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Hall of Records (from years gone by) => 2015 SDCC Programming and Panels => Friday => Topic started by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 12:03:01 PM

Title: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 12:03:01 PM
Hi there!

I probably have about a hundred million questions about SDCC since I've never attended before, and this is my first year attempting to get badges. I've been doing research on it for like 2+ years because I figure that it can never hurt to be thorough with something like this - which, thankfully, led me to the forum and helped me find a buying group!  :) I have been lurking for a while to kind of feel out what other people's experiences have been like, but I figured that I'd post one of my many questions (even though I don't want to get too ahead of myself, since I haven't even secured badges yet).

So, I am a big "Game of Thrones" fan, and I know that SDCC does a huge panel and autographing every year. I live near New York, so this is a big deal for me, since NYCC has only been getting 1-2 minor actors from the show. There are quite a few of the major actors that I'd like to meet, but I know that SDCC does the ticket lottery the morning of for the autographing, and I'm assuming that a TON of people want those tickets. I wouldn't say that I'm particularly UNLUCKY, but I'm not sure how I feel about my chances up against all those people (I'm thinking that I'll be pretty lucky if I can even get badges).

If I chose to do the panel, I know that I would be camping outside of Hall H, but I am assuming that I would have to get there in the early evening the day before to get a good seat(?), and I am thinking that leaving for an extended period of time won't allow me to go back to the same spot in line.

Basically, has anyone ever successfully participated in an autograph ticket drawing on a similar scale to "Game of Thrones" AND gotten into Hall H on the same day? Is that something that is even possible? I am assuming that I will probably have to choose one or the other and that my chances of getting into the panel are much higher - in that case, is there any chance of running into any of the actors outside of the autographing? Probably not, haha.

Any help that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated! Until then, I will be anxiously awaiting badge registration...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 13, 2015, 12:10:06 PM
Without some kind of connection or help from generous friends (i.e. friends lining up for autograph tickets and then giving them to you if they win) I don't think that is possible any more. Even lining up for autograph tickets involves a significant waiting time early in the morning. It's just not possible to line up for both autograph tickets and a popular day at Hall H.

JMHO. If anyone has suggestions on how to accomplish both, I would love to hear it!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 12:44:17 PM
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Without some kind of connection or help from generous friends (i.e. friends lining up for autograph tickets and then giving them to you if they win) I don't think that is possible any more. Even lining up for autograph tickets involves a significant waiting time early in the morning. It's just not possible to line up for both autograph tickets and a popular day at Hall H.

JMHO. If anyone has suggestions on how to accomplish both, I would love to hear it!

Haha, while it's entirely possible that I may have connections elsewhere throughout the con, I think I might be the *least* connected to GOT...which would be my luck! I would also be attending by myself, so I don't think that I am going to find anyone to stand in line for me.

Thanks for letting me know, though! Just out of curiosity, does anyone know approx. how many people usually go for that type of autograph lottery vs. how many people actually get tickets? I am assuming that the odds are terrifyingly not in my favor  :o
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 13, 2015, 12:49:35 PM
To be honest there is no way to be in 2 places at the same time.

The WB use hologram bracelets that they fasten to your wrist if you win your choice and that day the line up for the drawing is quite popular.  At the same time you have to be in your sorting group for Hall H.

Sorry to be the one to break the bad news but you have to make a choice between the panel vs the autograph drawing.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 12:58:39 PM
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To be honest there is no way to be in 2 places at the same time.

The WB use hologram bracelets that they fasten to your wrist if you win your choice and that day the line up for the drawing is quite popular.  At the same time you have to be in your sorting group for Hall H.

Sorry to be the one to break the bad news but you have to make a choice between the panel vs the autograph drawing.

I figured as much, haha. Thanks for letting me know! I am thinking that the panel is generally a more successful option, so I will probably go with that and keep looking to see if they make any appearances on the east coast.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 13, 2015, 02:11:49 PM
FWIW, I've always made the same choice. I'd rather see the cast in a panel then get autographs (which while fun and exciting, is a very fast experience). Although it's getting to the point where Hall H is extremely difficult to get into on Friday and Saturday. I am actually debating this year if I want to camp out to see GoT in Hall H, or simply 'get up early' for autograph wristband lotteries. Ugh... not an easy choice.

