Fan Art/Tribute Dolls: Your Feelings

I think... having tried it... it's not lack of creativity or cleverness, but devotion. It's a different kind of devotion that some people just don't understand.
The same kind of devotion that goes into creating and original character goes into nurturing the love for an already existing character.

I don't think this argument is about character dolls anymore, rather than it's about what people view this hobby to be. This hobby isn't always about having a unique doll, it's not always about having a character all your own. It's about making a doll you want. Some people are all about the originality and uniqueness that they just go too far as to reject anything that doesn't have some sort of original idea about it. In my opinion, anyway.

 

Coming from the author end I would be touched if a fan did a tribute doll, it would mean to me that I have made that much of an impression on the person. I'm already thinking ahead for one of my projects and having littles and inexspensive BJDs made because I'd rather see a family of $200 dolls instead of one $1000. And there are many times the owner of the fan doll is the first in line for the real thing.

On the fan side I have made fan versions to tide me over until I can find or get the real thing. My Skippers played Sailor Moon until dolls were made. I have an army of Spider-Man figures who were stop gaps until I got the one I really wanted. My plastic and resin tributes mean the world to me, there's only one and I wouldn't dare make them to sell.

I come from a history of action figures, big Trek army, and having a certain character reminds me of the fun of watching a TV episode or reading a story about them. Playing with other people's characters often sparks ideas and characters in me.

 

I see nothing wrong with it. I have two character dolls on the way. Spock and Kirk. I think with BJDs its easier to "breathe life" into the dolls and make them special to us. The posability and ease to customize them makes it much better than any action figure we could find out there. And while our character dolls may not look exactly like the character we are trying to portray, they are still what we think that doll/person/character should be like. I do think it takes some creativity to create these dolls and make a world they can interact in. While I did comission someone to make costumes for my two character dolls. I'm having a hell of a time trying to sculpt some little phasers and acessories for the two guys(most very failed attempts) and my husband and I hope to either build part of the bridge of the Enterprise or Kirk's bedroom from the series. There is definately creativity in figuring out how to make a world for each character doll that works.
I personally think its amazing for people to relate their fandom thru a BJD it gives them a chance to have a personal bond with that character and make that character their own. Many of the character bjd's we see here on the forum not only take on the life of the person they are supposed to be but other little characteristics that are specfic to their owner.

Oh and Spamsama, me and you need to have a talk... Enterprise was not that bad!!!!!

 

Seriously?! ...no, seriously?! Must-keep-mind-on-topic-and-not-start-rant-on-books!

Ahem. Right. I don't honestly have a problem with fandolls, tribute dolls, fanart and the like. Anyway you look at it the original copyright holder is getting publicity for their product. If someone makes a star wars doll that's pretty much like saying "I think star wars is so awesome that I made this doll!" and that in turn will make people say "huh. Star wars...Maybe I'll check it out". BAM. Publicity. And in the long run that's what artists and the like want! Pretty much the whole idea is like the saying "you have to spend money to make money" because they may lose a little bit of money because their action figures aren't as good as the fandolls but they're still going to make money because people are going to learn about their work through the art/dolls/whatever else people made.

Fandolls/tributes don't seem like lack of creativity to me especially since you're constrained by the character's design. Sure, you don't have to make up the costume and everything but you can't change the costume or look like you can with an original character.

 

I think it's simply a different type of creativity.

Could it also be that the people, (meaning other doll folk not necessarily the creators of the fandom the doll is being made to occupy), that are 'against' tribute dolls think that not as much work is involved when a doll is made to look like an existing character? I know I have run into this stigma several times in other situations, and I know that there is definately a camp that believes firmly that it takes more efffort to create ones own character than to 'mimic' someone else creation. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. Interpreting a character not your own often takes vast amounts of research and ingenuity and finding ways to transfer a character that exists only on paper or film into a 3D doll takes an enormous amount of creativity!

Just a different sort.

