Convention Etiquette: Discussion and Advice on Do's and Don'ts

[Kett1701]

Is it the fan's responsibility to report talent that have gotten, shall we say, a little more friendly with certain fans, then they should?

I would way that it depends on the situation. If you're at the bar during the convention and the guest is an adult and the person with them is an adult, then it's none of anyone's business. If they have a significant other or spouse somewhere, that's still not your business.

When the guest is on the convention floor, there would normally be someone from the convention committee in the area. So, more than likely they are already aware of anything happening there and it would be their perogative to do something about the situation or to leave it alone.

The one time that I would suggest stepping in -- would be if the behavior was dangerous or illegal. For instance, you spot an adult guest with someone that is underage.
The best thing to do is to bring it to the attention of either the person that's in charge of the convention, or in charge of the guests -- whichever is easier to locate at the time.
I actually have been the person in charge of the convention and also the guests, so I know what I would want done.

Many years ago, I brought my little brother with me to the convention. He was about nine or ten years old. My mother warned me to be on the lookout for men that might be paying a "little" too much attention to him. That wound up not happening....but I was suprised by what happened instead.
The Con Escort for a male Dr. Who guest approached me to tell me that she was uncomfortable with the attention that was being paid to my little brother....not by the actor....but by his girlfriend! She had been buying him Godzilla stuff in the Dealers' Room and paying a lot of attention to him -- and it just didn't feel right. I was really grateful that she followed her instinct because I was able to intercede and get him away from that woman. So, nothing bad happened to him. Better safe than sorry!

[Jersey13]

I totally sympathize, Kett. It can't be easy to handle all the complaints one must get on occasion at the larger cons. I have no idea what kind of complaints a con-runner might commonly have on the guests, though. I suppose it would be unprofessional of con management to tell their paying customers about guests' bad attitudes and unfriendliness in general, but where do you draw the line? Do you have rules for guests to prevent things like drunkenness and rude behavior towards fans, or perhaps you simply decide not to ever invite them back for another con? I wonder if there is a black-list of actors that aren't invited to cons because of bad behavior?

[Kett1701]

I totally sympathize, Kett. It can't be easy to handle all the complaints one must get on occasion at the larger cons. I have no idea what kind of complaints a con-runner might commonly have on the guests, though. I suppose it would be unprofessional of con management to tell their paying customers about guests' bad attitudes and unfriendliness in general, but where do you draw the line? Do you have rules for guests to prevent things like drunkenness and rude behavior towards fans, or perhaps you simply decide not to ever invite them back for another con? I wonder if there is a black-list of actors that aren't invited to cons because of bad behavior?

Like any industry, the SciFi convention industry is really a small world. If there's an actor that is "trouble", the word will get out to those that are in positions to decide who does and who does not get invited.
Yes, I have known of actors that were unofficially blacklisted due to bad behavior. More often than not, it's been someone with a drinking problem that was starting to interfere with their ability to do their job. Also, actors with reputations for canceling out of conventions frequently find that all of a sudden they're not being invited anymore.
It would be unprofessional for the promoter to discuss these details with the fans (though I have known of one that was notorious for not keeping his mouth shut.) I have found that the best way to handle it is to not include that particular actor on the invite list for the future.
One thing that I do is to go to other conventions and just sit back and watch how the actor interacts with the fans. If someone is a grump and looks like "I can't believe it's come down to this..." attitude, I don't want them! I want the fan-friendly guest that leaves the fans feeling good about their experience.
I don't even mind the actors that love to hang out at the bar! Some of the best times at conventions can be found when you have a lively actor having a good time unwinding with the fans! That's not trouble, that's fun!

Kett

[SG7]

Ok.....So I along with many others will be going to Gatecon this summer where I will meet RDA along with a few other Actors/Actresses. My question would be what would be the best way to meet them?......I have a VIP ticket so will be getting a photo taken with RDA along with being able to get some autographs......Is there a particular way to go about meeting the guests? I would want to know that I have respected their space and what not when I am meeting them and such.....Or do I leave it up to them to take the initiative?

[BruTak]

Dunno about GateCon, but maybe - repeat maybe - I might be going to Wolf SG-14 Minus One in November.

