Le Grand Phantom Friending Meme of 2007

[my_daroga]

[For all you non-fannish people, I'm sorry; just ignore!]

Inspired by the recent spate of friending memes 'round these parts, I thought it was high time for a Phantom of the Opera themed one. This is a divided fandom, for all its relative small stature, so here's our chance to find the like-minded--and the contrary we can stand--among the throng.

Leave your info here, so people can find it. And in your own journals and communities, please pimp! This works better if we get everyone we can.

Username Obvious
How long have you been a fan? What got you into Phantom? Just a little background, here.
What's your favorite version(s)? Movies, books, stage, whatever.
Least favorite? Likewise.
Have you read Leroux? It's got to be asked.
What's your fannish involvement? Fiction? Art? Discussion? Passive-obsessive?
Where else can we find you? Do you frequent other Phantom groups online? You may know each other and not even know it!
(Who) Do you ship? Standard memage, right?
What else might we find in your journal? So we know what we're in for.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? No flamewars here, please--This is just so rabid fans on either side of the debate can stay away from each other *if necessary*. The Gerard Butler contingent doesn't want a flood of anti-Schumacher sentiment in their lj's, and the opposite is true as well. So if you can't get on with people on the other side, let us know. No harm will come to you.
And lastly, What do you love most about Phantom? State your case.

ETA: Now, cleaner headings for your answers (thanks ensign_beedrill!)
<b>Username:</b>
<b>How long have you been a fan?</b>
<b>What's your favorite version(s)?</b>
<b>Least favorite?</b>
<b>Have you read Leroux? </b>
<b>What's your fannish involvement?</b>
<b>Where else can we find you?</b>
<b>(Who) Do you ship?</b>
<b>What else might we find in your journal?</b>
<b>2004!movie--y/n/indifferent?</b>
<b>What do you love most about Phantom?</b>

Comments

[vampire-cookies.livejournal.com]

Ooooo. Phantom meme. Yay!

*polishes Leroux-esque avatar*

[my_daroga]

So you're just here to watch? ;)

[my_daroga]

Username: my_daroga
How long have you been a fan? About 13 years or so; I heard the ALW songs in a store, got the cd, and quickly graduated to an audiobook of F. Murray Abraham reading Leroux. Now I'm primarily a book fan.
What's your favorite version(s)? Aside from Leroux (natch), I love Phantom of the Paradise, enjoy most of the movies (excluding Schumacher's), have a guilty love for Susan Kay (because at 14 we're very susceptible), and am basically a student of any version. I love exploring the differences.
Least favorite? Schumacher.
Have you read Leroux? I have.
What's your fannish involvement? I write fanfic, though not as much as I'd like. It's here. I also moderate mazenderan, a community for the Daroga. I've recently started making fan art.
Where else can we find you? POTOphans.net, The Sueniverse, the above-mentioned fic and art links, and several LJ communities.
(Who) Do you ship? I don't have specific pairings when it comes to what I'll read/write--I want well-written and/or interesting themes. That said, I have a very soft spot for Erik/Persian.
What else might we find in your journal? Movie reviews. Whining about writing a book (about Phantom of the Paradise). Random thoughts on life, politics, family, television. Lots of photos.

Oh, and I feel this is important: a sense of humor. I belong to capslockphantom and phanwank and while I don't think that makes me a *bad* person, it's not fluffy E/C over here. Neither am I a serious Raoul apologist or anything. It's just fun, okay?

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? Hated it, but I am civil and can discuss as long as people don't expect me to agree that Gerard Butler is the Angel of Music.
What do you love most about Phantom? For me, it's become a continuing set of avatars; its influence waxes and wanes (I realize I'm above the average age of Phantom fans) but somehow it always comes back. The themes--of love, obsession, art, and writing--can serve many functions and continue to inspire me. Right now, as you can see, it's the persona of the Persian that I relate to the most--the silent observer, the chronicler, the foreigner. You can read more about that here, and someplace else I can't find.

Anyway. If you're interested, friend/ask away!

[my_daroga]

Oh man, I can't believe I didn't mention Lon Chaney. I adore Chaney. I secretly love the Charles Dance version. And Rains. And the rest (except Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge, which isn't even funny). But Chaney is a master.

