How Horror Conventions have CHANGED with Uncle Bill From Deadpit | Planet CHH

[@PlanetCHH]

Intothepitthemovie.com

[@oracle6848]

Christian you've never met Harry manfredini? I met him a couple years ago at Chicago's days of the Dead he's a real nice guy.

[@daltonio6001]

Just bought a signed copy! Thanks! As a newer fan it will be cool to check out

[@DEADPIT]

Thanks so much broski!

[@VanScott100]

My first and only experience meeting Savini wasn’t great either. He had a table near Hodder at Mad Monster Phoenix and EVERYONE was in line to meet Kane. Tom wasn’t happy at all. I got out of line and went over to him to get my Dawn of the Dead VHS slip signed, and same thing; didn’t really say anything, didn’t really look at me, just signed it quickly and that was it.

[@BoogeyManBen]

This was terrific Christian. I have loved the work you have been doing and I completely agree with you both here regarding the state of horror conventions. I have the same feelings about how they turned and when they did. I have an annual one that I go to in my area every year that I really enjoy. That being said what they are charging for autographs and pictures is ridiculous. I love what uncle bill said about it becoming a carnival that scams the fans out of their money. It’s ridiculous. I am very selective who I meet now because of some bad experiences.

[@vanderhoff66fu]

My first convention was in 2000 in New Jersey and I don't think they even charged for autographs and pictures

[@beyondsourgrounds5602]

I've been doing conventions as long as UB has and he did a great job detailing all the changes. His timeline is spot on, and his memories of conventions during the 2000s and early 2010s invoked a lot of nostalgia on my end (I was even at some of the specfic shows he mentioned). The last time I saw the play acting at a show was the Day Of The Dead reunion at Cinema Wasteland in 2015. Even though it's not what it used to be either, Wasteland is the last show left to this day where you can still have those sorts of spirited interactions and occasionally you'll even catch celebrities socialzing amongst the fans.

[@BrianRidgway-u5g]

Cinema Wasteland shows continue to be worthwhile. The guests tend to be very approachable and the prices are very flexible. Ken and his staff are still the best!

[@toykrypt]

I could talk hours about horror cons. Its all changed so much

[@alexisb3925]

Never heard of Bill or Deadpit before, but I'm instantly a huge fan. This vid is one of the funniest things I've seen in forever, especially when Sean Clark and photo ops came up lmfao

[@DEADPIT]

Welcome to the world of the Pit 🧟‍♀️

[@andygreen5609]

Once they started phasing out the table selfies, I lost interest in attending cons. Well that and standing in line for 3 hours just to get into the halls.

[@zippymufo9765]

21:20 That 2004 Horrorfind was George Romero's first convention appearance in a decade, and he was signing 2 for 1. If you bought one of his photos for $20, he would sign that and sign one of your items. Photos were free, but I don't remember any staff taking them for people. My girlfriend took our photos. There were also DVD bootlegs of the full uncensored directors cut of the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake, which had been released in Region 3 but hadn't come out in the US yet. The Region 3 release had one shot of a fully nude woman that Zach Synder had digitally obscured for the US release.

[@StanleyRunk]

Unfortunately had a very similar experience with Savini myself…and he charged me! On the other hand I had a long talk with Herschel Gordon Lewis and when I ask him how much I owe him for the pic and autograph, he waves dismissively and says, “I don’t charge for that stuff”

[@DEADPIT]

He’s developed a reputation over the years

[@ematuskey]

The nerds won--everything we liked growing up is huge now. Comic Con, Gen Con, Burning Man, horror conventions, scarefests--none of it has ever been more popular than it is now. You've gotta take the good with the bad with that kind of popularity.

[@DanielGarcia-us7tf]

Mr. Frost with Jeff Goldblum is a good horror film. The Resurrected with Chris Sarandon is a terrific film. Other good films are Last Shift, Southbound, The Void, The Shed, Gatlopp, Killer Party, Popcorn and The Phantom of the Opera with Robert Englund.

[@joshthemoviecollector9273]

I have been going to cons since 2015. You meet the occasional rude celebrity but it's a great experience 95 percent of the time. Also talking to other fans in line and making new friends is the best.

