Wizard World Comic Con, New Orleans, Jan 8-10 2016

[Craig Walker]

Anthony Mackie added to the lineup

 

[DVDVampire]

Was SLCC bad? I never heard much about how it was with Chris Evans - were people rushed really badly, etc etc?

Unless you were proposing to your significant other (which I thought was b-llsh-t), then yes you were rushed during photo-ops. Delays/Changes in the schedule really screwed things up and certain ops starting running to together. For instance, when Evans did his Saturday panel, he had to be rushed out to get to his photo-op (which he was late for) and then it was a domino effect after that, especially if you have various autographs/photo-ops on the same day.

Autographs for everyone was pretty much an assembly line. You get your 2-3 secs and then GTFO....and the celebs weren't always on-time.

 

[Craig Walker]

Autographs for everyone was pretty much an assembly line. You get your 2-3 secs and then GTFO....and the celebs weren't always on-time.

Guessing they have to do that for the numbers of people getting them. What's the better choice: Rushed or no autograph?

That would go over well, right?

Also, I've never been to one. Are VIP tickets and general admin tickets for autographs handled in the same line/same way?

 

[Lumos]

Guessing they have to do that for the numbers of people getting them. What's the better choice: Rushed or no autograph?

That would go over well, right?

Also, I've never been to one. Are VIP tickets and general admin tickets for autographs handled in the same line/same way?

Basically, yes. You get to skip general attendees and go to the front (or rather, end) of the VIP line, but you don't get any other special treatment. Actually, I had a VIP for an actor last year at Wizard - was one of the first 20 people in line on Sunday - and they told us he wasn't personalizing autographs. Huge bummer for me, but okay, fine. I found out they changed that later for the GENERAL ATTENDEES, no less.

I was so mad I think I was able to briefly shoot lasers out of my eyes.

Understand that the VIP experience isn't really VIP in any way, save for getting in a little early and different lines (that are still 20 miles long) for autos and ops. Unfortunately VIP is sometimes necessary for certain guests, even though the value of said VIP status is very questionable. They're usually oversold in any case, so expect long waits.

People should never expect a 5-minute chat with a super popular celeb at any con, but man, they need to start giving folks at least 8 seconds or so. It's crazy what you get in return for your money sometimes... For me personally, I'm considering not doing anymore. It's kinda like a kick in the teeth.

 

[Craig Walker]

Basically, yes. You get to skip general attendees and go to the front (or rather, end) of the VIP line, but you don't get any other special treatment. Actually, I had a VIP for an actor last year at Wizard - was one of the first 20 people in line on Sunday - and they told us he wasn't personalizing autographs. Huge bummer for me, but okay, fine. I found out they changed that later for the GENERAL ATTENDEES, no less.

Well that sucks.

I'm guessing all the "problems" are because they don't know exactly what #s they are dealing with. They'd rather rush you than have some people not get theirs, then the *really* have problems. Yikes.

Btw, the "pre-signed" photos are for Silver VIP crew. Gold and Platinum get them in person. Not sure if that's the case with other CCs.

 

[DVDVampire]

Well that sucks.

I'm guessing all the "problems" are because they don't know exactly what #s they are dealing with. They'd rather rush you than have some people not get theirs, then the *really* have problems. Yikes.

Btw, the "pre-signed" photos are for Silver VIP crew. Gold and Platinum get them in person. Not sure if that's the case with other CCs.

They know exactly how many numbers they're dealing with based on the online purchases. Hell, I'm sure they even over sell each celebrity, that's what SLCC did.

For Salt Lake, the Evens Autographs/photo-ops were sold-out prior to the show, then all of a sudden they opened up singles again and then various team ups. Hell, I remember attending Friday just for Sebastian Stans sig and then I see they were setting up the Evans booth for autographs who was only announced for a Friday Photo-op teamup with Bucky and Saturday for Autographs/photo-ops.

 

[Craig Walker]

Yeah, they just added the various team up things. Evans Renner. Evans Renner Mackie. Renner Mackie and Guy who was an extra. Etc

 

[Lumos]

DVDVampire is right. Wizard isn't a newcomer to the con scene. They know exactly what they're dealing with, and they run their cons like an assembly line because they care more about money than the fan experience. Obviously the majority of cons are pretty concerned with profits, but Wizard is...well, Wizard. Year after year after year they happily oversell tickets and attendees complain and yell and threaten. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Keep in mind that you may have a GREAT time. I hate sounding like a Debbie Downer. But these are all things I wish I had known before my first Wizard con.

The sad thing is, as much as I want to love cons, the greedy nature of the overall experience with guests (spend $90 to stand in front of a celebrity for 3 seconds and MAYBE they'll even have time to make eye contact with you!!!*) is quickly destroying them for me.

*Eye contact not guaranteed

 

[Craig Walker]

Thanks all.

So, I'm thinking I'd like to get all sigs on one item, and was thinking the movie poster. But I don't want to go with the CE/RDJ face off, because RDJ won't be there [as of now].

This one is an "official poster" too correct?

I think if I brought a silver paint marker, it would show up nicely. What do you think?

 

[Craig Walker]

(couldn't find a bigger jpeg, sorry )

 

[Craig Walker]

11 days until I get rushed through pics and sigs. WooHoo!!

 

[DVDVampire]

Thanks all.

So, I'm thinking I'd like to get all sigs on one item, and was thinking the movie poster. But I don't want to go with the CE/RDJ face off, because RDJ won't be there [as of now].

This one is an "official poster" too correct?

I think if I brought a silver paint marker, it would show up nicely. What do you think?

The celebs usually have a variety of markers. I know Mackie had a few when he signed my shield.

 

[Craig Walker]

Cool, thanks. I just ordered that print. I think it's my favorite out of the 3 they've released.

 

[SlickVic38]

I'll be right there with you in the platinum Chris Evans group! Driving up from Orlando for this with a friend. If you need help with anything let me know! I always bring my own markers because I don't trust the markers they have. Here's a vid of Evans signing at SLCC, not that rushed. Wizard World may be differently run. Every con I go to the photo ops are rushed badly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lHW4hhtf4

 

[Lumos]

I'll be right there with you in the platinum Chris Evans group! Driving up from Orlando for this with a friend. If you need help with anything let me know! I always bring my own markers because I don't trust the markers they have. Here's a vid of Evans signing at SLCC, not that rushed. Wizard World may be differently run. Every con I go to the photo ops are rushed badly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lHW4hhtf4

I've heard SLCC is much better about autographs (maybe not photo ops, though - those are always rushed) than Wizard.

I'll be VERY curious to hear how Wizard handles Chris Evans and his inevitable, enormous crowd. Keep us posted!

 

[Craig Walker]

I'll be right there with you in the platinum Chris Evans group! Driving up from Orlando for this with a friend. If you need help with anything let me know! I always bring my own markers because I don't trust the markers they have.

Awesome

Yeah, I'm thinking a silver Sharpie

 

[SlickVic38]

Awesome

Yeah, I'm thinking a silver Sharpie

Silver sharpies are horrible. I always use deco broad tip paint pen when I need silver. Is the picture glossy or lustre?

 

[Craig Walker]

Ok I'll check in to that. It's a gloss poster.

I actually think I have same paint pens...

 

[Craig Walker]

So I notice there are a bunch of artists who will be there. Do they do sketches for you while you are there? [I know for a fee] I see several have "click here to pre-order sketch" which is an email link. The artist draws it beforehand? What's the scoop on all this if you know? Thanks

 

[SlickVic38]

I've only gotten a sketch done once. It was at SDCC. Dropped my books off Thursday and picked up Sunday.