Two tips for Star Wars meets…
Speaking to the talented people that make Star Wars is brilliant fun, hearing stories about their own journey and experience of the galaxy far, far away, and their nuggets of insight about how what we see on screen comes together. There’s nothing more special than getting closer to it by meeting people that were involved first hand.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a number of actors from Star Wars, at Celebration 2023 and at a couple of events since. The chance to grab an autograph, photo, or even a quick chat is to be treasured.
I’ll always remember meeting people like Tim Rose who played Admiral Ackbar, a character I’d loved watching in the ROtJ space battle as a kid, and who assisted with various other characters like Salacious Crumb and Jabba the Hutt. Or Toby Philpott, Jabbas left hand man, who shared stories of Jabba's cramped interior and the small TV monitors they had to work with. I asked to shake Toby's left hand as its the one that shoved C3PO, to which he replied, “don’t want to touch the tongue?!”.
Anybody I’ve met who has had involvement in Star Wars has such amazing stories and views to share, whether it was Mike Quinn's take on CGI vs practical effects from the original trilogy to the prequels and sequels, and his feeling that practical is coming back, or hearing Sean Crawford talk about Yakface's unlikely rise to absolute cult stardom among dedicated fans, “the herd”, and his own collection of Yakface memorabilia.
Then of course meeting the actors who portrayed the Original Trilogy characters we grew up with is something else. Fist-bumping Anthony Daniels after he refused to use our, seemingly inferior, paint pen in favour of his own, and telling him R2 was running a muck on the showfloor. Or commenting on the Emperor's deathly appearance in a Rise of Skywalker photo I was having signed by Iain McDiarmid for him to say “no…he’s not at his most attractive is he”, is unforgettable to me. I’d say there are two main things I’ve learned about how to make the most of this experience.
Think ahead about what you might want to say!
I always try to find something to say that means something to me, usually for the briefest of encounters you are afforded, but that will also be a bit different for the actor to hear. I can’t help but think that while they must love meeting fans, it must be a day filled with repetition and hearing something a bit different might be fun!
When I got a photo with Hayden Christensen this didn’t quite work as you really don’t get more than a tiny moment at a photo-op. Though a quick handshake and a “thanks for bringing vader back”, was enough for him to reply “pleasure to meet you brother” with the sincerity and connection like I was the first person he’d seen that day.
With Ewan Mcgreggor, how many times must he be greeted with a ‘hello there’?? Despite thinking he is an exceptional actor, I remember wearing an aftershave he endorsed when I was younger. So just before the photo was taken I told him “I wore Davidoff for years because of you!”. After the photo he asked me to repeat myself and when the penny dropped he rocked back on his heel and had a laugh saying “oh, that’s lovely!”. Presumably he’d forgotten that particular deal! Of course while being ushered away I did say…”but I'm here for Obi Wan!” which I think kept the smile on his face.
Prepare whatever you want signed carefully:
If you are getting an item autographed, it really pays to think carefully in advance about what you want this to be. Typically, for an at-table autograph, there will be a selection of standard 8x10 inch photographs to choose from. However you are usually permitted to take almost any item you have to get signed. On occasion particularly rare, large, or multi-autographed pieces may cost more, and the person is entitled to decline to sign anything they aren’t happy with. Though I can’t imagine this happens often.
I’ve had POPs, trading cards, action figures and posters signed. I imagine these, along with prop replicas like helmets, or display plaques, are probably the most popular things. To me it makes things more special to pick something in advance that really resonates with you. Whether its something to display, remember from your childhood, that represents a particular scene or film you love, or even something you are planning to get multiple signatures on.
The more that I’ve got into getting autographs and meeting people from Star Wars, the more I have mild regret that I didnt realise this would happen, and that I chose to get individual autographs on items, whereas if I could go back now I’d probably choose to get items autographed that I could add several too over time. For example on movie posters, saving display space and representing a cumulative autograph project. That said, everything I have got autographed I love, each thing I chose for a reason, and they represent a moment in time and a memory of meeting that person.
There are also practical steps to take, like preparing the pen along with the item, what colour will work best, and do you want to use a paint-pen which will be very hard wearing but will need priming ahead of time and will take a few minutes to dry. So you will need to have your item easily accessible and prepare to have you hands free to hold it, and your bag etc, while it dries. For posters or photos you will want a poster tube or portfolio folder to keep the item accessible and safe in advance, and to store it safely afterwards. For figures and POPs, you may want a protective plastic or acrylic case ready, which are available to size.
If you do get the chance to meet somebody from Star Wars, particularly an actor who portrayed a character you love, or somebody involved in the wider production or some content you love, take the opportunity. I don’t think you will ever regret it. I hope I get lots more opportunities to meet individuals involved in bringing the galaxy far, far away to life. I have a long list of people I’d love to see!
MTFBWY
