Topic: Joss Whedon Theme - Used June 2011 (Read 1260 times)

AshleyM · « **on:** May 01, 2011, 07:03:28 AM »

Ok, it has been requested that we do a Joss Whedon theme for one of the monthly contests. I have no problem with this, but I know some people dont know who he is or the work he has created. So, I thought I would let you all vote on the idea. Now, all the caps would be based on one of his many ideas. (Dollhouse, Buffy, Firefly, etc.) Please let me know what you all think.

AshleyM

BornToBeAshley · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:15:51 AM »

im a huge firefly fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love this idea

Dani Colorado · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2011, 10:15:56 AM »

I have no idea who Joss Whedon is but maybe if you explained a bit it might make the theme more workable for a bigger participation. If you don't then you will likely only get the subset of people who are familiar with this person and what he does did done.... I'm game to play just need to buy a vowel myself....

Martha · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:12:29 AM »

Never heard of all that.

I vote for themes that cover a broader interest and are easy to understand. [sorry]

M

Kara Elle · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:23:02 AM »

Completely shiny! Count me in!

Playin Petra · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:23:36 AM »

Joss Whedon is a TV/Movie writer, director, producer. He was a writer on the Rosanne TV show, wrote the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer, was a writer on the original Toy Story movie, wrote the screenplay for the movies Alien Resurrection and Titan AE. He is probably best known for creating the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dollhouse (all of which are available on Netflix Streaming if you are interested).

If you aren't up for watching a full TV series to get the feel of Joss Whedon, check out the little web show he did called Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog. If you like superheroes, comedy, and music, you'll love it. That too is available on Netflix Streaming or in lower quality on


YouTube

in multiple parts.

As you can tell, I'm a bit of a fan of Mr. Whedon. I think he is the perfect blend of smart, silly, funny and serious. I think this would be a fun contest topic, though maybe not the one with the broadest appeal. However if it gets more people to check out his work, I'm all for it.

almozayaf · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2011, 12:56:02 PM »

[think] i'm fan of angel but i never know the guy [surprise-disagree]

can't you say it is vampires month and go with it
[approve]

Shauna Marie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2011, 10:09:57 AM »

I say yes. I am a big fan of much of his work, especially Firefly.

Shinobu · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2011, 10:30:35 AM »

Ain't no power in the verse could stop me from trying this one.

Miss Simone · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:02:55 AM »

As big a fan as I am of Firefly and some other Whedon stuff, I don't like the idea of a caption. I think it's too narrow a box to play in and personally never liked making captions in established pop culture fandoms. (However, I admit I find Dollhouse to be the one fandom that has great potential. It's one that doesn't instantly draw images of tons of screen caps used for captions and has lots of room for more original ideas).

AshleyM · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:31:09 AM »

Right now, this is just a vote to see how many would be interested if there was such a month. As of this post, there have been more votes cast than there were in any of the past 3 contest and almost as many yes votes as there were captions entered in the past 2. It seems the Haven is defiantly interested but is it enough to make a whole month?

I for one, find it hard to craft a story around an already established verse; with the exception of TG related ones. But, we did have a Firefly RP going for a while and that had potential so who knows, maybe it could work for caps too.

I am disappointed in the voting though. Come on ladies, you can vote for Whedon but not for your favorite cap in a regular contest? The idea of the contests are to get involved and show support. I expect to see every one of you out there voting in the May's contest. Or else, I'm gonna spank each and every one of you!!!

AshleyM

JaySeaver · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:32:19 AM »

What Simone said. As much as I've been a fan of Whedon's (and occasionally even more a fan of his collaborators), it's a very limited topic which "favors" the segment of membership that is already familiar with those specific characters (or subjects them to bad fanfiction!).

It's like if the "song parodies" contest from a few months back had been "Elvis Costello song parodies". I'm a fan, but there's no need to tie everybody to my tastes. Why not do a "lost TG season/sequel" contest instead, rather than one specifically tied to one writer?

shysteffie · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2011, 07:27:56 PM »

So I'm gonna 'out' myself here. I'm the one who suggested the Whedon theme for a cap contest. I had no idea how stilted some of you can be. First off, if you don't know who Joss Whedon is...try research. Ashely gave you clues and Petra gave you more. Honestly, after reading some of the negative comments I am so bored by the idea that I say we dump the whole concept. If you can't find inspiration in vampires, monsters, magic, mind control, super heroes, musicals, sci-fi etc. I suggest you go back to the old standard themes like April Showers, June Weddings, Back to School, Thanksgiving, and Christmas caps. The fear of the contest devolving into fan fiction is only realized by the author's own lack of imagination. If you don't want it to be that.... then don't write like a dweeb. No one's suggesting that every line has to be stolen from actual scripts. The vaguest reference could suffice.

