By Pam Cook
Appendix: Q&A with fan site owners
Responses to questionnaire sent to fan site owners:
AUS:
1. When and why did you first set up the site?
I ran/run a fairly successful Moulin Rouge! message board back in the day and was heavily into that film by Baz — of course I had enjoyed his previous works also but this was my first foray into expressing that interest. Ever since Moulin Rouge! we’d keenly awaited Baz Luhrmann’s next masterpiece. We all thought it would be Alexander, which is where the Baz the Great! site by another friend and user of our forum got their name, but that wasn’t to be. Instead Baz and CM [Catherine Martin] moved on to another of their several ‘epic’ ideas, which happened to be Australia. The site was officially set up on November 23, 2006 (… has it been that long!?! ) because I was waiting for Baz to release the name of the film before buying a domain … in actual fact we had a thread and then a subsection to the Moulin Rouge! forum set up for the film well before this time. Consider how highly anticipated the film was with the rest of the world and then triple it for us fans. I set up the site because it was a natural progression. I’ve been dabbling in fan sites for years and my running of the Moulin Rouge! forum had escalated to a reasonably high scale (I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to e-interview Baz Luhrmann) so given the amount of interest I had for the film, it seemed only logical to pool that gathered knowledge/information on a website in one easy-to-read location from which others could benefit.
2. How many hours a week do you spend on updating the site?
You just can’t begin to quantify the time you give to something like this, but … A LOT. Particularly during the height of the film and pre/post release, I gave the site a crazy amount of attention – hours per day. Most people don’t realise the time and effort that goes in to maintaining a quality website, particularly where a forum is attached. It really does take true passion, because it requires a lot of resources and time that you’re not getting paid for, so you have to be driven by something other than money or even official feedback in some instances, because you generally get neither. For me a website has to be a labour of love … definitely plenty of labour, but plenty of love for what you’re doing – both in technical aspect and content. It certainly isn’t something you get into because you want glory, perks or praise; you will almost always be let down in that regard. I believe that it has to be about personal passion. The site is no longer updated because there is really no more news to be had on this particular film and I have my efforts focused on new fan sites and endeavours at present (e.g. http://www.spirited-tv.net/and http://forum.placeboworld.co.uk/forum/). However, I like to leave my old websites up as an archive that many people still visit and I am continuously getting emails and comments from people who have just seen the film or people wanting to research certain aspects or get in contact with X, Y or Z. I check my email less frequently, but do like to still help and re-direct enquiries where I can.
3. How do you find the content you post?
Even in the last six years Internet searching has improved, but Google was obviously always a wonderful tool. I and others would actively search daily, sometimes more, for any breaking news or information. Having the forum was most definitely an invaluable source. It meant we had a collective group of eyes and ears all eagerly awaiting new information. Sometimes they would hear word via other forums (Hugh [Jackman]/Nicole [Kidman] etc.) and come to share with us, particularly once they knew I was running the site they would be eager to assist. That shared pool of information, be it something small or large is quite amazing. If the content was not online it was good to have the heads-up about an article or a magazine. At my own expense I purchased a huge wealth of magazines in hard copy specifically for the purpose of scanning in to the gallery of the site, just so that information could be documented and shared with others along for the journey. I did realise that I was lucky being located in Australia as a lot of Luhrmann/Hugh/Nicole fans were not; so they were quite reliant on myself and the site for information.
4. Do you exclude anything? I’m interested here in your selection criteria.
I don’t recall specifically coming across an article or content and thinking, ‘No, that does not belong on my site’. Personally, I am not a fan of invasive paparazzi shots where children are involved, but I don’t think any such content was around or relevant at the time the site was being made. Most press stuff involving Hugh and his children was quite openly given to the press about his son’s relation with the locals and photos were officially published, so that was fine. There was a lot of backlash about the movie and comments that Nicole Kidman had made about not wanting to watch it were taken out of context; so rather than publishing such articles I did write some opinion pieces on those issues by highlighting the actual truth or opposite positions by using other facts. I did not post significant spoilers, particularly regarding the ending of the film, because I wanted to encourage people to see the film in theatres. The benefit of having a forum is that we could discuss spoilers, articles, gossip and whatnot, warts and all … no holds barred, but the site did not need that. The site didn’t need to update with every news report because we covered it on the forum, but the important details were always extracted for the site. It was to be informative, about filming dates, latest photographs etc. A source for those wanting crisp detail without having to sift through in depth dissection and chatter.
