A whole set of miscellaneous meets

October was a busy busy month for me, not just the big weekends I posted, but other days that slipped in here and there. Two of those were Taylor Kitsch and Oliver Stone (posted in the NYCC report and RICC report, respectively), but here I will showcase other meets that don't fit in with any of the big weekends. 

First one took place about two days after Legends of the Ring weekend where Hugh Jackman was coming to town. I found a train on him, so I decided to try for him. I already had a photo op with him but I figure I could try for an upgrade plus to complete my combo. 

When the witching hour arrives he was walking to the car and said he'd do one per person before entering his car. We were four graphers plus one pap. He puts his stuff away and counts "one, two, three, four". He asks if anyone has a black people say no and one guys says he has red. He was about to turn around and go in his car when I frantically scream out "I got black, I got black" as a scramble to pull it out. He takes my black and signed a "J" for everyone! Tried begging for a photo op but he would do nothing for no one after signing one each. Since I completed my combo this was not a failure at all. But if not for my black sharpie this would have been a total bust for everyone. I thought about trying for him at his event the next day but decided against it. And as I would later find out he told one of the graphers "I signed for you yesterday" so odds are he would have remembered me as well. So staying home and relaxing was a good move on my part. 

Hugh Jackman autograph 

Next one took place two days after NYCC. Now after this long and grueling weekend the last thing I wanted to do was go combo hunting. But something big enough could get me out. And this was the KIND OF MAGIC that was big enough, as two members of Queen were in town. Namely guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. 

Since this was short notice, I had no vinyls. So on my way to the spot I stopped by a record store. I found a Flash Gordon soundtrack on vinyl. Not the most ideal item, but for $2 and the fact that it was in overall good shape, it couldn't be beat. Before leaving the store I did go to take a crap and they had some decorations in the bathroom. One of them was a beat up "News of the World" Queen vinyl. When I finished I asked if I could have that but to no avail. 

So I head out to where they were performing. But they used the garage at that spot so I had to rush off to the next spot. This is where stuff began to happen. I scored a photo op with Roger Taylor in addition to two autographs, one on the Flash Gordon vinyl and another on the record sleeve. Now when Brian May came this was sadly a lot less successful. People asked him and he goes "shake my hand, shake my hand, shake my hand"  I even tried asking for just a photo op but he gives me the same response! Who the hell cares about hand shakes we want combos here! 

But I was not deterred. It was late at night, and I waited for them to come out. Roger Taylor came out first, one guy had an extra "News of the World" in AWESOME shape. But Roger was far away. I offered him $10 for the vinyl if I could get it signed for myself, he accepted. So I RAN to catch up with Roger. Even though the security guard was telling me no I handed him the vinyl in his car and he signed it! So at least at this stage me waiting the extra time was not a total waste cause I got a very nice Queen vinyl signed. 

Then Brian May comes out, it was just 5 of us. But we get the same "shake my hand, shake my hand, shake my hand" Let me say that this was one of the most painful handshakes I had ever experienced in my life. At this point I decided it was a hopeless cause. 

While that night was not an extravagant success, it was far from a bust. 

Roger Taylor photo op

Roger Taylor autographs

Three days after Queen it was time for Simple Minds. This is their best known song, "Don't You Forget About Me" from the soundtrack of Breakfast Club:

The main two people from the band are of course singer Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill. So they were my main goal. Drummer Mel Gaynor is second tier in terms of importance. Although he is technically not an original member he was with them the longest besides the main two. Plus he performed in the music video I posted above. The other two members are scrubs. 

When the witching hour arrives I score a combo and extra with the lead singer Jim Kerr! YES! So success is now sealed and delivered. Both items I got signed were vinyls. 

Next up I see Mel Gaynor. He was on both vinyls I had Jim sign so I got him on those plus the photo op. Seemed very happy to be doing combos. Next up one of the two scrubs pops up, namely Andy Gillespie. Just got a photo op since he was there. He was of course happy to be doing combos. Sadly after waiting and waiting there were no signs of Charlie Burchill, which would have for all practical purposes completed my vinyls and I would have had photo ops with the main three members of Simple Minds. He must have slipped past everyone or left through another door. 

While no Charlie was without a doubt a black mark, 2 out of 3 ain't bad at all (with one of the two being the lead singer). 

