Meeting Shatner at a convention: Suggestions? Expectations?

Have you guys met Shatner?

For as much as I love and have admired the man for my whole life, I'm trying to lower my expectations.

He's gotten so much adoration over the decades, that I'm just a flea in his world of meeting people everyday.

But for a few seconds, if everything pulls through with the con he's going to (and I'm attending), I'll get to meet him and hopefully exchange a few words.

But I'm lowerng my expectations because I don't want to be crushed if I catch him on a bad day because he's sick, moody, tired, or whatever.

So what's it like meeting Shatner? I know Photo Ops are basically 10-to-20 second, "Hi! :hoto taken:: Bye!" situations, but what about the table autographs? Do you get any quality 2-minute conversations, or is it super fast like the professional photo ops?

 

Only ask questions about "Barbary Coast".

 

Met him twice.

One- he did a one-day cameo on a MOW I worked on--he came into our lunchroom with a p.a. for a coffee. So, I got to see him in an onset environment without fans,cameras, interviewers, etc. He was talking NHL hockey and seemed friendly enough. He seemed kinda "old" tho, to be honest, in his speech and movement. He probably has his guard down in that environment, I figured.

The other--he was in a parade I participated in more recently. So, again, I saw him back before the parade route, he was in a car. He was cordial enough,but had more fannish attention.

I've never seen him in a convention atmosphere. I've personally always thought on some level he loves the attention but has a certain distain for trekkies.

Love the Shat and Captain Kirk tho, and it was cool to be with him in those situations

 

Rude, arrogant, and dismissive. Exceptionally so. Although he's supposed to have got a little better in the last few years, not that many recent encounters with him show this.

 

One stage he was fine. He doesn't quite answer question like you think he might. He's gotten to the point of telling long stories that might have something to do with the question. Though most of the questions were about him or acting rather than Star Trek. He's also gone rather self ware of his reputations. He was plugging a little bit his new album last year in the San Francisco Bay area, though admitted he didn't really sing. He become fairly comedic, but mostly in line with his long stories. Mostly of acting, but it could have been last month or when he still lived in Canada.

Not sure about the personal encounters. I didn't feel like spending that much money.

 

I saw The Shat in Niagara Falls, Ontario last year at their Comic-Con. Didn't get an autograph, but did the photo-op. It's a well oiled machine that gets you in and out in seconds. We said "Hello", and we we already done. The staff (and perhaps his handlers?) are the ones who keep this moving quickly. Just as well, as a lot of people were waiting in line. However, my brother's friend who also took a group photo with Shat told him "It's an honor" and Bill responded "No, the honor is mine" but I don't think there was any eye contact, and the tone was a bit... off. In his defense, he pretty much stayed frozen in "picture mode" , as his expression never changed from all the photos I saw on the pick-up table. I cant imagine the autograph sessions would allow for much more time for chat. A quick "hello" and a "thank-you" was all I wanted to say to him, and he seemed gracious enough.

Getting to hear him speak at his session was better. He talked about early Niagara Falls memories, talked about some old Canadian grocery-store chain commercials he did (that involved multiple takes of grilling steaks, which the whole production crew got to eat) , and really does know how to work a crowd.

Keep your expectations low, and you might be pleased.

 

I only met him in the photo op line in 2010, but he was nice. They were rushing us through the line, but when I got up to him I said "Hey" and he said something similar right back. We posed for the pictures, then I thanked him and left. I was pleased with the experience, brief as it was. My avatar is that photo op.

 

He looks in better spirits in your photo! And nope, not sharing mine!

 

Earlier this year, I've had two of the more "modern photo ops" you find at conventions these days: one was with the cast of Karate Kid (Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, and Martin Kove) and one with Elvira Mistress of the Dark. Yeah, both lines were FAST to get the line moving quickly, so it is literally a "Hi! And bye!" situation in terms of how fast it is.

I was just wondering what I might expect in terms of attitude. Of course, if he's pleasant and polite, I'll be fine, but if he's having a bad day, I kinda want to be prepared.

I'm about to meet Nichelle Nichols, Robin Curtis and Walter Koenig today!!!!!! So I hope it will be great. I actually selected a photo op for all three of them at the same time, which I think will be cool!

