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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)

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Permalink Reply by Gregory S on March 21, 2017 at 4:38am

So many of the celeb+Joe selfies I see online are just plain awkward. If it makes you happy - great - but I know I'd be more than a little reluctant taking and sharing a photo of my imperfect 40-ish self standing next to a mid 20's beauty! (unless a girlfriend or wife... lol)

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 21, 2017 at 9:46am

Yeah - I never do selfies, as I'm fully aware of my especially high awkward factor in them. I like getting photos of, taking photos and videos of the experience (I have several meet & greet videos on my Youtube channel), and getting things signed.

There are a lot of factors in determining what the best experience + souvenir is. It depends on the fan, the artists and the circumstances. There have been times where the coolest thing I've walked away with was the signed item, other times the photo op, other times it's something else - or just the overall experience. There have been times where I've struck out on the autograph (mostly for not wanting to press my luck) and been okay with that.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 21, 2017 at 4:56am

I am reminded of what Richard Dreyfuss said when asked to be in Jaws - "That sounds like something I want to watch, not be in!". I actually have a photo of me getting my first rock and roll autograph, but I had no idea it was being taken. Considering how...well...I photograph, the selfie craze is not for me! When I do have a camera and the time, I photograph the celebrity if I even remember. It never occurs to me to be in the picture - I'd rather a few words or just a handshake. I often forget the autograph or simply don't want to ask.