Common Denominators

I have noticed that with many people who seem to be fans of BR, even to the point of calling it their favorite film, many have some common denominators. Most of them seem to have artistic and/or technical professions and interests. They are also often into Music, especially Industrial, EBM or Techno. As far as nerds go these guys are often some of the coolest even before I know about their BR fandom. The main common things I could see are, Creativity, Passion, Sensitivity, and Intelligence. I can not see too many other groups that have these same characteristics so thoroughly.

I am just curious because it always surprises me when someone who I barely know comes up to me when I am wearing one of my BR t-shirts and wants to talk to me about their favorite movie, like they are confessing something to me. The people who love this movie tend to really 'LOVE' this movie almost passionately. At the same time they are often the 'cool kids' that do not want to be associated with the 'Star Wars-Trek' crew. They rarely have 'favorite' anythings. They seem less like enthusiastic fanboys(girls), and more like secret fetishists.

How would you fit into these descriptions, and is there anything you could add to the list?

Is it OK if I like Star Trek/Wars?

You've written a very interesting description here...and you're right. As a Blade Runner fan, I DO love this movie passionately. There are movies that I love, and then there is Blade Runner. The deepest reflections of its core have penetrated to my own in a way that no other movie has ever managed to achieve.

I would add that BR fans appreciate the subtleties of the influence of the film. You can see the obvious large on-the-surface influences of bigger, more popular movies, like a gunshot wound, but then you see the way that BR hit, like a slow-releasing poison, making its way through the body, adding its essence throughout, and ultimately changing everything in it's own unique way.

Great post, ridleynoir. You nailed it. I could never put my finger on that nor could I find those exact denominators.

Unfortunately, I don't come across Blade Runner fans where I live and everytime I mention it, he/she have no idea what I'm talking about. And for those that have seen it, don't like it very much.

You're right about the Creativity and the Sensitivity that fans carry and whenever I do come across someone who has a passion for art (whether it's designing, drawing, writing, etc.), I make it a mission for them to see Blade Runner. It's like a rule for all artists.

Hmm, I don't seem to fit into this description. I guess I don't like Blade Runner after all

So how would you describe yourself Merc?

Is it OK if I like Star Trek/Wars?

Yes. In fact, HELL YES.

I don't understand why there are these compartmentalizations of fandom. I'm a member of Rebel Legion. I'm also a Trek fan who goes all the way back to making sure I got home from elementary school in time to watch Star Trek reruns. I also like Manga and Anime. And classic cartoons.

I think there are more fans like us than the folks who want to pigeonhole us believe there are.

So how would you describe yourself Merc?

I don't know, and given that I've been having a pretty depressing time lately, I rather not try right now, heh.

In terms of what I didn't fit into though: I'm not particularly into music all that much (at least not the genres listed). I don't think I ever been one of the "cool" people and I've been a fan of Star Trek and Star Wars (the originals at least) for most of my life. I guess those were the flags that came up reading the original post.

I guess this sort of thing reminds me of other boards where people like to look down at others and insult them for not liking what they like and I tend to be bothered by that sort of thing.

[Kipple]

"...people like to look down at others and insult them for not liking what they like..."

I did not get that impression with Ridleynoir's message. I believe he was just sharing his observation. A connection "clicked" within his cranium between Blade Runner Enthusiast and their (our) "qualities" and tendencies.

I don't know, for some reason I read it as: people who like Blade Runner are smart, creative, passionate and cool (meaning those who don't like are none of those things). Looking at it that way it seemed snooty to me.

I'm probably just too used to the imdb board. It can be fairly snobby and mean spirited there.

Sorry my post was a bit confusing and all over the place. I wasn't trying in any way say all BR fans are alike, but instead perhaps had the similar qualities of "Creativity, Passion, Sensitivity, and Intelligence"...sounds like you may have a few of those Merc. I also noted that 'many' of the fans will unlike a 'general Sci Fi fan', keep it more of a secret, and rarely wear their fandom on the outside as I did my T-shirts. Many of the ones I have met are pretty iconoclastic. More likely a trend leader than a trend follower.

Most importantly I wanted to know how we all see ourselves? I guess I am open to be disproven if it can reveal some things about us all. Maybe find some hidden similarities within our differences?

I'll think about it and see if I can give you a better response later. I apologize if I was short at all, I'm just not having a good week.

I don't know, for some reason I read it as: people who like Blade Runner are smart, creative, passionate and cool (meaning those who don't like are none of those things). Looking at it that way it seemed snooty to me.

I'm probably just too used to the imdb board. It can be fairly snobby and mean spirited there.

I didn't mean it that way, but I can see what you mean though. It can for sure come accross that way.

I am also familiar with the IMDB boards and they are like that for most all the different movie boards. BR might be a little worse though and it makes me pretty sad to see it represented that way.

I'll think about it and see if I can give you a better response later. I apologize if I was short at all, I'm just not having a good week.

Sorry to hear that man, I really do hope things get better for you. Good luck and thank you for pointing out the issues with my tone. Seriously...I will be more carefull next time. I really didn't see that before.

Creativity, Passion, Sensitivity, and Intelligence.

How do you know all these things about me?



And to comment on the Star Wars thing, I've noticed on countless occasions that it's precisely the Star Wars/Trek fandoms who are the first to accuse Blade Runner for being all surface and no content.

come on folks, these are an individual's thoughts and observations. if you feel miffed that this description does not fit you, then what about those of us who it does fit? i for one will say you nailed it ridleynoir, to the point where i had say "whoa" and reply.

for work i shoot and edit short films, i am still hugely into EBM and Industrial music (i even made my own sometime ago) as well as ambient electronic, and i dont have favorites with this one exception. to the point that my fiance thinks i am nuts. i have never been to a comicon, not a fan of Wars or Trek (they're good - no offense, but just not BR), and to be honest - i dont even like Sci-Fi more than say, History or Comedy. i am not cool nor a geek - more of a trouble-maker with a twisted sense of humor.

Blade Runner is simply an obsession at this point. my close friends will say "dont get him started" as they know what a casual mention of this film will yield. I am still trying to determine just what it is after all this time but i think it is the sum of many different elements. I for instance am more into hunting down utilitarian props from the film - furniture, design, etc. i dont have a spinner or a blaster - but i do have tiles, lamps, etc.

i think you hit on a great topic ridleynoir and it would be interesting to know from the community just what kind of a BR fan are you? what is your background, interests, etc. are you into the F/X, storylines, a collector/props, etc. certainly every BR fan is different but it would be interesting to see if there was in fact a trend. maybe then i could figure out why the hell i am so drawn to this one film. good post ridleynoir.