I would spend a span of a week in NYC for NYCC. Most decisions I made were good, some were bad. Slept a total of 7 nights in the car. Not my record, but close to it. I will split the week into 2 parts.
Day 1
After arriving the night before, commandeering my parking spot, and getting some sleep, get up for my first spot of the week. The goal is a better shot with Melissa McCarthy and some autographs. The spot is a success as I get her, I get her to sign, and I get her husband, actor and director Ben Falcon (fresh).
Try another spot but only get someone I can't identify. Then it is time to go to the hotel for another goal, Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy). She is someone that has always eluded me. I walk to the hotel and on my way I see actress Busy Phillips on the street doing interviews. I wait a bit and grab an updated photo op with her. Then I continue walking to the hotel.
This hotel would be a fruitful spot. Because the cast of Outlander happened to be staying there among other people. First score is a much needed upgrade with actor Sam Heughan. Then Zoe Saldana gets dropped off and through the skin of my teeth I get a shot with her. Not the greatest shot as she is wearing shades but it's valid.
Next I get actor Richard Rankin (fresh), social media star Dixie D'Amelio and her parents, Scott Wolf (repeat), actress Caitriona Balfe (fresh) and another good name that I never got, actress Anna Camp. Saw actor John Bell inside but he didn't come outside.
Tried for Zoe leaving her hotel and going to her event but sadly couldn't get the op upgrade. I got the autograph. Beat her to the event, but it was a mob scene where neither she nor Selena Gomez did anything. I got Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon.
On exit it was another mob scene but by miracle I get an op with Selena Gomez which I suppose is somewhat of an upgrade from what I have. There were other things going on like Bruce Springsteen doing an event but I decided I would hit up the "easy" show spots at this point.
I go to the next show spot for some actors but that one had 2 ways they could leave and didn't see who I wanted. I got updates with David Patrick Kelly, Michael Urie, and others. Went to my final spot for the evening, same one I went to last time I was in NYC where I got Sam Mendes. I got many of the same people as last time but I wanted actor David Wilson Barnes who I missed the last time. It got to the point where they were taking away the railing and it was looking hopeless as security said everyone is gone. But then he walked out casually and was nice as can be. This ended my evening.
Melissa McCarthy
Sam Heughan
Zoe Saldana
Full list of Day 1 photo ops Part 1
Full list of Day 1 photo ops Part 2
Day 2
Next day my first spot is for actor Montana Jordan. When I first got him years ago he was a child. So time for the adult update. Thankfully he was as cool as he was years ago. Glad to see he hasn't changed. Emily Osment was here and I didn't get her but I had no need to wait for her since I have a good op with her. So I went to another spot for Jason Seigel. I got him to sign me two 8x10s but wasn't able to get the op. It's ok I have an op from before. Saw Sam Heughan tried to get an autograph but wasn't able to. Only photo I got here was an update with Eddie Redmayne.
Next spot I decided to go for Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban from Shark Tank fame. While I was there Naomi Scott showed up at another spot. Oh well I will try for her again soon. Kevin, Mark, and Daniel Lubetzky all come out. I already have Daniel so I could focus on the other two. I shouted for them it looked like Mark did not want to come over but then Kevin made him come over. I got a dual shot but I was not happy that I wasn't in between them and next to Mark. So I then asked Kevin for a solo he goes "quickly".
My next project was one I embarked on 100% solo. I did not tell a single soul about it for the simple fact that he is a huge want of mine and everyone I know in NYC has this person and I do not. Last time I tried for him in NYC it was so crowded he shut it down. So this was my secret project and mine alone. Namely, Colin Farrell flying into NYC for his NYCC appearance the next day. His return flight was an international flight not long after his NYCC panel so I knew this was my best shot at him. I also did not want to drive there so I took the economical scenic route and gave myself plenty of time.
I took the NYC metro train to the last stop, walked 30 minutes to a parking lot, hopped on a free tram to the right terminal. I got into position with 2 hours to spare where I could just charge my phone and relax. Then the witching hour arrived and there he was. I asked for the op and he was nice as can be and signed 2 for me. Major mission accomplished!
