Jennifer wrote:
<<Nancy
what about the whole country in between the two coasts i noticed that some of the actors could get to
Conn for a halloween tme it isnota good time for me to travel with two small chidren and the summer times of the fests i would think these actors would love to meet
their fans all across the country and if we have to pay our way why can't they pick up part of the cost? i thought Vam had some great suggestions!>>
Jennifer, I understand your frustration but you are assuming that the DS actors have more money than you do. I think that is a false assumption for the most part. As an actor, you only get paid when you work or you have a commercial running. Otherwise, you find other ways to earn money. You will note that many of these DS actors (from the original show) who come to the fesivals and other fan events don't even act anymore. They have other jobs that I dont' see as paying a fabulous sum of money. These actors have families and/or spouses and it would be incredibly rude to ask any of them to spend their own money to go entertain other people. It's like saying, we want you to come and entertain and be with us, but you aren't worth paying for. It would be sad if any of the actors could not attend an event simply because they couldn't afford to come no matter how much they wanted to.
The Halloween event you mentioned was a fan event, and not a DS Festival spnonsored function. As far as I know, the actors were flown in and taken care of by the organizer. That is traditionally how it's done.
It should be pointed out that the the DS actors, unlike other actors who attend these other fan functions such as Star Trek, etc., were not paid for their appearance at the festival. The actors from Star Trek, etc. charge a hefty fee and in other case charge $10.00 to sign an autograph per person. To my knowledge, the DS actors don't do that and some of them could demand to be paid because they are draws. I know, for example, that Jonathan Frid (according to the festival organizers is the biggest festival draw) didn't charge fees for his appearance even though he would have been entitled to given the drawing power he had. All of these actors give quite a bit of their personal time and to ask them to pay their own way, or even part of it, isn't expressing much appreciation for the enjoyment fans presumbly get from them not only now but over the years.
The actors are free to do events with whomever they wish. I very much doubt they would be crazy about having to spring for half or all of the expense getting to a fan convention. Anyone is free to ask them to do so. :-/
Nancy
