Teen Wolf Convention, the 6th
Helloooo!
The only time I come back to LJ lately (and I use that word loosely, considering it's been, oh, almost two years), seems to be when I have a convention to report about and pictures to share. But hey, better than never, right? :D
So it's been almost a month at this point, but I went to a Teen Wolf convention in Paris on July 6th and 7th, and met a bunch of Teen Wolf actors. The lineup was truly amazing, and I'm definitely not complaining about all the actors I got to meet in just two days. Look at this amazing guest list:
- Holland Roden
- Melissa Ponzio
- Susan Walters (Saturday only)
- Shelley Hennig (Sunday only)
- Tyler Hoechlin
- Ian Bohen
- JR Bourne
- Daniel Sharman
- Colton Haynes
- Ryan Kelley
- Linden Ashby
- Andrew Matarazzo
- Froy Gutierrez
- Khylin Rhambo
- Cody Christian
- Max Carver
The ones I'd never seen/met before are in bold. :)
(...I feel like I'm forgetting someone, but I don't think I am? Hmm. Anyway!)
The con, however, was a disorganized mess. There were about 830 (!!!) fans there, and 15 actors per day. Now do the math. If each one of those 830 fans takes a picture with each of the guest stars, we're at 12,450 photos - at the very least because we're not counting group photos, duos and trios here. Also, 12,450 autographs. And panels, and meet & greets. How do you cram all of that into one (well, two) day(s)?
Well, you don't.
Only half of the panels that were supposed to take place, actually took place. On top of that, there was a translator there - same dude who was at that other convention I went to in Paris a few years ago - who had to translate every single question and answer. During a half-hour panel, you generally have time for at least twenty questions. With the constant translating (and announcements à la "if you have a photo with X, you need to go now, last call!!") in between the questions and answers? You get through five questions. So the panels (which for me, is usually the fun part of a convention) weren't great. On top of that, despite the fact that we had the second-best tickets available, the seats were terrible. The room was very wide, with four blocks of chairs and a stage front and center. On the first day, we sat all the way to the left in the fourth or fifth row, I think, so very far away from the stage, while some others, with cheaper tickets, got to sit much closer. The organizers noticed that people weren't happy, though, so they reorganized the seats during the night, and on Day 2, we sat in one of the two middle blocks, but in row 10 or so. I saw the stage a little better, but not much. So I didn't really get to take (m)any photos because there were so many heads in front of me. :(
So the panels? Not great.
The photo taking process was also a disorganized mess. I still don't understand how exactly they expected this to work. There were four or five photo shoots going on in one room at the same time. So they called the first people (VIP tickets) and they took their photos. But when one actor's line was getting short, they started calling the next batch of people who had a photo with that actor. So while the VIPs weren't done yet, other people from the second category already started coming into the room - and obviously after they were done taking a picture with one actor, they went to the next one, so basically, the rooms just kept getting fuller, and... it was a mess.
The autographs were the worst part, though - the tables were set up in the hallway outside the large panel room. So while people were getting their autographs, other people just stood there and watched, sat there and ate their picnic or walked past to go outside or to their meet and greets or photos, and - it was a MESS. The order in which people go to the autograph tables is basically the same as with the photos - VIPs first then people with the second best ticket, then third, etc. But again, while VIPs were waiting in line for one actor, another actor's line was getting emptier, so they started calling people from the second category in, and in the end, almost everyone was there, and we've had people with the cheapest tickets in front of us.
There were just too many people, and too many guests. I'm sure they did the best they could organizing it, but it was just impossible with that many people.
Then, the photo pick-up. How this works is basically: You take your photo, they print it out at some point, then put all the photos on tables, so you can go have a look at some point during the day and take yours. The problem was - too many photos. They would've needed about 200 tables (at least) to spread out all the photos, so at the end of the first day, staff members stood on tables, holding pictures up, and you had to yell if you saw one of yours. On the second day, they somehow managed to put the photos on tables - but then people weren't free to go look for their photos. Nope, we had to stand in line again and go in groups of ten, and had to show the staff the picture to make sure we didn't take one that didn't belong to us. Like, what the hell? What asshole would steal another person's photo? What would you even do with a photo of an actor with someone who's not you?
The schedule was useless, basically; they had to change everything to make sure everyone got their autograph and photo, but both days ended a lot later than they were supposed to.
So the convention itself - not a great experience. Wouldn't go again, to be honest, unless they got Dylan O'Brien.
The individual interactions with the actors, on the other hand, were fantastic as always. ♥ Totally rushed because - well, see above - but I did have some great moments and he photos all turned out great!