I'm personally against the thought that everyone should drink water just cause there's 2 girls (or boys) here that are lactose intolerant. If this particular contest isn't for you....DON'T ENTER. This isn't tee ball. There are many people who would like to play, so why not let them? Seriously, can't we just have some fun without things turning into an anal retentive bitch fest?

Give me an absolute reason why the people who like this idea are not allowed enjoy themselves....other than the fact that YOU don't wanna play... and I'll delete the topic and the subject will be closed.

Thanks,
Steffie

AngieGwen · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:24:41 PM »

This is the kinda theme that you keep your entire life and it'll be 'still flying.

Sorry, had to

AshleyM · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:32:25 PM »

Alright! Everyone needs to calm down!! This is why I put the idea to a vote. If more people choose to vote yes then we'll have the theme; if not then we wont. There will always be 2 themes as long as I'm doing the contests, so you can enter under the other theme.

I think the themes I've come up with so far have been pretty good. I mean aliens??? How long have some of you been waiting on that one? Or the Boy's Club, which I think is a pretty good idea. Heck I have tons of pics with multiple girls in it that I would love to use for the contest. The point is, if you want a put a contest idea out there, then do it. Steffie did just that. Now, I could have just went with it. God knows not many others are offering up ideas, but I didn't. I put it to a community vote. That is where the decision will be made.

Steffie... we cant just dump the whole idea, because others are interested in it too. But, not everyone is familiar with his work as you and the others are. So, you have to be understanding of their opinion. Also, if you call some one names again I'm going to have to spank you. Wait, I take that back, I wont spank you!

Jay...A lost themed contest would be just as limited if not more than the Whedons one would be. At least with the Whedon one, you have different areas to draw inspiration from.

Simone and Martha...I too don't like making caps based on an established verse. I find it difficult to wrap my head around it because I want to stay true to that verse. However, there is a danger of making a theme too broad. The day gone wrong idea is one of them. Almost every cap that gets made, (ALMOST) could fall under that topic. And, I mean caps that are made on a regular basis, not for the contest.

Too the rest of you...Now, is the Whedon theme too narrow? Don't know. If you don't want the theme, then vote no. If the theme wins and is used for a contest, then don't enter under that theme. Its as simple as that...end of discussion.

Martha · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 02:39:23 AM »

I just got to this topic because it sent me a reply notification and as I was just reading my name in one of Ashley's replies I read all about this again.
My god .... my intention was never to forbid anyone to enjoy themself with a certain theme or so. I wrote 2 sentences ... I said I don't know who that is and I stated an opinion. (if that's allowed around here .... but I doubt this by now)

From what I saw and read it's not my cup of tea, but I don't care if it becomes a theme or not. I am a liberal and democratic person ... if the voting says the majority wants it ... cool. Next month we have another theme.

Reading my name here and being made like I sound as someone who is against everything ... that's not right and not fair. I simply say what I think, sorry.

If you all don't like what I write .... read it or not ... as simple as "enter the contest or not".

Thanks.

Miss Simone · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2011, 03:47:30 AM »

Far be it from me to try to deny people what they like. If the majority like the idea (and it looks like they do) then by all means do so. All I said is that I'm personally going to be less likely to try it (than normal) due to my own personal preferences with well established fandoms. Kind of breaks the image for me, especially when using pictures from shows I know and/or like. Just my own personal thing, nothing more.

Is it too narrow? I could see why someone would feel that way - Obviously those who are fans of Whedon as a whole and some of his universes have a huge advantage. True, one could research Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, etc but one must consider that these are complex universes with rather involved mythos. So that uninitiated it might be intimidating especially for a caption. One could just as easily say "Aron Spelling Universe Theme" or "Douglas Adams Universe Theme" and it's easy to imagine someone in the group scratching their heads.

