Character blogging
Encyclopedia
Character blogs are a type of blog
written as though a fictional character, rather than an actual person, is making the blog post. There are many character blogs on the Internet
, and it has recently become popular among TV show producers as a means of promoting their show. Sometimes these character blogs are done as a simple means of expression by fans or regular people unaffiliated with any professional media. In the current decade they have become an outlet for fans of TV show, movie, and comic book characters, to play with and interact with characters ranging from Star Wars
and Star Trek
to Superman
, Spider-Man
and even solo characters created by the blogger themselves and placed in one of the many fictional universes found in fiction.
Unofficial Character Blogs - Sometimes fans of a known fictional character will create a blog as parody or homage to the work from which the character derives. Star Wars has brought about several of these, the most famous example being Master Yoda's Blog. Unofficial character blogs often are inspired by comic books, TV shows and movies.
Fantasy Character Blogs - Some blog writers choose to create their own original character to blog as. Often they will be some kind of superhero type character, rather than just an ordinary person. An element of fantasy often exists, putting the character into one or many fantasy universes, even mixing them with established fictional universes from comic books, movies and television. This is common among role-players, particularly within the Star Wars community, where they can create their own Jedi (or Sith) character and blog as them.
Steve Rubel has given his opinion stating that, "Character blogs are a waste of time because a character is not and never will be human - unless it's Pinocchio." Rubel's attack was on the official character blog for Captain Morgan
, a corporate blog. Most character blogs are not set up by corporations or companies, but by fans and writers looking for a creative outlet.
and Amazing Mutant Race puts an X-Men
twist on The Amazing Race
.
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
written as though a fictional character, rather than an actual person, is making the blog post. There are many character blogs on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, and it has recently become popular among TV show producers as a means of promoting their show. Sometimes these character blogs are done as a simple means of expression by fans or regular people unaffiliated with any professional media. In the current decade they have become an outlet for fans of TV show, movie, and comic book characters, to play with and interact with characters ranging from Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
and Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
to Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
and even solo characters created by the blogger themselves and placed in one of the many fictional universes found in fiction.
Types of character blogs
Official Character Blogs - Movies, TV shows and sometimes even brands (such as Captain Morgan) will publish an official blog for their characters. These are often produced with marketing and tie-ins in mind, and so are planned to best convey the message wanted by the producers.Unofficial Character Blogs - Sometimes fans of a known fictional character will create a blog as parody or homage to the work from which the character derives. Star Wars has brought about several of these, the most famous example being Master Yoda's Blog. Unofficial character blogs often are inspired by comic books, TV shows and movies.
Fantasy Character Blogs - Some blog writers choose to create their own original character to blog as. Often they will be some kind of superhero type character, rather than just an ordinary person. An element of fantasy often exists, putting the character into one or many fantasy universes, even mixing them with established fictional universes from comic books, movies and television. This is common among role-players, particularly within the Star Wars community, where they can create their own Jedi (or Sith) character and blog as them.
Criticism
While seemingly harmless and considered a bit of fun by most, some find Character Blogging hard to take. MicroPersuasion.com'sSteve Rubel has given his opinion stating that, "Character blogs are a waste of time because a character is not and never will be human - unless it's Pinocchio." Rubel's attack was on the official character blog for Captain Morgan
Captain Morgan
Captain Morgan is a brand of rum produced by alcohol conglomerate Diageo. It is named after the 17th-century, Welsh privateer of the Caribbean, Sir Henry Morgan...
, a corporate blog. Most character blogs are not set up by corporations or companies, but by fans and writers looking for a creative outlet.
Blog games
Character blogs make it possible for blog games to be played on team blogs. These are often in parody of reality TV shows. For instance, Last Gladiator Standing is a blog game that gets its name from Last Comic StandingLast Comic Standing
Last Comic Standing is an American reality television talent show that has aired from 2003 through 2010.The goal of the program is to select a comedian from a group, who will receive a development contract with the NBC network, and a television special first to air on the cable-TV network Comedy...
and Amazing Mutant Race puts an X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
twist on The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a reality television game show in which teams of two people, who have some form of a preexisting personal relationship, race around the world in competition with other teams...
.