Jim Kerr photo op

Full list of photo ops

Simple Minds vinyls

About 10 days after RICC weekend where I was recuperating from a long and grueling wave of combo hunting weekends, I decided to try for Dave Davies, the lead guitarist of the Kinks. This is their best known song:

I arrived towards the end of his show, and I managed to mooch my way in where I got to catch the last couple of songs. After the show ended we were about 5 people waiting. While waiting I was also in contact with someone else waiting at his hotel. 
 As he comes out I get an autograph and he goes back inside  then minutes later comes back outside signs more. I ask for a photo op and he poses as his girl yells at me saying no photo ops. He poses and his arm is around me but he is looking down  I try to say he is looking down but the venue security says "doesn't matter" as he is rushed to his car. The photo op is the most important thing here so it sure as hell matters! 

Not deterred I rush to the hotel before his car does and I wait. Hotel security takes note of me I just say I'm waiting for a friend. When he comes out of his car I beg for the photo op as his girl yells more but he poses again!

This time the shot is much better but one eye is closed. He signs for other graphers as he is rushed inside. I leave so as to not strain things with security in case I come back to this hotel. The photo op, whilst not prefect is good enough. It wouldn't be much different if he had shades on or an eye patch. I got a combo so mission accomplished. 

Dave Davies photo op

Full list of photos

Signed Kinks vinyl

Fast forward a few days and it was time for Park Fest 2013, where the sole guest was Dian Bachar from Orgazmo. The promoter asked me if I could pick him up from the airport and I accepted. I text'd him the night before to tell him that I'm picking him up. Since this was an early morning flight I wanted to make sure he got on so I don't get up for nothing. I wake up early, head to the airport, and pick him up. He was wearing shades. While in the car we BS about various things, including how Matt and Trey make $4 million a WEEK from their Book of Mormon Play  Truly is a depressing thing to hear when I have to scrimp and save every penny. For example I asked him to tell me which door he is coming out from so I wouldn't have to park my car and save $5 on parking costs. While in the car I also tell him that I am not able to stay the whole day so I would like my combo taken care of before he goes for a nap. He agreed to that. 

We get to the Crown Plaza where the convention was taking place, and he checks in. Then he removes his shades and takes care of my photo op and I also take the promoter's photo op. At the reception desk I hand him the 8x10s I wanted him to sign.

Me and the promoter then escorted Dian to his hotel room so he can get some sleep before his appearance. I shook his hand and told him goodbye. I hung out at the con a little bit then I left. The con also featured an appearance by the now infamous 

Dian Bachar photo op

Dian Bachar autographs

Fast forward about 6 days Stephen Speilberg is in town. Despite freezing weather I decide to try and complete my combo. I arrive at the spot and apparently we missed him coming in by 30 minutes  I guess I can't blame myself too munch here cause even the most experienced graphers failed. So we wait for him to exit, and it is freezing cold. Joining us was none other than pedophile Clint from Pittsburgh  At this point we were 6 graphers. As we were freezing some of the other graphers were even talking how combo hunting is so horrible and agonizing and one guy said he doesn't even care to do it as a hobby.

Stuff starts happening. Director Ken Burns comes out first and I get a photo op with him. When Speilberg comes out I try to approach for the photo op but security stops me. He signs for everybody and I score him on my Lost World laserdisc, already signed by Jeff Goldblum and Richard Schiff‎. I then beg and plead for the photo op but he is rushed to his car. While technically not a bust since my main goal was to complete my combo so I consider this mission a failure. 

In an attempt to redeem the evening, I decide to go try for Molly Ringwald. She is not a name I would ever go out of my way for since she's a bitch. Got her once before but autograph only. Since I was already in town it made sense to try to complete my combo with her. At the venue she was doing a signing where you paid $20 for her CD. But she wasn't posing for photo ops. I try outside and she blows me off, after begging and pleading she goes "you just have to accept no as an answer"  A Molly Ringwald photo op would have somewhat redeemed my evening, but it was not to be. Hindsight is 20/20 I should have stayed warm at home. 

The sole photo op, Ken Burns

Jurassic Park: The Lost World laserdisc

Speilberg on the upper right, Jeff on the upper left, Schiff on the bottom. 

Rhode Island Comic Con weekend

In what was the final stop in a sweeping wave of combo hunting weekends, after Chiller weekend I decided to pull a Joresky and attend Rhode Island Comic Con. The reason is because it was PACKED with names I wanted to meet that I never ever saw in any of the major cons. Essentially about 70% of names that Joresky traveled all over different states for were present in that con. So I ordered my bus ticket from NYC to Providence and back for $10.50 round trip. 

