Question..........why do people who post here have to get their pictures taken over and over again with their favorite performers??- Page 4

[ILoveWicked330]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:42pm

This is what I HATE about BWW. you try to talk in a topic about something and when theres 2 different points of view on one subject, you're automatically wrong.

This is why I try to keep my posting to a minimum.

So to stop this:

You're right. Stephen Lynch is a nobody. Taking pictures with people is stupid.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:49pm

First of all, I don't understand wanting pics with people you don't know.

That aside, I know if I were a performer and the same person kept coming back for picture after picture, I would be very annoyed. It's one thing to pose for people once, if they like that sort of thing, it's flattering that they want the pic I'm sure. But after 2 times or more, it's just inconsiderate to the performer - you're taking their time for yourself. Over and over. Think about it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:55pm

Rath, the problem is, people don't think about it. And probably in their eyes, they are the "exception".

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 6:58pm

I'm sure you're right, Dottie.

Here's a foolproof way to know if you're the exception - when the performer pulls out their camera to get a pic with you. Otherwise, they're just doing you a favor.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:52pm

"This is what I HATE about BWW. you try to talk in a topic about something and when theres 2 different points of view on one subject, you're automatically wrong."

No, it's not just BWW. All message boards are alike. You can feel free to post whatever opinions you have on a subject. Why do you care if someone disagrees with you? If that bothers you, then a message board is not a place for you. I'm not saying you should quit, but that's the nature of the beast!

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:23pm

I don't feel so bad for the actors. Who really cares anyway? The real problem here seems to be the stalker/fan that somehow convinces her/himself it is more than what it is. I have similar stories as Jane2, and I bet they are completely different people. When I first came to New York, I met these RentHeads; I just couldn’t believe they existed. I guess it’s nice they are friends with each other, but it seemed to me they had a rivalry of who could get more pics or stalk more. It was bizarre, and then I saw this girl with a crate aka crateb!itch.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 9:30pm

Oh I don't feel bad for the performer - hey, they knew what they were getting into, they get paid well to do it, they love 99% of the job, and if there is 1% that they don't like, well, they're doing much better than most of the world. And, they don't have to exit through the stage door if it's that much of a problem.

My point is that the fans don't realize that the actors really don't appreciate taking pics with the same people over and over - it doesn't make them like you more. It makes them annoyed that you obviously care more about getting pics for yourself than about how much of their time you're wasting.

[nealb1]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:14pm

BRAVO!!!!!! I couldn't have said it better myself.

I just don't understand that either......why do you need to get your picture taken over and over and over again with a complete and total stranger? Does that make them feel more secure?

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:17pm

You may not understand it, but it doesn't make it wrong. I love to stagedoor after a show if there's someone I really admire. It's exciting for me, and the pictures make me happy. I don't have 30+ with one actor, but I don't see anything wrong with getting a picture with someone you admire and respect if they come out the stagedoor and agree to take a picture with you.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:22pm

We're not talking about one pic in this thread. Read the title again - we're talking about multiples.

It does not make you better friends with the actor, it's not "quality time," it just causes them to look on you with less and less respect every time. And makes them feel that you see them as an object, not a person.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:24pm

I don't mean to single her out, but take LilDiva05, for instance. And feel free to check out her fan photos. I mean no disrespect, but I am just curious about the mentality behind it.

She has:

Andrea McArdle - 4
Celia-Keenan Bolger - 7
Jenna Leigh Green - 5

Among others.

I JUST. DON'T. GET IT.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:26pm

"You may not understand it, but it doesn't make it wrong"

I'm not sure you guys understand it either. No one mentioned that it is "wrong". Some of us are just trying to shed some light on the subject.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:31pm

I wouldn't do it, but I don't look down upon those who do.

Perhaps it's an age thing. If I was 12 and went to see my favorite show 12 times, I can't say that I wouldn't have taken pictures after. Enjoy what you do, and if having countless pictures with people makes you feel happy, then do it - be happy while you can.

I just can't help but see a little bit of creepy stalker-ness in it, especially when the offenders are old enough to buy cigarettes.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:36pm

I think the word stalker is quite overused these days. It used to mean something serious - it's not about getting your picture taken at a stagedoor, no matter how many times.

The creepy part is that people believe having their picture taken multiple times with a virtual stranger constitutes some sort of relationship.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:45pm

LOVIN this thread LOL

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:47pm

Depends on your use of the word stalk. The couple to whom I referred in my little anecdote were indeed stalkers. I didn't elaborate in that post but the police had them on record as stalking the same actor in another city. Here they were stalking him again partly across country every weekend.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:48pm

That is the correct use, Jane.