 

We've already got a Celebrity Dolls/ Creativity/ etc. debate thread:

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163062

 

This thread/debate seems to be centred more on tribute art for "fictional characters" rather than celebrities.

 

I have one "tribute" doll, and I plan on having more. I will probably have one or two non-tribute dolls (in fact one is paid for)
But though I'm a writer those dolls will have little if anything to do with my writing. I don't think I've seen anyone else say it on one of these types of threads, but personally, as a writer, I find trying to take one of my characters and pin them into a form such as a resin is limiting.

Firstly, I've never seen a doll that looked enough like one of my characters, it would always seem 'off' to me and not like what I see in my head.

Secondly, my characters are often in flux. Even when I've written a fair bit of a story a character will decide they look a little younger, or they're 30 lbs. heavier or their skin colour or background is different. And I don't want to keep buying and selling dolls whenever my characters change!

For "tribute" character dolls I get pleasure in seeking out a mold that will be a good match for the character (and unlike with my own characters it doesn't have to be THAT perfect). I feel creatively satisfied by find or making the parts of their outfit and making sure they're painted properly and such. Nor do I find a character doll limiting. Sure as a "tribute" character my guy usually is blond and wears old fashioned style clothing. But I slap a purple wig and some pleather pants on him and his personality changes to match. He still has the same name, he just has a split personality!

 

The internet has given alot more power to the 'fans' then in the past. I also believe that authors and owners of the original copyrights have also come to realize that allowing fans to play in their world(s) has only helped to increase their sales/popularity. Snakes on a Plane was a turning point for showing how the internet and fans can affect things on a large scale.

As for creativity... I have a large collection of fan 'character' dolls, all my dolls are 'character' dolls. I write my own original stories but don't have a need/want to bring those characters into doll form. For myself it's not a matter of creativity or lack there of, it's a matter of what I want to play with.

I think perhaps the following question may explain things... Can a writer write 'fanfiction' in their own worlds?

Sure you can pose the dolls and recreate scenes from books/movies, but alot of the time, your using the dolls to explore outside of the world they were based on. Like what Fanfiction does.

Now if you had dolls based on your own 'original' characters, your not generating 'fanfiction' but the actual story/fiction of your characters and their world.

Both are equally creative. The latter I would call more 'constructive', the former more 'playful'. I want my dolls strictly to be for fun, and why I only want fan character dolls. I don't want my dolls to inspire me into writing my original stories, while other people want just that. I want them as a break from everything else.

Oh, and I think a great example of an author writing 'fanfiction' in their own world would be what we tend to call 'omake'.

-Anneke

 

I don't think it shows a lack of creativity--actually, it could present an entirely different challenge, because it forces the doll owner to create their vision of the character and make something unique while staying in a specific framework. It's like deciding to paint with a limited palette or creating a sculpture with specific found objects. You really have to think about what you want to do and how you're going to do it.

I've never made a doll of someone else's character. I've considered it before, but never taken that jump--not because it wouldn't be fun to create, but because I worry about being able to bond with it afterwards. I have friends that have created dolls of various characters and always enjoy seeing them. It's also neat to see to dolls of the same character that are owned by different people and how they picture a particular character differs.

 

If I had more disposable income I'd certainly make tribute dolls. My characters exist only in my head so I have more leeway in tweaking their appearance because I know everything about them, unlike a tribute doll which must conform to the (sometimes sparse) descriptions or art of the original creator of the character. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wouldn't be satisfied until the doll was exactly as he/she should be. So I'd say its a kind of creativity, all the work and effort put into making something beautiful that pays proper tribute to a character. Plus it would be a fun challenge, another way to enjoy the hobby.

But, as someone noted above its a matter of devotion and having the doll you want. I have much more emotional investment in my original characters than I do in any from books/movies or whatever. They come first. If a time ever came when I miraculously managed to get them all incarnated into resin then I might start working on my favorite characters from books, but I don't see that happening unfortunately.

 

I think what people are getting at is, it's really the same issue wearing a different outfit.

