Convention Advice

[Starkers]

Hi I hope this is the right forum for this question, if not sure the mods will relocate it.

I’m going to the Destination Star Trek convention in Birmingham in October and, given my con experience is fairly limited, I was hoping to get some advice re which guests might be worth trying to see (and who to avoid!) I went to the London Comic Con back in July and had a disappointing photo experience with Famke Janssen (second favourite Bond girl) as did 99% of people who’d paid for the privilege and I thought this time I’d try and do some research first.

I’ve heard conflicting things over Shatner, that he can be very good or very standoffish, but I think I have to go for having my photo taken with him, he’s Captain Kirk after all! Other than him I’m likely to try and have a photo and/or autograph with Alex Siddig given I was always a huge Bashir fan, and the notion of having a picture with Robert O’Reilly in full Gowron makeup on the bridge of a Klingon ship appeals as I have a suspicion he might be really good fun.

Beyond this I don’t know (money’s a factor obviously) so any advice would be appreciated, in particular whether it’s best to go for a photo op or an autograph with certain people (going back to the London experience I got Michelle Gomez’s autograph and with I’d had a photo with her as she was a hoot, and I should have got Famke’s autograph as I suspect it would have been a slightly better experience)

Thanks

 

[Starkers]

I've just noticed there's a thread for the Destination Star Trek con. I should have posted this there. Mods if you want to close this I'll copy and paste my ? there if it's easier.

 

[Admiral Bear]

Shatner is supposed to have mellowed in recent years. You'll get no interaction with him at the photoshoot as the who process is a cattle market. He just sits there a la Famke with the same fixed glazed smile on his face while the punters stand next to him, one after the other. You may get more out of him in the autograph queue, but he signs like a robot, and SM autograph queues are worse than cattle markets. Both Avery Brooks and Scott Bakula had very public issues with the way things were being handled at the first DSTL in 2012.

A lot of the photos themselves are poor for both framing and actual quality of print. Shitemasters use amateurs to take the photos, and most of them can't set up a professional photography stage and rig to save their lives. I suggest you have a hunt around on Google for some of the TNG cast photos from the second DSTL a couple of years back that illustrate how these goons think you should set up a £250 photo op. They've also never used the NEC, so the lighting in there will be new to them, and they'll be no professional set up. If you have a bad quality photo taken, don't put up with it. Complain immediately and get a retake. I've seen £60 Shatner photo ops taken by SM clowns with white flashes all over them because they've not set the lighting up right, and the fans didn't complain.

Alexander Siddig. Met him a few times many years ago. Top bloke. Very personable.

Never met Bob O on his own without JG. They usually come as a pair when they're very good company. The make up isn't likely to be good. It's strictly fan level costuming and makeup. The Klingon Bridge op may be worth it for you, but personally I wouldn't.

Expect nothing from the event itself. I urge you to read the reviews, particularly of the first event which was an utter disgrace. There was nothing to do for free once you paid £30 to get in, people didn't get what they'd paid for, refunds were refused, and legal action ensued. The second event was little better.

There have been no guest announcements of any note for the last 5 months, and no information from Shitemasters for this Birmingham event. The fans have been complaining for months, and it's now starting to get nasty.

There but for the Grace of God go I.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I should have posted this there. Mods if you want to close this I'll copy and paste my ? there if it's easier.

Since even the reply seems to be in the other thread in its entirety, closing as requested.