In the teen book world, we're all pretty excited about the release of Suzanne Collin's new book, Mockingjay. It's the third and final book in the Hunger Games series, but please don't ask me to tell you the plot of the first two books, because it's rather confusing, and would take a while, mainly due to the fact that I'm a perfectionist and must describe every... tiny... little... detail. But anyways, I do suggest that you read them, for they are witty, thought-provoking, and interesting.
Another thing that sparks my interest as far as the whole release goes (besides the fact that, well, I'm excited to read the new book!) is that this kind of countdown to a book release is not something that happens all that often with a book series. "But wait!" You'll say, "What about Twilight, and Harry Potter?" And to that I reply, "Movies."
Pretty much every series that pops to mind that has had so much excitement before a release has also had a series of movies. The first Harry Potter books weren't already hugely popular before their release- it was only after the movies also started to premiere that people began to count down to book releases, stay up all night to read the books, and wait in their local bookstore for hours to get the book. Before that, it was just another book series- one that many people loved, but not one that inspired such displays of public approval. There wasn't Harry Potter merchandise at Hot Topic before there were movie profits, and the popularity the movies brought to the series.
Same with Twilight. There weren't Twilight sweatshirts and pins and t-shirts being mass-produced and sold across the country when it was just a book series. But then the movies came out, and now you can't swing a cat in a bookstore or Hot Topic without hitting Twilight merch.
I expected the same thing to apply to the Hunger Games, no matter how popular they were in my nerdy little groups. So, imagine my suprise when I walk into a local Hot Topic, looking for the new "Undesirable no. 1" Harry Potter shirts, and find three different styles of Hunger Games shirts.
The local bookstore, too, has a cardboard poster board showing the release date and some press pictures. You can download a widget thingy on your computer that counts down for you. Heck, there's even an advertisement video for it that you can watch, like you would watch a preview for HPatDH movie, or a new TV show. And this is just a book.
All I have to say is, I'm so getting that "District 12 tribute" shirt next time I go to HT.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Letter to Starkid.
So, just to show you how much Starkid really means to me, and how truly totally awesome I think they are, I thought I'd share with you this fan letter that I wrote to Darren Criss, the guy who wrote a ton of the songs for AVPM and AVPS, played guitar and wrote some of the songs for MAMD, and also starred in LWL. Here 'tis.
Darren,
So, although you say you don’t find all your fan letters creepy or stalkerish or weird or anything, I’m going to apologize anyways. I’m sorry I’m obsessed. But, I promise I won’t stab you. In fact, I’m going to buy the “Don’t Stab Darren” shirt the minute I get the money. That shirt, and all the AVPM ones, too. And the new Harry Potter shirts from Hot Topic. *sigh* It might be awhile. Anyways, back on topic: you’re awesome. Totally awesome. If I had the opportunity, I’d have gone to the live show of AVPS, and Infinitus (And the WWoHP at the same time!), but I didn’t, unfortunately, and so I’ll have to just be satisfied with this letter.
I’m kind of a Harry Potter freak. And by kind of, I mean I’m a TOTALLY CRAZY POTTER OBSESSED FAN GIRL. So, of course, the moment I heard about AVPM, I was interested. I mean, what’s not to like? Musical theatre plus Harry Potter pretty much naturally equals awesomeness, even if it is crap. But AVPM isn’t crap, which is even more awesome! I’d already pretty much exhausted YouTube as far as (good) Potter videos by then. All the Harry Potter Puppet Pals videos (even the lame copycat ones), Harry Potter MIM, Harry Potter and the OOH! Something Shiny, all the previews, mistakes, behind the scenes, interviews, lame homemade videos with Lego sets and friends recreating scenes from the books, pretty much every Wrock song/video mix- I’d watched them all at some point or another. So when I came across AVPM, I was pretty sure it was an unlooked-for blessing. But, at first, I was ready for disappointment- another stupid parody with poor acting, poor music, lame sets, and mainly inappropriate/not funny jokes. I watched the first video. I watched the next. In fact, I watched the whole show in one go. My family was really curious as to why I was sitting in the backroom, cracking up to myself, let me tell you.