So, who did I meet?
* D A Y * O N E *
Holland Roden
Tyler Hoechlin
Daniel Sharman
Ryan Kelley
Basically, this went like this:
Ryan: Hi! Give me a hug!
Me: Hi! *hugs him*
Ryan: Now, what do you want to do? I'll do anything you want. Anything!
Me: Ummm...
Ryan: A hug? Okay, come here. Tighter. Tighter! Squeeze me!
Colton Haynes
Colton was super sweet and like... genuine. Idk how else to explain it. ♥
Colton: Hi, how are you?
Me: Great, how are you?
Colton: So. HOT. *mutters something unintelligible*
Me: *already getting into pose* *laughs*
Him: *takes photo* Sorry for making you laugh!
Me: No problem!
Holland Roden & Colton Haynes
Tyler Hoechlin & Ian Bohen
* D A Y * T W O *
Melissa Ponzio
Froy Gutierrez
He is the most adorable thing ever, seriously. He gave me a hug before the photo, and when I saw him for my autograph, he asked where I was from, and when I said Luxembourg, he was like, "Really??? I've always wanted to visit!" He was so bouncy and excited, and it was adorable. ♥
Khylin Rhambo
Andrew Matarazzo
He looks wayyy better in real life than in photos. So charming!
Linden Ashby
JR Bourne
Ian Bohen
Another one for our suburban couple photo album... :D
Max Carver
Max... fucking gets me every time. Seriously, he's far from my favourite, but he just oozes charm, and it turns me into a blushing mess every single time.
What did he do this time? Well, during the autographs, he basically told my mom that we're sisters, not mother and daughter, which... sure, dude. Then I approached the table and he gives me this smoldering look, and then draws a giant heart on my autograph picture and writes "ANNE + MAX" in it. And then keeps looking at me all serious and seductive, and I just... yeah. And then during the photo, he hugged me (duh), and then kissed my head when we were done? Ughhhh, every single time.
Photos with Shelley, Cody and Susan were not included and I didn't feel like paying extra for them, so no pictures of them.
So yeah! There were quite a few negative things about the organization of the convention, but the few moments I got to spend with the actors mostly made up for it.
Nice experience, overall. :D
PS. Oh, and yeah, I got a haircut and new glasses. :3
The only time I come back to LJ lately (and I use that word loosely, considering it's been, oh, almost two years), seems to be when I have a convention to report about and pictures to share. But hey, better than never, right? :D
So it's been almost a month at this point, but I went to a Teen Wolf convention in Paris on July 6th and 7th, and met a bunch of Teen Wolf actors. The lineup was truly amazing, and I'm definitely not complaining about all the actors I got to meet in just two days. Look at this amazing guest list:
- Holland Roden
- Melissa Ponzio
- Susan Walters (Saturday only)
- Shelley Hennig (Sunday only)
- Tyler Hoechlin
- Ian Bohen
- JR Bourne
- Daniel Sharman
- Colton Haynes
- Ryan Kelley
- Linden Ashby
- Andrew Matarazzo
- Froy Gutierrez
- Khylin Rhambo
- Cody Christian
- Max Carver
The ones I'd never seen/met before are in bold. :)
(...I feel like I'm forgetting someone, but I don't think I am? Hmm. Anyway!)
The con, however, was a disorganized mess. There were about 830 (!!!) fans there, and 15 actors per day. Now do the math. If each one of those 830 fans takes a picture with each of the guest stars, we're at 12,450 photos - at the very least because we're not counting group photos, duos and trios here. Also, 12,450 autographs. And panels, and meet & greets. How do you cram all of that into one (well, two) day(s)?
Well, you don't.
Only half of the panels that were supposed to take place, actually took place. On top of that, there was a translator there - same dude who was at that other convention I went to in Paris a few years ago - who had to translate every single question and answer. During a half-hour panel, you generally have time for at least twenty questions. With the constant translating (and announcements à la "if you have a photo with X, you need to go now, last call!!") in between the questions and answers? You get through five questions. So the panels (which for me, is usually the fun part of a convention) weren't great. On top of that, despite the fact that we had the second-best tickets available, the seats were terrible. The room was very wide, with four blocks of chairs and a stage front and center. On the first day, we sat all the way to the left in the fourth or fifth row, I think, so very far away from the stage, while some others, with cheaper tickets, got to sit much closer. The organizers noticed that people weren't happy, though, so they reorganized the seats during the night, and on Day 2, we sat in one of the two middle blocks, but in row 10 or so. I saw the stage a little better, but not much. So I didn't really get to take (m)any photos because there were so many heads in front of me. :(
So the panels? Not great.