[Kett1701]

Ok.....So I along with many others will be going to Gatecon this summer where I will meet RDA along with a few other Actors/Actresses. My question would be what would be the best way to meet them?......I have a VIP ticket so will be getting a photo taken with RDA along with being able to get some autographs......Is there a particular way to go about meeting the guests? I would want to know that I have respected their space and what not when I am meeting them and such.....Or do I leave it up to them to take the initiative?

I won't be at Gatecon, but I heard reports about RDA from those that were at Avalon last year. What I would do in his case is to be even more respectful than usual to only taking the time that the Gatecon folks allow. You will meet him when you get your photo taken and your autograph. Remember, everyone there wants to meet him and there just isn't time for everyone to get their full five minutes.
As for others, it's totally up to the actor. Some actors love to hang out at tables, or in the lobby, or in the bar...and have fun with the fans.
Some actors prefer to just appear at their official times and then go to their room (or in this case - back home) to take a break.
My advice? See what develops and then judge the situation. If the actor welcomes spending extra time with the fans, you'll know it. If not, respect their wishes and just be happy that you saw them at the Q&A and autograph lines.

[Arctic Goddess]

I won't be at Gatecon, but I heard reports about RDA from those that were at Avalon last year. What I would do in his case is to be even more respectful than usual to only taking the time that the Gatecon folks allow. You will meet him when you get your photo taken and your autograph. Remember, everyone there wants to meet him and there just isn't time for everyone to get their full five minutes.
As for others, it's totally up to the actor. Some actors love to hang out at tables, or in the lobby, or in the bar...and have fun with the fans.
Some actors prefer to just appear at their official times and then go to their room (or in this case - back home) to take a break.
My advice? See what develops and then judge the situation. If the actor welcomes spending extra time with the fans, you'll know it. If not, respect their wishes and just be happy that you saw them at the Q&A and autograph lines.

Absolutely. Cliff Simon loves hanging out with the fans and will lurk in the hallways during other actor's Q&A's so he can chat with the fans. He also makes you feel like the most important person in the world when you talk to him. He is such a charmer.

One thing I wanted to raise as a question is about actors that do very well with the fans, but don't particularly get along with the Convention Company. One company in particular, here in N.America, has a reputation for being all about the money. When they have messed up and annoyed actors, some times that information gets out. I'm wondering if an actor causes harm to himself or herself and may not get invited back, even if they are popular with the fans, by telling the con organizers that they are not happy about something. Example: The actor asks for extra security due to some outside issues to the con. Con organizer refuses and the actor gets upset, and tells off con organizer. Con organizer does not invite the actor back. What do you think about this?

[Kett1701]

One thing I wanted to raise as a question is about actors that do very well with the fans, but don't particularly get along with the Convention Company. One company in particular, here in N.America, has a reputation for being all about the money. When they have messed up and annoyed actors, some times that information gets out. I'm wondering if an actor causes harm to himself or herself and may not get invited back, even if they are popular with the fans, by telling the con organizers that they are not happy about something. Example: The actor asks for extra security due to some outside issues to the con. Con organizer refuses and the actor gets upset, and tells off con organizer. Con organizer does not invite the actor back. What do you think about this?

That really depends upon the circumstances and how much money the accomodation would require. I know that there was an actress that had experienced a serious stalker problem. So, paid professional security was part of her appearance demands (totally understandable). The problem is that smaller, fan-run cons may not have enough money in the budget for that. It's no one's fault, that's just the way that it is.
That type of thing is part of the negotiation process. I have walked away from negotiations on a number of occasions because I just didn't have enough money. I don't hold that against anyone - I just take out the list and pick someone else.
As for bad-mouthing one convention company while at another convention.....that's probably not the wisest thing for an actor to do. However, the ones that I've seen do it had already decided that they never again wanted to appear at an event run by that particular company.

[Matt G]

Alas! The only time I've ever worn a kilt was when I was Best Man at my brother's wedding.

I've got a nice suit though. See?

Suit makes you look like a gangster mate!

That or Suggs!

[SG7]

I won't be at Gatecon, but I heard reports about RDA from those that were at Avalon last year. What I would do in his case is to be even more respectful than usual to only taking the time that the Gatecon folks allow. You will meet him when you get your photo taken and your autograph. Remember, everyone there wants to meet him and there just isn't time for everyone to get their full five minutes.
As for others, it's totally up to the actor. Some actors love to hang out at tables, or in the lobby, or in the bar...and have fun with the fans.
Some actors prefer to just appear at their official times and then go to their room (or in this case - back home) to take a break.
My advice? See what develops and then judge the situation. If the actor welcomes spending extra time with the fans, you'll know it. If not, respect their wishes and just be happy that you saw them at the Q&A and autograph lines.

