Rhi. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rhivolution) wrote2010-05-11 12:32 pm
rhivolution) wrote2010-05-11 12:32 pm
Entry tags:
On the Overambitious Dissertation: a FAQ
In sitting down to explain the Overambitious Dissertation, I ended up turning said explanation into a FAQ-style list, as I think breaking things down into points just makes it easier to read. Or easier for me to conceptualise. Or something to that nature.
To sum up: This post is kind of a big deal, so if you're interested, please read it.
Who are you?
I'm [real name redacted], known in fandom as Rhi. I'm 26 years old, an American in Britain, and I'm doing my master of arts degree (MA) at the University of Birmingham, in what boils down to media production. I've been an SF fan probably since Star Trek: TNG premiered (when I was not-quite-three), and I've been involved in media fandom in some way/shape/form since 1999. I did my BA at Smith College, where I was heavily involved in their SFF org (SSFFS), and I'm a cultural studies junkie with a feminism chaser.
So, what's this project you call the Overambitious Dissertation?
My MA dissertation is a 20-25 minute video documentary on women as science fiction fans, either in media fandom, reader fandom, or both. I'm looking at it from a self-reflexive point of view, a personal journey to discover what draws women to SF, what the appeal is, and the communities that form around it.
Wait, what do you mean by fan?
Anyone who enjoys and appreciates SF in some way. This can include professionals--generally, I don't think you don't just fall into SF like an office job, you have to like it to be doing it. However, even if you don't consider yourself a fan, I'd love to hear what you think about women fans in a professional context.
So what do you need my help for?
I need other people, as it is boring and not effectual if it is only me talking. I'm looking for fan experiences from anyone who identifies or has ever identified as a woman and an SF fan of any variety (much as I'd like to explore further gender stuff, I don't have the scope to explain it properly to my audience/committee...that could take its own 20-25 minute documentary). Also, I want a diverse pool of information to work from, both in terms of race/sexuality/ability/class, and in terms of type of SF enjoyed.
What kind of help do you need?
Anything, really. While I'm looking for interviews in particular, I'd love to be able to use fan art, clips of fanvids, meta, etc. All sources would, obviously, be cited.
Can I be critical of SF or of fandom in this interview, or is it just...well, fanservice?
People should be as honest as possible. While I want to present a generally positive overview of women as SF fans, of this being a good thing, that doesn't mean everything has to be kittens and rainbows. I want diverse and honest source material. Period.
I'd like to help, but you're in Milwaukee and I'm in [place a long way from there], how am I going to be filmed?
That's the hard bit. Partially, my going to WisCon is due to there being a large group of relevant and interesting people in one place.
However, if you're not going, and you're not going to be in the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison area in the next few months, I would love to do some crowdsourcing of interviews anyway--people recording their responses, a la a videoblog, via webcam or their own camcorder. This is dead easy with a MacBook and iMovie, and not overhard with other platforms. We could also talk over Skype or the phone for an audio interview, or...loads of options.
Wait, I don't know about being on camera.
That's fine. (I'm actually a bit unsure about how far I'm going to out myself in regards to fanfic.) I can tell you this--I am willing to work within anyone's comfort zone. Audio only is fine. Using pseudonyms or first names only is fine. You will have to sign a release form, but that only dictates that you were recorded for the project, not which exact part is yours or even that you're necessarily appearing at all, and those release forms only go to me and the ACS department at the University of Birmingham.
That said, I can tell you here and now that this project will not be screened publicly. Since I'm necessarily using copyrighted material (how can I demonstrate Star Trek or something without a clip?), UK law prohibits me from doing so. Fair use law here is complicated, and I can use the material only for educational purposes--which is to say, only for viewing by a small university committee and possibly future students in the programme...if it's deemed good enough.
To break it down: Your image will not be put up online or in public unless you sit down with me and say something like 'Rhi, put up that awesome bit of the interview we did on your website! Here, have my agreement in writing again.' (And even then I might not get around to it for a while.)
How do I know you'll represent me fairly?
Well, that's the big issue at hand. I can swear to you that my personal integrity would not allow me to quote out of context, and that I have a vested interest as a member of the community to represent it and other community members in an accurate way. I can't do much more than put my name and reputation on the line, which I'm doing right now. The decision to contribute is still up to you, though.
How do I know you're working on a legitimate project?
I don't use my real name in unlocked posts due to concerns about the combination of fanfic and my career opportunities (see: getting an MA in media production), but I will be glad to provide it via email or PM. I can provide the name/contact info of my dissertation advisor and course convenor at Birmingham, if desired. Also, there are people in both media and FSF fandom who know me in real time and would be willing to speak to my character.
I'd love to help!
Woot! Either send me an email if you've got my address or leave a comment so I can send you one. Comments are open to anons if you don't have an LJ or DW account.
