Trekkies

     Trekkies is a documentary that seems to be confused with what it's message is.  On one hand, the film shows the intense passion and love that people have for the Star Trek franchise and the lengths they go to make it a part of their lives, and on the other hand, it perhaps unintentionally mocks and shames them for their choices.  The film takes a look at the various Star Trek conventions held around the country and the people who visit them, both fans and actors.  Although the actors are the main reason why the superfans exist, the film focus most on fans of all ages.  This is one of the better aspects of the documentary.  One person interviewed throughout is a thirteen or fourteen year old kid who has custom made costumes and a giant collection of toys and such.  Other people are middle aged or older, like a lady who got known for wearing a Star Trek costume to jury duty.  The director did a good job showing that Star Trek influences people of all ages and generations.  Obviously the teenage kid wasn't alive or able to remember watching the original series, but the newer shows had enough of an impact on him to make him become obsessed with the show, past and present.  One small section of the movie was about fan fiction, similar to what was discussed in the reading.  The text was correct in that most of the fan fiction shown in the movie was written by women.  There was no reason given for this, but one could guess that women might make more of an emotional connection with the characters and have more interest in exploring their stories, or creating new ones.  Most people interviewed or showed in the film were made to look like people who just really like the show and like interacting with the fans.  Some learned klingon in their free time, or organized meetings with other fans.  However they made the show a part of their life, for most of them that's all it was: a hobby.  For some of the people however, the film makes them look foolish or obsessed to a point of unhealthiness.
     During one scene, an auction for a piece or rubber worn on the head of an alien was taking place.  Looking at what was for sale, a non star trek fan would see the headpiece and think it might be worth a hundred or so dollars to a collector.  Someone in a full klingon outfit ended up paying almost two thousand for it.  When interviewed, he said there was no way he was leaving the building without it, no matter the price.  Although we don't know if he is extremely wealthy, I can't imagine most middle class people would spend that kind of money on a tiny piece of rubber that went on someone's head for a brief period of time.  Sure he's a star trek fanatic, but the way he was hell bent on getting the rubber mo matter how much he might have to pay implies he might have some issues.  This guy was far from the most crazy in the film.  One scene that was particularly strange was when a group of people dressed as klingons were talking about volunteering at kids hospitals.  Assuming they wear the costumes while there, which is again implied, they must make the kids extremely uncomfortable if they don't know anything about star trek.  They surely have good intentions and hearts, but scaring sick kids isn't a very good idea.  Even though there were some unusual characters in the documentary, the majority of it was positively shot and a good way to show how sci-fi can change people's lives.