Brian seems to hit Glasgow normally on his UK tours.
Yeah, I have seen him in concert, but wouldnt dare encroach on the man after a gig.
What to expect when meeting Shatner?
- Thread starter BlueMetroid
- Start date
Yeah, I have seen him in concert, but wouldnt dare encroach on the man after a gig.
Strange that all three were seen taking in a gig at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut last week then. Who even knew that they knew each other ?
If only bro, if only
"Expect the worst, but hope for the best" is how I would sum it up. TheSubCommander has provided a very good summary how conventions proceed nowadays (and is one of the reasons why I don't visit those any longer).
I still remember those glorious convention days from the early 1990's in Hamburg (northern Germany). TNG wasn't that popular (= expensive) yet and the convention organizers just had the budget to afford one actor. But the good part of it was that you could really talk to and interact with the actor. John deLancie was cool (I mentioned that) and with Alexander Siddig I talked about his role as King Feisal in this "Lawrence of Arabia" program he participated.
Of course, with the increasing size of convention visitors, you'll get more actors but inevitably there is no longer enough time for individual interaction with the big stars. If you were able to really talk to the actor, you'd also have to expect somebody in the crowd yelling "You're holding up the line!"
Bob
I still remember those glorious convention days from the early 1990's in Hamburg (northern Germany). TNG wasn't that popular (= expensive) yet and the convention organizers just had the budget to afford one actor. But the good part of it was that you could really talk to and interact with the actor. John deLancie was cool (I mentioned that) and with Alexander Siddig I talked about his role as King Feisal in this "Lawrence of Arabia" program he participated.
Of course, with the increasing size of convention visitors, you'll get more actors but inevitably there is no longer enough time for individual interaction with the big stars. If you were able to really talk to the actor, you'd also have to expect somebody in the crowd yelling "You're holding up the line!"
Bob
When I saw him this is how it went down as well. I've been to a lot of cons and though Shatner was the most notable for this quirk (?) it's not uncommon for actors to not really register what was asked or to latch onto one word or an era referenced in the question and go off on a ramble in reply.
I think in the case of some of the older ones who have been doing this for decades there is literally nothing you can say to them that hasn't been said a thousand times before.
But for godsake, do NOT ask the question I hear at every con I go to.. "what advice would you give to someone who wants to get into acting?" Guess what no one paid for their ticket so they could hear you ask this
And yeah Shatner is known to be rude sometimes in photos, doesn't like to be touched at all (which is his prerogative). I really didn't care about any of this, Captain Kirk IS Star Trek and I was very very pleased to see Shatner. He's not getting any younger, enjoy seeing him while he still does these things
I kind of think there is a problem with the idea that it is better to get to talk to the "big names". Who cares about Shatner?! I mean, I like Captain Kirk a lot, but Shatner has a poor attitude toward fans (even if it has improved - or at least his publicist has told him it would be a good idea if it "improved" - in the last few years), his convention stories are predictable, and he takes two questions from the audience and then answers with whatever he was already prepared to talk about like a politician.
At Dragon*Con 2011, the line to get Shatner's autograph was wrapped all the way around an Atlanta city block. In the rain. While other people waited in that, my family and I got a picture with and my daughter got a hug from Colin Ferguson (Sheriff Carter from Eureka), an autograph from Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), spoke briefly with James Marsters (Spike), and hung out for quite a while with Lou Ferrigno (the Incredible Hulk, poor guy's line was non-existent) while a friend was in one of the other lines in the autograph room, and still had time to eat before getting to another panel. WIN, I say.
At Dragon*Con 2011, the line to get Shatner's autograph was wrapped all the way around an Atlanta city block. In the rain. While other people waited in that, my family and I got a picture with and my daughter got a hug from Colin Ferguson (Sheriff Carter from Eureka), an autograph from Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), spoke briefly with James Marsters (Spike), and hung out for quite a while with Lou Ferrigno (the Incredible Hulk, poor guy's line was non-existent) while a friend was in one of the other lines in the autograph room, and still had time to eat before getting to another panel. WIN, I say.
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But Shatner is old. He is going to die soon.
I dunno that I've been around them "a lot" but I have bumped into a few over the years.
I think the only pix I've had taken with any of them were with Grace Lee, when I took her to lunch a couple of years ago, and I'm in a pic with the very tall Dennis Muren at a Jurassic Park 20th Anniversary screening last summer.
Ernest Borgnine was at that con. I had the choice between seeing his panel (that for some reason focused on Mermaid Man over everything else he had ever played) and a DS9 panel. We went to the DS9 panel. Borgnine died the year after. Do I regret not getting to see him? A little. Do I think I made the wrong choice? Not a chance.
When my daughter is my age, the number of people for whom it would mean something that she met Shatner will be dwindling, but having met and gotten an autograph from Draco Malfoy will be a nice little conversation point for her contemporaries throughout her life. And I have a feeling that Colin Ferguson hasn't peaked yet, either, so that may be a bigger deal than we know, later, too.
