So, this is more of an opinion piece than what I’ve posted on this page before.. I debated not posting this, because I know it will probably get people annoyed if they read it, but I prefer my thoughts “out there” rather than adding to my, already busy, mind. I’ll try to keep this brief, but it most likely won’t be a long piece anyway.
Currently there is a convention going on scheduled to run on April 27th and 28th 2019. It’s a pretty large convention (I haven’t been, I’m judging from the guest list). Among this guest list are Amanda Tapping, and Richard Dean Anderson from Stargate SG1. Two popular, well known, and beloved actors who I absolutely respect, and adore. They are absolutely amazing in person, and yes, even better when you have the both of them in the same place because they play off each other extremely well.
However, what prompted this post, is nothing with the actors or the convention. It’s with the attitudes of fans that are planning to attend said event.
I’ll start this with a little bit of a joke, because during this I keep seeing these fans referring to the fact that it hasn’t happened often having Amanda and Rick at the same convention in Europe. (In a political sense with the separation of borders because it’s breaking relationships to the other parts of Europe, which counts)
Well, for starters, there’s a thing called Brexit going on right now. So Wales isn’t actually in Europe.. So, um, yeah. Try to get that right?
Anyway, back to the “meat” of the story, which absolutely disgusts me with the Stargate “fandom” because of this. While having Amanda and Rick at the same convention may actually be a rarity because of their schedules. A lot of fans took it upon themselves to decide that it was an insult that they hadn’t scheduled a DUO photo with the two guests. So in an approach of disgust, began to bombard and completely harass Wales Comiccon Twitter account with REPEATED tweets about why they should be fitting this in, and that they should make room on the schedule for this rare appearance.
While it MAY be rare, this is no excuse for you to harass and bombard convention organisers with demands in the guise of “fandom”. Now, recently on the Wales Comiccon twitter they had a couple of guests that had to withdraw due to family or work commitments. (it happens, the guests need to do what’s best for their career or families).
Replies to both of these tweets were further bombardments demanding that, “hey you now have space for a duo photo op with Amanda and Rick”. To which they responded recently by creating one; which sold out in less than 20 minutes (duh), and having to put some more tickets for sale.
Because of this, I’ve now seen everyone praising their “achievement” and putting it down to the “power of the fandom”. This isn’t the Stargate fandom. Harassment of convention organisers is NOT what the fandom is about, and to take pride in the fact that you “got your photo op” is disgusting and completely filling your own ego.
Let’s look at this objectively shall we? This convention takes place over TWO days. That’s it, only two. The 27th and 28th. Shall we look at the guest list (currently) for this convention?
- Rupert Grint (from Harry Potter)
- Keifer Sutherland (24, Designated Survivor)
- David Tennant (doctor who, Jessica Jones)
- Sam Neill (Jurassic Park)
- Charlie Cox (daredevil)
- Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy)
- Jennifer Morrison (OUAT)
- Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Avengers)
- David Wenham (LotR, and 300)
- Alexander Ludwig (Vikings)
- Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones)
- Sam Cleflin (Hunger Games)
- Amanda Tapping (Stargate, Sanctuary)
- Richard Dean Anderson (Stargate, MacGyver)
- Billie Pipper (Doctor Who)
- Michelle Gomez (Chilling adventures of Sabrina, Doctor Who)
- Miranda Otto (Sabrina)
- Lucy Davis (Sabrina)
- Andrew Scott (Sherlock)
- Camren Bicondova (Gotham)
- Sean Pertwee (Gotham)
- Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham)
- Erin Richards (Gotham)
- Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy)
- Justin H. Min (The Umbrella Academy)
- Jordan Claire Robbins (The Umbrella Academy)
- Russel Tovey (The Flash, Being Human)
- Matt Ryan (Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow)
- Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead)
- Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead)
- Robert Buckley (iZombie, One Tree Hill)
- Nick Blood (Agents of Shield)
- Brett Dalton (Agents of Shield)
- Mark Addy (Game of Thrones)
- Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf)
- Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill)
- Bam Margera (Jackass)
Plus we have NINE Artists and Writers, alongside SIX voice over guests. See more about their guest list here: Wales Comic Con Guests
So, for a moment discounting the Artists, Writers, and Voice over guests because while popular are generally in a different category than media celebrities. What we are left with, as listed above, is THIRTY SEVEN media guests that they need to schedule in photos and autos for, as well as panels.
Thirty Seven!
But you are priding yourselves on getting this DUO photo with Amanda and Richard Dean Anderson because you continuously harassed the organisers until they gave it to you? This is not done because of the Stargate fandom. This is your own ego, and it’s insulting to call it anything less.
If I was able to attend, would I be disappointed in not having a duo photo? Sure. It would be an amazing thing. But you need to understand the pressures, and hassles that convention organisers go through to bring these things. They have to accommodate a lot of things. You basically only got this because you harassed them, and no, I’m not going to sugar coat what you did. This is not right.
What made this worse, is that Paul Brown of Legends Canada (who organises Richard Dean Anderson’s convention appearances, and does a fabulous job at it) had to put out a post on his Instagram about people who messaged HIM that there was no DUO photo.
See here: Paul Brown Instagram
Where do you draw the line? Seriously? Paul (as he says) has nothing to do with Wales Comiccon. They obviously just invited Rick. The contract was worked out, and he can attend. Messaging Paul about this because you have a personal problem with them not having it in a schedule. It shows what you think of your own importance over others. That’s arrogant presumption.
I’m sorry if I’m being harsh in this post, but there it is. This is not the Stargate fandom, and I think if Amanda or Rick had seen what had gone on, they would be appalled at the attitudes.
Amanda in particular, because she has always spoken about the respect you should show others. This is not it.
Two more examples before I leave it. There was even a retweet going around that tagged Joe Mallozzi (Stargate writer\producer) asking him to RT to help with this.
Again. Why? Joe has nothing to do with any of this, and he’s busy with his career. The fact that he RT’d, I guarantee, is probably a muscle reaction rather than a full reading of what was going on.
It wasn’t even a break after they announced a duo photo that I saw people immediately ask for a panel. Again, 37 guests attending. Schedules.
This abuse of fandom (and yes, it is abuse of fandom) has to stop. Let’s take this back to the supportive nature that fandom used to be. Let’s not harass a convention (or anyone) because things don’t happen because we want them.
This is why myself (and some others) tend to steer away from fandoms now. Because it’s ridiculous the attitude of a bunch of people that think they’re above everyone.
Please be kind to each.
I’m done with this post. Comment below if you want to discuss, but please don’t just attack. I didn’t call anyone out, this is a “letter” to Stargate fandom as a whole. Respect others, and what they do.
Respect the convention organisers that bring us these events.
Dreaming Screenwriter 