And there is only one. People call others "stalkers" here if they see a show twice.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 10:53pm

My use of the word "stalker" was meant to be taken lightly, and was said with a bit of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm.

Had I known that my word choice would create ANOTHER debate, I would have just stuck to creepy.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 11:05pm

I agree that the word stalker has become ubiquitous on the board. I think most people use it as a generic term just as you said, Rath.

At work we see so many fans so many times in the same place for so many shows, that we also tend to use the term to describe them.

[nealb1]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 11:48pm

To Rathnait62...

You ROCK!!! Your insight and knowledge on this topic is right on the money!!!!

Yeah, some people think just because they get their picture taken over and over and over again with a complete stranger, that means that they have a relationship with them! It's wrong...it's sick..........

A photo once or twice when doing "Stage Door" is completely fine......not even an issue. But, when you do it over and over and over again, there's something wrong with you. That's not normal.

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 6:35am

Meal, although you are now just making general comments about "people" who take photos with the actors thinking they are friends with said actor this is my response: Speaking for myself, and only because this thread was pretty much directed at me from the start.......I have no delusions about being friends with actors because I have my picture with them. I have friends who are actors because I am a casting director/assistant director. Those actors I have worked with, I have become friends with.

Just stating a fact. I do feel honored to have such BWW greats involved in this chat....Munku...Rath....I almost feel like I am important!!! That is only meant to be half-sarcastic. I don't think you have lived or gone through BWW hazing until you have been in a "back and forth" with some of the board legends!

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 7:37am

I'm definitely of two minds on this subject. Anyone who knows me or who has seen my fan pic page is aware of my love for a nice snapshot. Silly arguing aside this is something that I'm glad to see people thinking about and discussing. I'm about to preach about not being a creepy "stage door stalker". This might seem hypocritical since I have a crap-load of fan photos, but you'll notice that there is almost nobody I have more than 1 photo with. And I do agree that this is the prevailing line between OK and creepy- OK is meeting and taking pictures; creepy is feeling the need to do so over and over again. See a show as many times as you like, but do you really need a photo of the same actor on each of these occassions? Leave them alone so they can give a little energy to the people who have just seen it for the 1st time.

I started doing the stage door thing when I lived 3000 miles from NY and only got to see Broadway performers I admired maybe 5 times a year when a good tour came around or when I could get on a plane to the east coast. When that "once-in-a-lifetime" chance did come around, a photo was always a great thing to be able to take from it. From then on, a stagedoor photo became THE souvenir I sought to collect everytime I saw a show. It's a lot more fun than saving playbills or buying shirts and evokes better memories than an autograph. So in that way I think there is absolutely some value in getting a photo with a tired stranger who is probably faking their sincerity (they are professional actors after all).

Knowing that the actor in all likelihood wants nothing more than to get home, I've always been brief and appreciative of their taking the time to let me compliment them. Just a nod or a handshake was great, a photo even better. If they initiated a conversation or were especially nice, it would absolutely make my week, but it was never expected. As such, feelings didn't get hurt if someone was dismissive or a bit rude. There was no delusion of forging any sort of friendship with these people and no assumption that they owed the fan more than just doing their job well.

The problem that exists on the other side of the issue- people not being able to keep their enthusiasm in control, not having a realistic perception of what they are supposed to be gaining from the stage door experience, and not knowing where to draw the line. Those are the factors that separate appreciation from obsession. They ought to appreciate their fans, but their fans need to respect their right to not be at work anymore!

I look at a fan pic as a keepsake of a memorable experience, rather than letting stage door be the experience itself. IMHO it's never appropriate to stage door a performance if you weren't actually in the audience. There are more of these people than anyone realizes. If you habitually try to be on time for the END of a show, that's a big red flag. Let the stage door be a place for those who have just had a shared experience. What good is a keepsake from something you weren't a part of? That's like sneaking into a stranger's wedding in order to be in their family portrait.

As for the Broadway Flea Market celebrity table, the more the better! I ran into a few people who had literally gone thru the line every single hour. Weird sure, but all for a good cause.

This rant isn't directed at anybody in particular, I'm sure everyone here is lovely. I just skimmed through this whole thread and was reminded of the scary fans i've met over the years at various stage doors. I was hoping they had all grown out of it, but I suppose I've just been at different shows than they.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 8:13am

I think what's worse are people who work at a theater and make a big deal when they see an actor. Very unprofessional.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:04am

I couldn't agree more. it is totally unprofessional for an employee anywhere to make a fuss over a celebrity they run into while working. tact is everything while on the clock. have u seen this happen much at the theatre?

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/29/06 at 12:19pm

c'mon now Matt.