Keep in mind that if you do decide to go for the autograph, you can watch the panel playback easily in the evening. It's not the same as being there, and they don't show the 'exclusive footage', but you can see the panel itself.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 02:33:52 PM
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FWIW, I've always made the same choice. I'd rather see the cast in a panel then get autographs (which while fun and exciting, is a very fast experience). Although it's getting to the point where Hall H is extremely difficult to get into on Friday and Saturday. I am actually debating this year if I want to camp out to see GoT in Hall H, or simply 'get up early' for autograph wristband lotteries. Ugh... not an easy choice.

Keep in mind that if you do decide to go for the autograph, you can watch the panel playback easily in the evening. It's not the same as being there, and they don't show the 'exclusive footage', but you can see the panel itself.

Ahh, true - thank you for the reminder! Although I wouldn't want to go for the autographing, lose out on the lottery, and then not even get to experience the panel. You're right - tough decision.

What is the best time to get in line for Hall H if I wanted a good seat? I think I've heard like 4 or 5 pm for the Friday and Saturday panels - is that accurate? I don't think that would bother me TOO much - if I do get to go this year (*fingers crossed*), I was just planning on attempting to get a hotel nearby in the lottery, getting a sleeping bag for the long night, and making some friends to save my spot in line for bathroom breaks and whatnot.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 13, 2015, 03:32:56 PM
Not certain. The 'lineup time' changes every year. Last year CCI threw a wrinkle into the system with handing out wristbands... and that only encouraged lineups to start earlier. I'm not sure what they will do this year: keep the system the same or change it again. It's anyone's guess as to how that might work...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 13, 2015, 04:24:57 PM
Okay - thank you!  :) I will just have to look into that as it gets closer. For now, I will continue freaking out about registration next weekend  :o
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 13, 2015, 06:18:38 PM
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Okay - thank you!  :) I will just have to look into that as it gets closer. For now, I will continue freaking out about registration next weekend  :o

Good luck!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 14, 2015, 12:12:30 AM
Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 14, 2015, 06:09:31 AM
One more thing - generally on the morning of this particular draw there are several drawings going on at the same time and you can only draw for 1 when you get to the table. If you do not win on the first shot you can get on the line again for a chance to draw again so do not give up if you are unsuccessful at the first attempt. Patience Is key.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 14, 2015, 07:22:21 AM

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Not certain. The 'lineup time' changes every year. Last year CCI threw a wrinkle into the system with handing out wristbands... and that only encouraged lineups to start earlier. I'm not sure what they will do this year: keep the system the same or change it again. It's anyone's guess as to how that might work...
are you saying there wasn't a drawing and it was first come first serve wristbands. Just telling them which autograph you wanted?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 14, 2015, 09:08:06 AM
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are you saying there wasn't a drawing and it was first come first serve wristbands. Just telling them which autograph you wanted?

I was referring to the wristbands given out in the Hall H line.

However, some of the autograph drawings also have wristbands. They give them out *after* you draw your random ticket.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 14, 2015, 10:03:36 AM
Got it, I didn't try for any autographs last yr because the garage opened at 5 am and it was already too late by that time to get in line after the doors opened. The line was long and I just went okay. I really wanted to get the GoT signing but it was not to be.
I forgot hall h had wristbands, the only hall h panel I went to was Sons of Anarchy and I just walked right in
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 14, 2015, 10:51:48 AM
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One more thing - generally on the morning of this particular draw there are several drawings going on at the same time and you can only draw for 1 when you get to the table. If you do not win on the first shot you can get on the line again for a chance to draw again so do not give up if you are unsuccessful at the first attempt. Patience Is key.

Oh, I did forget about this - thanks for the tip! I'm assuming that a person will probably only end up with one chance for something on the scale of GOT because the line is probably super long, but I think I would definitely do this for the less popular drawings!  :D
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 21, 2015, 09:25:26 PM
I am very experienced in the autograph lotteries. You have to camp all night in the everything else line to even get a shot at GoT autographs. No matter what else is in the drawing that day, GoT will be the one that runs out first and it will run out fast. Last year we got in the line at 5am and by the time we were up to Sails to get in the line, GoT was already gone. The year before we got there at the same time and actually spent a good amount of time in the line for the drawing before GoT was gone. Moral of the story is, 2014 it was VERY hard to even make it to the table to draw for a chance at the most popular autograph sessions. So much so that this year I think I'm going to give up that part of my Con b/c I can't get there before 5am since I drive in.

