[ST] Fwd: GOH ( was Flyers @ ReaderCon?)

[Jill Eastlake]

Hi,

Again, I think that the difference here is both in expectations of the
convention and of the people we are generally having join our convention.

I might go to a convention with Mr. Takai and/or Mr. Shatner at it, but I
would tend to avoid them completely.  Too many crowds!  I might go to
something they were doing, a speech, but would never go to get their
autograph.  And, I wouldn¹t stay at said speech unless there were sufficient
seating, no additional charge, and they were saying something interesting.

I have close friends who go to conventions to see celebrities, get their
picture taken with those celebrities, and bring a stack of books, posters,
etc for autographs.

Arisia has been a convention where any fan can expect to be in a room with
the Guests and have a fair shot at talking to them.  They are unlikely to
want a picture with them ­ some do.  They may bring a few books for
autographs, but generally have the expectation that the author will sign
their entire library.

I see nothing at all wrong with Arisia¹s GoH being at any other convention,
even one a week before or a week after ours, within driving distance.  That
actually adds to their attraction for me as it means they are closer to the
fans.  I don¹t feel that we are competing for the fannish dollar and that
people will only come to our convention to see someone famous.

I believe that Arisia is trying its best to give the fannish community a
full weekend of interesting and fun experiences from which to pick and
choose.  We are there to provide a venue for people to see each other, learn
new things, and have a good time.

I would never invite George Takai or William Shatner to be a Guest at
Arisia.  I might invite one of the writers from Star Trek, one of the
artists, a director or producer.  But, I would expect that if by chance one
of the celebrities came to Arisia on their own that they would be there as a
fan of SF and F, and not to be more adored by their public.

That doesn¹t, by the way, guarantee that I will only invite writers and
cover artists to be my Guests in 2009.  I¹m open to suggestions ­ but not
celebrities who I would expect to attract 10,000 screaming fans.

Hope this helps.

Jill


On 7/2/07 11:56 AM, "SciFiFanBoston at aol.com" <SciFiFanBoston at aol.com> wrote:

> Well, even so.  For example, say that George Takai is a GOH for Shore Leave,
> and then he goes and signs on to be on the same guest list as William Shatner
> at FarPoint.  (*Both just north of Baltimore Maryland, about 6 months apart.)
> He may not be the GOH at FarPoint but he will attract certain membership at a
> very similar convention within months of the convention he's also expected to
> attract membership to.  (* yeah, I know that's bad grammar... it's Monday...
> phhtth.)  
>  
> It just makes me kind of feel like Ms. Gilman thinks less of Arisia than she
> should.  Or that Arisia didn't make it clear that she's our main "headliner".
> -Mary
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> In a message dated 7/2/2007 10:59:33 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> deguspice at gmail.com writes:
>>  
>>> On  7/2/07, SciFiFanBoston at aol.com <SciFiFanBoston at aol.com>  wrote:
>>> 
>>>> > Why are we having the same special guest at a convention  only 6 months
>>>> later
>>>> > that Readercon is having this  weekend?
>>> 
>>>    Laura Ann Gilman is just a regular panelist at  Readercon.
>>>     ---Ben
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> staff mailing  list
>>> staff at arisia.org
>>> http://arisia.org/mailman/listinfo/staff
>>  
>>  
>>  
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> See what's free at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> staff mailing list
> staff at arisia.org
> http://arisia.org/mailman/listinfo/staff


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