[inlaterdays.livejournal.com]

Username:
How long have you been a fan? It depends on how you count, I guess...I only started participating in online fandom in 2005.
What's your favorite version(s)? The three versions I most often refer to are Leroux, Chaney, ALW, and 2004!movie. Four. four versions. ...I'll come in again.
Least favorite? It would probably be the Julian Sands one, judging by description, but I haven't seen it yet.
Have you read Leroux? Yus.
What's your fannish involvement? Right now, nil. :( I used to post on messageboards and write fanfiction.
Where else can we find you? My phandom journal is ghostwritten2, and I need to blow the dust off of it. I'm ghostwritten2 at the pit of voles, and ghostwritten on various messageboards.
(Who) Do you ship? E/C, R/C, E/R, E/Persian.
What else might we find in your journal? This one? Book lists, cat macros, and whining about work.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I loved it, though I can see its (many) flaws. I don't caaaare. I love other versions as well.
What do you love most about Phantom? The phandom, the story, or the character? I'm a sucker for anti-heroes, tragic heroes, sexy villains, flawed characters, and doomed love. Phantom has an abundance of those.

[my_daroga]

I need to blow the dust off of it

Your fanfiction, love, is sorely missed.

BTW, a friend of mine told me that "A Mirror in the Palm of Your Hand" is perfect ff as far as she's concerned.

[vampire-cookies.livejournal.com]

Username: Though I go by vampire_cookies on my LJ, I am known as phantomy-cookies in most phantom circles. But please just call me Cookies.

How long have you been a fan?: Probably since age seven or eight. A neighbor lent us their tapes with a copy of George Perry's book and my sister and I would listen along to the music while we read the libretto. T'was love at first sight.

What's your favorite version(s)?: 1925 Chaney version for how stunningly it captured elements of the novel, the 2004 Butler sex fest for the entertainment factor, and the 1943 Rains version entirely for the crazy of SUSANNA FOSTER. (Strangely enough, the 1990 Dance version is more of a guilty pleasure to me than the 2004 movie.)

Least favorite?: Don't know if this even counts, but The Phantom of the Mall was seriously retarded. I am so glad the leading whore was named Melody instead of Christine.

Have you read Leroux?: Is the Pope Catholic?

What's your fannish involvement?: I must admit that I've been a bit of a whore for Leroux since third grade. Seeing the musical was wonderful, but my fanciful imagination really kicked in after reading the novel.

Where else can we find you?: Muffin is a thing of the past, which saddens me greatly as I really enjoyed being a part of that community and meeting such super fantastic people. Don't get me wrong, I love being a Holmesian these days, but it's so hard to invest myself in any fandom as hard as I've invested myself in Phantom. Still, I have phanwank to satisfy my phansy needs, not to mention a few choice phanfics I have marked on my FFN favorites list.

Oh, and I've abandoned the retardedness that is POS, simply because the community is run by idiots and inhabited by some of the most reprehensible people in God's creation. And that's me being kind.

(Who) Do you ship?: Why, Erik and Christine, of course. However, I lean more towards morbid romance than I do fluff. It's just so much more compelling when there is crazy fear and attraction going on between them. *whispers* (I also sekritly dig Christine/Meg slash.)

What else might we find in your journal? Memes, actually. Or some emotional Hello Kitty.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I think it's great! Not perfect, mind you, but great! Very entertaining, very schmexy, very fun! I don't piddle about the OOCness of the phansy or the acceptability of Emmy's vocal range. It's just a very nice compliment to the darker, more twisted side of my phantom obsession.

What do you love most about Phantom? The tragic qualities of love and redemption. Plus I just dig ugly masked killers and teh sex that is Christine. Rarr!

[sparklybee.livejournal.com]

I wandered in from inlaterdays' journal!