In my experience though, the WB drawings (which GoT is a part of) have a lot of winning tickets. More than the others. So if you actually get there before your show is gone, you have a pretty good shot. I'd be devastated if I camped for it though I drew a loser, which is possible.....and yes you can get back in line, but it's gonna be long long long gone by the time you get to the front again.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 22, 2015, 06:02:06 AM
I've done the autograph WB drawings and it's hard not to get a winning ticket like cracksback stated, but the FOX drawing is really tough to get a winner. Near ballroom 20 they have the Sony drawings that I have not tried so I don't know your chances there.
Title: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: ahbbb on February 22, 2015, 07:31:17 AM
Personally, wb is the worst for me. I think I have won 3 times in 20 chances.
BUT my friends all win consistently. In fact , they believe there wasn't any losing tickets at WB until they saw my dejected face.
Fox is the reverse for me and them.
I had no idea Sony had drawings by ballroom 20. What shows did they offer?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 07:59:54 AM
Ooh, these are good things to know - thank you! I don't mind camping out all night for the autographing if my chances with WB are decent. Though it does depend on which actors end up going, which I'm sure won't be announced until like two weeks before. I think that well help solidify my choice between the panel or the autographing.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 22, 2015, 08:01:15 AM

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Personally, wb is the worst for me. I think I have won 3 times in 20 chances.
BUT my friends all win consistently. In fact , they believe there wasn't any losing tickets at WB until they saw my dejected face.
Fox is the reverse for me and them.
I had no idea Sony had drawings by ballroom 20. What shows did they offer?
honestly I don't know. I know Robert Kirkman autograph tickets are there other than that I have no idea.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 08:31:48 AM
That's really interesting, Cracksback! I was debating doing some autograph lineups this year, but that sounds ridiculous!

Interestingly, I thought that last year WB started handing out autographs at 6 am? And you got in line at 5 am and they were gone? Or you got in line at 5 am, and it took you until after 6 am to get in?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 08:34:41 AM
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Ooh, these are good things to know - thank you! I don't mind camping out all night for the autographing if my chances with WB are decent. Though it does depend on which actors end up going, which I'm sure won't be announced until like two weeks before. I think that well help solidify my choice between the panel or the autographing.
Well, you'd think, but often they don't announce at all who will be present. You find out when you show up for autographs. Last year I felt bad because Mad Max autographs went real fast. They were the second ones gone. I believe people thought they would get Charlize Theron or Tom Hardy or both.  It ended up being just the director. If people knew that those would have been the last tickets left.

They were banking on it being like the previous year where we got Sandra Bullock for Gravity and Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Pullman for Edge of Tomorrow.  None of the big movie stars seemed to show for the WB movies that did autographs last year. (There were no autographs for Superman v. Batman)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 08:37:29 AM
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Well, you'd think, but often they don't announce at all who will be present. You find out when you show up for autographs. Last year I felt bad because Mad Max autographs went real fast. They were the second ones gone. I believe people thought they would get Charlize Theron or Tom Hardy or both.  It ended up being just the director. If people knew that those would have been the last tickets left.

They were banking on it being like the previous year where we got Sandra Bullock for Gravity and Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Pullman for Edge of Tomorrow.  None of the big movie stars seemed to show for the WB movies that did autographs last year. (There were no autographs for Superman v. Batman)

Ooh, that's a little rough. Can you ask the WB booth the day before if they have any idea of who might be there? If not, I'll probably have to use my better judgment, haha  8)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 08:44:21 AM
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That's really interesting, Cracksback! I was debating doing some autograph lineups this year, but that sounds ridiculous!

Interestingly, I thought that last year WB started handing out autographs at 6 am? And you got in line at 5 am and they were gone? Or you got in line at 5 am, and it took you until after 6 am to get in?
They open the Convention Center doors at 6am and WB starts drawing tickets the minute the first people get to their corral. Arriving at 5am, we were already put in I think the 4th chute/corral of people waiting (on Thursdy due to poor Hall H programming arriving at 5am all chutes were full and we had to line along the marina!).

By the time we were let in and booked it up to Sails each day the WB line was already at Lego minifig long (its the same line used for lego minifigs). And that was at 6:30 am. And within 5 minutes they were yelling out that GoT was gone.