Nobody makes anyone attend conventions and pay $80 for an autograph or photo.
Sure it would be nice if Shatner just said "Hello" but if you want more interaction for your money just see someone else.
And not all actors are millionaires. If they make a bit of money signing autographs at a convention then good on them.
Sure it would be nice if Shatner just said "Hello" but if you want more interaction for your money just see someone else.
And not all actors are millionaires. If they make a bit of money signing autographs at a convention then good on them.
Agreed Comishsleer!
Personally, I don't care much for autographs or photo ops, anyway, so it I can take them or leave them. I have a number of autographs of "almost famous" musicians, and sports guys from when I was younger, most of which have since been thrown out or lost, and it doesn't bother me in the least. An autograph is just a piece of paper that when you show someone, they only half believe it's the real deal anyway. And like I said, with photoshop, photo op pics don't mean dick, either.
And I wasn't really complaining about the convention so much as I was just giving a realistic account of the experience I had...which was underwhelming. The "Want" of going is definitely greater than actually having been, at least it was for me. Really, I mainly did it to satisfy my curiosity and bought the ticket on an impulse, not out of a burning desire to meet Shatner, or more properly in my case, be in the same lecture hall as Shatner.
I am not saying I was ripped off because I got exactly what I paid for....I just probably didn't realize what I was getting, until I got it, hence the feeling of, eh, maybe "deflation?" Not sure if that makes sense. Some people have grandiose ideas about what conventions are like, and might think it is going to be some life altering event when you meet some TV hero of yours.
I am just here to say at least in my case, it wasn't all that, and to say to people who haven't been to one to lower their expectations a few notches, especially if they are an uber fan of a particular star attending a convention they are going to see, specifically (Especially if it's Shatner).
That said, there are some "Star Trek Actors of Lesser Renown" that are probably super cool and super nice. I've heard good things about Ethan Phillips or Armin Shimmerman, about how they are just genuinely nice guys, and you know, even if they didn't play my favorite character, if I met one of them and got their autograph, just because they are nice dudes, it would mean a hell of a lot more to me than the autograph assembly line product a Shatner signature would be.
Personally, I don't care much for autographs or photo ops, anyway, so it I can take them or leave them. I have a number of autographs of "almost famous" musicians, and sports guys from when I was younger, most of which have since been thrown out or lost, and it doesn't bother me in the least. An autograph is just a piece of paper that when you show someone, they only half believe it's the real deal anyway. And like I said, with photoshop, photo op pics don't mean dick, either.
And I wasn't really complaining about the convention so much as I was just giving a realistic account of the experience I had...which was underwhelming. The "Want" of going is definitely greater than actually having been, at least it was for me. Really, I mainly did it to satisfy my curiosity and bought the ticket on an impulse, not out of a burning desire to meet Shatner, or more properly in my case, be in the same lecture hall as Shatner.
I am not saying I was ripped off because I got exactly what I paid for....I just probably didn't realize what I was getting, until I got it, hence the feeling of, eh, maybe "deflation?" Not sure if that makes sense. Some people have grandiose ideas about what conventions are like, and might think it is going to be some life altering event when you meet some TV hero of yours.
I am just here to say at least in my case, it wasn't all that, and to say to people who haven't been to one to lower their expectations a few notches, especially if they are an uber fan of a particular star attending a convention they are going to see, specifically (Especially if it's Shatner).
I don't mind about the fact the actors make money on autographs at all. For some of them, that is what helps them get by, and I say more power to them. My commentary was more aimed at the whole way the convention was structured. Oh and the fact Shatner just droned on about horses. Yeesh.
You know, I am not sure I even wanted interaction. I mean really, unless you know the celebrity personally, meeting them is the same thing as talking to a stranger, because that's what they really are.
That said, there are some "Star Trek Actors of Lesser Renown" that are probably super cool and super nice. I've heard good things about Ethan Phillips or Armin Shimmerman, about how they are just genuinely nice guys, and you know, even if they didn't play my favorite character, if I met one of them and got their autograph, just because they are nice dudes, it would mean a hell of a lot more to me than the autograph assembly line product a Shatner signature would be.
Some years ago, the actor Dave Prowse showed up at a comic book store in Melbourne FL to sign autographs, and I took my young son there. The place was full of little kids, and all wanted a signed photo of Darth Vader, of course.
When my son got to talk to him, he said "My dad told me that you were the scariest Frankenstein monster ever!" "Oh!" said Prowse, "the Hammer Film!" And I had to 'fess up to having told the kid all about Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell.
He certainly took more interest in that than in most of the tried-and-true Star Wars conversation.
So, if you have a favorite Shatner performance that few may remember, tell him about it.