Username: sparklybee
How long have you been a fan? Since 1992, when I had the pleasure of accidentally finding an unabridged audiobook version of Leroux at the local library. I listened to the whole thing in one sitting and was hooked.
What's your favorite version(s)? ALW stage, Leroux, and the Robert Englund movie.
Least favorite? Yeston & Kopit - blech.
Have you read Leroux? Several times.
What's your fannish involvement? Not as much as it used to be, mainly because I'm annoyed with all the bickering. I write fanfiction (http://www.fanfiction.net/~sparklyscorpion) once in a while and am practically stalking the US tour of the ALW stage show.
Where else can we find you? Certain sites that shouldn't be mentioned (if you know, you know), once in a blue moon at Phans Online (http://www.phansonline.net) and TMO (http://www.themauersonline.com), once in a while on Deviant Art and FFN, and that's about it!
(Who) Do you ship? R/C, E/C if well written...pretty much anything that is well written, actually
What else might we find in your journal? Reviews of the show, bounciness about seeing the show in the future, whining about writer's block, random observations about life that probably make no sense unless you're dipping your toes in Parrot Bay too.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? Indifferent. The movie made me actually notice Raoul's character, REALLY notice, for the first time - but I CANNOT listen to Gerard and Emmy without cringing. I'm disappointed in what the movie is but realize I can't change it, and I think all of the fighting and nitpicking that STILL goes on is stupid as hell.
What do you love most about Phantom? It inspires me and makes me feel, no matter how many times I see the show or read the book.

[phantoms-siren.livejournal.com]

Username: phantoms_siren
How long have you been a fan? about 11 years.. ish...
What's your favorite version(s)? The OLC ALW recording, Phantom of the Paradise and the Robert Englund version... sorry but the Carlotta scene won it for me. I love seeing all the different versions though and little things like the Simpsons/Gremlins references make me giggle.
Least favorite? Schumacher
Have you read Leroux? Several times. Also own a spoken word version some where.
What's your fannish involvement? Used to do a lot of art and fiction when I was much much younger. Much of it sucked. I occasionally wander back to creating when I run out of ideas.
Where else can we find you? Art (in the scraps) (http://phantoms-siren.deviantart.com") and onyx_figment for fiction. I'm no longer active in the phan community.
(Who) Do you ship? No. Erik is cool but no shipping. My own focus (as per the username) is on an extremely contentious character that most real phans would say doesn't exist.
What else might we find in your journal? Complaining mostly. Its also friends only and not relevant to much of anything. All my art is listed under phantomssiren0.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? Loathed it. So disappointed in so many ways. Pretty much drove me away from the phandom.
What do you love most about Phantom? I love anti heroes, love being on the side you're not supposed to be on, i love outsiders. I also enjoy the idea of dropping big bits of scenery on people who irritate me.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Username: tkp
How long have you been a fan? October 11, 2003
What's your favorite version(s)? don't really have one
Least favorite? does Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett count?
Have you read Leroux? why, yes
What's your fannish involvement? not so much now, though I used to write fanfic (currently unavailable) and talk on some boards. I hope to write more fic in the future, but I'm always interested in good discussions
Where else can we find you? nowhere but lj at the moment
(Who) Do you ship? mostly Erik/anyone, included but not limited to Christine, the Persian, OCs, the sultana, and Raoul if someone would write a good fanfic of that. The only 'ship I'm really interested in that doesn't include Erik is Christine/Meg, though I'd be persuaded to read R/C if someone was really clever about it.
What else might we find in your journal? I don't recommend friending my journal as there's not much POTO content at the moment.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I was disappointed. I love the ALW version, despite its flaws, and felt like this didn't do it justice. I did quite enjoy ER, the costumes, and Meg.
What do you love most about Phantom?
1. Erik is a hideous, evil, maniacal woobie.
2. the moral. It's not the simple lesson that ugliness is skin deep. It's about soul-deep ugliness and the potential for beauty buried under that that can't be corrupted.
3. sex/death. There's an aspect of romance inherent in the morbidity and horror of this tale, juxtaposed against both sense and sensibility. Like Jane Austen married the Grim Reaper, or something.

[my_daroga]

*sigh* And still, I pine for your phannish resurrection.

[realcdaae.livejournal.com]

Username: realcdaae

How long have you been a fan?
Since I was about 15 - 17 years.

What's your favorite version(s)?
Leroux. Duh. ;) But I do love the ALW musical.

Least favorite?
Probably one of the crap movie versions. No, make that the 2004 ALW movie version.

Have you read Leroux?
DUH!!!!!!

