From time to time, the OTW will be hosting guest posts on our OTW News accounts. These guests will be providing an outside perspective on the OTW or aspects of fandom where our projects may have a presence. The posts express each author’s personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the OTW or constitute OTW policy. We welcome suggestions from fans for future guest posts, which can be left as a comment here or by contacting us directly.
Hailing from Australia, Ash48 has vidded in several fandoms but primarily for Supernatural. Along with her fandom works, she also created the Introduction to the OTW video in 2014, which explains the OTW’s projects to viewers and has been subtitled in 16 languages.. Today she talks a bit about her fandom experience and how she began vidding.
How did you first get into fandom and fanworks?
I remember watching Supernatural for the first time back in 2005. I was about half way through season one when I thought I’d check and see if anything was being said about it on-line. And boy was there ever! Through various hits and misses I discovered Live Journal and through that I discovered fanvids. I remember enjoying them a lot and ideas started to form in my head about things I could do. I had iMovie and I figured out how to get episode footage and I started playing around. My first vid was “Shakin’ That Ass”, posted in 2006.
What do you enjoy the most about creating and sharing fanworks?
I would say it would have to be a mix of making them and then sharing them. I love the process of editing. I get a lot of enjoyment out of piecing together footage from my favourite show and putting it all to music. I then enjoy sharing it and seeing what people have to say.
What are some of the fanworks that have inspired you?
Heaps inspire me! Constantly. When I started out, there were a couple of videos that really stuck with me. One was called “Breathe” (and I now can’t recall who made it, and it’s since been taken down) and the other was Charmax’s ProtegeMoi. Later on I was greatly inspired by Maichan’s “Fun with Real Audio” vids. It opened my eyes to new possibilities and it’s when I made “Channel Hopping”. But really, so many vidders and their works inspire me. I don’t want to list them for fear of missing someone out.
Has your perspective on fanworks changed since you started out in fandom?
Hmmmm, probably. I’m not sure it’s perspective as such, but I don’t consume as many fanworks as I used to. It’s been a while since I’ve watched vids. Though I still read quite a bit of fanfic. I’m probably more “picky” about what I read now. Though I still hold all artists in the same high regard I did when I first discovered it all. I think fanworks are an amazing contribution to fandom. It also allows people who may have not been creative (me!), be creative.
What do fanworks mean to you today?
They keep me in touch with fandom and the things that are still touching fans today. With the advent of tumblr there are many more graphics and they can provide interesting meta on the show.
What would you tell others about International Fanworks Day?
I’d be happy to promote it and get others to share their thoughts and works. I think it’s a great idea to share creativity and support each other in all their endeavors.