up a photo, just snap it off and then point your camera at the ground while you review it. If you’re happy, great. If not, point the camera up and try again. That way, other people know when it’s ok to cross your path.” I realise that rule may be redundant given PAD’s proposed “walking takes priority over photos” rule, but it seemed vaguely relevant here.
Some smelly fans do genuinely have such conditions, but unfortunately the majority of those who make such claims tend to have the “condition” of “I don’t WANNA take a bath! Mr. Spock never takes a bath!”
This is one of the major reasons I stopped going to cons unless I was fortunate enough to get a free pass.
You’d think it self-evident but, I’d suggest the Sanctum Sanctorum Situation where Guests should be allowed peace and quiet in their room. I remember one Boskone (late 70s) where one guest was practically mobbed by fans in his own room. He was not happy.
Great thread! A couple ideas— all of which probably fall under the broad umbrella of Peter’s prime directive (“don’t be a jerk”):
1) A full costume and covered face give you anonymity, not the right to be a jerk and/or super-creepy. The fact that you have Black Manta helmet on doesn’t give you free reign to ogle, semi-stalk, and otherwise creep on people.
2) There are kids around! Also related to the costume thing: little kids are gonna think your costume is awesome, and may want to touch it/ask you questions. If you’re not into that, please be polite and not put-upon. If you dressed as Batman, you had good reason to expect you’d encounter little kids who dig Batman.
3) For the PROs (some of you, you know which ones)— generally speaking, unless you actually are a famous celebrity, you’re probably only famous at cons. You don’t spend your life dodging paparazzi and fending off fan requests on the street because most people don’t know who you are. If it’s a tremendous imposition to be surrounded by people who do, people whose affection for your creative work prompts them to approach you, maybe skip cons. Shorter version: if appearing at conventions makes you unhappy, don’t appear at conventions if the alternative is being grouchy and hostile to the fans.
4) Convention organizers: if you’re going to have food vendors on site, try and have at least a few healthy options. The Comic Book Guy Stereotype is hard to beat when the only available food is nacho cheez, overpriced pizza, over-sized soda, and great big cookies.
5) When using the ATM, please make an effort to be efficient. If you have never in your life encountered a machine of this kind, the front of a looooong line of people is not the time to start. Ditto making some kind of (we can only assume) insanely complicated sequence of financial transactions. Just hit your four digits, take your money, and keep moving.
6) Saying things like “Sod off” and “wáņkër” when you’re clearly from Iowa doesn’t make you sound like a Warren Ellis character. It makes you sound like a jerk. Also: kids around. Seriously.
7) When pouring through a vendor’s wares, usually long boxes, try and respect personal space of the your fellow customers. I get it, you got to the end of that box and didn’t find the issue you were looking for, but please don’t reach under my elbow and entangle us both awkwardly so you can start flipping through the front of the next box. Give me a sec and I’ll give you some room.
… Turns out I had more to say about this than I thought. Thanks for the thread, Peter!
I (from Chicago via Cleveland, South Carolina and Atlanta) do tend to say things like “sod off” or “wáņkër” (well, the latter more often than the former – but then i have more occasion for it).
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Yiddish, German, Italian and Vietnamese phrases (and, likely other languages as well) do tend to pop up in my daily speech.
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Some people just naturally pick stuff up.
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But, i agree, doing that sort of thing if it’s not something you’d naturally say, in an effort to be “cool” is not only dumb, sometimes it’s Very Funny.
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To others … not you.
I get what you’re saying, mike. I didn’t mean to come down on everyone that picks up phrases from other cultures. Thanks to a college roommate, this Southern Catholic occasionally peppers his speech with yiddish phrases as well. I should have been more specific about the type that irks me.
Can I add one to number 2 there, fellow Michael? “Stop dressing as Pedobear. It’s not funny.”
Regarding #4: I’ve found that when there is food at the convention, it’s always been managed by the convention center or hotel, and the con has no influence over it at all. It’s often a requirement for holding your con there, and one of the ways that the host building makes their money.
I must agree with Fer.
I have been to numerous professional and otherwise conventions and the available food/drink options to the public are regulated by the venue, as are the prices of group hotel discounts and many other considerations.
Gayle
You know, if i knew Robert Picardo was going to be a guest at a convention i was attending, i might be tempted to cosplay Fire Marshal O’Connell, now that you mention it.