Friday

My adventure actually starts an hour from my house. I set out to meet Oliver Stone. The reason being I had a Scarface laserdisc signed by Al Pacino so I wanted to add him to that. 

He was doing a book signing. Problem is the venue charges $22 to enter. Add to the fact that I would have had to pay $12 to park the car and $30 to buy a hardcover book, it didn't seem very appealing. There wasn't even a guarantee non-book items would have been signed. So I parked the car and stayed next to it and waited. As I would later find out people did get extras therefore it may have been a good idea to go inside and get a couple of books. But I chose to go the cheaper route so I made my bed now it was time to lie in it. 

Finally he leaves the venue and I spot him, call over other graphers, run to him, and get my LD signed. Since we were only four people he was nice and accommodating. I didn't bother with the photo op as I'm happy with mine. Then it was off to pick up Joresky and head over to NYC. 

We arrive in NYC not knowing if me missed the celebrities coming out of the spot. But when we arrive we see several dealers. Meaning the action did not start yet. 

The first person that comes out is Jennifer Tilly, which is about the fourth time I've seen her. I had two 8x10s and an 8x12 for her. She sees the 8x12 and says she doesn't like the photo but signs it anyway. I then get my other photos done. Since I have photo ops with her I didn't bother with that. 

After her Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride) and Julie Hagerty (Airplane movies) both come out at once. Me and Joresky go to Wallace Shawn since Julie is being mobbed. I improve my photo op with Wallace and get my two 8x10s done. Now it was time for Julie. Joresky gets his photo op then I get mine. I ready my stuff to get signed. She signs one for Joresky then says she has to leave  But I was not deterred. I run after her across the street and beg until she breaks down and signs for me, completing my combo! My reaction was this face 

Since I already had photo ops with Robert Hays (that I got a week before) and Leslie Nielsen, it was cool to get Julie. 

We go to the next spot in the hopes of seeing Andrew Dice Clay. But we apparently missed him by a few minutes. We then decide to call it a night. We park in a spot that's free for the weekend, and sleep. 

Wallace Shawn 

Julie Hagerty

Scarface laserdisc (Al Pacino's horrid autograph below Stone's)

Signed photos


Saturday


We then get up early to take the bus to Providence which as I mentioned the ticket cost me $10.50 round trip. Joining us was none other than the now infamous  He was smart enough to find a bus ticket for $2 round trip, but not smart enough to remember to bring his own camera. So I had to help him out with his photo ops. 

In the bus, I get some sleep. Though personally I find the car more comfortable. 

We arrive and sadly the mooching Gods abandoned both me and  as  far as admission goes. To boot, I would get a record amount of autographs as far as cons go. I got SIX autographs from five different people. I normally don't get autographs to save money but the items I had were priority items. I probably got more paid autographs this con than I did all other 2013 cons combined. 

We finally make it and I go for my top want above all else, Alan Oppenheimer. He provided the voice for several characters in the 80s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon and also in The Neverending Story. The most notable is the main villain of Masters of the Universe, Skeletor. When you think if the most iconic villains in movies/tv, Darth Vader is #1 and honestly Skeletor comes right after. Plus this would mark my second Skeletor since I have Frank Langella who played Skeletor in the 1987 He-Man movie. I got signed by him my MOTUC Skeletor and my MOTUC Man-At-Arms, another character from He-Man that he voiced. He was impressed at the figures. At first glance he looked at the Man-At-Arms figure with this face  and asked who it was and I said "Man-At-Arms, you did voice that didn't you?" he then goes "oh yes I did". Shocking that he would not remember voicing one of the main MOTU characters after He-Man and Skeletor. I suppose not many people must ask him to sign that, so I have a unique item right there. I of course got a photo op as well. 

Next up I move to the Superman guests, namely Jack O'Halloran and Sarah Douglas. They played 2 of the 3 Kryptonian villains in the Reeves Superman movies. They sure look different than they did in Superman II wow how time can take a toll on people. I got combos with both on my Superman laserdisc. I did have an 8x10 that Joresky picked up for me at a previous con already signed by Jack O'Halloran, but I didn't want to spend extra to get Sarah Douglas on it.

Then it was off to two Back to the Future guests that have eluded me. Claudia Wells who played Jennifer in the first movie, and James Tolken who played Strickland (and was also in the Masters of the Universe movie). Got photo ops with each. James went out of his way to give fans an experience.

Then to was off to Paul Blake, a Star Wars name who alluded me. Greedo, a famous Star Wars characters, was played by both Maria De Aragon and Paul Blake. I already have Maria's autograph on a Greedo figure, and Paul is the more important Greedo since he played the character in the shots with Harrison Ford. So a combo with him was pretty essential. 

