Going to Celebrity Panels is one of the main reasons to go to a comic convention. However, sometimes the questions can be cringe-worthy. We have attended our share, and we have seen both successful and horrible panels. Here is our advice on what questions to ask at a Celebrity Panel.
You Drive the Panel
Ok, you don’t have control. The moderator does help determine what happens. Only once have we seen a moderator ruin a panel. (This really sucked because we paid $45 dollars each for this special event panel).
Therefore, good moderators allow the audience to ask most of the questions with them chiming in with a few follow ups. So it is up to the audience for a good panel.
Before the Panel
First of all, put any panels you want to attend in your calendar. It makes planning out the day much more manageable. Next, do your research. Read an interview or two with the celebrity. This will give you a feel for the questions they like to answer.
When it’s time for the panel, line up at the microphone as soon as you can. In most cases, the lines will fill up quickly, so if you want to ask a question, get in the queue early.
What Questions to Ask at a Celebrity Panel! (and a few to not ask.)
- Ask what they were thinking in a scene and not what the character was feeling. I know its subtle, but they are not their character. Plus, you are asking them about their craft when you phrase it this way. When you ask it from the other way, you are putting them into the world of fandom. A lot of actors do not watch their work, so they don’t think in those terms.
- Ask about that small movie on IMDB that no one has ever heard of. Actors are often very proud of their indie level work, as they are of their blockbuster roles. Almost every time their face will light up especially if you can prove in your question that you saw the piece. Caveat: be careful with the first films; they could have been bad experiences. Do your research.
- Keep it short. If you have to explain the question, everyone including the celebrity gets bored. If you need to give details, then the actor will probably make up the answer (they are actors, after all).
- Don’t ask a follow-up. There are two reasons for this. One, it’s the moderator’s job to decide that. Second, it’s rude to everyone else who waited in line.
- Ask about how things prepared them for their craft: If, in your research, you find out that a person was part of a student exchange program, in dance, etc., ask them how they helped prepare them for their career. Chances are if you can find about that kind of education in their formative years, it did have an impact on them.
- Don’t bring politics into it. Even if they do, don’t.
- Ask about their preparation. This is where you get to find out that your favorite celebrity can be as nerdy as you. And again, it’s part of their craft, which most actors love to discuss.
- Get personal, but not too personal. Ask them about their favorite teacher, childhood hero, favorite city to shoot in. Don’t ask them about their love life or what attracts them. That always comes out creepy.
- Only ask about fandoms the star is a part of. At a panel we attended, an audience member asked Stan Lee what house the sorting hat would put him in Harry Potter. He didn’t know how to answer that. So don’t do it.
Final Thoughts
Get someone to video you asking the question. If you are like me, you will be so nervous, that you won’t remember asking the question. This scenario happened to me with Billie Dee Williams. I have no idea of how that went down.
Most importantly, have fun.
Make the panel fun for everyone not asking a question.
We are counting on you.
Further Reading and Your Thoughts
If you found this blog helpful, please check out our other fan convention tips in our ComicCon-ing 101 section!
Did we miss anything? Have any other tips? We would love to know what you think. Leave it in the comments below!
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