Fan Art: when is it too much?
Apr 3, 2009 18:44:53 GMT -5
Post by CK-- on Apr 3, 2009 18:44:53 GMT -5
Now before I start...let me say that the following is my opinion and mine alone...everyone is entitled to think what they want...
I am merely posing a question...a subject for thought...my thoughts are in no way meant to start a argument or create a venue in which to bash one another (or me) it is merely meant to open a discussion...remember everyone is entitled to their own opinion...let's respect that
Now...
I have been giving a subject a lot of thought over the last few weeks; granted probably way too much thought given the little over all importance of the subject.
The subject is Fan Art vs. Cannon. More precisely Fandom when it pertains to Fan Art or fan Fiction
since I don't really get into fan fiction that much at all so I will base my observations as pertaining to fan art specifically (Though I imagine the same would also apply to fan fiction).
Fans of TV and movies are for the most part a pretty cool group of folks. They are quite creative and passionate about the various TV shows, movies and characters that they love. Myself being a Fan of several properties, I know how attached, we fans become over certain shows, movies or characters.
The fans have been known to rally over shows that have been canceled and gotten them renewed...they have kept TV shows that have been off the air for many years alive in the pop culture
(Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Star Trek are perfect examples of this). Fans flock to conventions, Post on forums and they keep many toy companies in business...yes being a fan is a wonderful and fun thing especially when you get to meet and talk to many fascinating and fun people (many of which go on to become dear friends etc) Yes I am a fan and I love it ;D
now on to the topic that I wish to explore...
I realize that when a certain TV or movie property becomes popular with fans that many times the characters stories etc seem to gain a life on their own; through Fan art and fan fiction, after all as I have mentioned we fans are a creative bunch
but my question is...
Fan Art/ Fan fiction vs Canon
"when does it cross the lines or goes too far?"
The Dictionary defines fan art as...
Fan art or fan art is artwork that is based on a character, costume, item, or story that was created by someone other than the artist. The term, while it can apply to art done by fans of characters from books, is usually used to refer to art derived from visual media such as comics, movies or video games. Usually, it refers to artworks by amateur artists, or artists who are unpaid for their fan creations--so that, for example, professional comic adaptations of the Star Wars films would not be considered fan art while a version done by an unaffiliated fan would be. The distinctions here cannot always be finely drawn and the actual status of particular works can often fall into a gray area. It is a piece of work done by the fans on their imagination to the original one
Being an artist; more precisely an artist that specializes in doing portraits and illustrations based on Pop culture, TV shows and movies ...or Fan artist...I have come across things under the fan art "umbrella" that I find questionable to say the least
When I started doing Fan art and began accepting commissions for drawings; I created what has become as my strict code of ethics pertaining to my drawings and the representation of the various properties.
they are as follows...
1. Be respectful to the property and it's canon
2. Be respectful to the characters
3. Be respectful to the actor or actress who portrays the characters (In other words, I will not draw a celebrity nude for any reason... even though I could with little effort.... ; nor will I draw them in any situation which is UN characteristic or degrading...The only exception would be if they have posed or appeared nude to begin with for example... Charisma Carpenter who posed for Playboy magazine or say the Girls next door etc...) so If they haven't done it I won't draw it
my rules are pretty straight forward...but still I am frequently asked if I would be willing to draw a certain character nude or having sex with another character.
The most recent request was someone asking if I would draw Sam and Dean Winchester not only nude but having sex with each other...or "Wincest" as they called it ... needless to say I refused
Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against seeing two Hot guys getting it on , anyone who knows me knows that I am hardly a prude
But this request was, to me anyway; crossing the lines of what is acceptable. First off not even touching on the fact that in the show Sam and Dean are Brothers which in itself is ...ewwww... second the subject has nothing to do with Eric Kripke's vision of "Supernatural" so it goes totally against canon. and third Sam and Dean have never shown any gay tendencies what so ever in the course of the series (how many times has Dean been shown looking at a copy of "Busty Asian Beauties" for god's sake...LOL) and lastly in my opinion the most important point... It would be degrading to both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki...both of whom (through various interviews) have expressed shock and disgust at the idea.
So am I wrong here in thinking that folks; such as the one who made the request above, have crossed the fandom line?
Oh and before anyone throws out the Gay (two guys making out card) let me state I would feel the same if it were the Halliwell sisters of Charmed or even Buffy and Faith from Buffy the vampire slayer...so it has nothing to do with male/male or female/female or male/female but the scenario's context as compared to established canon
now had the same request been made pertaining to say Angelius and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, (I probably would still refuse) but at least I would consider it...why? you ask... wouldn't the same rules that apply to Sam and Dean apply to Spike and Angel?...my answer is of course not
first Joss Whedon himself has not only hinted at a possible relationship between the characters he has down right implied that it happened therefore Spike and Angel hooking up isn't that far away from the show's canon...second they are vampires not brothers so over all a totally different scenario
anyway I would love to know what everyone else thinks about this subject
I am merely posing a question...a subject for thought...my thoughts are in no way meant to start a argument or create a venue in which to bash one another (or me) it is merely meant to open a discussion...remember everyone is entitled to their own opinion...let's respect that
Now...