We ended up not doing any WB because of how huge the line got so soon last year. We did Fox drawings which don't start till 8am, so their line doesn't get as long right away. I think people think, wrongly, that they can draw for WB and get in line for Fox. Those days are over it seems.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 09:01:06 AM
Thanks for the info, Cracksback. The only line we did last year was when we went for the CCI drawing to get tickets to the Weird Al panel. And that wasn't supposed to start until 9 am, so we just joined the line going into the convention center much later. Even then, we only had 1 lucky draw, and my friend was happy to get it!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 09:24:57 AM
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Thanks for the info, Cracksback. The only line we did last year was when we went for the CCI drawing to get tickets to the Weird Al panel. And that wasn't supposed to start until 9 am, so we just joined the line going into the convention center much later. Even then, we only had 1 lucky draw, and my friend was happy to get it!

You still did have a shot at Fox  by arriving at 5am last year, but as I said, it's different every year and harder. 2013 we had amazing luck at WB arriving at 5am but no chance in hell in 2014 arriving that late. So, I'm going to assume our Fox chances will be to nothing this year arriving at 5am. We were able to get The Simpsons and The Following at Fox last year arriving at 5am. The good thing about Fox, at least in previous years, is that your winning ticket is your entry to the session, so you can give it to someone else if say a group of you tries and not everyone gets it but one person is hardcore fan and you'd rather give yours to them. WB they put a bracelet on you and it's tight. Too tight for me to get off. So you can't trade it off to anyone.

We tried for American Horror Story at Fox last year and both drew losers (they did let us pick from another show as a consolation and that's how we ended up with The Simpsons, I don't know if that's normal for them to let you do that though) and the girl behind us was a hardcore AHS fan and she was hyperventilating just being in the line and we had agreed with her that if we both drew winners and she did not, we would give her one of ours. We both lost though. And so did she! However, the girl behind her won and didn't even seem too excited so she begged her for her ticket and I think paid her some money for it ahahahaha Funniest thing yet, she was there with her boyfriend (who was also in line with her and was very cool) who was there as a creative pro b/c he works on the set of The Walking Dead. Now THAT is something. They were all "ehh" about TWD, which would have had me hyperventilating!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 09:44:00 AM
Cracksback, you have been a wealth of info about the autograph process. Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 09:54:39 AM
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Cracksback, you have been a wealth of info about the autograph process. Thank you very much!

You're welcome. Autographs have kinda been my thing the past couple years. We are truly thinking we won't do it at all this year due to not being able to get there earlier and it was rough getting there that early last year and not getting what we truly wanted. I'd rather give up on that, arrive later and be less thrashed and not deal with disappointment. However, trust that I would be doing it again if I could camp or arrive earlier. You get hooked on them and being that close and being able to say "Hi" to your faves. I was dying last year with Kevin Bacon. It's Kevin Bacon! Footloose Soundtrack was the first cassette I bought with my own money and my Dad made an illegal dub of the movie for me and I wore it out! I completely froze up when he looked at me with his sparkly Kevin Bacon eyes and said hello to me ahahahahah. I also love The Following in general and Shawn Ashmore was great and struck up a little convo with me until they yelled at me to move LOL.

Be aware, they will move you like cattle and you don't get to take pics or talk really more than a quick hello. 2013 we got Gravity and Sandra Bullock started talking to my wife, like truly genuinely asking her about SDCC and they yelled to move and Sandra put up her hand and was like, "Wait, we are talking" and the PR lady came up to her and whispered in her ear and she rolled her eyes and apologized to my wife. So even if Sandra Bullock WANTS to talk to you and tries to tell them no....they will move you LOL.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 10:07:17 AM
Yes, thank you, Cracksback! That is an excellent Sandra Bullock story! Though I'm disappointed to hear that WB puts the wristbands on so tight. I've seen SDCC Game of Thrones signed posters from last year on Amazon for like $300, so I was thinking about paying someone up to that much for their wristband if they were going to sell it anyway. But it doesn't seem like that will be an option!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 10:21:56 AM
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Yes, thank you, Cracksback! That is an excellent Sandra Bullock story! Though I'm disappointed to hear that WB puts the wristbands on so tight. I've seen SDCC Game of Thrones signed posters from last year on Amazon for like $300, so I was thinking about paying someone up to that much for their wristband if they were going to sell it anyway. But it doesn't seem like that will be an option!