Just because of this, next time I go to a convention, I’ll dress up as a fire marshal.
Yes, this means I’m not going to a convention anytime soon.
I usually limit myself to four comic books for creators to sign. A nice round number that keeps me from getting a hernia and moves the line faster.
I once told Chris Claremont that my favorite story by him was the final issue of Black Goliath. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “I think I’ve gotten a little better since then.” 🙂
I was washing my hands in the men’s room when I looked to the fellow next to me, and saw it was Ray Harryhausen. I said, “I know it’s not the time or place, sir, but thank you for Jason and the Argonauts.” We shook hands and went our separate ways.
I so wish that Wondercon was at the Moscone Convention Center in 2012, and hope it will return in 2013.
“Thou shalt not schedule Bob’s movie previews at the same time as a signing for a popular media guest or one of PAD’s panels…”
Looking over these posts, I’m wondering if anyone else has ever seen “Pearls Blows Up,” the latest “Pearls Before Swine” treasury edition by Stephan Pastis. In his foreword, Pastis explains why he prefers not to attend comics conventions (mentioning one person who ran up, put a baseball cap promoting that person’s comic on Pastis’ head, and then having a picture taken of Pastis with said cap), but also proceeds to prove himself a complete ášš in regards to his opinions of the interests of fandom. But it ends with him nicely shooting himself in the foot due to his attempt to get invited to a con for his own purposes, and finding that he’s “outsmarted” himself.
Not so much for the comic pros cause they don’t usually charge, but if you are charging for autographs then I ask that you not restrict it to items that you are selling on your table. I’ve seen b/c level actors refusing to sign anything that isn’t from their table, even though it was a headshot sold to them by another dealer at the convention who didn’t know the actor was going to do that, or a group shot that has another actor from the same show’s signature.
Of course there are limits, if you try to pull this level of douchbaggery http://www.buzzfeed.com/burnred/emma-watson-asked-to-sign-her-own-upskirt39-281t (warning technically nsfw) then you should immediately be thrown out of the convention
Well, now I dunno. It was suggested up topic that guests clearly advertise up front if there are restrictions as to what they’ll sign, which I think is a good idea. If they are in compliance with that rule, then I don’t see where the Bill of Rights has standing to ask that they don’t limit themselves to the type of material they’ll sign.
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PAD
Fair enough however if there is an advertisement up front i.e. in the program itself that’s fine I’ve seen it that they had a small sign on their table that the only way you can read is to actually get in front of it.
I just have issue with people bringing posters and such with them only to find out they wasted their time
I recall at one Dragon Con, where someone asked Marina Sirtis to sign a photo of her from the movie, Death Wish 3, the nude chest scene, I’ve never seen someone ejected from a convention so quickily.
How ’bout this one?:
Fans shall dispose any vomit in a garbage can, or the designated restrooms, never on the face of a Pro via a cup.
Approaching pros in the bathroom? Sweet fuzzy tribbles…I’ve never been to a con, but if this is the way the fans behave, I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon.
The one time I ever went to a pro signing event (Richard and Wendy Pini, as it happens), I took my favorite issue of theirs with me to have signed. When I got there, I discovered I was the only person without an armload of comics and graphic novels. I was so embarrassed to be associated with those rude fans that I just turned around and left.
Wasn’t a bathroom incident what made Alan Moore stop doing cons?
If you’d stayed, you probably would have become one of Richard’s favorite people ever… 🙂
Jason, that has to be one of the creepiest things I’ve seen in a long time. It made me want to take a shower, and I took took one about 20 minutes. I think the last time I felt like that was standing on a Linda Blair autograph line about 30 years ago and the guy in front of me had a topless photo he was going to get signed. He was so awful, I wanted to reach over and tear the photo in half just to wipe that smile off his face.
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On a much less nasty topic, one of the recurring comments in a lot of these posts has to do with autograph lines, the number of items being signed and what items are are being autographed. I totally agree that if you’re restricting that material to, say, a writer’s new book and nothing else, those restrictions should be spelled out in any advertising for that guest. And in situations where the number of items has to be restricted because of the sheer number of people, there should be a convention worker or two policing the line and leeting everybody know that just one or two items can be signed; if somebody wants two more, they can go to the end of the line again and take their chances. I’ve generally found that most people respond well to being treated fairly and honestly (which is basically the way Peter started this discussion). Wile there are always a few malcontents in any situation like that, they can usually be dealt with.
