 |
 |
![[Fan Films - Main]](/images/fanfilms/leftnav_local_off.gif) |
 |
![[More...]](/images/fanfilms/leftnav_more_off.gif) |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
![[Poll]](/images/fanfilms/local_poll_top.gif) |
 |
 |
|
| Which novel series did you like better? |
|
 |
|
New Jedi Order |
|
 |
|
Legacy Of The Force |
|
|
 |
Current Results |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |

Editorial: CNet Article Just Plain Wrong
 Posted By Jeff on May 2, 2005
Note: The original article was expanded on 5/4/2005.
In response to the CNet article with Henry Jenkins, a media expert from MIT, I have to respond to many of the assumptions and conclusions that I believe to be inaccurate.
I would like to thank Brad King at Technology Review. I have contacted Henry Jenkins at MIT to discuss his article. Mr. Jenkins responded to me today (May 4) and was very understanding on my position. He has agreed to discuss his research and book with me at a later date. Hopefully we will clear up some of the misunderstandings from the article.
LucasFilm has not shut down general fan fiction sites as the article claimed (TFN would be the first on the list). Mr. Jenkins has mixed 'slash' and general fan fiction on his conclusions of LucasFilm's gender bias. Slash fiction is only a sub-category of fan fiction. And yes, it is discouraged but not for gender reasons.
Jenkins: That's right. They set up restrictions. The restrictions they set up are: You can only use these sounds we provide you, you can't use copyrighted materials and appropriate or recontextualize it, you can do parodies, but you can't do dramatic expansions of the "Star Wars" universe.
That has a gender implication. By and large, most amateur parodies have been done by men. Most dramatic expansions have been done by women.
The authors are mixing fan films and fan fiction. Revelations, The Dark Redemption, and Broken Allegiance (well known drama/non-parody films) were all made by male fans.
The last statement would be mostly true if it was about fan fiction. Although more men are writing Star Wars fan fiction, female writers are in the majority. When TFN FanFiction was created, we were criticized from some visitors for allowing male authors to sit on the review staff. The dominance of female authors in Star Trek fan fiction is much higher. Female authors are also the primary writers of slash fan fiction.
There is the most visible layer, what's going to be out there on the Web that people can find. And there's stuff that is made but is hidden from view, that maybe gets shown at face-to-face gatherings but can't be publicly distributed. It doesn't mean the stuff isn't made, but it means that certain stuff gets a lot of press, attention and visibility, and a lot of stuff is buried from view.
As I said, one of the things that troubles me is that there's a real gender implication to that.
Again, they are mixing fan films and fan fiction..and he is still wrong. You can find drama fan films on the net, just look in TFN FanFilms. The fan film dramas get A LOT of attention in the media. Revelations was featured in as many or more articles as the official fan films awards at Celebration III. And in case he was referring to fan fiction, you can find drama stories in the TFN Fan Fiction section.
Is there any authorized outlet that's more geared toward women? Jenkins: No. By and large, "Star Wars" has tried to shut down fan fiction, which has historically been an outlet for female expression, and has tried to shut down non-parody fan video, which is another outlet for fan female expression.
Again, this is incorrect. Star Wars is not trying to shut down fan fiction or fan films. When this happens, I will be the first to know. Non-parody fan video is not a "female" outlet. There is only a handful of female directors that make fan films of any type. As fan fiction and fan films evolve, we will see more cross participation.
After reading the email from Mr. Jenkins, I believe the "Non-parody fan video" that Mr. Jenkins is talking about is the fan music video. On the TFN FanFilms staff, we refer to these as "re-edits". If you don't know what I'm talking about, the fan music video edits video footage from a movie, TV show, or cartoon to music. Although we have seen a few Star Wars fan music videos, they are a lot more common with Babylon 5 and anime. And yes, Mr. Jenkins is correct. Most of the creators are female but like fan fiction, Star Wars has a closer balance of female to male re-editors.
TFN FanFilms does not host re-edits because we want some original content in our fanfilms. We make two exceptions; when a fan creates the original music (Jabba on the Dais, Wookie) or when the footage is edited in a way to create a fake trailer (Anonymous Director Episode II Trailer). LucasFilm has never contacted us about this use of original footage and in fact, complimented the Anonymous Director on his fake trailer in several interviews.