What's your fannish involvement?
For many years it was huge, I ran a Phantom fan club and my whole life was basically Phantom. These days it's much less, but of course I still love it. It's been a huge part of my life. I particularly love the mythological and psychological aspects (the whole Jungian journey, etc).

Where else can we find you?
All over the place. Summary here (http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/cdaae/).

(Who) Do you ship?
Erik/Christine. Or Erik/me, of course.

What else might we find in your journal?
Left-wing feminist politics and anarchism, rants about all sorts of things, disability rights, squeeing over Hugh Laurie and Jason Isaacs, depression, life.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent?
Absolutely loathe it, but I have quite a few people on my flist who really like it, so I don't discrimate against you weirdos who love it.

What do you love most about Phantom?
That's such a difficult question to answer. Originally it was Erik, the tragic love story, and the feeling that this was someone who could understand my depression. Now as I said it's as much the psychological aspect, Erik as a character who inhabits and represents various border states, all the depths which so many people don't see to it. And the passion and the sex appeal (yes, even of Leroux's Erik), of course.

[realcdaae.livejournal.com]

Oh, also, I'm in the middle of moving, so if I don't friend you back immediately, that doesn't mean I'm ignoring you (should anyone friend me from this).

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Username: stefanie_bean
How long have you been a fan? Since January of 2005.
What's your favorite version(s)? Tied for first place: Leroux's novel and the 2004 Schumacher movie.
Second place: Dario Argento's slasher Phantom movie.
Third place: the Robert Englund slasher movie.
I'm very tolerant of others' preferences, though.
Least favorite? Charles Dance version, even though I do like Teri Polo.
Have you read Leroux? More times than I care to count.
What's your fannish involvement? I hang out at www.phantomoftheopera.com, mainly on the Carl Jung thread (http://www.phantomoftheopera.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=9090&start=0), or anywhere in The Lair that involves Erik's sexual deformities, mid-life crises, or nit-picky discussions about Leroux.
I've also written some fanfiction, having just finished a full-length retelling of Leroux from Christine's POV called Phantoms of the Past (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2625688/1/), which, despite being archived in the Pit of Voles, is *not* "crapfic." I also have written 2004 movie fanfics. The movie-verse WIP that I still need to finish up is called Afterlife (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2471405/1/), and is what happens when What Dreams May Come and Wings of Desire meet Phantom of the Opera.
I keep threatening to write a "fat Phantom" modern retelling (involving our current moral horror, instead of the deformity/syphilis fears of the 19th century) but that may be the kind of story you talk about in bars or on your LJ, not that you actually write - we'll see.
Where else can we find you? Over on www.thefuselage.com stalking Jorge Garcia - just kidding - mostly I hang out in the "Lost Theories" threads.
(Who) Do you ship? In Leroux: Raoul/Christine and Erik/Persian.
In the movie: Raoul/Christine, Phantom/Meg, Carlotta/Piangi.
In Lost, Hurley/Danielle (which amuses me no end...)
What else might we find in your journal? Artsy stuff, mythology, folklore, going all fangirly on Bacchus, movie reviews, occasional sex, too many memes.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the 2004 movie. :puts on asbestos raincoat:
What do you love most about Phantom?In both the novel and 2004 film I love how the writers have created deep, uncanny, richly-textured worlds with larger than life, almost mythical characters (and the movie Phantom to me does cross over into the mythical.) Also what I find compelling is the rending emotional anguish, and that it's unresolved - which is where all the holes open up begging to be filled with fanfiction.
I've also had a deep personal transformation from the story, too - not just in discovering my own creativity, but also in becoming more compassionate and open to those who are "different" or marginalized in some way. Contemplating Erik's heart "large enough to hold the world" enlarges our own.

[inlaterdays.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE ON THE FUSE NOW??

I'm "sab1ne" on there and I haven't been active for a long time. I post postly on the Linear Board.

HGAJLSFLJ YAY YOU

[phantomgirl110.livejournal.com]

Username: phantomgirl110

How long have you been a fan? It'll be nine years in April. I saw the ALW stage show when I was ten.

What's your favorite version(s)? The ALW stage show, by far. I love Leroux and I absolutely know it's canon, but I get more personal enjoyment out of the stage show.

Least favorite? The 2004 ALW movie and the Argento version. It's hard to pick which one I dislike more, because I can't stand them for different reasons.

