Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Well, the convention circuit has sadly become just as much about business, a it has about fan appreciation. Far more often than not, celebs who appear at them are paid a flat fee by the promoters, and get a certain percentage of each autograph on top of that. I understand why some of them would want to be compensated, especially if it takes them away from their families, but so many folks now are just taking it too far. I wanted to go see Carrie Fisher, when she did a local con in Dallas a few weeks ago, but balked at her $50 autograph price tag, I think the most I've ever paid was $30, and only three times at that (Billy Dee Williams, David Prowse, and Brent Spiner). Most of them, until recently, were $20 or $25 a pop. I even got a dually signed 8x10 by "Batman" voice actors Kevin Conroy & Arleen Sorkin...and they were doing it for free! Now that kind of thing shows more concern for people than profit.

It's not quite that simple. Stars who are big enough to attract people to the convention get an appearance fee and get a split of the autograph revenue (or in some cases, no appearance fee and all of the revenue.) Stars who aren't big enough to attract people frequently pay for the privilege of being there (they're basically "renting a booth") and then keep all or most of the revenue.

What you have to remember for most of these people who are no longer actively working is that their only income is from these conventions. I know a former NY local TV star and radio air personality (he's now in his 90's) and the conventions he attends are pretty much his only source of income, although he doesn't overcharge.

Also, most actors who performed in 1960s-1970s TV, especially if they weren't the star of the show, but frequently, even if they were, did not share in syndication and aftermarket revenue, the way they do today. So many of these people, as famous as they once were, have no other source of income.

But even if that wasn't the case, if you look at it solely from a business perspective, the objective of any business is to maximize income and price from a demand perspective. So while it might be highly annoying to a fan, it makes sense for them to price their autographs for as high as the market will bare.

As others have posted, Harrison Ford considers himself a serious practitioner of his craft, even if most of his films have been action movies. He is not likely to participate in a convention. I doubt that there's any serious actor who is happy to do one of these conventions. Especially since so much of this stuff actually winds up on eBay. You complain that it's "become a business", but in large measure, it's the so-called "fans" who have made it so.

[Deciazulado]

Is the Blu-ray being autographed?

[American]

It would be great if they edited the lightsabers in the original trilogy to be more crisp looking just like the prequels. It won't happen but it would be nice.

[goresnet]

Originally Posted by Breather

I couldn't picture him in that role. The thought of Harrison Ford at an autograph table, staring out at thousands of fans in costumes, makes me think of the old Shatner SNL sketch. I could picture him standing up and yelling at everyone "it's just a movie series, people" and walking out.[/B]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I hope you're joking again, because I'd lose a great deal of respect for any celebrity who pulled a stunt like that.

He wasn't joking. It was an actual SNL sketch. SNL is Saturday Night Live, in case you aren't aware.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by goresnet

SNL is Saturday Night Live, in case you aren't aware.

I am well aware of what Saturday Night Live is, and I don't appreciate their brand of "humor" one bit.

[gregmasciola]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I really didn't have much to dislike about Burtt's comments on the DVDs, but his timing just sucked. I mean, the movie's playing, and we get to really important or intense scene, where sound FX are the last thing on your mind...and sure enough, here comes Burtt, with his latest rant about something that's not even in the scene being played.

I don't think that's his fault, though. Those commentaries don't seem like they were recorded with all the people in the same room at the same time. They sound like they recorded each one separately, then chose the more interesting stuff said and edited them together, which I think works better, because when they record a bunch of people at the same time, whenever someone is telling us something that seems pretty interesting, someone else always cuts them off.

[Breather]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

I never mentioned the first commentaries. I'm talking about the "new" archival commentaries. The 2nd ones.

I must have misunderstood you on the first post to me. I hope the second commentaries are like what you describe. On the other hand, until we hear them or see more detailed specs, who knows? I hope they aren't throwing on the DC commentaries and calling them "new archival".

