My life with action figures - an interview with dieastra by dieastra

[dieastra]

I want to take part in selenic76's Fandom Fest!

So, I basically interviewed myself. This is what happened:

If you don’t mind me asking – how old are you exactly?

I turned 40 last year – why do you ask?

And you are still playing with dolls?!?

Well, yeah. Guess I have kept my inner child, and I love it. I don’t intend to grow up anytime soon, I have way too much fun. And it is action figures, please. There’s a difference. I think my figures might feel offended if you called them dolls!

Tell me more about it. What is so fascinating about them?

They look like the actors! The faces and the clothes are done very well. Well, except that one Captain Jack Harkness figure who comes a bit cross-eyed. And not only mine, everyone was complaining about this. Makes him look a bit daft ;) Setting up scenes with the figures is in a way like fanfiction with pictures. You can make them do pretty much everything you want. Sorry shippers and slashers, taking their clothes off might be a bit difficult, if not impossible, but everything else is fair game. They never complain, they never get tired. They tend to fall over from time to time, which is especially bad if you had put a tea tray into Ianto’s hands and have to pick up the pieces every time...

I also had a few losses already, one Jack O’Neill broke his wrist, and one Jack Harkness has a broken nose from falling down onto the pavement when we were shooting out on location.

What do you mean – one? How many of them do you have?

Here is where it gets interesting. Once the figure bug has bitten you, there is no turning back. They seem to multiply, I should check whether it is an alien virus or something...

For example, Jack Harkness. It started with Doctor Who Jack, in the Air Force uniform he wore in the episode “The Empty Child”, and naturally he brings the empty child in the gas mask with him. John Barrowman said in an interview recently that he had to approve the figure and made them actually use his face instead of just a generic one. I’m glad he did – who would’ve wanted to buy a Jack Harkness that did not look like John Barrowman?

You can get the Torchwood Jack with the light blue shirt and rolled up sleeves (and crossed eyes – ah, never mind). You can get the same figure in the dark blue shirt as a special limited one which therefore is a bit more expensive.
You can also get the Doctor Who Jack with his long grey coat. There are two variants, one comes with the hand of the Doctor in the jar, the other one with the Webley. Of course you understand that I had to buy both, right?

Finally, there is a very rare Jack which comes from a set with other figures, this one is in the dark blue shirt (no coat), but not with rolled up sleeves – instead they are long sleeves and even have the little planes as cuff links. I love and use this one the most, as he has a cut at the upper arm which means he can turn his arms inwards, whereas the Torchwood Jacks can only put them straight forward. Imagine Zombies.



Shall I go on?

Same for the Tenth Doctor figure – he comes in blue and brown suit, with or without glasses, with or without the coat and in combinations of suit with coat and glasses, and also in the red and in the orange space suit, and the orange space suit comes in either clean or dirty... needless to say, I have them all.



You still haven’t said how many exactly you have.

Well, if you insist... At the moment, I have 8 Torchwood figures and 47 Doctor Who figures. I might have to stop collecting now though, as they changed the size for upcoming figures from 5” to 3.5”.

That’s not too much, then?

Do I hear some irony there?
Well, I also have 21 Stargate SG-1 figures and 10 from Stargate: Atlantis, and then there is also Superman & Batman, the Terminator & Indiana Jones, Mulder & Scully, Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the sheep & friends, Shakespeare & van Gogh, and some figures from Primeval, even though I never watched this.

Wait – Shakespeare and van Gogh? Didn’t the Doctor once meet them in an episode? You could try to make a scene from that, maybe when van Gogh signed his Sunflower painting for Amy – you do have an Amy, right?

Hah! I knew it! See? You already are thinking like a real action figure theatre maker. There might be hope for you yet.
And why do you think I bought them in the first place?

Ahem. Never mind. But you must be crazy, buying figures of a series you never watched!

Maybe – but have you seen the cool technical equipment and computer stuff they come with? My Tosh was very happy to use this in her Torchwood Hub!



That looks like John Barrowman there on one of the computer screens?!?

That is a leftover from last year, when I set up a little story about the Torchwood team celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee. Watching the TV coverage, Tosh had spotted a man suspiciously looking like Jack Harkness on the first boat from the pageant on the river Thames.



Now I understand what you mean with “Action Figure Theatre”. Do you play alone or with friends?

