NEW ITEMS ADDED TO STORE!
September 30, 2004 | Gary X

Through a special arrangement with Coolwaters Prods., the company who brought Carrie Fisher, Irvin Kershner and Mark Hamill to the San Diego Comic Con, we've been able to get some limited supplies of autographs. Take a look at our store and see what we have!

NEESON SIGNING PHOTOS IN PERSON - BUT NOT STAR WARS!
September 30, 2004 | Gary X

Received a report today from in-person collector Vinny Petrosini that Liam Neeson was autographing photos last night in New York City. The catch? He would not sign ANY Star Wars photos whatsoever. This is in keeping with his policy to not sign any photos from the Star Wars films, except for special legitimate charity events -- of which he's done only A COUPLE. So, if you're looking for and salivating over a Qui-Gon Jinn signed photo, be advised that Neeson doesn't sign Star Wars pix!

LAST FEW DAYS: HELP US GROW WATTOGRAPHS - TAKE A SURVEY, WIN FREEBIES!
September 26, 2004 | Gary X

This survey ends on SEPTEMBER 30th! Don't miss out on some great giveaways.

We want Wattographs to be a fantastic resource for the Star Wars autograph collector. While we get lots of communication from site visitors and address database members, we want to know more about the people who visit Wattographs.. That's why we are requesting you complete a short SURVEY, to help us better understand our visitors. As a thank you to everyone who participates, we'll randomly draw some names and GIVE AWAY several hundred dollars worth of AUTOGRAPHS and other Star Wars items.

Any information provided will be used in aggregate fashion and you will not be contacted to purchase anything. This is simply to help us learn some demographics about our site users.

Thanks in advance! Your comments and suggestions will be implemented in future Wattographs content! Take the short SURVEY.

DORMAN GETS WHACKED BY IVAN - FELLOW ARTISTS PITCH IN TO HELP
September 24, 2004 | Gary X

From Sandtroopers.com:

"FLORIDA PANHANDLE— All of the light sabers on George Lucas’ planet Tatooine couldn’t defend #1 Star Wars Artist Dave Dorman from the devastation his home incurred from Hurricane Ivan this past Thursday. Luckily, Dorman, a longtime friend and supporter to illustrator colleagues worldwide, is getting by with a little help from his friends. Business partner Steve Smith has launched a philanthropic Web site, Dave Dorman relief where illustrators / donations can donate their works to help defray the costs of the extensive damage to Dorman’s Florida Panhandle home.

At 2 a.m. on September 16, 2004 , a tornado clipped the roof of Dorman’s home, causing extensive water damage to the interior. Although Dorman’s art studio and oil paintings were not affected, the home is largely uninhabitable, and Dorman’s wife is eight-and-a-half months pregnant. “I am humbled and overwhelmed by the kindnesses shown to me by my illustrator friends, many of whom I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting in person,” Dorman said. “I hope to repay them someday, somehow.”

Consider dropping by and placing a bid. Dorman has been a fan-favorite for years and is very gracious when signing and drawing sketches at events.

NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST PURGED
September 24, 2004 | Gary X

I've gone through and purged any bounced emails from our newsletter list. So, if you haven't received a newsletter, you'll want to ensure you re-add yourself to the list. The button for that is at the left...

NEW NEWSLETTER IS HERE!
September 24, 2004 | Gary X

The latest edition of our newsletter is out. This issue includes a signing that absolutely ends on Monday. Check it out!

SPECIAL SIGNING - FIRST EPISODE III SIGNER! SOLD OUT! September 19, 2004 | Gary X   Wattographs has been fortunate to bring you a very rare opportunity, in our first-ever signed Revenge of the Sith character: Bai Ling as Senator Bana Breemu. She is a tough signature and getting her on a Star Wars item now or in the future will be a chore.   These photos were signed in New York City while Ling was there to promote Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and her participation in New York Fashion Week. She has signed her name in Chinese, with a cute Asian-styled smiley face. The photo quality is a bit off, as there are no official Episode III photo sources yet. But, if you want to add Ling to your Star Wars autograph collection, this is your chance. WE ONLY HAVE FIVE OF THESE and they will go fast. Please don't hesitate on this one. This signing is sold out as of September 22.

WHAT DOES DANIELS THINK ABOUT THE FANS?
September 18, 2004 | Gary X

In the latest edition of the Star Wars Homing Beacon, noted documentary filmmaker/producer Ken Burns discusses how he wanted to create something different than the typical "making-of" film for his 2 1/2-hour Star Wars Trilogy DVD documentary Empire of Dreams that will accompany the discs released on September 21. The story discusses how he was able to speak with over 40 people connected to the original trilogy, from actors to special-effects mavens to journalists.

As the principals (Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford) have all gone on to bigger and better things, we fully understand their desire to speak about their parts in the films beyond the typical questions posed by fans at conventions. But, it was the statement made by Anthony Daniels to Burns that really strikes a chord:

While we understand those connected with the films do not want to face the same questions in the documentary from the fanboys who pay to attend conventions and pay for the actors' autographs, it seems a bit disrespectful of Daniels to say what he did. Does the quote above run through his head each time a fan stands up at a Q&A or at his autograph table during events and asks him about being C-3PO? Keep that in mind the next time you have an "inane" question for him at his appearances or inanely reach into your pocket for that autograph money. For this, we have lost any semblance of respect we may have had for him, and it wasn't much.

What do YOU think?

OUT OF OFFICE, PART II
September 8, 2004 | Gary X

We'll be out of the office to attend the Chicagoland Entertainment Collector's Expo this weekend (see link above!). We'll be back to "regular" business on September 14th. If you're in Chicago this weekend, stop by and see us!

OUT OF OFFICE
September 2, 2004 | Gary X

We'll be out of the office to attend the UACC 2004 Convention & Autograph Show in Burbank, CA. Email will not be answered until after September 7, so please allow extra time if you email us. If you are attending this show, please stop by and say "hi" at the AARC booth!

SITH PADAWAN IN TILBURG, HOLLAND
September 1, 2004 | HR Nielsen

Everyone's favorite SITH padawan has been added to the list of signers at this fall NEW STARCON. Ray Park will appear both days together with already-listed Warwick Davis, Bill Hootkins, Garrick Hagon and Angus MacInnes. Wattographs plans to have a representative at this show and we'll make a signing available on the site.