The most famous re-edits, the East Coast and West Coast Phantom Edits have never appeared on the net for long and they were created by men.
Back to the CNet article. I think many points that Mr. Jenkins was trying to make were taken out of context, edited down to the point they lost their meaning, or were generalizations that do not apply to LucasFilm and Star Wars fandom. I look forward to speaking with him over the next few weeks about his comments, research and book. Look for more updates in the future.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Raiders As A Black & White Serial Posted By Mike on June 25, 2008: Surprisingly, works pretty well
Clone High School Musical Posted By Dustin on June 19, 2008: There's a dance off in the gym!
GNAR WARS Posted By Dustin on June 19, 2008: Snowboarding video made by Star Wars fans!
Imperial Chopper Posted By Dustin on June 7, 2008: Directors cut now available!
Action Figure Indy 4 Trailer Posted By Mike on June 3, 2008: From Penny Mix Films
The Force Among Us Birthday Sale Posted By Dustin on May 25, 2008: Celebrate Star Wars!
The Star Wars Ewok Gospel Posted By Mike on May 22, 2008: Updated! Check out the behind the scenes vid
Action Figure Vid Celebrates ROTJ 25th B'Day Posted By Mike on May 20, 2008: From Penny Mix Films in England
The Cube Posted By Dustin on May 8, 2008: Kyle Newman's New Short Film
May The Fan Films Be With You Posted By Mike on May 6, 2008: Star Wars fan film festival in NY on May 7th
2008 Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge Posted By Dustin on May 2, 2008: Website revamped!
The Jedi Gym "Trailer" Posted By Mike on April 29, 2008: Get in shape the Jedi way!
"Indyfans" World Premiere Posted By Mike on April 3, 2008: At the Newport Beach Film Fest April 27th
Fanboys Update Posted By Dustin on March 31, 2008: Update #3! Did SW fans help take down Superhero Movie...or is it just bad?
TROOPS : Ten Years Later Posted By Dustin on March 1, 2008: Updated! A message from director Kevin Rubio!
Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge. Posted By Mike on February 14, 2008: This year's deadline: May 27th
Fan Film VOLITION First Screening Posted By Mike on February 11, 2008: Update #2! February 10th in Charleston, SC
Star Wars Is Coming To America Posted By Dustin on January 29, 2008: A hilarious video mash-up. Ah-Ha!
The People vs. George Lucas Posted By Dustin on January 22, 2008: Updated! New fan documentary coming soon!
Speed Painting Star Wars Posted By Dustin on January 17, 2008: You have to see it to believe it!
Star Wars Re-Created In A Garage? Posted By Mike on January 2, 2008: Better there than a bathroom
FCTV: Force Fairies Posted By Dustin on December 23, 2007: The Midichlorian debate continues!
Fanboys Contest Winner Films Scene Posted By Dustin on December 7, 2007: A full report from Rob on what went down
Star Wars: Generations Posted By Mike on December 4, 2007: A fan made action figure film
The Force Among Us Holiday Sale Posted By Dustin on December 3, 2007: Free shipping and Tatooine sand!
The Force Among Us Black Friday Sale Posted By Mike on November 21, 2007: Get in on the savings
The Force Among Us Halloween Trailer Posted By Dustin on October 31, 2007: From a private cast and crew Halloween party
Rob Paine : Ultimate Star Wars Fanboy Posted By Dustin on October 23, 2007: Winner of a walk on role
Rebel Legion Japan Video Posted By Mike on October 22, 2007: From the Osaka Midosuji Parade 2007
Calling All Battlestar Galactica Fans Posted By Dustin on October 9, 2007: Check out some fan films from another space opera
Attention Fan Film Directors Posted By Dustin on October 9, 2007: Film Festival looking for Fan Films
Creation Con This Weekend Posted By Dustin on October 3, 2007: The Force Among Us crew to attend!
Vader Plays The Blues Posted By Dustin on September 26, 2007: Wanna hear it? Here it goes!
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|