My personal feelings on both debates are the same - I don't think original vs. tribute of some sort is any more or less creative, but beyond that, I don't care what other people do with their own dolls, I don't see this hobby as some sort of an originality/creativity contest (it's supposed to be for fun, not for other people to approve of) and I wonder why people debate and discuss it so much all the time.

 

(I'm totally brain farting, because I'm have a Fan Girl moment. I feel like a teenager again!)

I honestly think tribute dolls take a lot of work and planning. It takes a lot of talent and vision to make someone else's vision a reality. This is a process that says a lot about a person and the way their mind works. It's amazing.

Also on that note, I don't think you can always "plan" for a doll to be someone/thing specific. You can always say "I think that 'doll' will be perfect for 'X Character'" and when they get to you, be completely NOT what you expected with a personality and character all their own! This I think plays into the talent and time.

In the future, I would really love to make a "Buffy" doll. But the planning and searching could take so long. It would have to be perfect, possibly even a sculpted doll.

Someone stated this hobby is about what YOU want to create and what YOU envision. I don't think that anyone is right or wrong for wanting a tribute doll or an original doll.

 

First of all... I love you. I am still so happy that Star Trek seems to be well-accepted in this hobby.


And now for my comments.

I agree with all the statements that they are not of a lack of creativity; in fact, they are very challenging to bring to reality.

I've tried twice, perhaps, to have tribute dolls. They are very challenging to even prepare for. There are a few other tribute dolls I'd like to consider --- my favourite being a human Luna from Sailormoon.

They can be a lot of work, take a great deal of customisation.

The point of these dolls, as members are constantly reminded by their peers in the hobby, is to make them your own. The character does not have to be your own, after all, Volks has character dolls. You are still working on the doll to make it original. The work can be to try and be as accurate to the original source, translated into 3d, or your interpretation and spin.

 

I would love to try to make a Nephrite doll from Sailor Moon. But finding one to fit his face and the wig would be hard. Likely Tinybear could make the wig, but still...and I doubt I could make one myself.

Now, speaking from the author standpoint, I would be thrilled! Heck, maybe I should make my Rynn doll...

 

I don't have a problem with "Tribute" dolls based on fictional characters. Heck, because of their personalities, I've even had pets named after Shakespeare characters.
While I have the imagination for it, I just don't think I have the talent to pull it off to do any of the characters I am itching to pay tribute to justice.

My only issue would be if someone created a doll based on a fictional character then took credit for the character creation (the character, not the doll).

 

I'm not sure how I feel about fan dolls being made specifically for sale (not talking Volks' character dolls and other official licensed goods here- those are obviously fine with everyone)... but making a doll of your favourite character I think shows an impressive amount of loyalty and love for a story or character. I don't think there's anything wrong with it nor do I think it shows a lack of creativity. I agree with others that it can be quite difficult to find the right sculpt, or even modify a close one, to portray a character just-right. Though even then I suppose it's in the details as well- I've seen dolls of the same character made out of different sculpts and even different types of dolls and it's usually the ones that you can tell have had a lot of effort put into making them as "right" as possible that impress me most, regardless of whether the sculpt looks like the character as much as another. I really love looking at well done character dolls to be honest. ^^

 

I agree with a lot of different people on this subject..If I start rambling someone tell me..I have a hard time putting all my thoughts together coherently. ^_^

First off..I like the fan dolls. Honestly, I have a doll that I based off of an anime character..and he has the same name. I adore him and I am in love with the character. I wouldn't mind getting a DIM Minimee of my fave baseball player either...somehow I don't think it shows a lack of creativity. I have the ability to create other characters..I did it with the rest of my dolls. I think that having these type of dolls is a way to express your love of a character (whether it be a real person/celebrity or an anime character). And like other people have said the Minimees are only 80% likeness so it isn't as if you're getting a doll head that IS 100% like the celebrity, and it sure isn't the celebrity him or herself because it isn't real.