The details on James' site leave out a couple key bits of info I hope are clarified soon.

Exactly where is "James' autograph line"? His assigned table in the Walk of Fame area or someplace else? The location for the Walk of Fame hasn't even been announced yet.

And what time does "Friday morning" refer to? I know registration opens at 8 AM, but the con itself doesn't appear to start until 11 AM (or 1 PM ~ I'm unsure)

Gah! This is my first Dragon*Con and I'm so confused about so many things.

At least the lucky few who get tickets to this won't miss the big doings on Friday night, namely the Dr. Horrible Sing-a-Long and the Buffy Horror Picture Show.

thundercat | August 13, 08:54 CET

Good luck to those who are going! If only I could afford to take off work, fly to Atlanta, attend Dragon*con and pay $150 on top of that for a ticket to the dinner.

timeerkat | August 13, 09:34 CET

Sometimes I wonder if the fares are the usual for the US conventions _here we don't have that kind of meetings, our conventions are pretty much fan based and kinda humble.

Some snobs around here say that's the way 2nd class actors get a life _and I'm NOT one of them. People got scared when 4 years ago Mr. Anthony Daniels hosted an autograph line at the SciFi Festival of Sitges, near Barcelona, 30 Euro each... and he was even noted at *serious* papers. I can't say if there was something wrong with it or not_I live in Madrid, because everyone wrote about the pay-for-sign thing, the first time in our country... They just went crazy. Well, you know what I mean.

So, I guess it's normal at the UK and the US, although the snob inside me doesn't get it completely ;)

Is it a way to keep flashes and creeps away? Does that mean that if I'd, I don't know, meet James at a conference room in a hotel, shouldn't cheer him as a foreign fan? _meaning could I be considered rude in any way?

[ edited by Small Blue Thing on 2008-08-13 16:09 ]

Small Blue Thing | August 13, 16:09 CET

Small Blue Thing -- I'm sure James would welcome any and all expressions of fandom. Sitting at your table and chatting with you will cost you, though. ;)

As much as I love James (well, specifically, Spike), I find this setup a little tacky and cheesy. It would have been much cooler if they just promised the acoustic performance and autographs, and then he surprised you by joining your table for a bit. A tad less "for the money I shall dance" to my mind. It would seem like he *wanted* to do it, and that would make it far more special, illusory though the difference may be.

Pandora Spox | August 13, 19:18 CET

I'm really not sure why I find this sort of thing distasteful. It doesn't bother me that people pay for tickets for conventions involving the right to stand in line for autographs or photos.After all, it costs time and effort to arrange these things, and the arrangers deserve to be compensated.

It certainly doesn't bother me when tickets are sold for a small venue concert; small venues are so much nicer than giant halls or arenas for most music. When dinner with a celebrity is auctioned for charity, I think that's cool too, and the more money bid, the better.

So why do I feel this is icky? I really don't know.

toast | August 13, 19:42 CET

Thundercat, it will be our first D*C, as well--and, I'm just as confused about autograph times/prices, etc.

I suppose the fact that the lovely Gareth David Lloyd will be joining him means you are getting twice the star power for one ticket. However...hmmm...I would feel better if the moola were going to charity? Maybe? I'm hoping that they've come up with this so that the fans *can* have a more personal experience with James (and Gareth), but, yah...something about it does make me cringe a bit.

Oh, well. I have not the money to even attempt this, so, I will just hope to see these boys in passing so I can do the fangirl thing from afar!

ctofine | August 13, 19:49 CET

Last year he had a private performance that I hear was great.

For the purchase of your con admission you get the chance to stand in line and have something you already own signed. If you want a signed headshot it costs anywhere from $20-50. If you want a picture with them, well, each guest is different. Some will allow informal pics and others only allow the professional shoot that costs $30-75. So, this concert and dinner is actually a good deal when you think about it. James was great last year at his autograph table. He talked easily with everyone and didn't rush people.

U.S. cons are not run the same way as European cons. We're capitalist, don't ya know.

thatweirdgirl | August 13, 20:17 CET

This is the first time I've ever been bummed to live in CA.

Personally, I don't think $150 is too expensive for such a crazy intimate opportunity.

I heart James Marsters so much for doing so many things like this for his fans. It seems to me this guy lives for his fans. <3333

buffylives | August 13, 21:20 CET

I went to the party last year, paid less than this but not considerably so (and probably about the same, if you count the separate concert) without dinner and Gareth. This has a lower number of attendees too, so will probably involve even more one on one time.

I don't find it icky. Elitist based on ability to pay? Maybe, but it keeps the numbers down. I paid much more than that for a Shatner/Nimoy q&a and autograph. They didn't feed me (didn't even talk to me).

James has stated this is how he's going to ensure his kids go to university. If people want to pay, more power to him.

redeem147 | August 13, 22:12 CET

Last year my friend went to the party but had a fairly bad time (other then meeting some great fans). She said that one or two girls basically monopolized James the whole time and hardly anybody else even got to talk to him other then a quick "Hi!". So basically they spent a lot of money for some yucky finger food and a glance at James (which you can do for less if you just stand in his autograph line, and for free if you just walk by the line a few dozen times like I've done in the past) If they are going to charge that much, the handlers need to insure that the out-of-control fan girls are not monopolizing his time. Hopefully they learned something from last year and this year will be better. The round-robin is a good idea but the obsessed fans will just follow him around unless they are strapped to their chairs and gagged :-)

QueenBee | August 13, 23:51 CET

thundercat, James' autograph line is in the Walk of Fame ... last year it was in the Marriott Marquis. The Con says they'll have the map up soon. So just keep checking the website.



iirc you pay for the autograph whether or not you own the item being signed. Of course, the artist can give the autograph away if he chooses, but most of them have a handler to collect the money before the item is signed and the artist doesn't have to deal with it. Last year James didn't allow informal pics to be taken at the desk ... he had a photoshoot set up for a different time. Since he's got the photoshoots set up again this year ($60 a pic I think), I'm pretty sure he's not allowing informal pics again. Of course, this is not to say that he won't make exceptions, but he is at the con to make money.

As far as the dinner and a show goes - it doesn't really seem icky to me, but I also don't think he's doing it just for the fans. This is part of his job, and he's been pretty up front about that. He's going to make $9,000 (less expenses) for the event so while I'm sure he'll have a nice time ... he is getting paid. (and more power to him)

resa | August 14, 02:22 CET

As far as the dinner and a show goes - it doesn't really seem icky to me, but I also don't think he's doing it just for the fans. This is part of his job, and he's been pretty up front about that. He's going to make $9,000 (less expenses) for the event so while I'm sure he'll have a nice time ... he is getting paid. (and more power to him)

I agree. Fans forget that actors are in essence, small business people. In this case, James is giving fans what they've asked for. Acting is an uncertain profession at the best of times, and with a possible strike coming up, he's smart to do things like this, not only to keep his name out there but to make a bit of money while he can.

Ruadh | August 14, 14:16 CET