The photo taking process was also a disorganized mess. I still don't understand how exactly they expected this to work. There were four or five photo shoots going on in one room at the same time. So they called the first people (VIP tickets) and they took their photos. But when one actor's line was getting short, they started calling the next batch of people who had a photo with that actor. So while the VIPs weren't done yet, other people from the second category already started coming into the room - and obviously after they were done taking a picture with one actor, they went to the next one, so basically, the rooms just kept getting fuller, and... it was a mess.
The autographs were the worst part, though - the tables were set up in the hallway outside the large panel room. So while people were getting their autographs, other people just stood there and watched, sat there and ate their picnic or walked past to go outside or to their meet and greets or photos, and - it was a MESS. The order in which people go to the autograph tables is basically the same as with the photos - VIPs first then people with the second best ticket, then third, etc. But again, while VIPs were waiting in line for one actor, another actor's line was getting emptier, so they started calling people from the second category in, and in the end, almost everyone was there, and we've had people with the cheapest tickets in front of us.
There were just too many people, and too many guests. I'm sure they did the best they could organizing it, but it was just impossible with that many people.
Then, the photo pick-up. How this works is basically: You take your photo, they print it out at some point, then put all the photos on tables, so you can go have a look at some point during the day and take yours. The problem was - too many photos. They would've needed about 200 tables (at least) to spread out all the photos, so at the end of the first day, staff members stood on tables, holding pictures up, and you had to yell if you saw one of yours. On the second day, they somehow managed to put the photos on tables - but then people weren't free to go look for their photos. Nope, we had to stand in line again and go in groups of ten, and had to show the staff the picture to make sure we didn't take one that didn't belong to us. Like, what the hell? What asshole would steal another person's photo? What would you even do with a photo of an actor with someone who's not you?
The schedule was useless, basically; they had to change everything to make sure everyone got their autograph and photo, but both days ended a lot later than they were supposed to.
So the convention itself - not a great experience. Wouldn't go again, to be honest, unless they got Dylan O'Brien.
The individual interactions with the actors, on the other hand, were fantastic as always. ♥ Totally rushed because - well, see above - but I did have some great moments and he photos all turned out great!
So, who did I meet?
* D A Y * O N E *
Holland Roden
Tyler Hoechlin
Daniel Sharman
Ryan Kelley
Basically, this went like this:
Ryan: Hi! Give me a hug!
Me: Hi! *hugs him*
Ryan: Now, what do you want to do? I'll do anything you want. Anything!
Me: Ummm...
Ryan: A hug? Okay, come here. Tighter. Tighter! Squeeze me!
Colton Haynes
Colton was super sweet and like... genuine. Idk how else to explain it. ♥
Colton: Hi, how are you?
Me: Great, how are you?
Colton: So. HOT. *mutters something unintelligible*
Me: *already getting into pose* *laughs*
Him: *takes photo* Sorry for making you laugh!
Me: No problem!
Holland Roden & Colton Haynes
Tyler Hoechlin & Ian Bohen
* D A Y * T W O *
Melissa Ponzio
Froy Gutierrez
He is the most adorable thing ever, seriously. He gave me a hug before the photo, and when I saw him for my autograph, he asked where I was from, and when I said Luxembourg, he was like, "Really??? I've always wanted to visit!" He was so bouncy and excited, and it was adorable. ♥
Khylin Rhambo
Andrew Matarazzo
He looks wayyy better in real life than in photos. So charming!
Linden Ashby
JR Bourne
Ian Bohen
Another one for our suburban couple photo album... :D
Max Carver
Max... fucking gets me every time. Seriously, he's far from my favourite, but he just oozes charm, and it turns me into a blushing mess every single time.
What did he do this time? Well, during the autographs, he basically told my mom that we're sisters, not mother and daughter, which... sure, dude. Then I approached the table and he gives me this smoldering look, and then draws a giant heart on my autograph picture and writes "ANNE + MAX" in it. And then keeps looking at me all serious and seductive, and I just... yeah. And then during the photo, he hugged me (duh), and then kissed my head when we were done? Ughhhh, every single time.
Photos with Shelley, Cody and Susan were not included and I didn't feel like paying extra for them, so no pictures of them.
So yeah! There were quite a few negative things about the organization of the convention, but the few moments I got to spend with the actors mostly made up for it.
Nice experience, overall. :D
PS. Oh, and yeah, I got a haircut and new glasses. :3