How do you feel about fanon creations?

[Stash2Sixx]

4 posts, holy shit! Well, that site has changed a lot since when I used to frequent it way back in the day.

Yeah, maybe making up a back story and calling it Star Wars doesn't work for you now, but didn't it work for you as a child when you wanted to create things? Sorry, not trying to start a fight; that's the farthest thing from what I want to do. I just want to bring up discussion. For example, I think the whole idea about Trandoshans as super hunters who count their kills and use them as points for some all powerful "God-Like Entity" known as the Scorekeeper is just ridiculous to me. Sure, original ESB Bossk and Clone Wars Bossk with young Boba looked nasty as hell, but after the episode of Clone Wars from last season where the lost Padawans ended up fighting with Chewie against Trandoshans, it just reminded me of Predators. Now, the average fan knows what canon is, but they aren't going to know about different levels of canon, and probably won't care. Which is fine, some care more than others, no problem there.

I don't know. I guess I don't mind fanon creations. I've built some ships when I was younger with my brothers and said they were part of the SW Universe, and they were because in my mind, as a child, I thought it was awesome to meet up with Han Solo and Chewie and whoever else we used. That's the fun of it, I can make stuff up with my LEGO! And that's exactly what Star Wars is...made up fantasy.

[Fallenangel]

4 posts, holy shit! Well, that site has changed a lot since when I used to frequent it way back in the day.

Yeah, maybe making up a back story and calling it Star Wars doesn't work for you now, but didn't it work for you as a child when you wanted to create things? Sorry, not trying to start a fight; that's the farthest thing from what I want to do. I just want to bring up discussion. For example, I think the whole idea about Trandoshans as super hunters who count their kills and use them as points for some all powerful "God-Like Entity" known as the Scorekeeper is just ridiculous to me. Sure, original ESB Bossk and Clone Wars Bossk with young Boba looked nasty as hell, but after the episode of Clone Wars from last season where the lost Padawans ended up fighting with Chewie against Trandoshans, it just reminded me of Predators. Now, the average fan knows what canon is, but they aren't going to know about different levels of canon, and probably won't care. Which is fine, some care more than others, no problem there.

I don't think that the episode about the Trandoshan hunters would be the best example for your stance. I won't say it isn't all made up shit (with unoriginal plotlines at that), but the bundle of made up shit known collectively as the Original Trilogy has a certain feel to it, and when there are parts of the bundle of made up shit known as 'fanon' that don't have that same feel (like Trandoshan hunters), people don't approve. That's what we're discussing here. Canonicity doesn't really have anything to do with it - it is merely the shit that is bundled by Lucas, regardless of whether any one part of it resembles another. The Clone Wars (and, while I'm at it, much of the Prequels) would be fanon if not for the fact that Lucas wrote it.

[StoutFiles]

I don't think that the episode about the Trandoshan hunters would be the best example for your stance. I won't say it isn't all made up shit (with unoriginal plotlines at that), but the bundle of made up shit known collectively as the Original Trilogy has a certain feel to it, and when there are parts of the bundle of made up shit known as 'fanon' that don't have that same feel (like Trandoshan hunters), people don't approve. That's what we're discussing here. Canonicity doesn't really have anything to do with it - it is merely the shit that is bundled by Lucas, regardless of whether any one part of it resembles another. The Clone Wars (and, while I'm at it, much of the Prequels) would be fanon if not for the fact that Lucas wrote it.

He makes a good point. I only accept PT/CW because I have to, but it all feels rushed and made up. At least with most of the EU some effort was put into ship design.

[Fallenangel]

He makes a good point. I only accept PT/CW because I have to, but it all feels rushed and made up. At least with most of the EU some effort was put into ship design.

I was thinking more of how elements of the Original Trilogy such as Jedi, lightsabers and the Force feature prominently in the Prequels and The Clone Wars but are portrayed in a way that's very unlike Star Wars, as well as how scenes in the former are less emotionally gripping and more visually diverse. But I suppose the point of 'rushed and made up' can also be made (though I'm not trying to bash the Prequels or The Clone Wars here, just highlight how their styles differ from that of the Original Trilogy).

[Fallenangel]

I apologize for the double post, but I didn’t want a minor point about bounty hunters to derail SI-mocs’ thread.

How is it Star Wars based?

Build a new original bounty hunter and a ship for them to pilot.

Spaceships and bounty hunters aren't even close to being Star Wars specific. If anything, it asks you to branch away from Star Wars and do something original. You could take any ship MOC on the Space forum with a pilot and call him a bounty hunter, and you've fit the loose guidelines.