I guess what I'm thinking is that they are there and meeting all kinds of different individuals and of course I will just be another one of those people going through "the assembly line" if you will and perhaps it may be worse for them as we already kinda know them from the show(s) that they are/have been in yet they will have had no clue who we are except that they know that we have come to meet them.....After all they are just like me and everyone else except that they have way cooler jobs.....

I'd just be curious as to the best way to go about the things like the photo ops, autograph sessions etc.....

[Skydiver]

as to rick, my i mpressions from avalon

don't rush up to him. don't yell or scream or faint or anything like that

he's a very shy man. and very private. he was literally overwhelmed at avalon and really had no idea that so many people would want to see him

with rick, take it slow, take it easy. ask permission and accept if he says no.

my gut instinct? unless he's feeling overwhelmed, he'll be pretty accomodating, just give him a chance to be

but also, don't be surprised if he's a bit hard to get to. it's not him being standoffish. it'll be his handlers trying to protect him while being aware that he's a private man who's just not used to being surrounded by fen

[suse]

Oh but you're a wicked tease.

<<toes curl>> I can hear the accent! <<swoon>>

suse

[Chelle DB]

The SPN incident was at a con I was at. Jensen Ackles hadn't made his first on-stage appearance yet, but had just emerged from the lift to come into the hall. A girl, maybe 19 or early 20s, ran at him, wrapped all four limbs around him, was peeled off him by a minder, and fought her way free of the minder to launch another attempt on Jensen. He ran back to the lift, and when he came into the hall ten minutes later he looked well freaked.

The girl got kicked out, and her poor sister must have had a rotten time the rest of the weekend. Jensen rallied, and seemed at ease by the next day, but he was certainly more reserved than the average con-guest throughout, and if he got a bad impression of cons and/or England as a result, who'd blame the poor chap.

The only ettiquette for con-goers who are present at this sort of ghastly affair is to give the guest all the space you can. In the photo-session, let them take the lead vis-a-vis how close to stand, at the autograph session don't offer your hand if your appreciation can be said in brief words, and absolutely no flirting in the Q&A.

Oh! Well then I obviously made a huge blunder when I met Rachel, David Nykl and Tony Amendola coz that's the first thing i did when I met them in the photo op...I shook their hand...which they kindly returned the gesture...also did the same with...well pretty much all the folks I've met...Don S Davis, Carmen Argenziano, Connor Trinneer and Joe Flanigan...and Alan Tudyk...and few others...but that's just me...I say hi and shake the hand...I don't mean to be in their face or anything...but then I did the get the impression that they didn't mind...and the cons i go to are quite small and intimate...actually the cons I go to are awesome...I have been able to sit and chat face to face with the guests about anything....from the wine we are drinking to our pets and spouses...without being intrusive...and you'd be surprised how easy it was!!!

[BruTak]

<<toes curl>> I can hear the accent! <<swoon>>

suse

Ahhh, the ol' Scots burr... Gets 'em every time...

[Chelle DB]

Ok.....So I along with many others will be going to Gatecon this summer where I will meet RDA along with a few other Actors/Actresses. My question would be what would be the best way to meet them?......I have a VIP ticket so will be getting a photo taken with RDA along with being able to get some autographs......Is there a particular way to go about meeting the guests? I would want to know that I have respected their space and what not when I am meeting them and such.....Or do I leave it up to them to take the initiative?

Talk quick while you're having your photo taken...be relaxed and thank them when the camera flashes....when I was having my photo done with Joe Flanigan it had to be rushed because he had already been taking photos for along time and needed to get to the autograph line so I was kinda thrown into the little spot where we were having the pictures taken and I did my usual...:Hi Joe, how are you...do you mind if I stand on your right side...it's my good side!!"...and we kinda had like 20 seconds of chat...now that might sound rushed but time 20 seconds...you'd be surprised what you can say...and by asking to be on his right side coz it was my "good side"...it lightened the mood...for both of us!...so a little sense of humor goes a long way!!