183 posts
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Post by caa on Mar 24, 2023 15:22:50 GMT
I used to do the stage door at the National Theatre in the 1980's back then there were only a couple of people getting autographs and it was great having a chat with the actors. I learnt that there were a few who it was probably best not to approach such as Frances de la Tour or Jessica Lange.
Over time certain performers became perhaps its best to describe as more rushed less than willing to engage in conversation. I guess this was linked to the emergence of people armed with 10x8 photos ready to sell. I more or less gave up unless it was a particular production that I liked. It's interesting seeing how things are changing at recent shows when I have been at the stage door selfies seem to be what people want but maybe not every performer would be willing to do that....
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1,484 posts
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Post by theatrefan62 on Mar 24, 2023 22:21:48 GMT
Oh yeah I have no doubt. Its just another performance after all. Like pretty much every actor to some degree. Amazes me fans think they're really getting to know someone in a stage door encounter I remember meeting Sheridan after Legally Blonde. She was chatting to everyone, we were some of the last there to meet her after a matinee and she stayed chatting for ages and was so lovely. I don’t get any notion why you’d “fake” that - you could simply sign, smile, exchange a word or two and then move on otherwise. The same reason many do, public image. She's made a career out of being the down to earth northern lass, everyone's friend etc. Also many actors feed off all the attention and adoration, similarly like you see on social media when they reshare compliments etc. By doing all that you cultivate a fanbase, and a very loyal one. |
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Post by mkb on Mar 24, 2023 23:01:12 GMT
I don't really get why any actor would give the time of day to any random stranger, unless they're hidebound to their own celebrity status.
It's a job; you turn up, do a performance, then go home. Why would you waste time on weird people who think they own a piece of you or bizarrely want you to write your name down for them?
I've found myself in the company of famous people on a few occasions, but I wouldn't strike up a conversation with them just because of who they are. That would be crass and inconsiderate. They must be fed up with people doing that.
It's a good thing I have an anonymous job where I'm not confronted by non-work people trying to engage with me constantly. My temper would snap pretty quickly, and I'd become infamous on threads like these.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Mar 25, 2023 11:40:57 GMT
I don't really get why any actor would give the time of day to any random stranger, unless they're hidebound to their own celebrity status. It's a job; you turn up, do a performance, then go home. Why would you waste time on weird people who think they own a piece of you or bizarrely want you to write your name down for them? I've found myself in the company of famous people on a few occasions, but I wouldn't strike up a conversation with them just because of who they are. That would be crass and inconsiderate. They must be fed up with people doing that. It's a good thing I have an anonymous job where I'm not confronted by non-work people trying to engage with me constantly. My temper would snap pretty quickly, and I'd become infamous on threads like these. I massively disagree with this - why does anyone give anyone the time of day? Because it can be nice to socialise with people. I understand if you are a certain level of famous constantly being stopped by people might get tiring, and of course people can have off days and might not want to stop - but to say that anyone who engages with audience members at stage door is just fame-hungry rather than either polite or sociable is a strange opinion in my opinion. |
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3,484 posts
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Post by ceebee on Mar 26, 2023 8:38:19 GMT
I don't really get why any actor would give the time of day to any random stranger, unless they're hidebound to their own celebrity status. It's a job; you turn up, do a performance, then go home. Why would you waste time on weird people who think they own a piece of you or bizarrely want you to write your name down for them? I've found myself in the company of famous people on a few occasions, but I wouldn't strike up a conversation with them just because of who they are. That would be crass and inconsiderate. They must be fed up with people doing that. It's a good thing I have an anonymous job where I'm not confronted by non-work people trying to engage with me constantly. My temper would snap pretty quickly, and I'd become infamous on threads like these. Totally agree. I've never understood the stage door stalkers who crave their selfie/autograph. Some actors love it though, otherwise the practice would just die out. |
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 26, 2023 9:04:57 GMT
Have to say I have never stage doored before, mainly because I just want to go home afterwards but have walked past many, many times. I usually see people holding albums of photos that they want signed and, to me, it looks like they are going to sell them.
Do the actors sign them normally or just move on?