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I attended a small comic convention in Hawthorne NJ a few years ago, where they were trying to raise money to improve their art department facilities, which were virtually non-existent. Their big guest was Joe Straczynski, who had flown in at his own expense to help them raise a bit of money, Straczynski agreed to sign as many items as people had, for a buck apiece (all of which was going to the school). Everything worked pretty well, with most people bringing three items or less, but there was one guy that had a stack of 50 or 60 comics and a LOT of people still waiting behind him. When he finally got to the front of the line, Straczynski looked at the pile and said if the guy was willing to pay a buck apiece for his signature, he would be happy to sign all of them, but he would have to wait until the rest of the line got their items signed first. Faced with a reasonable compromise, the guy was perfectly willing to wait until the end, at which point Straczynski signed every single item and the guy ponied up 50 or 60 bucks- I know, because I was the one who collected the money from him. I’ve told that story many times since until people are bored from hearing it, but it was the few instances in hundreds of convention experiences in which everything worked the way it should work and everybody walked away happy.
The Hawthorne con was a great day for the attendees and the school wasn’t it, Joe? Many of the ones getting items signed donated far more than the buck per autograph (the one and only time I’m aware of that JMS has ever charged).
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JMS had also done as the previous poster suggested, though – he’d posted online that his usual limit on items to be signed was waived for that occasion.
Not sure if it applies, but when I knew Christina Carpenter would be signing autographs at I-CON, I brought two (owned one, got the 2nd on eBay) copies of the PLAYBOY issue that featured her posing naked in. While I was nervous about asking her to sign them, she not only signed them, but also posed with me and the mag for a photo — with no negative comments or awkward pauses whatsoever! Very classy lady!
Sometimes fans don’t want to see the naked work they’ve done, and sometimes they’re proud of it.
That should have been “Charisma Carpenter.” My apologies for any confusion.
Regarding lines, actually the fan expo had a really nice system. Everyone wanting an autograph was given a ticket they had an enclosed area that held about 50 people. at the entrance of the enclosed area there was a sign that said if your ticket was below whatever number they had posted you can enter the enclosed area. Say you had ticket 137 and they were only letting people from 1-50. instead of waiting around for an hour or so, you could wander the floor and then come back as people got stuff signed they’d obviously increased the number. If you came back and they were at say 130 and under going in you can obviously hang around but say you left and came back and they were at like 98 you could still walk a bit or if you went to a panel and it was like 260 you can show them your ticket and join the line. There was rarely more then 10 people outside the enclosed area so there was no congestion in the hallway. They did it for Tom Felton’s line and really seemed to work well.
be cvil to the fans in wheelcairs in line don’t try to cut in front of them grab a item out of their hands cause you want to buy em and dont assume they are mentaly challenged
all 3 happen to me at cons and i cant be the only one
Realistically, doesn’t everything below fall under the same category as #1 – namely respect your fellow humans?
That said, here’s the way to address hygeine:
“Be aware you will be in a small confined space with many other people. Fans and Pros are expected to make reasonable efforts to ensure that space remains as pleasant as possible for everyone attending.”
My number one convention complaint that needs a rule: bad personal hygine. The phrase, “smells like feet” is associated with every story I’ve ever told about a con. So I guess the rule would be: if you think you need to bathe or but on more deodorant, you probably should, or more simply: “It’s called soap.”
As far as asking questions in panels and the like:
While you should ask questions in panels and the like, know how to ask them. The key points to remember are a) no one else in the audience cares about you and b) you’re not going to become friends with the panelists from your question. Questions should be to the point as to what you want to ask about, and not prefaced with the personal reasons/history that explain why you want to ask that question. They also should not be used to tell the panelists how much you like their work and what your favorite bit was and the like. A while back, Mark Evanier wrote the following approximation of what had been announced at a Stephen Sondheim he’d attended:
“Later, there will be a Q-and-A session and I’m sorry to say I need to explain to people what the “Q” means. It means you ask a question. A question is a sentence that begins with an interrogatory pronoun and it ends with a question mark and your voice goes up at the end. And it’s one sentence. If it’s more than one sentence, it’s not a question. This is not an audition. It is not about you. We don’t need to hear what the first Sondheim show was you saw and how it forever changed your life. Just ask a real question and sit down.”
