This weekend, at Comic Con France, to approach Richard Dean Anderson, the unforgettable MacGyver, those nostalgic for the 1980s will have to pay, at least, 75 euros. This is the price, to get an autograph from the actor, or to have a photo taken alongside him. For Jamie Campbell Bower, the chilling Vecna in Stranger Things, it’s more expensive: 80 euros per signature, and 100 euros per tof. Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO in Star Warshe is a little more accessible: 70 euros, for an autograph or a souvenir at his side.
Paying to approach stars of the small or big screen is nothing new in geek shows. In many conventions, you have to rack up money to have the privilege of spending a few precious seconds with a celebrity Madeleine de Proust. In the United States, it is even commonplace, and the most popular stars of the circuit raise several tens of thousands of dollars, or even more, at each show, reported in 2016 an investigation by the Hollywood Reporter.
“I will never pay for an autograph!” »
What do pop culture enthusiasts think of this business? Kentin, interviewed by 20 minutes, don’t beat around the bush. “It’s shameful,” he blurted. “Photos, I can understand, but autographs… I will never pay for an autograph! »
Vincent is a little more divided. He has already dropped 25 euros to obtain a signature and a photo with Daniel Portman of Game Of Thrones and Nicholas Lea of X Files. “Paying for autographs doesn’t bother me,” he confides. Even though I knew the first edition of Comic Con, where signings were free. But when some guests ask for 100 euros, I think it’s really exaggerated. » Especially since this price includes the entrance ticket to the convention.
The organizers of Comic Con France did not respond to requests from 20 minutes, to evoke this economy of paid autographs. At Huffington Postin 2016, Pierre-Yves Binctin, who was then the director of Comic Con, indicated that he had simply “reproduced [avec la mise en place d’autographes payants] which is a standard elsewhere. » “It may seem expensive, in fact, but we offer fans a unique moment,” explained the head of the convention. The photos are not simple selfies, but shots taken in a real photo studio. Visitors leave with a printed photo, and a link to download it in digital format.”
It is mainly access to US stars that is paid for
“We try as much as possible to make the autographs free, as far as possible, especially for our French guests,” we explain to 20 minutes, on the TGS side, which organize the most popular geek fairs in France. This will be the case on April 6 and 7, at TGS Montpellier : there will be nothing more to pay, to have a chat with Gérard Vivès, the brilliant Gérard of Girls Next Dooror Patrick Puydebat, the immortal Nicolas d’Helene and the boys. “The only time it pays, for French guests, is when we offer a pack, with a photo and a dedication,” we tell TGS.
In these festivals, it is mainly access to US stars that requires spending a few dozen euros. They are the ones who are asking for it. In the United States, this is the norm. So why would they do the French a favor? But the TGS assures us: the festival does not benefit at all from these toll signings. Everything, or almost everything, goes into the pockets of the stars. “These are not hugely profitable operations for us,” we told TGS. It’s more a question of visibility: having an old actor Star Wars or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, even if approaching it pays off, is a guarantee of success. Moreover, paid or not, “there is always enthusiasm” and the queues are long, assure the organizers.
Paid signatures? It’s to attract US stars
Julie Escurignan is a teacher and researcher at the Léonard de Vinci Management School (EMLV), in Paris. This expert in the links between fans and the cultural industries knows geek shows very well. Offering paid autographs, “it’s been in the DNA of conventions for a long time,” she explains to 20 minutes. Is this shocking? No, assures this researcher, who notes that this economy of paid autographs does not offend anyone across the Atlantic.
“We have to find a way to attract stars. In very large conventions, like the San Diego Comic Con, most come to present their new projects… But in slightly more modest conventions, promising them such income is a solution for them to agree to come. If you don’t want the stars not to attend San Diego Comic Con, you have to attract them, financially. » It is, for these stars, some of whom have not toured for a long time, a huge business. The American actor Alan Tudyk had fun between 2015 and 2017 with this dependence on conventions in a very funny series, Con Man.
“Some live from that, or in part, of course,” continues Julie Escurignan. They no longer come only for a question of image, and to see their fans, but for a question of big money, too. Many, many fans tour conventions to get autographs, or take photos, with their favorite stars. Some people put money aside for that. It’s true, it’s a bit of a special model. But you have to go to conventions, you have to see how happy people are. It breaks down the prejudices a little. »