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Hey Lurkette
I tend to over think these sorts of things too. There are any number of actors, famous chefs, directors, that I have had access to in the course of my career. Some of whom I managed to interview, some for whom I did their PR and others who were just around at industry events.
With one notable exception (my very recent encounter will William Shatner) I have never gone out of my way to get an autograph a picture or any of that sort of stuff. I don't really want to meet these people in that sort of circumstance. I find it entirely weird to stand and gush to the person about how cool they are, etc. Having done PR, I've seen fans do this to a few celebrities and it's always just a little bit more than awkward and I never wanted to put myself in that same position.
The best encounters I've had with celebrities are where I am encountering them for work (PR, interviews, etc.). I suppose it felt like a legitimate excuse to meet someone. Less contrived (interestingly, I often feel the same about world travel... business travel is somehow less contrived than other forms of travel... but I digress).
The only other exception to this is when you are introduced. I was waiting in line at a sushi restaurant with a producer I know. In line, in front of us was the actor Jeff Bridges. The producer had made a film with him the year before and struck up a conversation. He introduced me. Clearly I was thrilled to meet him but had there not been an introduction, I would never have intruded upon him for a chat.
I guess it comes down to two things:
1) I don't want to intrude on them.
2) I don't want to meet someone in those sorts of circumstances. I have no desire to have an autograph (I wouldn't know what to do with it). I would rather just appreciate their art than meet the person behind it in an, inevitably, awkward encounter.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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