Meeting Shatner at a convention: Suggestions? Expectations?

[Admiral Bear]

Burton's very quiet and introverted. Met him once but there wasn't really much of a greeting experience there.

Met Dorn twice. The first time he was fine, although busy so there wasn't much chat, but got a "hi and bye" and he acknowledged that I was there. Since then, he's been universally grumpy as hell with just about everyone ASFAIK. Sits at the table fiddling with his phone, doesn't talk, doesn't acknowledge you. . .nada. Tim Russ has apparently adopted the same behaviour over the last few years. Some very poor stories about him came out from Star Trek London the other year.

Met Sirtis twice. Always chatty and up for a talk about football, especially the travails of Spurs who I think she still follows pretty religiously in the US.

 

[Starborn Dragon]

Just remember, he knows all the security codes to the Lucasfilm ranch.

 

[Jetboogieman]

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?

He'll probably be fine but it's a good call to lower expectations.

I got free tickets once to Fan-Con in Toronto and met Michael Dorn... I was damned excited.

He was in a bad mood, even after I complimented him from a professional manner (I was an actor at the time) for his fine job on bringing Worf to life. I shook his hand and he just seemed to resent that in particular a lot too.

However I got to meet Barry Jenner (admiral Ross), Chase Masterson (Leeta), Armin Shimmerman, Gwynyth Walsh and Barbara March (Duras Sisters) and they were all absolutely lovely.

 

[spinnerlys]

Since I never went to any convention of any kind, only if orgies count, does one have a website where experiences about such Star Trek conventions are exchanged?

 

[Jetboogieman]

Since I never went to any convention of any kind, only if orgies count

 

[Frontier]

As some others have said, when you're getting an autograph, it'll be as quick and business like as possible. He won't even look up at you, most likely. Don't even bother trying to shake hands or ask a question. He's not into it and you won't get much response. If you're lucky, you'll get a short smile. If he's in a great mood, you might get a "Hi" or a "thanks" in reply to you saying "Nice to meet you" or some such.

I've no issues with Bill. He is who he is. He's not a bad guy. He's just not a touchy-feely, super-friendly type. He's there for a job and does it. He won't sneer at you and hiss or what not, lol. But he's not going to go over the top, either.

Remember also they're people; they have bad days and bad moods, and the guy 3 minutes before you might have said something that pissed him off and he hasn't gotten it out of his head yet.

I've met almost everyone from the first four casts, and I've met many of them two or three times, and I can tell you: they're people and they change from time to time.

When I first met Rene Auberjonois, it was the month DS9 went off the air and he was personable, friendly, happy and smiling. A year or two later I met him again, this was the summer he was in "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and a young Heath Ledger - and he was aloof, distant, and had a real heir of "I'm too good for this" about him. The convention we where at was in Philly the same weekend as that years Republican National Convention, and our hotel had to be evacuated because the governor of Illinois sent his delegation alarm clocks and, safer than sorry, they cleared everyone in case someone actually made a bomb with a ticking clock. Well, Robbie McNeill and Armin Shimmerman spent the entire time out in the hot sun taking pictures with us all and being real good hosts, going above and beyond what they where contractually obligated to do in order to make the time pass quicker. Meanwhile, Rene stood off in a corner surrounded by a half-dozen people to keep the fans at bay. It was one of the most "celebrity" displays I've ever seen, especially considering the circumstances.

I tell you this not to blast Rene; but to point out they're people who have moods and egos and you never know where it'll be when you meet them.

I had a friend ask Nichelle Nichols to inscribe "Hailing Frequencies Open" on a photo for me, and she complied with a quip about being lucky she'd had her coffee that morning. Years earlier, I met a fellow who had a horror story about her - he had a cast photo signed by everyone including Gene Roddenberry and just needed her to sign it, but it was the one with her head obscured behind Nimoy. So she refused. The guy offered to write a check to the charity of her choice for $500 and she still refused. Now some might defend her action for some reason, but even if you ego is bruised enough to refuse initially, to keep refusing when offered a nice sum to a charity of your picking? That's putting your ego for something so trivial ahead of something for a good cause.