So I found the show. I bet you can see where this is going, no? I downloaded the soundtrack, and it became the most-listened to album on my iPod. I bullied my friends into watching it (for their own good). I quoted it constantly (and still do!). It got to the point where I would say something, and if it didn’t make sense to my friends or seemed like it shouldn’t be as funny as I thought it, they would ask me just one question- “So, is it A Very Potter musical, Harry Potter, or the Lord of the Rings?” And the answer would most likely be, “A Very Potter Musical.” I made mini posters, Facebook posts, fan art, clothing, stickers. I made friends through it. I talked about it and Harry Potter on Average Wizard. In fact, this was one of my stories on Average Wizard:
“ I just drew a homemade dark mark on my arm in Sharpie, changed my FB status to "Oh my wizard god! I can't wait for AVPS! It's going to be TOTALLY AWESOME!!!
It never got posted, but this one did, and this is really the reason I wrote this letter:
“I was recently going through a really hard time. I had been almost chronically depressed for months, and I had been self injuring. I knew it was wrong and I felt horrible about it and other things, but I just couldn't stop. Then I pulled myself together- I came on here and read through the entire site, again. I watched all the Harry Potter movies in order and read all the books again. I watched AVPM again, twice. I felt so much better. Harry Potter, AVPM, and you all here at AW are almost personally responsible for the fact that I have been cut free for the past two months. Thank you. MLIM.”
And, the follow up story:
“Average Wizards- those of you who have been here for awhile might remember the story I posted a few months ago about how you all had caused me to be cut free for 2 months. (http://averagewizard.com/story/33697) You also may remember the wonderful outpouring of love and support I got in response. I would like to let you all know that I have now been cut free since January 28, 2010, about 6 months. Every time I feel sad, I check that page again, and I know that I'm not alone. Thank you, again. My Life is Truly Magical- because of you.”
I don’t doubt that you’re too busy to read the comments, so I’ll just summarize some of those comments- basically what the response was was the ENTIRE song of “Not Alone,” typed by about 20 people and around 125 other comments from people, some of them saying that they had been through the same thing, and same things had helped them, too. In fact, there’s 5 or 6 Average Wizard posts with the same main points. So not only are you making us all laugh, you’re helping us out, too.
And when I heard AVPS was coming out, I was so excited. You read the post on AW about what I did to prepare- and then when it was finally release night on Youtube, I was staying at my aunt’s house, and I was sure I wouldn’t be able to see it (my aunt’s a firm anti-Potter person) and I was so very sad. But! Lo and behold! Where do you think I was at 2 am that night, after everyone had fallen asleep? Watching AVPS on my aunt’s computer, very, very quietly, with my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. In fact, I was discovered the next morning because I had difficulty keeping from smiling all afternoon with memories of the show. The minute I got home (after unlocking the door, and petting my cat, and setting down my suitcase) I went straight to the computer and downloaded the soundtrack from Band Camp, and bought the AVPS songs from A Very Starkid Album, and now it’s replaced AVPM as the most listened to album on my iPod. Actually, it’s been on repeat for the past 4 days. My mom thinks there’s something wrong with me. (: In fact, “To Have a Home” is playing right now. Your music is a-ma-zing. I can hardly believe it. It’s much better than any Wrock I’ve ever heard. You said you were always the annoying kid who sang all the time- well, I’m that kid, except probably worse than you ever were. Most people’s first jobs are things like helping out at a summer camp. My first job? Singing.(The story of the gig is actually really funny- it was at a church next to a Bingo Hall in the shape of a Steamboat, with blue gravel, and the reverend was a lady named Billy Martini.) My second? Theatre, at age 7. My mom’s a professional pianist. My grandfather was too, and he owned a chain of music stores. My aunt plays bass. I grew up with music and theatre, and I can seriously say that AVPM and AVPS are probably my favorite shows that I have ever seen. I’d put them before Hairspray and maybe even Phantom as far as awesomeness goes, and definitely far above Cats and Bye Bye Birdy (not a personal favorite).
