At American Comic Con(s) do you have to pay for guests' autographs?

[Gerald]

Just back from Amsterdam Comic Con for the second time. It's only been a few years since we have that type of convention here. Obviously it's not totally like the American Comic Cons which are used to promote new films.

I wondered at signings with stars in America - San Diego is the original one, I believe - do you have to pay for an autograph or is that included with your entrance price?

Here I would never do it, I just find it too expensive. The cheapest price is 20 euro, but mostly it goes up to 25, 35, even more in some cases. I don't know why it has to be that expensive, they don't tell you - you can choose a photo to have it put on though, so it's not entirely JUST the autograph.

How does that work at the American Comic Cons? Anyone here been there, or know somebody who has?

 

[Dana Jean]

I'm pretty sure a lot of talent charge for their autographs. Not all, but enough.

 

[Out of Order]

My autograph isn't nearly as expensive as you would imagine.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...many charge for signatures, and some even have a fee sheet-depending on what kind of item you want signed or if you want to speak to them at the time....it's a racket....

 

[Out of Order]

...many charge for signatures, and some even have a fee sheet-depending on what kind of item you want signed or if you want to speak to them at the time....it's a racket....

I do some great signatures in the snow at no charge!

 

[GNTLGNT]

I do some great signatures in the snow at no charge!

...allow me to avow....yer a goober....

 

[Out of Order]

...allow me to avow....yer a goober....

 

[mal]

I generally go by the rule of thumb that if they charge for an autograph then it ain't worth having.

 

[Shoesalesman]

I was at an event where Luke and Daisy Duke charged $10 for each autograph, which I gladly paid. Daisy even signed a second time for no extra fee. The event before was Carrie Fisher, who charged $80 per autograph.

 

[fushingfeef]

Yes, and most charge for selfies. That's the reason they are there, to make money. And people are willing to pay it, apparently. The whole idea makes me uncomfortable, but I'm no autograph hound.

 

[kingricefan]

Penny and Leonard charged a fee when they were at one after she starred in that ape/woman movie. Leonard even brought his belted coin changer.....

 

[kingricefan]

I'm pretty sure a lot of talent charge for their autographs. Not all, but enough.

My autograph isn't nearly as expensive as you would imagine.

Yo OoO- the operative word here is talent.

 

[Out of Order]

Penny and Leonard charged a fee when they were at one after she starred in that ape/woman movie. Leonard even brought his belted coin changer.....

Yo OoO- the operative word here is talent.

 

[Gerald]

Yes, and most charge for selfies. That's the reason they are there, to make money. And people are willing to pay it, apparently. The whole idea makes me uncomfortable, but I'm no autograph hound.

Which Comic Cons did you go to? Do the actors also charge who are there to do promotion and panels for the big new movies?

 

[fushingfeef]

Which Comic Cons did you go to? Do the actors also charge who are there to do promotion and panels for the big new movies?

I've only ever gone to the Pittsburgh Comic Con (also known as Steel City Con). The actors may collect additional fees from the venue for doing panels, but the panels are usually covered by the cost of admission. Most of the actors can be talked to for free, it's just the autographs and photos and selfies that cost money.

 

[Gerald]

I've only ever gone to the Pittsburgh Comic Con (also known as Steel City Con). The actors may collect additional fees from the venue for doing panels, but the panels are usually covered by the cost of admission. Most of the actors can be talked to for free, it's just the autographs and photos and selfies that cost money.

The confusing thing is that Comic Con is not a brand name. They can slap it on any kind of convention. But the basic idea seems that autographs cost money on most of them.
Just wondered if they do them for free when a movie has still to come out - I suppose those are mainly premiered at the San Diego one, and probably to a lesser degree at the New York one.

Essentially I gather that in general the actors get paid for coming to to the Comic Con and then can make extras money from autographs and photoshoots.

All in all it is a bit of an awkward affair as a whole. But still a fun one.

 

[Neesy]

I do some great signatures in the snow at no charge!

 

[Neesy]

I generally go by the rule of thumb that if they charge for an autograph then it ain't worth having.

What about Stephen King? I don't think he needs to charge anyone for his autograph (never has, apparently!)

 

[kingricefan]

What about Stephen King? I don't think he needs to charge anyone for his autograph (never has, apparently!)

No, but he has in the past sat at a table signing his name for hours to the point where his hand hurt so bad afterwards that Tabby had to literally feed him his dinner. Yikes! He doesn't do that anymore. If he goes to a convention he usually ends up staying in his hotel room and has those people he wants to see come to his room to visit.

 

[arista]

My friend went to Walker Stalker con. All the actors charge a fee for signatures and more for selfies. She said that some charged more depending on the actor. The zombie selfies were free.. LOL