Recently I updated an article I wrote a couple years ago titled “Do Conventions Ruin Celebrities for Fans?”. https://fromthemouthofavoicelessactor.blogspot.com/2016/01/do-conventions-ruin-celebrities-for-fans.html A handful of people have read it and it’s had some really good and positive responses. One being from some longtime friends of mine who happen to look at from the celebrity side of the spectrum. They are husband and wife Mary Deese Hampton and James Hampton. You would know Mary from her performances on General Hospital, Harold & Kumar 2, & Dallas to name a few. You would know James from such classics as Teen Wolf 1&2, Hanger 18, and The Longest Yard (original).
Mary and Jimmy have been on the convention circuit for quite some time now. They have made many friends and have seen many changes over the years. After reading my article, Mary wanted to give their side of it.
Riley: Hello Mary, how are you?
Mary: Wonderful Riley.
So glad to be keeping in touch with you!
Riley: Thank you for taking the time to give my article a
read. It truly means the world to me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Mary: Yes, it really
brought back memories of the years we spent on the celebrity autograph
“circuit” and the many fans we have that became friends, like you.
Riley: So what kind of changes have you and Jimmy seen over
the years and what kind of effect has said changes had on the convention
circuit in regards to the celebrity/fan relationship?
Mary: Well, because
of the body of work that Jimmy amassed over his almost 50 year career as an
actor, director, writer and producer, he was invited to many conventions with
genres that ran from Western, Horror/ SciFi, Sports, Vintage TV, and Comic cons. He even attended a show in Houston once that
was solely devoted to astronauts and actors who had played astronauts in film
and tv!
Jimmy always thought the idea of the conventions was
terrific because they are a wonderful way for fans to connect to their favorite
actors and vice versa. People are
always interested in “behind the scenes” stories and the cons are a great venue
for fans to hear those stories - either in a one on one conversation with an
actor or in a Q and A panel that the conventions usually host throughout the
weekend.
One of the changes we’ve seen through the years is that the
conventions are getting bigger and bigger.
For instance, Jimmy was a guest at the very first Texas Frightmare
Weekend. There were only 6 celebrities
and a few bands. It was held at the little ol’ Grapevine Convention Center. Today, that convention is one of the largest
Horror/Sci Fi conventions in the Southwest.
It’s amazing!
I can’t even begin to guess how many conventions there are
out there now! Because of the number of
conventions being held each year, fans now have lots of opportunities to meet their
favorite celebs. That’s a good thing!
One of the other changes we’ve seen are the “photo ops” provided
at the shows. Some celebs don’t charge
for photos with fans if they purchase a photo; however, often there are long
lines and some celebs
can’t stop to take a photo with each and every fan. So, they step away from signing for a few
hours over the weekend just for that opportunity via “photo ops”.
I think one of the biggest changes we’ve seen over the years
is the trend to bring entire casts of a television show or film to
conventions. While this seems to be very
attractive to some fans, it’s not always so good for the other celebs. If a promoter is “forced” to take 8 people
from a particular television show or film but really only wants 1 or 2 of them,
then that eliminates spots at the convention for other celebrities that want to
attend or that the promoter would like to have attend. Which also might keep fans hoping to see those
“missing” celebs from coming to the convention at all.
Finally, another huge change in the shows is the startling
number of…how do I say this…”mega stars”…that now want to come to the
shows. They’ve realized how much money
is to be made and are capitalizing on the opportunity. Good for them, but that’s also, in my
opinion, what’s driving up the prices of the entry fees to the
conventions. Which leads to your next
question.
Riley: So to reference the title of my article, in your
opinion, with the way conventions are now and their current pricing structure,
“Do Conventions Ruin Celebrities for Fans?”
Mary: Oh, I wouldn’t
use the word “ruin” but the explosion in the number of shows, the number of
celebrities who attend them, and the trend to bring in entire casts has
certainly impacted the wallets of both the fans and the celebs. If the cost of the entrance fee is too high,
then the fans don’t have money left to purchase photos…which, let’s be honest, is
a big reason why the celebs are there.
If the prices of the “mega stars” that attend are too high (which
$150.00 for a signed photo is ridiculous, in my opinion), then the fans that
buy those photos probably aren’t going to purchase many more from other
celebs. The photo ops, while convenient
for the celebrities who have long lines, also add to the cost of attendance if
a fan wants a photo with a celeb that can’t…or won’t…take the time to snap one
at his/her table. There’s got to be the right “formula” in order for a show to
work well for the fans, the celebs and the promoters. I am sure that it’s a struggle for the
promoters trying to bring in the headliners and still not raise the cost of the
entry fees. That’s only one of many
balls they have to juggle. What some
fans may not know is that the minute a convention is over, the promoters start
planning for the next year. No rest for the weary!
I believe that fans will always enjoy attending the
conventions and I personally know that most celebrities enjoy them as
well.
Unlike acting on the stage, an actor can’t see or hear
responses of his or her audience when they are filming a television show or a
movie. Getting together with fans as the cons gives an actor an opportunity to listen
to what their fans thought of their past and current work. Jimmy once said it was like hearing “delayed
applause”. Wonderful!
Riley: Thank you so much Mary, for an insight to the convention world that most con goers don't know about. It's nice to hear an opinion from the other side of the table. And I completely agree about the high pricing for a single autographed photo to be ridiculous.
It's great to be a friend to you and Jimmy and I thank you so much for your time and friendship. Til the next time.