[@comicbookshopofdoom8160]

You know why Richard Lynch had all those scars? When he was a young actor he got high as a kite and set himself on fire. Sick way to make his career as a heavy in the movies as a creep.

[@ghostface320]

I don't know Sean Clark so let me say it, yes WD had a def role in the way cons are run now. In regards to price rise and the fact the all the cons started bringing in tv show casts and it grew and grew and got worse and worse. I'm 34 now, started horror cons when I was 19. Everyone was 20 dollars. I'd go for a Saturday and get 8 signatures. I went to my last show 3 or 4 years ago and got 2 signatures....

[@unclebillofthepit187]

Just wanted to thank Christian for having me on. Always have a fun time with the dude. Also I appreciate what he’s doing for the genre.

[@444chroma]

You are a wonderful guest! thank you for the advice on how to approach conventions these days

[@TakeScareMedia]

I’m a horror fan to the core!! However, I’ve never been to a horror convention! Ugghhh! I missed out on so many things, meeting stars and one not with us anymore. One day I will go to one and hope more.

[@tedmetalhead6177]

I haven't been to one either and I'm also a huge and long time fan of horror. Now I'm disabled to the point where I can't stand in lines but I'm not in need of a wheelchair. I want get some movies and Funko Pops signed but not pay someone the $$ to get it and to not to get to meet the person.

[@ghostface320]

" come one, come all! Come see the bearded lad--I mean Danielle Harris! Danielle Harris, 50 dollars! Alright, thanks kid. There she is, see? Now get outa line!" ... .. That's pretty much shows now.....

[@entertainmentwizard2703]

I will tell you a convention that has gone nuts, Fanexpo in Toronto, that place has gone insane and is way to over crowded and they either need to let less people in at a time or find a bigger venue because it's way over crowded now and speaking of the Scream cast, I met Neve there 8 years ago, I saw her right away, she was back there last year, it took 2 and a half hours in line to get to her, I never waited that long for anyone! I was not able to meet Mathew Lillard technically but I got a high five from him in the photo op line!

[@andygreen5609]

The last year I attended was when Cronenberg was the main horror guest. It was great to finally meet him, but the overcrowding in there was insane.

[@aaronerickson2734]

I'm writing this as I'm currently watching this video actually lol . I've been going to cons for while now starting with the big one SDCC since 2009 that's where i got my feet wet in the whole convention scene because i had heard so much about them. Anyhoo, i do agree for the most part on what Bill has to say. In my experience over time my interactions have been id say about 98 percent positive and i have seen the evolution of pricing and things since. I have too many stories to speak of but i just am hooked now on cons they got me because its the only time ill be able to meet most of these people in my lifetime it is why i go and also to hangout with some of my coworkers who are horror fans. Yep CHH overprepare 100 percent every time ! Word to ones who havent been to a con ... go with friends and devise a gameplan it makes things a lot easier and more fun =) 😃

[@lindseycooper7004]

We've been super lucky in being able to chat with some celebs when it was slower. I feel bad for them sometimes because you can tell they do badly want to chat but they have this huge line

[@BrianRidgway-u5g]

I remember seeing Robert Quarry at Cinema Wasteland, the year before he died. He did not feel well and l believe he even fell at the airport, on his way to the show. But he showed up and stayed for the show. We talked for about 10 minutes and he was very gracious and funny. That said alot, and he put on a good face, never a hard sell, and seemed like a curious, interesting man. Always a good memory of a terrific actor, and l was happy that the fine folks at Cinema Wasteland made it possible.

[@Jojo1996-_-]

Deadpit needs their own Vendor.

[@toddbarts9916]

One of my pet peeves is seeing someone with multiple items to get signed. Like they're not there to meet the person they are there to get all this stuff signed so they can go and resell it. That's the reason why most if not all celebrities ask you do you want this personalized and some celebrities even charge you extra for a personalized autograph now..... I'm going to a convention in October in Richmond Virginia and John Carpenter is going to be there. His autograph is 125.00 and if I want it personalized that's an extra 25 and if I want a photo I have to do a professional photo op which is another 125... It's absolutely insane but it's Carpenter and he's on my bucket list so damn it boy.