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Mar 26, 2023 15:56:42 GMT
Have to say I have never stage doored before, mainly because I just want to go home afterwards but have walked past many, many times. I usually see people holding albums of photos that they want signed and, to me, it looks like they are going to sell them. Do the actors sign them normally or just move on? I’ve only stage doored since COVID, so only have a few years experience of it but from what I’ve seen: Actors who want to stop for people do stop, others leave quickly (you can often read their body language of whether they’re in a hurry, either because they’re shy, tired or just want to get food). I’ve never had an actor refuse to sign a program, usually if they hang around long enough to ask them they’re happy to do it. I’ve never been offended at someone not stopping though, they’re (I hope!) not being rude they’re just in a rush and want to get lunch/go home. |
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 26, 2023 16:03:08 GMT
Have to say I have never stage doored before, mainly because I just want to go home afterwards but have walked past many, many times. I usually see people holding albums of photos that they want signed and, to me, it looks like they are going to sell them. Do the actors sign them normally or just move on? I’ve only stage doored since COVID, so only have a few years experience of it but from what I’ve seen: Actors who want to stop for people do stop, others leave quickly (you can often read their body language of whether they’re in a hurry, either because they’re shy, tired or just want to get food). I’ve never had an actor refuse to sign a program, usually if they hang around long enough to ask them they’re happy to do it. I’ve never been offended at someone not stopping though, they’re (I hope!) not being rude they’re just in a rush and want to get lunch/go home. I'm really referring to those who stand there with a folder of glossy photos wanting them signed. I'm sure some of them are doing it purely to sell afterwards rather than fans who want a selfie. I'm interested if actors sign them or ignore them. |
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7,176 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 26, 2023 16:13:43 GMT
Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy's stories about rude fans gave me a lot of sympathy towards actors who perhaps a little hesitant when it comes to dealing with fans although McAvoy's story about the person who said that they were a fan of some his work did make me chuckle.
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Mar 26, 2023 16:27:31 GMT
I’ve only stage doored since COVID, so only have a few years experience of it but from what I’ve seen: Actors who want to stop for people do stop, others leave quickly (you can often read their body language of whether they’re in a hurry, either because they’re shy, tired or just want to get food). I’ve never had an actor refuse to sign a program, usually if they hang around long enough to ask them they’re happy to do it. I’ve never been offended at someone not stopping though, they’re (I hope!) not being rude they’re just in a rush and want to get lunch/go home. I'm really referring to those who stand there with a folder of glossy photos wanting them signed. I'm sure some of them are doing it purely to sell afterwards rather than fans who want a selfie. I'm interested if actors sign them or ignore them. Oh yeah, sorry! I did see one guy at Back To The Future who looked like an autograph hunter (was loitering with big sheets of paper), he didn’t seem to care about personal space and approached while Ollie Dobson was chatting with a small child. They all seemed pretty professional to him, but you could tell by body language he was a familiar face and wasn’t there because he was a fan of the show |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 26, 2023 16:46:56 GMT
What a strange take. That it’s too much effort to be nice?!
I’d imagine it’s very rewarding to meet your ‘fans’ and the people who have afforded these people the celebrity and success they have. (Aside from their talent though of course)
What I’m always amazed at is that some of the most people famous for being ‘nice’ - usually on daytime tv- are actually the rudest and most unpleasant people. There’s a huge disconnect preteen the persona they play and the reality of what they are like.
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7,176 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 26, 2023 17:23:00 GMT
What I’m always amazed at is that some of the most people famous for being ‘nice’ - usually on daytime tv- are actually the rudest and most unpleasant people. There’s a huge disconnect preteen the persona they play and the reality of what they are like. I'm guessing you're referring to a certain daytime duo whose name rhyme with Polly and Hil? |
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Post by yokollama on Mar 26, 2023 20:49:29 GMT
I’ve only stage doored since COVID, so only have a few years experience of it but from what I’ve seen: Actors who want to stop for people do stop, others leave quickly (you can often read their body language of whether they’re in a hurry, either because they’re shy, tired or just want to get food). I’ve never had an actor refuse to sign a program, usually if they hang around long enough to ask them they’re happy to do it. I’ve never been offended at someone not stopping though, they’re (I hope!) not being rude they’re just in a rush and want to get lunch/go home. I'm really referring to those who stand there with a folder of glossy photos wanting them signed. I'm sure some of them are doing it purely to sell afterwards rather than fans who want a selfie. I'm interested if actors sign them or ignore them. I have not been to the stage door since Covid hit, but I used to see actors signing these. Then there are actors (such as David Suchet) who try to circumvent this and would ask for your name so the autograph is personalised. Having said this, I still see the occasional "To []" pop up on Ebay. |
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Post by gingerB on Apr 1, 2023 9:31:10 GMT
