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Guide to SDCC – Part 2 – Panels
Zack Young | July 13, 2010 | 11:30 AM
Part 2 in a series. You can read Part 1 here.
My favorite part of Comic-Con and the aspect that takes up most people’s time is the panels. With subject matter ranging from the biggest movies in Hollywood to the smallest indie web-comics that you’ve probably never heard of, SDCC panels are where the magic happens. In this post I will guide you through how to have an awesome time at every Q+A, discussion, and footage premiere at the con:
How to Make Your Panel-Going Experience Awesome:
- Get There Early – Any attendee hoping to hit up a panel in Hall H, swing over to the next panel in Ballroom 20, and then head back for the last one in H is going to end up a sad and angry attendee. No, this doesn’t apply to the super small panels where the room won’t even fill up, but as SDCC grows these are quickly disappearing. People wanting to get into big rooms or popular panels should line up at least an hour in advance if not two. Each person will have to judge on a panel by panel basis, but I’ve definitely learned to expect everything to be packed.
- Have Something To Do Beforehand – Two hours in the Hall H line doesn’t fly by, no matter how excited you are for the Tron footage. A book, iPod, DS, PSP, iPhone, or someone to talk to are all good ways to pass the time while you are waiting for next event.
- Bring A Camera – No one wants Hugh Jackman to show up two feet away and all you have in your hands is a schedule and a power bar. Don’t feel like you have to rush out and buy a $3,000 camera to get your picture with Jim Lee though. Unless you’re a serious photographer, a cellphone camera will probably be fine to capture the best stuff.
- Decide Early if You Want to Ask Questions – Even the smallest panels will have a lot of audience members that want to ask questions of the panel and unless you think early and act fast, you’ll probably end up at the end of a thirty-person line when they’re only accepting five. Decide before you sit down if this is the panel to ask that burning question and plan your seat so it’s near the microphone.
- Applaud Everyone – Even that television producer you’ve never heard of put in the effort to fly out, go in front of a crowd, and accept that every person on the panel will get more love then him. That deserves a clap. Same goes for everyone on a panel.
How Not To Ruin Other People’s Panel-Going Experiences:
- Be Courteous To Others Around You – Control your elbows, don’t yell across the room, and don’t wildly wave your hands in the air so ferociously that they hit the person next to you in the face every time Ryan Reynolds looks in your direction.
- Don’t Ask Stupid Questions – No, you can’t be in their next movie. No, they don’t want to go drink with you. No, they won’t take you to prom. Don’t be that person everyone boo’s when they go up to the microphone.
- Don’t Tell Your Life Story – Tim Burton doesn’t care how much Sweeney Todd changed your life. Peter Jackson doesn’t want to hear about your college project based around him. It’s questions and answers. The answers shouldn’t be “thank you.”
- Don’t Try to Videotape Exclusive Footage – The security people may not be rocket scientists, but they can see the flip cam hidden in your lap. Don’t cause a scene.
- Learn To Hold The Applause – Denzel Washingtion deserves a big round of applause. Every sentence Denzel Washingtion says does not deserve a round of applause.
Come back tomorrow for the guide to shopping and the exhibit hall!
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I heard that many of the larger panels will give out tickets for prizes to be obtained at the fulfillment room. How are these given out, and how does it work if you are staying in the same room for multiple panels?
Kyle: They are passed out down the rows, if I remember correctly. You get one for each panel (if they have swag to hand out). They’re different colors with different symbols on them, so when you go to the fulfillment room, they know which ticket is for which panel. If you’re sitting in the room when the tickets are handed out, you’ll get one. (for instance, blue ticket with star, blue ticket without star, etc)
What about asking questions? Do you just line up behind the mic or do you have to tell someone from the staff that you want to ask a question? How does the process work?
Mostly, you line up, though in the smallest rooms, it’s just a matter of raising your hand. In the bigger rooms they’ll pre-screen your question to make sure it’s a real question, and in Hall H (at least) they even have a cutoff switch.
Are you going to talk about getting exclusive items? Last year I attempted getting some exclusive Green Lantern figures and was confused and disappointed how you had to go upstairs to get a ticket but the ticket didn’t guarantee a figure. Any tips?
