Great write up!

marmoset | May 05, 18:52 CET

Reading this write up.. I don't know if I'd call it 'great'. It's a bit uncomfortable, and reminds me why I never go to these kinds of conventions. I don't know if I'd expect any Buffy alumnus to have a good 'vibe' when faced with crowds of fans. To put myself for a moment in the shoes of Nicholas Brendon or Mercedes McNabb, if I were told to walk into a room filled with hundreds of people wanting MY autograph (and who in their right mind would WANT a picture with my scribbling on it?), and wanting to compliment me on my shirt or whatever.. to ingratiate themselves towards men and no matter what I said or they said they'd walk away concerned that they offended me or I embarrassed them somehow... Sheesh! I think I'd just run the opposite direction.

I mean, don't get me wrong. I appreciate the effort all these actors and writers and directors have put into Buffy and Angel and Firefly, but to actually meet them face to face? What for? If I actually had some viable reason to actually meet Mr. Head that'd be one thing, and while working with him on some other project if I could talk to his about his heady days playing Giles that'd be nice perhaps, but only if it happened to come up in conversation and he was in the mood to talk and I was in the mood to listen. I mean to me it was entertainment. To him it was a paycheck. I see no common ground here.

These forced gatherings of conventioneers wanting autographs..? I don't get it. Just seems like inventing an opportunity to be let down, because they can't possibly live up to our expectations, and we can't possibly even comprehend what their expectations of us might even be, if they have any at all in the first place. Someone please explain this to me.

...

...asking Nick Brendon to do the Snoopy Dance after he's admitted publically the very personal and courageous step that he'd gone into rehab? Am I the only one who finds this whole concept of meeting the people behind the roles kinda surreal? And perhaps even a little demeaning?

[ edited by ZachsMind on 2004-05-05 17:52 ]

ZachsMind | May 05, 19:46 CET

Well, I'm not the convention going type either and I've never understood the autograph thing. Still, I enjoyed reading about all the playful interactions among the different actors and I think whoever did the write-up did a very nice and balanced job. I stand by my use of the word "great". ;)

[ edited by marmoset on 2004-05-05 17:53 ]

marmoset | May 05, 19:52 CET

Wow, ZachsMind... I really dont get your point of view. You act like they're forced to go up on stage and perform for us like baboons or something. They chose to do these conventions. Nicky Brendon worked around his rehab to keep his commitment to come, so that's a pretty big deal. They have just as much fun as we do. And if they dont, they stop doing conventions. It's as simple as that.

I was at that convention, and it was my first Buffy one, and I thought it was rather damn cool. I dont know a single person that was let down, and in fact, all the actors were nicer and funnier than I thought they would be. Not to mention approachable and normal... I had a conversation in line for the bar with Robia and Mercedes about Justin Timberlake and Jem and the Holograms. And I made fun of their shoes. It was freaking cool.

I understand you not getting why people feel the need to meet the stars, but conventions are just kind of a gathering for a common interest, which is as much about meeting other fans as it is meeting the stars. And I guess I just dont see why the stars should exist only on the screen and then be veiled from the public, never meeting the fans.

Cole Searr | May 05, 20:44 CET

Zach - speaking as a convention goer with over a 100 of them under my belt over the years - I have to say - I understand your perception and will get to you on it in a little bit - but I need some sleep of else it will just be babbling. I will also explain from my prespective the reasons to your questions and try to explain why the person who wrote this particular con report did an OK job but it was not a great con report.

