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Newbie!

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:04 pm
by coles84
Hi all,

I am attending my first FrightFest this year and I am very excited! Never thought I would have the privilege of joining you all for the event but a birthday surprise proved otherwise! I have the full weekend pass.

I just wondered if I could ask a couple of newbie questions please?

Do the tickets get delivered to you or do you need to pick them up at the event? If you need to pick them up is there a recommended time to get them as I can imagine it gets quite busy on the first night?

I am booked in to stay at the Premier Inn next door to the cinema, anyone stayed here before? If so any honest feedback? I did notice it is above a club which is a bit strange!

How do the signings work at the event, is it "convention" based where you pay a fee for an autograph?

Also I think I read somewhere that you get a couple of freebies for buying a weekend pass, is this correct?

I am sorry for the newbie type questions and I appreciate you might answer these type of things all the time, although I have searched the forum and could not find required answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to seeing you all in August!

Andy

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:23 pm
by Atari
You'll need to pick up your festival pass from the cinema. You should be able to pick that up any time leading up to the festival, but getting it on the Thursday shouldn't be an issue but worth popping in early afternoon. I don't know anything about the premier inn. As for signings I don't know as its not my thing but most people tend to just walk up to the actors/directors in the cinema after a Q&A or in the lobby. As for goodies you normally get a festival goodie bag with your festival pass. I assume they're doing the same this year. Also you have other opportunities to grab more freebies over the festival.

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:41 pm
by ArghZombies
Can't really add much more to this over and above what Atari has posted, I can just agree with him / her.

I've not know autographs to be chargeable, although there was one recently where the guest (I forget who) was only getting their book signed and nothing else - and they sold the book in the foyer. There are often the directors / actors etc hanging around the festival though, some for the whole weekend. You can often see then in the Phoenix bar after the last film of the evening, so be sure to check that place out as it's worth visiting at least once during the weekend.

There are always freebies going around. For the past 3 years (i.e. all the times that I've been going) we got a goodie bag - a decent canvas shoulder bag too stuffed with a bunch of DVDs, books, t-shirts etc. There are always posters up for grabs in between many of the films too, and other promotional goodies - mugs, tshirts etc so you won't leave the festival empty-handed.

No idea about the hotel there though. I stay at the LSE halls when I'm there, which are scummy but functional. I'd love to stay at the Premier inn though, but just too pricey for me when i'm there. I'm sure it's no problem there, although it is in the middle of London so likely to be a bit noisy wherever you stay.

Anyway, have a great time when you're there, you'll have a blast!

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:27 pm
by DJBenz
Hi Andy and welcome to the forum. For more useful info, click the guidebook. :)

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Re: Newbie!

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:32 am
by Wiltaim
I normally pick my pass about 1hour before the first film, never a problem.
Get stuff signed will depend on the who is it , most guests do a quick sign after Q&A ( or another time) I think there has never been a charge ( again my thing but) ..as it should be !
The goodie bags vary from year to in quality & contents ...but hey is free .... I used mine from 2008 everyone at work, plus free stuff asking good questions ;)
Hotel, I can't say ..I'm down HHH like lots of other folks.

You should try make the pre -drinks things : detail on Facebook somewhere - BTW I'm going to be more sociable this year , is it working ;)

Wiltaim aka Rowdoc aka another Andy

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:59 am
by DJBenz
ArghZombies wrote:I've not know autographs to be chargeable, although there was one recently where the guest (I forget who) was only getting their book signed and nothing else - and they sold the book in the foyer.
I think that was Argento. Frightfest is unique in that respect, if you go to a convention you'd be expected to pay £10 (minimum) for an autograph. At the MCM Expo, even the "third stormtrooper from the left in that one scene in Star Wars" will cost you £10. The bigger the name, the bigger the price tag.

I hope the "I'll only sign my book - and it's available over there" doesn't become *too* common though, as it's effectively the same thing.

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:55 pm
by coles84
Really appreciate all the advice. Thank you all so much. Really cannot wait to attend, has been a dream for a long time!

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:46 am
by Wiltaim
DJBenz wrote:
ArghZombies wrote:I've not know autographs to be chargeable, although there was one recently where the guest (I forget who) was only getting their book signed and nothing else - and they sold the book in the foyer.
I think that was Argento. Frightfest is unique in that respect, if you go to a convention you'd be expected to pay £10 (minimum) for an autograph. At the MCM Expo, even the "third stormtrooper from the left in that one scene in Star Wars" will cost you £10. The bigger the name, the bigger the price tag.

I hope the "I'll only sign my book - and it's available over there" doesn't become *too* common though, as it's effectively the same thing.
Yes, the Alan's book thing was a bit off ( if you were interested enough in Argento you would probably buy the book anyway), I hope that was one -off.

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:07 am
by zappa fan
I already had the book and was already signed by Argento and Alan Jones. So decided to queue for just a photo instead. I remember one year when Guillermo del Toro signed all my DVD covers and got Alan Jones to take a photo of me with the great man. Guillermo even drew some small characters on them.

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:14 pm
by TheDukeAbides
DJBenz wrote:.... At the MCM Expo, even the "third stormtrooper from the left in that one scene in Star Wars" will cost you £10. The bigger the name, the bigger the price tag.....
If its the one that hits his head on the door I'd pay any price.

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:30 pm
by DJBenz
TheDukeAbides wrote:
DJBenz wrote:.... At the MCM Expo, even the "third stormtrooper from the left in that one scene in Star Wars" will cost you £10. The bigger the name, the bigger the price tag.....
If its the one that hits his head on the door I'd pay any price.
I'd be surprised if he hasn't had a stand at one of the cons. :lol:

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:35 pm
by Kris
coles84 wrote:Hi all,

Do the tickets get delivered to you or do you need to pick them up at the event? If you need to pick them up is there a recommended time to get them as I can imagine it gets quite busy on the first night?

I am booked in to stay at the Premier Inn next door to the cinema, anyone stayed here before? If so any honest feedback? I did notice it is above a club which is a bit strange!

How do the signings work at the event, is it "convention" based where you pay a fee for an autograph?

Also I think I read somewhere that you get a couple of freebies for buying a weekend pass, is this correct?
Andy
Get your pass the afternoon before it starts, there are usually pre festival meet ups in a few places close by. Just remortgage your home to pay London prices for beer tho :lol:

Ive always stayed at an LSE place, Holborn Hell Hole or Rosebery Hall so would be interested to know what you thought of the Premier Inn. Are you that bothered about staying there as Holborn is pretty cheap so unless you can't cancel then you might find the LSE option more affordable.

I never do asking about stuff being signed but I've never known anyone to have a problem. Ask nicely and be patient i'm guessing. The vibe I get is that guests enjoy FF a lot, to see their piece of work on such a massive screen alongside people who appreciate horror movies, what better place to see your work playing?

The goodie bags are usually available on the second day, show your weekend pass in the foyer and they clip it to say you've had one. Contents vary and its usually a decent selection of bits and pieces. Books, dvds, posters, t shirts, stickers, bottle openers, drink coolers, magnets - it can literally be a mixed bag

Re: Newbie!

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 5:12 pm
by ordana
DJBenz wrote:Hi Andy and welcome to the forum. For more useful info, click the guidebook. :)

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I saw alcohol on the front and thought I must read it :D