On the way back to the city I stop by an "easy" show spot for actor Ilia Volok and actress Gus Birney. I got Gus but sadly I find out Ilia Volok is sick. I also get others in the show. Go to the final spot for the evening to see what can be had but sadly I get only repeat names. Namely actress Mickey Madison and director Sean Baker.
Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban
Kevin O'Leary
Colin Farrell
Full list of Day 2 photo ops
Day 3
This is the first official day of comic con. I would start at a spot away from comic con. My main goal is actress Naomi Scott. Thankfully she is super nice albeit wearing shades. I leave the spot to go to Javits and find out that both Marisa Ramirez and Donnie Whalburg show up. Have Donnie but need Marisa. PUNCH at the time although I would make it up. And to boot Terry Bradshaw stops somewhere else and I chose not to go. Again, would make that up.
Upon arriving at the Javits I would find out the biggest PUNCH of all. They finally implemented the garage they always promised us that they would. As a result cannot get people leaving or coming in. For years they told us, for years we didn't believe them. Now it happened. Even the low level anime vendor guests got taken in that inaccessible way. The end of an era. Which means 1) THANK GOD I got Colin Farrell at the airport 2) would have to get people in other places both in the Javits and at hotels.
Inside the Javits first I hit up artist's alley and get free ops with screen writer and producer Marc Guggenheim and Keith Tucker (Animaniacs). Then go for actress Catherine Disher (Forever Knight, X-Men voice actress) who was only there for one day. Then Tony Olive who helped producer the Power Rangers tv show.
Next I manage to get into the Phineas and Ferb meet and greet. I get a free group shot with Dan Povenmire, Vincent Martella, Jeff Swampy Marsh, David Errigo Jr, Alyson Stoner, Caroline Rhea, and Dee Bradley Baker. And also get individual shots. I already got Caroline Rhea and Dee Bradley Baker from before, but my best score here is Alyson Stoner who was in Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel. This was an unexpected clean sweep. It was sadly a little bit dampened when I found out Ashley Tisdale was at the panel.
I also got a free photo op with comic book artist Greg Capullo, and my only pro op for the day would be actor Timothy Omundson (Xena, Pysche).
Then within NYCC I would attend the book signing of Jordan Mechner, creator of the iconic Prince of Persia video game. Literally there were 3 of us in line which included myself and markedout admin Greg2600. The 3 of us basically told each other about it. This goes to show you how poorly promoted things can be at NYCC and how if you don't look for stuff you simply don't find it. Had he done (say) a panel I'm sure more people would have been in the room. I then join the signing line of Outlander.
For here on would be a series of botches and failures. Some my fault and some not my fault.
Stupidly left Outlander cast line at NYCC to go to the hotel for the Dune cast. In itself not a dumb move but I left too earl I should have stayed then went. It's off to an ok start as I get a free photo op with Khary Payton (never wanted to pay for him at cons). Trump had an event nearby so now roads were shut, this made getting celebs harder. They got dropped off on the side and I botched it badly to where I missed big score in Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, and others. I did manage to score Emily Watson (Corpse Bride) who I really wanted.
Went to another spot for the Blue Bloods cast to improve my Tom Selleck photo op and get a couple of others but it was big bust as no one stopped. When it ended I went to the hotel and got Marisa Ramirez from that cast. I also got voice actor Greg Cipes for free who happened to be there. Went to spot for Emma Stone and others. But it was another botch as Emma Stone walked and no one called her. Could have used a better shot.
Went to a spot for Orlando Bloom. I stumbled upon a Michael Keaton restaurant but didn't stay as I didn't have my stuff on me. So I continued to Bloom who stopped going in but I never saw him leave. Actress Gemma Chan was there as well but never saw her leave either. Who did I see by pure chance? Leonardo DiCaprio who I pleaded for an op as he rushed into the car. That was almost a repeat of Dustin Hoffman as a lot of failures happened and I could have had an epic score. Alas history would not repeat itself. I guess I should have stayed at the Keaton restaurant I could have at least had another op with him.
Naomi Scott
Phineas and Ferb cast L to R: Dan Povenmire, Vincent Martella, Jeff Swampy Marsh, David Errigo Jr, Alyson Stoner, Caroline Rhea, and Dee Bradley Baker
Alyson Stoner
Emily Watson
Full list of Day 3 photo ops
