I can't seem to get into any fan-series, even though I do try to watch a few episodes (of different series) every so often. But each time, I'm left with a disappointing feeling.
My biggest gripes are also the biggest differences between these fan-series and a regular tv series. And, I know that most of those things simply can't be done better due to various reasons. But that knowledge does not make the fan-series any more enjoyable. Some gripes can be ignored, but others are too large to ignore and influence my enjoyment of those series.
And all fan-series have these gripes, in more or lesser form; so far I have found not one that is the exception to the rule.
My biggest gripe is that 75% of the actors in fan-series are below-par on attractiveness. Now hear me out; they don't all have to be gods and godesses, obviously! But most of those actors are so unbelievably unattractive (I won't post screenshots here -- don't want to offend anybody), especially the women, that it simply becomes quite unbelievable.
I'm willing to accept that on TV, most people are more attractive then in your everyday life (except for BBC, but then again, most people in Britain are less attractive -- I know from experience
). But when, even compared to everyday life, the people on screen are so unattractive that I involuntary cringe every time he/she enters the screen or tries to smile, it becomes very distracting.
I understand that not every hobbyist actor/actress jumps at the chance to star in a non-paid Star Trek fanseries. But still, where do they get these people?! The captain is usually at a normal level of attractiveness, just like some other main characters, but the rest of the cast is a different story all together.
Most of the women look like they're huge Star Trek fans (and not in a good way) and have no idea how to apply good, subtle makeup to boot. They're apparently so little in the sun that they've become radioactive and are used as lighting for the set. They're either very fat, very old or very young; neither seems right in the Star Trek universe.
But with the men also; almost half of them are either fat or -- I don't know how to phrase this differently -- very hairy. Their uniforms bulge out even though those fit too loose in the first place. Or their hair does a good job of accentuating their less attractive facial curves, like an overly big nose, overly pronounced eyebrow ridges (I have those!
) or big, flappy ears. Or they have a monobrow, haven't shaved that day and, if the episodes would have been shot in HD, you'd see hairs coming out of their nose and their ears.
I include the uniforms on this point: I understand that most Star Trek uniforms aren't exactly flattering. And, that they're usually not made by people who are well versed in tailoring. And, that you'll need extra's, whom you can't give a new uniform for obvious reasons. But that's no excuse to make half the actors look like they're in their pajamas, because that's what it looks like. A bunch of people in their pajamas. That makes immersion into the scenes very difficult for me.
Add that to the fact that, in the future, things like eating disorders, skin problems, hair problems, tailoring problems and so on aren't supposed to exist... Well, it makes those people all the more stand out. Most people in Star Trek have a healthy, slim physique, a complimentary hair style, a good fitted uniform and are self-assured of their attractiveness. I never see people walking slouchy or hunched because they're unsatisfied with their own self-image; why do I detect it here and there in the fan series then?
Even if the story is so incredibly, breathtakingly good; it's still crap if it's played by actors who look like they just rolled out of bed, need to lose a few pounds and need their self-esteem taken care of.
And again, I'm not saying everybody in those fan series are like that; really. But enough of them to make the experience of watching an episode, a very bitter one. I understand my post might seem harsh, but I call 'em as I see em. I'm sorry if I offended anyone.
My biggest gripes are also the biggest differences between these fan-series and a regular tv series. And, I know that most of those things simply can't be done better due to various reasons. But that knowledge does not make the fan-series any more enjoyable. Some gripes can be ignored, but others are too large to ignore and influence my enjoyment of those series.
And all fan-series have these gripes, in more or lesser form; so far I have found not one that is the exception to the rule.
My biggest gripe is that 75% of the actors in fan-series are below-par on attractiveness. Now hear me out; they don't all have to be gods and godesses, obviously! But most of those actors are so unbelievably unattractive (I won't post screenshots here -- don't want to offend anybody), especially the women, that it simply becomes quite unbelievable.
I'm willing to accept that on TV, most people are more attractive then in your everyday life (except for BBC, but then again, most people in Britain are less attractive -- I know from experience

I understand that not every hobbyist actor/actress jumps at the chance to star in a non-paid Star Trek fanseries. But still, where do they get these people?! The captain is usually at a normal level of attractiveness, just like some other main characters, but the rest of the cast is a different story all together.
Most of the women look like they're huge Star Trek fans (and not in a good way) and have no idea how to apply good, subtle makeup to boot. They're apparently so little in the sun that they've become radioactive and are used as lighting for the set. They're either very fat, very old or very young; neither seems right in the Star Trek universe.
But with the men also; almost half of them are either fat or -- I don't know how to phrase this differently -- very hairy. Their uniforms bulge out even though those fit too loose in the first place. Or their hair does a good job of accentuating their less attractive facial curves, like an overly big nose, overly pronounced eyebrow ridges (I have those!

I include the uniforms on this point: I understand that most Star Trek uniforms aren't exactly flattering. And, that they're usually not made by people who are well versed in tailoring. And, that you'll need extra's, whom you can't give a new uniform for obvious reasons. But that's no excuse to make half the actors look like they're in their pajamas, because that's what it looks like. A bunch of people in their pajamas. That makes immersion into the scenes very difficult for me.
Add that to the fact that, in the future, things like eating disorders, skin problems, hair problems, tailoring problems and so on aren't supposed to exist... Well, it makes those people all the more stand out. Most people in Star Trek have a healthy, slim physique, a complimentary hair style, a good fitted uniform and are self-assured of their attractiveness. I never see people walking slouchy or hunched because they're unsatisfied with their own self-image; why do I detect it here and there in the fan series then?
Even if the story is so incredibly, breathtakingly good; it's still crap if it's played by actors who look like they just rolled out of bed, need to lose a few pounds and need their self-esteem taken care of.
And again, I'm not saying everybody in those fan series are like that; really. But enough of them to make the experience of watching an episode, a very bitter one. I understand my post might seem harsh, but I call 'em as I see em. I'm sorry if I offended anyone.
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