The New Me
That’s it. I’m done.
In a few short days, I’ve gotten myself waist-deep in the slimy swamp of internet fan chat. My reaction to a leaked script prompted me to write a cocky, snarky post here, which then has spawned lots of cocky, snarky posts from others. Then I decided to school those snarky people. “I’ll show them that they don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ll show them!”
And then what? I get more comments about who I am, what I stand for, how thin my skin is, etc. And not just here on my blog, but other chat boards and Muppet fan sites.
What am I doing? I’m not even focusing on the GOOD stuff out there anymore.
So I’m done being that guy — the guy who responds to every smart alec on the web; the guy who patrols the chat boards to correct facts. It’s too much. It’s making me a negative person, and a negative force in the world. So forget it.
This is my decree: The new mindset here on my blog will be more positive. I’m going to be a lot less active on the fan sites and the “comments” section of this blog. If a hater stops by to throw stones, their comments will be deleted. If someone out there has their facts wrong, I will only combat that will real information here. And I will be not be giving any interviews to fan sites, at least not for a long, long time. I will just be posting here, on this blog, and being the sunnier, more positive person I need to be.
What can I say? My wife was right. She warned me that this would happen about three months ago. I started interacting more with fans because I thought this would give me a better idea of what fans want. And for a while, it did. But now it’s just opened me up to the uglier type of fans; the pettiest, most critical, self-entitled ones. This is not helping me be a better filmmaker, or helping the “Fraggle Rock” movie at all.
So I’m done. New day. New me. New blog.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Wow, I can see that it would get old really fast to have that level of public scrutiny. I’ll savor my continued worthlessness to the entertainment industry and public at large (i.e. I’m an engineer).
April 1st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
i’m from london, ye old england and i cant wait for the fraggle movie. i ve got faith… just get on with it ignore these fools. all sounds good so far! but one question… will the lighthouse appear? such an amazing opening zoom shot 😉
April 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm
We’re going with the U.S. version of the Fraggle’s “portal to the human world,” which was an old inventor’s workshop. I’d really love to see the U.K. version though. I love lighthouses, and I’d love to see that shot!
April 1st, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I think that is a good attitude to take on, especially since fighting about it seems get you down, which is a very un-Fraggle attitude. I’m sure you’ll do a fine job with the whole process. I’ll just say that if people want to disagree with you that much, let them make their own Fraggle movie. You’re the one who has been handed the reins and I’m interested to see what you’re going to do with it.
My only bit of advice is the next time you get hit with it, just dance your cares away… worries for another day!
April 1st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJodlc_u5jY
i get shivers even now…
April 1st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I knew things were getting out of hand on the blog…
April 1st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I see nothing wrong with sharing bits and pieces with fans on forums and blogs. It can be wildly successful if done right. There will always be crazies, but mostly it’s harmless fun that should never be taken to heart.
People have been talking about this Fraggle film for several years now so there are some over eager fanatics chomping at the bit.
I’m still stoked and glad your blog is still active. I hope it remains so. Any ideas of production diary updates when things get going?
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
Frogboy,
You have no idea! I have many, many plans to document the actual production, and I’ll do as much as Henson and Weinstein Company will let me. If I have it my way, there will be regular video podcasts from the set, much in the same way that Peter Jackson and Bryan Singer have done with their films. Then all that behind-the-scenes stuff can go on the DVD.
I’ll also keep this blog all the way through. I think this way, with a steady stream of information, fans will be satisfied and not pry so much. Info seems so barren right now because there’s really nothing new to report. Just meetings about things that MIGHT happen. But when they happen, I am so, so happy to share them.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Can’t wait! That’s some great news. Thanks.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
Great to hear Cory!
April 4th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Thanks for keeping us updated. I can’t believe that anyone would want any of the movie ruined for anyone by putting spoilers out…I will be happy to see the real thing. P.S. if you need any names for a character, I could lend my daughter’s name to you (Annalise or Annie). Just kidding!, but seriously…you should use her name in the movie.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I think it´s rather easy:
You´ve proven to be a Fraggle-Freak and you love those little guys.
So go on with the Fraggle-Movie YOU always wanted to see.
Sure, you can go wrong with that – but by then you´ve been able to do a Fraggle-Movie!!! That should be worth it ;-).
By the way: I´m confident about your movie.
Best wishes,
Thomas
April 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I don’t blame you for swearing off interaction with fans on their own proverbial turf. I’ve done that with lots of stuff, and I’m not even a pro – I just get sick of the “I can do better” attitudes. You were chosen because you can do it. I’m not about to read the script – I don’t do leaks, and I like to be surprised – but given your past work, I trust it will be very well done.
If you want to interact with some decent Muppet fans, I’d say go to Muppet Central or just wait for us to come here and say ‘hi’. But avoid anything called “Tough Pigs” like the plague – they’re all about petty, hypercritical self-entitlement masquerading as humor (any site that deliberately picks a reviewer who has an axe to grind with Christmas a concept to review “Letters to Santa” is being deliberately obnoxious). Their bitterness puts comic book fans to shame, and if you’ve ever seen them, you’ll know how bad that must be.
Like Tom said, make the Fraggle movie YOU want to see, because odds are you aren’t the only one who’ll want to watch it.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I can’t wait I can’t wait I can’t wait I CAN’T WAIT for this movie!
April 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
As the longtime graphics guy at MuppetCentral.com I freely admit to venturing over to ToughPigs.com and MuppetNewsflash.com daily. They are great places for all different view points and none of these places are quite complete without the others.
No blog is free from the several snarky people (as I’m sure you know), but most Fraggle and Muppet fans are very kind-hearted and want your project to succeed. All three locations combined form a good reference to how the Muppetverse is responding and I’d say that it’s 95% positive so far. Who could really ask for more?
Just keep waving your freaky fraggle flag high and most of us will follow. Oh…and put lots of Boober in your script. He’s my fave.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I’m very sorry if anything I said came out the wrong way. Don’t worry, no matter what most fans say here online we are really behind the movie. It’s just it means so much/ has so much history with us that sometimes we overreact (or make fun, not meaning anything by it)…But I think most of the time (when people rant like half crazy Poison Cacklers) that is just the internet version of them talking, not their real world selfs (who are, on the whole, much nicer IMHO :3)
Again, I’m sorry..
April 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
FYI, I got a leaked early version of this blog post and Cory was pretty “douchey” luckily he cleaned it up, especially the part about hating old people and babies.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
@ Ash – That comment is hilarious. 🙂