Have you read Leroux? Absolutely, many times.

What's your fannish involvement? Message boards, LJ communities, some fanfiction (http://fanfiction.net/~phantomgirl110), one RPG.

Where else can we find you? Other than LJ? The Sueniverse (http://freewebs.com/sueniverse) (which I own) and POL (http://phansonline.net), mostly.

(Who) Do you ship? I admit it, I ship E/M. Not realistically, though. I mean, I know that in canon they don't get together, but I do think the idea is cute in my fluffy daydreams. But then, I just love Meg, so anything that gives her more attention works for me. Other than E/M, I like both E/C and R/C. I'm pretty open, actually.

What else might we find in your journal? Lots of stuff about a guy currently known to everyone in LJ-land as Mr. Attainable. Also, lots of Disney stuff and various other rambling.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? NOOOOOOO. No. No. No. The only things I liked even a little bit about it were the overture sequence and Jennifer Ellison as Meg. But mostly, NOOOOOOO.

What do you love most about Phantom? I'm inclined to say the music, obviously in reference to the ALW version, because I'm such a musical theatre geek, but really, the story is just beautiful, and so intriguing. I sometimes forget how much I love the story because I get so caught up in all the stupid fandom crap.

[melancholyecho.livejournal.com]

Username: melancholyecho
How long have you been a fan? Ever since July of 2005.
What's your favorite version(s)? 2004 movie, definitely. I actually haven't seen/read any other versions. *is embarassed*
Least favorite? I've heard the 1989 film was BAD.
Have you read Leroux? No, but my sister read a few chapters to me and I really want to read it on my own now. I actually want to read Susan Kay more.
What's your fannish involvement? I write fanfic, but don't update my story that often due to writer's block. I also make icons of the 2004 movie on LJ and read other people's fanfiction if I have the time.
Where else can we find you? *shrugs* I'm a member of POTOphans.net and PhantomGerry.net but never go on there.
(Who) Do you ship? E/C R/C E/M
What else might we find in your journal? Rambling, everyday life, icons, and picture posts.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I loved it and I honestly don't care what other people say about it because that's all solely based off opinion. It's a fandom, get over it.
What do you love most about Phantom? The storyline, the music and the emotions it brings out in people.

[gwynevere1.livejournal.com]

Hi. Here from stefanie_bean's LJ.


Username: gwynevere1

How long have you been a fan? About 20 years

What's your favorite version(s)? ALW

Least favorite? Which is the one with the rat-sex?

Have you read Leroux? Yes.

What's your fannish involvement? Posting on message boards, reading fan fiction, outlining plots for fan fic that I never actually write.

Where else can we find you? PhansOnline.net, Snarkfest, Television Without Pity, Tiretracks Yahoo! Group (used to post on that messageboard, too, when it existed), Sarah-Brightman.com's official forum, used to post at Phantomfans.net before it became multi-musical, sometimes leave comments at YouTube, lurk on some other Sarah Brightman boards, used to post at Buffy Cross & Stake when the show was still on the air--man, I have no life

(Who) Do you ship? Raoul/Christine

What else might we find in your journal? I don't actually post at my journal, I just use it to comment elsewhere. However, if you look through my flist, you will see I have a love of Sarah Brightman, ALW musicals in general, with POTO in particular, Joss Whedon shows, Coupling, the new Doctor Who, some things Harry Potter, all things Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and fan fiction across all those fandoms. Wow, I just out-geeked my other response.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I loved everything about it that wasn't Emmy Rossum.

What do you love most about Phantom? Everything? In particular, I'm always drawn to stories about redemption. Erik finds grace by giving up what he loves most.

[madrigalist.livejournal.com]

Username: madrigalist feel free to call me Mav


How long have you been a fan? Since I discovered Gothic Lit in High School

What's your favorite version(s)? Leroux

Least favorite? Andrew Lloyd Webber and unresearched fanfic

Have you read Leroux? That is an understatement. Yes. To a very indepth degree.

What's your fannish involvement? Only my writing

Where else can we find you? Just here on LJ. I had moderated a Leroux forum but due to publishing efforts it was urged that I cease involvement with any "phandoms"

(Who) Do you ship? I am devote Leroux--so R/C.