[@suspiria1341]

Great interview/conversation. Howard Stern would be proud, Christian. 👍🏻😆

[@zippymufo9765]

Back in the 90's horror cons were a lot more casual and guests never charged much for autographs because the Ebay reselling market didn't yet exist. Gunnar Hansen and Doug Bradley charged $10 for their signed photos, it was $5 to sign your item. Pictures were free. In the year 2000 Bruce Campbell was at the first Horrorfind Con, and if you bought his new book for $20, he signed that and would sign all your memorabilia for FREE. Pictures were FREE.

[@THJamie]

This is gonna be good!

[@silverpunk2427]

I used to go to cons quite a bit in the late 90s and early 2000s. Dragon Con mostly. In the 2010s i went to a few horror cons and it was definitely not the same as it used to be. I remember ALL celebrities were $20 or less. Plus free pictures with them. I stopped going when the photo ops and VIP package deals were introduced along with $100+ signatures. I'm a huge horror fan but lets be honest, I'm not paying $50 for the girls autograph who got killed in part 7 of a movie.

[@He_Loves_Horror]

I'll always love the escapist entertainment of the horror genre & I'll respectfully defended it several times a year if I have to. But dammit if I don't quietly detest genre fan conventions for giving many B-rate & C-list genre celebrities FAR too big of an ego that is largely undeserved.🤔Sorry if this sounds cruel as yes I love Horror/Cult Films and some b-level entertainment. A lot of competent filmmakers made them and many of them are not schlock. However: I'm not paying for autographs myself. It's cool. To each their own but unless someone cures Cancer or changes lives then I wouldn't even cross the street to meet someone like a Tom Savini or a Tobin Bell (Saw franchise) or stuntman/actor Kane Hodder. Alas they're all simply human beings like me & you.

[@TheRavenHomicide]

Price has gotten insane!

[@fozrotten]

Great video!

[@dawsonquick165]

I met Andreas jones the guy who plays Rick in Nightmare 4 and he was awful. I told him he was my favorite character he literally laughed in my face and said yeah sure okay rolled his eyes and then was silent after that

[@He_Loves_Horror]

Whoa I'm sorry to hear about that, Dawson. He indeed sounds like a total prick. I'm a massive genre fan (I'm actually a Goth as well). But yeah, since a few years ago when autographs starting reaching bizarre/insane $75 bucks for some "icons" of the genre (alas time will tell whom all is or isn't of iconic status so let's just chill for now, folks). Plus I saw the lines online. As well as the "dealers booths" which just seems like merchandise that I can order online myself, as well as to view the Q&As myself for free on KZbin, I can safely say that I won't be attending any conventions myself. To each their own, though.

[@Mike13v2]

Ive only been to a semi-convention once about 16 years ago which was a Halloween cast reunion, met Dick Warlock & Danielle Harris, autographs were only $20 a piece and got a free pic with them both 🎃🔪

[@BradHocTalk]

Interesting discussion. As someone interested in going to more conventions, the cost to do anything after the price of admission definitely is a deterrent in even buying tickets in the first place.

[@johnpublic7796]

Awesome show guys. I agree with most of it, but I think conventions will EVENTUALLY get less popular. Horror is hot now bc Hollywood finally went all in and got the normies into it, but Superhero movies were hot for 14 years and now many couldn't care less. Wrestling was huge where you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Stone Cold/NWO shirt or something. Eventually, normies will get tired of Terrifier, Scream, bad remake trilogies, bad 30 year later sequels, etc. They'll move on to whatever the next thing is, but we're probably looking at a minimum of 5 years before that happens, but it will happen. Granted, many/most people worth meeting will also stop going, for various reasons, such as mortality. Are many people really going to pay $60-$80 in 10 years from now to meet some 2nd/3rd banana character from Exorcist Believer 2?

[@griffredux9966]

Prices are getting out of hand at cons now. Then they add more if they are signing a POP or certain items. Not to mention pro photo ops costing as much or more than the autos. I miss the old days and cheaper prices of cons. I don't think calling people "Marks" is accurate though. The people charging the money are at fault here. It doesn't mean everyone is going to pay for them. Sure, some still do, but there are a lot that I skip out on now. There are still some small local cons that get older celebs, and they are pretty reasonable~say $30-$40 per auto. You just have to be wise and really want to meet these people.

