Of course, the highlight of I-Con was getting Billy Boyd's autograph -- not that it was an easy task! Billy was scheduled for two one-hour sessions each day. I went half an hour early on Saturday, hoping to get on line relatively soon. Little did I know that people had been scrambling since mid-afternoon to get in line early. When I got there, the queue was monstrous, and when the signing actually got underway, it was monstrously slow. The con coordinators were only letting five people in at a time, and there must have been over 300 people (mostly annoying teenaged fangirls) in line. By about 6.30, an hour and a half after the signing had begun, the line was hardly dented, and I-Con staff began handing out 'rainchecks' for volunteers to leave the queue and return on Sunday, at which time they'd be allowed in first. I gladly took one of those rainchecks -- even though I learned later on that Billy continued signing even after he'd been scheduled to leave, and even though I'd hoped to get on the road early the next day. I desperately had to use the restroom at that point, and I had things to do before 7.00 when I was to join my friend Jill at her Sabbat LARP.
Myself and Billy, both in scary shirts!
The next day, I went early yet again despite having the raincheck. The queue wasn't as horrific as Saturday, but it was still quite long. Yet again, I waited longer than I expected to -- either the con staff didn't let the signing begin until 5.30, or Billy was late, I'm not quite sure which. I was trying to be patient, but by then I was sleep-deprived and frazzled. I spoke with a very nutty woman, whose name I never quite obtained, regarding fan fiction and exactly why hobbit slash is utterly frightening stuff... It was interesting conversation, and I'm sorry I didn't get her name or her e-mail (If you happen to read this, hi lady!). Then, I finally got to get in the second line near the signing table. The coordinators there were very nice, told us we were only allowed one autograph each (Sorry, Jackie!), and said that although we could take pictures of Billy, we couldn't take pictures with him for timing's sake. However, there was a woman, dressed as Queen Amidala, who would take a picture as Billy gave you his autograph.
Unlike Elijah Wood, Billy actually knows how to blink! But did he have to do it for this shot?
I was more nervous than I ever expected to be. When I got to the signing table, Billy looked up, smiled and said hello. We exchanged some quick pleasantries, and it took me a moment to gather my thoughts enough to actually speak again. Finally, as he was signing the copy of Fellowship which I'd bought earlier in the day, I managed to tell him thank you, and that he'd brought such magic to one of my all-time favorite characters. He paused in the middle of signing, looked up again, and seemed almost surprised, as if no one had ever told him that before. There was definite, genuine thankfulness in his voice when he replied to me, "Oh, thank you." The sparkle in his eyes was the most memorable moment of my I-Con experience. I retrieved my camera from Queen Amidala, shook Billy's hand, and probably blushed like the fangirl that I am. As I moved on, I took one last photo of Billy as he was giving the next person in line his autograph. Aah. It took all weekend, but I got what I came for -- a chance to tell Billy thank you for playing so spectacularly such a memorable role.
He makes his 'f's the same way I do. Weird, neh?
The con coordinators did a fabulous job, by the way. I don't believe that either the coordinators or Billy truly realized just how massive a following would show up. Perhaps if they'd known, then they could have planned a means to expedite the signing, or would have scheduled several additional sessions. But, all said, I-Con staff was great! Thanks I-Con! Thanks Billy! Hope to see you again at the next I-Con!
From the I-Con program guide