Now another unique thing about this con was the plethora of Power Ranger guests. It had almost all the ones that I cared to meet. The only one I previously had was Jason David Frank so this was a real treat. 

To cut down on costs I of course stuck with photo ops. I got: 

Robert Axelrod (voice of Lord Zedd)
Barbara Goodson (voice of Rita Repulsa) 
Catherine Sutherland (second Pink)
Steve Cardenas (second Red)
Walter Jones (first black)
Kerrigan Mahan (voice of Goldar)
David Yost (first blue)

And of course Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy (Bulk and Skull). They were ultra friend and took some an awesome phtoo ops of them strangling me with my sweat shirt string.  

With all these Power Ranger meets there are only an handful I still care to meet (first Red, first Pink, and second Yellow being the main 3 I still want). 

Next up, Weekend at Bernie's actors. I believe Andrew McCarthy no showed but I already had him. I got photo ops with Jonathan Silverman and Terry Kiser. The latter of which I got 50% of costs back whenmooched the photo op after I got it. So essentially this was a half mooch for each of us. Then got photo ops with Ilan Mitchell-Smith and Vernon Wells from Weird Science. Already had Anthony Michael Hall so didn't get him. Then another voice actor. This one is a semi  but has eluded me for a while. Larry Kenny who voiced the iconic Lion-O in the 80s Thundercats cartoon. He did come across as slightly money grubbing but at the same time appreciated anyone coming to his table and treated fans like royalty. His price was what used to be the basic standard and now a very rare $20 for an autograph and free photo op. I got him on my Bandai Lion-O figure. His handler asked if this was the new Lion-O but he explained to her that it was in fact the classic Lion-O but a new figure of the character (which of course makes it correct). Essentially I got two iconic 80s cartoon voice actors in the same con! How awesome is that. 

Next up, William Zabka from Karate Kid. I split the photo op with and he took two photo ops with different poses. Did not need Martin Kove as I got him already. 

I ask William Forsythe (Flattop in Dick Tracy) for a photo op and he does one FREE

Joresky is in line for Glenn Morshower who has been in a ton of movies. He wasn't in my initial plans but upon looking at his bio he has had sizable roles in many many things. So I decided he was worthy of a photo op. Joresky paid the price for a combo, and I mooched the photo op after he got his. I then gave him 50% of the photo op cost. 

I went up to Alan Oppenheimer (who remembered that I got the figures signed at his table) and asked if I could record him doing the Skeletor voice. I had seen vids of him doing that so I thought it was no big deal, but he was reluctant to do it. Then he goes "personalized to you?" and I go "that's fine"

Then I got FREE photo ops with James Hampton from Police Academy 5 and Teen Wolf, and Leslie Easterbrook from Police Academy. Already had Leslie but since  got a free photo op I figured I might as well get one as well. 

After I got the guests there was still a tad of time until the bus left. I got photo ops with a very nice costumed Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. Then I saw a booth that was selling reptiles and I got a photo op holding a giant snake and an alligator! I also saw Barrie Holland who had a few roles in Star Wars and got a FREE photo op with him. He then goes "quick, disappear" 

Then got a few other random photo ops, included a hot looking Jessica Rabbit and at the headquarters of Hasbro. 

Other things of note, Jett Lucas no showed I wanted a photo op possibly combo from him. I also saw James from Legends of the Ring among the wrestling guests. Said hello to him and chatted with him for a couple of minutes. 

After dining at subway with  it was then back to the bus to go back to NYC. 


Alan Oppenheimer video 

Full list of photo ops part 1

Full list of photo ops part 2

Full list of photo ops part 3

Alan Oppenheimer

Larry Kenny

Jack O'Halloran

Sarah Douglas

Claudia Wells

James Tolkan

Pulling a Jake Roberts and holding a real snake

Now to showcase the autographs at RICC, which for me is a record as far as paid autographs go:

Superman laserdisc and Greedo figure

Figure now completed with Paul Blake and Maria De Aragon (the voice actor is dead). Superman II laserdic was already signed by Margot Kidder in silver. Hope to add more people to that, such as Gene Hackman and Terence Stamp. 

Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, and Lion-O figures (they don't photograph too well but look better in person).  

The bus ride back was pretty torturous. I don't know how Joresky can handle 8-12 hour bus rides one way. 3.5 hours was plenty. I did manage to get a bit of sleep which was nice, since combo hunting takes a toll on a person. 

