Every now and then, I either notice or get a message about something Scott Shaw selling on eBay. Sure, various copies of the books I have written are up there all the time. That’s just expected. They don’t really catch my attention unless they are some very rare piece of work or a special edition from the publisher or something published in some language that I never knew about and/or never got paid for.
 
The things that do catch my attention, or my fancy, if you will—the things that I jokingly take notice of are, when someone is selling some rare piece of Scott Shaw something and asking way too much money for it.
 
I’ve spoken about this in the past when someone is selling some out-of-print something, like a rare VHS tape. These always make me smile as the sellers are always asking so much money for them. I always say, “No one will pay that!” Whether they do or not, I never really know. It’s not like I pay all that much attention to the auction or the listing. I know recently there were a few VHS tapes up for sale: A screener copy of Toad Warrior and an unopened copy of Armageddon Blvd.  
 
The thing that makes me smile about all of this, and the reason I mention this here and now, is (again) the price(s) they ask are so high. I laugh, because I have a bunch of copies of them. Plus, I have the Masters, so I could produce more. If I could get the price that are asking for them, I would be RICH!
 
Most recently, I was turned on to the fact that someone is selling the original 8.5 X 11 theater card, promo-flyer for The Roller Blade Seven. Where they got that, who knows? They were only used at the American Film Market, MiFed, and Cann in 1992 as a means to sell the movie to international buyers. It sold. But, I received nothing. But, that’s all another story—one I’ve talked about in the past, probably way too much. Welcome to Hollywood!
 
Anyway, they’re asking $49.95. Again, this makes me smile. I have a box full for those theater cards. Plus, I threw tons of them away years ago.
 
I think it’s funny—especially from the perspective of someone on the being viewed and auctioned side of, “Fame.” Fame, for lack of a better term… People speaking about me and selling my STUFF that I’ve created, or had a part in creating. Strange…
 
My sister-in-law posted a selfie that she and her kids got to take with Dave Grohl the other night. She’s a longtime fan of LCD Soundsystem and went to their show at the Hollywood Bowl last week. …Her teenage kids in tow. There, she apparently ran into Grohl. She was also a major fan of Nirvana back in the day. Seeing them, (Nirvana), as she apparently told Grohl, at the Forum way back in the way back when.
 
It looks like Grohl actually took the selfie. It’s a really good one. Him, her, and her two kids. Me, I take the worst selfies. But, with Grohl as the photographer, doesn’t that make it a valuable piece of art in itself?
 
I hear he’s a nice guy. I guess he lives in the Valley, or there adjacent, as every now and then I see photos that people I know take with him. Selfies, the autographs of the New Age.
 
But, this is L.A., you see celebrities all the time. No biggy. Most celebrities are not so nice, however.
 
Anyway, back to the point before I get way too far off of the point.
 
Fame, selling, rarities, and all of that kind of stuff…
 
You know, if people sell old poster art, and ask a lot of money for it, wouldn’t it just seem logical that a singular selfie would be worth so much more? Why don’t people sell those on eBay?
 
It’s like this guy contacted me last week about selling some of my art as NFT. Now, to tell you the truth, I don’t really understand that whole NFT thing. In fact, I don’t understand the whole Bit Coin thing either. But, when I asked him which pieces he was interested in, he pointed to some of the film posters I designed. I DON’T GET IT??? Those pieces are already out there. Anyone can download them. How could they be worth anything? Maybe you can explain it to me???
 
Anyway… The point to all of this… Fame is a weird commodity. It seems it makes money. But, money for that someone else who is not famous rather than the person who is. And, like in the case of Dave Grohl, he can’t even go to a concert without people coming up to him and asking for a selfie.
 
What is the price of fame? What is the cost of fame? And, why does everyone seemingly seek it out?