Autograph Passes

[TnAdct1]

A little question for those people who have been to AX concerning the autograph sessions: can you give me an idea of how the conventions handles the autograph passes that are given out at the GOH panels (i.e. when are they distributed, and the methods that are used in distribution).

With Otakon adapting this system this year (after the mess that happened as a result of the Hellsing manga-ka autograph session last year), I want to get an idea of how this works since I would like to get a Japanese GOH's autograph at this year's Otakon.

[lostnomad84]

A little question for those people who have been to AX concerning the autograph sessions: can you give me an idea of how the conventions handles the autograph passes that are given out at the GOH panels (i.e. when are they distributed, and the methods that are used in distribution).

With Otakon adapting this system this year (after the mess that happened as a result of the Hellsing manga-ka autograph session last year), I want to get an idea of how this works since I would like to get a Japanese GOH's autograph at this year's Otakon.

Simple, attend the panel for the GOH, sit all the way through. At the end, they will hand everyone a ticket an announce the signing time. You need to still arrive early, but basically the ticket will guarantee you an autograph and put you in front of the other people who waited for the autograph session but didn't go to the panel.

[Kikaroo]

but basically the ticket will guarantee you an autograph

Just a side note here. I don't know about this year, but last year a ticket did not guarantee you an autograph at AX. It did technically put you at the "front of the line", but every line I got in was entirely ticket-holders (they were telling those without to not bother), so it didn't actually do much.

The problem was that they distributed the tickets for the autograph sessions as you walked in (at least for most of the panels I attended), so pretty much everybody who showed up in the first 10 minutes or so got tickets. I got tickets for every panel I attended yet didn't get a single autograph - lines were just too long and always cut off before I got to the front, irregardless of when I started standing in line (lovely way to waste hours and then be told "oh, nope we're done now" as you get close).

I hope you have better luck with Otakon!

[sakurajade]

The problem was that they distributed the tickets for the autograph sessions as you walked in (at least for most of the panels I attended), so pretty much everybody who showed up in the first 10 minutes or so got tickets. I got tickets for every panel I attended yet didn't get a single autograph - lines were just too long and always cut off before I got to the front, irregardless of when I started standing in line (lovely way to waste hours and then be told "oh, nope we're done now" as you get close).
While yes, tickets don't really guarantee you anything since pretty much everyone is aware of exactly how out of luck you'll likely be if you don't have a ticket, this year AX did at least give them out at the end of the panel rather than at the beginning, at least slightly cutting down on the skipping the panel to camp out for the autograph factor. However, this was at least slightly mitigated by the fact at one of the panels I was at (Anna Tsuchiya), people were leaving early (mainly, I think, for SKIN) and staffers were actually giving them tickets. I didn't see this during the Haruhi panel though, so it may vary on exactly how full the panel is.

[kio]

With Otakon adapting this system this year (after the mess that happened as a result of the Hellsing manga-ka autograph session last year), I want to get an idea of how this works since I would like to get a Japanese GOH's autograph at this year's Otakon.

Simple, attend the panel for the GOH, sit all the way through. At the end, they will hand everyone a ticket an announce the signing time. You need to still arrive early, but basically the ticket will guarantee you an autograph and put you in front of the other people who waited for the autograph session but didn't go to the panel.

Thanks guys. I was just about to come in here and inquire about this. I have never been a voice actor fangirl, but I really feel a strong need to try and get an autograph from Tomokazu Seki. I had no idea there were procedures :/.

I know this guy is extremely popular so I'm assuming it'd be wise to run right over after the Q&A panel and get in line for the autograph session? (It overlaps with the Funi panel. I'd hate to- but I can skip that if it'd improve my chances for success.)

[Buckeye]

With Otakon adapting this system this year (after the mess that happened as a result of the Hellsing manga-ka autograph session last year), I want to get an idea of how this works since I would like to get a Japanese GOH's autograph at this year's Otakon.

Simple, attend the panel for the GOH, sit all the way through. At the end, they will hand everyone a ticket an announce the signing time. You need to still arrive early, but basically the ticket will guarantee you an autograph and put you in front of the other people who waited for the autograph session but didn't go to the panel.

Thanks guys. I was just about to come in here and inquire about this. I have never been a voice actor fangirl, but I really feel a strong need to try and get an autograph from Tomokazu Seki. I had no idea there were procedures :/.