Both. Sometimes I have an idea and already see the whole scene in my head. I also have been inspired by other people’s fanfictions or drabbles. Sometimes I just look through the many miniature things I keep in boxes and drawers. The idea to do the whole Hamlet theatre play with Doctor Who and Torchwood figures came from me finding a little crown. I kept digging and also found a skull, a gun (for shooting Polonius), a sword, a book, a knife and a camera. My fingers were itching to start right away. Problem was, that it already was 2 AM at a workday...

So I decided this was something worth doing properly. First I had to make a Hamlet – by changing a Tenth Doctor figure aka David Tennant. Then I invited a friend, who brought also some of her figures and accessories, and we cast the figures for their roles by their hair color or the clothes they wore. Rose was blond, so she became Gertrude. Mickey was right for playing Horatio, as he had the same skin color, and I guess I don’t need to tell you who played the soldier in the long coat!

But the most fun is when I invite several friends and just put the figures on the table. It’s never long before someone starts to try out what they can do, and some of the most funny pictures have come from this, I remember laughing till my belly hurt. Also the spontaneous comments and one thing leading to the other are sometimes hilarious.

Wait – what do you mean, you made a Hamlet?

It’s called customizing. Thanks to two lovely people – roll my blues in the Stargate fandom and Snow in the John Barrowman fandom – I have taken my first steps into what has become my new obsession. Sometimes I cut things off with a sharp knife – in Hamlet’s case, I had to get rid of the suit jacket and the shirt collar and the tie. I carved down the suit sleeves to bare arms and I added some pieces with a clay called “Milliput” which is used by model builders. It can be easily shaped when soft and after two – three hours it hardens and then can be cut further or painted.

For the Hamlet I also had to change the shoes into naked feet, which took me a while to form.





Some of the Hamlet pictures we did even ended up in the Shakespeare magazine: http://issuu.com/shakespearemagazine/docs/shakespeare_magazine_02 (pages 18-21, and a small biography of myself on page 46)

Another figure I recently finished is Owen Harper from the Torchwood team.



Why didn’t you just buy him?



I would if I could! Sadly, there never was an official Owen figure. There was supposed to be one, some lucky people already saw the prototype, but then (Beware! Spoilers!) he died and they must have figured (hah!) nobody would buy a figure of a dead character. Whenever I did a picture story with the whole Torchwood team, Owen was missing. I ran out of excuses why he was the only one remaining in the Hub while everyone else was out having fun, so I just broke down and made him.

I apologise, I have forgotten who had originally the idea to use a Toby figure from the episode “The Impossible Planet”. Paint one of the famous Owen t-shirts onto him and add the white coat from Doctor Constantine in “The Doctor Dances” and voilá, you have an Owen.

I’m from former Eastern Germany. Back then it was usual to make the things which you couldn’t buy with your own hands. Many were very talented and crafty. I guess this has stayed with me a little. One of the first things I ever did back then were some Wild West figures from a book series by famous German adventure author Karl May. You could not buy any merchandise for it, so I created my own, and used the descriptions in the books. Here are Winnetou and Old Shatterhand:



Where do you get all those cute small things I see in your pictures from?

Let me tell you, when you work with miniatures, you start to see the world with different eyes. You scan everything whether it might be useful or not. Of course, there are lots of online shops which sell furniture, food or kitchen items for dollhouses – not for kids to play with but for adults, who decorate dollhouses. Like these:



There is practically nothing from the real world you can’t buy in miniature. Most of those items are handmade by very talented people, and sometimes very expensive. Most are also made for Victorian times and it can be a bit hard to find modern stuff.

So I also look outside the obvious. Attachments of key rings work very well, for example. I once bought two lovely bags which my figures use for travel now. They even have zippers and can be opened and closed. I just removed the keyrings. I have bought more from this seller since, and have shown her pictures of what I do with her things. She loves it. The last time she said that the whole office had wondered what I wanted with this particular item. You know you are famous when your eBay seller wonders what you do with her stuff!

Another time I was looking at my father’s Christmas tree and admiring all those tiny brass instruments hanging on it. Then it hit me: They are the perfect size! So when Christmas was over I asked him to not store them away till next year but let me play with them. And we made a New Year’s Eve big band and orchestra with the “Torchwood” and “Doctor Who” heroes, and also some of their enemies. They played well together for once.



