Red Dwarf fans questionaire

[kolaqube.livejournal.com]

EDIT 15/03/05 : I'm collecting in the results now, big thanks to everyone who responded!

(This is probably going to be *everywhere* so ignore if you've already answered elsewhere)

Hello there. I'm a undergraduate Media student writing a research paper on the internet and fanculture. I'm specifically looking at Red Dwarf fans * and how they interpret the programme.

Firstly, to have an idea of the fans in general, please give your....
age group (from list below):
- 13, 14-19, 20-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+
gender:
country:

Secondly, if you have the time, I'd also love to hear your general views on the following issues.The questions are to give some idea of what I'm interested to know, you don't have to answer each one. Your answers may be as brief or detailed as you like, just answer as honestly as possible!

APPEAL: How and when did you first discover Red Dwarf and what, in your opinion, do you think is the one main aspect that led to you becoming a fan? Characters, storylines, special effects?

'REAL LIFE': What bearing does RD have on your everyday life? Do you ever quote the show out of context? Can you relate to the characters?

COMMUNITY: Have you made friends purely through an interest in RD? Have you met online fans in real life? What is your favourite place to chat about the show, and which do you consider to be more superior, fansites or the official site?

CREATIVITY: What are your views on fanfiction? Are you an author/reader ? Which do you prefer, slash or het and why?
Do you run a RD fansite? Have you ever produced fan art, music videos, or anything else inspired by RD?

FAN CULTURE: To what extent do you think you are a fan? How far does your 'collection' go? Do you hunt down rare merchandise?
How do you think you are percieved as an RD fan, and how do you feel about this 'image'? What do you think of other sci-fi fandoms, such as Star Trek's 'Trekkies'?

Thanks for your time!
*Rimmer salute*

* because I'm a fan myself. In case anyone hadn't already noticed ;)

Comments

[xxbulletwingsxx.livejournal.com]

Age Group: 14-19
Gender: Female
Country: England.

APPEAL: I first started watching Red Dwarf with my dad when I was little. The only character I ever knew was Kryten, because of his head. I didn't even know his name. ^_^ It was just the fact that my dad and I could sit together and watch it. I started college a couple of years ago, and there was a fan in my Psychology class who lent me one of her videos, and I was hooked.
It was a mix of the humour and sci-fi, I think. From my experience watching Star Trek: Next Generation, etc.. I'd thought they were always serious. But, it mixed one of my favourites genres with humour and.. badda-bing badda-boom.

'REAL LIFE': You wouldn't believe it. I've done Red Dwarf for my English Language Coursework, focusing on how the scriptwriters present the character of Kryten, creating his character and generating humour. I also quote it with my friend, David. He does excellent impressions of Lister, The Cat, Kryten and Norman Lovett!Holly. He's not too great at Rimmer, though.

COMMUNITY: I was talking to a couple of guys at a Nightwish gig, and we swapped emails because they found I was a fan. XD
I think my favourite place is in college, because we can just sit there and do impressions freely. We don't care who's listening or if they don't understand. The official site is great, but it certainly doesn't have slash. XD So, in that respect.. I'd say fansites because they're more creative. They have different ideas and they're made from a love for the show.

CREATIVITY: I love fanfiction. Well, decent stuff. I cannot stand Mary-Sue fics, though. I read them, and want to beat the author to death with several printed copies of their own story. I'm mostly a reader, although I've been known to write slash. Never put it online, though. It's not very good. I prefer slash, over all. Most off my OTPs are slash, Red Dwarf Lister/Rimmer, Harry Potter: Snape/Harry, etc.. with the one exception of CSI.. Grissom/Sara

I've done some fanart, but as I said, I'm not great and I would never have the guts to put it up.

FAN CULTURE: I've been after a t-shirt for a while now, but the only place I can find one is occasionally on Ebay and until recently I've been unable to sign up. I have series 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on DVD plus various VHS Tapes. I also have the double book of Red Dwarf and Btter than Life. I had the book on tape read by Chris Barrie, but I seem to have misplaced it.
I would like 'rare' merchandise, but I've never been to a convention and don't know my way around Ebay.

Hell, I am a Trekkie! Fandoms in general rule. Us geeks have to stick together.