Glenn Hauman came up with a reasonable rule of thumb; if your question wouldn’t fit in a single tweet, you probably should rephrase it so it does.
Note that this isn’t a problem with just fans. A while back, I was in charge of editing questions submitted by Googlers to be possibly asked by our CEO of visiting Presidential candidates. A *lot* of them would start with multiple paragraphs about how, say, the asker had grown up on a farm and their experiences there and that was why these things were really important to them, before getting to the actual question. What made this particularly bad was that they wouldn’t be asking the question; our didn’t grow up on a farm CEO would. Before passing such on to Eric, I’d remove all but the actual question.
I agree that this can be a general problem, and I’ve seen it at computer lectures in the UK: people will ramble on for a few minutes, and I suspect that they’re mainly trying to show how smart they are.
However, I think the “single sentence” limit may be a bit too strict. I’ve got a list of questions that I’d like to ask various writers if I ever get the chance, and in some cases I think it’s reasonable to provide a brief recap. That’s partly for the writer’s benefit, and also for the rest of the audience. E.g. I went to a B5 convention and I got a bit lost when I couldn’t identify every episode just by name.
The single sentence is far too strict both for the reason John C. Kirk mentioned and because sometimes unless there’s a short set-up, the answer won’t be worth much.
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There’s a big difference between “Why did you do so-and-so in episode 210?” and “You’d said in the past that doing so-and-so was a cop-out and that you’d never do it. Can you tell us why John and Delenn did something like that in the episode where they were captured by space dragons?” With the first you’ll probably be told that it seemed like a good idea at the time. With the second, you may actually learn something about the writer’s craft.
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Well crafted questions can go far toward making a Q&A session interesting for both the panelists and the audience.
1. I now feel the urge to dress up as a Fire Marshal.
2. The addition I think should be added is in regards to elevators. (i) If you are going up 1-2 and can walk them please take the stairs. Same thing with down. (ii) If you have wings/things sticking out/body paint/glittered skin please do not get in an elevator if at all possible. If said wings are removable please remove them and you are more than welcome. (iii) People with Strollers or wheelchairs go first if possible. (iv)Pressing all the floors in the elevator loses you all elevator privileges.
Winner!
Wait, you mean there are people who will shove in front of a wheelchair or stroller into an elevator? SERIOUSLY? Are these the same ilk who won’t pull over for a flashing ambulance or police car? How do we let these people out of their cages? This suggestion is HIGHLY ENDORSED by the Bad Clown!
I might actually start going to converntions again if these became commonplace. It had gotten to the point where I felt I was in some cult without knowing all the rules… didn’t know where to goand couldn’t find signage to help… didn’t know about limits but seemed like some knew and some didn’t… didn’t know if I was even allowed to talk to the pro in some cases (usually the TV folks who seemed to always have some form of security there)… I had plenty of good meetings (PAD being one of the better) but I just felt like I didn’t belong. Some of the stuff discussed would’ve ‘cured’ that, I think.
I have a basic protocol I go by when asking for things signed:
1) Ask politely for an autograph.
2) Give a short compliment to their work.
3) Say thank you and walk away.
I know it should go without saying, but do not go above and beyond with #2. No one wants to hear what work you thought stunk or “needed improvement”.
Adam, my wife has a rule that I use all the time, which is, ‘Nobody wants to hear that their baby is ugly.’ As you pointed out, it should go without saying but it doesn’t.
Comic book fans are famous (some would say infamous) for being opinionated. I’d like to believe that they understand that there’s a difference between bull$#!+ing online with other fans and actually talking to a person who put a lot of work into that stuff. However, it’s better safe than sorry.
I used this method when I went to a convention in Albany. I got a Green Lantern TPB signed by Ron Marz and told him “I’m a big fan of Kyle Rayner” and got my Showcase Presents Metamorpho signed by Ramona Fradon and said “That Metamorpho stuff are some of the most fun comics I’ve read”. I got the sigs and no one’s feelings seemed to be hurt. So, I think it’s safe to say it worked.
How about:
When in crowded convention areas, be aware of your effective radius.
This applies not only to people in bulky costumes, or with protrusions (swords, light sabers, etc.), but also to people wearing backpacks, carrying portfolios, etc. People ofter forget that when they turn around, the stuff in their hands, on their backs, and so forth, may sweep out a large circle and clobber the innocent folks in their vicinity.