[Breather]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I wanted to go see Carrie Fisher, when she did a local con in Dallas a few weeks ago, but balked at her $50 autograph price tag, I think the most I've ever paid was $30, and only three times at that (Billy Dee Williams, David Prowse, and Brent Spiner). Most of them, until recently, were $20 or $25 a pop. I even got a dually signed 8x10 by "Batman" voice actors Kevin Conroy & Arleen Sorkin...and they were doing it for free! Now that kind of thing shows more concern for people than profit.

Carrie Fisher, $50? It would be nice to have a piece of Star Wars memorabilia or even a DVD set signed by her, but I couldn't justify that kind of price. I don't blame you for passing on it.

You've got some pretty nice autographs listed there. I've heard a few stories that Brent Spiner can be a little cocky, even condescending toward fans, even those paying good money to meet him. Out of curiosity, how did you find him when you met him?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

As others have posted, Harrison Ford considers himself a serious practitioner of his craft, even if most of his films have been action movies. He is not likely to participate in a convention. I doubt that there's any serious actor who is happy to do one of these conventions. Especially since so much of this stuff actually winds up on eBay. You complain that it's "become a business", but in large measure, it's the so-called "fans" who have made it so.

Indeed! I have been going to convention since the early 80's. They use to be rather normal and small and there was no money needed to asked a star for a picture autograph. By the 90's the so call fans were turning around and were selling these autograph they were getting for nothing for $50+. This starting happening not just in movies but sports as well. Then the fans get angry because the stars asked for a amount to get their autograph. If the fans are allowed to turn around and sell these for money, why not the person who is signing the picture to begin with?

[siso]

Originally Posted by american

it would be great if they edited the lightsabers in the original trilogy to be more crisp looking just like the prequels. It won't happen but it would be nice.

+1

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Breather

I must have misunderstood you on the first post to me. I hope the second commentaries are like what you describe. On the other hand, until we hear them or see more detailed specs, who knows? I hope they aren't throwing on the DC commentaries and calling them "new archival".

You can take my comments to the bank. I've confirmed it.

Originally Posted by Breather

Carrie Fisher, $50? It would be nice to have a piece of Star Wars memorabilia or even a DVD set signed by her, but I couldn't justify that kind of price. I don't blame you for passing on it.

See, to me, $50 isn't a lot of money for an autograph. I don't get it. ESPECIALLY for Carrie Fisher. She's not only a member of the original "holy 3" but she's a celebrated author in her own right.

[bigrob]

if i met Carrie Fisher, i'd get her to sign my Burbs poster

[chip75]

It would be nice to have a Ford, Fisher and Hammil commentary track but it's not the end of the world. Harrison Ford is usually quite happy to talk about George Lucas or Steven Speilberg (or other directors) has he often crops up in documentaries and has got involved in a few AFI specials.

I'd much prefer a score only track in HD that would be a real treat. I've been listening to The Ultimate Edition of The Phantom Menace CD and there's a lot of great bits which get pushed into the background by dialogue and sound effects.

I remember a story about Ford signing autographs that he'd only sign them if he put the name of the person on them so they'd have more difficulty in selling them on (I think it devalues them as well).

[Daddydave]

Originally Posted by Breather

I remember those. The ones you linked to were from the '97 VHS SE set. Those total around 20 minutes. The '97 SE Laserdisc contains a 30-minute featurette that has the footage you posted plus 10 extra minutes.

There's a chance that featurette may still be on the blu-ray set. Disc 8 has a fairly vague description in the press release. It mentions archival interviews, which the above could fall under. That featurette, along with the 20-minute Lucas/Maltin interview from the '95 Faces set, and the '93 Definitive Collection LD set extras could all end up on disc 8. The second set of archival interviews that they mention being on the three film discs sound like the commentaries from the '93 LD set.