I know this guy is extremely popular so I'm assuming it'd be wise to run right over after the Q&A panel and get in line for the autograph session? (It overlaps with the Funi panel. I'd hate to- but I can skip that if it'd improve my chances for success.)


Seki will have another autograph session on Saturday at 3:30pm.

[LadyFae]

I left the post running here, because I knew it was something people are curious about. But I want to stress to everyone that every convention does not have the same policy.

It is always a good idea at a large (or even medium/small) convention to read their individual autograph policy before making your plans. This is usually on their website, and if not there than in the program guide when you first arrive.

For example, Anime Bostons policy (http://forums.animeboston.com/showtopic.php?tid/1745/) is ticket based, but functions very differently from AX/Otakon. Just don't want any dissapointment out there :D

*sprinkles*

The Lady Fae

[TnAdct1]

I left the post running here, because I knew it was something people are curious about. But I want to stress to everyone that every convention does not have the same policy.

It is always a good idea at a large (or even medium/small) convention to read their individual autograph policy before making your plans. This is usually on their website, and if not there than in the program guide when you first arrive.

For example, Anime Bostons policy (http://forums.animeboston.com/showtopic.php?tid/1745/) is ticket based, but functions very differently from AX/Otakon. Just don't want any dissapointment out there :D
Actually, from what I found out on the Otakon board last night, their autograph ticket policy is actually a mixture of both Anime Boston's and AX's policies (i.e. some passes will be handed out to people already in line, while other passes will be handed out at the panel).

[LadyFae]

I left the post running here, because I knew it was something people are curious about. But I want to stress to everyone that every convention does not have the same policy.

It is always a good idea at a large (or even medium/small) convention to read their individual autograph policy before making your plans. This is usually on their website, and if not there than in the program guide when you first arrive.

For example, Anime Bostons policy (http://forums.animeboston.com/showtopic.php?tid/1745/) is ticket based, but functions very differently from AX/Otakon. Just don't want any dissapointment out there :D
Actually, from what I found out on the Otakon board last night, their autograph ticket policy is actually a mixture of both Anime Boston's and AX's policies (i.e. some passes will be handed out to people already in line, while other passes will be handed out at the panel).

in other words...different ;)

the policy is unique to Otakon...which was my point

[Buckeye]

I left the post running here, because I knew it was something people are curious about. But I want to stress to everyone that every convention does not have the same policy.

It is always a good idea at a large (or even medium/small) convention to read their individual autograph policy before making your plans. This is usually on their website, and if not there than in the program guide when you first arrive.

For example, Anime Bostons policy (http://forums.animeboston.com/showtopic.php?tid/1745/) is ticket based, but functions very differently from AX/Otakon. Just don't want any dissapointment out there :D
Actually, from what I found out on the Otakon board last night, their autograph ticket policy is actually a mixture of both Anime Boston's and AX's policies (i.e. some passes will be handed out to people already in line, while other passes will be handed out at the panel).

in other words...different ;)

the policy is unique to Otakon...which was my point

While policies will differ by convention, there is a general rule of thumb out of fairness to other people in line. Essentially, you assume that you have to move as quickly as you can. These mostly apply to guests from Japan as English VA's will sometimes have a different set of rules that allow more items to be signed or photos taken:

1. Only one item may be autographed per guest
2. No sketches
3. No photographs
4. (If tickets are passed out) Make sure you stay for the whole panel if you want to get high priority for autographs
5. If you absolutely need an autograph from a popular guest, make sure you adjust your schedule to allow time for lining up

[PatrickD]

While policies will differ by convention, there is a general rule of thumb out of fairness to other people in line. Essentially, you assume that you have to move as quickly as you can. These mostly apply to guests from Japan as English VA's will sometimes have a different set of rules that allow more items to be signed or photos taken:

1. Only one item may be autographed per guest
2. No sketches
3. No photographs
4. (If tickets are passed out) Make sure you stay for the whole panel if you want to get high priority for autographs
5. If you absolutely need an autograph from a popular guest, make sure you adjust your schedule to allow time for lining up


Like LadyFae said, it's different for every convention and even the 5 things you state above are NOT true for every convention. For example, PortConMaine allows photographs and two items. Other conventions allow sketches from some guests.

In summary, there are ABSOLUTELY NO GLOBAL AUTOGRAPH RULES. Check with your local convention for their policies.