But I'm getting ready for Shatner in October, who has been an idol of mine since as far back as I can remember and I know his reputation well, but I wanted to get indicators from people who have met him and be prepared if he's "off" on the day I meet him if all goes as planned.

 

Nice convention today.

We all took pictures for Walter Koenig, who continues to be a sweet guy. Just like when I first met him 20 years ago. Quiet, but approachable and all smiles.

Nichelle Nichols was another sweetheart. Signing sme beautiful signatures, friendly, gregarious, funny, and just a darling. I just wanted to kiss her on both cheeks. Lovely lady.

Robin Curtis was another class act. So friendly, made me feel totally comfortable, filled with anecdotes and stories. Just a joy.

Also met:

Marina Sirtis

Billy Dee Wiliams: Real laid back, classy and engaged with his fans.

Peter Mayhew (He was quiet when I got his autograph, but when I went in for my photo op, he perked up, and said, "He's back!" with a grin. Very nice.

Eric Roberts (Cool guy)

Linda Blair (who I had a HUGE crush on when I was 16 right around when I first saw Exoricst II) She was also very talkative and funny and seemed impressed that I've seen some of her more obscure films (like I said, I was a big fan back in the day.)

 

Never met him so don't have experience to go on but reading above, I'd say try to knock him off balance - say something that might shock him into pausing with you for a moment....

Tell him Takei sends his love. lol

 

Something like, "Hey... TJ Hooker." (real quickly; see if he reacts)

 

Tell him that these lights are blinking out of sequence, and wait for him to ask you to get them to blink IN sequence.

 

He was one of the first guests I met from Trek at a proper large signing event. He was sat next to Ethan Philips. Hate to say this, but both of them were behaving like Satan's minions. Received a mouthful from him for asking if he could write "Course heading, Captain?" on a photo he'd just signed for me. Dave Scott, who ran the now long deceased Slanted Fedora was there, and I asked him if Koenig was always like that. He told me Koenig could be. . .difficult.

Met Koenig a few years later and he was much improved. Still never got my photo quote.

 

I think the thing to remember is that, honestly, for these people a convention isn't a party, it's work. And that work requires them to be "on" for hours at a time. So cut them some slack, be appropriate and appreciative, and when you tell them something or ask them something, be clear and concise. Above all, don't be "that guy".

 

Agree with eyeresist, they're there doing a job. Autographs, photo ops, entertain on stage, back to autographs. It's a lot of work.
When i got my TOS Enterprise toy signed by Shatner, his handler asked me what I had to be signed, i showed him, then he handed it to Shatner. After he signed it, I complimented him on the interviews he does.
These people meet millions of fans, a quick compliment and thankyou is what I recommend.

 

I pretty much know that it's a quick "hi and bye" type deal. I just wanted feedback on his overall demeanor.

I consider myself a sociable but restrained fan. For example, I met Billy Dee Williams said hi, and asked him about the "Superman" shirt he wore in Nighthawks, and he answered my question politely for a couple of minutes as he signed my autograph and we said good bye. Short, polite, eye contact, and I moved on, feeling sastisfied that I made some contact with his this guy who helped bring a lot of enjoyment with his work.

Sometimes, depending on the artist, the conversation goes longer but I leave that to the artist, which is a joy, but I already know that won't be the case with Shatner who will have people lining up in DROVES to meet him and won't have time for a lot of small talk at the autograph line.

So to recap:

1) I already know the photo op is a quick "hi and bye". You go in, say hi, SMILE!, nice meeting you. All in about 15 seconds.

2) I'm curious about the demeanor and level of interaction at the table. Can you ask questions, does he shake hands, can you have him autograph more than item if you pay for it?

 

I only met Shatner once, at a book signing. We waited in line for about an hour, and when we got to the table he signed the book. No custom signature, just his name. He barely looked up at me and refused to look up for a photo.

As it was my only personal encounter with the man, I have no frame of reference as to whether this is how he always is with fans or if he was just having an off day.

 

When I "met" him, he didn't even acknowledge that I was standing there. He just sat there looking down at the table signing whatever was put in front of him by his entourage.

 

It was a stark contrast to the individual encounters I'd had previously, meeting Takei, Nichols, and Koenig, Burton, Mulgrew, Sirtis, Frakes and Dorn.