How to find out the cost of an autograph for actors

[redneckotaku.livejournal.com]

I am trying to figure out what several actors rate for a signature on. Do Walk of Fame celebrities have to announce how much they are charging for a signature? I am wondering how much people like Adam Savage, Maurice Lamarache, Phil Lamarr and Brandon Routh will cost for an autograph. I would like to have some money leftover to get a sketch or exclusive from the comics and Pop Alley artists. When you see $60 for a Photo from someone like James Marsters, you wonder whether many autographs will close to $100 for each one.

Comments

[lovelyangel-81.livejournal.com]

The usually don't announce in advance the prices for autograph before (that I know of) D*C. Usually the prices ranges from $20-30 but it depends on the person. They will have signs around the walk of fame of the prices.

[gothicbeauty21.livejournal.com]

I would budget $50 per autograph you want. Some will be less, some will be more, but it should even out.

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

I wish it were possible to find out ahead of time about autograph prices. Some cons are able to list autograph prices online, but DragonCon doesn't get that info in advance, I guess. Most celebs over the last couple of years are in $20 - $30 range for an autograph. I think Marsters was charging around that last time too, even though his photo price is a lot more. I would guess there would only be a few big name celebs who might charge more. Edward James Olmos was $60 a few years back. I'd guess that only a few might charge more than $30.

I know what you mean about balancing autographs and sketches. My biggest concerns are getting Neal Adams & Stan Lee autographs, then Luke Perry & Sean Astin. If I have enough, I'd definitely like to get Phil Lamarr to sign a Justice Leauge DVD too. A big hint about sketches on a budget: Last year the Hero Intitiative offered quick $20 sketches at their booth and also at the Friday night reception from some big name artists. Got some great ones last year.

[jamesclayton.livejournal.com]

I really wish DragonCon would find out the prices beforehand so that the fans would know and be able to properly prepare a budget for the weekend. I think it's partially a way to bring in more money. For example, last year Shatner, Nimoy & Stewart were in attendance. Now all the fanboys and girls were all psyched up to get their autographs, not knowing beforehand what the actors would charge. By the time the con gets around, the fans are deadset on getting autographs that when they discover the high prices, they pay it. If you know the price ahead of time, you're able to think it over and ultimately make a better, more logical decision.

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. Though seeing Shatner, Nimoy, & Stewart's prices had the oppostite effect on me. I was really excited they were coming untill I got there and saw the prices, it just depressed me that they charged their fans over twice as much or more as most celebs. Though, this year, I will pay the $50 for Stan Lee when I didn't pay the Trek prices last year. Different priorities I guess.

But MegaCon can list autograph & photo prices right on their website. Looks like Shatner is lined for next February there, and he already came down on his prices from last year.

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

As others have said, there's no way to know ahead of time. The best option would be to try to research any other recent convention appearances and find out how much their charged. For instance, I looked up Phil LaMarr and saw he and the other Futurama folks charged $20, which seems about right. Most guests will stay in that range unless they're a rare/mega attraction, like the Star Trek captains last year (So far this year, I only see a few folks in that category: Stan Lee ($50 according to a pre-sale), Scott Bakula, and Edward James Olmos). Just from experience, Brandon will probably charge around $30, and I know someone out there is a James Marsters fan and will know, but I think he charges $40.

I think the photo-op tickets are a little more expensive because the photographer gets a cut. The autos are pretty much what the media guests make money from during the weekend (as I heard from an educational podcast with some of the track directors).

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

Autographs generally cost less than photos. It's relatively rare for one to top $30.

My assumption on why autograph prices aren't announced in advance is that there'd be way too many to keep up with. Photo prices are set in advance because of preorders, but there are several times as many people signing autographs as there are those doing photo ops. The photographers are also for-profit businesses, not a nonprofit run by volunteers, like the con. :)

[herbpixie.livejournal.com]

I paid $30 for a photo and an autograph of Marsters a couple of years ago. Don't know if he's gone up since, though.

[twitchomatic.livejournal.com]

I was thinking he was charging $40 last Dragon*Con, but that may have been for an 8"x10" and an autograph. It may have been just $30 if you brought your own item to be signed.

[a-tender-kiss.livejournal.com]

This is true, I had a picture with me and to have it signed was 30. Everyone else's autograph, Buffy wise, was 20 which included a picture.

[sdrg.livejournal.com]

Specific to Adam Savage, He had a free signing on Saturday that was great. You have to be willing to get in line early, but it's worth the $$$.

[wolverbunny69.livejournal.com]

i got shatner's autograph for free a few years back...
at the World of Wheels...lol..but still,to a teenaged trekkie,that was kick butt... but nowadays,i aint payin the goin rate of 40 bux a pop...
unless it is someone i really must have..only 3 i am getting this year,and if tehy are outta budget,then i guess i won't get em...i know thi sis how they make their money,but dang,people...give us a break ,as well....