Back in the city where we try for Sarah Jessica Parker and Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents). Blythe Danner was a fresh meet for me, and SJP I had gotten before but failed photo op wise. When SJP comes out she was rushed but did a combo with me! SUCCESS! I got her on a magazine but when I tried for an 8x10 she goes "I think I did enough for you". In these situations I don't bother to beg cause after all she did do a combo. Next up was the ultra friendly Blythe Danner who is ultra friendly. Get a photo op and two autographs. After this sweeping success it was actually downhill for the rest of the evening. I should have gone to a party I was thinking about going to. 

We did finally get Joresky's poster signed by Arthur Darville. Then in the final spot for the evening I saw Kerry Washington who did nothing (I had her already but had a magazine for her to sing), Eminem who no showed, and Rashida Jones who slipped inside but I didn't see leave. Only photo op I got was with Oliver Peck

We did have info for Tom Hiddleston AKA Loki but it was early in the morning and we were all too worn out  So we went to sleep. 

Sarah Jessica Parker


Blythe Danner


Sunday

First thing Sunday morning I decide to try for a $70-$90 convention value, namely a Patrick Stewart autograph. I wait and while waiting I meet one guy who runs tons of vendor stands in Manhattan who goes by the name of Kenny (also wating for Patrick Stewart). He was telling me the kind of profit he makes selling hats, jackets, etc etc. Apparently he owns like 10 stands. He even walked Times Square and everyone told him hello. He also said that at his stands he talks to people from all over the world and can always correctly pin point where they're from by their accents, but that my accent rang no bell for him. 

Anyhow, Patrick Stewart comes and I get an autograph from him. So success! 

We then try a spot for James Ransone (The Wire, Generation Kill), James Badge Dale (World War Z), Keegan Allen (Pretty Little Liars), and John Pollono (episodes of How I Met Your Mother). These are all good "you never know" names. Best to get them while they are happy to be doing combos. Got photo ops with all of them, James Badge Dale on two, and had another autograph on the second item but can't figure out which of the three signed it 

As a last ditch effort to get an Ed Harris and Amy Madigan photo op, we try for them again but don't see them. We did see Bill Pullman and Glenne Headly. I got photo ops just cause nothing else was going on but I had them already so no big deal. After buying some $1 pizzas, this ended our trek. 

Full list of photo ops for Sunday

Autographs from Saturday night and Sunday

Chiller Theater Halloween weekend 2013

The last weekend of October I decided to attend Chiller Theater and do some stuff in NYC. 

Sadly, the prices at this Chiller were insane. What should have been combo prices were photo op prices. I had to make a lot of cuts and a lot of improvising to get some stuff. It is horrible to think about that this is only going to get worse simply because people desire combos and their spending habits are inelastic when it comes to combos. Another example of an economically inelastic commodity is gas. Economics 101, no matter how high the prices people still fill up with gas. I of course concentrated on photo ops. 

On the positive side of things, no pro photo ops were forced. You could get them if you wanted to but everybody did table ops no problem. 

Friday

We arrive at Chiller Friday and thanks to someone giving Joresky a ticket I manage to mooch my way in (Joresky already had one thanks to his vendor friends). A good start. Thank you mooching Gods for helping me out. 

The first person I go to is Ken Page, who I know best from Nightmare Before Christmas. I wanted to get him on my Nightmare Before Christmas laserdisc already signed by Chris Sarandon. Sadly it was $40 to get it signed because my LD was considered "premium" item and $15 more than an 8x10. I chose to pass on the autograph and get a photo op only.

Next up was Paige O'Hara who voiced Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I got a combo from her on my Beauty and the Beast laserdisc. She actually marked out over the LD and began to flip through it and and marvel over it. HCIT! 

Now I had a 2001 Space Odyssey soundtrack on vinyl that I purchased for $5 a year or two back. Would have been nice to get Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood to sign it. Sadly at $30 a pop I had to pass on that. I ended up going the photo op only route there. Gary even asked me where I was from. 