To my understanding, the ‘bounty hunter = Star Wars’ connection stems largely from Fett and the motif of organized crime that’s always been present in the Expanded Universe (the Black Sun from Shadows of the Empire being only the most prominent example), though it has much less of a presence in the films. So there is a connection, albeit a rather loose one. Personally I think it’s been overused, not unlike the ‘deviant clone’ or the ‘escaped Jedi’.

Naturally the flexibility that’s allowed with the idea of a ‘bounty hunter’ would sit well with fanon MOCers, which leads to a myriad of ships that only vaguely exhibit that ‘Star Wars’ look being ascribed to that category. SI-mocs’ MOC is a good one (and I mean a really good one), but it doesn’t have much of a Star Wars feel to it.

[Mr Man]

SI-mocs’ MOC is a good one (and I mean a really good one), but it doesn’t have much of a Star Wars feel to it.

Does This look like a SW ship? Or This? Or even This? The look of 'SW' Ships is very subjective, as long as a ship is clearly not say a Constitution Class or a space shuttle, it could easily be a SW Ship, even then a Pirate Ship could be a SW ship, it was in a comic.

[Hollander]

When taking a look at the OT, a lot of fanon and comic ships just don't fit in there. Sure, the SW universe is huge and we don't know about what does not ''exist'' there, but that would mean I could make a little pony with a engine up his a$$ and calling it ''Star Wars''. Yeah, right. We can't know if it NOT exists, can we?

For me everything that fits the SW universe from the movies is considered ''real''. So no flying pirate ships or other crazy sci-fi stuff. Otherwise we may as well combine the sci-fi and SW forum, as everything fits the SW theme anyway according to some.

Edited October 28, 2011 by Hollander

[Brickdoctor]

Does This look like a SW ship? Or This? Or even This? The look of 'SW' Ships is very subjective, as long as a ship is clearly not say a Constitution Class or a space shuttle, it could easily be a SW Ship, even then a Pirate Ship could be a SW ship, it was in a comic.

The Nebulon-B is quite Star Warsy, in my opinion. And not just because it's an OT ship.

[StoutFiles]

Does This look like a SW ship? Or This? Or even This? The look of 'SW' Ships is very subjective, as long as a ship is clearly not say a Constitution Class or a space shuttle, it could easily be a SW Ship, even then a Pirate Ship could be a SW ship, it was in a comic.

Anything could be a Star Wars ship. Space MOCs aren't normally allowed in this forum, but if you say "oh, well the pilot is a bounty hunter" its suddenly Star Wars. I'm wondering where the line gets drawn. You could even bring in Lego City MOCs if you make up enough of a backstory describing a planet that is exactly like Earth.

Both contest ships are awesome, but they are fanon space MOCs, not ships from Star Wars.

[TheLonelySquireOfGothos]

I'm a part of a wide variety of nerdy communities, and it's a bit shocking that this is an issue at all within this community. If you customize (or scratch-build) say, a Transformer or G.I. Joe into something or someone not in official canon, you never get replies like "That's not a Transformer/G.I. Joe/etc!", people just tend to welcome it as an unofficial addition to the mythos, and fan-fiction is often applauded and even heralded as better than some official material. Think of it this way: do you really think the official canon material could ever show all the vehicles and characters, and tell all the tales of EVERYTHING that's ever gone on within the SW universe, or other fictional universes? Of course not, so let the fans attempt to do some of that. Obviously it will never be official, but is that such a big deal? Can't creations and works of fiction just be enjoyed for what they are without constantly

telling yourself "This never really happened/this never really existed in that universe/etc."?

[Brickdoctor]

I'm a part of a wide variety of nerdy communities, and it's a bit shocking that this is an issue at all within this community. If you customize (or scratch-build) say, a Transformer or G.I. Joe into something or someone not in official canon, you never get replies like "That's not a Transformer/G.I. Joe/etc!", people just tend to welcome it as an unofficial addition to the mythos, and fan-fiction is often applauded and even heralded as better than some official material. Think of it this way: do you really think the official canon material could ever show all the vehicles and characters, and tell all the tales of EVERYTHING that's ever gone on within the SW universe, or other fictional universes? Of course not, so let the fans attempt to do some of that. Obviously it will never be official, but is that such a big deal? Can't creations and works of fiction just be enjoyed for what they are without constantly

telling yourself "This never really happened/this never really existed in that universe/etc."?

I think part of it might be that some Star Wars fans feel that the storyline has been ruined by certain elements, so they've become picky about what has a 'Star Wars feel' and what is or isn't canon.

[I Scream Clone]

Both contest ships are awesome, but they are fanon space MOCs, not ships from Star Wars.

