Haz con experience, but Froggy noob

[gavet97.livejournal.com]

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.  =)

Comments

Re: What?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

You get digitals of the photos, which is where the cost comes in. A significant part of it is also framed prints, but the digitals are pricey, for good reason.

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?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

No, no ... you're not getting what I'm saying. I have a digital camera, but to get to meet Patrick Stewart, shake his hand when he's not being bombarded by other fans, and getting a professional photo with him -- to some people it's worth it, to others its not. It also gives me a chance to express how appreciative I am of his work and how much of an impact he's had on my life, as well as my family's life. We grew up on Star Trek ... we bonded through Star Trek.

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?

[faeriedancer.livejournal.com]

No, a lot of the celebs will not allow you to take a picture of them while they are sitting at their walk of fame table, especially the bigger ones. Or they charge you just for snapping the pic anyways, and most of the big celebs with long lines will not pose for a pic with you at their walk of fame table. Many of them require you to schedule the froggy photos to get a picture. I hate it, and think it's crap, but it's true. I think it's because it just makes everything take longer, makes the line longer, and gets everything all backed up. So no, you could not get the same experience, with photographic evidence, without spending money.

Re: What?

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

They've gotten a little less fan-friendly as of late :-\

Re: What?

[boonav.livejournal.com]

Last year they started not allowing photos to be taken at the autograph tables as much BECAUSE of the Froggy professional photo ops. I agree that it sucks, but that seems to be the direction that is being taken. There are still a few that don't mind a photo op at their table, but sadly they are getting far and few between. Any star that has a picture of a camera and a slash through it at their auto table wasn't allowing photos with the fans at their tables. I, for one, am right there with ya and can't see paying such a large price for a pic with the star. I think I will stick with choosing a photo at their table getting my autograph that way. And, BTW, if you want to talk to the star this is NOT prohibited, but don't stay there for 10 minutes oogling and such. I have had great experiances with the folks I have wanted to meet without feeling rushed. Just a bit of respect paid to the star and the folks who have waited just as long as you is all that should be required and you'll still have a great experiance!!

Re: What?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

It's gotten more and more difficult with the caliber of actors being invited to this event to get photos with celebrities. For some, if you ask for a photo, they'll point to their headshots and ask you to pay the $30 for one, for others they're more than happy to give you a hug and sign everything in front of them ... it's hit and missed and not always guaranteed.

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?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

Don't assume people who are shelling out $200 for this are doing it because it's just fun -- they find value in it, even if you don't. You just seemed extremely critical of anyone who was willing to pay the amount for a photoshoot and now seem to be retracting because "they seem to understand what they're paying for." They're paying to meet Patrick Stewart, and get professional photos with him ... so what if it's more than what you'd pay? Just let people be and don't try to be their financial advisor.

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?

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. I have a good one and got a lot of good shots of celebs in the WoF last year, even of people who were supposedly unphotographable at their tables coz of she-who-will-not-be-named...

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?

[faefall.livejournal.com]

I am not weighing in on Patrick Stewart or the Froggy photos.

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?

[ctofine.livejournal.com]

I'm just curious--are you talking digital files that have been photoshopped to look better? I'm curious why a digital file of your normal, regular photo with the file (since they are shooting on digital) would up the cost of the photo op...unless they are charging you more b/c they have to either burn the file to disc on site or give you a website and password to download it later.

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?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

This is my first experience with Froggy, but on his website he states he gives you the photos on the day of the shoot, so I'm assuming he either emails you the photos, or burns them to disk. It's not just the cost of the digital photos (which are protected under copyright, most likely) but also dependent on how much the actor is charging through his contract. Not to mention Froggy is making framed prints on site, which is probably pretty expensive.

Re: What?

[ctofine.livejournal.com]

I completely understand costs related to actors and framing...and, some money for copyright (although that is not a difficult thing to put on a photo)...I would just hate to see anyone charge and arm and a leg for a digital file b/c that is automatically generated when they take the photo. ;)

I haven't messed with the photos ever...however, if certain actors ever do show up, I probably would. :)

Re: What?

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

You get the 8x10 printout that day (assuming the printers don't jam again, haha). If there is a jam, you'll have it mailed to you in a few weeks. No framing in either case, just a simple photo straight from the printer.

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?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification. He makes it seem like he gives you everything on the day of, which I thought was very ambitious.

Re: What?

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

You will not be able to take pictures in the Walk of Fame for any celeb with a scheduled photo shoot.

Re: What?

