Comments on: Geeks need to branch out a little. http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/ The Optimistically Cartoonish Blog of a Cartoonishly Optimistic Writer Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:48:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: aneeta http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-47 aneeta Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:49:56 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-47 ehhh, slow down, let me clarify that i, in no way, recognise that spending hundreds of dollars on clothing is normal. but that's another rant for another type of stupid, potentially for another time. ehhh, slow down, let me clarify that i, in no way, recognise that spending hundreds of dollars on clothing is normal. but that’s another rant for another type of stupid, potentially for another time.

]]> By: Tabitha "Tabz" Smith http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Tabitha "Tabz" Smith Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:07:44 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-46 I don't know Shari - there's LOTS of fans I know who also are very quick to critique their beloved show (or movies, books, blah blah). I mean, how many times has someone told you - yeah, Buffy Season 1 wasn't all that great. The one with scanning the demon into the internet? Lame. Season 7 sucked! (etc. etc.) And there's lots of Joss fans who don't love everything he does. Lots of Firefly fans who hate Buffy (and vice versa). Are some of us cultish? Yes. We weird people out with our devotion to Joss and his works. But then again, there are people who weird me out with their devotion to their car or to a band or to their work. I don't think fans and geeks are much different than 'normals' - we just choose different things to obsess over. I don’t know Shari – there’s LOTS of fans I know who also are very quick to critique their beloved show (or movies, books, blah blah). I mean, how many times has someone told you – yeah, Buffy Season 1 wasn’t all that great. The one with scanning the demon into the internet? Lame. Season 7 sucked! (etc. etc.)

And there’s lots of Joss fans who don’t love everything he does. Lots of Firefly fans who hate Buffy (and vice versa).

Are some of us cultish? Yes. We weird people out with our devotion to Joss and his works. But then again, there are people who weird me out with their devotion to their car or to a band or to their work. I don’t think fans and geeks are much different than ‘normals’ – we just choose different things to obsess over.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Nathan Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:49:45 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-45 I find suggesting to these fans that they "have some dignity" is mighty condescending. Obviously these shows and their characters occupy a special place in their hearts, and if they wish to believe that any new continuation of that which they love so much will be awesome, then so be it. (Doesn't mean it'll happen.) Myself, I like endings. I like things that end, and I like it when they end well (and we all know the best end is a new beginning) so I can look upon it in retrospect and say that, as a piece of work, works and will stay that way. Some people... attach, and I don't feel like I can tell them what to think or how to feel, even if they do annoy the crap out of me. This is when I point my finger at the artist. This is your art. You can do with it as you please. But as the artist, you have a responsibility. You should know what you're trying to say, and you should command your audience. If the artist has more to say, then there is no person that should stop them, and if that crosses media boundaries, that is their choice and should be respected, for it is ultimately their art. If they bend to pressure from their audience and continue when they have nothing left to say, then they have broken a cardinal rule of art, and that's their fault and can go suck it. I find suggesting to these fans that they “have some dignity” is mighty condescending. Obviously these shows and their characters occupy a special place in their hearts, and if they wish to believe that any new continuation of that which they love so much will be awesome, then so be it. (Doesn’t mean it’ll happen.) Myself, I like endings. I like things that end, and I like it when they end well (and we all know the best end is a new beginning) so I can look upon it in retrospect and say that, as a piece of work, works and will stay that way. Some people… attach, and I don’t feel like I can tell them what to think or how to feel, even if they do annoy the crap out of me. This is when I point my finger at the artist.

This is your art. You can do with it as you please. But as the artist, you have a responsibility. You should know what you’re trying to say, and you should command your audience.

If the artist has more to say, then there is no person that should stop them, and if that crosses media boundaries, that is their choice and should be respected, for it is ultimately their art. If they bend to pressure from their audience and continue when they have nothing left to say, then they have broken a cardinal rule of art, and that’s their fault and can go suck it.

