JCC What are conventions for scifi shows and movies like?

My sister wants me to go to a convention for Stargate. I have never been to one,so I would like to know what they are like.

 

Orgies and guest lectures.

 

You know that line at the end of "Thriller" about "the funk of 40,000 years"? They're referring to convention smell.

 

I think I've heard about that.

 

Long lines for everything.

 

My only motivation for going is to see this certain actor. Are the actors who sign autographs nice or have you met ones who are terrible? I would be so crushed if he turns out to be horrible.

 

Stop oppressing us with deodorant. Men's rights!

 

I did not relize Stargate was a big enough deal to warrant a convention focused on it. It is like that a general con but perhaps featuring Stargate?

 

I've been going to conventions in the Dallas area for ten years, and never noticed any foul smells. I guess that might happen if you cram 20,000 people into a building meant for 5,000, but that's hasn't happened to me yet.

No, just the autograph lines for rarer guests. I've seen Chris Lloyd's line at two different cons, and it was crazy; he'll be here again next month for the 13th annual Dallas Comic Con.

Most of those I've met were very nice and patient; the only exceptions (so far) being Billy Dee Williams and Robert Picardo. Mr. Williams was very quiet when I met him in 2004, mostly looking down and barely saying a word to anyone. Mr. Picardo started out nice, but when my paint-pen autograph was accidentally ruined, he refused to replace it, just sloppily trying to re-do the same 8x10. That ticked me off, and he hasn't been back to Dallas since. If he ever does return, I hope he's in a much better mood.

 

In my experience, your experience is very atypical.

 

One of my favorite celebrity guests at a convention was John Wesley Shipp, from the 1990 TV show based on The Flash. We spoke for probably ten minutes, during a quiet spot in his line, and he took this great pic with me.



What made it even better was a few minutes later, though. I left the line when it started filling back up, and made my way toward the exit door (all the celebs were in the same room). Halfway to that point, I remembered I'd forgotten to pay for the 8x10 (most celebs charge for their signatures now, but not all). I got back in line, waited a few more minutes, and politely told Mr. Shipp about the situation. He seemed skeptical at first, but ultimately accepted the money, then said one last thing to me: "A lot of folks in your position would've walked out that door, but you didn't. I respect you for that." That one moment shot him to the top of my mental "celebrity list", and I tell the story whenever I can. Here's the shot he signed those years ago...

 

It is just for Stargate. Stargate had three shows, Sg-1,Universe and Alantis. I would think it would be relatively popular since SG-1 ran for ten seasons and had two movies not including the original.

 

Most of those I've met were very nice and patient; the only exceptions (so far) being Billy Dee Williams and Robert Picardo. Mr. Williams was very quiet when I met him in 2004, mostly looking down and barely saying a word to anyone. Mr. Picardo started out nice, but when my paint-pen autograph was accidentally ruined, he refused to replace it, just sloppily trying to re-do the same 8x10. That ticked me off, and he hasn't been back to Dallas since. If he ever does return, I hope he's in a much better mood.[/quote]

Okay,thank you so much.

 

ive never been to one. people have tried to get me to go to one, but ive never followed through. the whole situation seems pretty psychotic and i fear attending one might lead to the onset of some sort of disassociative state

i could see wanting to ask questions of authors and creators i like who dont have a ton of media exposure/interviews out there, but i think if i ever got that curious i could just send them an email with my questions/thoughts

 

In my experience, celebs don't generally answer emails; at least, not the more well-known ones. I did get a response from Muse Watson though, when I was still into horror many years ago.

 

With the exception of Billy Dee Williams I have never heard of any of these celebs. I guess I need to watch more TV.

 

Do a lot of people wear costumes?

 

If you wish to feel like a celebrity for a day, wear a good costume. People will stop you frequently to get a pic of and with you.

 

Most are pretty approachable. Yet, like everyone else they have off days. And really the experience varies depending on who's there. The set up is likely similar but it's more the fans that concerned me. Some get pretty strange and forward with the people they are there to see. A fair number wear costumes, yes. Most others where a t-shirt in support of whatever they like that's featured at the con in my experience. I wore one of my Trek shirts.

 

I haven;t dressed up for a show yet myself, but I've seen others wear many different outfits over the years. "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" characters are very common choices, plus superheroes like Batman or Superman. I've seen a few different Darth Vaders in my time; one even had the breathing sound recorded from the film, timed to play every few seconds out of his suit's chestpiece. At my last con, I saw three red Power Rangers, a green one, one Captain America, and a few Mortal Kombat characters.

 

Also, lots of conventions have discussion panels with various guests; here's the 2013 "Back to the Future" panel from Dallas...