I guess I should start to wrap up this amazingly long and kind of creepy letter, so, I’ll just say that you really are totally awesome, and I absolutely love your work and the entire Starkid community. Your fans are awesome, you’re awesome, your work is awesome, and I hope you keep it up. I wish I could buy your album or give you a donation, but right now, I really can’t. However, I’ll be a fan forever. Years from now, someone might ask me, “After all this time?” And my response will be, without a doubt, “Always.”
One of your many Starkid fans
Darren,
So, although you say you don’t find all your fan letters creepy or stalkerish or weird or anything, I’m going to apologize anyways. I’m sorry I’m obsessed. But, I promise I won’t stab you. In fact, I’m going to buy the “Don’t Stab Darren” shirt the minute I get the money. That shirt, and all the AVPM ones, too. And the new Harry Potter shirts from Hot Topic. *sigh* It might be awhile. Anyways, back on topic: you’re awesome. Totally awesome. If I had the opportunity, I’d have gone to the live show of AVPS, and Infinitus (And the WWoHP at the same time!), but I didn’t, unfortunately, and so I’ll have to just be satisfied with this letter.
I’m kind of a Harry Potter freak. And by kind of, I mean I’m a TOTALLY CRAZY POTTER OBSESSED FAN GIRL. So, of course, the moment I heard about AVPM, I was interested. I mean, what’s not to like? Musical theatre plus Harry Potter pretty much naturally equals awesomeness, even if it is crap. But AVPM isn’t crap, which is even more awesome! I’d already pretty much exhausted YouTube as far as (good) Potter videos by then. All the Harry Potter Puppet Pals videos (even the lame copycat ones), Harry Potter MIM, Harry Potter and the OOH! Something Shiny, all the previews, mistakes, behind the scenes, interviews, lame homemade videos with Lego sets and friends recreating scenes from the books, pretty much every Wrock song/video mix- I’d watched them all at some point or another. So when I came across AVPM, I was pretty sure it was an unlooked-for blessing. But, at first, I was ready for disappointment- another stupid parody with poor acting, poor music, lame sets, and mainly inappropriate/not funny jokes. I watched the first video. I watched the next. In fact, I watched the whole show in one go. My family was really curious as to why I was sitting in the backroom, cracking up to myself, let me tell you.
So I found the show. I bet you can see where this is going, no? I downloaded the soundtrack, and it became the most-listened to album on my iPod. I bullied my friends into watching it (for their own good). I quoted it constantly (and still do!). It got to the point where I would say something, and if it didn’t make sense to my friends or seemed like it shouldn’t be as funny as I thought it, they would ask me just one question- “So, is it A Very Potter musical, Harry Potter, or the Lord of the Rings?” And the answer would most likely be, “A Very Potter Musical.” I made mini posters, Facebook posts, fan art, clothing, stickers. I made friends through it. I talked about it and Harry Potter on Average Wizard. In fact, this was one of my stories on Average Wizard:
“ I just drew a homemade dark mark on my arm in Sharpie, changed my FB status to "Oh my wizard god! I can't wait for AVPS! It's going to be TOTALLY AWESOME!!!
It never got posted, but this one did, and this is really the reason I wrote this letter:
“I was recently going through a really hard time. I had been almost chronically depressed for months, and I had been self injuring. I knew it was wrong and I felt horrible about it and other things, but I just couldn't stop. Then I pulled myself together- I came on here and read through the entire site, again. I watched all the Harry Potter movies in order and read all the books again. I watched AVPM again, twice. I felt so much better. Harry Potter, AVPM, and you all here at AW are almost personally responsible for the fact that I have been cut free for the past two months. Thank you. MLIM.”