What else might we find in your journal? Basically it is where I yip about the journey to publish. I am PRO member of the Romance Writers of America and I use my LJ to post updates to the work on my Leroux based novels and what it takes to publish traditionally. For now, self pub is ruled out. It is locked as friends only to protect my efforts.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? It is beautiful by far too removed from Leroux's intent to make me swoon. Gerik rubs me the wrong way. He is great for a movie that is a sexual version of Phantom--but the movie took away too much of Leroux's themes and goals

What do you love most about Phantom? the hidden themes, the indepth studies into 19th century society...it is a well done tale with many different layers. You just have to be brave enough to peel them back

[my_daroga]

Best of luck with your writing; it's good to hear of Leroux-based work going on.

[hugelaurie.livejournal.com]

Username hugelaurie
How long have you been a fan? What got you into Phantom? I WENT TO SEE THE MUSICAL 5X IN THE '90s
What's your favorite version(s)? STAGE/SOUNDTRACK
Least favorite? IDK, I MAINLY STICK TO THE STAGE VERSION.
Have you read Leroux? SORRY, NO
What's your fannish involvement? KEEPING THE CD ON REPEAT, SINGING THE SONGS IN THE SHOWER
Where else can we find you? LOL I AM NOT IN THIS FANDOM BUT FOLLOWED inlaterdays TO THIS MEME.
(Who) Do you ship? I ENJOY THE ENTIRETY, I'M NOT USUALLY A SHIPPER
What else might we find in your journal? CAPSLOCK, ANIMATED GIFS, TERATOMA FIXATION, RAMPANT NARCISSISM
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? SORRY, HAVEN'T SEEN IT. SHOULD I?
And lastly, What do you love most about Phantom? I REALLY ENJOY THE UNREQUITED LOVE STORY, TRAGIC FIGURE, FLAWED CHARACTER ASPECT.

[lourdesmont.livejournal.com]

Saw this over in stefanie_bean's journal and since I am such a lemming, I decided to follow along.

Username: lourdesmont
How long have you been a fan? For about forty years now. Ever since my mom first introduced me to the silent film of her youth. Actually I owe my mom a huge debt of gratitude for introducing me to horror books and movies.
What's your favorite version(s)? I love the Lon Chaney movie and the Claude Rains movie.
Least favorite? I could only watch bits and pieces of the Robert Englund movie. The older I get the less I enjoy graphic horror - on screen.
Have you read Leroux? Yes. But it has been awhile and I am in the process of re-reading.
What's your fannish involvement? I have written a couple of stories. And I read a whole lot of others. I also love looking at different artwork since graphic talents completely elude me.
Where else can we find you? I am over at ff.net. I can also be found on Ghostletters and The Young Rebels mailing lists at Yahoo.
(Who) Do you ship? Raoul and Christine and Erik and anyone BUT Christine. Sorry. My feeble brain just cannot wrap itself around Erik and Christine as a couple.
What else might we find in your journal? General information about my daily life. And the occasional visit from one of my original characters.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? It is a wonderfully guilty pleasure! Well ... it is a wonderfully guilty Patrick Wilson pleasure. The man has a voice that could melt ice. When he sings "If I Loved You" from "Carousel" ... I melt!
What do you love most about Phantom?I loved the horror when I was young. I loved the romance and sneaking around when I was a teenager. And now that I am an adult, I find I love the depth of the story. There is just so much there to appreciate on so many different levels.

[madrigalist.livejournal.com]

You DAMN WELL better be reading Leroux or you are FIRED.

That being said...some writer has editing to do.

*slinks away*

[anne07213.livejournal.com]