It would really depend if someone could get their hand out of it and you could get your hand in it. They are very thick and sturdy and don't stretch. Actually very nice. Each one has a hologram surface with the movie or show logo for the signing. In 2013 our second time through WB we got The 100 signing and didn't even know what it was (it wouldn't even be on TV til the next year), but it was the only one left with Tomorrow People. When we got there for the signing there was a teenage girl begging to buy someone's wristband for $50 b/c she loved some boy on the show. I didn't even want her money and was going to give it to her, but I could not get my hand out of it!!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 22, 2015, 10:25:13 AM
That's what happened to us with the cast of Fringe, my daughter had an invader zim hat on and they were asking my daughter questions and behold security comes along to tell us to move it. Same with Kevin Bacon, wife asked  him a question and security steps in and says you can't ask questions. It's cool though all part of the experience.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: TheNeck on February 22, 2015, 10:36:53 AM
just thought i would weigh in, 2014 was me and my daughter's 1st comic-con(her early high school graduation gift, she graduates this year in june). amazingly i got me and my wife, keifer sutherland's autograph(Fox), for my daughter i got her a ticket for the bones(Fox) autograph signing, and a bracelet for my daughter for vampire diaries(WB).

For Kiefer's autograph on Thursday, we got super lucky, got in line at 5am, in which my 11 year old son drew the last ticket for autographs.

Thursday and Friday night my daughter wanted to do all nighters, so it wasn't hard being in front of the line for the autograph drawings.

From my experience the Fox drawing is just random, you just hope you pick the winning ticket(so nerve racking, i just got lucky) especially since the person in front of me who was 1st to draw for the bones signing didnt win. everybody in line were trying to get tickets for teen wolf, that i itself was a crazy experience.

As for the WB drawing, people in line said WB likes to put all the winning tickets on top, so i just picked a ticket from the top and got a winner(or i just got lucky). So when the guy was going to put the wrist band on me, i told the guy in charge it was for my daughter, and he said where is she, and i told him she was in line for the panel. So he told the guy to put it on the loosest settings, which luckily will a little soap and water in the bathroom i was able to get it off.

Also the WB drawing wasn't handed out till 8am or 9am, whatever time all the other signing were, not any earlier.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 10:53:29 AM
I think you are honestly mistaken. The WB drawings start as soon as they let people into the Sails Pavilion. Anyone else experienced in WB drawings want to weigh in? They are always first and are given priority. All the other drawings start later. Fox starts at 8. They don't all start at the same time, there is a logistical reason for it. They want to keep people held in the lines to avoid a free-for-all.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 11:09:52 AM
Is there just one line for everything? In other words, does someone like WB just do one long line for the drawings, or are there separate ones for each show/movie doing autographs within WB?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 22, 2015, 11:41:13 AM
One line per studio. WB will be one line - Fox will another line in a separate area.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: TheNeck on February 22, 2015, 11:42:36 AM
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I think you are honestly mistaken. The WB drawings start as soon as they let people into the Sails Pavilion. Anyone else experienced in WB drawings want to weigh in? They are always first and are given priority. All the other drawings start later. Fox starts at 8. They don't all start at the same time, there is a logistical reason for it. They want to keep people held in the lines to avoid a free-for-all.
if anybody else could chime in as well that would be appreciated.

once they let us into the sails pavillion at 6am, we still had to wait till 8am at least on Saturday that was the case since i was right in the front of the line.

Friday we weren't that far from the front, and it seemed to be the same, let us in around 6am, and no drawings till 8am.

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Is there just one line for everything? In other words, does someone like WB just do one long line for the drawings, or are there separate ones for each show/movie doing autographs within WB?

also the  WB just did one line for all their drawings, so when you get to the front of the line, you have to tell them which drawing you want to draw from.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 12:27:14 PM
Gotcha - thank you! No wonder the line is so long...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: ahbbb on February 22, 2015, 12:56:28 PM
Last year, their was some controversy with vendors letting people in through a side entrance and those people getting into the wb line before the 'public'.
So some of the popular shows were already shorted by the time the rest of us got to the front of the line.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 01:12:04 PM
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Last year, their was some controversy with vendors letting people in through a side entrance and those people getting into the wb line before the 'public'.
So some of the popular shows were already shorted by the time the rest of us got to the front of the line.