I have a question you didn't bring up.
No worries. Leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
To sum up: This post is kind of a big deal, so if you're interested, please read it.
Who are you?
I'm [real name redacted], known in fandom as Rhi. I'm 26 years old, an American in Britain, and I'm doing my master of arts degree (MA) at the University of Birmingham, in what boils down to media production. I've been an SF fan probably since Star Trek: TNG premiered (when I was not-quite-three), and I've been involved in media fandom in some way/shape/form since 1999. I did my BA at Smith College, where I was heavily involved in their SFF org (SSFFS), and I'm a cultural studies junkie with a feminism chaser.
So, what's this project you call the Overambitious Dissertation?
My MA dissertation is a 20-25 minute video documentary on women as science fiction fans, either in media fandom, reader fandom, or both. I'm looking at it from a self-reflexive point of view, a personal journey to discover what draws women to SF, what the appeal is, and the communities that form around it.
Wait, what do you mean by fan?
Anyone who enjoys and appreciates SF in some way. This can include professionals--generally, I don't think you don't just fall into SF like an office job, you have to like it to be doing it. However, even if you don't consider yourself a fan, I'd love to hear what you think about women fans in a professional context.
So what do you need my help for?
I need other people, as it is boring and not effectual if it is only me talking. I'm looking for fan experiences from anyone who identifies or has ever identified as a woman and an SF fan of any variety (much as I'd like to explore further gender stuff, I don't have the scope to explain it properly to my audience/committee...that could take its own 20-25 minute documentary). Also, I want a diverse pool of information to work from, both in terms of race/sexuality/ability/class, and in terms of type of SF enjoyed.
What kind of help do you need?
Anything, really. While I'm looking for interviews in particular, I'd love to be able to use fan art, clips of fanvids, meta, etc. All sources would, obviously, be cited.
Can I be critical of SF or of fandom in this interview, or is it just...well, fanservice?
People should be as honest as possible. While I want to present a generally positive overview of women as SF fans, of this being a good thing, that doesn't mean everything has to be kittens and rainbows. I want diverse and honest source material. Period.
I'd like to help, but you're in Milwaukee and I'm in [place a long way from there], how am I going to be filmed?
That's the hard bit. Partially, my going to WisCon is due to there being a large group of relevant and interesting people in one place.
However, if you're not going, and you're not going to be in the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison area in the next few months, I would love to do some crowdsourcing of interviews anyway--people recording their responses, a la a videoblog, via webcam or their own camcorder. This is dead easy with a MacBook and iMovie, and not overhard with other platforms. We could also talk over Skype or the phone for an audio interview, or...loads of options.
Wait, I don't know about being on camera.
That's fine. (I'm actually a bit unsure about how far I'm going to out myself in regards to fanfic.) I can tell you this--I am willing to work within anyone's comfort zone. Audio only is fine. Using pseudonyms or first names only is fine. You will have to sign a release form, but that only dictates that you were recorded for the project, not which exact part is yours or even that you're necessarily appearing at all, and those release forms only go to me and the ACS department at the University of Birmingham.
That said, I can tell you here and now that this project will not be screened publicly. Since I'm necessarily using copyrighted material (how can I demonstrate Star Trek or something without a clip?), UK law prohibits me from doing so. Fair use law here is complicated, and I can use the material only for educational purposes--which is to say, only for viewing by a small university committee and possibly future students in the programme...if it's deemed good enough.
To break it down: Your image will not be put up online or in public unless you sit down with me and say something like 'Rhi, put up that awesome bit of the interview we did on your website! Here, have my agreement in writing again.' (And even then I might not get around to it for a while.)
How do I know you'll represent me fairly?
Well, that's the big issue at hand. I can swear to you that my personal integrity would not allow me to quote out of context, and that I have a vested interest as a member of the community to represent it and other community members in an accurate way. I can't do much more than put my name and reputation on the line, which I'm doing right now. The decision to contribute is still up to you, though.
How do I know you're working on a legitimate project?
I don't use my real name in unlocked posts due to concerns about the combination of fanfic and my career opportunities (see: getting an MA in media production), but I will be glad to provide it via email or PM. I can provide the name/contact info of my dissertation advisor and course convenor at Birmingham, if desired. Also, there are people in both media and FSF fandom who know me in real time and would be willing to speak to my character.
I'd love to help!
Woot! Either send me an email if you've got my address or leave a comment so I can send you one. Comments are open to anons if you don't have an LJ or DW account.
I have a question you didn't bring up.
No worries. Leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
no subject
So, um, hi! Maybe I can help? I'll be at WisCon, as you know. Best email route to reach me is this screenname at gmail. :)
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Right now, best thing is just to spread the word.
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Would you like me to signal boost (in my small way) this post?
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