5. What role does the fan community play in building what appears on the site?
As I have alluded, a great deal of assistance was provided by many fans and a few key supporters in particular. I was lucky that I could source a lot of content myself as an Australian Baz fan, but it was good to have Hugh and Nicole fans sharing their resources too. In the early days we had a lot of excited locals scanning their regional newspapers, taking photographs of locations and giving on the ground reports, which was quite exclusive content. It is great the wealth of information you can gather from a variety of sources when you have that communal/global atmosphere and I was always very appreciative of those who took the time to email or contact me with contributions. I enjoy that side of making websites, that’s part of the reason why I run them, that fan interaction. People enjoy the sense of accomplishment and shared endeavour when contributing and I appreciate their assistance and companionship along for the journey. It really is much duller when you’re continuously the sole source of information that just stands and delivers.
I might also add that given the popularity of the site, my web host threatened to, and did take the site down at several stages. Mere days before the film was released traffic was so high that I was in a situation where I had no choice but to pay a massive, crippling fee to transfer my entire site onto a sever that could handle more traffic, or face the fact that a site which I had slaved on for years may be offline from the exact point of time when the actual film was released. Crushed doesn’t begin to describe the feeling or stress that I was under. Being held at ransom from my host I went to the fans that had come on the journey with me and they helped contribute toward funding the site for a brief period of time. So in a very real way they contributed to the actual site appearing. Mind you, TodayTonight (a low-brow current affairs news show) had other ridiculous conspiracy theories as to why my site was offline on the day before release: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkesvHiWt_U
6. What part does your own experience and memorabilia (photos, artefacts etc.) play in the site?
This was my first time in following a film through pre- and post-production to completion and with a Baz film it was quite a large undertaking. Running the site I did get quite swept up in the collection of physical memorabilia and digital photographs etc. I never dare quantify how much money went into magazines, merchandise etc. I bought various rare (competition) pieces of merchandise from eBay, had some fans send me regional things such as mini newspapers and stubby holders (beer holders) that were produced in Bowen during the time of filming. Magazines were the main contribution towards the site, and that may not sound like much, but they were generally big, glossy, fashion magazines from $15-20 each time. As for my personal experience, I was ultimately extended an invite to the Sydney premiere of Australia. I was able to utilise this experience for a review of the event and the film. Again, forum and actual site recollections did vary. The forum could be more casual and intimate recollections, as I liked to keep the site to detail-based recounts and information with less ‘fan-girl gushing’ where possible.
7. Do you worry about copyright?
Though I do not work in the field, I am actually a qualified lawyer, so the issue of copyright, and attribution at the least, was always something of which I was aware. Basically, I think Bazmark would have been fools to stop us from uploading photographs that we’d collected as the site was essentially doing them a massive PR service for free. I was always very conscious of asking for permission and crediting fans for their work or scans, those kinds of attributions, believe it or not, tend to cause more trouble than legal copyright. Where official photographers were involved we would credit them by name and/or link to their website. There was one prolific on-location photographer that I had some discussion with about crediting and he expressed desires on how he would like that to occur and we were completely fine to work with that. My policy was to give as much source information and credit where possible, then our disclaimer made clear that if someone ever took issue with us displaying their work they could contact us about it and either ask for more specific credit/watermarking or removal should they desire (http://www.australiamovie.net/disclaimer/). However we were never put in this situation.
8. Is your intended audience other fans?
Anyone with an interest in what we were presenting was the target audience. Basically, fans of the film genre and Baz, Hugh, Nicole. We had a few (two or three) comments from historians or indigenous members of the community that the site did not provide sufficient information about the real backstory to the film. However, very early on the decision was made not to become a source for that type of information. There are plenty of other websites where that can be found, and as I am not well versed in those areas, I felt it would be wrong of me to present myself as such. Instead, a brief factual history section was provided with external links elsewhere. The site really was dedicated to the film and film-making aspects, and not for historians or college students writing papers about the bombing of Darwin. Basically, I wanted to make an easy-to-digest source of information about all things ‘Australia – the movie’ and fan reports reflected that this is what I achieved.
9. Do you aim to provide a complete and accurate historical record?
The site documented the very early stages of this particular piece of work. There are photographs that fans submitted of sets being built and scenes being rehearsed. The film-making process is chronicled in quite a comprehensive manner. In this regard, I aimed to be as thorough as the available information allowed. The site stands now as a little time capsule from that period. And it is good for people who are just discovering the film via TV or DVD to be able to look through all that information and early behind-the-scenes documentation. As I type these responses, it is also nice for me to take a wander down memory lane (http://www.australiamovie.net/archives/).