Have to say I have never stage doored before, mainly because I just want to go home afterwards but have walked past many, many times. I usually see people holding albums of photos that they want signed and, to me, it looks like they are going to sell them. Do the actors sign them normally or just move on? I wish actors in general didn't sign for these autograph sellers. They are a real pain in the butt and there are so many of them. Try to go to any red carpet premiere or any other event that any celeb will show up. They'll be there , any day , any time.. They don't look the type they have a daytime job. But it's often the real fan that won't get the autograph only because they step in front of you and also they bribe security for wristbands at premieres . Even at BAFTAs when supposedly there was a ballot, but some of them managed to get into the red carpet At some theatre venues you can only get signed the program or the ticket.. at least it's a deterrent for these eBay sellers |
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Apr 1, 2023 10:24:06 GMT
Have to say I have never stage doored before, mainly because I just want to go home afterwards but have walked past many, many times. I usually see people holding albums of photos that they want signed and, to me, it looks like they are going to sell them. Do the actors sign them normally or just move on? I wish actors in general didn't sign for these autograph sellers. They are a real pain in the butt and there are so many of them. Try to go to any red carpet premiere or any other event that any celeb will show up. They'll be there , any day , any time.. They don't look the type they have a daytime job. But it's often the real fan that won't get the autograph only because they step in front of you and also they bribe security for wristbands at premieres . Even at BAFTAs when supposedly there was a ballot, but some of them managed to get into the red carpet At some theatre venues you can only get signed the program or the ticket.. at least it's a deterrent for these eBay sellers What I don't understand is why the actors sign the photos from these people. If we can spot them surely the actors can as they would see them all the time. |
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Post by crowblack on Apr 1, 2023 11:21:55 GMT
There's an autograph and celebrity selfie economy, though. Comic Cons are big business with star guests from (mainly fantasy and SF) TV shows and movies jetted around the world for meet and greets. It may be a bit of a pension plan for many. I think selfies are odd but young people now live in a social media culture where if you say something happened - hey, guess what, I met so and so! - and there isn't visual proof they get bullied by others saying they're lying, so...!
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Post by longinthetooth on Apr 1, 2023 15:22:45 GMT
I've seen (usually) girls at Stage Door grabbing a selfie with one of the cast, and then having to look in the programme to see who it was. I also heard one person telling an actor they had enjoyed his performance in a certain TV show. "I'm sorry, I wasn't in it," he said. "Yes, you were, I saw you."
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Post by gingerB on Apr 1, 2023 21:00:34 GMT
I wish actors in general didn't sign for these autograph sellers. They are a real pain in the butt and there are so many of them. Try to go to any red carpet premiere or any other event that any celeb will show up. They'll be there , any day , any time.. They don't look the type they have a daytime job. But it's often the real fan that won't get the autograph only because they step in front of you and also they bribe security for wristbands at premieres . Even at BAFTAs when supposedly there was a ballot, but some of them managed to get into the red carpet At some theatre venues you can only get signed the program or the ticket.. at least it's a deterrent for these eBay sellers What I don't understand is why the actors sign the photos from these people. If we can spot them surely the actors can as they would see them all the time. I guess many actors don't care really, sometimes they don't even look at the person they are signing to . But it's not hard to tell a seller from a real fan.. If I was a celeb I'd rather give an autograph to a real fan than to any of those sellers I would never buy an autograph from them. For me it has no value , it wouldn't have been be signed for me |
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Post by gingerB on Apr 1, 2023 21:01:43 GMT
I've seen (usually) girls at Stage Door grabbing a selfie with one of the cast, and then having to look in the programme to see who it was. I also heard one person telling an actor they had enjoyed his performance in a certain TV show. "I'm sorry, I wasn't in it," he said. "Yes, you were, I saw you." ah yes, some people they just take a selfie with anyone , sad really |
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Apr 2, 2023 6:57:52 GMT
What I don't understand is why the actors sign the photos from these people. If we can spot them surely the actors can as they would see them all the time. I guess many actors don't care really, sometimes they don't even look at the person they are signing to . But it's not hard to tell a seller from a real fan.. If I was a celeb I'd rather give an autograph to a real fan than to any of those sellers I would never buy an autograph from them. For me it has no value , it wouldn't have been be signed for me I know someone who does the same thing merchandise collecting and signatures with sports stars. Secret is apparently to get a cute young kid to get to the front of the queue for autographs. Now I would consider this exploiting the lad and his buyers but his lad has got onto to this and now bargains percentages of sales, gifts and holidays. A few years back he got the new PlayStation and his best holiday uplift was to Disneyland so I’m not sure who is exploiting who? |
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Post by crowblack on Apr 2, 2023 9:36:50 GMT
But if Conventions charge £100 or so each for someone to stand in line for an autograph with an actor and there's demand for them online then it's understandable why people treat the stage door as a business too. My grandma and my mum carried little 'autograph books' as girls (as a girl, my nan ripped her stockings climbing on Ivor Novello's car, the Beatlemania of the day!). It's something culturally encouraged. Stamp collecting, pinning butterflies, bird nesting have all gone but autograph hunting has become professionalised and heavily monetised through comic cons. It's like the way the old comic shops are now like massive toyshops for adults - get one signed and it's even more 'collectable'.