Sometimes, I also take them outside. If you get the right angle for the camera, it looks as if they are really standing in all those places. I took my Torchwood and Doctor Who figures to Cardiff:



I took my Stargate SG-1 figures to Vancouver where the series was shot:



And the Doctor showed me around London:



A while later, I showed him my home-city Dresden:



(All these are only one or two pictures of complete stories, but I don’t want to spam you so those should be enough as teasers)

Intriguing. I want to see more of this. Do you have a website?

Funny you should ask! I have several links for you. Here are some masterlists which have all the links to the stories:

Torchwood stories: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/23552.html

Doctor Who stories: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/23912.html

John Barrowman stories: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/41353.html

Arrow stories: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/102687.html

Stargate stories: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/24280.html

Customized figures: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/40721.html

If Livejournal doesn’t work for some reason, there is also a copy of each list on Dreamwidth: http://dieastra.dreamwidth.org/

I also have set up a Facebook page for them now, where I will upload all pictures in time. You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/AstrasActionfiguresInAction

And the figures are on Tumblr: http://action-figures-in-action.tumblr.com/

Finally, you can follow me on Twitter, where I always announce new additions: https://twitter.com/dieastra

So, are you the only one in the world doing these kind of pictures?

Oh no! There are many others. Very different styles and scenes, but we all share the fun. If you are so inclined, here are some more links for you.

A community for lovers of action figure theatre on Livejournal – it is multifandom and very varied: action_tales

I also recently found this great page called “Adventures Of The Guys”. It is about all the different characters the actor Ben Browder has played in movies and TV series. The way Beth is setting up the figures makes them look like real people – small people in a big world and it’s very funny. Here is a link to all the albums with lots of pictures: https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresOfTheGuys/photos_albums

I also have seen pictures of people who built a miniature Torchwood Hub, a Hobbit hole or the complete apartment of Doctor House. The Torchwood Hub can be looked at here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snowyb52/sets/72157635168972557/ or, if you prefer to leave a comment, here: http://jbsnow.livejournal.com/3105.html

And that would be the link to the House apartment: http://sharp2799.livejournal.com/325651.html

Some of those people have become close friends of mine. So you see, there really isn’t anything you cannot do.

Do John Barrowman and David Tennant actually know about these?

Last year I showed David Tennant the Hamlet figure and gave him an album with the figure pictures, but sadly there was not much time to talk about it as it was a busy convention. Next time I’ll see him, I’ll ask how he liked it!

I was also lucky enough to show some of my work to John Barrowman and anyone who knows him knows he loves action figures (he also has a big collection). So he was quite amazed and wanted a copy of the album. His sister Carole even re-tweeted a link to a picture story where I let my figures read a tiny version of the book “Hollow Earth” they have written together.

And when she said she’d loved to have an action figure of herself I thought: ‘Why not?’ And so I created Carole Barrowman:



The totally overwhelming finale to this story is that a few weeks later, when John and Carole were guests at the American TV show “The Morning Blend”, they showed a picture of it and talked about me for a few seconds. I was totally surprised as I certainly hadn’t expected that.

This link leads right to the moment, it’s at 06:55 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMxmjNpTVv4#t=6m55s



And back in March, when she was over here for the book signing of “Bone Quill”, I took the opportunity to give her her figure:



Awesome. I think this is a great way to end the interview. Thank you so much for your time!

No, thank you. It was a pleasure to talk about my hobby. I invite everyone to try it out as well, and if you do, please show me your pictures! I always love to see the work of others.



This article has also been posted here: http://projecttorchwood.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-coffee-shop-my-life-with-action.html

Comments

[wanderingsmith.livejournal.com]

I think my figures might feel offended if you called them dolls!
-pictures JackO'neill's face in such an instance- LOOOOLLLz

Sorry shippers and slashers,
well that just sucks... and not just for shipper.. also for ogglers..;D

one Jack O’Neill broke his wrist
oh dear. well, he *does* have a habbit of spending a lot of time i the infirmary (maybe not as bad as Siler but.. close..)

who would’ve wanted to buy a Jack Harkness that did not look like John Barrowman?
srsly?? they actuall yconsidered doing that?? the fuck..... do they not have a fan-psychologist on staff to explain how things work??

Problem was, that it already was 2 AM at a workday...
never mind 'gravity', it's TIME that's a heartless bitch...
..and work. mustn't forget *that* bastard...

But the most fun is when I invite several friends and just put the figures on the table.
I envy you that companionship :)

nobody would buy a figure of a dead character.
....maybe there *isn't* such a thing as a fan-psychologist. hu. short-sighted of them.