Well, that doesn't seem right. Was it a two line things that people were unaware of, or was it something else?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 22, 2015, 01:22:45 PM

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Last year, their was some controversy with vendors letting people in through a side entrance and those people getting into the wb line before the 'public'.
So some of the popular shows were already shorted by the time the rest of us got to the front of the line.
I would not doubt it.

Regarding the start times it all depended on when the studio staff showed up and were ready. The staff in Sails had no info on precise timing but they indicated that they were waiting on them to show up. WB was very much ready to go earlier than Fox. Nothing bad on Fox but it is up to them when they want to start. The staff at the tables btw were really nice and patient.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 02:27:30 PM
When we did the Weird Al panel drawing last year (that one was run by CCI) it was the last one on the schedule. It was supposed to be at 9 am, but ended up being closer to 10 am, because they had to wait for all of the other drawings to finish and let out, before getting started.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 22, 2015, 02:47:24 PM

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Last year, their was some controversy with vendors letting people in through a side entrance and those people getting into the wb line before the 'public'.
So some of the popular shows were already shorted by the time the rest of us got to the front of the line.
I saw something about this last year where people were tweeting that they found a secret entrance in the back of the convention and they were getting inside the sails pavilion earlier. I think this was to line up for hasbro and the WB line.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: ahbbb on February 22, 2015, 03:12:53 PM
Hasbro and wb are the high dollar items.  So that would be were the nefarious activities would arise.
No disrespect to fox.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Az_Rael on February 22, 2015, 04:00:28 PM
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I saw something about this last year where people were tweeting that they found a secret entrance in the back of the convention and they were getting inside the sails pavilion earlier. I think this was to line up for hasbro and the WB line.

We did the Hasbro line Thursday morning lining up at about 3AM and they were apparently letting folks in via the harbor side which caused much chaos.   People were line jumping, etc.   Terrible, especially when they kept such close tabs on the line on the front side making sure there were no line jumpers.   We got to within 20 people of the front and they ran out of Hasbro tickets, so we were pretty mad since if there hadn't been as many line cutters, we probably would have gotten tickets.   

I have pretty much sworn off camping after that experience.   
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 04:05:33 PM
It is a damn shame they don't take better care of harbor side. It seemed more secure to me last year than the previous year. Simply put, most security and line workers outside at sdcc are clueless and meek. Inside is another story, they scream in your face if you do something wrong!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 05:05:07 PM
I've never understood the whole thing with people lining up at the backside of the convention center. Is that a legit line or not? If it's not, why isn't there security there telling people to move away?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: oneroomdisco on February 22, 2015, 05:16:45 PM
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I've never understood the whole thing with people lining up at the backside of the convention center. Is that a legit line or not? If it's not, why isn't there security there telling people to move away?
I've always heard that it isn't, but at the same time, every year I've gone there end up being stories of people lining up in the back and then either getting in before everyone else/blending into the actual line once people start getting let in.

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Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Transmute Jun on February 22, 2015, 05:23:26 PM
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I've always heard that it isn't, but at the same time, every year I've gone there end up being stories of people lining up in the back and then either getting in before everyone else/blending into the actual line once people start getting let in.

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Yeah, exactly! Has anyone here ever lined up at the back? And what does security say to you about it?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 22, 2015, 05:28:01 PM
I've seen security back there telling people they can't. This is after people were let in the front and our lines got down to the marina and people tried to cut in there. I've never gone early morning to see what happens back there.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 22, 2015, 05:41:35 PM
Oh no, that sounds really unfortunate. I would think that they would try to enforce some kind of policy there, but maybe not amidst all of the chaos? I suppose these are all things to consider in the panel/autographing dilemma, though!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 22, 2015, 09:46:28 PM
CCI should put those security guards that are on the tradeshow floor you know the ones that yell at you move along! You can't stand/sit there! No pictures! On the backside of the sails pavilion.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 23, 2015, 05:07:52 AM
On the back side of the building is where the security teams gather and get their assignments. With all of the confusion of people moving through Sails there are bound to be people slipping through. One way has been mentioned by a few of you in earlier posts but maybe also ticketing the exhibit hall line in some way to reduce cutting.