RavenU | May 05, 20:53 CET

I've never been to a convention or understood the need to get a complete stranger's autograph either.
Do the positive experiences outwiegh what seems to be a lot of queueing up, being herded around like livestock, being told who you can't photograph and then trying to convey to someone you admire how much you appreciate their work in about 30 seconds?
I can understand wanting to have a fun weekend with other fans or going to a Q&A, but everything seems so regulated and artificial. Bidding $6000 to sit at Anthony Stewart Head's table while Nick Brendon only went for $350 made me extremely uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that someone bid on another human being. Why does it have to be a sit down dinner anyway-- which brings to mind an awkward wedding reception. They should have a more relaxed BBQ or picnic.
I'm sure the actor's enjoy meeting fans and getting feedback or they wouldn't do it and from the reports I've read they seem quite gracious.But it must be exausting to be "on" all the time. To know that a fan spent a lot of money to see you and it's up to you to make it one of the best experiences of their lives and not let them down or it's going to be all over the internet what a surly pr*ck you are.

bloodflowers | May 05, 21:54 CET

I guess maybe the references in the report to McNabb & Brendon not giving off a good vibe were what I was reacting to. When I got to the part where Robia looked up at the narrator and asked if she could go take a pee break.. I just wanted to slap the writer. These are human beings and they don't know us from a hole in the wall, so don't be surprised if they just happen to be escorted across the room just when you felt you'd gotten the guts to compliment them on their shirt.

I happen to know for a fact I have absolutely nothing to offer any of the Buffy alumni, and I believe it takes unmitigated gaul for someone to go up to a person who entertained you and ask for their autograph as if they owe you something more than they have already provided. I figure I'm walking away from Buffy and Angel ahead of the game. They put in blood seat and tears to entertain us, left with a little money and fame.

All we had to do was rough it through some terrible commercials. We risked nothing and gave no effort at all, and were entertained in the bargain. We're coming out ahead. Why tempt fate?

ZachsMind | May 05, 21:58 CET

Okay, as someone who has never gone to one of these things I can understand Zachs take on it. I also found it uncomfortable that people would ask NB to perform the Scooby Dance and to request that ASH And Robia to kiss. They aren't the characters in real life and that just seems to be crossing the line too much. I can only imagine if these continue to be popular people asking NB to do the Scooby dance when he's like 60 years old and I shudder at the thought of that. But I think that the majority of the fans are probably really respectful and wouldn't even dream of requesting those types of things from the stars. It sounds like the stars enjoy doing these conventions and ASH seems to enjoy it just as much as the fans.

I've never had the opportunity to go to one of these events, and even if I did, they seem way to expensive for what I could afford. I also don't think I'd want to go because I'm kind of a private person and I'd feel like I was intruding by asking for pictures and autographs but that's just me. But I can see why it would be something other people would want to do and it must be a fun experience because these events are so popular. NB didn't seem like he was having a great time but that could've been because of what's been going on in his life and the knowledge that he might be telling the fans about being in rehab(I'm sure it wasn't something he just blurted out - but something he was thinking of doing and it probably was weighing on his mind until he got it over with). And it seemed like Mercedes was rather uncomfortable but that could be because she is new to this and on top of that dealing with the show being cancelled. She is probably having bitter sweet feelings about the whole thing.

The description of Tony hamming it up for the auction was priceless. But I also agree with Bloodflowers that I felt bad for NB that his auction was so low compared to ASHs and how depressing or embarrassing that must make him feel. I love Mercedes but she has always been a bit character and her auction was about the same amounts as Nick's who was one of the big stars of the show.

It also bothered me that people are paying that kind of money to go to these things and then they aren't allowed to take their own pictures with the stars because the convention people are trying to make more money off of them by selling pictures of them posing with the stars.

I look forward to reading RavenU's perspective about what these events are usually like.

Firefly Flanatic | May 05, 22:13 CET

Cole Searr - As a fan of JEM!, I found it kind of interesting that you talked about the show with Robia and Mercedes (who, come to think of it, would make a nice live-action Jerrica or Stormer). I'm curious--what did they have to say about it?

areacode212 | May 06, 00:31 CET

Well for me, I'd love to meet James Marsters. Not to demand he act like Spike for me, but to buy him a drink and say "Thanks" for all the years of entertainment he provided me with and tell him that I think he's very talented and I wish him well in his future endevors.
I agree about the photo thing. If the star is ok with taking pictures with people, then the con people should shut the heck up instead of trying to hit people up for money. I looked into the price of some of these cons. They're freaking rediculous, and those prices are just to get into the door, they don't include the Q&A, the autographs, pictures, etc. I make a lot of money, and I consider most of them overpriced, how the heck is the average fan supposed to be able to go?