...and yet they were built for a Star Wars contest. Perhaps your answer lies within that little snippet.

[StoutFiles]

...and yet they were built for a Star Wars contest. Perhaps your answer lies within that little snippet.

With the loosest guidelines ever. I can make a website page detailing a contest if that's the guidelines for posting a space MOC in the forum. I can make up a contest and say "it's Star Wars" but let people make up their own ships and characters.

Seriously, I'm really tempted. They'll be half-assed, horrible MOCs but they'll be Star Wars because I'll follow the guidelines. They better not get removed from the forum either because I will follow all the rules.

1. Story background for ship and character.

2. Contest backed by another website.

3. Contest is supposedly Star Wars themed.

[Fallenangel]

With the loosest guidelines ever. I can make a website page detailing a contest if that's the guidelines for posting a space MOC in the forum. I can make up a contest and say "it's Star Wars" but let people make up their own ships and characters.

Seriously, I'm really tempted. They'll be half-assed, horrible MOCs but they'll be Star Wars because I'll follow the guidelines. They better not get removed from the forum either because I will follow all the rules.

1. Story background for ship and character.

2. Contest backed by another website.

3. Contest is supposedly Star Wars themed.

Come now, trolling reflects poorly upon us passionate fans(And I speak from experience, comrades!).

[I Scream Clone]

With the loosest guidelines ever. I can make a website page detailing a contest if that's the guidelines for posting a space MOC in the forum. I can make up a contest and say "it's Star Wars" but let people make up their own ships and characters.

Seriously, I'm really tempted. They'll be half-assed, horrible MOCs but they'll be Star Wars because I'll follow the guidelines. They better not get removed from the forum either because I will follow all the rules.

1. Story background for ship and character.

2. Contest backed by another website.

3. Contest is supposedly Star Wars themed.

Ah, but the difference is the guys on FBTB are enjoying running a contest like this, you would clearly not get any fun from running a similar contest. These contests are meant to make people have fun building and enjoy building original creations. If its not your thing then move along to a more canon SW discussion on this site, its obvious this topic is irritating you. Remember to enjoy this hobby, that's the whole point.

[lightningtiger]

There has been an angle missed too, what if fanon becomes canon ?

Let me explain...the Star Wars saga isn't finished is it....stories are still being written, video games and proposed TV series...multiple at that to be made so what's to stop some media bigwig see a fanon creation and say 'Hey, that would look real good on my show !'.

Just a thought.....

[Fallenangel]

There has been an angle missed too, what if fanon becomes canon ?

Let me explain...the Star Wars saga isn't finished is it....stories are still being written, video games and proposed TV series...multiple at that to be made so what's to stop some media bigwig see a fanon creation and say 'Hey, that would look real good on my show !'.

Just a thought.....

If fanon becomes canon, it will surely be repudiated from many fans' 'personal' canons.

[StoutFiles]

IT WILL STAY HERE. It's a Star Wars ship the way I see it. You simply exercised your right of creative freedom and this is your OWN interpretation of a bounty hunter ship (which is awesome BTW ), so no one can claim that it isn't Star Warsy enough just because some say it doesn't fit in their own strict personal definition of a Star Wars vehicle. Thanks for sharing this and being magnanimous amidst this controversial issue raised.

I don't want it moved, I just want to know the guidelines for the Star Wars forum.

What makes it a Star Warsy ship in your opinion? Is it the back story? Is it the vehicle itself? Is it the contest? If the same ship had been introduced as a ship from Star Trek would it have been allowed because it still looks Star Warsy? My definition is hardly strict (your own interpretation of scenes, vehicles, or characters from canon Star Wars) so I'm not sure how loose we can be without letting anything in.

All I'm asking for is some guidelines, so if anyone from the space forum wants their ship to be seen here as well, all they have to do is come up with a Star Wars back story. The ship is great. I'm not trying to take away anything from the ship here. I just want to hear the rules on MOC's and how they pertain to being allowed on the Star Wars forum. I won't knock the rules, I'd just like to know them.

Edited October 29, 2011 by StoutFiles

[StoutFiles]

Ah, but the difference is the guys on FBTB are enjoying running a contest like this, you would clearly not get any fun from running a similar contest. These contests are meant to make people have fun building and enjoy building original creations. If its not your thing then move along to a more canon SW discussion on this site, its obvious this topic is irritating you. Remember to enjoy this hobby, that's the whole point.

I'm just wondering where the line is. If FBTB has a Star Wars pirate contest, where it's basically the Lego Pirate line but they're holding lightsabers, is that Star Wars? If the forum was filled with pirate ships it wouldn't bother anyone but me? If it was the Green Grocer but populated with Stormtroopers, is that Star Wars? We have a fun parody topic where it's loose and fun, but it's contained in one thread and it does use the canon characters.

