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Authenticity is Everything
Selfies vs. Autographs
Spend some time on a recent vacation to NYC getting Al Pacino to sign my China Doll playbill, his show on Broadway that just ended its run yesterday. Don't do much IP anymore, and standing outside of the stage door, I found the atmosphere far different than the last time I got him after a show, way back in 1998.
I'd say more people were waiting, not to get his autograph, but to just get a picture with him. Many selfies were taken that night, but I still managed to get his graph as I was hoping. Sure there were a couple of dealers there (with their Godfather and Scarface posters, he completely ignored them), but I'd say I was in the minority now.
Had a nice conversation with my wife about it on the way back to our hotel, and while she's tolerant of my hobby, she's a more a modern chick, and personally would have been just as happy of a picture with him than getting his standard scribble on a playbill or ticket.
Sure autographs will have better secondary value when and if the time comes, but I've never really been in it for that. Made me think long and hard about this new shift in modern technology. Obviously, I know where most of the forum goers here stand on it (the name of the forum is a tip off!), but just curious as to other folks' thoughts on getting selfies instead of autographs now (in an either/or situation... it's hard to have enough time getting both, I would imagine - though my profile pic is one situation where I was able to get both)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rich on
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Funny you started this topic, as I was just considering a photo op vs. autograph thread.
I've had to make this decision before, though usually I can get both if necessary. For instance, when I met Grimes in Chicago a couple months back, I probably could have asked for both but given that she wasn't even supposed to stop for fans (flight back to Canada to catch), I had her sign my ticket stub and didn't bother to ask for a pic. Usually I'm fine with either, but the problem with photo ops is that I have a profound legacy of looking terrible in photos, and the autograph feels more like a sure thing. In Grimes' case, she's actually an autograph I really wanted and almost never see for sale.
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I guess that one comes down to whether they actually manage their own social media, but yes, that one is cool. However, the autograph or photo represent somewhat more personal interaction (i.e. you're meeting them in person).
Really comes down to what you like, I supposed. I know some huge fans of bands aren't into autographs at all, but would die for a photo op.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Charnick on
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i've had a couple of short interactions with folks on twitter too, and maybe i'm just too much of an old fogey at 40, but the day we're framing twitter printouts to put on the wall, is the day i'm checking out!
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Well, it's a different sort of interaction - one that's publicly viewable by just about anyone, so it's a different type of "display" too. I think younger generations probably appreciate it more since it's more in line with what they grew up with.
As far as social media goes, it can be a fantastic way to interact with the celeb/musician. I was a bit dumbfounded a couple years back when the lead singer from my favorite band referenced something I'd posted on Twitter months earlier.
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I still think this is a great topic worth keeping alive. Guessing as this is an autograph collecting forum, the majority are going to side with autographs.
So many factors might affect someone's decision, including how big a fan your are of the celebrity in question. Seems like younger fans tend to gravitate toward photo ops because social media has a stronger place in their generation. In that realm, photo ops tend to be a bit more "impressive."
One other consideration is the quality of each. If a celebrity has a terrible looking scribble, I would have to opt for the photo op. Just my preference.
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that would be my thinking too, making me feel real bad about not getting a snap with pacino. his auto might be exhibit one on choose the selfie instead!
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Permalink Reply by KarlKeaton on
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Lol, the big names are going to missing the days when people were happy with an autograph soon!
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Permalink Reply by Adam Halloran on
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I have had Paul McCartney answer one of my questions on his monthly "You Gave Me An Answer" feature on his website once. I also had Ringo respond to a sign I was holding in concert, both instances might be the closest I will get to communicating with The Beatles.
Now with Brian Wilson I already had plenty autographs from him before he signed for me so having a picture with him is more special. However the autographs I have gotten personally mean more to me then the rest.
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Had the photo op vs. autograph choice a few days ago with a new artist named Aurora (who is amazing). Given the quick choice, I went for the photo op. I suppose I could have asked for an autograph, but it kind of made me a bit uncomfortable asking her for too much. She wasn't physically feeling her best and actually canceled her next two shows afterwards due to vocal strain. In addition, she only had a few minutes as they did have a short night and a flight to catch.
I figured I can mail my photo to a venue, but the photo op is something that obviously couldn't be mailed.
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Interesting observation from tonight. I had a private meet and greet with Bebe Rexha, and I asked if she could sign a couple photos for me. Prior to this I started feeling a little bit awkward, because it seemed like no one from the general or private meet and greet group had really brought anything for her to sign.
So I asked if anyone had - and the answer was basically "no, not really." People wanted photos, videos, Snapchat stories, etc. She is very, very cool about signing things, but I don't think she gets asked for it as much as the other things mentioned.
While there were people of all ages there, the audience was generally pretty young - mostly college age. I think technology has changed what fans like when they meet their favorite stars. I get it, and though I still like getting things signed from my favorite musicians, I feel increasingly more awkward asking at times.
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Permalink Reply by Josh Board on
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I can PROVE why getting the autograph is better than a selfie.
First, the days I worked in radio doing a morning radio show. We had the biggest name actors, musicians, and comedians come in. And guess what? If you take a photo of them, your friend see the photo, and aren't the last bit impressed. They merely shrug and say "oh....so Johnny Depp came into your radio station. Cool." It was the same thing when my friends dad -- a high ranking police officer, would get his photo taken with the President each year. They bring all the cops in, and you get 30 seconds to talk to them, and a photo shaking hands. The photos are in his office and...don't really impress anybody. Not saying autographs "impress" anybody, but...you get your favorite album...let's say The White Album -- signed by Ringo and Paul...that looks a thousand times cooler than a photo where you're standing next to Ringo and he's giving his peace sign. And it's certainly worth a lot more when you die and the kids are trying to sell it off.
Next reason -- stars would MUCH RATHER sign then take photos. For a variety of reasons. Usually one photo means...if you mess it up, you're asking to take it again. Or...a million other cameras come out. Or...they don't look their best, and they don't know where the photo is going to end up. So, they'd much rather sign, then stand and take a photo (and have your arm around them, etc)
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