WilliamTheBloody | May 06, 00:53 CET

Yeah as someone who has been to a few of these 'things', I don't understand what the big deal is or why it's all considered so pathetic and uncomfortable.

The main key is that the people up there should enjoy being there. And frankly, actors are by nature people who are in the spotlight and most don't have a problem. And there's a crowd that adores you out there. Like rockstars, most do like that quite a lot. Of course if in the case of Mercedes, if it's not something she's comfortable with, and she's not sure what to do with herself, then maybe it's not a good idea that she does it. I assume it's also fairly easy money and I can see that. (Same reason many actors do commericals or voice overs).

But Joss, James, Tony, James Leary, Danny Strong, Mark Lutz, and many others, are clearly very good at it, are funny, entertaining speakers, give the audience a good time and have one themselves. Don't really understand all the upturned noses.

As for autographs, I don't see the great need in it either other than a nice souvenir of meeting someone who's work you admire. Which is the main reason I'd like to meet some of them, like WilliamtheBloody said. Shake their hand and say 'I love your work'. Which is just nice to say and nice to hear. Not sure what's so wrong or weird with that.

And yes there are always some people that go a little too far and ask James Marsters to take his shirt of or like here, for Tony and Robia to kiss. But then they politely refuse or make a joke about it. I remember seeing Joss in San Diego, and a guy came up to the mike with a bit of an attitude and said something like 'Thank you for 7 *mostly* great seasons of Buffy'. In itself nothing bad but he said it with a bit of a 'aint I cool' tone, so the crowd had a wave of 'ohh now...'. Joss raised his hand and said "Now now guys, come on, he can say that....." Then he looked to the side and, pointing at the guy, yelled "Security!". Got a big laugh. It all depends on how well the speaker can handle the speaking and the crowd. A lot of Buffy alumni are very good at it, and I'm looking forward to seeing some of them in the future.

EdDantes | May 06, 01:16 CET

While I don't think I'd go to a con if ever there were one in my vicinity, and I don't personally feel the need to meet actors, I do somewhat understand the desire to do so -- having been involved in music fandom for half of my life. I also think a lot of fans find out that once they've got their minute or two with a star, the real enjoyment of such gatherings lies in meeting other fans and like-minded people. Which makes the experience much bigger than just the meet and greet, and increases the desire to keep attending cons (or other such gatherings). It's got that 'summer camp' vibe, which can be addictive, especially when you are too old for summer camp...

Caroline | May 06, 01:59 CET

Gotta agree with EdDantes here - I haven't been to many, but the 'one man show' (or several men/women in slow succession) of these events is often worth seeing. They're entertainers after all, and usually have several informative and amusing anecdotes about life behind the scenes.

Lining up for signatures and photos on the other hand - that's just perverse and weird. Which is why I've only done it twice - once to get Claudia Christian to wish my friend a happy birthday (he was in another city so she used my cellphone, which was exceptionally nice of her) and once to get Neil Gaiman to sign the Cerebus Sandman parody (which seemed to amuse him, after endless people getting him to sign every issue of every comic he'd ever done there was one small guy at the end of the line with only one comic that he didn't even write). Also, I don't photograph well. I'd tell you some funny stories about the time I met some Buffy stars, but they don't come to my country very often, so just make something up.

giles (yes, it is my real name) | May 06, 02:16 CET

Not to hurt anybody feeling but 3+ separate links to one convention - wouldn't that fall under the repetitive clause. I like reading other people's perceptions of cons but could we have one thread per convention to put all of these into, or maybe it is just me.

