Yesterday, I wrote about the scary nature of facing the world outside of what I guess we’ll call “your safety bubble.”
At least that’s what I was trying to write about. YMMV.
I also promised to talk about why Creation cut me from their 15th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation convention, and why I think it’s a good thing.
To understand the events leading up to the cut, it’s important to understand the realities of the Star Trek Convention (and all SF conventions, really): There was a time, long ago, when these cons existed by and for fans. They were places where fans could get together, safely dress up in costumes, debate the minutae of scripts, and generally geek out amongst friends without fear of The Jocks showing up.
Some folks realized that they could turn this phenomenon into a working business, and for better or worse, Creation was born.
For years, I had a great relationship with Creation. When I was a kid, I attended the Fangoria Weekend of Horrors shows at the Ambassador hotel. When I was on TNG, I appeared as a speaker at countless Creation conventions.
Then I had a not-so-great relationship with them for awhile. I felt that they had become the 800 pound gorilla in the convention world. They were the only kid on the block who had that cool football that all the other kids wanted to play with, and without any real competition, they charged too much, and I felt that the fans were increasingly getting the shaft.
Not the cool Richard Roundtree Shaft, either, so you can just shut your mouth right now.
In retrospect, there were many factors contributing to what I would describe as the decline and fall of the convention experience, and I think the guests need to be at the top of that list.
I never made very large speaking fees, even when I was A Big Deal
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Woo hoo!! First post!!!
Sorry, I just had to do it….
I wanted to say the otherday that I think it’s pretty cool that Wil seems to be moving into another chapter of his life- maybe he’ll be a best-selling author someday? Seriously!
>^..^
Damn, this entry is really, really long.
If I was smart, I’d have split it up across a few days.
Damn.
Wil, sweetie, I’m so proud of you! The convention will be crap without you there, but you definitely did the right thing. Well done. 🙂
That’s all right – you evidently have a torrent of thoughts that are all manifesting themselves as you continue to redefine yourself. Keep it up.
Wil, you did the right thing, the only thing, by leaving their offer. Not a big part of the Star Trek Family? I guess they are entitled to their opinion but those of us who love the show and respect you as an actor, in all your endeavors, know better! Keep your integrity, love your family, and never forget your fans know better than those Creation airheads!
I only commented because I thought you deserved something for writing so much! 😉
Tough Choices indeed. I’m glad to see you stick to your guns. A lesser man would have folded.
You’re the Man now, Wheaton!
Da-yum, Wil, I was thinking the same thing. This certainly made up for the lack of posts for the summer. Keep writing, buddy! It’s therapuetic.
Sorry about the busted bubble. You have a new security now, it’s called FAMILY. But alas, I can sympathize, different situation different worlds, but that sucks just the same. Sorry.
how many times can you say “They
Whoa, scratch that wil, you shoulda split it.
That is one huge post. I didn’t realize how big it was till I scrolled back up.
Wil, life is about taking one step, and then another. Just keep taking one step at a time.
Wil,
You amaze me with your bravery.
You will never not be attached to Star Trek in my book. But that’s just a small part of who you are to me.
When you write that book, save a few copies for me. 😉
I’m going to enjoy reading you on paper.
Best of luck!!!
*MuaFishyKiss!!*
I think you’re part of the family. Wouldn’t have been TNG without you!
We all gotta do what we gotta do, Wil. I’m happy that you’ve found your sense of peace with it. It’s amazing how comfortabe we can get with something, perhaps even dependant on it for safety or security. Sometimes, we can even fear it. For myself, for so many years, I was so afraid of death and of failing that when my bubble finally burst, I discovered it wasn’t death I was afraid of, but life. Does that make any sense at all?
Wow Wil, I really wish I can see your comedy group one day, can you guys come and do a show in DC or Richmond? haha any how.
I definately admire your courage in sharing this with us.
I have to say that, to me you;re a BIG part of the trek family. as a little 12 year old kids I saw this guy who wasent all that much older than me (I started watching in 1992 and was seeign reruns on the local independent channel) who was on this show and living anf working with all these grown ups who among them riker who was bad ass. so tme wesley was the shit. He still is to me, it;s funny watching TNG now I see Wes and imediately I am yelling out “IT’S UNCLE WILLIE!”
It seems that WWDN has been really therepudic for you. not only that WWDN has made you a sort of super celbrity not only are you a tv celeb you;re almos one of the biggest personalities on the web. I think to us Wil you’re a big part of the trek “family”
I;ve never been to a convention but when I do finnal;y get to one I hope you;re there.
