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A Director and A Rapper -- Getting Autographs and Getting Punched

I’m sure by now you all heard that rapper/actor Chris Brown is back in trouble with the law. No, he didn’t beat his on again/off again girlfriend Rhianna to a pulp. This time he actually punched a man. What I find odd about this is that he had a bodyguard with him. Isn’t that what you hire those guys for? Let them do the fighting, and you stay out of jail (especially when you’re still on parole).

Anyway, this happened at 4:00 a.m. outside a nightclub. Apparently the guy was asking to take a picture with Brown. Yet another reason why everybody with their photograph requests make it hard for the autograph collector. The celebrities hate to stop for pictures for a number of reasons. Often times people aren’t exactly sure how the cameras on their phone work. Sometimes they do, but the flash doesn’t go off, or the photo is blurry, and they request another and another. During the time the star is stopping to take a photo, other people see this and request photos. It was a much simpler time when you could hand them a piece of paper and they’d sign it and be on their way.

I’ve seen Paul McCartney sign autographs, but refuse to take photos with fans. Pat Benatar does the same thing (although she can be tough with autograph requests, but does cell CDs and photos signed on her website at reasonable prices).

One last Hollwood autograph story.

The movie “Last Vegas” opens this weekend. It’s surprisingly good. Well, in the USA Today yesterday, there was an interview with director Jon Turteltaub. He said it was scary working with stars Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, and Robert De Niro. He said, “There’s a weird balance between being excited to work with the legendary actors and being so excited that you can’t actually do your job. You don’t want to be the guy who’s working with someone and also asking for their autographs, because that just makes you a loser.”

No it doesn’t, Turteltaub. It just makes you a fan!

Tags: Chris Brown, Jon Turteltaub, Kevin Kline, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Pat Benatar, Paul McCartney, Rhianna, Robert De Niro

2 members like this

Comment by Robert Babb on November 4, 2013 at 4:55pm: josh! if i would ask for your autograph or picture in person hopefully you would not punch me!

Comment by James Lafaman on November 9, 2013 at 8:57am: I get autographs in person every week. I also started asking for photos a few years ago. I do both. So photo seekers do not necessarily make it hard for the autograph collector. There is also more to this story than meets the eye. I am sure Chris Brown did not punch the guy just for asking for an autograph. I have done 1000's. I have never been punched, kicked, or anything else. The worst thing that happens is the person says no. Sometimes rudely, but that is very rare. If they say no, it's no. Walk away. I am sure this person did or said something to set him off. If you are polite and sincere, you should be fine. Don't ask more than once. Don't ask to sign 20 8 x 10's, etc. Basic courtesy will go a very long way. Also, Pat Bentar and husband Neil do sign in person. Again just be polite. They did 4 albums for me last year. Turteltaub used a poor choice of words. it may be considered by many to be unprofessional to ask for a graph while working in any professional setting. Many people do look down on it. It doesn't make you a loser. A real fan may ask anyway. I would. I am sure they wouldn't have punched him and with the exception of Freeman, they are all good signers. One each!