What separates a 'fan' from a 'casual enjoyer'?

What do you think allows someone to truly call themselves a Star Wars fan, and not just someone who enjoys the movies?



I would say that the line is represented when you invest money or time in a SW activity that isn't the movies. This could be as simple as buying action figures and novels, or spending significant time at a message board... or as expansive as collecting a whole set of cards and going to a FanForce meeting every week.

The idea of commitment to this whole SW thing as more than just a set of movies you watch on occasion.



Rick McCallum loves you!

 

I say we get a list going

1. A real Star Wars fan is willing to wear a Jedi Costume in downtown Indianapolis for a Star Wars convention

~Corran

 

I think the amount of money spent on Star Wars merchandise is a factor. The casual fan might buy a couple figures of the "cool" characters, maybe a comic book or novel or two. The real fans try to purchase most things that say Star Wars on them that are within their means.

However, whether or not you spend large sums of money on Star Wars should not be the deciding factor between a real and casual fan.

 

>>>I think the amount of money spent on Star Wars merchandise is a factor.

No way. Being a fan of the merchandise and a fan of the films are two completely different kettles of fish. That's akin to saying that if you're not a fan of the EU, you're not a Star Wars fan.

The only money I've spent on Star Wars for myself (apart from on the films- videos, DVDs, cinema tickets etc.) has been on a couple of computer games, but I challenge anyone to question my "fan-dom"...

 

I think not only the money but the ammount of time you devote to Star Wars. Waiting in line for a store to open at midnight for the first line of Star Wars toys or skipping school the next day to see them is more dedicated then one willing to wait until they are on sale 2 months later. A fan watches Star Wars often while an ejoyer watches it whenever TBS shows it. Also only truly dedicated fans will be willing to wait for weeks outside for the next film to open.

And all things considering, a casual enjoyer won't spend 5 hours a day here.

However, there is a catch--there are many Star Wars fans that would dedicate the time if they could (stupid respinsibilities). I believe intentions as well as actions should be considered when measuring someone for this.

 

You might be a fan of something, rather than a casual enjoyer, if...

1) You think about it at least once a day.

2) You feel defensive if it is attacked.

3) You feel proud if it is praised.

4) You seek it out, rather than passively enjoy it when you encounter it by happenstance.

5) You remember things about it when other details of your day-to-day life are long since forgotten.

 

I think if your looking at these boards you've gone beyond being a fan of the movies.

I also believe there are different degrees of being a Star Wars fan. These are the main ones I recognize the most.

There's the "Movie Fan": Those who only enjoy the films and don't really know anything else about Star Wars that isn't brought out in the movies. Example, your a "Movie fan" if you know who Greedo is, but not that he's a Rodian.

There's the "Casual Fan": These people like the movies, collect a few figures or merchandise and maybe have read an EU novel. I seem to have found this type is the most common out in the "real" world.

Then there's the "Devotee": A person who has a passion for Star Wars. These are most found here on these boards arguing over what is "cannon" the films or the books/comics. These people have researched Timelines, Characters,...etc. They have some sum of money invested in some kind of Star Wars Merchandise. They are also the ones who wait in line for days for tickets. (Though "Casual Fans" do this too, it's usually a "Devotee" who masterminds this outing!)

Then there's the "Fanatic": This is someone who Star Wars has become a major part of their life. "Fanatics" will do everything a "Devotee" will do, but they will also dress up in characte (and not just for Halloween), get tattoos, quote lines in everyday speech, have a count down clock of some kind for Episode 3, and generally "live and breathe" Star Wars!

I find myself straddling the line between "Devotee" and "Fanatic", though I'm leaning more towards "Fanatic". I have SW tattoos, I'm building SW costumes, (and not just for Halloween), and I try to use SW in my life. I find myself waving my hands before going through automatic doors (my wife just loves that), whenever I pick up a broom, I automatically have to swing it around ala Darth Maul! (I just don't videotape it!) I'm also considered the "Star Wars Guy" at my work. I guess SW will always have it's hooks in me and I couldn't be happier!

 

The word fan is an appriviation of the word Fanatic, so....

I think those here are the fans. Those on other sites like this one are as well, and the gamers are as well.
And there is some cross-over.

I like LOTR movies, I know the names of the characters and I read the books, but I cannot call myself a fan.

I like the Yankees, I own some t-shirts, some players stats, the players on the team, and I follow the team.
That is a fan.

If you follow what is going on with it, you are fan,

 

if you mentally connect real life situations to star wars scenes your a fan.

 

This is really simple. It is not hard to at all. A Casual enjoyer will watch the movie maybe a few times. But does not care one why or the other for the movie. They ether liked it or they did not. They may only watch it because they have a frined who is into Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. Or there firend is a fan of that Metal band and so on.

A fan is someone who like the movie, music, book, etc and wants to know ever thing about it and get ever thing about it.