dragoncon_lj_archive | Haz con experience, but Froggy noob

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Haz con experience, but Froggy noob

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. =)

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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. :\

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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.

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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.

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

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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!!

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.

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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.

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.

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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.)

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).

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.

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. :)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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Haz con experience, but Froggy noob

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