10. How would you describe the value of the site?
To me, the process of following a project, becoming so involved and having those connections and friendships with fellow fans was priceless. The value and support for the site by other fans is usually what drives you to work hard in providing a quality website. With all the top-tier enquiries I was fielding, such as TV and press interview requests for Baz (due to being mistaken for an official website), I was lucky to eventually develop a point of contact at Bazmark; however, there was often a lack of official feedback or recognition for my efforts, which does make you question the value of your contribution in their eyes. I never work on fan sites to gain that recognition or support, but it certainly does feed the soul and make you work harder (again, all for free) if you feel that they are appreciative of your efforts, rather than being perhaps a hindrance to them. Though the invite to the premiere in Sydney was a very last-minute thing, I suppose you could say being extended that courtesy was certainly a token of their appreciation (a token that they in no way owed me), and that was a nice culmination of events. I think to this day the site is still of significant value to Bazmark as I continuously get feedback and mail from universities, people wanting to contact photographers to purchase photos etc., and I field those questions as best I can when possible. I note that the official site came well after my site appeared and disappeared rather quickly after the film … therefore in regards to this particular film, I think the fact that I still personally pay to keep that information available to the public is a show of my appreciation for Baz and the fan community. Additionally, I worked long and hard to put that body of information together, and to dismantle it simply because the film and buzz has ended would be disappointing. Finally, because of the site’s popularity, for which I was thankful, it honestly did become quite stressful when site closure and financial issues arose, so I still look back on it with some mixed feelings. Though I greatly cherish the personal journey I went on through following the film from start to end, the time, stress and financial issues were all factors that led me to make an active decision in not repeating the process with the latest Luhrmann film.
BG:
1. When and why did you first set up the site?
I created Baz the Great! in November 2002 after falling in love with Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge!, which to this day remains my favourite movie of all time. After watching the film, I went searching for information about Baz on the Internet, and I was very surprised to find no fan sites dedicated to him. This fact, along with my love of his films, was what made me decide to create my fan site. As far as I know, Baz the Great! is still the only fan site on the web dedicated entirely to Baz Luhrmann.
2. How many hours a week do you spend on updating the site?
This depends entirely on whether or not Baz is actively working on a film or other project. Baz spends a lot of time planning, and so during this time there is little to report. It is only when casting rumours and pre-production of a project begins that the media starts reporting information I can then use on my website. During quiet periods, I might update my site once a month. During busy periods, it may be several times a week. Each update usually takes me about an hour, depending on the amount of news to report. But during busy periods I also spend time each day checking the web for any new information that I think should be added to my website.
3. How do you find the content you post?
Google News! This is my main source of information. I have absolutely no official contact with Baz Luhrmann or his production company, Bazmark. Therefore, I rely entirely on various online media sources for my website content.
4. Do you exclude anything? I’m interested here in your selection criteria.
I do exclude information that is downright negative. I know that Baz’s style of movie-making is not liked by everyone, and this is evident in some of the information that is published when he is working on a project. Because I run a fan site, I do try and post positive information. However, I do also post rumours that might not be accurate, such as casting rumours for a new film, which might turn out to be incorrect. But because I have no official source to verify my information, some guesswork can be required.
5. What role does the fan community play in building what appears on the site?
I have found there is a limited Baz Luhrmann fan community on the Internet. As far as I know, there are no other Baz Luhrmann fan sites on the web. And, as far as I know, there are no active discussion forums dedicated to Baz Luhrmann. When Baz makes a new movie, I sometimes join a couple of discussion forums relating to actors starring in that movie. I often find that these forum users are also fans of Baz and may post some related articles. However, between films, I find myself mostly alone in the pursuit of news and information to post on my site.
6. What part does your own experience and memorabilia (photos, artefacts etc.) play in the site?
When I first created my site, my own experiences and memorabilia played a significant role. I went to Sydney to visit Fox Studios and to stand outside the House of Iona (Bazmark’s production base). I took photos and posted my story on my site. I also visited the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and again posted photos with my story on my site. I also posted pictures of the huge amount of memorabilia I obtained from various stores, including eBay. However, over the years, I have transformed my site into what I hope is now more of a generalised fan site, featuring less about me personally, and concentrating instead on the latest Baz related news and information.
7. Do you worry about copyright?
I have never worried about copyright. My site is a fan site, which I believe helps to promote Bazmark online. I have always had a disclaimer at the bottom of the front page of my website and I have always presumed that if Bazmark, or anyone else, ever had a problem with anything I posted on my site, they would contact me. However, I have never been contacted about any copyright issues.