Although there were multiple convention reports for Cleveland, has anyone seen one for the one that was at the end of March in LA.? I have yet to see one and that was the first convention any of the Angel actors attended after the cancellation (excluding the W&H party). I would love to read what was said there.

Now on to other points - one Zachsmind comment on why do people and the actors do these conventions. There is no one reason on both sides so I can only give you my perception of the why.... First let me just say I have been to a 100+ conventions over the years - not all Jossverse, that just happens to be the track I am on now.

As for the actors reasons why - well there are a couple of those and again it depends on the actor in question. First, if your a headliner and not a bonus guest part of it can be the money - all the actors do in one way or another get some sort of compensation for going to these things. Second, to meet the people that tune in and watch your show every week, to put faces to the numbers. Actors in drama series do not hear the applause from the audience at the end of the performance as they do on sitcoms or the stage. This give them the opportunity to thank some of those who watch the show and keep them employed (case in point Marsters from BTVS/ATS and Sirtis from STTNG), which goes toward building a lifetime loyal fan base. Third - is the travel - you basically get to see places you might not normally go to and it's free - this appeals to some actors and is why a free trip to Europe is an appealing part of doing conventions over there. Even doing the conventions in the states allows the actor to go to places he is interested in seeing at hardly any out of pocket cost to him/her self. Fourth - to ... hmm how to put this ... get over there fear of being themselves in public. You have to realize, which most do, that actors when portraying a character are not portraying themselves and many actors go into the business to get over their shyness but instead acting can just mask it and your left with the same fear of public speaking as most of society is. I think I have to add a Fifth point - some actors just like talking and performing. If they have a crowd of avid listeners they will spend as much time as they can doing improv or just telling stories from their life in general (which can be more interesting than an character you will ever see them play), thus making you care for them as a person even more. Going to all of the conventions, I have gone to over the years I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with a few actors and others. I am not saying we are buddies but I know if they saw me walking down the street they would say "Hi." (cause that has happened, the embarrassing part I didn't recognize him for a few moments - but he knows this and finds it amusing, cause I have been to well over 20 of his appearances over the years). Anyway getting a chance to talk to them, the points above have been the ones that have come out repeatedly. I can pretty much spot the ones that fall into these categories. Therefore, I hope that answers a little bit the question as to why actors do conventions for the most part.

As for my reasons, well I am an oddity of fandom; I do go to see the actors not necessarily to mingle with other fans. I guess that is the loner in me, not to say I will not talk to people when I am there I do, but they are not the reason I attend these events. I go for the simple reason that is I want to see if these people who entertain me with their television adventures every week are really actors or not. What I mean by that is I want to see the person behind the persona, how they are different or a like (other than appearance) in person compared to the character I let into my home and life every week. I mean the person is a stranger to me and yet I have let this total and complete stranger entertain me with a story every week holding my attention longer than anyone in my family can for the most part. I don't even let my friends in my home as much as I have allowed these characters on a show to have access to my time (all I can say is thankfully TV is not 2-way:) ). In a way I want to see if they are worthy of taking my time from other things. Gosh, that sounds a tad conceited don’t it but it's not really meant to be, it's just the truth from my perspective. I invest time and emotions into the characters these people portray - neither of which I take lightly since I cannot get either back (in for a penny, in for a pound) - so being the curious sort I want to see behind the mask a bit. In addition, I want to show them support for their current and future career goals by offering moral support and showing them that they have a built in audience to use to their advantage. Also after you see a particular actor a few times I think they tend to be more relaxed and I know (from experiences) they are grateful for any help they can get while on stage from a friendly face. Since some actors do not watch their own work for fear of being overly critically of themselves, they don't always remember something’s they did years before. Having a friendly face in the crowd to turn to in that case is always a good thing. ** A side story, I had seen an actor a few times in the past and had yelled out some answers to questions he didn't know the answer to. Well I finally met him in an airport going to the other convention he was attending that weekend (I had heard stories that he was not fan approachable - because of fear mostly - he had some real psychos after him). So I was in no way going to approach him, instead he approached me and we started talking about a lot of things and he ask me why I came to see him and other things. Then he asks me why I had left the other convention (while he was on stage btw). I told him I needed to leave to catch the flight, I was stunned when he then said he looked for me and I was gone. Ok end of story or I will get gushy. **