From a vendor point of view; if you cant keep your obviously-too-young-to-be-here kid clean, don’t hand him merchandise he will ruin with his chocolate/colorant/dont-even-dare-to-guess covered fingers. The rule could extend to everyone; Dont eat with your hands when you are going to be flipping through books you might end up not buying.
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Seriously, every convention I find some of the books I sell not fit for selling after a father with a filthy toddler decides that a “Stcuk Rubber Baby” 25€ hardcover book is just the thing for his son to put his fingers on. The time I actually had the booth beside a themed candy vendor I had to throw over 100€ of books.
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Regarding fans and signing; I’ve heard horror stories about american conventions but having organiced around 25 sessions myself, I have to say fans here behave quite nicely even when frustrated. I kind of expected having to deal with a pack of hyenas when I was told I was to manage those kind of events (up to 5 authors at the same time) but I can only remember one really jerk-y fan in 5 years of cons.
“Fans should not monopolize a Pro’s time. Do not stand at the table for extended periods, waiting for the Pro to say or do something clever. It makes the Pro feel uncomfortable and the Fan come across as kind of creepy.”
What if the pro is in a conversation with someone else? Is it okay to wait politely by the table till the conversation is done, to talk with the pro? I suppose you could leave and come back, but then you run the risk of the pro leaving, or another conversation starting 🙂
Interesting question. Typically I’d say yes, it’s fine to simply wait your turn. On the other hand, the fan should be attuned to whether this conversation is of a personal and/or business matter.
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PAD
Peter hit a point that drives me a little bit crazy about going to conventions or rather some fans that do this.
We have talked about Interrupting the Potty Break is a No-No and letting pros eat in peace but there is a line that gets crossed probably without anyone knowing about it and I have had it happen more than once.
If you see two pros esp. if they are away from their table talking to each other, don’t slide in and listen to the conversation. They probably walked away from the tables and over to a corner to talk to each other about something that is not for public consumption. We know you are there and it makes it hard to talk to the other person. All the pros are trying to do is get a minute or so for some face to face time to take care of something.
Also when a group of pros are eating, we know when you are listening to what is going on at the our table. Don’t make us go and hide when we are in our downtime. Then people read about how stand-offish someone is when really all it was is that they didn’t get ANY privacy at the convention at all.
“Fans should… not stand at the table for extended periods”
“What if the pro is in a conversation with someone else?”
This reminds me of the most dispiriting experience I ever had at a convention. It was during an advertised autographing time at a publisher’s booth, and had to wait ages (10 minutes, maybe 15) because the pro signing was having an extended conversation with the person in front of me. I found this to be completely inappropriate for an advertised signing session, and felt the pro should’ve been the one to say “This isn’t an appropriate time to talk, come by my table later/here’s my card/email me” or something similar.
As a rule, I suppose that would translate to “Pros: if you’re advertised as being somewhere and doing something (ie: a signing), then you’re responsible for being where you’re supposed to be and doing what you’re supposed to be.” That way the rule would also cover people who are supposed to be on a panel and don’t turn up, for example.
To me, it’s would be the companion rule to “Fans: don’t bother pros when they’re ‘off-duty'”.
This might get me slammed for being a boor or a proponent for fan entitlement, but I think if you are a creator at an autograph area or in artist’s alley, then personal or business conversations with people other than fans should be kept for a minimum. I think of it this way, how would you feel if you were in a Starbucks and just as you were going to place your order, the clerk started talking about their weekend with a co-worker or answer their cell phone.
I understand that the creator might not see these people for a while or haven’t seen them in a while. And every creator is looking for work in one way or another. But this kind of things usually happen with pros that are never at their table.
I am would never ask for an autograph when a pro is eating or in the bathroom, but shouldn’t courtesy when it comes to signings work both ways?
Where and what the conversation is can matter. If I’m chatting with a pro I know when they’re at their table, should someone come up to the table, a) if they obviously want to ask something, I’ll say “Please, go ahead; we’re just chatting” b) if they start browsing whatever material’s at the table I’ll say “Please interrupt us if you have any questions; we’re just chatting”. Ditto for other situations such as if I’m chatting with a pro and an editor or co-worker comes up; I try to make clear that if it’s business related, I’ll either be quiet or vanish as appropriate.