I met Shatner in 2010, our photo op is my avatar. He was pretty nice. In the line I heard talk he doesn't look at the fans or acknowledge them, so when I got up to him I was wondering what would happen. I was pleasantly surprised though when he looked me in the eyes and said "hi" right before we had the photo taken. Not the most meaningful interaction, but considering what I'd heard, I'm happy with it and am glad I had the chance to briefly meet him.
Well party people, I'm back with my report from the Con! For those of you who are interested, anyway
The meeting took place yesterday morning around 11 am. The Shat got a big cheer when he arrived at the line, and seemed to be in a great mood. As we got closer to the front, we noticed that he was all smiles and quite talkative with the fans. No handshakes, though, but we expected that.
My mother and I were absolutely petrified, but up we went. The Shat got a kick out of seeing my lifesize carboard Kirk cutout, and made the autograph out to "Spencer and Sheryl". I told him that he portrayed my childhood hero and favorite character of all-time. He gave me a friendly "well thank you!", which, of course, made my year.
My mother (the woman who has been a fan for almost 50 years) showed him the picture of her father (that our family always said looked like him) and he took it from her. He studied it for a moment, and he said "You're right! Wow!" and seemed tickled. My mother said "but of course, we always thought you were more handsome", to which he chuckled and said "thank you very much".
We both graciously thanked him for his time and let him know what an honor it was to meet him, and he gave us both a big "thank you so much for coming, have a great day" and seemed genuine!
Later one, for the photo op, he seemed to remember us and said "well, welcome back!" and mom and I got a fantastic picture with him. We both thanked him for his time and told him to have a great day. We didn't say much to him at this time since the photo op was so hurried, and we had pretty much said all we wanted to earlier.
Overall the meetings went PERFECTLY, and he was everything I thought he wouldn't be. I couldn't have asked for anything more!
My thanks to all of you for your thoughts, advice, and for reading along on my Shat journey! Below are pics of my autograph and the picture, for anyone who would like to see them!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/Bluemetroid/shat_zps8ca1fd63.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/Bluemetroid/shatograph_zps54bcc22c.jpg
The meeting took place yesterday morning around 11 am. The Shat got a big cheer when he arrived at the line, and seemed to be in a great mood. As we got closer to the front, we noticed that he was all smiles and quite talkative with the fans. No handshakes, though, but we expected that.
My mother and I were absolutely petrified, but up we went. The Shat got a kick out of seeing my lifesize carboard Kirk cutout, and made the autograph out to "Spencer and Sheryl". I told him that he portrayed my childhood hero and favorite character of all-time. He gave me a friendly "well thank you!", which, of course, made my year.
My mother (the woman who has been a fan for almost 50 years) showed him the picture of her father (that our family always said looked like him) and he took it from her. He studied it for a moment, and he said "You're right! Wow!" and seemed tickled. My mother said "but of course, we always thought you were more handsome", to which he chuckled and said "thank you very much".
We both graciously thanked him for his time and let him know what an honor it was to meet him, and he gave us both a big "thank you so much for coming, have a great day" and seemed genuine!
Later one, for the photo op, he seemed to remember us and said "well, welcome back!" and mom and I got a fantastic picture with him. We both thanked him for his time and told him to have a great day. We didn't say much to him at this time since the photo op was so hurried, and we had pretty much said all we wanted to earlier.
Overall the meetings went PERFECTLY, and he was everything I thought he wouldn't be. I couldn't have asked for anything more!
My thanks to all of you for your thoughts, advice, and for reading along on my Shat journey!
Below are pics of my autograph and the picture, for anyone who would like to see them! http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/Bluemetroid/shat_zps8ca1fd63.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/Bluemetroid/shatograph_zps54bcc22c.jpg
BlueMetroid - Congratulations on a wonderful meeting!!
That's great, so glad you met him and it was a wonderful experience for both of you!
Glad you had an enjoyable experience
I attended a convention in Providence, Rhode Island about 20+ years ago, and James Doohan was the featured guest. I didn't get to meet him or talk to him, and in fact I only got to listen to him speak for a few minutes before I had to leave, but I'm glad that I did get to see him in person, however brief that it was.
Life is so very short, you should do what makes you happy while you have the opportunity, because once it is gone, it is gone forever.
Life is so very short, you should do what makes you happy while you have the opportunity, because once it is gone, it is gone forever.
I haven't been to a ST convention in like 18 years.
But do concur that the old days were the best, before they started to nickel-and-dime, or I suppose more correctly, hundred you to death.
I remember one in 1986 with George Takei. He liked to go running in the morning, and if you wanted to join him in a run, all you had to do was meet him outside the hotel at a predetermined time.
But do concur that the old days were the best, before they started to nickel-and-dime, or I suppose more correctly, hundred you to death.
I remember one in 1986 with George Takei. He liked to go running in the morning, and if you wanted to join him in a run, all you had to do was meet him outside the hotel at a predetermined time.
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