Bad convention experiences?

[MouthForWar]

So it was only a few years ago that I started going to conventions besides G-Fest (comic cons, horror cons). It wasn't until then that I saw that most "guests" charge ridiculous amounts of money for autographs, and some even charge to get a picture taken with them. Now I can kinda understand autographs because people sell those (even though you could just personalize it), but pictures is just wrong. Adam West charged $30 for a picture with him and $50 for an autograph. Burt Ward was something similar, but I can't remember. They don't tell you these things until you are actually already talking to them. They kinda trick/pressure you into it. This is ridiculous. The only people I've ever met that didn't charge for anything (unless you bought some of their merch) were Tom Savini and Tom Sullivan (Evil Dead Trilogy effects guy and a great artist), and neither of them are nearly as rich as someone like Adam West. I think pictures should be free and autographs should be free or no more than $10, maybe $15 max.

Anyway, getting more on topic, my motivation to create this thread was based on a bad experience I had today. I went to my first horror convention (its the debut for this particular con). Anyway, there was a Night of the Living Dead reunion theme at this convention I went to. Romero was supposed to be there but had to cancel. He was the only person I would have willingly paid for an autograph for since he's one of my favorite directors/heroes and I already have my Dawn and Creepshow DVDs signed by Savini. But since he was gone, the rest of the NOTD guests were still there anyway. I met Russell Streiner (Johnny) and he was a really nice guy. He had a nice glossy of a recent pic of him with Romero and the rest of the surviving cast. I thought it would be cool to get it and have it signed by everyone at the convention (depending on if they charged for personal items). So I was happy to buy it. The guy at the table next to him is the guy that played the Sheriff, so logically I go to his table and ask to have it signed. He signs it and then tells me its $20. Like I said earlier, I thought he was joking so I just kinda stood there and laughed like a jackass. Then I realized he was serious and had to run to the ATM while my friend held my stuff there. He didn't have any sign saying just an autograph or a signed personal item would cost anything. He wasn't an "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!" to me in conversation or anything (but then again I'd be pretty nice if I was getting $20 to write my name on something). Also, when I got back from the ATM with his money, he asked if I wanted a picture with him, even though I took one with him before he signed my print, which was about 3 minutes earlier, if that. :goofy:

As if Romero canceling wasn't bad enough, I was forced into paying $20 for autograph. From now on, I'm not even APPROACHING a convention guest (unless its G-Fest of course) unless its someone I really REALLY want to meet and get an autograph from.

As you can imagine, I just decided not to even talk to any more guests after that incident. That's one thing I love about G-Fest is the guests never charge for autographs, and (when they have them), they even give out nice glossy prints for free (like Don Frye did this year).

Anyway, I was just curious if anyone had any similar stories. It can be about getting ripped off, meeting a celebrity, whatever. Share your convention horror stories here!

PS- I have a little Tobe Hooper story too but I didn't want to make my first post in this thread too long.

[Xenorama]

well, aside from asking Glenn Danzig who he was, which wasn't bad, but really funny to people i told later on, i don't have bad con experiences.

however, i've pretty much quit going to the San Diego Comic Con (oops, that's "Comic Con International" now) for the main reason is that 100,000+ people in 5 days now is too much. it's not even 50% about comics any more, just toys, games, movies and tv shows. it makes the whole thing highly unpleasant overall. this year it sold out at least a week in advance, but i highly doubt many of the goers are looking for comic books now. how is that helping comic books survive and thrive?

now that's a bad experience!

and that's just sad. well, maybe since most comics suck so hard now, it's not so sad.

David

[MouthForWar]

Yeah, I noticed that about the San Diego con. Its more of a showcase for Hollywood these days than anything. And please elaborate on the Danzig experience, it sounds hilarious.

[Xenorama]

it was G-Fest 00, the one in Hollywood proper. i was volunteering at the door, letting only ticketed people in. Glenn and his bass player were standing out there, no ticket and being very polite, asking questions, nice people, i thought. still, no pass, no ingress. the way they were dressed had some other fans looking, and one or two had gone in and bought some "Crimson Ghost" photos.

so me, catching on slowly that some of the sellers were gonna make some money both from Glenn and people wanting to buy stuff for him to sign, i made the executive decision to let Glenn and his friend in. he bought a lot of stuff.

i did have to ask him who he was, since i had no idea. he actually took it well.

David

[MouthForWar]

[GhostMachine]

[Mysterio]

[kidnicky]

[MouthForWar]

[kidnicky]

[TheMaster]

[kidnicky]

[TheMaster]

. Well heres the deal. I'm a former bodybuilder and promoter of shows(I now just judge competitions and run a training biz). Big Lou was a guest at a friends show way back in 92 or 93. I was looking forward to seeing him, yet at his little table he was incredibly rude and somewhat pissy.(Lou angry? Lou SMASH!) Well one of his deals was selling autographed photos-I understand thats how these guys make additional dinero. And I got one-tried to talk to him, but he basicly went "next!". Well this little kid, like 5-8 years old is leaning on the table looking at Lou, and Lou quickly pushes him off the table saying "get off my posters". I next tried to get him for a show I was promoting, and mainly dealt with Carla his wife. Well she was nice, but had a laundry list of demands and fees. OK finally I go to a show called the "arnold Classic" and Lou is always there at a booth. Well one year I take my wife. She goes over by him and says " hey can I take my picture next to you". And he says "NO- you'll have to buy my book first". I understand these guys have to sell stuff, but to me he always came across as a jerk doing the minimal possible to get his quick buck from his fans. Arnold was the opposite by the way...Keep in mind a few years ago Lou assaulted a FEMALE COP for giving him a parking ticket. And ironically now LOU is a cop(reservist)
Lou angry!

[MouthForWar]

I've actually heard from many people that Lou is an "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!".

[Flame of Udin]

I saw Chris Crocker at SuperCon....thats just bad on it's own.

[kidnicky]

[Green Dragon]

[TheMaster]

[kidnicky]