What to expect from Shatner? Not much. You're not meeting Jim Kirk. You're meeting an actor whose done these things 10,000 times - and an actor with a reputation for being "iffy" at best. Don't expect much of anything, I'm afraid.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Major conventions these days are HUGE events. Expect to wait in a LONG line to see Shatner (or any other A-list personality). Expect to encounter handlers who are there to keep the line moving. In most cases expect NOT to be allowed to take or have someone take candid shots. SOME actors still allow this -- but ask staff first to avoid embarrassment.
IF you get to exchange a few words --the key word is FEW. Whatever the personality might prefer -- expect the handler(s) to encourage you on your way as soon as the autograph is signed or the photo is taken.
As to Shatner in particular -- I splurged at the Dallas Con and got both a photo-op and an autograph. Both encounters were extremely brief. Mostly - HI -- thank you.
I found him short and to the point -- but not in any way rude or curt.
Having been a fan since his Twilight Zone days I do not regret the wait or the expense.

 

[Steve67]

As much a fan as I am of the Trek cast, I cringe at the thought of meeting them under such businesslike (though clearly necessary) and possibly brusque circumstances; but then I'm a real wuss that way.

I was at the same Con as EnriqueH was and seeing Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols brought a smile to my face. They didn't have a huge crowd waiting to see them but $40.00 for an autograph is just too rich for my blood. I don't expect a "deep, meaningful" chat or anything with them or any of my other cinematic/TV or comic book heroes, but it just feels to me like an empty experience being rushed through a line merely for an autograph.

By contrast, the five minutes or so I spent chatting about their work with some comic book creators was for me, a tremendous experience and not rushed at all.

Which begs the question: was there ever a time when attending a Trek Con as casual or relatively intimate by comparison to the meet-and-greet mill today?

 

[Jetboogieman]

As much a fan as I am of the Trek cast, I cringe at the thought of meeting them under such businesslike (though clearly necessary) and possibly brusque circumstances; but then I'm a real wuss that way.

I was at the same Con as EnriqueH was and seeing Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols brought a smile to my face. They didn't have a huge crowd waiting to see them but $40.00 for an autograph is just too rich for my blood. I don't expect a "deep, meaningful" chat or anything with them or any of my other cinematic/TV or comic book heroes, but it just feels to me like an empty experience being rushed through a line merely for an autograph.

By contrast, the five minutes or so I spent chatting about their work with some comic book creators was for me, a tremendous experience and not rushed at all.

Which begs the question: was there ever a time when attending a Trek Con as casual or relatively intimate by comparison to the meet-and-greet mill today?

Well if you watch Trekkies it wouldn't appear so.

After all when they did the first convention in New York they only expected a few people and it was so full and crowded that it became dangerous... I imagine PERHAPS at smaller towns and venues back in the day maybe there was a little bit less of the Hamster Wheel but I think it's always been that way to a certain extent

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

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.

I've seen Shatner in person on more than one occasion, a few conventions (the first one right after TVH came out), etc. Two moments stand out.

First, I got up close and personal, so to speak, at a book signing at Books, Inc in Los Angeles. It was when his last autobiography came out some six or so years ago. He personalized his signature with my name atop. He as quite warm and friendly with everyone, even signing stuff that wasn't his book.

Shatner personally read my name off the post-it, asking me how I was and thanking me for coming out before he signed the book.

The second was at San Diego Comic Con back in the 1990s. He was promoting the Tek War comics, published by Marvel at the time. It was also during the period of conventions where he rarely did convention signings and long before they started to charge for such things.

However, a young newlywed couple asked him during the Q&A if he'd sign something for them on occasion they just got married. Shatner talked briefly about why he doesn't do signings, saying he couldn't believe someone would actually want his scrawl as a memento. Which afterward he told the newlywed couple that he'd break his rule because he wanted to give them a wedding gift to remember — and signed a photo for them. Then, he joked with the crowd that would only work once per appearance!

I have a friend who worked with Shatner once and came away hating the man. So I know he's not always an easy person to get along with. However, all my brief interactions with him have been pleasant, especially that book signing.

 

[Steve67]

...does one have a website where experiences about such Star Trek conventions are exchanged?

I'm be surprised if there isn't. Anyone know?

 

[Starborn Dragon]

Does he have a website that can sell Jeri Ryan's underwear?

 

[eyeresist]

...does one have a website where experiences about such Star Trek conventions are exchanged?

I'm be surprised if there isn't. Anyone know?

Maybe start a general conventions thread here and see if the mods will sticky it?

 

[drt]

Which begs the question: was there ever a time when attending a Trek Con as casual or relatively intimate by comparison to the meet-and-greet mill today?

The mid-to-late 80s was a pretty good time, they tended to be much smaller affairs.

For instance, I went to one con in 1986, where if you wanted to go jogging with George Takai, you just had to meet him in front of the hotel at 6:30am.