]]> By: Zoe Winters http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Zoe Winters Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:40:59 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-43 hahaha Shari, very true. Buffy is decidedly flawed, and not just the character. I think though that it's a great testament to what Joss did, that people can become so enmeshed in the world he's created that they can so easily forget or not even see the flaws in his work. I hope someday to write something gripping enough that I'm offered some of that same forgiveness for being imperfect. hahaha Shari, very true. Buffy is decidedly flawed, and not just the character. I think though that it’s a great testament to what Joss did, that people can become so enmeshed in the world he’s created that they can so easily forget or not even see the flaws in his work. I hope someday to write something gripping enough that I’m offered some of that same forgiveness for being imperfect.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Carrie Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:09:41 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-42 I do not believe that we should just move on forever and forget shows that we love. No, no, no, just the opposite. You're right Shari, it gets to the point in which passion blinds people from seeing imperfection. It's okay to acknowledge that something has flaws, it doesn't diminish the love for the show. No, in fact, you seem a tad less like a zealot if you can admit a cliche or plot hole that you noticed. I feel that shows that are awesome should stand the test of time in the glory of their awesomness. I just sometimes worry that watering down the original series with sequels and spinoffs will inevitably do more harm than good, not to mention accomplish the exact opposite that fans want for shows like Buffy. I would rather Buffy go down in history as a damn near perfect seven season TV show than something that kept being dragged up after it's been put to rest so many times that it is nothing but a laughing stock and/or industry joke. I do not believe that we should just move on forever and forget shows that we love. No, no, no, just the opposite. You’re right Shari, it gets to the point in which passion blinds people from seeing imperfection. It’s okay to acknowledge that something has flaws, it doesn’t diminish the love for the show. No, in fact, you seem a tad less like a zealot if you can admit a cliche or plot hole that you noticed.

I feel that shows that are awesome should stand the test of time in the glory of their awesomness. I just sometimes worry that watering down the original series with sequels and spinoffs will inevitably do more harm than good, not to mention accomplish the exact opposite that fans want for shows like Buffy. I would rather Buffy go down in history as a damn near perfect seven season TV show than something that kept being dragged up after it’s been put to rest so many times that it is nothing but a laughing stock and/or industry joke.

]]> By: Shari http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Shari Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:54:38 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-40 Eh, I'm a rabid fan and always will be. I'm unapologetic. I will spend my hard earned money on D-grade actors at a geeky fan convention because that's what I want to spend my money on. Personally, I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people fork over hundreds of dollars for one item of clothing but for some reason or another, that's considered "normal". I think fans get carried away (ha!) from time to time and that can be off-putting to newbies and the like but I'm not afraid to associate myself with them because of the stigma. Buffy et al WERE great, why should we be moving on and forgetting? No seriously, why? The only thing I find disappointing about most fans of cultesque art - and I really had hoped at a time that whedonesquers would be different - is the overall inability to see the flaws, any flaws, in the so-called masterpiece of theirs. I admire Joss greatly but his shows are by no means perfect but you bring that up in a fan forum and you just get shouted down. Eh, I’m a rabid fan and always will be. I’m unapologetic. I will spend my hard earned money on D-grade actors at a geeky fan convention because that’s what I want to spend my money on. Personally, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that people fork over hundreds of dollars for one item of clothing but for some reason or another, that’s considered “normal”.

I think fans get carried away (ha!) from time to time and that can be off-putting to newbies and the like but I’m not afraid to associate myself with them because of the stigma. Buffy et al WERE great, why should we be moving on and forgetting? No seriously, why?

The only thing I find disappointing about most fans of cultesque art – and I really had hoped at a time that whedonesquers would be different – is the overall inability to see the flaws, any flaws, in the so-called masterpiece of theirs. I admire Joss greatly but his shows are by no means perfect but you bring that up in a fan forum and you just get shouted down.

]]> By: Zoe Winters http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Zoe Winters Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:47:38 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-39 I tend to agree about letting the series go. I've let go of any hope of a Spike movie, or the Buffy cartoon. Both of which would have been very cool. The James Marsters fans are hardcore. I mean I bought the Jim Butcher audio books initially because JM was narrating. How's that for fangirl freakout? But there will always be fan fiction. Because we're not really ever going to completely let it go. The addiction never really goes away, though we do branch out. Reading fanfic got me interested in Paranormal romance (since a lot of that fanfic was fanfic that got buffy and spike together.) I believe absolutely that Paranormal romance has gotten as popular as it has (and within the romance genre, it's huge), partly because of Buffy. We saw Angel and we saw Spike and we thought YUM. And it went from there. I'm cracked up by all the paranormal romance writers who are obviously die hard Buffy fans. And the little references they leave in their work as a shout out to Buffy and those fans. I tend to agree about letting the series go. I’ve let go of any hope of a Spike movie, or the Buffy cartoon. Both of which would have been very cool. The James Marsters fans are hardcore. I mean I bought the Jim Butcher audio books initially because JM was narrating. How’s that for fangirl freakout?