The other option is to have the vendors cut back on all the early morning ticket distributions. Have 2 or 3 a day to break up the crowd.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 23, 2015, 12:19:20 PM
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On the back side of the building is where the security teams gather and get their assignments. With all of the confusion of people moving through Sails there are bound to be people slipping through. One way has been mentioned by a few of you in earlier posts but maybe also ticketing the exhibit hall line in some way to reduce cutting.

The other option is to have the vendors cut back on all the early morning ticket distributions. Have 2 or 3 a day to break up the crowd.

I remember reading somewhere that NYCC does the huge autographings (i.e., The Walking Dead) as first come, first serve. The first 50 people or so who line up overnight get wristbands, and everyone else is out. I suppose that would be another solution, though SDCC seems to like doing things lottery style, so I'm guessing that it would probably never happen.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 23, 2015, 01:16:51 PM
NYCC a had its own issues with autograph drawings and the Walking Dead no longer sign there. They do have some sort of online lottery system and you will find my critiques of that in other posts.

The main issue for SDCC is due to timing of the drawing, the consolidation of all drawings, and popularity. In years past drawings were held throughout the day - generally an hour or 2 before the signing via lottery. Logistics became an issue and now almost everything is done in the morning. This forces you to chose. Do I like it nope but this is the way things are now.

My suggestion would be to have a friend go online with you to increase your chance. If one of you get it - great.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: vegasndn on February 23, 2015, 04:26:16 PM

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We did the Hasbro line Thursday morning lining up at about 3AM and they were apparently letting folks in via the harbor side which caused much chaos.   People were line jumping, etc.   Terrible, especially when they kept such close tabs on the line on the front side making sure there were no line jumpers.   We got to within 20 people of the front and they ran out of Hasbro tickets, so we were pretty mad since if there hadn't been as many line cutters, we probably would have gotten tickets.   

I have pretty much sworn off camping after that experience.
yeah that Hasbro line filled up quick along with the WB line so we just went and I'm I went out to try to get in line but the end of the line was way far back so I said screw it.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 23, 2015, 05:50:59 PM
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NYCC a had its own issues with autograph drawings and the Walking Dead no longer sign there. They do have some sort of online lottery system and you will find my critiques of that in other posts.

The main issue for SDCC is due to timing of the drawing, the consolidation of all drawings, and popularity. In years past drawings were held throughout the day - generally an hour or 2 before the signing via lottery. Logistics became an issue and now almost everything is done in the morning. This forces you to chose. Do I like it nope but this is the way things are now.

My suggestion would be to have a friend go online with you to increase your chance. If one of you get it - great.

Ahh, no wonder they didn't have a signing this year - sounds like that's out at NYCC. I'll have to look over your critiques for the online lottery - I've always been curious to how (and if) that works.

This is all good to know before showing up at SDCC - thanks for the insight! It does concern me that I'll be attending by myself, so that might not help my chances in getting lucky with autographs on this scale. So maybe the panel would be better for me? I might have to make a spreadsheet of pros and cons for both, ha!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 23, 2015, 06:05:01 PM
Two things:
1) at NYCC they have a lot of people signing but it is for a fee. The lines can be long but the talent are nice and from time to time they may walk the line themselves to say thank you for waiting - Stephen Amell did this a number of times (such a nice guy).

There are GOT cast but they not the main folks but I still go. I tend to spend a lot more at NYCC because I am paying for autographs.

2) at SDCC there is so much to do and so many people coming to sell or promote you have to pace yourself and be prepared to make a few hard choices.

There might be a glimmer of a chance NERD HQ will pull off a GOT panel. We will not know until a few days before the con or during the con itself so you may need to keep a pulse on announcements.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 23, 2015, 06:16:28 PM
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Two things:
1) at NYCC they have a lot of people signing but it is for a fee. The lines can be long but the talent are nice and from time to time they may walk the line themselves to say thank you for waiting - Stephen Amell did this a number of times (such a nice guy).

There are GOT cast but they not the main folks but I still go. I tend to spend a lot more at NYCC because I am paying for autographs.

2) at SDCC there is so much to do and so many people coming to sell or promote you have to pace yourself and be prepared to make a few hard choices.

There might be a glimmer of a chance NERD HQ will pull off a GOT panel. We will not know until a few days before the con or during the con itself so you may need to keep a pulse on announcements.