Ace Frehley, an original member of KISS, is a semiat Chiller. But I never paid for him. However, since I got Peter Kriss outside a hotel and got Paul and Gene at their book signing, this was the last original member of KISS I didn't have a photo op with. So I caved in. Sadly, the photo ops were taken with their crappy digital! Each time he does Chiller he has long lines. He cannot afford to go to Best Buy and pay $100 for a digital camera? Even THAT would have been a huge upgrade from the piece of crap they were using. Before the guy took the photo op I asked him to come closer to the table, which he did. Before leaving I also asked to look at the photo op to make sure it came out half decent. He showed me the photo op then I was on my way. Couple of days later it was posted on his web site. While the photo op is passable, for a paid photo op it is absolute shit 

I then go to Peter Fonda and grab a photo op. Then to the Christmas Story room where I get photo ops with the two bullies Yano Anaya and Zack Ward. Already had the others. Now it was off to the Willy Wonka room where I basically needed everyone. First I go to Diana Sowle. Her photo op price was a refreshing $5. She struck major conversation with me, talking of her kids, asking where I was from, and asked how popular the movie is in parts of Europe, who I was going to see in NYC, and much more. She just didn't stop and kept going and going and going. While she meant well I had places to be and people to virgilize. I just didn't have the heart to tell off an old lady like that. The stress I was feeling was like someone who had to take a huge shit but had to do all he could to keep it from bursting out.

When the conversation finally did end I managed to score free photo ops from the Willy Wonka Kids! All but Denise Nickerson who played Violet Beauregarde. Apparently she had some sort of medical emergency and had to go to the hospital! One less photo op for me  Periodically I would check to see if she made it back but no dice. 

The Wonka Kids did have an $80 group "pro" photo op, but I happily chose to stick with my free individual photo ops. 

After the free Wonka Kids photo op (thank you mooching Gods) I then get a photo op from Tahnee Welch. Wanted an autograph on a playboy but could not spend money on it. 

I also decide reluctantly to get a Weird Al autograph. I figure that Weird Al has given me so much entertainment in my lifetime I can afford to pony up some cash for a guaranteed autograph and some face time with Weird Al. 

My final guest at Chiller on Friday was C Thomas Howell from ET. I did want Corey Feldman but sadly he wasn't doing any photo ops on Friday. 

After Chiller I mooched a few photo ops! John Savage, Peter Barton, Jill Schoelen, Robert Hays, Chuck McCann, Yukiko Kobayashi, Scott Wilson, and Angel Salazar from Scarface. Not too shabby. A decent round of blessings from the mooching Gods, and one that is much appreciated when money is so low. Perhaps one of the most humorous things of the evening was seeing Gary G Watson, who has photo ops with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Christopher Reeves, and many more, mooch a photo op with Andrew Anderson. The mind boggles. 

The evening at Chiller was concluded with a bite of poison when we found out that one of our NYC allies got a photo op with Rick Moranis. Joresky had the text but he stupidly did not follow it up! 

Gary G Watson offered Joresky a free room to sleep in. While I could have had that as well I didn't for two reasons. 1) I don't like to owe people and 2) I cannot stay in the same room as Joresky's snoring. So I elected to nap in the freezing car, no snoring, free, and without debt to anyone (though mainly for no snoring).

Full list of Friday photo ops part 1

Full list of Friday photo ops part 2

Paige O'Hara

Ace Frehley

Diana Sowle (Charlie's mom)

Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop)

Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt)

Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket)

Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee)

Both autographs I got at Chiller

Saturday

Round 2 of Chiller starts Saturday morning. I still needed Corey Feldman and also to see if Denise Nickerson would return. I find someone selling their extra ticket, and I get that. Saved money right there. 

I have a spot held in the Corey Feldman line. He had a $40 "pro" photo op so I was essentially praying to the mooching Gods that he would do table ops. While waiting me and Joresky decide to split a Weird Al photo op. I have a street photo op with him but he is looking down at me rather than at the camera. We get the Weird Al shot though for some reason he is leaning towards me. 

Then it's time for Corey, and YES he is doing $10 table ops! Victory! Thank you mooching Gods. Now I had a laserdisc of the first TMNT movie that I wanted him to sign (he voiced Donatello in that). I paid the combo price. Sadly his handlers said that he has to personalize. I simply told them if that were the case to refund me the autograph portion of the combo price and that I would just get a photo op. They agreed. So money saved right there. Now I could have in theory deleted the personalization, but I chose not to go that route. First off all the whole appeal of a paid setting is being able to be demanding, something you cannot do on the street. They were taking that away from me. If I don't want my name I don't want my name. I am paying money! And second what if I end up ruining the LD by trying to delete? I lose an autograph I paid money for. I deiced it was not worth risking. So I got the photo op and moved on. 

Checked again for Denise Nickerson but sadly she is only doing autographs in her hotel room (where you give the items to her handler). So that did me no good. Besides that there were two guests I wanted that cancelled, namely Lou Gramm and Eddie Money. 

