HOW TO get autographs via the mail

[Java The Hut]

Rico asked for this in an Mp3, but I'm not real shur how to go about that,
if anyone wants to take a crack at making this an audio thing
by all means go ahead...


This is how I Request autograph via the mail


Thing you will need:

12x9 self sealing Envelopes
10x13 Envelopes
Cardboard (box)
Box Knife
Stamps
Fine Sharipie marker (Black)
DO NOT BEND ink stamp (Red)
Something to be Singed
An address
letter to the actor you want an autograph from.


OK, lets start with the cardboard...
any old cardboard box will do, cut the box so that it lays flat and cut it into 8x10 pieces.
now take the 8x10 pieces of cardboard and stuff them into the 12x9 self sealing Envelopes
the 12x9 envelope is going to be the return envelope, put your address on this envelope as both the receiver
and the return address (if postage is do the post office will delever to you postage due as its the only address they have on the envelope)
also note that the return envelope will need stamps from the country it is cumming from, you can buy stamps on the web

www.canadapost.ca
www.royalmail.com
www.usps.com/

or if anyone wants we can start a stamp swap
on each envelope I use 3 first class stamps (6per request) that ends up being a little over the actual cost but since it can some times take over a year for some to return, it factters in the cost of postage going up.
stamp the front and back with the do not bend stamp

Now you need to find something to get singed (Autographed)
the first rule hear is to never send anything you can't afford to lose, you may never see it again.
most of the photos I use are print-out computer desktop wallpaper like http://www.scifi.com/atlantis/downloads/desktops/
when looking for a photo to get singed things I look for are
1.the actor you are writing to (DUH)
2. I like the show or movie logo to be in the photo but not in the way
3. A large mostly blank spot that the actor can write in.


Now you need to write a letter, I usley follow a format of
praise for something I enjoyed then acting in
A question or two
The request for an autograph on the enclosed item

now take your return envelope with the cardboard inside on top of that place your photo on top of that place you letter
and stuff it all into the 10x13 envelope

now you need a mailing address
in this stage you may need to dig a little for info (google is your friend) movies being filemed and tv shows still on the are the most easy to find address.

if your star has a webpage (myspace) they may list a fan mail address
if the move/tv show is currently in production try mailing the the film studio
if you can find out who represents them(who Actors' Agent is) send it to them its part of their job.
http://www.agentassociation.com/frontdoor/actors_agent_search.cfm
Try not to send fan mail to the actors home address.

ok place postage and stamp the front and back with the do not bend stamp
place in mail box

Item you may get in return:
sometimes you get your autograph request back but not with the photo you sent

you may get back a different autographed photo, this is becouse the actor signd a bunch of there own photos and sends them out as request come in

you may get what is called a preprent
A preprint is simply a photographic copy of an original signed photograph. On a preprint, the signature often appears to be below the surface gloss of the photo and the signature is often very "flat." To test, hold the photo up at an angle to a light source -- a real signature is written on the surface of the photo and should have a different level of reflectivity than the rest of the surface.

or a autopen
The Autopen is a signature reproduction machine (heads of state mostly use autopens)

or a signature stamp
a stamp on your photo of the actors signature

in addition to an autograph you may also get a nice thankyou letter
http://drew1515.110mb.com/letters.html


I think that about covers it (hope it makes some kind of scene)
if anyone has any qustions drop me a line


~Java

[Rico]

Very nice detail Java.  One basic question.  How much luck have you had just sending all you described except for the printed photo?  Don't these folks usually have pictures to send out for this?

[moyer777]

Thanks Java,  I found the whole process fascinating!

[iceman]

Great Info

Thanks

[Meds]

Really nice detailed info, if you want it put into MP3 format just Pm me and I'll do one for you.

[Java The Hut]

Very nice detail Java.  One basic question.  How much luck have you had just sending all you described except for the printed photo?  Don't these folks usually have pictures to send out for this?

they may have photos, I seem to have better luck sending something
When I first got into the hobbie I was sending trading cards and pages from magazines

[Java The Hut]

here are some address to try....

*** STARS NAME ****
C/o The Bridge Studios
Attn: Stargate Atlantis productions
2400 Boundary Road
Burnaby, BC
V5M 3Z3
Canada

Address for shows on ABC
http://abc.go.com/faq?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=FAQ#7


Address for shows on CBS
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/info_faq_personalities.shtml

[Chief]

I love this reply!

I have a couple important people I'd like to get an autograph from and this comes very handy. Thanks Java!

[ElfManDan]

Have you ever done with with anyone other then actors?
Like musicians, or athletes, I'm not just a scifi geek.

[Java The Hut]

Have you ever done with with anyone other then actors?
Like musicians, or athletes, I'm not just a scifi geek.

For a friend I sent a request to Garth Brooks,
but for the most part i've done actors.

[alanp]

I wrote to the TOS actors as a kid and got responces from Shat and Nimoy (or their staffs) of an autographed pic of each.  I could never tell if it was ink or a copy of one.  But don't really care.  Just nice to get in the mail.   This was in '96 or '97 and both pics were from Star Trek 6.  Both were black and white 5X7.  Both came from the stars homes.