The Creation cons of this time were also good, there was one about every three weeks in the greater SF Bay Area, and there were only one or two guests (usually from TNG before it got super popular), which usually resulted in an attendance of maybe a few hundred at most (the big three of Kirk/Spock/McCoy would draw a couple of thousand). Autographs were free, and you usually got a nice interaction with the guest (the only exceptions were De Kelly and Patrick Stewart, who didn't have time to personalize photos - in those days Nimoy and Shatner didn't sign at all). If you happened to ask the right question sometimes you'd get a very good experience. My buddy who is a pilot managed to get Michael Dorn talking to us about planes for a good two or three minutes. I also happened to have a nice chat with John DeLancie outside a con location once, although he was mostly annoyed about what an asshole Rene A was, lol.

Now it seems like they're just autograph mills, so I no longer bother going.

 

[T'Bonz]

Does he have a website that can sell Jeri Ryan's underwear?

Do you have the desire to be drop-kicked off of the BBS?

A woman runs this place. Do NOT post shit like this again or I'll personally escort you out.

 

[EnriqueH]

Ok, I finally met my lifelong idol: Shatner.

I was nervous as hell, but he was all smiles and nice. I took a photo with him alone and another with my folks, and he was funny and a joy to be around.

My dad compared watches with him.

I noticed that he likes spontaneous, natural conversation, not so much Trek related or work related stuff. He talked a good moment with some folks from overseas about where they were from. He spoke to my dad about his watch.

Loved him. I was so overcome by my experience that I just had to share.

Wonderful experience.

 

[Elder Knight]

Charming story!

If I got a chance to talk to him, I think I'd bring up some non-Trek thing he did and tell him why I liked it.

Somehow, I don't think that anybody who is still working wants to be told that something they did forty years ago is still their best work. And he gets to hear about how great Kirk is every day.

 

[EnriqueH]

You know, my dad pulled off the conversation thing better because I was overwhelmed. I was just enjoying being close to the two of them. I did ask him if there's any chance about a Trek V director's cut, but he said, "No."

Like I said, he seemed a lot more interested in learning something about you and having more of a natural conversation, than answering questions. Just a suggestion if you're going to one of his conventions.

I noticed also that "starstruck" people didn't get as much interaction for the simple fact that they weren't saying much. Shatner is still being nice, but starstruck people have an awkward silence about them that just naturally makes the interaction short.

When he signed my autograph, he smiled, was pleasant but I didn't say anything substantial because the circuit-breakers in my head were on overdrive. He's my lifelong idol. My dad said hello, and introduced me and he was polite, but there was no interaction. Shatner started to say, "Nice meeting you guys..." pause, as if waiting for us to say something, but when I didn't. "He started to say, 'Ok, here you.' in a very polite, affable way to get us to move on, but then my dad started speaking to him and they got into the "watch" conversation and our interaction naturally got longer, simply because my dad was engaging in natural conversation. Shatner even asked about my name "Enrique" and where it was from.

So that's my tip: engage in natural conversation; engage him like a human being. Be interested in him as a person, not his job. (Make sense?)

Some perspective: The convention had a lot of guest cancellations, so attendance wasn't up to par as I understand despite being a Wizard convention. Dean Cain, Lou Ferrigno, Adrian Paul (Highlander), Sean Astin (Goonies, LOTR), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), and others were there.

Even though I think Shatner had the biggest lines, I'm sure the lines weren't up to the usual for him, so it could be that he felt he had a little more time to interact than if he had been at a convention where the lines were "around the block" and might've felt more pressure to get through the lines quicker. Even so, you'll only get like a couple of minutes with him (there are other people behind you in line).

It might also help to lower your expectations. I made a conscious effort to say to myself, "He's human. The man is 84 years old. He could be tired, sick, jet-lagged, a book deal might've fallen through, etc." So that I wouldn't be crushed if he was having an off day. Thankfully, it was the complete opposite.

He was also funny, and witty during the photo ops.

The man was a class act from start to finish. Totally funny, polite, charming, and every bit of the guy we love. Totally exceeded my expectations.

 

[eyeresist]

^ Glad to hear you had such a positive encounter with Sir Bill (in my head he has a knighthood). A good thing your dad was there to do the talking! Sad to hear about TFF, but I guess it's good to get the news from the horse's mouth.

 

[YJAGG]

met him at a photo-op w/ the wife and son and nephew a few years ago, he was wonderful to all of us, I quickly asked him a question, about a Shakespeare coach I worked with years ago, he took a moment and answered it. I will say we were up front on the line and they had over 430 photos to take ( I thought that was funny number to throw out).

But he was really nice.