Back then it was usual to make the things which you couldn’t buy with your own hands
the world would be a better place in a hundred little ways if that practice spread more... :(

so I created my own, and used the descriptions in the books.
well done!

I have bought more from this seller since, and have shown her pictures of what I do with her things. She loves it.
bet it makes her day each time she sees it :)

You know you are famous when your eBay seller wonders what you do with her stuff!
:D:D:D

let me play with them.
-giggle-

If you get the right angle for the camera
that is a very commerciable skill. well done!

And when she said she’d loved to have an action figure of herself
:D

they showed a picture of it and talked about me for a few seconds.
wow... that must have made your week 8D

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

well that just sucks... and not just for shipper.. also for ogglers..;D

Well, but that is what the 12" figures are for ;) Have you seen my Jack in diving suit? http://dieastra.livejournal.com/2718.html

Or when we made the episode "Brief Candle"? http://dieastra.livejournal.com/3145.html

I obviously never had any Barbie in my childhood, nor would I have been interested in it back then, but now I certainly can see the appeal! If just it all wasn't pink...


oh dear. well, he *does* have a habbit of spending a lot of time i the infirmary (maybe not as bad as Siler but.. close..)

True! And I loved it and also love the fanfictions. I am a whumper ;) RDA played pain so well. David Tennant is also quite good at that. Very convincing.

srsly?? they actually considered doing that?? the fuck..... do they not have a fan-psychologist on staff to explain how things work??

I think they wanted to use a generetic soldier face they already had lying around.

maybe there *isn't* such a thing as a fan-psychologist. hu. short-sighted of them.

I think this is also the reason why we never got a figure of the well loved Doctor Beckett of Atlantis and instead got Doctor Keller which nobody wanted. I only bought her because she came with a cool laptop and part of the Atlantis chair.

the world would be a better place in a hundred little ways if that practice spread more... :(

I think in some ways was the world indeed a better place back in Eastern Germany! We were more mindful of recourses. We had no plastic bags, they did not exist. We went to do grocery shopping with our own bags. Even at the bakery, they would put the rolls directly into your bag, no paper or plastic in between.

Also the kitchen machines like mixers or the washing machines, were build to last a lifetime. Sturdy, and run for thirty years and more. Practically unbreakeable. But of course, in Kapitalism it needs to break every few years so people are forced to buy new ones!

When we got a parcel from my aunt in Western Germany, we did not cut the thread. We de-knotted the knot and my father would use the thread again. Same for paper from gifts, we use and re-use it every year for Christmas.

Shoes got repaired, nowadays that costs so much money that you rather buy new ones instead. And so on and on. And yeah, lots of people made their own clothes because they did not like what they could buy in the shops. Lots of people were creative in certain ways. And they shared, everyone had a special skill, and got something else instead. People even repaired their own cars, back then they were so simple that you could do that.

Also, while people were unhappy about a lot of things of course - all the hunting for basic needs, or the part about not being able to travel where you want to - I guess back then people were happier because everyone was more or less the same? There were not rich people like nowadays, and nobody to be envious about. Now it is about who has the biggest house and the most cars. I think people should be happy with what they have and not try to gain more all the time. Have a little respect and look into other countries, then you see how good we have it really.

Did I ever send you my report, where I compare life in Eastern Germany and now? Would you be interested to read it? Lots of small bits that were totally normal back then but now seem different.

wow... that must have made your week 8D

The month even! If you want to read about how it all came, and see the video, I put it all together in this post: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/55122.html

(for the second Hollow Earth action figure story I even got a comment from her here on my own LJ!)

She also recently responded when I posted this picture: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/125141.html

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

I love this so much! I haven't yet read every word, as I'm at work and sneaking personal internet time, but dude. Awesome.

Oh, and also? We're adults now. We get to decide what that means. We can adult however we want. I write fanfiction and dress up like characters I admire. You do action figure theater. And we both rock!

Love you, Astra!

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad you liked it, and hopefully found time for the rest!

I was in fact specifically asked to write something about my action figure stories. And I thought long and hard and found that a long article might be quite boring. Then I got the idea with the fun interview questions, and I am quite proud of it!

But as you can see, I really could talk like forever about this ;) If someone visits me, I show him all the figures and the awesome mini accessories. So much to squee over.

I admire what you and others do for your cosplaying, I have a friend who made a Dark Archer costume and also got the right bow to go with it. That is either lot of work or lot of money, and I have seen great costumes at conventions. I also know people who go one step further and buy original costumes from the series for lots of money.

