Convention Fans:
Is Twitter Changing the Celebrity/Fan Relationship?

Yesterday I had a bit of a fangirl moment. David Blue, who is one of the stars on Stargate Universe, told his Twitter followers that he'd be doing a bit of a Q&A session. We had 15 minutes to submit questions. This is what I sent:

@dreadpiraterose: @DavidBlue What is the weirdest thing you've ever been asked to autograph at a con? (and come to Dragon*con 2010 please!)

Believe it nor not, David actually picked my question to respond to:

@DavidBlue: The back of someone's cell phone! - RT @dreadpiraterose: What is the weirdest thing you've ever been asked to autograph at a con?

As I watched the replies to other questions, it occurred to me just how much Twitter has changed the way some celebrities interact with their fans. Normally the type of Q&A session David was holding would only happen at an event where he'd appear in in person, like a convention. Whereas cons require you to travel to the event and pay to get in, Twitter makes some celebrities a lot more accessible - and from the comfort of your free computer chair. Granted, asking a question in person isn't exactly the same feeling as asking via Twitter, but there's still an element of a personal connection there.

And David Blue is far from the only sci-fi/fantasy celeb to do this. Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) frequently responds to followers on Twitter. Nathan Fillion (@NathanFillion)  is also quite responsive, and periodically does Q&As as well. Not too long ago, Rod Roddenberry (son of Star Trek founder Gene Roddenberry; @roddenberry) was giving out items that belonged to his father to fans via Twitter (I actually got a set of books as a result).