In other words, I’m aware that a convention is both work and social for pros, with the former trumping my own social bits. And “work” includes letting random fans briefly interact with them; my chatting with Peter who I’ve known for years is less important at the con than someone who’s never met him getting to say something (again, assuming it’s not like we’re at dinner together or the other general “pro is on social/own time” situations already mentioned).
This brings up a related story.
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About a decade ago at Comic-Con, I went to get a particular book signed by the author (keeping him anonymous, since it’s not the point), since I’d enjoyed the book tremendously and wanted to tell him so.
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I got there a few minutes after his signing time technically ended (maybe five, tops). He was still there chatting with someone (not in line). I stood waiting patiently, and eventually he turned to me and we talked for a couple of minutes; I apologized for coming late, he said no big deal, he signed the book, I thanked him and moved on.
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Later on, I looked at the book, and he’d signed it “Thanks for coming late.”
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Was I out of line for being late? Was his reaction justified? I’m wondering because, unfortunately, I think I’ve let that incident color my opinion of the author’s work since, and I’d like not to.
Are you sure he meant it to be nasty? Maybe he meant it to be funny. Or maybe he was glad that you made the effort. That might be the case if his behavior to you was otherwise cordial.
Yeah, I’ve thought of that possibility, too. Maybe — if so, it’s that whole “print is different from speech” misfire so many of us (me included) can fall victim to.
i would add a fan should never if they see some one they do not like their work be rude enough if daring to even get an autograph say your take on a character sucks or your older work was better. plus a fan should not wind up taking up a pros time acting like they could write the character better. plus if a fan finds a pro having to answer nature call wait till they are done before asking for an autograph.
I’d love to know ahead of time what actors/authors/artists will or will not sign, but I’d also like for there not to be huge mixed messages. When I was at C2E2, an actress I love (and thus shall not name) had her official people selling $10 photos of her in skimpy lingerie alongside all the other glossies…but she refused to sign them. Really?
I try not to let things of this sort throw me off track too much, but sometimes you just wish things just were not so.
A big issue that I have encountered at various cons as well as on the job has to do with the issue of odor … not just body odor. I am talking about folks who have a breath that repels people whether or not they realize it.
Maybe it is a touch of halitosis or perhaps they are a diabetic who simply forgot to take their insulin … but I am more than willing to lay odds that it is more than likely something they ate earlier that has a decidedly strong affect on them and their breath (onions, garlic, ginger, etc) … if you are going to be in a crowd for an extended length of time … bring a toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, or breath mint with you and use them accordingly. Also, do be mindful of what you plan to eat if said food contains an ingredient that you may love but has a decidedly negative impact on everyone else. Folks will appreciate the touch, honestly.
Another side issue is that, perhaps, the person who simply does not realize that their preference for a cologne or perfume is a touch too much for folks around them … we get it that you want to smell pleasantly or such but I think you might have overdone it a bit!
A final point is perhaps a bit touchy for some folks … heavy smokers. Folks can smell you coming a ways off. Do be kind to others by simply cutting back if you are going to be milling about in crowd for a good deal of time. Not telling you to quit … just exercise moderation and sensibility .
Bless you Chuck; I was going to post that very point last night, but I couldn’t figure out the best way to say it and you’ve done it beautifully. I would also add those small rolling suitcases that fans seem to be carrying in greater profusion these days. When I was at New York Comic Con, I can’t tell you the number of times a cart-wheeling fan suddenly stopped in front of me because they suddenly got a text, they saw something at a booth they had walked past, or they were remembering a cookie they ate two weeks ago. The problem is that when they stop, their case stops two feet behind them, which is usually at somebody’s knee level. It’s not easy to course-correct as such short notice.
Joe: Good addition! Of course the Rolling Suitcase Ram effect shows up all the time in airports as well as conventions, while I’ve had the Backpack Bash happen to me anywhere college students gather, but crowded convention aisles are the worst. I don’t think there’s any way to avoid folks carrying bulky things – after all, the the dealer’s room we are there to make purchases. But folks do need a little more awareness that he/she + stuff >> he/she alone.
Funny you should mention texting. Here’s a rule I would like to add. If you are not able to read your text/Talk on the phone/or check your e-mail and walk at a normal pace, then pull over to the side of the aisle and text/speak/e-mail there. Yeah, I know you need to meet up with friends. I usually do to. But that doesn’t mean that you have the right to block traffic.
“The Misha Collins Declaration”?
What’s the story behind that?