“I LOVE YOUR SITE WIL!!!!! IT”S ME PIKACHUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!”
Great story (as always) but fix the links!
Sorry it didn’t work out like it should have, Wil; they’re fools for not being good to you. Your post yesterday was touching, too. Show biz is a damn tough business. Too bad the good guys don’t get extra breaks because you’d be in clover.
you’re right, it does suck that you won’t be there, but i at least won’t be angry with you. hopefully, if those insensitive few that are read this website, they’ll also understand where you’re comming from.
good job getting hit on by the porn star 😉
and good luck in the future. you deserve it, may your hurdles be low.
peace wil.
Good job, Wil! And as one baseball fan to another, the difference between you and the baseball players is that you aren’t sitting on hundred-million-dollar contracts and a steady job.
It takes a lot more guts to walk away from a measly fee when “a paying job is a good job” than it does to walk away from a million-dollar job when you’ve got millions more in the bank like the ballplayers you compare yourself to.
Keep the faith, my man.
wow
and when i started reading the post, there was only one comment.
oh well. good for you wheaton
There is life beyond Star Trek.
I don’t know what it is but I have been told that. HA!
You have done well and will continue to do well.
Rip off your rearview mirror and floor it!
This, I suppose, has come out of both your most recent entries, but I didn
Okay. This is now only the SECOND time I have ever posted on here.
I just want to say – That is lame as hell that they treated you that way. And saying that you are not a part of the “family” as it were? What the hell is up with that!?
I’ll be honest with you – Sometimes, I read your site and I think, “Sheesh. Wil is a really cool guy, but he is WAY too insecure about this fucking Wesley Crusher thing. He should just get over it and move on!”
Then I read entries like this and I think, “Damn. Poor guy. No WONDER he’s not over the Wesley Crusher thing.” The way people treat Wesley is like… like… It would be like losing your virginity at 14 and having everyone CONSTANTLY remind you, even when you are 30, that the girl was really ugly and no one liked her.
That would piss off anyone.
So, if it’s any consolation, Wil, I thought “the girl was hot” (i.e. Wesley was a great character that allowed young fans of the show to finally have someone to identify with – plain and simple – and you portrayed him with a great wit, charm and dignity.)
Hey Wil, Thanks for the insight into the politics of SF conventions…it doesn’t surprise me, however. It was a pleasure as a kid to attend the very first Star Trek conventions in LA…Equicon ’72 and ’73, put on by fans, for fans…back when the cast party out-takes were something many parents wouldn’t want their kids to see. Actually, by the second year the out-takes had been cleaned up and polished…oh, well. At this point, the blue prints of the Enterprise had been hand drawn by a fan, later to be professionally done. Except for Shatner and Nimoy, the cast was there and doing their best among the fans. It was a little geeky for me at that point, but harmless fun…and after all, the goal was to bring about a Trek movie, so we more than won.
But money ends up ruling and everything turns into Big Dog Little Dog. Reading your post, I can’t help but feel and say how far above all that you are at this point. To those who matter, you will always be part of the cast and so much more to everyone as a husband, father, actor, writer and whatever else you attempt.
Star Trek may have been your security bubble in the past, but you’re on much more solid ground now. Sharing that process has meant a lot to all of us. Best, Rob
These Creation people are soul sucking, sabre toothed, masturbating Jackals. Having said that, I’m sure they are not all bad. (ok…I am sure they are)
Worry not! You have exciting (scary? oh sure.) options, and I am sure that you will not only continue to excel at writing and comedy, but your world will open up in better and better ways just because you’ve decided to go with your gut.
Good for you!
You made the right decision Wil.You know what your people are worth, and though they might have done it for you anyway, you didn’t ask them. You chose to maintain your integrity and standing with the people you work with.(ugh! Grammar!)Regardless of what those silly bastards at creation think,TNG would have been half the show without you(5 seasons max)and I really think they should have done more with you and the traveller.(I loved your last episode!)
Stick to your guns, Time will prove you right!
Mark
Okay, now that I’ve read the *whole* entry, I gotta say the convention people don’t know what they’re losing. “Not part of the family??” What a load of crap!!! They need to get the sticks out of their butts or something….. >:(
Hey Wil !
Considering the time it is over here in Germany right now (3:30 at night…) I’m proud to say that I just read the WHOLE article…and even though I’m almost falling asleep (NOT because of the article, though…), I had to post something here, that is really important for me: I have mentioned in an earlier post to your “Spare us the cutter” article, that the most important thing is, that you are proud of what you do and how you did it; a big part of that is to know how much you are worth (not only financially…but it’s part of it also…).
