Fandom-Related Q&A Meme

[quaggy]

I was going to post my Harry Potter blatherings, but then I saw this meme over at zinke  and decided that that I so would rather do this instead.

Ask me a fandom-related question in the comments. This can be fandom specific, general, or about fandom, lj stuff, fic writing, etc. Questions can be as wacky as you want. Ask me about tv shows, characters, fanfic in general, fandom issues/meta, anything about any of my stories specifically. Whatever you want.

Comments

[seri-scribble.livejournal.com]

The last tv show you watched is about to be crossed over with the last movie you watched: What is the title of this epic movie and describe the plot in 2 sentences or less. Bonus! What is the movies tagline?

Would you rather be a wizard who trained at Hogwarts, a Jedi, or the companion of the Doctor?

Name a song that reminds you of something fanish you're into right now.

[quaggy]

What is the title of this epic movie and describe the plot in 2 sentences or less.

*pout* This doesn't sound so epic unless you're familiar with the source material but trust me, it totally is: My Favorite Year with John Stewart. Tagline: "He's not a reporter. He's a comedian." (The famous quote from My Favorite Year is "I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!")


Hogwarts, a Jedi, or the companion of the Doctor?

No contest. I get a light saber and a cool hoodie? SIGN ME UP!!


Name a song that reminds you of something fanish

Dude, how long you got? It generally takes me a while in the fandom, before I start associating songs with the show/movie. So most of these are classic fandoms for me. Here's a few just off the top of my head:

The Fray's "Cable Car" is so season 6/7 Josh on the campaign trail. If I had any fanvid making skills at all, this would already exist.

The Cranberries "Linger" makes me think of Donna after she joins the Santos team, but before thinks are okay with Josh.

KT Turnstall's "Other Side of the World" alway makes me think of Katara.

"Can't Let it Go" by Goo Goo Dolls makes me think of my Katara/Zuko ship.

Seal's "Crazy" (or better yet, Alanis Morissette's cover) really fits Witch Hunter Robin well.

And I have a LOT associated with Green Day:

"Warning" is so perfect for Life that I would pay someone to make me a fanvideo for it.

Likewise I can rarely listen to "Static Age" without thinking of Firefly.

"The Grouch" makes me think of Toby or Zuko, depending on whether I'm in a West Wing or A:tLA sort of mood.

And "Uptight" makes me think of either Dani from Life or Josh Lyman, depending.

There's a fair number (of non-Green Day songs) than make me think of LWD, but I won't bother with those, since that's SOOOO not your fandom. Besides, this list is way too long as it is.

[seri-scribble.livejournal.com]

The Jedi hoodie is quite epic indeed. I am often sad that I can't wear one all the time.

DUDE. I would watch My Favourite Year with Jon Stewart in a HEARTBEAT. (I'm totally familiar with it. Peter O'Toole=one of my favourite actors ever.)

Hahahah that's quite a song list you've got going there. faaaaaaaaaaaaaanmix tiiiiime! Or, you know, playlist. Whatever. :P

[quaggy]

Peter O'Toole=one of my favourite actors ever.

He's wonderful, isn't he? I should have guessed you would be a fan!

Hahahah that's quite a song list you've got going there.

Heh, well it was years in the making. :-) You notice none of the fandoms or songs are that new. I think the fastest I ever started associating a song with a fandom was "Fill my Little World" by the Feeling. If found that fanvid I posted over at you LJ about six months ago and I was playing it a lot, just because I liked the song. As it so happens I was rereading one of my favorite mangas at the time... and I realized that the lyrics fit the character so well, I can't separate the two anymore.

[marymary.livejournal.com]

Oy, I'm in a weird mood so I will PLAY your little game.

(Not saying the meme is weird, I'm saying it's unusual for me to join in. So...)

- If you could be a male character in any work of fiction (TV/movie/book), who would you be? Is that because you identify with him or because you wish you were more like him? Or another reason?

- When you write fic, do you ever look at it after it's done and go, "OMG, that totally came from my life." Elaborate as much as you feel comfortable elaborating.

- What quirk or meme of fan fiction drives you most batty?

- It seems to be taken for granted that different fandoms have different demographics? Do you agree? What do you think about that?

Sorry, dear, I'm feeling chatty. You don't have to answer all. :)

[quaggy]

No, I want to answer them all! These are excellent questions and I should totally strong arm you into playing more often!

If you could be a male character in any work of fiction (TV/movie/book), who would you be?

Male character? Interesting. Hmmm... Charlie Young was the first one that popped into my head, probably because I identify with him, at least professionally. And Atticus Finch, from To Kill A Mockingbird because I want to be like him. There are plenty of other characters I love to death, but none I think I'd actually want to be.