But there will always be fan fiction. Because we’re not really ever going to completely let it go. The addiction never really goes away, though we do branch out. Reading fanfic got me interested in Paranormal romance (since a lot of that fanfic was fanfic that got buffy and spike together.) I believe absolutely that Paranormal romance has gotten as popular as it has (and within the romance genre, it’s huge), partly because of Buffy. We saw Angel and we saw Spike and we thought YUM. And it went from there.

I’m cracked up by all the paranormal romance writers who are obviously die hard Buffy fans. And the little references they leave in their work as a shout out to Buffy and those fans.

]]> By: Jeff Roney http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Jeff Roney Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:44:11 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-38 Very interesting topic. For full disclosure, I began my foray into internet audio with Star Wars Audio Parodies. I tried to make the SW fans, like myself, chuckle. As the SW films ended, I wanted to venture into Audio drama. I started to craft a SW Fan Audio drama, and my wife told me to take my talent and love for a good story out of the familiar (SW worlds), and build my own world. I love my wife, because she supports me, but also knows when to get out the 2X4. It was jarring, but the best thing anyone could ever said to me. I have learned so much creating a fresh, original story (New World Army), worlds, characters, story arc, mini arcs, etc, etc. As I walked out farther into the unknown and brought stories like, "The Stalker" and "Unlucky in Love" from the recesses of my mind, out to the world to see and hear, it gave me more courage to go farther. It is scary writing without a familiar "net" of an established story "world," but I found the water in the totally creative pool is just fine. Very interesting topic. For full disclosure, I began my foray into internet audio with Star Wars Audio Parodies. I tried to make the SW fans, like myself, chuckle. As the SW films ended, I wanted to venture into Audio drama. I started to craft a SW Fan Audio drama, and my wife told me to take my talent and love for a good story out of the familiar (SW worlds), and build my own world. I love my wife, because she supports me, but also knows when to get out the 2X4. It was jarring, but the best thing anyone could ever said to me. I have learned so much creating a fresh, original story (New World Army), worlds, characters, story arc, mini arcs, etc, etc. As I walked out farther into the unknown and brought stories like, “The Stalker” and “Unlucky in Love” from the recesses of my mind, out to the world to see and hear, it gave me more courage to go farther. It is scary writing without a familiar “net” of an established story “world,” but I found the water in the totally creative pool is just fine.

]]> By: Tabitha "Tabz" Smith http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Tabitha "Tabz" Smith Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:24:30 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-37 Oh, and - I don't just like one TV show. I like a lot, I do experience other things. But nothing has captured my imagination like Buffy. It's special. Oh, and – I don’t just like one TV show. I like a lot, I do experience other things. But nothing has captured my imagination like Buffy. It’s special.

]]> By: Tabitha "Tabz" Smith http://www.carrieisgett.com/2008/08/geeks-need-to-branch-out-a-little/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Tabitha "Tabz" Smith Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:22:12 +0000 http://www.carrieisgett.com/?p=164#comment-36 We'll never get over our first love, our home town, our first car or any of the other things that have captured our heart. Much like Firefly, Buffy, and other TV shows, music, art and books that have captured our imagination. We want more of the people and characters we've come to know and love. We want to experience that feeling again. When you see the familiar landmarks of your favorite TV show, or read a new adventure from your favorite hero - you're happy. So yes, should people move on? Maybe. But, we also love these worlds. They've shaped who we are - we care about them. Maybe I'm crazy, but I like creating new stories in old universes - that's why we started Buffy Between the Lines, it's audio drama set between the TV series - because we need to live with these folks again. We’ll never get over our first love, our home town, our first car or any of the other things that have captured our heart. Much like Firefly, Buffy, and other TV shows, music, art and books that have captured our imagination. We want more of the people and characters we’ve come to know and love. We want to experience that feeling again. When you see the familiar landmarks of your favorite TV show, or read a new adventure from your favorite hero – you’re happy.

So yes, should people move on? Maybe. But, we also love these worlds. They’ve shaped who we are – we care about them. Maybe I’m crazy, but I like creating new stories in old universes – that’s why we started Buffy Between the Lines, it’s audio drama set between the TV series – because we need to live with these folks again.

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