And, the follow up story:
“Average Wizards- those of you who have been here for awhile might remember the story I posted a few months ago about how you all had caused me to be cut free for 2 months. (http://averagewizard.com/story/33697) You also may remember the wonderful outpouring of love and support I got in response. I would like to let you all know that I have now been cut free since January 28, 2010, about 6 months. Every time I feel sad, I check that page again, and I know that I'm not alone. Thank you, again. My Life is Truly Magical- because of you.”
I don’t doubt that you’re too busy to read the comments, so I’ll just summarize some of those comments- basically what the response was was the ENTIRE song of “Not Alone,” typed by about 20 people and around 125 other comments from people, some of them saying that they had been through the same thing, and same things had helped them, too. In fact, there’s 5 or 6 Average Wizard posts with the same main points. So not only are you making us all laugh, you’re helping us out, too.
And when I heard AVPS was coming out, I was so excited. You read the post on AW about what I did to prepare- and then when it was finally release night on Youtube, I was staying at my aunt’s house, and I was sure I wouldn’t be able to see it (my aunt’s a firm anti-Potter person) and I was so very sad. But! Lo and behold! Where do you think I was at 2 am that night, after everyone had fallen asleep? Watching AVPS on my aunt’s computer, very, very quietly, with my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. In fact, I was discovered the next morning because I had difficulty keeping from smiling all afternoon with memories of the show. The minute I got home (after unlocking the door, and petting my cat, and setting down my suitcase) I went straight to the computer and downloaded the soundtrack from Band Camp, and bought the AVPS songs from A Very Starkid Album, and now it’s replaced AVPM as the most listened to album on my iPod. Actually, it’s been on repeat for the past 4 days. My mom thinks there’s something wrong with me. (: In fact, “To Have a Home” is playing right now. Your music is a-ma-zing. I can hardly believe it. It’s much better than any Wrock I’ve ever heard. You said you were always the annoying kid who sang all the time- well, I’m that kid, except probably worse than you ever were. Most people’s first jobs are things like helping out at a summer camp. My first job? Singing.(The story of the gig is actually really funny- it was at a church next to a Bingo Hall in the shape of a Steamboat, with blue gravel, and the reverend was a lady named Billy Martini.) My second? Theatre, at age 7. My mom’s a professional pianist. My grandfather was too, and he owned a chain of music stores. My aunt plays bass. I grew up with music and theatre, and I can seriously say that AVPM and AVPS are probably my favorite shows that I have ever seen. I’d put them before Hairspray and maybe even Phantom as far as awesomeness goes, and definitely far above Cats and Bye Bye Birdy (not a personal favorite).
I guess I should start to wrap up this amazingly long and kind of creepy letter, so, I’ll just say that you really are totally awesome, and I absolutely love your work and the entire Starkid community. Your fans are awesome, you’re awesome, your work is awesome, and I hope you keep it up. I wish I could buy your album or give you a donation, but right now, I really can’t. However, I’ll be a fan forever. Years from now, someone might ask me, “After all this time?” And my response will be, without a doubt, “Always.”
One of your many Starkid fans
MAMD.
I've told you about A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel. I have explained, at least a little, how awesome Starkid is.
What I haven't told you about are their other two shows- Little White Lie and Me and My Dick. You can probably see why, for the second one. For the first, well, I haven't seen it yet, although I do want to.
I avoided watching Me and My Dick for a long time. First of all, I wanted to make sure I wasn't interrupted- the subject is a little awkward- so, I waited until I had a long enough period of time alone in the house to watch the whole thing in one go, which doesn't happen all that often.
Yesterday, that opportunity finally rolled around, and, lo and behold, I thought it was brilliant. Totally inappropriate, sure, but very, very funny.
There are several reasons the show's so funny.