When you write fic, do you ever look at it after it's done and go, "OMG, that totally came from my life."

Well, yes and no. There have been plenty of times where real life will wind up in my fic, but so far it's always been deliberate. Once in a while, I will write a whole fic that is directly based on my own life, but usually it's just a line or observation or two that works well with what I'v written. It's probably because I'm such a slow writer. The words don't come easy for me, so I tend to think about the fic I'm writing a lot before I can get it down on the page.


What quirk or meme of fan fiction drives you most batty?

Well, there's the usual: Mary Sues, songfic where the actual story is shorter than the song lyrics, people demanding more reviews, OOC characterization, etc etc... But if you want something where I feel like I'm in the minority, it's not just that I prefer writing one-shots, I recently realized I rather read them too. I don't really care for epic multi-chapter fics. In fact, I can name on one hand the number of multi-chapter fics that I love... and they were all deliberately written as AUs!


It seems to be taken for granted that different fandoms have different demographics? Do you agree? What do you think about that?

You mean how the same show/movie/whatever can have different "cults" (ships, for example), that tend to have different demographics? Somewhat. Don't think you can start making assumptions about people based on what fandom they are a part of. We all have multiple motivations that lead us to like what we like. That said, I think it's impossible to not let your surroundings and upbringing (or demographic, if you prefer) influence you. Take for example, Doctor Who. I think it's not that surprising that I like Martha the best out of all of Ten's companions, because she's the one I identify with the most. Does that make sense?

[marymary.livejournal.com]

Charlie Young was the first one that popped into my head, probably because I identify with him, at least professionally.

Aw, that's sweet! I love that answer. I should think of an answer to that question -- be back tomorrow with that.

usually it's just a line or observation or two that works well with what I'v written

Yeah, I was thinking about observations or character motivations. Like...if you know a character, you have to imagine what he'd want/do/say in a situation. It seems like that would be influenced by what you know to be true IRL, as well as what what you've seen the character want/do/say in the original work. Am I making sense?

You mean how the same show/movie/whatever can have different "cults" (ships, for example), that tend to have different demographics?

No, but that's even more interesting! I hadn't even thought of it that way.

I was just thinking about the assumptions we make as we approach a fandom. Like...remember how back on TWoP, the different show forums had sort of different "cultures?" And I find, here on LJ, that the different comms and discussions I get into have different norms and stuff...so I infer demographics. I think of this one as more young and that one as more female and this other one as more queer etc. And even other characteristics -- I assume fans of certain shows are more well-educated than others.

But then as I talk to people, often they defy my expectations. In some cases, I've been surprised to find out that a large portion of the people I'm talking to are in Asia.

I don't even have a point, sad to say. I think it's related to my fascination with the internet as a social medium. Because we can't see each other as we interact, we literally grab onto anything we can get (fandom, tone, icons) to create a construct of the person.

Holy shit, one drink and I'm so talky. Off to bed and will come back here tomorrow.

[quaggy]

Like...if you know a character, you have to imagine what he'd want/do/say in a situation. It seems like that would be influenced by what you know to be true IRL, as well as what what you've seen the character want/do/say in the original work.

Yes. That's definitely true. That's what I mean by "a line or observation". I'll take what I know to be true and apply it to fic. If I understand how someone behaves IRL and that's similar to who the character is, I'll use that as motivation. Or, if I'm writing fic that has a boy in his late teens/early twenties (like A:tLA or LWD... or the future fics with Josh & Donna's kids), I'm constantly asking myself if that's how one or both of my brothers would behave.


And I find, here on LJ, that the different comms and discussions I get into have different norms and stuff...so I infer demographics. I think of this one as more young and that one as more female and this other one as more queer etc.

Oh, that's true. But it's partly because certain shows/movies/books/music/etc are deigned to attract a certain audience. And it's partly that "like attracts like" and online just makes it easier. Okay, A:tLA is a good example because it's so huge. Different communities have different vibes to them (and they con sometimes be dedicated to the same sub-interest like a character or ship!). And that's mainly because of the people in charge/participate. If you don't like the vibe of one community, you go find a different one. Or you learn to play by the rules. Another example, every so often you'll see somebody new to the West Wing fandom, try to post a Josh/Donna fic with a mash-up ship name like "Jonna". They soon realize that as a culture, the ship not only is resistant to that label, we tend to dismiss anyone who does, because they're either (a) too young/immature/influenced by other fandoms or (b)not paying attention to the fandom and therefore will likely not be paying to close attention to canon either. The ones for whom (a) or (b) does not apply, generally start using J/D like everyone else.