I'm not much for dressing up. In my corner of Germany we don't really do carnivale, while in orther regions it is even a public holiday. I loved to make costumes as a child, but again the most appealing part was for me to think of something, and then to think of things I could use for making what I wanted. The inventing, the macgyvering, the making something out of nothing. One of these days I have to scan the picture of me in the selfmade Winnetou (an Apache Chief) costume. I made even the hair myself with a sieve and lots of black thread knotted into it.

But once it was all finished and the big day has come? I felt odd walking around in it. I never had any wish for acting or performing or playing a role. I'm so honest and never lie, I just can't pretend! It was the same when I set up my doll house - once I had it all decorated I had no idea what to play with it.

If I worked for a theatre, I would be more interested in prop making, or for movies maybe in location finding and changing. I once visited a filming site here in Dresden, where they had changed a modern street into one from the Sixties. So many small details you would not even see on screen, it was awesome.

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

Haven't read it all yet! But I will.

And that's a cool way to do this. Very clever!

And you should talk forever about it. It's cool and it's you.

Thank you. I enjoy cosplaying. But you are correct. It is either a lot of time or a lot of money in many cases (though it doesn't have to be either if you play your cards right). As for buying original, that's cheating in my opinion. At least for wearing them. You buy a set costume, that's a display piece/for a collection. It's not for wearing.

I'm with you. In enjoy the making of the things more than the wearing, though the wearing is its own reward sometimes. And it makes for fun pictures! But the figuring things out is the best part. The learning.

I'm with you on setting up toys. I used to set up huge battles with my G.I. Joes, then just take them down and set them up again. The actual playing? Not so much. But figuring out the best place to put the sniper so he'd have the best shot? Yeah, I liked that. But as for me personally? I live my life in fantasyland. I pretend all the time, and I'd love to act in any way. I likely won't, but I love the idea of it.

Oh, and yes, set making would be fun, too!

[tangotabby.livejournal.com]

It is fantastic how clever you are, putting scenes together and figuring out how to "MacGyver" what you want if it's not readily available!

I'm so glad that John and Carole are so cool about the action figures--not all actors are. And now you're famous!

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much, and thank you for inspiring me to this entry, as it was yours that made me be aware of Fandom fest!

The most recent thing I have macgyvered was a scimitar for the upcoming Dark Archer figure. I haven't posted it in here yet as the Arabic needs to be added yet, but if you want to see the first pictures, they are on Tumblr: http://action-figures-in-action.tumblr.com/post/111122379855/today-i-have-customized-a-scimitar-for-my-dark

John is so lucky - he has played and collected action figures since he was young, and to have now ones with his own face certainly must be awesome! And yeah, I certainly had more than five minutes of fame that year LOL They are both awesome.

[niviene.livejournal.com]

Wow...I didn't realize you had that big a collection of action figures even though I see your posts all the time. Where the heck do you keep them all?

I didn't know you MADE some of the figures you don't have...O_O that is a talent! I bet Carole was amazed too at her figure!

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Hiya! Sorry, never found the time to reply properly.
Oh yeah, pretty big collection, and always growing (recently some Shaun the sheep movie figures got added).
I remove the original package, as there is a lot of plastic and air around a figure. I have some tin formerly cookie boxes, and I staple them in there. It's a bit like playing Tetris ;) Using every inch. Sorted by theme (Stargate, Doctor Who, Torchwood...)

And then there's also the many boxes with the many miniature accessory things. You saw the post with some but I have much more. The important thing is to remember which thing is in which box!

Oh yeah, Carole loved her figure! She let out a big scream. If you are interested to see step-by-step pictures of both hers and John's figure, I posted them here, so you can see the transformation: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/41677.html

I have similiar posts about making the Hamlet (those naked feet were a pain in the ass to model), David in white uniform and Owen.

And this entry has all the links to the stories I did with the Hollow Earth book (also the publisher contacted me and sent me a book for free, as they loved it) and also Carole's tweets etc.: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/55122.html

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

that one Captain Jack Harkness figure who comes a bit cross-eyed.
*snerk* That's why I totally understand the motivation of re-painters and appreciate their artistry, when they do it well. Have you seen Noel Cruz' works?

one Jack O’Neill broke his wrist, and one Jack Harkness has a broken nose from falling down onto the pavement when we were shooting out on location.
Well, casualties are to be expected, they work hard, after all. :)

Ooh, the computer screens look fabulous! The display's content is more or less easily customizable for the given need, I take it?