My last Chiller photo op would be a free photo op with the Angry Video Game Nerd. 

Leaving Chiller with mixed vicotry and defeat, we head to NYC. First we try for Arthur Darville cause Joresky needed a poster signed. David Patrick Kelly was also there but I had him. I got a couple of  names. No Arthur so that was a bust. 

We then go to another spot to wait for Ian McKellen AKA Magneto. We see he but he politely blows us off saying to come back later. Ian was one of my top wants here, and I missed him a few months back where he was standing right next to me and I didn't realize it. So this was a mistake I needed to correct. Sadly I would have to live to fight another day here. 

While we waited for him we did spot a very random Rob Van Dam. I got him before but I got a photo op just for shits and giggles. 

After a while we headed to another spot to try to meet Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Glenne Headly, and Bill Pullman. Out of those four I never met three. Additionally I had an Apollo 13 laserdisc with Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon just waiting for Ed Harris' autograph. We wait and we see Pullman. I get an autograph from him since I don't need a photo op. Ed Harris and Amy Madigan walk out and chaos ensues. I manage to get Ed on my Apollo 13 laserdisc and my 8x10 but sadly no photo ops. I tried to follow, beg, and plead but to no avail. In the chaos I missed Amy Madigan as well. No one saw Glenne so she must have slipped out in the chaos. 

With all the energy I could muster up, I then RUSH to the Ian McKellen spot thinking I missed out, but I made it with 10 minutes to spare! While waiting I get Billy Crudup to sign my 8x10 and one extra item (already had a photo op so didn't bother), got an autograph from Patrick Stewart, and a combo from Shuler Hensley. Then the witching hour comes, Ian McKellen shows up. He is doing some photo ops here and there and the security guard warns me no photo ops. As I get him to sign for me I remind him of our previous encounter and he goes "ohh yes" and posed for me!  VICTORY! Got one of my top photo op wants and corrected my mistake from May! I couldn't believe it! Didn't even have to beg for it! Feels so good to have won this round! Sometimes it does pay off when you cut your losses and live to fight another day. 

After my victory, we headed to another spot where we were hoping to meet Edward Norton and Janelle Monae. And who shows up randomly and unexpectedly? Stephen Speilberg! Sadly, he didn't do photo ops. But I happened to have a magazine with Speilberg on the cover and my Jurassic Park laserdisc that I wanted Jeff Goldblum to sign. I got him to sign both! Tried to beg for the photo ops but to no avail. Still two items from Spielberg is no failure. One woman even asked us "how did you guys know he'd be here" and we responded truthfully, we didn't. 

Edward Norton does nothing for no one going in or out. I get a Janelle Monae photo op going in and manage to beg for an autograph on the way out.  

Full list of Saturday photo ops

Corey Feldman

Weird Al Yankovic

Ian McKellen

Sunday

After some sleep and some food, we go to a nice stress free indoor spot. At this spot I rack one person after the other. It starts with photo ops with John Glover and Ethan Hawke, neither one of which I had. Then my main want who has eluded me in the past Jeff Goldblum shows up and is very nice. We get photo ops and he says one per person but I manage to beg for a second item. Both my Jurassic Park laserdisc and my Lost World laserdisc. We then spot Laurie Metcalf. She has shades on but takes them off for photo ops! I get my two 8x10s signed. And finally Daniel Sunjata from Dark Knight Rises who does photo ops with us! This was a huge sweeping victory for me as I got five fresh photo ops with very little effort put into it! Plus autographs on laserdiscs! On our way back to try for Ed Harris again, we see a horse pissing on the street and I take photos of that. I had never seen such a sight before so it was pretty damn fascinating. 

We stop at a spot to see if anything is cooking and we see 98 year old actress Ellen Albertini Dow. Joresky gets a photo op but I pass since I have one already. Now back to try again for Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, and Glenne Headly. We only see Glenne and she was very accommodating doing combos with everyone. I got a photo op and autographs on my 8x10 and Dick Tracy DVD. Joresky heads to the Ian McKellen spot so he can get a photo op. I wait this out more to see if Ed does come up, but to no avail. I then join Joresky. I got autographs from Billy Cudrip, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. Joresky has to persist, beg, and plead for his McKellen photo op which he ends up getting. I even attempt to follow McKellen after he left the spot in the hopes of scoring an autograph, but he blows me off. 

We then decide to call it a night when Joresky finds a hot spot. At this hot spot Joresky sees Rose Byrne and points her out to me. I then run to her and ask for a photo op and score the photo op! This ends a very fruitful round. 

