Haz con experience, but Froggy noob
Jul. 6th, 2009 06:39 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
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OK, with Froggy's pre-sale going on now, and with Patrick Stewart's price being what it is, I broke down and purchased my first Froggy photo op. I am familiar with most aspects of the con, and *love* the Walk of Fame. However, what experience do you guys have (and can pass on to me) about Froggy? Is it like a cattle drive where you are herded in front of your chosen celeb and have 3 seconds before a photo is taken that looks like a driver's license? Do you have a sec to speak with your celeb? (And I am well aware that all the rules may fly out the window when it comes to PS. I just want some stories to let me know what to expect.) I assume a schedule is set up on-site as to when to expect the star? Any info would be appreciated. =)
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 06:13 am (UTC)Plus it's Patrick Stewart ... I've grown up watching him on TV and really respect him as a film and stage actor. The $200 is totally worth it, especially since a lowly commoner like me will probably never meet him ever again. :\
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 06:51 am (UTC)You just have to respect what other people value, without passing judgment on them. I have a digital camera ... I have photoshop ... I could easily photoshop myself into a photo with Patrick Stewart, but it's not the same thing.
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 11:45 am (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 12:42 pm (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-08 08:10 pm (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 04:50 pm (UTC)Again, you might think getting a quick digital photo at the Walk of Fame (which isn't guaranteed, because after that one hour, the actor is gone and you might be left waiting in line, especially if it's PS or LN), is equivalent to professional prints and negatives, but for some people it's not. Just let them do what they want to do with their money ... I work hard for this one vacation that I get once a year so I can afford to dole out cash for something like this.
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 07:56 pm (UTC)Also, I'm not saying that you don't work hard for your money -- what I am saying is that because I work hard for my money and because, well, it is my money, that I should be entitled to do whatever I want with it without someone telling me to spend it "with open eyes." How would you feel if I jumped in and told you shouldn't be going to Dragon*Con if you feel like the economy is placing a burden on your financial accounts? Probably pretty offended.
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 12:51 pm (UTC)I adore Patrick but that price is just too steep for me, and as a matter of principle, even if I could well afford it, I wouldn't. That's ridiculous that a man who has benefited from his fans all these years should charge such an outrageous price.
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 02:15 pm (UTC)As for pictures with celebs...it depends. I had one celeb practically drag me behind his table and hand my camera to his publicist to take our picture. I have had celebs ask for a small donation to their chairity (not themselves) for a digital picture and I had one ask for a small donation to a chairity (Red Cross) for a picture with him. I also had one absolutely refuse any digital pictures and I had one that agreed to a picture and signed a birthday card for a friend for $20. I even had one celeb sign something for nothing because of his "handler" pissing him off. etcetera...etcetera...
With each individual it has been different in my experience. I've been to DC a couple of times and at other conventions and never has any interaction with a guest been the same across the board.
(Ok, I have to add this since I typed so much anyway...I personally would not pay $200 for a pic op with Stewart but I would stand in line just to shake his hand and tell him I've enjoyed his work. And I HATE long lines.)
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 01:25 pm (UTC)Not saying anything about the cost of this...just honesty curious (I work in graphic arts and do digital photography on the side).
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 04:40 pm (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 05:50 pm (UTC)I haven't messed with the photos ever...however, if certain actors ever do show up, I probably would. :)
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-08 12:32 am (UTC)As for the digital files, they write down your e-mail and send it to you a few weeks later. There has been no photoshopping or editing. You get the picture as it came up in the camera. For most of other other guests, the fee for a digital copy was $10.
Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-08 12:34 am (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 02:20 pm (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 04:53 pm (UTC)Re: What?
Date: 2009-07-07 07:09 pm (UTC)no subject
For the most part (esp the popular guests with long lines), it's pretty rushed, but not SO rushed to where you can't have enough time to shake hands, say hi, and maybe a few more words. You can have a good bit of say in what kind of pose you want too, as long as it's nothing inappropriate.
A schedule IS set up at the con, but there was even one posted online about a week or so prior to the con for those who want to really plan things out (like me). One of my suggestions would be to get the people you REALLY want to be in a pic with on Friday and Saturday. In case something goes wrong, you can still have one day to make up for it.
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Date: 2009-07-07 04:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 04:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 12:57 pm (UTC)And you know those lines to get into panels? 99% of the time you can just walk in at the end! Imagine that.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 02:41 pm (UTC)Yeah, but you have to sit in the back.
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Date: 2009-07-07 02:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 02:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 03:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 03:10 pm (UTC)I have a decent camera but it doesn't do so well in low-lit conference halls so if I'm not in the first row, photos are out of the question anyway.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 02:59 pm (UTC)Not always. I've walked in at the end of a few lines and have managed to find a seat only a few rows back from the front of the stage. If you don't mind sitting by yourself, it's usually easier to find an empty chair.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 03:03 am (UTC)I do plan on getting a couple of the photo sessions but I will do it the first 2 days.
I did get my photo almost a month later but did get it.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 08:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 12:58 pm (UTC)I also look at it this way--I have paid for a photo and just a moment of his time. Now I have more time to stand in line for other people's autographs--like Leonard Nimoy. You *know* his line will be insane. Now if he gets on Froggy as well and also charges an arm and a leg, I think I'll cry.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 01:02 pm (UTC)My experience was as follows:
- Show up at a specific time for the star's photo shoot. Unfortunately, this time was utterly inconvenient, as it conflicted with other things I'd had previously planned. The problem was that there was no way to know the photo schedule until *after* arriving at the convention and checking with Froggy's directly. (I don't know if this is different at DragonCon.)
- Wait in a long line.
- Forced to leave valuables/bags *outside* the curtained area "due to space limitations" in the photo "room." Yes, there were Froggy employees there, but I still didn't like leaving my backpack outside in the "care" of somebody who was only interested in shuffling people into the photo area.
- VERY QUICK turn-around. We're talking *seconds* spent with the star. Get in on the heels of the guy in front of you, say "hi" to the star, pose for the photo, say "thanks" and leave as the next guy in line is breathing down your neck. (Frakes himself was very friendly and jovial.)
- Huge wait for print-outs of photos. Especially if a "bigger star" has been photographed first and you must wait for all/most of those to be printed first.
- You *still* have to wait in the autograph line and shell out the additional money to get the picture autographed. Frakes cost us a total of $70. Ouch.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 02:24 pm (UTC)As I noted above, but just to reiterate: photography will not be allowed in the Walk of Fame for guests who have scheduled photo shoots. Most others will allow them if you're quick and/or the lines are short.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 04:59 pm (UTC)Especially on the latter.
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Date: 2009-07-07 05:20 pm (UTC)On the other end a friend of mine bought the Froggy photo op with Hayden Panettiere and was sorely disappointed. He barely had time to say "hi" to her before they snapped the picture and ushered him out. He had such a bad experience that we asked for a refund on our scheduled pic with Alan Tudyk. So I think the Froggy experience is 50/50 from what it sounds like. It's all up to you and whether or not you think it's worth it. Personally, I'd do it for the bigger stars (if the price is reasonable) or for pictures with two stars.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-07 05:49 pm (UTC)Just understand that you're not paying for a meet & greet. You're paying for the photo plain and simple, good or bad.