Problem was, that it already was 2 AM at a workday...
Again, story of my life... *g*

The finished feet look very good, though on your place I'd be torn between it and the loss of the original shoes...

Oh, wow! Congratulations on the Shakespeare magazine! O.O

Owen Harper looks greatly improved. Here I wouldn't regret the original one for a second.

The collection of tiny props is lovely!

The totally overwhelming finale to this story is that a few weeks later, when John and Carole were guests at the American TV show “The Morning Blend”, they showed a picture of it and talked about me for a few seconds.
Ooh! Even bigger congratulations!

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I'm too long again.

Part 1/2

Thanks for the link of the repainter, some awesome work! And also great dolls which I hadn't seen before. Some people are really talented this way. But I think it is easier with these bigger dolls. When I did that Carole the original figure had brown eyes but she has blue eyes. So first I had to do the blue iris, then the black pupil, and at the end I even put a small white dot into it, for light reflexion. I took the tiniest brush I could find, still I messed it up a few times - and then had to start again with all the layers smaller than a millimeter. And even if it looks good in small reality, once you photograph it and see it in huge on your screen - oy! LOL

This was the first repaint I ever have done: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/679.html

When we had seen prototypes of the Stargate figures in their desert uniform (which I always had loved) it looked so good, so I was very disappointed when the figures came out. The shape was wrong, the colors were too dark, it didn't look anything like the original. But no use to whine about it - I just did change it.

Well, casualties are to be expected, they work hard, after all. :)

True! I never understood those people that keep theirs mint in boxes. If anything fails, I can always buy a new one. Of course, the real expensive ones (the big ones for 179 GBP), they don't leave my flat either. Still I realized the other day that I somehow managed to break the wing of a stone angel. While it stood in my glass vitrine. Not even sure how that happened. I hope I can glue it.

Ooh, the computer screens look fabulous! The display's content is more or less easily customizable for the given need, I take it?

The picture of John that I had put on it (and yes, he really was on the first boat, in front of the Queen. He sometimes meets with princess Anne, as they do charity work together, and last year - on the day of my birthday no less - he also received a huge honor with getting the MBE - Member of the order of the British Empire - in the Buckingham palace, which apparently is the first step to knight), I just printed it and taped it over the existing thing. So yes, I guess I could put anything that I want on it. And what a long winded explanation that was LOL

The finished feet look very good, though on your place I'd be torn between it and the loss of the original shoes...

Don't worry, of course I still have the original Doctor as well, with shoes and all. This figure was bought cheaply (used) specifically for this task to be destroyed. When the new Doctor came, lots of people sold their old figures, no idea why.

By the way, this would have been the official Owen figure if they had ever made it - they already had a prototype: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuPGtpKIMAA1ABh.jpg

I never know how much or how little you know about the Doctor Who and Torchwood fandom - I don't want to lecture you, but you know you can always ask if something is unclear, right? And then there is always google of course.

While looking for the pic right now I stumbled about this from someone - not bad either! http://s282.photobucket.com/user/Jackknight92/media/Collection%20Toy%20Pics/OwenHarper-1.jpg.html

Continued in part 2/2

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

But I think it is easier with these bigger dolls.
Yes, I'm sure of that.

And even if it looks good in small reality, once you photograph it and see it in huge on your screen - oy!
Sounds familiar, I must admit... XD

But no use to whine about it - I just did change it.
♥! The core and spirit of fandoms in one sentence. :)

I never know how much or how little you know about the Doctor Who and Torchwood fandom
No more than Alumfelga has written, but she was writing about it for months before coming to LJ. Still, I'm of course not even close to a most forgetful fan's level; I have just snippets of details and the general impression.

you know you can always ask if something is unclear, right?
Sure I know, but I rarely ask anyone, anyway. Google is my preferred way, though rather for things I'm actually interested in. In this particular case I'm more interested in Alumfelga's writings and your figures than in the fandoms themselves. I hope it's not too big a problem. :)

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

In this particular case I'm more interested in Alumfelga's writings and your figures than in the fandoms themselves. I hope it's not too big a problem. :)

Of course not. I just meant, everyone is looking at things from their own perspective. So I assume whatever I know, everyone else knows as well, some basic knowledge things (not necessarily fandom things). And sometimes one does not understand some reference, but has no idea what exactly to google, or everything google finds sounds wrong.