Full list of Sunday photo ops

Glenne Headly

Rose Byrne

Jeff Goldblum

Ethan Hawke

Now to showcase all the street meet autographs:

Ed Harris, Bill Pullman, Glenne Headly

Ed Harris signed the Apollo 13 LD in black to the left of Bill Paxton. Tried to get him to switch pens but he wouldn't. Also signed by Kevin Bacon in silver. 

Stephen Speilberg, Jeff Goldblum, Laurie Metcalf, Janelle Monae, Billy Crudup

Speilberg signed the Jurrasic Park laserdisc in silver on top, while Goldblum signed it in gold. Also signed by Wayne Knight at the bottom. 

Lost World laserdisc signed by Jeff Goldblum

Goldblum signed it in blue. Also signed by Richard Schiff bottom right. 

Carol Brunet and more

The month of October is about 2/3 done, Carol Brunet and other celebrities were coming to town. I had no idea how friendly Carol Brunet is and she was a want of mine. Plus I have a very nice Annie laserdisc already signed by Aileen Quinn. 

I found a flight on her and figured I'd try for her in a setting where there wouldn't be 20-30 people present. 

I go to the airport and it's just me and one other person. She is nice as can be, and me with only one item She is more than happy to do a combo. I told her I'd see her Sunday. 

Fast forward to the event. First celebrity we see is Julie Andrews who as expected does nothing for no one.  Bruce Vilanch is next and is as nice as can be. Got a photo op. Vicki Lawrence is next and is nice. Got a photo op. After a long wait Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball shows up and is nice as can be. Got a photo op and three photos signed. 

Tim Conway is next and does stuff no issue. Got a photo op. Next up is Tony Bennett who does only one photo op. But that was fine by me since I have a photo op. He did one item per and I got him on a nice double vinyl set that I purchased for 50 cents! 

Tina Fey shows up and is actually SUPER NICE! Wow I couldn't believe it. I had one 8x10 of her and Steve Carell  already signed by Carell that I've been carrying around for over 2 years and failing to get, even in one on one situations! I finally got it signed. She said she'd do photo ops later when she's dressed up, but I didn't care as I had a photo op. 

Amy Poehler does autographs and no photo ops. No issue for me as I have a photo op. I got her on two. Rashida Jones does nothing going in but when she comes out she does autographs but no photo ops. That sucked for me as I never got her before. Got one photo signed. Next up is Rosemary Watson who was surprisingly not the easiest person to get. But I got a photo op. Martin Short who used to be super friendly did one round of autographs the whole day and no photo ops. I have a photo op with him so no big deal. But was shocked he didn't do them. I got three photos signed. 

Carol Brunet finally shows up and her handlers say she will do stuff going out. As she goes in she tells me "hey I remember you" referring to the encounter at the airport. HCIT! 

Going out she kept her word. Even though her handlers were saying one per person she did more. I got two. Then Maya Rudolf shows up and is super nice. I got her on two photos. Didn't need a photo op. 

We never saw Julie Andrews leave. So she must have snuck out to avoid us. 

Fast forward a couple of hours and arrivals begin again. We saw randoms in Laurence Luckinbill (Star Trek) and producer George Schlatter. Got photo ops with both and Luckinbill to sign a blank. Most everyone who stopped before didn't stop, but shockingly Tina Fey did! I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw her be super nice signing and doing photo ops with everyone (as she promised), and I had nothing more to get signed since I wasn't expecting her to do much of anything Tony Bennett did nothing for no one this time. Never thought I'd see the day when Tina Fey is friendly and Tony Bennett is not. My reaction was a mixture of this face  cause I was so shocked, and this face cause I had no more merch on me. I did get another photo op with her but that was no big deal for me. After the dust settles and 20 minutes into the event, we see Julie Andrews enter. We were three people but she does nothing for no one using the excuse that she's late. In her defense she was late, but doubt that would have made a difference. 

After the event is over we watch for exits, but sadly we were all watching the wrong end. We notice people trickling out from another spot and by then we had missed half of them. It wasn't all for nothing though cause we spotted Tony Bennett and managed to get one per person out of him. I also got Tim Conway and Maya Rudolf on a program. We Saw Julie Andrews slip away. And I tried begging Rashida Jones for a photo op but to no avail 

This ended a very fruitful venture. 

Carol Brunet airport photo op

Full list of event photo ops

Tony Bennett vinyls and Annie laserdisc

Full list of 8x10s I got signed

Laurence Luckinbill blank