First off, we got word that Tom would be showing up around 4:45pm, more than an hour before anyone else. Clearly this meant to us he would be signing all this time and I guess technically he did but I just didn't like the way he did. Before you think I am bitching and moaning, let me explain!
A friend who was 2 spots before me asked Tom for a picture with and got it and 3 autographs. A friend next to me didn't ask for a photo with and got NO autographs and had to spend the next 30 minutes running down the barricade to try and get him. I asked him for a picture with and got it (see above!) and got 3 autographs right then as well. Friend after me asked for photo with and got it and 3 autographs. Next 2 friends didn't ask for a photo op and got 1 TOTAL autograph. All down the line this is what Tom did. Ask for a photo op and get autographs. Don't and get nothing. That's a bit absurd to me. Especially when you don't know that is how it is going to go.
PLUS, Tom was REFUSING to acknowledge anyone in the second row. With the amount of fans Tom Cruise has there is no physical way everyone could be in the front row. I heard people from out of state and out of the country in the second row asking him to sign and he just ignored them. Hell, he ignored people in the front row!
Let me be clear about something. I am a HUGE fan of Tom Cruise. One of my all-time favorite actors. Hell, I have had him sign a poster shot of the movie Magnolia before (which by the way is one FREAKING GREAT MOVIE if you haven't seen it.) It's just that this rubbed me the wrong way and plenty others the wrong way. For a guy to sign for that long and for so many people to walk away with a bad taste in their mouth really tells you something.
Anyways, this is what I got and I am happy about it I just wish more people felt the same.
Along with Tom Cruise, I also got Julianne Hough, Malin Akerman, Russell Brand, Diego Boneta, CC Deville, Catherine Zeta Jones and Bobby Dall on this.
Julianne Hough showed up and along with the cast shot I also got her on 2 individual photos.
Malin Akerman was super nice again, as always, and I got her on 2 photos. I could of got more but I just didn't have any more with me.
I totally agree with what you wrote brother. My son was there at 8:30 am and only got 1 autograph from Cruise and he was in the front row/first group. I only got 1 and I jumped from group to group and was then called out by security as a dealer and told I was DONE. To come all the way from AZ and only get 2 signed by Cruise when he signed for an hour was crazy and a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I got him at all, being such a huge fan; but disappointed in the way it was done. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSorry Will you didn't get more out of the premiere...but like I told Tony and Pete it was all about where you stood. I knew by hanging with all the regulars that it was going to be a clusterfu and there would be a lot a pushing and shoving. That's why knowing Tom's regular signing habits and that he'll do the entire barricade, I made the decision to wait farther down away from all that. Yeah, I know that would probably mean not getting anybody else in the cast. But if you've done this hobby for as long as I have then there are very few people that I can still use. With the exception of Zeta Jones, who by moving after getting Tom I was still able to get, I didn't need anybody else. Also it helped that I laid all items on both sides of my board and it was less caiotic that Tom was able actually hear me. Right when he came up to me I told him how many I had. He heard me and signed the one side of the board. I did have to move to get the other side done and I didn't think it was going to happen with the crowd BUT I was able to squeeze in between two people who just wanted to take pictures and I was able to finish my stuff. It's been a long time since I've been 100% satisfied with an event and FINALLY it's happened. No waiting since the crack of dawn in the hot sun. And no people around me with bad hygene. I got to premiere at 4pm and was done by 6:30! I got all my goals done with Cruise and Zeta Jones.
ReplyDeleteWill I know there are only a few exceptions like a Depp or a Travolta but next time maybe you should consider moving farther down the barricade for a spot to get away from the dealer/regular crowd. Anyway good luck at the next venture.
I agree totally as if you are with the other ebayers then you know they have multiples and since they are out there for 6 hrs ahead of time they have the PTP (prime time position). Good strategy to move down. But Will got everything he wanted by waiting and the one thing in this hobby is PPP (Preparation, patience and positioning). Will has them all and he might not get all he wants, but he gets most and it wont be because of lack of the PPP.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing the pictures in your post since nobody other than Tom ever made it far enough along the barricades to get to us, even though we were only about 1/3 down the way. Oh well, it was still awfully cool to meet Tom and get a picture/autograph! He seemed like a pretty nice guy and apologized profusely after he kicked over my drink. Thanks again for your help with the photos!!!
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