Post by boomvavavoom on Apr 20, 2005 10:19:49 GMT 1
Convention Etiquette 101
• Respect Boundaries: Just because you’ve read everything ever written by Joe Schmoe, you are not his lifelong buddy whom he hasn’t seen in ten years. Do not overwhelm or be overly familiar with a pro, it can be awkward and uncomfortable.
• Respect Limits: Yes, it sucks to wait in line for a signing, and it ends before you get there, however, keep in mind, they all have to end sometime. Pros, again, are not just doing a few hours so they can then run off and get drunk (at least most aren’t). They may have a panel to get to, or an important meeting. If you really want that signature, or sketch, plan accordingly to make sure you are there in the time allotted.
• Be Realistic: Bringing 200 polybagged issues of Super-X-Spider-Bat-whatever to be signed is not a statement of courtesy. Likewise asking an artist to draw the ‘entire Avengers / JLA lineup’ during a sketch period is sure to draw moans from the fans, and a bit of consternation from the pro.
• Be Understanding: If you finally meet and shake hands with Mr. Superstar and he seems a bit off, quiet, tired, or grouchy it may not be a case of “wow, isn’t he a class A jerk?” but more a case of “wow, he’s been up since 5am, ate one and a half meals of stuffed corndog in the last 16 hours, turning into indigestion, shaken 3,250.5 hands, signed more comics than he thought ever published, sketched until he’s sore, sat on his duff until it hurts in places he forgot he had, and had two dozen meetings today and he STILL took time to say hello.”
• Be Mature: Have fun, but people who go and heckle creators or speakers, make off-color comments or insult people there really only prove one thing: They, meaning the speakers, are idiots. Likewise, if you show stuff to an editor for a critique, well, dang it, expect a critique. Yes, sometimes critiques can be impolite or dismissive, but they often are extremely helpful. If an editor or artist is pointing out flaws, bad anatomy, bad perspective, or layout, ask how you can improve. Accept the guidance for what it is. Keep in mind, those who blow off the critique walking away and saying under their breath “Well, what does he know?” knows a lot less than the one they are talking about.
• Respect Limits: Yes, it sucks to wait in line for a signing, and it ends before you get there, however, keep in mind, they all have to end sometime. Pros, again, are not just doing a few hours so they can then run off and get drunk (at least most aren’t). They may have a panel to get to, or an important meeting. If you really want that signature, or sketch, plan accordingly to make sure you are there in the time allotted.
• Be Realistic: Bringing 200 polybagged issues of Super-X-Spider-Bat-whatever to be signed is not a statement of courtesy. Likewise asking an artist to draw the ‘entire Avengers / JLA lineup’ during a sketch period is sure to draw moans from the fans, and a bit of consternation from the pro.
• Be Understanding: If you finally meet and shake hands with Mr. Superstar and he seems a bit off, quiet, tired, or grouchy it may not be a case of “wow, isn’t he a class A jerk?” but more a case of “wow, he’s been up since 5am, ate one and a half meals of stuffed corndog in the last 16 hours, turning into indigestion, shaken 3,250.5 hands, signed more comics than he thought ever published, sketched until he’s sore, sat on his duff until it hurts in places he forgot he had, and had two dozen meetings today and he STILL took time to say hello.”
• Be Mature: Have fun, but people who go and heckle creators or speakers, make off-color comments or insult people there really only prove one thing: They, meaning the speakers, are idiots. Likewise, if you show stuff to an editor for a critique, well, dang it, expect a critique. Yes, sometimes critiques can be impolite or dismissive, but they often are extremely helpful. If an editor or artist is pointing out flaws, bad anatomy, bad perspective, or layout, ask how you can improve. Accept the guidance for what it is. Keep in mind, those who blow off the critique walking away and saying under their breath “Well, what does he know?” knows a lot less than the one they are talking about.
