Box Openings - why do we have them?

I've recently come to love watching people's box openings on youtube. Once I get a BJD of my own, I want to make a video also. I collect Momokos and I have a couple box opening pictures of them, but no videos.

 

It just like getting born of your own child! I like to take video so that one day I can watch it again.XD

 

I've never taken pictures of my box openings, or video, but I have had some fun with my doll Emilie. She arrived at a friend's house so we had the box opening there. It was great.

As to why I've never done it, I suppose it's because I didn't think to have a camera at the ready.

I think people post photos and video of box openings to share their joy with the rest of us, and I think we all could use a little more of that. I also like being able to see different things...how companies pack their dolls, seeing a mold...that sort of thing.

 

I tend to trawl through a lot of doll openings because I appreciate seeing owners pics to give a different POV of dolls I'm interested in. It also helps introduce me to dolls I'm not aware of. Another reason is jus to familiarize yourself with how a particular company packs their dolls so you know what to expect.

I would do a doll opening because I know other ppl appreciate it for the same reasons.

 

I haven't actually done a box opening yet, but when I get my first doll I plan on it. I know I like watching them. As for why? I think it shows the doll better then pictures after it's been dressed up and posed. It shows the doll how it comes, no changes at all. Before getting any doll I'd want to either find lots of owner's pictures of the basic doll or a box opening video/pictures. It's helpful in seeing the condition of the doll in its rawest state, and often the pictures aren't edited, so you really see the doll, not the owner's vision yet, because they haven't added it yet. Lastly, it's just fun to share the owner's happiness and think about how it will be when you're the one opening a box, taking constant pictures of it along the way.

 

Other hobbies also do box openings, are they as narrative as BJD box openings are?.....eh probably not. I don't think snap-built model hobby-ists bring there already built models over to "help" the new one come out of the box. But I could be wrong...^_^

I think it feels like getting a gift yourself, as you scroll down the progressive shots till you see the doll. Very exciting! I usually stalk it for dolls I have on order.

 

I know I want to open my box with my other BJD friends around to witness and share the excitement and joy. But I don't think I will have them take pictures or video of it happening. I kind of enjoy the having that as a private moment between friends.

 

1) Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
No, but I don't have a doll yet.
--If yes, why did you do it? Well... I will make one when I get my first doll, because I want to share the excitement with others who might understand what it feels like to get a BJD. And to give back to all of the doll owners who's opening videos I watched during the long wait.
--If not, why not? I don't have a doll yet. And sometimes I feel that maybe my undignified first reactions to my BJD might not be anyone's business!

2) Why do you think we do it?
I have no clue! Someone started and we are being lemmings, and we love catharsis.

 

before i got my own doll i watched alot of box openings, it did help me choose whether to get a doll, and how it would be packaged etc.. but i wouldn't do my own box opening, filmed at least.. i did take a picture of my doll once i got her, and will do the same with my next, but im generally too excited and want to open it straight away and dress the doll and have a "play" before i share it with the world.

 

Well, I agree with Rogue Lioness, I get to know what and how the package is like from viewing other's box openings and I actually think it's quite fun to see how exciting owners would be when they get a hold of their dolls and it makes me want to share that kind of feeling as well when I get mine n____6

 

I have always gotten the impression that box opening videos might have started as just a way to prove that something shipped to the person was not damaged by the person and there fore not returnable/refundable? Something missing or damaged in shipping could be proved. I'm willing to bet it started with Ebay. it's big in Tech circles now too (Ipad 'unboxing pr0n'.) I think it's helpful because you get to see the item in someone's hands, know what to see when you open the package so you can identify anything wrong right away and get it back in what ever limited window of refund time there is.
On the doll side, yeah, it's like the new baby (shoot me, I love my dolls). And you want to see if anything is missing (usually 'free eye sets') and prove it, or damaged (San Francisco customs likes to break fingers for some reason). Of course if you've bought the doll second hand, you want proof if anything goes wrong.
I've done a photo shoot but not a video, (no one there to hold the camera) and later deleted all but the few pics I really liked of the doll.

 

Having not received a doll yet box openings are a big guilty pleasure (not only with dolls but I watch a lot of computer related opening). I think it goes back to childhood opening presents was always so much fun I loved opening them myself and then watching others do the same. It's just nice watching people opening something they love, even if it's online nowadays. The practical side is there too of course

 

Box openings are for boring nights while waiting for your a doll to coming.
It is for that too but really I like to watch box openings and to see what they supposed to look like when you opening your doll. For example when I was waiting my first doll I was looking box openings from same company's doll. I wanted to see when I get my doll that everything is almost same what supposed to get.

 

I have not yet done a box opening, but I do enjoy looking at other's pictures of them. It's nice to see what sculpts look like right out of the box before anything is done to them. Sure, most companies have up photos, but they're not always accurate. The box openings give more of a true feel for the doll. It's also enjoyable to see others being happy over their new dolly!

Though I have not yet done one, I'll probably do one for my next doll, as I haven't seen her anywhere on the forum. Hopefully it will give someone else a desire to get her once they know what she is actually like!

 

I personally think people do it to share the joy for recieving a new one. They're also useful because you can see how companies pack their dolls and how the body sculpt and unpainted head (sometimes) looks like.

 

I do box opening photos although a lot of times I end just get posting the pics of the dolls once I get them out of the box in the box opening thread. The main reason I do box opening photos is in case of any problems with the doll that have occurred from shipping.

 

Have you created a box opening video or taken pictures as you opened the box?
Yep, both times. Well, I only took two pictures when I was opening Khyler, but still.

If yes, why did you do it?
I mostly did it because others do it, and I feel like it's an important memory.

Why do you think we do it?
Hmm... well, I think we feel like it's an important time and we need to document it. I think if we get it blank and plan on getting a face-up, we like to see the difference. And, like Sofay, I enjoy seeing different packaging

 

I think box openings are exciting! And other people do it for other hobbies that are expensive. Take electronics, for example: you will often have box opening videos on youtube for a new fancy laptop, computer part, or phone. It's the same idea, I think. You have something you've thought about and wanted for a while, and when you finally get it, you want to share it with others.

 

I've not done a box opening. But then, I have only ordered one doll and I did the finishing work on him myself. My other dolls I have purchased at cons (except for the Aelis, who is just a head so far, he was gifted to me) so there was no box to open anyway. Perhaps one day I will have a box opening just for the fun of it.

 

I took a video of me opening my first BJD. I mainly did it because of the excitement. I know I enjoy watching people open their new dolls, too. Just seeing their reactions and a brand new doll straight from the box.