All gaming tables or any other gamer related activities should always be placed downwind of dealers and artist’s tables! The phrase “smells like gamers” is not a joke…it’s real! Please take a shower (AND use deodorant) before the show.
Also, Pros should never charge for an autograph at a con. We bought your book, that’s enough. Just sign the darn thing! And don’t require me to buy from your table to get the autograph mr. zombie cover artist.
I agree about limiting the number of books to sign at one time, especially those fanboys who want everything signed, but within reason.
If you’re a Pro with no line all day, don’t limit it to two books! You’re not that famous Ghost Rider artist from the 90s!
“The phrase ‘smells like gamers’ is not a joke…it’s real! Please take a shower (AND use deodorant) before the show.”
As a gamer (old school: board games, card games, and paper -and-dice RPGs), I both acklowledge the frequent truth of this — and point out that it could just as easily apply to sci-fi fans, anime fans, videogamers, etc. Singling out gamers as the ones with the bad odor ignores the fact that just about every category of fans at comic book/sci-fi conventions has its members who care nothing about their personal hygiene. If you think that placing all gaming-related things “downwind” from the other areas will result in the scent of lilacs and Irish Spring, you are in for a rude (and odorous) awakening, comrade.
“Also, Pros should never charge for an autograph at a con. We bought your book, that’s enough.”
Hmmmm. Comics pros (and other authors) probably shouldn’t require you to buy stuff at their tables for an autograph. Still, I have some sympathy for the non-quests of honor – not getting their way paid by the con – who are hoping to recoup travel expenses. That especially goes for small press types, and for retired or semi-retired Pros who aren’t making any money off those back issues you bought, and aren’t likely to suddenly get ongoing jobs from the Big Two because of the long lines at their tables.
As for actors…again, if not guests of honor or promoting their new movie or TV show on the studio’s dime…they should definitely be entitled to charge for autographs if they so desire. Whether or not “5th redshirt from the left in ST Season Three” should try to charge $20 a pop for autographs is more a question of economics and common sense than of convention ethics.
Wil Wheaton summed it up best with his one law: “Don’t be a dìçk.”
I am all for people being civil to each other, especially when these PROs are giving their time and effort to give us fans a little glimpse “inside”. The best part of being willing to be nice with the PROs we’ve met is that some really cool, not-likely-to-have-happened moments have happened.
One of the best examples is with PAD at the 2nd (I think) Wizard World Philly show. We walked up to a table with our several-month-old daughter, only to notice that we had walked up to PAD with their several-month-old daughter. Hilarity insued (over our inability to determine genders of said children based on the color of their respective clothes, and the “torrid lesbian affair” that would be the obvious result). I don’t think we bought anything (sorry!), but I left with that memory. I enjoy his work, found out he was a nice guy, and we had a great time. You never know what a little pleasant interaction might bring you. (Apparently, it doesn’t bring any sales for PAD, though…)
Admittedly, I do not expect this at every con or every table, no matter how nice I am…
Some more ideas, all inspired by my attending the 2010 Emerald City Comic Con:
1. If a creator has to leave early on the last day, the attendees should be made aware of this well in advance so that autograph seekers, art buyers etc wanting to meet a particular person who’s leaving early can focus on those creators first and leave those who who are there for the full day until later.
2. During a panel, especially if the guest speaker is, like Stan Lee, someone who is a great spontaneous storyteller, the MC shouldn’t spend most of their time asking their own questions and leave only 15 minutes for the audience.
3. Fans should be aware that neither a creator not other fans listening in is probably not interested in their life story; this is doubly true during panels when other people have questions they wish to ask (in the latter case even if it’s not a life story, cut to the chase so that others can have their turn).
4. If a fan has already paid for an autograph for a high profile creator, it’s not necessary to make the fan go into one line during convention time to switch their ticket voucher for a ticket and a separate line to actually meet the creator.
5. While constructive criticism is appreciated by many pros, fans should try to avoid points that pros and fans alike have already memorized and can only lead to “canned” responses (by 2010 everyone at Emerald City who cared about the issue knew about the One More Day controversy) and also avoid questions designed specifically to start a fight.
6. If a pro needs to be away from their table more frequently than other pros, they should leave a note indicating roughly when fans can expect to find them there; a fan sweeping by the table at least once an hour should be able at some point be able to find them there.
