Nicole Givens Kurtz's WebJournal
SF writing, publishing, other musings and mutterings
Sunday, December 4, 2005
From Fandom Flows Freedom: Does Fandom Empower Nutty Behavior?
A few months ago, Ireturned from a science fiction convention where people were dressed as characters from television shows, movie, and various anime comics. As a published writer, I pondered the importance of fans and their powerful impact on the writer, director, and/or creator of fictional works.
I set out to find out the underlying, and often overlooked, power of fandom.
According to Encarta, fandom is a noun and means, “a large group of fans: fans collectively, especially of a public entertainer such as a movie or TV star.” Science fiction and fantasy fans are the pure embodiment of the definition.
Yet Wikipedia broadens the definition and enhances it by stating that fans are, “keen aficionados of any phenomenon such as authors, hobbies, ideologies, genres or fashions, which can collectively manifest as fandom. The term "fandom" is particularly associated with fans of the science fiction and fantasy genres.”
Though the dictionary’s definition of fandom can be traced back to 1903, fandom itself emerged as a force in the 1930s when science fiction readers began writing to each other. The first science fiction convention was held in Philadelphia in 1936.
And so the world of fandom, and creators in the science fiction and fantasy genres were forever changed and cosmically linked directly to their fans (Kendzior 1).
Like much of today’s world and technology, the word fandom has evolved as well.
At the mention of the word, fandom, many people may think instantly of Star Trek. Trekkies, or members of the Star Trek fandom that epitomizes the term. Those who participate in a particular fandom, the so-called Trekkies. Gene Roddenberry’s futuristic vision of a united people searching the universe, didn’t win fans immediately, but later grew to a have an enormous cult following.
That cult following grew up into a barrage of fans that not only continue to actively support the Star Trek franchise, but inspired millions of other fans to celebrate, hold conventions, and display their own love of a particular creative work.
So much so that the primary members of the original Star Trek cast are known to do some otherwise embarrassing things after Star Trek and still continued to have success. For example, a holiday Christmas album with the joyous chorals sung by Leonard Nemoy and William Shatner. How can anyone forget the hilarious, but somewhat sad Priceline commercials? There are tons more examples, like Nichelle Nichol’s novels, and other acts of complete lunacy that seem to inspire those individuals to poor judgments.
So does the freedom that comes from having a gaggle of fans empower stars (authors) to continue to indulge in awful acts of otherwise unwise career choices? Does one believe that because fans supported and loved their former roles, that one thinks he can do anything?
The answer is as varied as the stars and writers whose portrayals and fictional works have inspired so many to continuously celebrate and indulge in the sub-cultures culled from those works.
In fact, fans have the power to condemn or exalt obscure works into blockbuster films, best-selling novels (and series), and terrific television. This power is unheard of in other such mediums, such as newspapers, or radio. I mean, no one dresses up like their favorite news reporter and go to conventions where everyone is a fan of a certain news show or radio host.
So, in closing, fandom allows a certain creative freedom to take risks with one’s career. Moreover a celebrity it also affronted and nurtured. For this reason alone, fandom will continue to run the roost and segregate the diamonds from the zirconium.
Works Cited
Kendzior, S. (2000). Who owns fandom? Salon. Retrieved October 28, 2005 from Salon.com. Posted by Nicole Givens Kurtz 2005-12-04 22:07:53
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Speak Up! Best "Out of Your World" Film- Part IIOkay, some of you fans have weighed in, and as expected I must revise my list or else resign myself to the fact that I am lame. So, here is the updated list of best "out of your world" movies.
10.2001: A Space Odyssey
9. The Fifth Element
8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
7. Highlander
6. 12 Monkeys
5. The Crow-The Original with Brandon Lee
4. Star Wars
3. The Matrix
2. Blade Runner
1. Lord of the Rings
Now, let the new comments, messages and emails begin. Speak up and tell me how you feel about the new list. Posted by Nicole Givens Kurtz 2005-11-16 00:41:58
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Speak Up!- Best “Out of Your World”Fiction/FilmAbout three weeks ago, while on a panel at MilehiCon, this particular subject came up, and I thought it would make a really cool blog.