NYCC is actually much easier for me to get to since I live on the east coast, so I've been able to go twice. I've also had good experiences with paid autographs there, so that's a plus! I was even allowed to take photos when my sister and I met Nicholas Brendon, so I thought that was pretty cool! But, like you said, since it is paid and none of the major GOT cast members I've been dying to meet have been there, I decided against it last year.

Sounds like I will have to make some difficult decisions at SDCC, though. Though if NERD HQ did a panel, then I could probably try for the autographing and not have to worry about Hall H - sounds like it could be last minute and I may have to feel it out once I get there. Is NERD HQ offsite?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 23, 2015, 06:19:43 PM
Yes it is offsite. I love the panels there and the best part is that you do not have to invest a lot of time online as long as you have a ticket you have a seat.

There is a whole thread on Nerd HQ.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 23, 2015, 06:28:11 PM
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Yes it is offsite. I love the panels there and the best part is that you do not have to invest a lot of time online as long as you have a ticket you have a seat.

There is a whole thread on Nerd HQ.

Ooh, that sounds much less chaotic! I'm definitely going to have to take a look at that thread - thank you!  :)
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Froggy on February 25, 2015, 09:58:24 AM
Does anyone have experience with the Marvel Autographs drawings?
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 25, 2015, 10:04:21 AM
Those are worse. It's at the Marvel booth the morning of and like the Funko line, already capped when the first person in line reaches the floor. SDCC has a BAD vendor problem and they don't seem to care.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Froggy on February 25, 2015, 11:13:52 AM
Thanks for the info.

Shame, I was hoping exhibitors would line up for the Marvel exclusives but not so much for the autographs...
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 25, 2015, 11:20:11 AM
Those autographs are worth more than the exclusives!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 25, 2015, 02:03:53 PM
This is getting off topic but the Marvel booth lineup was confusing because there are multiple lines for different things. When I figured out which line it actually was it was already capped.

Overall drawings at the booth can be a mad dash but if you pre-plan by asking people in the booth the day before it may help.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 25, 2015, 03:15:03 PM
Last year Kerry Dixon camped and wa first person in line for exhibit hall, just to try for Marvel autographs and she didn't even get there in time. So.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 26, 2015, 04:32:57 PM
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Those are worse. It's at the Marvel booth the morning of and like the Funko line, already capped when the first person in line reaches the floor. SDCC has a BAD vendor problem and they don't seem to care.

Does this mean that the vendors let in friends/family/etc first, and then the "general" public follows? I think I saw that somewhere, and I remember thinking that it was a bit outrageous!
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: Mel on February 26, 2015, 05:12:20 PM
I absolutely think that vendors let in friends and family. This is how they even skirt the "no selling to vendor badges" they go outside with their vendor badges, give them to people with regular badges to wear to get in early, then once in they swap them back out with their attendee badges.

If SDCC wanted to fix this, security would bein place to prevent queuing before floor doors are open to attendees.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: DRWHO42 on February 26, 2015, 05:43:57 PM

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I absolutely think that vendors let in friends and family. This is how they even skirt the "no selling to vendor badges" they go outside with their vendor badges, give them to people with regular badges to wear to get in early, then once in they swap them back out with their attendee badges.

If SDCC wanted to fix this, security would bein place to prevent queuing before floor doors are open to attendees.
i know first hand of a few people who used their vendor hook to get on the floor before attendees. These were people who camped outside near me so I had a chance to speak with them and when they missed out on WB they called their friend so they could get onto the floor for with the intentions of getting on the line for autographs at the Marvel booth.
Title: Re: Game of Thrones: Panel vs. Autographing Chances
Post by: mlgagne on February 26, 2015, 07:01:18 PM
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I absolutely think that vendors let in friends and family. This is how they even skirt the "no selling to vendor badges" they go outside with their vendor badges, give them to people with regular badges to wear to get in early, then once in they swap them back out with their attendee badges.

If SDCC wanted to fix this, security would bein place to prevent queuing before floor doors are open to attendees.

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i know first hand of a few people who used their vendor hook to get on the floor before attendees. These were people who camped outside near me so I had a chance to speak with them and when they missed out on WB they called their friend so they could get onto the floor for with the intentions of getting on the line for autographs at the Marvel booth.

That's not right. CCI should enforce a policy against that (though even if they did, a lot of people probably wouldn't follow it).