Wednesday, April 22, 2015

fandom nation

I often wonder what it means to be in a fandom. Do you have to actively be part of discussions and/or submit works of art (be it writing, editing, or drawing) of the characters you love and who you want kissing on the show? What if you simply enjoy the show, but find no appeal in getting to know many of those within the active fandom? Are you still part of a fandom or just a fan of the show?

I may not actively discuss the show with others and more often than not avoid them due to their narrow-minded thinking, but I do contribute with art. I have never been into just one show at a time, I like being able to have a variety of shows that I can turn to for fun and laughs. For the past year; however, it has been for Doctor Who. I had always been a fan of the show, but I didn't do anything for it. I didn't talk to anyone and I didn't go out searching for blogs and others sites dedicated to it.

But, the moment Peter Capaldi was casted for the Doctor that was when my interest peaked to a max. Being a fan of May-December relationships, naturally I was inclined to enjoy his interaction with Clara Oswald more than I would have with any other Doctor and companion. Granted, him being (now) 2,000 years+ he is always older than his companions, but it's that he now has the physical traits to go along with it. Not only so, but he's been a favorite actor of mine for the longest time, so clearly I knew I would love him to bits more than others.

Due to my appreciation for not only him, but how he portrays the Doctor, and Jenna Coleman, I decided to be more active within the Doctor Who community. I still don't talk to others, they're crazy annoying and have incredibly narrow-minded ways of thinking, but I do interact with a few who are open-minded like myself. I draw the characters as often as possible and just enjoy enjoy the show for what it is.

Fandoms' can make or break a show (i.e. Supernatural). Keep them at a distance and enjoy what you like for what it is, not for the people who think their word is law and because they are intense fans the writers and creators of the show owe them something.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Professor Incognito Apologizes

1. Are there any prominent symbols in the story? If so, what are they and how are they used?

There isn't a particular symbol in the short story that is prominent throughout. There are themes that show up and even then, it's not that strong. It would have to be the titling of each section, his 'RE:' in regards to what he wishes to discuss with his fiancé that stumbled upon his laboratory. They constantly argue and they clearly have things hidden from each other, i.e. their alter-egos, but there is very clearly love there. This love is shown by him constantly reaffirming that yes he wants her and yes it might not be the best situation, but whats to live this new world with her. Besides that, there isn't a prominent symbol of sorts in this story.

2. What connections did you with the story? Discuss the elements of the work with which you were able to connect.

I've always had a deep fascination with heroes and villains, especially of the super kind. This story just put two of my loves together, heroes and villains trying to live normal lives and them being together trying to hide their second lives. It's an interesting tension that adds to the arguments that many couples have to deal with. Not only do they have to argue over dinner plans, friends, and "normal things", they have to do their best to keep to themselves their deepest secrets. Secrets of the fiancé that clearly the narrator knows about. Even knowing she is his arch-nemesis, he loves her and wants to live the new world order with her by his side.

The writing was witty and clever, the narrator was fun to read. This is probably the most important element to the story to help me connect. I could laugh at his comments and understand how he felt for the entire situation.

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you use? What changes would you make?

I think it would be really interesting to see this as a movie or tv show. As a stand alone short story, expanding on the arguments and situations they faced, having it as a film would be incredibly interesting. I've read this short story about two years ago in a book called 'A Mad Scientists Guide to World Domination: A Collection of Short Stories'. Being part of a larger book, it would really cool to have them adapted to a tv series where each short story is a stand alone episode, like The Twilight Zone. Spanning an hour long each, they can tell the story as is and really expand on the universe each author created for these stories.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

YouTube Culture

YouTube has expanded exponentially over the years and has grown far larger than probably most had expected. At least with the products that are beginning to come out. From channels dedicated to gaming to animated shows.

Two channels I'm fond of are Markiplier and JonTron, both are dedicated to video game commentary. Markiplier plays the game through, actively making sure that viewer is with him every step of the way. This allows both him and the viewer to feel engaged and as though they are part of the gaming experience. As though playing along with a friend.

JohnTron on the other hand is purely commentary. He plays the game through and in the video edits in the best bits of the commentary and where the punchline lies. While making poignant points about how the game came to be, the company behind it, and why it is important or just silly in all, he cracks along some jokes. This keeps a separation between someone you watch to laugh along with and experience the game and someone you watch to listen opinions and what their experiences were without you living it as well.

Both are incredibly interesting channels to watch and allow a different mind set of the gaming industry as a whole. It also shows how diverse the game playing culture is within the youtube community.

Finally there is Bee and Puppycat. It's an incredibly sweet show and emphasizes the diversity there is in animation and what can be done with a certain budget. Cutting out the middleman of a television network, it can bring the same level of interest and fans without having to find company's to set it out. This is one of many shows that have begun to set out their own works through kickstarters and self-made funds to bring entertainment via online industry.