What does it mean to be a true fan? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Frodo2968thewhite · 06-29-2004, 12:03 PM

Mae Govannen Mellyn nin! Elen sila lumenn omentielmo!
I must say that Meela has captured true fandom the best so far... anyone that truly loves LOTR is a fan. I, for one, consider myself an expert, and I might be what some call obsessed. I love LOTR, and It has actually helped me in times of need. I have and have read every middle earth-related book i can find, and all of Tolkien's books. I even have 4 three inch binders filled with LOTR material I found online, in magazines, and photocopied out of different sources. one of them is filled to it's capacity with elvish. I have bought all the elven rings, the ring of Barahir, and the one ring. I also have two swords, Sting and Anduril.
But I don't feel I am going overboard, because I appreciate every item I receive. I know very much about Lord of the Rings, but even if I didn't, I would still be a fan. And lack of money has never held me back, when I was little, I took a piece of yellow paper and drew elvish writing of the on it, then rolled it up into the one ring, and I would wear it all the time.

I agree about the whole, "drooling" issue. I hate seeing people that say, "Oh, I love Lord of the Rings because Orlando Bloom is in it!" Then they fill everything with pics of him, and call it LOTR.
But I do think that every major fan should be called, "odd" "weird" or "obsessed" at least once for their love of LOTR.

They should also know at least 2 words of elvish.

I am a fan because of my love of Lord of the Rings, not my knowledge of it (even though it is a huge bonus), or my amount of merchandise.
Namaarie! Aa lasser en lle coia orn 'n omenta gurtha!
-Iorhael Lolindir Ancalime I Taur

Isowen · 08-03-2004, 02:21 PM

Maybe this is a little demanding but I think a true fan must read the books thoroughly a few times and also see the movies.

Lady Gamgee · 08-03-2004, 04:03 PM

Personally, I think that anyone who would be called a TRUE fan of LOTR has to truly enjoy the books & movies, perhaps even relate some of it to real life. It seems that the truer fans find out as much as they can about Tolkien, all of his works, the movies, the characters backgrounds, etc .... If there's one thing I can't stand is, what I like to call, a "bandwagoneer". For those who don't know what that is, it's someone who automatically decides they're gonna "like" something or someone just because it or they are popular ... when really they wouldn't give a second thought about it. Anyone who likes a movie, actor, etc... just because he's "cute" or "I like her", or any other countless things cannot call themselves true fans. There is much more to a movie, person, or music than what they're wearing or what color eyes they have.

Therefore, I think to be a True Fan, you must understand much about the people, places, and characters in these movies & books. True fans can also be collectors. For me, right now I'm collecting movie posters & books ... and plan on collecting the action figures too (gotta take one at a time

). True fans have gotta read the books, no doubt about it. If you don't, you're truly missing out. I am a fairly new fan to LOTR, but I am a TRUE FAN, and will remain loyal to my fellow Middle Earth inhabitants

Arie · 08-03-2004, 04:14 PM

A true fan? One who isn't infatuated with movie stars and is meaningful in all of their posts on the Downs.

Lady Gamgee · 08-03-2004, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arie

A true fan? One who isn't infatuated with movie stars and is meaningful in all of their posts on the Downs.

I couldn't agree more. Very well said

Encaitare · 08-03-2004, 08:47 PM

Quote:

I'm not saying that buying the best copy available makes you a lesser fan, but if you care enough about the material inside, it doesn't really matter what condition it's in.

Indeed! I have a really beautiful copy of the trilogy, the Alan Lee illustrated one, which I got because I wanted to have a nice copy to last a long time. But then I also have copies of FotR and TTT from the 60s or 70s, which according to the covers cost 95 cents.

Quote:

In my humble opinion, I would definately side with Elianna; DON'T drool!

I think it's okay to drool because sometimes one just can't help oneself. There are so many beautiful people in the movies, ie: David Wenham, Viggo, Sean Bean, Billy Boyd... ::trails off with dreamy looks:: But, er ... ahem, you shouldn't watch the movies simply *for* the eye candy *coughrabidOrlandoBloomfangirlscough* These people cannot be considered true fans.