[@kaitlyng.473]

I only started going to horror conventions a few years back. The lines were always nuts to meet celebrities and I’ve never partaken in that, it doesn’t interest me at all to spend all of that money to stand in line for a 30 second interaction. I see the celebrities from afar. I like seeing the unique products that small artist bring the best.

[@toykrypt]

I can first hand say Walking Dead did kill horror cons

[@IanLives]

one day i’ll be interviewed by chh himself…. i’m manifesting it 😌🙌

[@Justin-Vorhees]

Im good on conventions. Way too expensive and crowded. The last convention I went to was the AVN Adult Video Awards Convention in Las Vegas and it was ok. I got to get pics taken for free and chat with a couple of my favorite female performers but it wasnt that special. The hotel costs were outlandish as when a convention is in town they jack the prices up double to triple normal rates.

[@danielsweet858]

Back in the mid 80's-2000 they were fun. Just a cash grab & way too crowded these days. Guests & promoters are WAY too greedy.

[@hednik]

I'm thinking of going to the Texas Frightmare Weekend in next weekend. It's my first con, I'm kind of wondering if it's worth it now?

[@tv26889]

Only you can say. It wouldn't for me.

[@griffredux9966]

They are still worth it, and still tons of fun. You just have to really think about who you want to meet and if the price is ok or too much. Besides celebs there are still tables of crafts and cool artwork, etc.

[@IamAbel1981]

You should try a convention at least ones. New memories and new experiences. You don't have to buy anything. maybe snacks and sodas. Go have fun.

[@PlanetCHH]

I’ll be there Saturday. The point of this video was not to steer people away. But a PSA for the realities of going to them now. Trust me the vendors are the best part. Merchandise heaven.

[@MB-oc1nw]

I've never been able to sit through a giallo....I find them incredibly boring even though I enjoy Italian horror

[@leekarr3249]

I remember attending Cinema Wasteland’s Dawn of the Dead reunion in 2000 and the guests were charging $5 per signature. In 2001 George Romero was a guest at Wonderfest in Louisville and George signed about 10 or 12 items for me for free. These were the days before the convention agents, who are the ones that have ruined conventions for most fans. I dabbled very briefly in that field and I came to absolutely hate it, just the pure greed on display behind the scenes. The reason why the guests now treat fans like ATMs is because of their representatives, period. And for the life of me I will never understand why anyone would pay to get their picture with a celebrity. That’s one of the dumbest things a fan could ever do. And the photo ops are awful, as bad as an old school Olan Mills picture.

[@daltonio6001]

People getting 12 items signed is one of the reasons they started charging more too 🤣

[@leekarr3249]

I can assure you that people coming up with lots of items is not why they “started charging more too”. In fact the reps and guests wanted that, the more the better. It comes down to pure greed on the part of the rep and the celeb, that with a dash of ego. Every single signature I got from George is personalized and hanging in a frame in my home, so there was no ulterior motive on my part, if that’s your insinuation. Paying someone $20 for a signature isn’t a big deal, even 20 years ago. Paying someone $100 today is and has ruined the experience for most people. Paying someone $100 to get a picture with them has ruined the experience. Having someone working with a guest approach you while waiting in line and explaining how a signature is $120 and if you want it personalized or a phrase added to your item it will be X amount more is a huge turnoff. Of course, if fans would simply stop paying these absurd prices things might change. However, the chances of that are slim to none.

[@zippymufo9765]

​​@@leekarr3249Maybe you're not reselling signed items, but a lot of other people are. Ebay was a huge factor in con guests raising their prices, because they saw that the "fans" who were getting 12-20 signed items were doubling/tripling their money on eBay. The dynamic changed from guests meeting their fans (and back then these were "cult celebs" with small but dedicated fanbases who weren't used to being adored like mainstream celebs are) to a business transaction.