Here's the LD featurette(with the 10 extra minutes) from the '97 SE set:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ijz...eature=related

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_sCb...feature=fvwrel

So not only do we have special editions of the movies but SE of bonus features. I would think that since this is his legacy, and a LOT of time and effort has been put into this so the PQ/AQ will be noting short of amazing. Yeah were gonna have to watch the version HE wants us to see, and not the versions some of us at least remember seeing. ( I saw the original SW when I was about 6 in the Drive-In. But I'm still not gonna pre-order this, or run out first day to get this. I'll wait and read reviews, see what customers say about it, and perhaps wait till Christmas for a sale.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by chip75

I remember a story about Ford signing autographs that he'd only sign them if he put the name of the person on them so they'd have more difficulty in selling them on (I think it devalues them as well).

As someone who met Ford once over 10 years ago out in public, he is extremely nice and gracious to fans. However, he CANNOT stand bullshit and will be able to smell if you're not a real fan and just want something out of him.

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by Breather

The thought of Harrison Ford at an autograph table, staring out at thousands of fans in costumes, makes me think of the old Shatner SNL sketch. I could picture him standing up and yelling at everyone "it's just a movie series, people" and walking out.

Speaking of...

anybody remember this classic Harrison Ford from Conan O'Brien in 2008?


It's at 5:01 in the clip-


http://www.tu.tv/videos/harrison-for...-conan-o-brien



.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by American

It would be great if they edited the lightsabers in the original trilogy to be more crisp looking just like the prequels. It won't happen but it would be nice.

I'd like to see George alter the prequels to match the original trilogy, for once. Instead of retroactively altering the lightsabers of the OT to look like the ones in the prequels, couldn't he have made sure that the lightsabers in the prequels matched the ones in the OT?

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

I'd like to see George alter the prequels to match the original trilogy, for once. Instead of retroactively altering the lightsabers of the OT to look like the ones in the prequels, couldn't he have made sure that the lightsabers in the prequels matched the ones in the OT?

Why should he do that? The effects in the PT are way better.
They already had to hold back with Yoda, due to his existence in the OT.
Enough is enough.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by Breather

Carrie Fisher, $50? It would be nice to have a piece of Star Wars memorabilia or even a DVD set signed by her, but I couldn't justify that kind of price. I don't blame you for passing on it.

Yeah, I really wanted to meet Carrie, too...but for my money, $50 is definitely pushing it. Also, Mark Hamill ain't getting nothin' out of me, unless he drops his price considerably. I'd love to get signed shots of both him as Luke, and a shot of the Joker, but not at $150 or more a pop. That's just nuts.

You've got some pretty nice autographs listed there.

Oh, I've been very blessed over the last 7 years, to have met and spoken to several different celebs at conventions, and most of them appear to really enjoy the experience. Last October, I got a signed 8x10 of Doc Brown from Christopher Lloyd, and even though I didn't get to say much (the promoters were dealing with tons of folks in the lines), he smiled, and treated each person with respect. I learned later that he was only scheduled until 3 PM that day or so, but he stuck around until 7 PM, because his flight out of town didn't leave until late, and he wanted to make sure anyone who wanted to meet him could do so.

I've heard a few stories that Brent Spiner can be a little cocky, even condescending toward fans, even those paying good money to meet him. Out of curiosity, how did you find him when you met him?

Oh, Brent was a crackup from the start. He was signing pics for fans early on when he arrived at the show, and then he joined Michael Dorn and John DeLancie (who were also there) in a "Star Trek Q & A" session (even impersonating Michael Keaton, who showed up briefly to promote his film "White Noise"). When I went to his table, he was very nice, and took a few brief minutes to chat (there were also lots of folks in his line). I got a signed 8x10 of "Data the card dealer", and left...only to realize about 30 minutes later that I'd left my wallet behind. When I came back, someone had apparently kicked it under his table, and when I found it, he joked, "Hey, that's my wallet." To this day, he's probably one of my favorite celebs I've ever met.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

Why should he do that? The effects in the PT are way better.
They already had to hold back with Yoda, due to his existence in the OT.
Enough is enough.

I think I just puked a little.