The two ships posted don't bother me at all actually. They're very well done and they're as close to Star Wars as you can "fanonly" get. I just wonder where the line is drawn for fanon creations because of how open ended Star Wars can be. As I've said, you can make ANYTHING Star Wars if you want. I'd like to know the rules, and whether it hinges on a back story, or a contest, or quality of the MOC, or random moderator discretion.

[Hinckley]

I'm just wondering where the line is. If FBTB has a Star Wars pirate contest, where it's basically the Lego Pirate line but they're holding lightsabers, is that Star Wars? If the forum was filled with pirate ships it wouldn't bother anyone but me? If it was the Green Grocer but populated with Stormtroopers, is that Star Wars? We have a fun parody topic where it's loose and fun, but it's contained in one thread and it does use the canon characters.

The two ships posted don't bother me at all actually. They're very well done and they're as close to Star Wars as you can "fanonly" get. I just wonder where the line is drawn for fanon creations because of how open ended Star Wars can be. As I've said, you can make ANYTHING Star Wars if you want. I'd like to know the rules, and whether it hinges on a back story, or a contest, or quality of the MOC, or random moderator discretion.

Is the MOC being discussed a Green Grocer or a Pirate set? No. You've made your point and it's been answered repeatedly. Our moderators take a lot of time to keep this forum running smoothly. Perhaps you should let it go unless you see Spongebob wielding a lightsaber in a MOC in this forum. Where's the line? Somewhere between the fanon ships you're referencing and Spongebob wielding a lightsaber. We'll name the line if we ever need to get to it. In the mean time, I trust the moderators we've put in place. If they don't bother you, why create a poll and keep arguing about it?

[Fallenangel]

Perhaps you should let it go unless you see Spongebob wielding a lightsaber in a MOC in this forum.

Well, we've already got Patrick piloting a Jedi starfighter...

[lightningtiger]

Well, we've already got Patrick piloting a Jedi starfighter...

At least no one has done a Darth Plankton yet !

In any case canon is what ever Mr. Lucas decides right ?

[Fallenangel]

In any case canon is what ever Mr. Lucas decides right ?

That's right! Whether it resembles anything from the films has absolutely nothing to do with it!

[lightningtiger]

That's right! Whether it resembles anything from the films has absolutely nothing to do with it!

I agree, it only has to have a Jedi or Sith or bounty hunter connection plus it must make MONEY !

Anyway, we might be straying away from the true meaning in the question for this topic.

[XimenaPaulina]

Out of respect to SI-moc's MOC topic, I'll move this question in this proper thread.

I don't want it moved, I just want to know the guidelines for the Star Wars forum.

What makes it a Star Warsy ship in your opinion? Is it the back story? Is it the vehicle itself? Is it the contest? If the same ship had been introduced as a ship from Star Trek would it have been allowed because it still looks Star Warsy? My definition is hardly strict (your own interpretation of scenes, vehicles, or characters from canon Star Wars) so I'm not sure how loose we can be without letting anything in.

All I'm asking for is some guidelines, so if anyone from the space forum wants their ship to be seen here as well, all they have to do is come up with a Star Wars back story. The ship is great. I'm not trying to take away anything from the ship here. I just want to hear the rules on MOC's and how they pertain to being allowed on the Star Wars forum. I won't knock the rules, I'd just like to know them.

So you want to know the guidelines? To finally put the nails on the coffin, I'll answer and hope that I would not hear anymore ramblings on your part about these rules/guidelines which you are inexplicably obsessed about. Seriously, your overly-serious take on all things Star Wars are deflating the fun that is an essential part of MOCing, so as early as now I advice you to drop it. To answer your question, there are no written rules or guidelines (and this goes for all the subforums, not just here in SW), the staff exercise their own discretion and judgement on what makes a specific MOC worthy to be posted in a certain subforum. In my own opinion, SI-moc's MOC is made for a Star Wars contest and thus can be posted here. There you go, Answer #1. Number two, if a MOC has a Star Wars backstory, then I consider it a SW MOC, regardless of how it looks like, whether it's Star Treky, Spongebob-y, theme-crossovers, etc. Again, these are my own criteria and other staff may have their own as well. But generally, we have similar judgment and we respect each other's take on these issues. And as a member here, I hope you do the same and respect our judgement. If you find our way of 'classifying' MOCs not fitting to your own personal taste, then you could always choose to ignore these MOCs, and move on and comment to those strictly-canon SW MOCs that you seem to only appreciate.