First of all, it features all of your favorite Starkids- Joey Richter (Ron Weasley) as himself, Joe Walker (Voldemort/Professor Umbridge) as Dick, and a ton of other characters, including Cho Chang as Miss Cooter, Ginny as Sally, Yaxley as Big T, Sirius as Old Snatch, Darren Criss (Harry Potter) on guitar. Anything with Starkids in it has to be great.
Second, there were references to it in AVPM and AVPS that I didn't catch when I first watched the show, that I now understand, and other little scraps of sentences that were reused in AVPM. Everytime I caught one of those references it made me smile.
Third, the characters are entirely different and hilariously portrayed. I mean, there's Joe Walker, who is amazingly handsome, and who we last saw in drag playing the mean, mad, but misunderstood Umbridge, playing Joey Richter's best friend, who also happens to be his dick. It's a little funny. Also, there's several guys in drag, including one of the writers and the guy who played Sirius in AVPS, who, by the way, is my friend of Facebook. You have to laugh just to think how embarassed you would be to play their roles.
Fourth, Starkid is brilliant. The lines are funny, the songs are well worded, the music is really very good, even if the lyrics are a little odd. They could put on CATS! and make it fabulous, I swear, and that's really difficult.
Fifth, it's inappropriate, and crude, and weird. There's that little part of you (especially when you're younger and so much of your life is controlled by parents and teachers and everyone else) that says, "oh my, I shouldn't be watching this. I shouldn't be here, but I am, and I'm happy about that." And hey, better to be watching a performance with good acting, music, and lessons about following your heart and sticking with your friends than doing, say, illegal drugs.
Even if the performance does happen to revolve around matters that aren't commonly socially accepted as something to put on a musical about.
What I haven't told you about are their other two shows- Little White Lie and Me and My Dick. You can probably see why, for the second one. For the first, well, I haven't seen it yet, although I do want to.
I avoided watching Me and My Dick for a long time. First of all, I wanted to make sure I wasn't interrupted- the subject is a little awkward- so, I waited until I had a long enough period of time alone in the house to watch the whole thing in one go, which doesn't happen all that often.
Yesterday, that opportunity finally rolled around, and, lo and behold, I thought it was brilliant. Totally inappropriate, sure, but very, very funny.
There are several reasons the show's so funny.
First of all, it features all of your favorite Starkids- Joey Richter (Ron Weasley) as himself, Joe Walker (Voldemort/Professor Umbridge) as Dick, and a ton of other characters, including Cho Chang as Miss Cooter, Ginny as Sally, Yaxley as Big T, Sirius as Old Snatch, Darren Criss (Harry Potter) on guitar. Anything with Starkids in it has to be great.
Second, there were references to it in AVPM and AVPS that I didn't catch when I first watched the show, that I now understand, and other little scraps of sentences that were reused in AVPM. Everytime I caught one of those references it made me smile.
Third, the characters are entirely different and hilariously portrayed. I mean, there's Joe Walker, who is amazingly handsome, and who we last saw in drag playing the mean, mad, but misunderstood Umbridge, playing Joey Richter's best friend, who also happens to be his dick. It's a little funny. Also, there's several guys in drag, including one of the writers and the guy who played Sirius in AVPS, who, by the way, is my friend of Facebook. You have to laugh just to think how embarassed you would be to play their roles.
Fourth, Starkid is brilliant. The lines are funny, the songs are well worded, the music is really very good, even if the lyrics are a little odd. They could put on CATS! and make it fabulous, I swear, and that's really difficult.
Fifth, it's inappropriate, and crude, and weird. There's that little part of you (especially when you're younger and so much of your life is controlled by parents and teachers and everyone else) that says, "oh my, I shouldn't be watching this. I shouldn't be here, but I am, and I'm happy about that." And hey, better to be watching a performance with good acting, music, and lessons about following your heart and sticking with your friends than doing, say, illegal drugs.
Even if the performance does happen to revolve around matters that aren't commonly socially accepted as something to put on a musical about.
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