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Post by gingerB on Apr 2, 2023 17:08:51 GMT
I guess many actors don't care really, sometimes they don't even look at the person they are signing to . But it's not hard to tell a seller from a real fan.. If I was a celeb I'd rather give an autograph to a real fan than to any of those sellers I would never buy an autograph from them. For me it has no value , it wouldn't have been be signed for me I know someone who does the same thing merchandise collecting and signatures with sports stars. Secret is apparently to get a cute young kid to get to the front of the queue for autographs. Now I would consider this exploiting the lad and his buyers but his lad has got onto to this and now bargains percentages of sales, gifts and holidays. A few years back he got the new PlayStation and his best holiday uplift was to Disneyland so I’m not sure who is exploiting who? At red carpet events, most of the time there is an area for disabled ... the celebs always go to them (and often skip everyone else) , I don't mind the area for disable people, but it's always the same people who turn up at all premieres, they are guaranteed to get a selfie and autograph every time. What I've seen is also that some dealers give photos to the disable and then they get them back.. so in the end the dealers get the photo singed no matter what |
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Post by gingerB on Apr 2, 2023 17:10:59 GMT
But if Conventions charge £100 or so each for someone to stand in line for an autograph with an actor and there's demand for them online then it's understandable why people treat the stage door as a business too. My grandma and my mum carried little 'autograph books' as girls (as a girl, my nan ripped her stockings climbing on Ivor Novello's car, the Beatlemania of the day!). It's something culturally encouraged. Stamp collecting, pinning butterflies, bird nesting have all gone but autograph hunting has become professionalised and heavily monetised through comic cons. It's like the way the old comic shops are now like massive toyshops for adults - get one signed and it's even more 'collectable'. at least at a convention you'll probably get a proper autograph, not a quick a scribble most actors give at a red carpet |
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Post by sukhavati on Apr 10, 2023 0:49:40 GMT
But if Conventions charge £100 or so each for someone to stand in line for an autograph with an actor and there's demand for them online then it's understandable why people treat the stage door as a business too. My grandma and my mum carried little 'autograph books' as girls (as a girl, my nan ripped her stockings climbing on Ivor Novello's car, the Beatlemania of the day!). It's something culturally encouraged. Stamp collecting, pinning butterflies, bird nesting have all gone but autograph hunting has become professionalised and heavily monetised through comic cons. It's like the way the old comic shops are now like massive toyshops for adults - get one signed and it's even more 'collectable'. at least at a convention you'll probably get a proper autograph, not a quick a scribble most actors give at a red carpet I went to a con a few months ago where Jodie Whitaker was the headline guest; there was so much demand for her signature, that the organizers asked her to stop personalizing them She was very quickly scribbling hearts under her name. I didn't spring for any of her activities other than her panels, because I can't afford nearly a hundred quid for a signed photo or photo op with her. Speaking with another punter in passing, he was getting nostalgic over the days when you could go to these sorts of events and there was no fee for a signature, and something minimal for a Polaroid. I suppose it's a good thing for the performers who aren't as active anymore. They sign up for these events, show up for a few hours, and make bank. But it seems that the prices for the current flavour of the month really exploit the fan's goodwill. |
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Post by talkingheads on Apr 10, 2023 7:13:45 GMT
at least at a convention you'll probably get a proper autograph, not a quick a scribble most actors give at a red carpet I went to a con a few months ago where Jodie Whitaker was the headline guest; there was so much demand for her signature, that the organizers asked her to stop personalizing them She was very quickly scribbling hearts under her name. I didn't spring for any of her activities other than her panels, because I can't afford nearly a hundred quid for a signed photo or photo op with her. Speaking with another punter in passing, he was getting nostalgic over the days when you could go to these sorts of events and there was no fee for a signature, and something minimal for a Polaroid. I suppose it's a good thing for the performers who aren't as active anymore. They sign up for these events, show up for a few hours, and make bank. But it seems that the prices for the current flavour of the month really exploit the fan's goodwill. It's exploitation isn't it? I went to a con once and Andy Cunningham was there, created and starred in kids TV show Bodger and Badger, but he'd also been a droid in Star Wars. I approached him because I used to love Bodger and Badger, we not only chatted for several minutes, he even got the Badger puppet out and performed a little show just for me. After all that, he refused to take my money. Lovely guy and a wonderful memory. |
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