So I have stopped feeling embarrassed and dumb in such cases, and I don't mind asking people questions. They are usually very happy to explain. We all have different backgrounds and nobody can know everything.

And a lot of misunderstandings could be avoided if people talked more with each other, instead of just assuming. That's all what I was saying.

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

And a lot of misunderstandings could be avoided if people talked more with each other, instead of just assuming.
With this I agree wholeheartedly! No worries, if I'm curious, I ask. You're always welcome to ask as well. :)

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Part 2/2:

Ooh! Even bigger congratulations!

Thanks ;) *bows* I try to let it not get to my head too much. But yeah, I am a wee bit famous.
The whole thing with links to the entry that started it all as well as the tweets and step-by-step of changing the figures can be read here: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/55122.html

(There is in fact a link list with detailed picures of all my customized figures: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/40721.html)

And the best part? While I still was thinking about how I could show her the story I had done, as I thought she might enjoy it, someone else I did not even know at the time did it for me. One evening I came home and had lots of feedbacks that said "I'm here because Carole retweeted your story". Someone had sent her the link. I wasn't even at twitter at the time, I specifically joined so I could reply and thank her.

Oh, and the story continues, something which I left out of the official part. The girl who originally had the idea with the tiny book and I got contacted by the book publisher, saying they enjoyed our work much, and we were sent a free copy signed by both John and Carole, as well as a poster and some bookmarks. Isn't that nice?

Especially, since I hadn't been sure whether I really want to buy the "Hollow Earth" book. I mean, just because their names are attached... I'm not that kind of a fan who blindly buys anything, right? (says the girl who also bought the JB cook book and skin care LOL)

But I really am not much into fantasy. But to my surprise I actually did like it. It's about kids who can make drawings come to life - or jump into existing paintings and do even time travel that way - and this creative part of the story excited me. They also work on doing it as a film or TV series, so the world may hear about this yet in a few years.

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Btw, your photo is really lovely. You both look so happy. :)

One evening I came home and had lots of feedbacks that said "I'm here because Carole retweeted your story".
Oh, wow. That's really something to came home to.

The girl who originally had the idea with the tiny book and I got contacted by the book publisher, saying they enjoyed our work much, and we were sent a free copy signed by both John and Carole, as well as a poster and some bookmarks. Isn't that nice?
I don't know how you weren't asking "Is it real? I'm to wake up in a moment?" at this point. :D

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Btw, your photo is really lovely. You both look so happy. :)

Thanks ;) She squealed really loud. She is a professor for English and Writing at the university, btw. The brains in the family. And in her free time she writes books. Also two wonderful and funny JB biographies with lots of family stories. And also reads like five books per week to talk about them on TV.

Oh, wow. That's really something to came home to.

When that TV thing happened, it was even more weird. As I was visiting a friend, and not being online during the week. I knew that this interview with both of them was taking place, but intended to watch it when I was back home. Then I got an SMS from a friend telling me they had shown my figures. Imagine if I had been home, and watched it live, without having an idea? I may have really died on the spot.

I don't know how you weren't asking "Is it real? I'm to wake up in a moment?" at this point. :D

This may sound weird but I am used to it? In our family we all are a bit crazy and "famous" ;) An uncle of my father had a collection of 300.000 caricatures. He was on TV with it once, back in GDR times. He was so famous that when people sent him something they didn't even put his name and yet the post knew where to deliver.

Many years later I wrote to the TV archive and they sent me a video tape. And after my mother lost her job she started to write poems and they get published in women journals. She gets fan letters mostly from Germany and Austria, but also even from Australia and Florida (from Germans who live there) and she has a little poem book that she sells. I also have published two Christmas stories in our local newspaper - I just changed and shortened some fanfictions. I got even paid for it ;)

And back in May an American friend and I got interviewed for the Ipswich Star newspaper - with picture! They couldn't believe that fans were flying around the globe for the JB concert: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/144164.html

Life really would be dull without a bit of special excitement.

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

As I was visiting a friend, and not being online during the week.
You know what they say, you turn away from the comp for a moment, and epic shit in the Internet happens just then. *g* Or in TV, in this case.

I may have really died on the spot.
Your friend saved your life. :)

Life really would be dull without a bit of special excitement.
And without the family tradition, as I see. :)

[hamsterwoman]

I'm really amazed by the transformations, like the Doctor into Hamelt one. Whoa.

