Wizard World Comic Con tips?

March 16, 2016 6:51 AM

I'm going to a Wizard World event this spring, and I've never been to any kind of con before. I'm really excited. I've read the FAQ on the Wizard World site, but I have a bunch of other questions for WW veterans.

-We bought a VIP experience for one of the celebrity guests, so I'll be meeting my favorite actor from my favorite show (YAYYY). How much time do you typically get for photos and autographs with a VIP experience? Do you actually get to talk to the celebrity beyond "hi" and/or "thanks"? To give them a (non-stalkerish and non-scary) gift? When do you go for the photo and autograph -- anytime? A specific time you're told? Are the lines for photos insane, or are "VIP experience" purchasers in a separate line?
-Also re VIP experience photos: I have *heard* that another person can be in the photo with me, and I want my husband to be, but he has a regular general admission only. I haven't seen it stated in print that he can be in the photo with me if it's a VIP experience ticket, but he can, right? Also, I plan on buying the image file -- is it worth it to get a print as well? Probably not?
-Are cameras allowed in the general con area? Digital SLR too? And they say no recording devices allowed in the photo op room, but can you just have your phone in your pocket or whatever? If not, it says there's a table in the room to put bags on, etc. -- is my iPhone allowed in my bag if I leave it in there?
-Any tips for attending panels? I do know the VIP thing gets us guaranteed passes for his panel (YAY again).
-If we wanted to get a photo with another celebrity guest, is there any way to do it without paying 50-100+ bucks? We are already spending a bunch of money, so... What if you want to take a phone pic -- do they charge for that? Maybe it's not even allowed, right?
-Any tips for celebrity spotting outside the official con activities? Don't worry, no stalker activities planned...
-Any tips for stuff to bring, or stuff to definitely *not* bring and leave in the hotel room instead? Is a purse just silly and I should just cram stuff in my pockets?
-Lastly, any tips for not sounding like a weirdo when talking to a celebrity you think is awesome? Ha. Or any other helpful advice?

posted by trillian to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

Best answer: Wizard World is a multi-show event and your experience will vary wildly based on the location. Some cities are fantastic, others are utter dreck. (Disclaimer: I am rather involved in the con scene, so tend to be very critical of how events are run, especially since I have put on my own shows. YMMV as a first-time attendee.)

Photos

Photo ops are strictly scheduled and there will be an up-to-date schedule at the con itself. Be prepared for last-minutes changes and even cancellations.

Celebrities usually spend their remaining time sitting on panels or at their autograph table. It will depend what the terms of their contract are. Some celebs are more prone to taking long breaks. My advice is to get to them as early as possible.

Most photo ops at places allow one guest in the photo. You will need to check the website's rules on who can be with you and if they also need a VIP ticket. You may not get a clear answer til you're on-site.

Your celeb might ask how you want to pose. Be prepared! Don't be afraid to request something, but keep in mind, photos go by VERY quickly. Remember that celebs will have different comfort levels (compare William Shatner photos vs John Barrowman, for example), so try to see how the photos just ahead of you are going, or check online.

Your photo op will probably not be the time for chatting because staff wants to keep everything running smoothly. Ask the staff how much time is in the session. Standard photos are just a "hello" and maybe a handshake. I don't do VIP, personally.

You will only be putting your bag on a table for the photo op and generally right before you go in. Photos "booths" are just a small square of space roped off by curtains. They are not fancy, lol.

I like having a physical print, because I have had photographers screw up the digital delivery, or I have lost my info. Buy a print protector or bring one.

Cameras are fine on the con floor and you will want one for all the cosplayers. Just remember to ask someone, first, if they want their picture taken. Never bother a cosplayer when they are resting/eating. Same is true for photographing an artist or vendor's booth. Taking photos at panels is usually fair game, just don't be distracting.

Security and con staff vary wildly as well, and some will be more zealous than others about policing cameras in restricted areas. They probably won't be doing bag checks, but it's not uncommon for an 18-year-old volunteer to get a bug up their butt and start screaming at the mere sight of a camera.

Panels

Panels will vary wildly depending on your city. Most of the Wizard Worlds focus on autographs/photos, vendors... and then panels, in that order. Panels could very well be in a large, noisy common room with everything else going on, so be sure you get a good seat where you can see and hear clearly. If it's being held in a room, get there early.

If you have time, catch the cosplay contest. While Wizard World tends to suck ass at running them, it's still a good way to see some great costumes.

I also suggest chatting with artists in Artist's Alley as a way to fill up the time. They tend to be fellow fans who are chained to their tables the entire event, so show them some love! And buy something! Especially if it is original work! (Being an artist on the con circuit isn't very profitable and is often moreso a labor of love.)

