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

[Jersey13]

Once upon a time, Creation let fans take all the photos they wanted. THen, they became rather draconian and banned photos and videos. At the same time, they were taking videos to sell. Gawd, they were the worst videos ever made. I don't think they sold many once word got out. Part of prohibiting videos is that Creation wants to make more money (see above) and part may be that the actors might go "no, no, no videos in case I make a fool of myself" (never mind that someone can sit in teh audience and text to the world what is going on nowadays).

...

Most have day jobs, investments, something to keep the rent money coming in (which is why we groan when we see Paul McGillion devoured by a CGI Nessie in a SCiFi flick, but hey, gotta pay the bills).

Exactly! I remember seeing the video that someone with more money than me (I was a poor high-schooler) had bought, and it was all grainy and dark, and you couldn't see hardly ANYTHING.

LOL, and you have a point there... I don't think most of the guests, even at the hella expensive creation cons, get hardly any of the money the cons make at all, and some none at all. They are provided their room, transportation, food, etc., of course, but if they get paid anything, it's usually a pittance. It sometimes seems like such a waste of money when you consider a good number of people paid $369 for their tickets. All I can really say is, thank goodness for the few fan-run cons that remain!

[Arctic Goddess]

This actually raises a good point.

The gap between the higher end camera phones and the lower end digital cameras is getting smaller and smaller all the time.

In fact, there's times I get better results with my camera phone than I do with my proper digital camera.

Then of course there's the fact that most camera phones are also video capable.

How are cons legislating for this, if at all?

That would also apply to digital cameras that are video capable. From my own experience, the con security watch for people using video either from phones or digital cameras. They get one warning and are then escorted off the premises.

Exactly! I remember seeing the video that someone with more money than me (I was a poor high-schooler) had bought, and it was all grainy and dark, and you couldn't see hardly ANYTHING.

LOL, and you have a point there... I don't think most of the guests, even at the hella expensive creation cons, get hardly any of the money the cons make at all, and some none at all. They are provided their room, transportation, food, etc., of course, but if they get paid anything, it's usually a pittance. It sometimes seems like such a waste of money when you consider a good number of people paid $369 for their tickets. All I can really say is, thank goodness for the few fan-run cons that remain!

Actually, the guests do okay at cons. They make between $2000 and $10,000 per appearance based on how popular they are and how good a negotiator their con agent is. Some of them also negotiate a cut of how many photos they autograph as part of their fee. As for expenses like food, lodging and air fare, as far as I know, that is paid for by the celeb out of their fee.

[~Sarah~]

That would also apply to digital cameras that are video capable. From my own experience, the con security watch for people using video either from phones or digital cameras. They get one warning and are then escorted off the premises.



Actually, the guests do okay at cons. They make between $2000 and $10,000 per appearance based on how popular they are and how good a negotiator their con agent is. Some of them also negotiate a cut of how many photos they autograph as part of their fee. As for expenses like food, lodging and air fare, as far as I know, that is paid for by the celeb out of their fee.

So rather, if you get away with a little bit of videoing don't brag that you did...
If it's for your own personal use, keep it that way... don't put it on youtube or any other thing like that...
And if you get caught and ruin it for others, take it like an adult....
That's not too harsh is it?

[discodiva]

Yes yes, please don't. ANd also please don't make those awful cat-call sounds.

Ah yes.....I had something rather like that in my ear one night in Vancouver....



Deeds xx

[Chelle DB]

Actually, the guests do okay at cons. They make between $2000 and $10,000 per appearance based on how popular they are and how good a negotiator their con agent is. Some of them also negotiate a cut of how many photos they autograph as part of their fee. As for expenses like food, lodging and air fare, as far as I know, that is paid for by the celeb out of their fee.

I was under the impression that the con organizers pay for the airfare and the lodgings of the guests when they travel...not so sure about food expenses though...and I know that the event organizers do a lot to keep the guests very happy.
I think the way it works with the pics and autographs is the guest gets a percentage of the earnings...I'm not 100% sure but...that was my impression of it all.

Cat- call sounds?

Yeah....what the heck is a cat call???

[BlueJello]

Please don't think that I am defending people who break the rules by taking take photographs or videos when it's against the rules, but perhaps most people that do so don't care because they are under the impression that convention staff only bother to put rules like that in place because they want to make a few extra bucks by making videos and pictures exclusively available only by convention DVD sales. I haven't really had a whole lot of experience as an actual staffer even though I have volunteered on numerous occasion, so I can't really say if I believe it or not, so perhaps you can tell me. Is this true most of the time, or is there usually more to it than that?

It doesn't matter what people's interpretation of the rules are or whether they "think" the company is making extra money, if a company says no pictures or videotaping, that's what it is. If was your choice to go to a particular convention, so you do have to abide by their rules.

[BlueJello]

I
Yeah....what the heck is a cat call???

I want to know what a call call is too.

[Jersey13]

You ever see on TV when construction workers whistle and make forward comments at a nicely-dressed woman passing by on her way to go to work? I think that is cat-calling.

I assume they are referring to someone who whistles VERY loudly to cheer and get attention...