I would say a true fan is someone who gets the messages of the story: themes about good and evil, the dangers of too much power, the strength in friendship, etc. I don't think it's necessary to have read the books first, since I didn't but now love them. A true fan should read the books at some point, though, and should try out the Silm, UT, and all the rest of those books we just can't get enough of.

A true fan knows enough history, characters, background, and places to carry on an intelligent conversation about the story, but they should be able to recognize movie events from book events.

But more or less you just have to really, really love LotR.

InklingElf · 08-03-2004, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arie

A true fan? One who isn't infatuated with movie stars and is meaningful in all of their posts on the Downs.

hah! true true

06-29-2004, 12:03 PM	#1
Frodo2968thewhite Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Shire Posts: 95	Mae Govannen Mellyn nin! Elen sila lumenn omentielmo! I must say that Meela has captured true fandom the best so far... anyone that truly loves LOTR is a fan. I, for one, consider myself an expert, and I might be what some call obsessed. I love LOTR, and It has actually helped me in times of need. I have and have read every middle earth-related book i can find, and all of Tolkien's books. I even have 4 three inch binders filled with LOTR material I found online, in magazines, and photocopied out of different sources. one of them is filled to it's capacity with elvish. I have bought all the elven rings, the ring of Barahir, and the one ring. I also have two swords, Sting and Anduril. But I don't feel I am going overboard, because I appreciate every item I receive. I know very much about Lord of the Rings, but even if I didn't, I would still be a fan. And lack of money has never held me back, when I was little, I took a piece of yellow paper and drew elvish writing of the on it, then rolled it up into the one ring, and I would wear it all the time. I agree about the whole, "drooling" issue. I hate seeing people that say, "Oh, I love Lord of the Rings because Orlando Bloom is in it!" Then they fill everything with pics of him, and call it LOTR. But I do think that every major fan should be called, "odd" "weird" or "obsessed" at least once for their love of LOTR. They should also know at least 2 words of elvish. I am a fan because of my love of Lord of the Rings, not my knowledge of it (even though it is a huge bonus), or my amount of merchandise. Namaarie! Aa lasser en lle coia orn 'n omenta gurtha! -Iorhael Lolindir Ancalime I Taur __________________ INAGURAL GOLDEN RING MARATHON, OCTOBER 20, 2005!!! FRODO LIVES!!!!

08-03-2004, 02:21 PM	#2
Isowen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The blackened depths Posts: 86	It doesn't take much really Maybe this is a little demanding but I think a true fan must read the books thoroughly a few times and also see the movies. __________________ I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber -room: Thing wanted always burried, If he forgets, I shall roast him.

08-03-2004, 04:03 PM	#3
Lady Gamgee Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Shire Posts: 30	Personally, I think that anyone who would be called a *TRUE* fan of LOTR has to truly enjoy the books & movies, perhaps even relate some of it to real life. It seems that the truer fans find out as much as they can about Tolkien, all of his works, the movies, the characters backgrounds, etc .... If there's one thing I can't stand is, what I like to call, a "bandwagoneer". For those who don't know what that is, it's someone who automatically decides they're gonna "like" something or someone just because it or they are popular ... when really they wouldn't give a second thought about it. Anyone who likes a movie, actor, etc... just because he's "cute" or "I like her", or any other countless things cannot call themselves true fans. There is much more to a movie, person, or music than what they're wearing or what color eyes they have. Therefore, I think to be a True Fan, you must understand much about the people, places, and characters in these movies & books. True fans can also be collectors. For me, right now I'm collecting movie posters & books ... and plan on collecting the action figures too (gotta take one at a time ). True fans have gotta read the books, no doubt about it. If you don't, you're truly missing out. I am a fairly new fan to LOTR, but I am a TRUE FAN, and will remain loyal to my fellow Middle Earth inhabitants __________________ "....though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater." ~~ Haldir

08-03-2004, 04:14 PM	#4
Arie Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fangorn Forest Posts: 50	A true fan? One who isn't infatuated with movie stars and is meaningful in all of their posts on the Downs. __________________ "Don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures."--Sydney Smith