The premieres for Alice in Wonderland will soon be upon us. Fans will begin to gather at the venues hours before the red carpet is rolled out. The press will arrive, their arms loaded with cameras. Excitement will build as the stars walk the red carpet. Then a roar from the crowd will announce Johnny's presence before he is seen. He will work his way down the lines, signing and greeting as many as possible before finally stopping for a few moments with the press. We've seen this many times before - either standing on the sidelines or in photos and videos from those present.
Johnny has said many times that being so generous and kind to his admirers is the least he can do. He takes time at these events to let us know how much he appreciates our support.
The moments he spends with each person are fleeting. To complicate matters, those waiting are often anxious, nervous or excited. A few shove to get closer. Some shout to him. Most push something forward they want him to sign . Others request that he do something for them. And all this happens while cameras are flashing all around him. It is amazing that he can remain so seemingly calm. That he knows exactly what he is going to face yet still gives his time so freely speaks to his character.
I believe many people react the way they do because it is what is expected at these events. Therefore, I am asking for you to consider an alternative.
Imagine for a moment how it must be to be Johnny - people shouting, cameras flashing, things being pushed at you to sign, chaos surrounding you.
Some of you will be in the crowd for the upcoming premieres. I'm asking you to provide Johnny an oasis amid the chaos. Instead of taking from him, I ask that you give to him. Offer him your smile instead of shouting his name. In lieu of pursuing an autograph, make eye contact and express your support. Forgo the close-up photo - offer him your hand and gratitude for giving so freely of his time. Ask if you can give him a hug instead of asking him for one. With these simple gestures, I have no doubt that the experience will be more pleasant for both you and Johnny. And it will make a difference.
Please feel free to spread the word on our sister fan-sites that you frequent. Together we can make a positive change and, over time, more and more people will join us.
Monday, January 25, 2010
14 comments:
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Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI think he'll see hundreds of smiles, hundreds will try to make eye-contact with him and another hundreds will reach out their hands for him... - and I don't think there is a big difference between "may I give you a hug?" and "A HUG PLEASE!" A hug is something you SHARE - something you both give and take...
I know your heart is bleeding for him - Susan - and so is mine! and so are the hearts of many fans! - but I'm afraid there is little, we can do.
Our Johnny has a lot of fans - he loves to see how many fans he has and - believe it or not - he loves to meet them...
I also wish, we could give him just as much as he has give us - but by showing him our affection.... maybe we are doing just that...
Marielou, Denmark
Hello Susan,I think it would show him more respect if you did not ask him for a hug, or ask him if you could hug him. I feel Johnny gives so much of himself not only at Premieres,but also when he is working. There are people waiting for him all hours of the day and night.The more he gives the more they want.
ReplyDeleteYes I have to agree. there just isn't enough time to show such affection. We are all very lucky if we even meet Johnny let alone have the chance to show that we care. In an ideal world with no press, no interviews i'm sure that Johnny could make more time so we get to say thank you.
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with susan and when I see fans who are crazy it makes me angry because they don't show him respect. If I could see him I will not behave like a fool and I will smile to him .
Susan:
ReplyDeleteI absolutely positively could not agree more with you. I am so very proud to be a member of Depp Impact and know that you have chosen to lead, to challenge us, around the whole issue of meet and greets. And I believe wholeheartedly it will make a profound difference to the very kind Mr. Depp who deserves all the respect and politeness he can get.
firefly
I completely agree, Susan. I've never been to a "meet and greet", but I tried to watch two such videos--one in Japan and one in Indiana. It gave me such a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, I had to turn them off after about 20 seconds. I can't imagine how he does it. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteMelinda, Texas
Susan, I copied your message and posted it in my Johnny Depp fan site so the members of my site can read it too. I just wanted to pass the word along.
ReplyDelete^Thank you for passing along the word.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all of your support.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
I have seen Johnny, when he is meeting his fans at premiers - and he doesn't seem distressed at all! on the contrary!
ReplyDeleteEach fan is special to him and he loves them all.... those he has met, those he hasn't met yet and those he'll never meet.
He doesn't want to call us "fans" - that means "fanatic" - he calls us "admireres", which is much nicer!
We are not screeming monsters! Don't turn us into something, we are not! please!
How can we give him something back in a better way than to show him our affection? by calling his name, by reaching out for him, by asking for his autograph, a hug or having a picture taken with him - he can handel it! If he doesn't want to give a hug or have his picture taken, he'll simply not do it - I've seen it!
What I think he can't handle is if we fight and push eachother to get to him - so please don't do that - or people taking pictures of his family, especially his children - or people shouting or screaming at him and asking him for autographs or pictures when he is with his family trying to lead a normal life!!
I hope you'll have a plesent premiere and I hope many of you will get the chance to meet him.
Marielou, Denmark
Susan,I would just like to say thank you for saving Depp Impact. And for all the work that goes with it to keep it up and running.Anne
ReplyDeleteI have loved,Johnny Depp,ever snice Edward Scissorshands,and Can't wait,for his new Movie.
ReplyDeleteI am Wendy,and sure hope he will be in the next Pirates Movie,also.
May I ask" Is there a Forum?Does Johnny have a Fan Club?
Firstly i would like to thank you for trying to think of ways that we can be kinder to Johnny, BUT Johnny has been in the business for a very long time and he appears to enjoy the expierence, as already quoted as long as its not his family..Johnny made a decision that he would be very very popular when he took the roll of Captain Jack in the POTC even though i am not saying that it gives us the right to act badly at all,thats why i stay away,but i dont think that Johnny would like that either,he appears to be a very special kind and caring person we can only try to be that way back,god bless Johnny and all those closes to him..joanne
ReplyDeleteheyyy im a huge johnny depp fan...i just wanted to no where the alice in wonderland premiere was going to be held <3
ReplyDeleteWendy, I'm sorry we're late answering your questions. Yes, there's a forum on this site and you can find it here: http://deppimpact.freeforums.org
ReplyDeleteAs far as we're aware, there's no official fan club for Johnny.
Anonymous, there's news about an official premiere for Alice In Wonderland held in London, England. You can find more information on the news forum of DI. http://deppimpact.freeforums.org/aiw-uk-prem-us-premiere-added-t1727.html