Was wondering if there is a line for room 6BCF? It is a larger room, was never there. If so where is it and how early should I get into line. Want to get a good seat for the Castle panel on Sunday morning!
@Meg: There is a line, I can’t remember exactly where it is but in the middle of the Events Guide they print a map that just shows the lines for each room. They use little color-coded arrows.
@Kyle: Just wanted to add that if you want the giveaway ticket, keep an eye out. I’ve been to panels where the ticket-givers missed my row, or they were giving it out as people came in but I was already in the room, etc. Usually they don’t, but you know, just be aware.
RE: “Don’t Try to Videotape Exclusive Footage,” has anyone else seen those awesome glasses/binoculars the security folks sometimes use during the exclusive footage to look for cameras? Anyone know what exactly they are?
Do you get to meet/take pics/get autographs with them after the panel?
Or are they rushed right out..b/c that would be lame
There’s a separate autograph schedule and autograph area. They just posted the autograph schedule on the Comic-Con site.
However, if you want autographs, be prepared for another long line, and for the biggest stars, a lottery system.
@Main-in-Hat THX!
what! so if (say the Chuck cast) isn’t on the autograph list, that means there’s no chance to meet them??
Anna,
The Comic-Con autograph schedule is just for the autograph room, not for the individual booths.
From the WB press release:
Warner Bros. Entertainment (WBE) will once again have a can’t-miss, nearly 3,000-square-foot booth on the convention floor, this time in a brand-new location: space #4545. As usual, the booth will host autograph signings by the stars and creative teams of all WBTVG shows, with multiple interactive kiosks for fans to play video games from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and much, much more. Additional details about the booth will be released in the coming weeks.
In general you cant meet the people on the huge panels. Some will do autographs on the floor with huge lines, most wont. They need the panels to keep moving.
@Rick – so that would be separate from the panels? For example, I know for sure Chuck had autograph signings last year..
I guess my question is, IF they are doing autographs, would it be at the same place/time as the panel, or different?
Thanks for putting up w/ these questions!
Its always a different place. They move to the floor at the booths for signings.
Sometimes if the panel members have time, or something they’ll stick around to give things out or sign autographs. this happened to me last year during a few panels.
And now the ticket retrieval room, is in a hotel, the marriot i think.. but its the in the convention center this year sadly..
Is the only way to get autographs from cast members on panels is to skip the panel and get in line at the studios booth on the floor while the panel is speaking? Or do u have to get a special ticket to get an autograph (ex: cast of Chuck or Big Bang)? Last year, I missed getting into the Big bang panel and still couldnt get an autograph from the cast. I just want to know how to do it right this year. Thanks
I want to get autographs from Chuck… and was wondering what I have to do to get it… they are showing saturday at the ballroom at 10 am.
For autographs, do you have to bring a photo or something else for them to autograph or are there usually things available at con (free or to buy) for them to sign? And this is mostly for movie/tv stars I’m talking about – not comics or books.
Most autograph sessions have posters for the people to sign, some don’t. If you’re really desperate they can sign your Comic-Con guide.
Often the booth autograph signings are via drawing, too. Best bet … double check at the booth in question ASAP. They might also have a comic-con page on their website with more info before the con or have an ad in the Event Guide.
* If it’s just a line up … skip the panel, go to the booth, and get in line.
* If it’s a drawing, make sure to get a drawing ticket at the booth (they often will either start giving them out on Wed or Thur until they run out -or- only hand out a certain number each day), write the booth # and drawing date/time on the back of your ticket, remember to check to see if you’ve won, and if so, ask when/where they expect you to be in line.
If you’re interested in getting booth autographs, I suggest that you stop at the booth(s) in question on Preview Night or early Thursday morning. Be prepared to have to choose between autographs or panels.
Also, sometimes at the panels they will give away special prizes like DVD sets, posters, or signed photos for those who ask the best questions. Another good reason to be prepared and ask a thoughtful question (meaning not one that has been asked a million times)!
How come the autograph schedule The WB put out has shows that are Fox or CBS?
For example, they list a Fringe signing session at the WB Booth, but isn’t Fringe Fox? So shouldn’t it be at the Fox booth? I’m just wondering if schedule on thewb.com (http://www.thewb.com/comiccon/schedule) lists the signings for all shows..