Anyway, back to my reasons for going all over the country to meet these people. I guess the short of the long is I go to meet the person and if I like the person, I (quietly and silently - normally) offer them my support in their career choice as a performer. Because lord knows if they did not work so hard to entertain me, I would have to entertain myself and I know I do not want that job. :)

You have to admit they are in one of the hardest jobs there is - they have to entertain strangers. Only to be faced with rejection, ridicule, false praise, and at times psychotic stalkers. Criticism from strangers, a personal life that maybe focused upon and scrutinized mercilessly, making it not so personal. Therefore, I ask you who would voluntarily want to do a job that has virtually no security employment wise, only to be judged 90% of the time on your physical appearance. Have strangers taking photos of you, not be able to have any real secrets if you’re successful and have people all the time either fawning over you or dissin' you. That has to be one of the most stressful lives to live and to do so willingly - I respect them for that.

Well I hope that helps in your understanding from my point of view on the subject.

** And yes I will be making another donation to the site soon for continually taking up so much space :) **

Ok now on to my last and albeit my original point to this post. The person who wrote this post is definitely not a con vet. First, to defend Mercedes she was not being standoffish - she just happens to be uncomfortable being herself onstage - she works a lot better in a more one on one or group basis. She was more comfortable at the cocktail party. Give her time I think she may eventually get comfortable with it. In addition, for the record I think she has done over five conventions so far. In addition, Nick was uncomfortable admitting he was in rehab but in a way, I think that this was part of his treatment, he could have skirted the issue but he knew he needed to let people know - no secrets - no lies - just the straight up info. Afterwards he did seem visibly more at ease about talking about it. I think it was therapeutic for him to tell a room full of strangers that he had a drinking problem and was getting help for it and to find out that they supported him and in the grand scheme of things it was not a big deal and the people still liked him. Although making him do, the Snoopy dance twice was a bit much, especially since he said he had a hurt ankle. I think someone should tell him he doesn't have to do it every time people ask but I also think part of him gets a kick out of doing it.

RavenU | May 06, 06:34 CET

Thanks RavenU for the very insightful post. It was nice to hear your take on what the conventions mean to people. I have never been to one as I said in an earlier post, and I don't look down on people who have, they just aren't something for me. But I still enjoy reading about what went on and what happened there because it does give me a little insight to what the actors are like in real life. With the exception of this past convention, most have made it sound like NB enjoys being there and I still think he was planning on telling about his troubles and that was weighing on his mind. Your comments about him seeming to lighten up after he made his annoucement seems to confirm that for me.

Firefly Flanatic | May 06, 06:47 CET

"Not to hurt anybody feeling but 3+ separate links to one convention - wouldn't that fall under the repetitive clause. I like reading other people's perceptions of cons but could we have one thread per convention to put all of these into, or maybe it is just me."

Cheeky.
I linked to it because the transcripts of Head's Q&A's are going to be there too. Furthermore, it's a full page of 'new' info and not another run-of-the-mill press review.

Caroline | May 06, 09:56 CET

Hmm, I don't see what's wrong with what the writer said about McNab and Brendon. Some of you guys make out like she was bashing them or something, but to my mind she wasn't. I'm very surprised to find that anyone is taking issue with it, or thinks that anyone needs defending- it didn't seem to me like she was being critical at all, just sharing her observations, which after all is the point of these convention write-ups. What's the fuss? [/rhetorical question

forcorreo | May 06, 13:11 CET