What is the best “Out of Your World” film/fiction?
This question was posed to one of the panels I was on in Denver. Of course, it does depend soley on what your defintion of "out of your world" means. Our list was quite incomplete, so I’m asking you. So Speak up!
Here's a partial list of what I think are the best "Out of Your World" films. Feel free to weigh in and of course, disagree!
10. Starship Troopers
9. Red Planet
8. Mission to Mars
7. Pitch Black
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
5. 2001: A Space Odyssey
4. Star Wars
3. The Matrix
2. The Crow-The Original with Brandon Lee
1. Lord of the Rings
As you can see from my list, the genre is totally speculative and not science fiction or fantasy one way or another. I will be posting the fiction I think is the best out of this world, but let's hear your comments on the movies I selected.
I do realize I may be updating and rearranging this list based on your comments. I'm sure I missed some really good ones. Posted by Nicole Givens Kurtz 2005-11-09 22:50:08
Monday, October 24, 2005
MileHiCon Post #3- Sunday's SadnessGreetings again from MileHiCon 37, here in Denver, CO.
I had a great time reading this morning. I read with author, Deborah LeBlanc, and she was powerful, enchanting reader. I read after her, and I hope I entertained the three people that showed on this morning to listen.
After the reading I headed down to the dealer's room and tried to generate some interest in my work. Nothing doing. One woman took the book out of my hand, read the backcover and said, "Uh, no!" She shoved the book into my hands and stalked off as if I had somehow offended her. Another woman kindly looked at all three of my works, but politely declined to purchase any.
The good news is that I met several new, fun, and totally hilarious authors while at this convention. I had a great time, spent time with David Lee Summers and some of my other friends, like Cindy Clark. I sold a few books, bought many more books to read, and overall had a good time.
I am sorry too that it had to end. As I packed the bags into the trunk (okay, I didn't do it; my husband did), I felt sad that it was over so soon. Overall, I bill this con as a successful one, and one I will probably go to again next year.
Kurtz signing off again from MileHiCon 37.
Posted by Nicole Givens Kurtz 2005-10-24 18:49:33
Sunday, October 23, 2005
MileHiConPost #2-Saturday's SuccessesGreetings again from MileHiCon 37, here in Denver, CO.
I had a fantastic time today. As it is 2:09 MST, I have just returned from the Tails of the Talisman room party, where editor David Lee Summers and art director, Laura Givens and other Talisman contributors met together to have a good time. Yours truly will have an upcoming story in the Volume 2, Issue 2 Tales of the Talisman. Stay tuned here to read more about that.
I was on two panels today and had on autograph session. The first panel dealt with the best "out of your world" fiction and films. The panel spent a lot of time coming up with what "out of your world" meant and then later we came up with a somewhat incomplete list of fiction and films that are "out of your world." See my newsletter for more discussions on this topic.
The second panel I was on was the Tales of the Talisman panel. There David Lee Summers and J Alan Erwine discussed small press magazine publishing and the general tone of their respected magazines. I was on this panel as a writer/contributor to Tales and as a former editor/publisher of an online magazine, Mocha Memoirs, to which I operated from 1998 to 2003. The audience for this one was smaller, but it was still a great deal of absolute fun.
I did have an author's signing scheduled, and I met some fantastic people. I even sold some copies of Zephyr Unfolding. I love cons, and the primary reason I do is because I actually get to talk to people about science fiction and fandom, along with the occasional writing conversation tossed in for good measure.
I ate at Chedd's again, and I went to a fantastic middle eastern restaurant with my friends that live in Denver. Had some great food and intriguing conversations about cults, Ethiopia, and fandom.
All in all today was a good day (though not to die). I read from Zephyr Unfolding tomorrow at 10 am and then I'll leave around 12:30.
I think I made some good contacts and some good memories.
Kurtz signing off from MileHiCon 37.
Posted by Nicole Givens Kurtz 2005-10-23 04:24:28
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