I have been giving a subject a lot of thought over the last few weeks; granted probably way too much thought given the little over all importance of the subject.
The subject is Fan Art vs. Cannon. More precisely Fandom when it pertains to Fan Art or fan Fiction
since I don't really get into fan fiction that much at all so I will base my observations as pertaining to fan art specifically (Though I imagine the same would also apply to fan fiction).
Fans of TV and movies are for the most part a pretty cool group of folks. They are quite creative and passionate about the various TV shows, movies and characters that they love. Myself being a Fan of several properties, I know how attached, we fans become over certain shows, movies or characters.
The fans have been known to rally over shows that have been canceled and gotten them renewed...they have kept TV shows that have been off the air for many years alive in the pop culture
(Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Star Trek are perfect examples of this). Fans flock to conventions, Post on forums and they keep many toy companies in business...yes being a fan is a wonderful and fun thing especially when you get to meet and talk to many fascinating and fun people (many of which go on to become dear friends etc) Yes I am a fan and I love it ;D
now on to the topic that I wish to explore...
I realize that when a certain TV or movie property becomes popular with fans that many times the characters stories etc seem to gain a life on their own; through Fan art and fan fiction, after all as I have mentioned we fans are a creative bunch
but my question is...
Fan Art/ Fan fiction vs Canon
"when does it cross the lines or goes too far?"
The Dictionary defines fan art as...
Fan art or fan art is artwork that is based on a character, costume, item, or story that was created by someone other than the artist. The term, while it can apply to art done by fans of characters from books, is usually used to refer to art derived from visual media such as comics, movies or video games. Usually, it refers to artworks by amateur artists, or artists who are unpaid for their fan creations--so that, for example, professional comic adaptations of the Star Wars films would not be considered fan art while a version done by an unaffiliated fan would be. The distinctions here cannot always be finely drawn and the actual status of particular works can often fall into a gray area. It is a piece of work done by the fans on their imagination to the original one
Being an artist; more precisely an artist that specializes in doing portraits and illustrations based on Pop culture, TV shows and movies ...or Fan artist...I have come across things under the fan art "umbrella" that I find questionable to say the least
When I started doing Fan art and began accepting commissions for drawings; I created what has become as my strict code of ethics pertaining to my drawings and the representation of the various properties.
they are as follows...
1. Be respectful to the property and it's canon
2. Be respectful to the characters
3. Be respectful to the actor or actress who portrays the characters (In other words, I will not draw a celebrity nude for any reason... even though I could with little effort.... ; nor will I draw them in any situation which is UN characteristic or degrading...The only exception would be if they have posed or appeared nude to begin with for example... Charisma Carpenter who posed for Playboy magazine or say the Girls next door etc...) so If they haven't done it I won't draw it
my rules are pretty straight forward...but still I am frequently asked if I would be willing to draw a certain character nude or having sex with another character.
The most recent request was someone asking if I would draw Sam and Dean Winchester not only nude but having sex with each other...or "Wincest" as they called it ... needless to say I refused
Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against seeing two Hot guys getting it on , anyone who knows me knows that I am hardly a prude
But this request was, to me anyway; crossing the lines of what is acceptable. First off not even touching on the fact that in the show Sam and Dean are Brothers which in itself is ...ewwww... second the subject has nothing to do with Eric Kripke's vision of "Supernatural" so it goes totally against canon. and third Sam and Dean have never shown any gay tendencies what so ever in the course of the series (how many times has Dean been shown looking at a copy of "Busty Asian Beauties" for god's sake...LOL) and lastly in my opinion the most important point... It would be degrading to both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki...both of whom (through various interviews) have expressed shock and disgust at the idea.
So am I wrong here in thinking that folks; such as the one who made the request above, have crossed the fandom line?
Oh and before anyone throws out the Gay (two guys making out card) let me state I would feel the same if it were the Halliwell sisters of Charmed or even Buffy and Faith from Buffy the vampire slayer...so it has nothing to do with male/male or female/female or male/female but the scenario's context as compared to established canon
now had the same request been made pertaining to say Angelius and Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, (I probably would still refuse) but at least I would consider it...why? you ask... wouldn't the same rules that apply to Sam and Dean apply to Spike and Angel?...my answer is of course not
first Joss Whedon himself has not only hinted at a possible relationship between the characters he has down right implied that it happened therefore Spike and Angel hooking up isn't that far away from the show's canon...second they are vampires not brothers so over all a totally different scenario
anyway I would love to know what everyone else thinks about this subject