So there you go… do I have to say more ? You are on the right way…on the way to yourself… and you pretty much crossed the goal line with this decision you just wrote about here.
Take care, man, and all the best to you and your family ! ! !
Wil,
I saw you at a number of conventions as a teenager even one here in Hogtown. I actually was uncomfortable with them alot of the time. I found ppl either stared alot or were just blatantly rude. I guess they got it in their heads that a teenage girl didn;t actually “belong” in that crowd and I spent a great deal of time defending my reasons for being at the convention. I knew a hell of alot about Star Trek but my number one reason for being there was to see you. I admit it loudly and proudly. Even now some ten years later that would still be my number one reason to go. Whether you were considered a “big deal” or not.
I learned a long time ago the opinions of ppl who don;t know me matter very little. In fact I still face that stigma of “not belonging” only this time its at the hockey arena. You wear a certain players shirt and every one has you pegged as his Saturday night special:P
Anyway I just wanted you to know your appearances were always appreciated. Creation can go screw themselves, they lost one of their best assets. Come on, do you really see the likes of Shatner being able to attract pornstars?
I’m forever impressed at the folks that see you as more than human or more than any other person on the face of the earth with very similar motivations.
That said, I still like you anyway, you big goon.
BTW, we’re having a big ol’ ST:TNG “Not Gonna Watch It” fest in Chicago. See you there.
You did the right thing in turning them down. If they don’t know the value of you and your group, then you just told them what it is (or at least what it isn’t).
Taking their offer would have made you their bitch =P
Keep up the good fight. Something good HAS to be right around the corner…for your sanity and for the sanity of those of us who choose to spend some time with you here.
Unca Willie,
At conventions, it is easy to see that it really does matter to you that We The Fans get our moneys worth and are treated with respect. The best thing I came away from Vega$ with last year was the fact that Wil Wheaton is a cool person. Not that Wil is a great actor. Or that Wil is a good speaker. Or even that Wil is Funny As All Hell. But that Wil Wheaton is a really cool *person*. Those bags of Stuff That Will Gather Dust that I brought home do not compare.
I thank you for that.
It’s too bad that the convention promoters do not see just how very loyal We The Fans really are.
Oh, and methinks you’ve been listening to Echo and the Bunnymen an awful lot lately!
Aloha,
Missy
“They both looked up at me, like I am Hannibal Lechter, and begin to retreat.”
*laughs*
Boy, this hearkens back to ’74, when I worked the convention at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto with the Pearse family. Prior I had done comic conventions (no-one would remember ORB magazine), so I was pretty up on the mentality that existed at the time. Having people like David Gerrold, the incredibly talented Harlan Ellison, comic artists Bill Payne, Bill Hsu, people like Captain George Henderson, even Jim Whaley, Gus Funnell and the usual gang of idiots made the experience memorable.
George Takei came up and stayed with his relatives somewhere near Spadina Avenue, Grace Lee Whitney graced the stage. She even kissed me! Gosh! We had a complete “working” bridge (provided by somebody’s company in Mississauga). Crazy people in crazy costumes, the infamous blooper reel, showings of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and others, all of these events came together and made it memorable.
Then, EGOS started rearing their horrible heads. People’s self-importance grew as Cons grew larger and larger. Cloth-covered tables became aluminum stands became chrome and glass…
It became something else, less of a gathering of nuts, more a gathering of people looking to make bucks. Big bucks.
Geez, they took all the fun out of it.
I’d love to be able to hop into my time machine and take a look back, but I’m fresh out of plutonium, and I need some spare parts for my Interociter.
PS… if anyone can find out what point I’m trying to make here, please let me know.
If you care, I also think that you did the right thing. That was insanely unfair of them to do that to you. And, it’s another step, (like you said) cutting the strings of star trek. From what
it sounded like a couple of months ago, you were
done with TNG. For all anyone knows, this could be a really good thing for you in the long run.
Like I said before though, I am not the greatest with words.
Wil,
Star Trek is your past man. We all have one, that’s why we’re here.
I miss high school sometimes and I never had the chance to tell anybody how cool it was (or was not, as the case may be).
Time to move on. That’s not advice by the way, just a reflection of what I think you’ve already acknowledged.
Cheer up. There are a whole lot of shitty things you’ve never done.
Wil,
I just wanna say that I completely agree with you rejecting the offer for your group to do the con for such a small fee (i figured out about how much it is if you all got the same pay and it was only a few hundred each). Sometimes you have to look at these companies and ask yourself why they can get away with what they get away with. I’ve even heard of a few companies being able to claim losses on the quarter when they didn’t reach their “Earned Sales” amount. What’s up with THAT? It would seem that big businesses have typified the old axiom of being the “Corporate Monster”. Anyways, good for you. WWDN kicks ass and so do you!