A good LJ friend of mine, _grayswandir_, has a website she runs with her sister which, among other things, puts together sets of My Little Ponies celebrating various holidays and so on. Their 400 ponies all have names and jobs and such, dating back to their childhood, and they do these elaborate photoshoots of them. So I'm used (though still always impressed by) the staging aspects and the miniature household items, but the modification is a new thing to me.

And I had no idea you'd shown these to John Barrowman. How awesome that he got to see and appreciate them! And also, holy cow, mention you on TV. I had no idea you were famous! ;D

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

If you like, you can see the complete Hamlet story here: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/28212.html

We did it exactly the way it is on the DVD, where David Tennant plays Hamlet and Patrick Stewart is Claudius. At first I also had put the screenshots among our pictures for comparison, but it became too much. The greatest fun was actually had when my friend had the idea to make a scene with the director yelling at the actors (she asked: "Do you have a megaphone?" And I replied: "As a matter of fact, I have!" - I always have everything) and then also the poor set guy who has to clean up at the end and sneakily tries the scene with the skull.

In the theatre, they had a black shiny floor, which we achieved with some black cloth and I put a plastic foil over it. You even can see mirror effects when Gertrude is lying at the ground after she drank from the cup. The "stairs" for the throne were done by some books stacked up with some cloth over them.

Yeah, there are so many people doing this in all variations and fandoms. I follow a few of those blogs, I am just happy to see so much creativity and I don't think I'll ever tire of it.

Do you know the Hobbit hole a girl once built? It's also amazing: https://madshobbithole.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/my-hand-made-hobbit-hole-bag-end-from-lord-of-the-rings/

And there once was a huge LEGO Hogwarts: http://collider.com/lego-hogwarts-harry-potter/

She did not just build the castle, but you also can open every room and there are scenes set inside. The thing is so huge that it is in a shopping mall I believe.

My first customizing work was a simple repaint of the Stargate desert uniforms which were done rather sloppy and did not look like in the series at all. And then with help from others I learnt about Milliput and sculpting and off I went.

Oh yeah, I have been famous so often that I had to create an own tag for it LOL http://dieastra.livejournal.com/tag/i%27m%20famous

I hope it does not come over as bragging, I am just having fun. There was also the time I got interviewed for TV and newspaper when I walked around with my Obama doll when President Obama visited Dresden in 2009 (we don't get such guests very often so it was quite a celebration)... Or the time my picture with John Barrowman made it into an Ipswich newspaper...

But that is indeed a special story and something I'd never have expected. John has collected action figures since he was a child, so having now ones of himself makes of course geek him out.

The story with his sister Carole retweeting one of my stories is also a great one, as it was not me who showed it to her but someone who I hadn't even known before. I came home one evening and found feedbacks like "I'm here because Carole tweeted your story..." Imagine that ;)

I've also shown the Stargate ones in Vancouver to Richard Dean Anderson (former MacGyver) and two years later he still remembered my friend and me from that. He even played a little with us in the autograph session. It was a wonderfully relaxed convention with only 300 fans.

[hamsterwoman]

The mirrored floor looks really great! I wouldn't have guessed how you managed it if you hadn't mentioned it.

Thank you for the Hogwarts and Bag End links -- I hadn't seen either (though I'd seen other models of those places) and those are amazing!

I have been famous so often that I had to create an own tag for it LOL

Ahaha, so you do! And a plentiful tag it is! These are all very cool experiences -- how awesome! (And doesn't come across as bragging at all -- I'm glad you linked me to those, they're all neat!)

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

I love being inventive!

I should post more links to other people miniature displays. So much great stuff out there. I once sent some links to my friend but didn't keep them which I regret. There are also people doing miniature gardens. Complete with little bridges and benches and plants and whatever. Looking so real! And there was also a miniature book store display which I really liked. I don't do whole rooms as I don't have the space to do them but some people are very talented there.

I kept losing track of all my times being famous, therefore the tag ;) I just realized that I forgot some things which I never posted. I also have twice now published a short Christmas story in our local newspaper (I cheated and just shortened/changed fanfictions of mine) and then there was the time when a book autor called me seven years later about a fan letter I once had written. I mean, you don't expect something like this, do you? He had written a biography about a German actor, and had actually shown my letter to him, and the actor replied that it needs to be printed into the next book. Which did not happen as it was too late but still. Sadly I did not keep a copy so I have no idea what I wrote there LOL