However, I'm never against sharing a fandom with friends because you might discover something you like. One could see it as an opportunity to expand and find something new. It wouldn't be surprising that after such a contest that several people get hooked on Firefly or Dr. Horrible. Also, as Steffie pointed out, there are some themes within the universes created by Mr. Whedon that are quite different than the norm. Originality shouldn't be completely shunned even if it takes a little work to get to it.

I'm just pulling out the pros and cons - I myself can see both sides of it and ultimately don't see it being a big deal either way. While I wasn't completely wild about the idea, the Whedon fan in me is slightly curious. . . plus my mind keeps going to Dollhouse and I'm wondering if I can make something original within that 'verse.

shysteffie · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:02:45 AM »

Just for clarity Ashley, I didn't call anyone names nor did I mention anyone specifically...I'll take the spanking though if the offer's still open.

AshleyM · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:48:11 AM »

Quote from: Martha on May 04, 2011, 02:39:23 AM

Reading my name here and being made like I sound as someone who is against everything ... that's not right and not fair. I simply say what I think, sorry.

If you all don't like what I write .... read it or not ... as simple as "enter the contest or not".

Thanks.

I never said you were against it the idea Martha, I was simply replying to your post that the themes should be broad. Broad themes are not limiting enough. The contest should not be a a caption that could be made any old day of the month; in any old month. I personally what the contest to be challenging; to make members think and work their creative juices when they enter. But, I do agree that a theme too narrow would make the contest hard to cap.

And to you Miss Steffie, you'll get that spanking you can bet on that!!!

AshleyM

JaySeaver · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:05:23 AM »

Quote from: AshleyM on May 03, 2011, 10:32:25 PM

Jay...A lost themed contest would be just as limited if not more than the Whedons one would be. At least with the Whedon one, you have different areas to draw inspiration from.

Whoa, that's sort of the opposite of what I was trying to communicate (I bailed on Lost after one year and one episode) - I was suggesting a broader idea, a "lost season/sequel" to any TV/show or movie, not one specific one.

AshleyM · « **Reply #20 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:29:01 AM »

Quote from: JaySeaver on May 04, 2011, 08:05:23 AM

Whoa, that's sort of the opposite of what I was trying to communicate (I bailed on Lost after one year and one episode) - I was suggesting a broader idea, a "lost season/sequel" to any TV/show or movie, not one specific one.

I see, then I am sorry for the confusion. The idea for a lost espisode or a sequal to a tv show or movie is an excellant idea for a theme. I will put that one in the idea box for the future. If you have any more, feel free to PM me.

There is a place in the staff section where members can place ideas. I'm not sure if regular members can access that, if not, I will talk to the admins about making a board where everyone can post their ideas.

Alexia · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2011, 08:17:50 AM »

OK, This is very Doable. If need be I can write up some broad descrips of the concepts. Dollhouse very easily lends to captions, in fact we have members that have done those already. Firefly is perfect as well since the sci-fi tech has always been vague for reasons of story. And then there is Buffy, magic, DUH! I would throw Angel in there as well. It helps give more mythology to play with. Maybe even throw in Doc Horrible. That would be some funny Caps. I say YES YES YES!. We need some creative stuff. This is like the Eyes Lik Burgers things we did.

We can go back to body swap, gender waves, bikini beach, blah blah blah next month.

Alexia *tongue firmly in cheek*

Terri · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:58:11 AM »

As a Whedon fan, I love the idea. No idea what I would actually do for it though but no change there then.

I think that it shouldn't be the only theme and there should be something else that non-Whedon fans can contribute too. We have two themes running at the moment so perhaps that may be the way to go. It could be tied in though, perhaps something like 'Serenity'.

Themiscyra · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2011, 10:59:10 AM »

I agree with Terri -- the best option seems to be running two themes at once: one a Joss Whedon theme (or general 'lost season,' as Jay suggests...that could be interesting too) and the other something more generic. I don't want anyone to feel left out, but I really do think a Whedon theme could be a lot of fun. Dollhouse and Buffy especially present so many opportunities for body swaps and sex changes. And I do love me some Joss.

Terri · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2011, 11:56:40 AM »

I already posted this in the Buffy thread but I thought I would again since this topic has come up. A few months ago SFX Magazine launched a Whedon genderbending art competition. Here's a link to the results:

Whedon Genderbenders

News:

AuthorTopic: Joss Whedon Theme - Used June 2011 (Read 1260 times)