Ryan
Wil,
I think you perhaps should think something up other than the usual sketch show you do and make them a counteroffer. For instance, you could hold a startrek improv workshop at the Con, and people could pay extra for tickets to participate in it, etc. I would love it if Wil showed me how to die, fire a phaser, and fly the ship. Heh. Star Trek Improv workshop/class – I’m elling you Wil, it could be awesome.
I think that was a very brave stance you took, Wil, and a tough decision. Obviously, these people must have been in a vegetative state during your 4 years on ST: TNG. I ‘came of age’ while you were on the show and, I’m not afraid to admit I had a -huge- crush on Wesley. Having said that… Where can I send pseudo-hate mail to those “soul sucking, sabre toothed, masturbating Jakals” ?(thank you adrienne!)
Time after time I read WWDN and an amazed at how great of a person you are. (for example) Ask a celebrity about the DCMA and see their response… Wil’s one of the good ones.
Two things Wil, I was wondering if these guys have ever read your site. You are a fantastic writer and I’m sure that you could put together a great show. If they had taken the time to check you site out they would have found a load of fans willing to see you. I have always bashed the Wesley charater because I was an adult and I didn’t like the idea of Star Trek catering to kids like that, but you are still part of the family of ST. Sorry you had to go through that.
Secondly, why didn’t you post an url to the woman that came on to you at the convention? Could you post it in BAC?
Good Luck Wil
Paul
Well, if I’d made millions of dollars at a show in Las Vegas, I would have reconsidered my offer.
The greed–it makes me sick.
You were an integral part of TNG. If Creation can’t see that? Screw ’em.
when one company controls the big conventions…it’s my their way, or the highway…they tell you when to come, where to stand…and control the costs by squeezin’ the non-mega-stars…in the business i’m in (radio), i can feel the end is near…as far as being able to being able to make any meaningful money…a very small number of companies control most USA commercial radio…and with syndication, satellite and automation, your local dj may soon be a thing of the past in all but the largest markets…so my bubble may soon burst on me…it’s kinda of scary…but it’s exciting too…i’ve been doing radio since i was 14…and never have had a chance to find out what it would be like to do something else…well maybe now i can find my true destiny…here comes the future…ready or not!
The moment they said that you weren’t a big part of the Trek family, they revealed themselves for the weasels they are. You made the right call.
Wil – If, under the circumstances, you feel that not being at the con is a good thing, then I am happy for you as an individual that it worked out that way.
But, as a fan, it does make me angry to read that the people at Creation have so little regard for your contribution and importance in Trek history.
So I am happy for you, but I think they suck. And while I wish the other actors all the best, those convention people can bite me.
Miranda
Hey Wil. Sorry to see that you will not be at the Creation con, but after reading your story, I say good for you. Too often all of us are bullied about by people/companies/bosses who are a little bigger than us and think they can have us do their bidding. We all need to stand up for what is right and tell these people to fart off. You can stand proudly, buddy, knowing that your fans respect what you do and that the convention is less without you there. (And if not being part of the Trek family means you have a successful life outside of the 24th century, than so be it!)
Wil,
Conventions are becoming to comercial any way. I liked them when they were about the stars who were there to talk and sign autographs. Now they are way to much about selling everything we can sell from the “Sci-Fi World” and make the almighty buck. I would rather hand you ten dollars in person and hear you speak then have some business take the money and only give you ten percent. Maybe you should think about setting up a WWDN Convention and travel with it. That would be great! Also, always remember no matter what anyone says..you are part of Trek. I know you brought many viewers to the show who would not of watched it if you were not in it. The turned in when they saw Gordy LaChance on T.V. and stayed when they grew to love Wesley. Now we are all getting to know Wil and you know what…he is better than any character out there!
Naw, this works best not split up. I got sucked in, it flows so well. FWIW, I’m glad you have the right perspective on it; 11 years older than you and I don’t think I’d be as mature…
(whispers “Write the book, Wheaton…”)
Howdy. This was a very good post. I just recently found your website (thanks to the Joy of Tech webcomic) and I have truly enjoyed everything I’ve seen you write Wil. While I’m a ST:TNG fan and a general geek, I’ve never been to a real con, but if I were going to this one, I wouldn’t be mad at you for not being there. I’m glad you stuck up for yourself and I hope that the new branch of your life you seem to be exploring makes you wildly happy. 🙂