Speaking for me I never liked the idea to send a letter to any agency to ask for a signed pic and then receive one of their signed promo pics they probably have stacks of and which have been signed in advance.
It has no real "value" for me.
I also don't like the idea to send a letter to any production /filming set wherever they may be at that time because that would feel like some kind of stalking to me. Just let them do their work. 

BUT: If I manage to join an event where one of "my stars" take part and they sign whatever you offer afterwards, I like to be there to get an autograph. Although there might be hundreds of other people, to me it is a bit more "individual" and later in my memories I have a special occasion to connect to the signed pic - if you understand what I mean. (Difficulties with English again.....)
Hubby even doesn't dare to go to those signings because he wants to let those "poor people" alone. I don't agree; if they offer, why shouldn't I go there?
If I'd meet someone somewhere on the street, I probably wouldn't ask for an autograph or pic, though

So my experiences are quite small. Actually I wanted to send some kind of card for Andrew Scotts birthday but then I missed it.
But when some of us took part in the donation around Ben's birthday and later on for the bicycle ride in London and we received a big thank you from him, I was already quite happy. 

Last edited by Mattlocked (December 12, 2012 8:02 am)

SusiGo wrote:

............As for meeting someone in the street or somewhere else - that's difficult. I wouldn't wish to be intrusive but on the other hand later on I might regret that I missed the opportunity. I think it depends on the situation, e.g. if the person is alone or with friends.

Yes, that's right. You'd need some time to "analize" the situation and the acual mood of the person.
Once we saw an "old time" (former) "star" here in a pub and hubby said: Leave him alone! And I was like: Why? He might be glad that someone still recognizes him!   

So, yes, it depends.

I wouldn't think it would hurt to try. I've never done it, the few pics and autographs I've gotten, I've been lucky enough to meet in person. But, of course some people, like Benedict, do seem impossible. But, hope springs eternal. 

Interesting that I just came across this thread this morning because the topic just happens to be front and center in my mind right now.  Sometime back I posted on one of the threads here about a teacher at the private school where my husband teaches.  His niece is a British actress who used to date David Tennant and who is also a friend of Ben.  Well, this man was talking to my husband yesterday and said he's going to London the day after Christmas and will be seeing his niece.  He told my husband not to say anything to me in case nothing comes of it, but he's going to ask her if it might be possible to get Ben's autograph for me.  Of course, my husband immediately told me, because who could keep a secret like that - ha, ha!  It would be lovely if that happens, but I think it's pretty much a long shot. I'm old enough and wise enough to know how these things work and I'm not getting my hopes up in any way shape or form.  . But, by the sheer luck of knowing someone who happens to know him, there's a tiny chance I could be getting something personally signed from my favorite actor.  Fingers crossed.

Russell wrote:

Now, I never took her up on it, because didn't want to be trouble and felt a little cheesy at the time (not to mention who knows who'd she'd be able to reach or what get), but since Benedict and Martin are both in movies now, I'm thinking 'hmmmm....'  ;)

Go for it Russell!!!  I never hurts to try.  I'm going to put the possibility of anything happening right out of my mind; then, if it does, "It's Christmas!".  I had a fleeting thought of giving our friend Chris a note to take to his niece to pass on to Ben, but then I dismissed it as really bad form.  First, because Chris would know my husband had spilled the beans on his potential suprise; but more importantly, the niece is an actress in her own right and I hate the idea of using her to get to another actor.  That would be "a bit not good" in my book.
If she does come through, then I will write her a lovely thank you note. And since I did see her in a production in Boston about 6 years ago, I could add in some fan mail to her too.