7. A celebrity/pro should not basically abandon their table to another pro who then has to repeatedly tell people that they’re a pro but not that one and that they have no idea when the person they’re saving the table for will return (in the instance I’m thinking of Tim Bradstreet was saving a table for a borderline famous TV/movie star; I was especially glad that I had something for him to autograph so that he spend a few seconds on something related to himself and not the star).
8. Anyone who charges for an autograph should supply the exact amount(s) sufficiently in advance so that the convention people can have the info on their website at least a week in advance. Many fans aren’t local, and if the cost is too much, it’s nice to know ahead of time so the fan can pack a little lighter.
9. Fans and pros alike must both go in knowing that s–t will more than likely happen at some point and be mentally prepared to deal with the unexpected.
10. Pros should realize that while not every fan encounter is going to be a pleasant one, they should assume that each will be unless proven otherwise. This is actually good financial sense: if a fan is on the fence regarding buying a particular book, a previous positive or negative experience with the pro will likely be the determining factor (Matt Southworth was so enthusiastic at Emerald City, glad that I had bought something of his even though it was prior to the convention, that I would definitely buy something he drew if I was otherwise on the fence).
11. If a fan knows at least something about a lesser known creator who’s sitting looking bored, they should try to say something to that pro. The lesser known pro will probably appreciate the attention and because there’s less of a line-up for them than the more famous creators, they’ll have time to offer a more quality conversation.
Re: point 2. The moderator (not MC) should have a feel for both why the panel is there, who is one it, and what the audience expects/wants (even if the audience doesn’t realize it). A few examples; a while back, I was on a panel with Harlan Ellison and someone who’s less vocal than either Harlan or I. She told me beforehand that she probably wouldn’t say much if anything; her style didn’t work with Harlan’s more free flowing (which I can also do). So I went in knowing that my actual role was to say something mildly provocative or evocative every 10 minutes or so that’d keep Harlan going. I’d get a few comments in, but they’d be short; no soliloquies on my part.
Another time, I was charged with interviewing Neil Gaiman on a specific topic. In that case, I did something as an icebreaker (getting him to put on a Hawaiian shirt), then went to a combo of specific questions, new questions based on what he said, and at times a bit of conversation about topics where I thought I could contribute a bit. But Neil did probably 70-80% of the talking because I knew people wanted to hear what he had to say.
On the other hand, while Neil did decide to let it run over a few minutes to answer a few audience questions, I had no plans to go to the audience. Because the topic was pre-assigned, there were things I wanted covered, and I couldn’t depend on the audience to stay on-topic. Similarly, at the recent World Fantasy Con, I suggested a program item I called “The Neil and Connie Show”. Which amounted to “We put Neil Gaiman and Connie Willis at the front of the room with microphones and let them talk. At the end of the hour, we let them know time’s up”. And that’s what we did. Again, they went to a couple of audience questions at the end in a runover, but despite both of them being excellent storytellers and the like, what I wanted to hear was them conversing, not them dealing with audience questions.
I recall once when attending a con, there was a pro who was foresighted enough and, perhaps, a bit tired of the obvious questions that seem to invariably pop up on a repeated basis from numerous con attendees sought to clarify things a bit for a change. Right behind where they sat, slightly raised to eye-level for all to clearly see, there was a board which not only listed a great majority of these commonly heard questions but answered them as well so that any attendees knew what questions not to ask in advance. Ample room was provided below for additional Q&A that had escaped the beforehand notice of the pro but were added on as the con progressed. Of course, there were always a few who were either snarky or clueless enough to risk asking anyway …
Also, on a separate board right next to it, the same pro also provided a quick indication of various subjects which were declared off the limits and what they would and would not sign with a clearly stated limit in big block letters of the number of items they would willingly sign. If an autograph seeker had more than that on hand and were willing to repeatedly stand in line … there was always that option.
There was a third sign that went up alerting would be artwork seekers not only of the prices and general idea of what was ok to request by way of drawings. The pro was a bit of a big draw at the con and such posting was deemed necessary since these things needed to be clarified upfront. Notice of this was already clearly available to folks on various printouts as well as on the website and adverts for the con … still, some folks claimed ignorance or defiance of these notices until they were informed otherwise.
Generally speaking, this system worked out well enough. Attendees who adhered to the system were gamely greeted by a pleasant pro who endeavored their level best to brighten the day for them. Those who did not invariably were turned away … grumbling to themselves .