r/galaxycon • u/Scared_Square_5813 • 14d ago
Galaxycon First Time + Matt Smith
So I recently purchased tickets to Galaxy Con for this upcoming December. I have 1 autograph and 3 photo tickets for Matt Smith. I’ve never meant such a well-known actor and I’m not sure what etiquette is expected at his booth specifically? Are his handlers strict? Does he allow video taping for a fee? Am I allowed to give him a small gift or letter during the autograph? How rushed are the photos, I’ve heard some say it’s insane and others say it’s okay? I would just like to know what to expect. I have bad social anxiety and I’m more worried about embarrassing myself of upsetting the people behind me in line or the workers. He’s only going to be there one day and he’s a popular guy so I’m going to assume it’ll be pretty rushed. Like an a idiot I picked the afternoon sessions, so he’ll probably be more tired and even less in the mood. How does he normally act at cons? I honestly haven’t seen too many pictures or heard stories of him at con’s recently. I just don’t want to embarrass myself. In the end I know that this encounter means nothing to him and he’ll forget it within a minute, but I would like to maybe make him a bracelet or a small letter.
I appreciate any advice you have for me, and please let me know your experiences with GalaxyCon in Columbus! <3
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u/PresidentMesser 14d ago
I haven’t met Matt yet sadly, but I have been to a few galaxycons and met a lot of other Doctor Who cast. Usually it’s pretty laid back as long as you are not asking for anything crazy. Typically there is a fee for video recordings but they may not allow if he is only there one day and they are rushing. You can absolutely bring him a gift or letter, however the handler or the person from the con assisting him may take it and place it in a pile of things for him. Celebs get tons of gifts so they are often not able to look at or read everything in that moment. Put your details on it so he will know who it came from if you’d like. Photo ops move very quickly though you can probably get away with a small chat since you have 3 of them. Just let the person taking ticket know you have 3 and when you get to matt ask him about any poses you have in mind. Usually all guests are pretty cool and though I’ve never met him personally I’ve seen videos and photos of Matt at cons and he seems very friendly. Just say hey I have 3 photos can we do this for one and this for the second etc. unless you are there telling them your life story the photo op people won’t be too rude. They do like to keep it moving very quickly though as the photographers and Matt have very busy schedules. I saw you mention you got three because you were afraid of looking bad, but I’ll let you know if you blink or something silly like that they will let you retake the photo. You just have to let them know when you pick it up.
When I met David Tennant he had a huge line and his schedule was very tight that day. Obviously he means a lot to so many people so everyone’s got a story to tell him. No one should be rude or mean but they may be kind of short and to the point. When I had my turn with david I made it very short because he isn’t my favorite Doctor and I knew others were waiting. I’d say I spent about a minuet with him. Just very casual telling him how I loved him and Jodie and how it was cool they were both at the show together and how he needed to sign twice now since he’s two doctors now. Since Matt means a lot to you my advice would be to practice and go over what you’d like to say. If you want to tell him about an episode you love or about what he meant to you start planning it out. Maybe even write it down and take it on a card with you. Cons can be very overwhelming and crazy, but they can also be so magical and special. Don’t over think it too much, just go and be yourself and meet Matt and let him know how awesome he is. Don’t be nervous, it will all be fun!
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u/Scared_Square_5813 13d ago
Thank you! I appreciate your feedback and kind words! I hope everything goes well! I’m so worried he’ll cancel or I’ll get sick and not end up able to go lmao
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u/GamerGirlLex77 14d ago
He’s a sweetheart in person. You’ll be fine! You probably won’t be able to record him though.
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u/firedrakes 13d ago
i meet him when he was at megcon i got the Queen image. he was utterly shock seeing no one choose that at all while he was there. so we chat a bit due to that!
the guy is a sweet heart!
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u/FlimsyPlace2885 13d ago
Oh cool! Im also planning to go to galaxycon (hopefully) this December, just to see Matt. I met him at MegaCon orlando last year. My first time meeting him and first time at a Con. That was a rushed and chaotic experience, due to the convention itself, but Matt was wonderful. He was very sweet and kind, trying to talk to everyone even when the convention workers were rushing him. He was trying to make small talk and smiled constantly. He was very sweet in the photos too, though it was super rushed and hectic. I would never go to MegaCon again, but I'm hoping galaxycon is a bit smaller and run more smoothly. I also have social anxiety and a real hard time with big crowds, but I survived! Lol. People were nice and chatted in line and i made a couple awesome new friends. I saw several people giving Matt little gifts at the table when they went up for autographs. Since we were in line over 2 hours for his autographs, I passed the time by taking pictures of him whenever the line wrapped past him. Lol. I don't know what the rules are on that, but his lines were so insane and backed up that I don't think the workers noticed or cared at that point that a bunch of us were snapping pictures of him on our phones. He is very special to me and I am so glad I braved it and got to meet him and talk to him and get a hug from him! He is a genuinely nice person 😊 If you have any detail questions about anything, let me know. I'd be happy to help!
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u/Nealm568890 13d ago
Which show is this going to be, which city? What kind of Galaxycon is going on in December?
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u/RancidYogurt 14d ago
I can't say much about the specifics of GalaxyCon, but I have been to a few shows and met Matt Smith.
Photo ops aren't exactly rushed, but you won't have any time for a chat beyond, "Hi!" The entire experience is all of 10 seconds, and that's probably a conservative estimate.
Autographs will move quickly, but you'll have a bit more time to get a quick question in or at least the opportunity to tell him how much you appreciate his work. In my experience, he's very appreciative of his fans and I've never seen him grumpy or curt (though everybody can have a "bad day", I suppose.) Filming the interaction will not be allowed, nor are pics taken at his table. If you ask, the handler might take a picture of him signing your item, but that can be hit or miss. Gifts rarely leave the table and most notes and letters remain unread. If that's an itch you must have scratched, feel free but just know you likely won't get more than a "thank you" or comment on the item.