[@Boneyard_radio]

My first convention I got alpha romero’s autograph he didn’t charge me much

[@screamrad218]

These conventions are money hungry as fuck. I hate it

[@Whitleythe13th]

this video is truth...now something has changed...the best day's of conventions are gone by... cool JAWS shirt CHH...also Uncle Bill I've never watched until today and he made me think of the actor Mickey Rourk in Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man...lol cool man...

[@videoproboston2450]

I used to go to Creation Horror Conventions. I thought they were awesome, but that was a long time ago. The description of current conventions does not sound appealing to me.

[@dunnydundutta]

I think going to a convention and meeting the celebs at the bar or in the hotel is an experience in its self.Standing in line makes you a Mark,its a fun atmosphere..Elm Street is the best Franchise by far.

[@TheRavenHomicide]

So many nails on the head!

[@sausagefestcity5078]

Boogens are turtles! Fast mean ones

[@davidjensen9775]

Christan I just want to say man I watch return of the living dead 2 is better then the first I got it from you when you were talking about your nor lying I watch it 3 times in the last week is probably on my watch list alot thanks 😃

[@TheJustin905]

for me the walking dead bullshit ruined the conventions fuck that shitty show...thats when i seen the prices starting to skyrocket on everything. Just looked at prices for one here in a couple weeks and heather langenkamp is now 85$

[@coltgay4570]

LOL I met Miguel and he was nice I got lucky

[@TheRavenHomicide]

Hell! Milly Bobby Brown charges $200

[@rockmusicforever90]

Tom Savini is American bad ass! I wonder if Oliver Reed ever went to a Convention before he died in 1999? I wouldn't think he would. If he did he would probably be wasted fighting people Man forgot paying 100 to 150$ for a autograph.

[@Talesfromtheshelf]

I went to my first convention in 2021 and there is absolutely 100% still value to be had. It sounds like if you have the burden of comparing today to what it used to be like, yeah it would be a downgrade to you. For me I’ve had amazing experiences. The price is just inflation. It affects every market, horror is no exception. That’s my 2 cents, anyway.

[@leekarr3249]

It’s not inflation. $20 in 2000 would only be around $34 today - not around $100. $0 in 2000 would be $0 today. The autograph and photo op prices are not ridiculous today because of inflation, they’re ridiculous because of greed. But it’s a free country, you’re free to spend that all day.

[@Talesfromtheshelf]

@@leekarr3249 in the dozen cons I’ve went to I’ve seen maybe 3 or 4 celebs who charge that much, Sam Raimi and Katy sagal being examples. The big names can get away with it. Most of them charge 40. So yes my inflation example still stands.

[@Talesfromtheshelf]

@@leekarr3249 the craziest part is you don’t need to sign up for a photo op if you don’t want to. You can just walk around and not spend any money! It’s wild I know. Uncle bill is great but he kinda talks like you’re getting robbed at these shows. Nobody is forcing you to spend any money. Nobody pressures you. The prices are the prices.

[@leekarr3249]

@@Talesfromtheshelf "Nobody is forcing you to spend any money. Nobody pressures you. The prices are the prices." No shit. Really? I was unaware of this. FFS, who wants to spend $40 - $70, depending on the show, to attend a show for the day and then spend no money meeting guests? Especially after you've probably traveled long distance to attend. I can buy stuff from vendors online 24 hours a day. I can dress up in a costume any day of the week. But I can't meet John Carpenter or Sam Raimi whenever I feel like it. That's why conventions are as big as they are - the guests. Yes, of course, I don't have to spend the money - and I rarely do anymore because the prices have become obscene. But when you used to be able to get a selfie with a guest at their table after purchasing an autograph or multiple autographs from them only to now be asked to pay X amount more money to get a photo with your own goddamn phone, that's wrong and it's pure fucking greed. Not so long ago you could take a few hundred dollars to a show and get a lot of signatures on your posters or whatever collectibles you have, but now a few hundred dollars is going to get you very little. That's not inflation, buddy. That's greed. And if you've only seen 3 or 4 celebs charging $100 or more for an autograph then you haven't attended too many shows because it's a hell of a lot more than 3 or 4. You say your first show was 2021? Yeah, wow, you've got a shit ton of experience to pull from, right?

[@Talesfromtheshelf]

@@leekarr3249 damn that’s crazy you typed all that out and I ain’t reading it lmao