“Fandom is about fandom, it’s a great big social club.” ~Greg Egan
I was looking on YouTube for a version of Paula Cole’s “Feelin’ Love,” which is the sexiest song on the planet. In the course of my search, I found a PowerPoint video someone made pairing Hermoine Granger with Severus Snape. It’s highly amusing. Well, it is if you think badly photoshopped heads of actors on bodies of models in cheesy poses is funny. And, really, who doesn’t? Add to that the twisty logic of fanfiction that unabashedly pairs a teenager (Emma Watson is 17 now) and an adult (Alan Rickman is 61) and you’ve got an apex of ridiculous.
When I was teaching creative writing, one of the students wrote fanfiction about Kal-El (Superman’s given name). It was tremendously good. Suspiciously good, in fact. I searched to see if he lifted it from a fan site. But, no. He hadn’t. In the course of my search, I got a look at just how massive the fanfiction world was. I’d say it’s the online equivalent of every sci-fi convention ever put on. It’s messy and crowded and full of creative freaks.
The day we were critiquing the Superman story, I went on and on about how well crafted the work was and why. Eventually, I just couldn’t help myself, and I said, “but why? It’s just … that … it’s such a monumental waste of your talent.”
He laughed, but I shouldn’t have said it. I had to back peddle, because really, what did I care that an excellent writer was into fanfiction? It’s better then a poor writer being into fanfiction. And I love a good sci-fi series. I could see wanting to read more about the adventures of the crew of Firefly. I miss them. I’m angry that I won’t get more of their world. (I’ve been betrayed!)
Plus, I’m sure it’s fun to take characters you like and play with them like they’re your old action figures. Moreover, telling young writers they were wasting their time probably wasn’t the most productive way to encourage them to write.
I don’t even really believe it’s a waste of creative talents. Fan fiction is pleasurable. It expands the imagination of both writer and reader. That’s always valuable. And hey, this video is pretty funny… and laughing is good for you.
I’ve been holding on to this post for the kick-off of my countdown to the launch of the new Harry Potter book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-July 21) and movie (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix-July 11). While waiting, I came across another HP-inspired YouTube. I was looking for Lynden David Hall’s cover of All You Need is Love (from the wedding scene in Love Actually, which coincidentally also has Alan Rickman in it). I found it, and as luck would have it, the video is an odd little montage of Hermione and Ron. I wonder if there’s any fanfic out there where Ron finds out about Snape.
Addendum: Apparently fanfic writers are at the very bottom of the geek hierarchy.
Jim said,
June 21, 2007 at 2:57 pm
In my head I put fan fiction in the same pile as cover bands – The creepy pile.
Although, is fan fiction is definitely more creative.
Heather said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:01 pm
This just made my entire day. I Heart This. And I’m stealing that second YouTube.
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:04 pm
This isn’t that on topic, but I can’t understand why anyone feels the need to record covers of Beatles’ songs. I don’t get it. There should be a law.
julieluongo said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I read a story abotu a Guns n Roses cover band that was together longer than Guns n Roses. You hear that a lot with The Beatles’ cover bands, but GnR? Really? That’s like having a cover band of a cover band.
Because Sometimes The Stars Align Just So « Heather’s Poor Excuse said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:06 pm
[...] Courtesy of Julie. [...]
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:10 pm
you lost me there Julie…
julieluongo said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Didn’t GnR just eventually devolve into doing covers right before they finally petered out? They had, what 3 albums? And then…an album of covers? And then what? A best of? That’s lame.
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:22 pm
yeah they did a lot of covers…
Oh and I don’t get Harry Potter. Well I understand it, but i don’t get why adults like it. My wife likes it and her friend likes it. I’d rather watch Bugs Bunny.
Pegster said,
June 21, 2007 at 3:49 pm
That first video is Creepy with a capital C – the one with fake Snape reaching his hands from behind and grabbing on fake Hermione’s hooters. Ugh – gives me douche’ chills
michael said,
June 21, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Have you read the HP books Gary? The movies blow, as far as I’m concerned, but the books are actually really good.
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 7:07 pm
No I haven’t read them.
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I still don’t believe that BTVS is actually really good.
Maybe when my kids are older I’ll read Harry Pooter to them and I’ll see what’s good about it.
Jim said,
June 21, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Oh, Cunty Elizabeth will love them.