Celebs

Most celebs and/or their handlers will not allow photos at the table. Depends on the celeb, but it's pretty rare and very frowned upon to try to snap pics. If you have a gift, you can offer it, but it will depend on the person. I have given gifts to celebs before, but I've also been a con-runner at the time, so that's a different experience, ha ha.

Most celebs have a handler, either their own or a liaison supplied by the con. You will likely not see much of them outside their table/panels, because Wizard Worlds tend to be convention center events. Conventions hosted by hotels (like DragonCon), you have a much higher chance of just running into a lone celeb in an elevator... or at the bar. Be respectful of their time if you catch them outside the con or in-between events. Celebs may be tired/distracted because they often have a lot of travel to do for cons and might be giving up a weekend with family. They are getting paid to be at the con because it is part of their job, so a break is a break, yaknow?

When I talk to celebs, I like to focus on them as a person, and not their character(s). And wow, can there be a huge difference between who they are on and off screen. No touching, unless they are naturally touchy-feely with other attendees. (I've had celebs offer to hug me, so, ok, sure!) I try not to ask the usual questions and let them know how much I enjoy their work and that I'm interested in their other projects, even (especially) ones that aren't "fannish". If I know they share an interest (so many celebs my age now are fellow nerds), I might geek out with them about Star Wars or something, lol.

What to bring

Bring a bag that can hold 8x10 prints and any items you may want to purchase. Backpacks are great, imo, just be careful not to run into people while wearing it.

Bring water and energy bars. Save money and frustration by eating lunch off-site, if it's convenient.

Wizard Worlds typically are not physically large events (often just in 1 large convention hall), so don't expect to need to walk a lot. You will still be on your feet all day, so prepare for that. I usually pack an Altoids tin with bandaids, moleskin, immodium, and ibuprofin. Hand sanitizer, too.

Make sure your phone has a good charge. Price check items you want to buy to avoid impulse shopping. May con floor "deals" really aren't. You can bring a phone charger, but it's very likely outlets will be rare. Carry cash. If cell reception is bad, most vendors will have problems taking credit. ATMs at the event tend to run out of cash.

I hope that helps! Don't be overwhelmed, take breaks when you need to, limit impulse buys, and be prepared to change your schedule at a moment's notice. Have fun!
posted by Wossname at 8:20 AM on March 16, 2016 [5 favorites]

General comic-con experience:

Whether a celebrity will let you take a cell-phone photo of them or not depends on the celebrity. If you go up for a paid autograph, some will allow you to take a selfie with them - some for an additional fee, others for free, some won't allow it at all, you have to do the paid professional photo session. Some will have it specifically posted out front that no cameras/cell phone selfies are allowed at the entrance to the autograph queue. If you bring a D-SLR, prepare to be told to put it away. Sometimes covert cell-phone shots are easier to sneak but YMMV.

Bring a large enough bag to carry your comic-con acquisitions, along with a water bottle and some snacks (bring them). Food/drinks are stupid-expensive and the lineups can be really long, and you will probably stay hours longer than expected, you may need something to tide you over. If you plan on getting autographs or buying art or anything, bring/buy some kind of non-bendy folder or hard-cover book to put them in, make sure you pick the bag to fit the folder/book.

If you have a VIP pass, you can pretty much just walk in to the panels when the doors open and get a decent seat (that's the point). Otherwise you might have to queue up for an hour or more to get into a high-profile panel. A lot of times they will fully clear people out of a panel before letting the audience in for the next one, so there's no sneaking in and staying for the good one.

Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously, your most comfortable. Be prepared to stand for hours. A lot of places in the main areas will not let you sit down on the floor, for fire regulations. Especially in queues for ops.
posted by lizbunny at 8:24 AM on March 16, 2016

(Small clarification -- by not "walk a lot", I mean, you won't be walking far. But you will be standing/walking all day. I sometimes need a cane, and always bring one to cons -- not so much for all the walking, but rather for all the standing around!)
posted by Wossname at 8:30 AM on March 16, 2016

If you are able to volunteer (next year) for a comic-con, apparently these are the best ways to meet celebrities informally. Requires a police record check, and early application, but you can apply to be the go-fer/assistant to someone famous for their autograph/photo ops.
posted by lizbunny at 8:30 AM on March 16, 2016

I can't speak to Wizard World specifically but I can't emphasize enough - bring water in a refillable bottle, and bring your own food. At least snacks if nothing else. The conventions I've gone to have generally had lousy food, usually sold by the convention center, and going off-site to get something better elsewhere can be a huge, time-consuming pain.
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:27 PM on March 16, 2016