[geneticlemon.livejournal.com]

I think I remember something like this from last year ... James Marsters (Spike, right?) just outright refused to take photos with fans at his table. Something about his contractual obligations ... I think it was the same with Hayden Panettiere.

Re: What?

[1ucifer.livejournal.com]

I hope that's the case then, as the celebs I would want photos with aren't listed on Froggy's website :)

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

I can only speak from my experience last year, but I was really impressed with Froggy's crew. With the volume of work they had to do, they were very professional about it. They keep an open line of communication with the con-goers and try to address our concerns.

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.

[veracity]

And you don't start to look so fatigued in the pics, either.

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

Good advice in general, but Stewart will only be there on Saturday and Sunday.

[sparr0.livejournal.com]

My first rule of D*C is to avoid anything that has a line. That goes doubly so for things with lines AND extra cost.

[spike20.livejournal.com]

I like your thinking. Lots.

[wildflowerz.livejournal.com]

Me too, my friend! That's another reason why that "pay over $100 to have a drink and an app with James Marsters and 99 of your closest friends and sorry you can't take posed pictures" thing.

And you know those lines to get into panels? 99% of the time you can just walk in at the end! Imagine that.

[wicked-swann.livejournal.com]

And you know those lines to get into panels? 99% of the time you can just walk in at the end! Imagine that.

Yeah, but you have to sit in the back.

[wildflowerz.livejournal.com]

That's why there are gigantic screens at the front. XD

[wicked-swann.livejournal.com]

I like to take pictures of the actual celebs on the panels and not the screens. ;)

[wildflowerz.livejournal.com]

You can always walk to the front like everyone else does. I suck at taking pictures, (as does my camera heh) so mine always come out crappy no matter what I do. XD

[wicked-swann.livejournal.com]

I would be embarrassed to walk up front in the middle of a panel and take photos. Plus it's sort of rude, at least in my opinion.

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.

[eidolon-bird.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you have to sit in the back.

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.

[wicked-swann.livejournal.com]

But other times, the panel is entirely full. I don't like to take chances. Also, I've met some really awesome, fun people waiting in lines that I might never have chatted with otherwise. :)

[reyesfanatic.livejournal.com]

Maybe cause I caught Froggy the last 2 days, i got a bad taste from the whole thing. He was 15 mins late Sunday morning (this was sorta good cause I did get to talk with Lance Henrickson for that time) and on Monday they gave those who were waiting on their pics the run around. Instead of telling people they'd ran out of ink they kept us waiting near an hour before someone spoke up.

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.

[http://users.livejournal.com/mad_brilliant_/]

Yes, you have time to shake hands and say a couple of words. Anything more than that, and you'll hear Froggy saying, "NEXT!" And he'll keep saying it until you move on. ;)

[gavet97.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I agree with those that stated you could get pix in the Walk of Fame. I've never had an issue (and if there was any question, I politely asked their handler before bothering the celeb with the camera.) However, I get kinda tired of the "leaning-over-the-table-and-looking-like-a-doof" pose. That's kinda why I purchased PS.

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.

[xffan-2000.livejournal.com]

I did Froggy's at a convention earlier this year. The price wasn't *too* bad for Jonathan Frakes ($40).

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.

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

My sister has had great experiences. You only get a few seconds, but you do get to say hi, shake hands, and pick a pose in some cases. And the pictures are usually great.

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.

[greycoupon.livejournal.com]

Well, I've gotten pictures with guests in the WoF before for free when they also were doing Froggy photo ops. I'd say YMMV depending on the celeb and who their handler is.

Especially on the latter.

[literarychck.livejournal.com]

I think most everyone here is right. If you go to the WOF and the celeb doesn't have a line then it's ok to ask if they'll pose for a picture. My friends and I did that last year with the Farscape stars and got multiple pictures taken with all of them and they were lovely about it. We had to pay but they were very nice and their handler was a sweetheart. Some stars won't do pictures on the WOF or for Froggy but it's rare.

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.

[tiaralynn.livejournal.com]

I suspect Patrick Stewart's situation will be similar to what we experienced with Hayden Panetierre last year. With the more b-list celebs they seem to have great experiences, but we paid $40 last year to have my husband stand near Hayden (ZOMG NO TOUCHINGS!!) for under 5 seconds and get an awkward photo snapped before quickly rushing the line along. We were very displeased, even though we were fortunate that both Hayden and my husband were looking at the camera and looking good. Most of the rushed images we saw on the table were awkward and awful. Sure, it was probably her handlers, but we won't do it again. I expect they'll be rushing people past Patrick as they did with her.

Just understand that you're not paying for a meet & greet. You're paying for the photo plain and simple, good or bad.