[discodiva]

You ever see on TV when construction workers whistle and make forward comments at a nicely-dressed woman passing by on her way to go to work? I think that is cat-calling.

I assume they are referring to someone who whistles VERY loudly to cheer and get attention...

I think you're right.....but I SERIOUSLY had someone making noises like a cat when I was in Vancouver!!!!!......


Deeds xx

[Chelle DB]

You ever see on TV when construction workers whistle and make forward comments at a nicely-dressed woman passing by on her way to go to work? I think that is cat-calling.
I assume they are referring to someone who whistles VERY loudly to cheer and get attention...

Ahhh...a wolf whistle!! I don't mind wolf whistles per se...but I guess you should be considerate as to not do it to the point of becoming annoying!

I think you're right.....but I SERIOUSLY had someone making noises like a cat when I was in Vancouver!!
Deeds xx

Well that is bizarre...so were they purring or meowing???...coz that's just really weird!

[discodiva]

Well that is bizarre...so were they purring or meowing???...coz that's just really weird!

Meowing.....and it was strange to say the least....


Ah well....takes all sorts, as they say.....


Deeds xx

[Arctic Goddess]

I was under the impression that the con organizers pay for the airfare and the lodgings of the guests when they travel...not so sure about food expenses though...and I know that the event organizers do a lot to keep the guests very happy.
I think the way it works with the pics and autographs is the guest gets a percentage of the earnings...I'm not 100% sure but...that was my impression of it all.

You are right! I don't know where my head was when I answered that. After talking to a certain celeb the details are, yes, they keep their fee for appearance and do get the other add ons, the lodging, food, and air fare. And I do know that a certain other celeb gets income from his autographed pictures. The $2000 - $10,000 per convention is correct though.

It doesn't matter what people's interpretation of the rules are or whether they "think" the company is making extra money, if a company says no pictures or videotaping, that's what it is. If was your choice to go to a particular convention, so you do have to abide by their rules.

Agreed. And the con organizers have to have rules in place to:

• Try to make all attendees experiences pleasant
• Maintain agreements with the celebrities.
• Try to make enough money to keep their company affloat

[Skydiver]

a lot of ties with the photos, it's not that you CAN'T take photos after the first 5 minutes, it's that you need to turn your flash off.

be 10 rows back with your flash off and no one but those next to you will know you've even taken a photo.

the 'no flash' rule isn't always to 'suck money' (although, yes some cons specialize in sucking the dollars out of your wallet), but it's to make things easier on the guests and to curtail the endless 'standing up to take a shot' folks that ruin it for those behind them

[Skydiver]

This actually raises a good point.

The gap between the higher end camera phones and the lower end digital cameras is getting smaller and smaller all the time.

In fact, there's times I get better results with my camera phone than I do with my proper digital camera.

Then of course there's the fact that most camera phones are also video capable.

How are cons legislating for this, if at all?

some cons are banning all phones in the room. Or you can have them but they must be turned off.

and it's not only a photo/video issue. some phones, like blackberries, frak up sound systems royally. the sound of them downloading messages will interfere with the PA. I've seen and heard it happen.

So rather, if you get away with a little bit of videoing don't brag that you did...

yes, the dumbest thing in the world to do is to do something that's against the rules, then brag to the world that you did it.

Cons can and do have 'black lists'. Usually reserved for the most misbehaving and rule breaking fans out there. Ones that have made threats of violence, or that have assaulted or violated the privacy of the actors. Basically fans that have crossed the line from 'fan' to 'stalker' or 'threat'

It's not a far stretch to wonder if those that pirate video and break those rules couldn't end up on those lists.

I was under the impression that the con organizers pay for the airfare and the lodgings of the guests when they travel...not so sure about food expenses though...and I know that the event organizers do a lot to keep the guests very happy.
I think the way it works with the pics and autographs is the guest gets a percentage of the earnings...I'm not 100% sure but...that was my impression of it all.

Yeah....what the heck is a cat call???

I think it varies from actor to actor. Some just get paid thier fee, others get comped air fare and food while they're at the con, some sell thier photos, others include the cost of signing an auto in thier booking fee.

There's no set rule.

some actors have issues such as 'my room must be this and i must have this brand of water and this brand of shampoo'

others are 'i'll show up, just pay me this amount for showing up and i keep all the proceeds from my autographs'

[~Sarah~]

Sky I agree with what you said about the flashes....
And anyone who doesn't think that those flashes get to the point that they hurt your eyes, enter the costume contest and just tell me how you feel after the 'picture time'.... And you're only onstage for a few minutes... think of what it would be like to be up there the entire panel time...

I have to say though, the no picture taking thing depends on the setting...
If it's in the rules, then they must be abided by... however, if you're in the middle of say the bar, and the celeb choses to come out and chill with everyone, then it's to a point fair game...
I say that under the circumstances of that before said celeb coming into the bar, pictures were being taken of new and old con buddies...
There was a circumstance that one of my friends was asked not to directly take pictures (I hope I'm remembering this correctly, if not then appologies) of the actor... but we were taking a few respectfully as we were also taking pictures of each other sitting around the table...