marycrawford | Michael Hurst in UK in 2005

Remember that Unoffical Herc/Xena con in Manchester in 2005 I mentioned here? They've just added Michael Hurst to their guest list.
(Thanks,

indehed!)

Now I have to decide whether or not to go.

Pros:

- Michael Hurst.

- A possibility of meeting fellow H:tLJ fans, maybe even a couple of the people that I've corresponded with and/or are on my flist. Wha-hey!

- Michael Hurst.

- Robert Trebor.

- Relatively easy and inexpensive to get to, compared to the US or NZ.

- Did I mention Michael Hurst?

Cons:

- Pretty darn expensive (65 GBP per weekend ticket, at least 30 GBP for a shared hotel room per night, with added 'hidden' costs for things like autographs and photos). And travel/food costs on top of that.

- Run by a commercial autograph company I've never heard of, as opposed to the friendly fan-run SF conventions I'm used to.

- No idea whether Michael Hurst is truly signed for this event or only signed 'subject to work commitments'. I think I'll post this over at the GoldApple mailing list and see whether anyone can confirm it.

- Again, not a fan-run media con at all but a professional event - probably meaning there'll be no fan art or zines or anything like that in the dealer's room and a very clear dividing line between guests and congoers. (Again, as opposed to the cons I'm used to, where you can hang out at the bar with anyone you please including the Guest of Honor.)

I like the idea of meeting Michael Hurst very much, but I'm not comfortable with being herded into a the role of adoring squeeing ~~cashcow~~ fan like this, if that makes sense. Maybe I should save my money and just go see a play of his in NZ sometime - I want to go to NZ anyway.

People, please help me decide - and if you're going, please let me know!

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No idea whether Michael Hurst is truly signed for this event or only signed 'subject to work commitments'.

Aren't they pretty much always? I mean, it's a competitive business, can't really afford to turn down an actual work project for a con.

And, hmmm, has this con been held before? Or has this con company held cons before? Can you find reviews of their cons and get an impression on how those were atmosphere wise? Maybe they're really friendly and laid back, even if they're pros... Or really not, in which case you have important new information to base your decision on.

I get all your misgivings, but do also think about how you would feel once the anecdotes start showing up on your flist. How sorry would you be that you weren't there? A play would be infinitely cooler. But you have to get around to going before he retires from the stage to farm mollusks on the northpole, no? (Or, ya know, a less unlikely but equally thwarting eventuality.)

All very good points, thanks!

About the 'work commitments' thing - I daresay you're right, I don't know how much MH can control his own gargantuan work schedule in advance. (I think as a theatre actor/director, he may able to plan more than a movie actor who just never knows when he's going to get a part, but I don't really know. And if he got a cool opportunity to do a play or direct a movie, of course he should be able to take it.)

I'm scouring the net for reviews/reports of earlier cons right now, as it happens. And

indehed mentions below that the company have been around for a few years, which is reassuring.

But you have to get around to going before he retires from the stage to farm mollusks on the northpole, no?

I find this a very compelling argument. *g*

'professional' run events in the UK are all I've ever been to. And you have seen my user info, right? In the Uk it's much more relaxed. You do get contact. And autograph mania have been around a few years and like the expo, it seems they're running a dinner with the stars. I think. Regardless though, you get plenty of contact, at least, I always have had with Wolf and it seems Bryan works for everyone! (owner of wolf).

The cost of ticket, 65 quid. cheaper than everyone else who is now over 70 so that's quite good. Manchester is cheaper for me to get to than London which is where they all usually are, so also relatively good.

My only problem with going or not is the likelihood of REALLY wanting to Dominic Keating in the UK next year and needing to get to london for that, and the problem of being a graduate. I could be anywhere next year.

Food costs, travel... I never worry about so much. Autographs are usually 10-15 pounds each and include the photo and you're allowed a maximum of three per actor. Photosession usually 15 per actor.

Food for thought ;)

Thanks for the info, that's very helpful. I'm glad to know that the company has been around for a few years. I really don't know anything much about this type of con in the UK, so any info is welcome.

Wolf = Wolf 359?

And you have seen my user info, right?

Well, skimmed it, it's a bit long. :-) But yeah, I did see some of your con pics when you posted them. Good times.

Wolf = wolf events (http://www.wolfevents.com)

They do the sg1 conventions and have been around for years. They've branched out now into andromeda, alias, dead like me... they've done first wave too.

It was starfury who used to do the xena/herc events in the UK but they stopped when they show ended.

autograph mania are similar to the likes of the london expo and collectormania. It would be worth going. My own reasons to swither over have nothing to do with the people in charge. I'm trusting them. All I worry about is my own situation. If I was sure of everything then I know I'd be there in a heartbeat and getting booked up. As it is, if I do go it'll be february before I make final decision.

The ticket price is cheaper than many, thn you get to decide for yourself whether to spend anything on autographs etc. and for what you get for entry fee is worth it. Anything else is considered extra, which is much better. There's no guarantees on autographs but they alays do their best.

And as for Michael coming or not. It is ALWAYS subject to work commitments. Work comes first. But they get paid a small fortune to come to cons so they certainly like them and so they're always eager. Plus, when Michael comes over he likes to go see family too who live in... is somewhere in central england I believe. So he's probably looking forward to it.

Go! That's my advice. I had no idea what to expect from Michael and what I got was nothing I could possibly have expected. He goes above and beyond when it comes to his fans. I really can't imagine that he won't do everything he can to give you an experience you will never forget. I got two hugs from Michael! Two! Do you really want to run the risk of missing out on that? You'll be kicking yourself for days! *g*

As

halimede said, these cons are always subject to work commitments. I once registered for a con with Peter Wingfield and he had to cancel four days before the event. And yeah, that sucks. So, yes, you always have to take into account that an actor might cancel at the last minute. An actor's presence can never be guaranteed.

I was about to say that 65 pounds doesn't sound all that expensive for an English con, but then I saw you have to pay extra for an autograph, so yeah, you're right on that score. It is expensive. All I can tell you is that he is going to blow your socks off. Trust me.

Many thanks for the enthusiastic advice! :-)

And *guh* at the icon. That by itself is an argument and a half.

Michael Hurst in UK in 2005

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