An extended critique of Ferd's vid "Strip"

[thingswithwings]

I don't know what the current fandom convention is when posting something that critiques someone else's work - I've heard that even whispering that someone might not be perfect can destroy souls and ruin christmas fandom for everyone. Also, I know very well from experience that I don't like it when random white male American people show up in my

Comments

[cathexys]

The excessive heterosexism was what really struck me too. And I recced it but with that as caveat/commentary...

In a way, it almost struck me as nonfannish in that way, because at least in my corner of fandom, I see more focus on the same sex than the straight imagery. Though I have to admit, even as I cringed at the GWTW shot, I didn't think about the absence of POCs stripping.

But I love your interpretation, because I think that's part of how I ended up reacting to it emotionally--as the straight teen who loved these films not knowing (or maybe even knowing but loving them nevertheless) about Hollywood Romance...

[thingswithwings]

Yes, I had that immediate "non-fannish!" reaction to it too, first time I saw it, especially when she mentions that she's a costumer and that this vid is done with a particular professional eye. But she seems to know the codes and conventions of vidding fandom pretty well, so I think it's more the case that she's in fandom differently than we are, rather than that she's nonfannish.

I didn't think about the absence of people of colour in the vid until eruthros and I were talking about it the other day, and she said, "And then there's Strip, which has no people of colour in it." And she was exaggerating, or thought she was exaggerating, but then we watched it together, and . . . yup. None. So anyway, I'm no better: I saw the absence of gay/queer right away, but it took me months to see the absence of racial diversity.

[cathalin]

Just wanted to say that even though this is f-locked, it doesn't mean *someone* won't learn from it. In other words, thank you.

I haven't watched this vid and doubt I will, but your critique is a good reminder that, as a person steeped in, and I suppose part of, the dominant culture -- and raised at a time when there was even less questioning of it than now -- I always need to be mindful of the assumptions and blinders that society imposes. I'd like to assume I'd see these things were I watching this without your critique, and probably at this point in my evolution -- heck, maybe always, since it sounds pretty egregious -- I would. But further education/discussion of these issues is always a good thing.

It's also good to be reminded, with your use of "I," that the exclusions made by such products *hurt* -- that it's not just an intellectual problem.

ETA: p.s. where does Denzel Washington wear blue leather pants? I'm...speechless at this concept. Was it American Gangster omg what amazing acting? Help me! *g*

[thingswithwings]

That's a really gratifying comment, thank you. I mean, the vid is really egregious, but in that particular way where it can go unnoticed even by people who try to notice these things (by which I mean, it took me an unforgivably long time to even notice the race problem). It really is a problem, for many of us, of being steeped in the dominant culture so that we don't even see it anymore.

My friend, Denzel Washington wears blue leather pants in Much Ado About Nothing. He is roughly 10 times more beautiful than he normally is, in that film, I don't even know how, I suspect blue leather helps. Frankly, it's terrible casting, because it makes untenable the idea that Beatrice would turn the Prince (Denzel Washington) down, in favour of Benedick (Kenneth Branaugh). :) But if you've never seen that adaptation, I recommend it highly; it's hilarious.

[cathalin]

I meant it. Fandom has been really educational for me, in a lot of ways. I also thought it was helpful how you owned how long it took you to recognize the skeevy race issues in the vid. That makes me feel slightly better for all the times I've probably ignored or minimized skeevy heterosexist issues, race issues, or other issues in the past. It really is true that everyone's perceptions are clouded by their own reality, so it really helps when people talk about that.

I would sure wanted it pointed out to me if something I made *hurt* someone. I doubt this person does -- the protestations of "just for fun" make me think that -- but I'm just saying -- if anyone sees anything like this in a product of mine, I would want to be told.

I am *so there* with the blue leather pants!Shakespeare. *is agog* Also, lol, right, Branaugh over Washington. Sure.

[erda_3]

I fail to see any point to making this vid, anyway. We don't need vids to show us what is celebrated all around us all the time.

[thingswithwings]

agree! It just restates everything that those movies said.

[livrelibre]

Thanks for the critique and the reminder to look and speak--a good one as I rustle myself up to go out into the rain to the No on Prop 8 rally on the Common. Just found out not long ago you were in the area-if you'll be there perhaps we'll cross paths. I'll be the black girl in the white hat :)

And thanks for the recs-I hadn't seen Charmax's vid which was awesome!

[thingswithwings]

See, this is so typical of me - instead of going out to an actual political rally, I stayed in and talked a good game about politics. Dammit! I suck. But I didn't know you were in town - we should get a cup of coffee sometime, if you're into that. If you're on LJ talk or gmail chat, drop me a line someday. :)

[livrelibre]

This is atypical of me; i usually neither talk about politics nor attend rallies but after this election I'm fired up and ready to go (at least a few blocks in the rain :) Coffee sometime sounds like like a plan. I'm rarely on chat but I do a mean email!

[toft_froggy]

This is really interesting and thought-provoking to read, thankyou

[thingswithwings]

That is so hilarious: it's really true that only the fannish rec will tell you what you're actually watching the show for. :) Not that I don't watch Shakespeare adaptations for the acting and the direction and the interpretation! But, Jesus, there's this scene where he walks at the head of a phalanx of men, wearing blue leather pants, smirking, with his hand on his sword. I mean