Gary said,
June 21, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Um I settled on Mulva Seven – keep up ok?
michael said,
June 21, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Why is Superman jealous?
Pegster said,
June 21, 2007 at 8:52 pm
sad, so sad
Sarah said,
June 21, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I loved the Alan Rickman YouTube! OMG I do get crushes on celebrities, unlike some people I know, and he was so stinking awesome in Sense and Sensibilities. Nice to see his head attched to some cute bodies. Poor Emma, though. Her head is twisting off her fake body in some of those pics. Laughing!!!!!!
julieluongo said,
June 21, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Michael, it’s a fake headline a la The Daily Planet. He’s not jealous, really. It’s just a ploy to get people to read.
spanky said,
June 22, 2007 at 7:22 am
Ugh – gives me douche’ chills
that made me choke on my bagel. he he he
Heather said,
June 22, 2007 at 9:29 am
I had cereal this morning. In a lovely bowl from Nepal. Sadly, there was a baby in it.
spanky said,
June 22, 2007 at 9:44 am
hahahhahahah…i had frosted flakes, and a few bites were kinda gummy….almost like…..im sorry no i cant say it.
why arent there dead baby parades around here i wonder…get a potluck dinner…a pinata
Heather said,
June 22, 2007 at 9:53 am
They have that in Mexico. It is known as “Dia de Los Niños Muertos.” It is celebrated with tequila and salsa served in a traditional folk bowl in the shape of an alien baby. And then? There is weaving.
spanky said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:08 am
ohhh ive always wanted to learn to weave
Heather said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:24 am
HEY! I’m not trying to be an ass here or anything, though by now, I think we’re all aware it just comes extra for free. But when is this “book” of yours going to be available for purchase at my local bookseller, Doctor J? I was thinking about that this morning, then there was a mention of B&N elsewhere, and I figured I’d ask.
Can we have an update? Do you know anything?
Heather said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:27 am
I have a strict new-book-buying budget, and I need to know how to allocate my funds, ie: will I spring for Julie’s book, or this lovely edition of “Doilies for Dummies”? I need to be able to plan.
julieluongo said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:37 am
Sarah, if I could, I’d photoshop your head into the mix with Alan RIckman. In fact, I’d like it to be my first photoshop adventure. Likely there will still be Emma’s hair poking out from behind yours. Actually, maybe I’ll just make it a floating head. I’ll put you in there Where’s Waldo-style.
julieluongo said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:38 am
And the book. Well, here’s the latest:
http://julieluongo.wordpress.com/the-hard-way-a-novel/
Yeah, I update that page when I can.
Heather said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:42 am
Winter 2008! It’s on my calendar! Damn, it takes longer than I realized. That means we have to hang out for another year before we can all send you our pictures of us holding your book. But that’s cool. So when’s the movie coming out? Ha ha ha ha.
Pegster said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:47 am
As I toured B&N last night, I came upon the display of “New Fiction Writers” and thought, “Someday, Julie, I will see your book there. Some day soon…”
spanky said,
June 22, 2007 at 10:58 am
I am not that patient. THAT IS LIKE FOREVER AWAY!!!!
GRRR. well ill just have to write my own book in the meantime to busy myself while i wait.
actually i cant much write books. ill just tell little stories about lima beans and today sponges and that will just have to be good enough.
Sissy said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:02 am
“That’s like having a cover band of a cover band.”
HA! HA!
Sissy said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:05 am
“I had cereal this morning. In a lovely bowl from Nepal. Sadly, there was a baby in it.”
That’s odd, because I went to clean my toilet bowl this morning and, whoa, there was a baby sitting in the hopper and a curious mob of Nepalians inhabiting my bathroom. Standing room only.
Heather said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:05 am
Nice.
Sissy said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:09 am
Damn dead-baby lookers. Will someone please re-direct these people out of my house? I’ve given them fair warning. I have a toilet bowl brush in my hand and I’m not afraid to use it.
Sissy said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:16 am
In case you missed it:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/medical/nepalbaby.asp
Heather said,
June 23, 2007 at 11:29 am
The guy’s already in my nightmares. But that’s great, Sissy. Between him and the shrimping straw, I am ALL SET.
(A ha ha ha. I just used the Nepalese bowl baby and “shrimping straw” in the same sentence. Can I get a prize?)
julieluongo said,
March 23, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I just posted an addendum to this story. I just discovered that fanfic writers are at the very bottom … or is it top … of the geek hierarchy.