Because we can't see each other as we interact, we literally grab onto anything we can get (fandom, tone, icons) to create a construct of the person.

Yes, that fascinates me too. Especially since I've meet so many in our little band of merry shippers. It's so interesting to see how our online persona matches up with who we are offline. And I love our icons sort of collectively gives a picture of who we are. Sort of like this whole "portrait without people" technique that a colleague was telling me about.


Holy shit, one drink and I'm so talky. Off to bed and will come back here tomorrow.

Hee! I love it! We should feed you alcohol more often!!

[marymary.livejournal.com]

Another example, every so often you'll see somebody new to the West Wing fandom, try to post a Josh/Donna fic with a mash-up ship name like "Jonna". They soon realize that as a culture, the ship not only is resistant to that label, we tend to dismiss anyone who does, because they're either (a) too young/immature/influenced by other fandoms or (b)not paying attention to the fandom and therefore will likely not be paying to close attention to canon either.

Hmm, interesting! I think I know what you mean. I've also seen different senses of humor in different fandoms -- some are deadly serious about their thing, and some sort of celebrate silliness and outrageousness. Of course I'm talking about all kinds of different communities and forums, not just fic, which is a smaller part of my experience. One news comm I belong to is so strict and self-policing about the content and tone of comments. I like it (I always did love those Nazis over at TWoP) but sometimes someone wanders in and comments so inappropriately (though she doesn't realize it), and I have to shield my eyes because I don't want to see her get "corrected."

But it's partly because certain shows/movies/books/music/etc are deigned to attract a certain audience.

I totally agree, that's the basis of it. There's also something else I've seen, and I'm sure you're familiar with this, which is that -- as opposed to a show attracting a particular group of fans, who then discuss/create/etc. -- the works of art (fic, graphics) lead people to other fandoms and then those fans get acquainted with new shows. The most obvious one I've seen is with things that lean a little slashy. The way I think of it is like an underground river of fic that leads people to pop up in other fandoms.

For example, someone will link me to some piece of fiction that lives in a list or an archive somewhere. I look at the usernames of the other writers and I'm always like, "Hey, what's she doing here?" Like, my Canada friends show up in Band of Brothers archives, or some hilarious piece of Adam stuff was written by someone I knew from BSG.

And I love our icons sort of collectively gives a picture of who we are. Sort of like this whole "portrait without people" technique that a colleague was telling me about.

I totally get what you mean. And sometimes it works the other way -- a couple places I go have a bunch of people who either have only one icon or just always post with their default. And when they switch their default, it's SO unsettling! I truly feel like I've lost my handle on their personality a little.

What's fun about the Adam Lambert/AI communities is bumping into men. Over time, you learn or guess who they are, but it's kind of hilarious to watch one person say to another, "Wait, are you a boy?" They're like Easter eggs.

[quaggy]

Of course I'm talking about all kinds of different communities and forums, not just fic, which is a smaller part of my experience.

Yes, I know what you mean. There's a community LJ for the Katara/Zuko ship for A:tLA that I really like, because the vibe is really easy going, which is a nice change since it feels like the rest of the fandom is torn up by shipping wars. But it's peaceful for a reason. The mods have rules. You can't bash anyone, regardless of their ship. And they will step in and remind people when they get too overboard.

For example, someone will link me to some piece of fiction that lives in a list or an archive somewhere. I look at the usernames of the other writers and I'm always like, "Hey, what's she doing here?"

Yeah, I love when that's happens! There's also the reverse that you are more likely to try out a new show or movie just because enough people in a different fandom you're a part of are into it.

And when they switch their default, it's SO unsettling! I truly feel like I've lost my handle on their personality a little.

Oh man, that happened a LOT during the early days of Keytus LJ. It's like the icon would change and I would be "Wait, who are you again?!"

Over time, you learn or guess who they are, but it's kind of hilarious to watch one person say to another, "Wait, are you a boy?" They're like Easter eggs.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yes, that's fun to watch! There's this one excellent blog about Korean dramas that will occasionally have guest posters. Since the blog mainly deals with rom-coms and female-skewing shows, it's generally assumed that most of the posters are females. So it was really funny when people find out that one of the guest posters is a boy. :-)

[fadedelegance.livejournal.com]

Please post your Harry Potter 'blatherings'. I love Harry Potter. :-)

[quaggy]

I plan to! I've got it half-written, but I've been getting distracted by shinny things. Plus, I was writing a lot at work last week and that tends to make me less eloquent (or even coherent) when I get home. I'll try to post something tonight or tomorrow. (But don't forget. I'm on a different ship in this fandom!)