Robert Kirkman & The Walking Dead TV Series Cast & Crew
One of the highlights of the 2011 autograph year was seeing a number of those involved in The Walking Dead TV series speak at a panel at Paleyfest. Having not attended Paleyfest prior to this event, I was not entirely sure of what to expect of the evening. Upon arriving at the Saban Theater, we quickly found that we were free to sit wherever we liked in the mezzanine/balcony area. We found great seats that had a clear shot of the stage.
The panel opened with remarks from the director of the Paley Center and then it was handed off to a writer from TV Guide. He introduced Robert Kirkman, who spoke for a few moments about how he wished he had footage from season 2, but they didn't. This gave way to a full viewing of episode 5 of the series.
After the viewing, there was about an hour-and-a-half discussion with the cast and crew: Frank Darabont (writer, director, producer), Robert Kirkman (writer and producer), Gale Anne Hurd (producer), Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes), Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh), Laurie Holden (Andrea), Steven Yeun (Glenn), and Emma Bell (Amy). It was awesome to hear the stories from the set and other parts of the creative process. Steven Yeun was the highlight of the panel and was constantly stealing the show.
Having had some hope that there’d be an opportunity to get Kirkman’s autograph, we packed a recently obtained copy of The Walking Dead: Compendium One into my wife's purse. As the panel ended, the crowd crammed in front of the stage, begging for autographs. The cast was extremely kind in complying, but I didn't think I would be able to get through the masses of humanity to actually get a signature. As usual, Carmelle was the optimist and sent me to give it the effort. I figured I’d at least give it a try and I made my way straight to the zombie-like masses in front of Kirkman. I immediately used my height to my advantage and reached high above those in front of me. Kirkman immediately fixed his eyes on the book and reached out for it. He said something about “having the real thing” or something like that, as most people had cast photos or programs to have signed rather than the source work.
Although I was now satisfied with obtaining the most important signature of the night, I thought I might as well make my way down to Steven Yeun’s area, to see if I could get his signature as well. Everyone there was very kind and thankful for the autograph requests, but Yeun even took it to another level. He would frequently give multiple thanks for each request. After getting Yeun’s signature, Joe Bernthal was making his way closer and closer. I thought I might as well see if I could get this third autograph as well. Ironically, Bernthal was the toughest of any of the autographs and it was one I wasn't even sure I wanted. He was the opposite of Kirkman and didn't seem to value the text anywhere near as much as the photos. He eventually signed my book and now I started to wonder about finishing things off and getting everyone's autographs.
The crowd was thinning and it seemed like it might actually be a possibility to have the entire cast sign the compendium. I made my way to the other end of the stage for Andrew Lincoln, but he quickly moved away. Fortunately, all three actresses were near and signed in quick succession. First Emma Bell, then Laurie Holden, and lastly Sarah Wayne Callies. At this point Andrew Lincoln jumped from being a non-essential to a must have! I made my way to the center of the crowd again and eventually was able to get Lincoln to sign.
Having secured all of the actor’s signatures and the creator, I debated on the final two from the panel. Ultimately, I opted to not get Gale Ann Hurd’s autograph because I just didn’t see her as being pivotal to my enjoyment of the show or the evening. That said, I saw there was a very thin spot near Frank Darabont and made my way over. Like the rest, he was extremely gracious and signed the book.
In the end, these types of events are by far my favorite. It is so much more enjoyable to get autographs for free than to pay for them. Furthermore, following up a great event with free signatures is even better!
The panel opened with remarks from the director of the Paley Center and then it was handed off to a writer from TV Guide. He introduced Robert Kirkman, who spoke for a few moments about how he wished he had footage from season 2, but they didn't. This gave way to a full viewing of episode 5 of the series.
After the viewing, there was about an hour-and-a-half discussion with the cast and crew: Frank Darabont (writer, director, producer), Robert Kirkman (writer and producer), Gale Anne Hurd (producer), Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes), Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh), Laurie Holden (Andrea), Steven Yeun (Glenn), and Emma Bell (Amy). It was awesome to hear the stories from the set and other parts of the creative process. Steven Yeun was the highlight of the panel and was constantly stealing the show.
Having had some hope that there’d be an opportunity to get Kirkman’s autograph, we packed a recently obtained copy of The Walking Dead: Compendium One into my wife's purse. As the panel ended, the crowd crammed in front of the stage, begging for autographs. The cast was extremely kind in complying, but I didn't think I would be able to get through the masses of humanity to actually get a signature. As usual, Carmelle was the optimist and sent me to give it the effort. I figured I’d at least give it a try and I made my way straight to the zombie-like masses in front of Kirkman. I immediately used my height to my advantage and reached high above those in front of me. Kirkman immediately fixed his eyes on the book and reached out for it. He said something about “having the real thing” or something like that, as most people had cast photos or programs to have signed rather than the source work.
Although I was now satisfied with obtaining the most important signature of the night, I thought I might as well make my way down to Steven Yeun’s area, to see if I could get his signature as well. Everyone there was very kind and thankful for the autograph requests, but Yeun even took it to another level. He would frequently give multiple thanks for each request. After getting Yeun’s signature, Joe Bernthal was making his way closer and closer. I thought I might as well see if I could get this third autograph as well. Ironically, Bernthal was the toughest of any of the autographs and it was one I wasn't even sure I wanted. He was the opposite of Kirkman and didn't seem to value the text anywhere near as much as the photos. He eventually signed my book and now I started to wonder about finishing things off and getting everyone's autographs.
The crowd was thinning and it seemed like it might actually be a possibility to have the entire cast sign the compendium. I made my way to the other end of the stage for Andrew Lincoln, but he quickly moved away. Fortunately, all three actresses were near and signed in quick succession. First Emma Bell, then Laurie Holden, and lastly Sarah Wayne Callies. At this point Andrew Lincoln jumped from being a non-essential to a must have! I made my way to the center of the crowd again and eventually was able to get Lincoln to sign.
Having secured all of the actor’s signatures and the creator, I debated on the final two from the panel. Ultimately, I opted to not get Gale Ann Hurd’s autograph because I just didn’t see her as being pivotal to my enjoyment of the show or the evening. That said, I saw there was a very thin spot near Frank Darabont and made my way over. Like the rest, he was extremely gracious and signed the book.
In the end, these types of events are by far my favorite. It is so much more enjoyable to get autographs for free than to pay for them. Furthermore, following up a great event with free signatures is even better!