8. Is your intended audience other fans?
Yes. I am obviously a huge fan myself, and the main reason I maintain my fan site is because I strongly believe that Baz Luhrmann fans should have access to a centralised source of online information so that his works are more widely accessible and appreciated across the Internet. I also hope that people who are not necessarily fans, but have perhaps watched one of Baz’s films and are curious to find out more, also access my site and find useful information.
9. Do you aim to provide a complete and accurate historical record?
No, not at all. I have no official contacts, therefore my site information has been gathered from various websites and media sources across the Internet. Quite simply, I have done the best I can with the limited material available to me. Also, I don’t expect anyone to visit my site hoping for a complete and accurate historical record. My site is an unofficial fan site — this is clearly stated on my front page — and so it should be clear to visitors that all information has been compiled by a fan, not anyone official.
10. How would you describe the value of the site?
Baz the Great! has been an influential online resource for many years and I believe it has helped to promote Bazmark’s projects over the past decade. My website averages well over 100 visitors a day, but this increases to several hundred a day during peak times. However, although I’ve received lots of positive feedback from fellow fans who appreciate my dedication, I have not received support from Bazmark. I have to be honest and say that I have always found this to be disheartening. I believe that Bazmark are aware of my site, and I hope they appreciate what I’ve been doing, but I’ve never received an official ‘thank you’. Indeed, it is for this very reason that, shortly after the release of Baz’s next film, I plan to close down my fan site. Ten years and no official recognition have made me conclude that, unfortunately, perhaps it is time for me to move on.
Addendum:
Is your site hosted by a server that charges a fee?
Yes, unless you don’t mind your fan site being covered with advertisements, there is usually a fee when hosting a fan site on a server. I pay around US$40 a year for an assigned amount of space and to keep my site ad-free. You also need to buy the rights to use a particular website address. When I tried to buy bazthegreat.com, it was already taken, so I bought bazthegreatsite.com instead, and I pay about US$15 a year to keep this address.
CD [my translation from French]:
1. When and why did you first set up the site?
I created the site in late 2001 to honour the career of Catherine Deneuve, of whom I was a big fan since my teens, and to share all documents (including interviews) that I had stored over the years.
2. How many hours a week do you spend on updating the site?
Currently, I have not updated the site for one year. When I was active, I spent about one hour per week.
3. How do you find the content you post?
I had stored a number of magazines as they became available. I also bought some old magazines in the film flea markets, and I made photocopies of articles in the National Library of France. For news, I found the information in the press and on the Internet.
4. Do you exclude anything? I’m interested here in your selection criteria.
I wanted to totally exclude her private life. This is why I only publish things that Catherine Deneuve has herself said (in interviews), or photos from public events where photographers are accredited.
5. What role does the fan community play in building what appears on the site?
The community has not played a major role in building the site, except for many messages of encouragement that make me very happy. I nevertheless have relied on fans for:
– Translation of the editorial into 20 languages (now abandoned).
– Screenshots of movies.
– Some comments in the guestbook.
6. What part does your own experience and memorabilia (photos, artefacts etc.) play in the site?
My personal experience does not appear on the site. In particular, I have not published any of the many photos I took myself of Catherine Deneuve.
7. Do you worry about copyright?
I publish all items with complete references. For photos, I publish them in very small size (600 pixels) and I withdraw any picture if the author expresses his disapproval (it happened once). For news photos, I often rely on photographs taken by professional photographers. I do not generate any income from the site, and I do not use the content for commercial purposes.
8. Is your intended audience other fans?
I have no particular target, with no commercial intent. I seek to please the fans, including foreigners (50% of site traffic), and I also thought to please Catherine Deneuve (but I learned that this is not the case) by giving her a respectful tribute.
9. Do you aim to provide a complete and accurate historical record?
I planned to make a reference site on the career of Catherine Deneuve. I have not space to recount her life and I do not wish to because that is private and belongs to her. There is a certain amount of information I have that does not appear on the site. I no longer publish articles that are not interviews with Catherine Deneuve, and that may reveal things that she does not want made public.
10. How would you describe the value of the site?
I think the value of the site lies in its completeness and also in its rigour (verification, citing sources, etc.). And in its intention to be honest and respectful. Some developers have said they visited my site before writing a scenario they wanted to propose to Catherine Deneuve. Journalists and biographers have also used it for reference.
I designed the site myself (it took me about nine months, devoting 15 hours a week, mainly to scan articles and photos). I stopped the undertaking due to lack of time, but mostly because the very negative reactions of Catherine Deneuve (she told me quite violently that she did not want to be talked about on the Internet!) hurt me and demotivated me. But I will soon do an update.
Copyright:
Frames # 1 Film and Moving Image Studies Re-Born Digital? 2012-07-02, this article © Pam Cook
