Does anyone think walmart or gamestop (or any other store) would hire us ghostheads to show up in our gear at their stores on the game release date?
I’m guessing they would probably pay poorly…plus, now that I think of it, i’d rather be at home playing the game than promoting it.
I don’t think the release will be as big as Harry Potter for example.
I plan on going in gear to a release party anyway, so getting paid for it would just be icing on the cake.
i’d do it. even with out getting paid
Maybe they can give you a free copy.
Excellent idea… I’d definately stand around in gear for 6-8 hours for a free copy.
I imagine one could call up a store and negotiate with a manager. It would probably be best to wait until Sept.2008 before starting the negotiation.
that would be sweet!
For a minute there, I thought they are now hiring people to dress up as Ghostbusters for their stores. But now I realized it’s just a question if they will do it.
Well, if they were hiring people to do it, than you can count me in.
Halo 3 would’ve been a better example, they had guys in replica Master Chief armor and even some of those working replica Warthogs…
Very valid point, I suggest this be retitled to “people volunteering to go to game release in costume”, or something like that.
I ( and a few others) did a Future shop DVD release in costume with the promise of a “gift card”, they sold out every copy with our help. Then the store manager renegged on his promise (can you say dickless?) Oh well it was fun standing around for the “fans” even if we didn’t get “paid” so to speak it was still alot of fun. What a thrill for the fans to be handed a copy by one of the characters, lots of smiles.
I would suggest calling ahead and offering to do it and if they throw you a bone later for your efforts all the better but technically I don’t think you can charge to appear in costume. I know StarWars characters can’t.
Anyone else have thoughts on that?
Star Wars fans generally do appearances for Charity, they seem to take donations (or the staff where ever they are promoting do) and sometimes I think the venue give them money for charity…prob not alot mind
Almost all of team’s appearance’s have been for charity only. Any appearance at a for profit venue or event, we have not promoted our being there in advance and do not ask or accept compensation even if offered. The most we’ll take is a free coke. On the night of the game release we’re more likely to just show up in gear and buy the game from some place. We can’t promote anyone but a charity making money. I’m not sure if helping to sell copies of the game will help or hurt our relationship with the picture company.
i dont see why us being there in gear would “hurt” the relationship with the picture company, and im assuming you mean sony. logistically speaking, it would only help by make the shoppers experience more fun. but we are talking about sony here so who knows, it really could go either way
I’m not trying to crush anyone’s dreams but I’m hoping Sony doesn’t think we’re all trying to cash in on a game release. That’s how I’m saying it could put a strain on whatever kind of relationship we have with them. There was a time when Lucasfilm was shutting down prop sites, Sony has never seemed to mind, but with renewed interest in their license, who knows. They sure squashed that Mister FAB video. I’m not sure it’s gonna be our place to walk around Best Buy saying purchase the Ghostbusters game wether we’re paid for it or not. Doesn’t seem like thats’s what we should be about but I don’t want to preach to anyone, but like you said, when we do an event at a profit venue, it’s just to give the people there a good time and a surprise the Ghostbusters showed up. So it will come down to what each group wants to do on their own.
hmm, never thought of it like that. you do have a point
We all walk a fine line. I don’t think we can help sell anything, whether it be used cars or an official Ghostbusters product. It would be nice if Sony called us all up and wanted our help and it would be a nice comfort level if we knew they recognized and respected us. I’m sure they researched how much fandom there still is to contribute to their decision to make a game. I just hope someday we can have a reputation like the 501st has.
Wouldn’t that be great! Lucasfilm and the 501st have a very good relationship but like you say there is a very fine line and some have crossed it in the past and had C&D orders put on them (armor makers mass producing) stuff without a licence. Lucasfilm realizes its the fans that keep Starwars going after 30 years, someday Sony may do the same.
Any appearances the 501st does is for charity only, donations to specified charities are contributed on the 501st’s behalf.
You should have it written down as a contract. If I am going to ask the manager if he wants me to do it and he says yes, I will either have him pay in advance or have it in a contract.
Speaking about Mistah F.A.B., here’s a little bit of an update. I decided to do a search for him and it seems he no longer sells the music and video of that music video anymore.
So now it’s only available for download and at YouTube.
As for the legal stuff by Sony, I am sure Sony don’t care if you show up at any stores dress up as the Ghostbusters to help them sell the game.
As for making a profit from it, I am sure you can’t ask much. I probably will just ask for a free copy of the game.
Well usually a handshake is as good as a contract (at least with most people), especially when its going to charity. Sorry I forgot to mention the gift card was going to help a local battered womens shelter.