Slightly off-topic. Frank Herbert was flying from LA to Seattle and Dad met the plane. After everyone had gottten off Dad noticed something left in the seat pocket; it was Franks manuscript for "Dune". He was very happy to have it back as he said it was his only copy. No reward though.
If it was the manuscript, I'd say the reward is the fact that the public got to enjoy possibly the best work of science fiction ever.
I've never been to a ComicCon (and really don't have a desire), but these are not the places to meet a celeb and see their true personality. What a horrible place it must be for them, like a cattle call. I know some enjoy it, but knowing how moronic the public can be, you never know if what mood they are going to be in when you walk up to the table because of the guy who was there just before you.
Exactly. I mean, obviously you appreciate people who can "put on a happy face" and remain gracious, but good lord, what an awful way to make a fast couple thousand bucks. Granted, yeah, they're making a fast couple thousand dollars, but I think if I was rubbing elbows with the hoi polloi for a day, doing nothing but smiling and signing autographs with goofy phrases on some of them, after a while I'd go a bit mad myself and would probably be a bit short with people.
I've met a few celebrities, mostly musicians, a couple of actors. Mostly had very good experiences.
Edward James Olmos at Dallas Comic Con this year. Walked up to his table and told him I didn't want anything signed or a picture, just wanted to tell him how much I'd always enjoyed his work on Miami Vice back in the day. He was stunned, and thanked me.
I've always suspected that if you approach a celeb and talk about their REALLY old stuff or stuff that they'd figure NOBODY knew they were in, they'd appreciate it because it'd demonstrate that you're not just a fairweather fan. Plus, you know, talking to them like a human being and being polite with them rather than demanding something from them (as asking for an autograph might seem -- however innocuous it might seem from our side of the transaction).
Lars Ulrich (drummer for Metallica) is a ******-nozzle. I was backstage at a show and he was one of my idols at the time. I told him I was a drummer too, and how much I enjoyed his work, and he asked me for my backstage pass. Whoops, I didn't have one. He told me he was going to get security, and stormed off. I ended up chatting with Dave Mustaine (from Megadeth) for almost an hour after that. Never did get thrown out. Dave was a great guy.
I'm surprised Dave didn't say "Don't worry. They kicked me out too, and look how I ended up!"
Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx, both very polite guys. Kept telling me not to drink so much.
Given that they're the voices of experience, I'd heed their advice.
yea I meant Ernie Hudson. I guess I must have called him Winston when I met him hahahah.
My only celebrity meeting went like that.
I ran into Sonja Sohn, who played Shakima "Kima" Griggs on The Wire. I was wandering around Philadelphia with my dad, and we were walking back to the car. This was on, like, the 1600 block of Walnut for anyone who knows the city. Anyway, I'm walking along and I'm at the corner of the block when I hear this familiar voice say something like "I just said '**** that'..." to her friend. I instantly recognized her voice and turned around to get a good look at her. I confirmed that it was her, walked up to her and said "Excuse me." She said "Oh! I'm sorry--" as if I was saying "excuse me" for her swearing. I said "I LOVE your show. Really, just one of the best shows out there today." She laughed, said thanks, and I went on for a minute or so saying how top notch the writing and acting was, and just thanking her and the rest of the cast and crew for putting on such an incredible series.
Meanwhile, my dad is wandering off blissfully unaware. I call him back, and he wanders back looking slightly annoyed and confused as to why I'm talking to this random woman on the street. I said "Dad, this is Kima from the wire!" She takes off her large-frame sunglasses and sort of half smiles with a "Yeah, it's me..." kind of look (my sense was that she genuinely appreciated being recognized, though). My dad -- who was a fan of the show himself -- sort of had this "Oh ok. that's nice" kind of look on his face. I said "Anyway, thanks again for the show. Really, just wanted to say it's great work all around."
At any rate, she struck me as a very down-to-earth gal who was slightly bewildered, but also amused at having been "recognized."
It was only after I was back in the car that I realized I'd completely pulled the "fanboy" maneuver of referring to her by her character name. Still, she seemed friendly and nice.
Anyway, I think if I met another celeb, I'd just try to talk to them like a normal person. If I was commenting on their work, I'd probably limit it to the quality and/or difficulty of the acting they'd done (IE: "That must've been a hell of a scene to shoot") rather than going all super-nerd fanboy (IE: "When the Venusian slavers had you chained to the nuclear bomb, what went through your mind?").
Frankly, I'd never want an autograph (well, unless they offered) or even a pic, really. I'd be happy enough for a pleasant conversation.