Username: anne07213
How long have you been a fan? Just over two years... I admit it, the 2004 movie showed me to the phandom.
What's your favorite version(s)? ALW musical
Least favorite? I'm only familiar with the musical, 2004 movie, and novel; so least favorite by default would have to be one of those crazy movies made somewhere between Lon Chaney and ALW.
Have you read Leroux? Yes.
What's your fannish involvement? forums, LJ, a little bit of phanphic, a little bit of art that no one ever sees.
Where else can we find you? phansonline.net and potophans.net (I'm PhantomsHeart on both)
(Who) Do you ship? Arr, matey! ;) Yes, E/C usually, but I'm never against R/C.
What else might we find in your journal? School rants, really excited shouty (and usually capslocked) posts about Phantom and Hugh Panaro, sometimes pictures. Oh, and sometimes oneshot stories.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I was an absolute phangirl in the beginning, I won't lie. I saw the movie 6 times in 2 months while it was still in movie theaters, and bought the DVD the day it came out, BEFORE going to school, and carried it around with me all day. Now, I really like watching it because it is so pretty, but I don't like listening to it. So I usually watch it with the French dub. :D
What do you love most about Phantom? There's something in it everyone can relate to- something everyone doesn't want to reveal to the world, but it affects them more than they ever want to admit. The hopeless romantic in me morbidly loves the doomed love story, and the creative person in me loves simply the story itself and (in the case of the ALW musical) the two and a half hours of gorgeous music I hear waaay too often. :D

[drusillatsukino.livejournal.com]

Oh, how exciting! :D


Username: drusillatsukino
How long have you been a fan?: 11 years now, I think.
What's your favorite version(s)?: Susan Kay, Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical, and the 2004 Movie.
Least favorite?: Julian Sands. Uhg.x.x
Have you read Leroux?: AGES ago.
What's your fannish involvement?: I make icons at erikagiry_icons :D
Where else can we find you?: phantomgerry.net, and phansonline.net
(Who) Do you ship?: Raoul/Christine, Erik/Meg, and Erik/Raoul. .....WHAT!?!O.O
What else might we find in your journal?: In my regular journal? Mindless ramblings of a Disney Cast Member, and wannabe actress.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent?: I adore the 2004 movie. It wasn't perfect in the least, it had it's flaws, but I do love it.
What do you love most about Phantom?: The music, and the story.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Hi, I noticed in your LJ that you saw John Cudia's stage performance in July of 2006. So did I! Do you mind if I friend you?

[iromakuzarukas.livejournal.com]

Username: iromakuzarukas, though I also use it the other way round...

How long have you been a fan? Well, my mom listened to it when she was pregnant with me ^__~ but the real obsession started when I was twelve...

What's your favorite version(s)? It differs: In the beginning I loved the ALW musical (I still can sing all of it in German AND English ^.^0), but now I prefer the original book by Leroux. (Though I think I might be developing a strange addiction to the Takarazuka musical O.o)

Least favorite? The silent movie from 1925! How could they?! The beginning is almost perfect and then they ruin EVERYTHING in the last ten minutes! ARRRRGGGH!

Have you read Leroux? Jepp - and I still love it!

What's your fannish involvement? I used to draw fanart, but I lack talent, so all of it is hidden away in the depths of my room... But I plan on writing fanfiction...

(Who) Do you ship? Erik/Christine. No Raoul for me, thanks...
What else might we find in your journal? Nothing interesting. Really.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? ...No. The singing is nothing special; Erik lacks charisma and the German dub is horrible (Uwe Kröger might be nice in other musicals, but I think he sucks as Phantom.). And ever since I watched "Hard Candy" I can't forget the mental image of Patrick Wilson being tied to that table, whenever Raoul appears ^.^0

What do you love most about Phantom? Erik.

[madrigalist.livejournal.com]

That looks like an Elisabeth icon...if it is...Facinating history.

Nur Der Tod....

[hope-24.livejournal.com]

Username - Hope_24

How long have you been a fan? - Just over a year, I first read Leroux on my 25th birthday. I had seen bits of the Charles Dance version when I was a little girl though, which stuck in my head.

What's your favorite version(s)? - Leroux, ALW stage, ALW film

Least favorite? - Not seen enough different versions to have one.

Have you read Leroux? - Yes.

What's your fannish involvement? - Discussion, reader of fic.

Where else can we find you? - Was a member of Phanforums.com, which closed. Am now to be found over at POTO.com. On Livejournal, I will also hang about Snape communities (Harry Potter) and Hermione/Snape communities (Before anyone judges me, she is over the age of legal consent in any fics I would read and has left school. You've already judged me, haven't you? *Sigh*) Sometimes guiltily read fic wanking communites on Livejournal, just because there's so much to work with in the HP and Phantom fandoms. Also occasionally over at TWop and MUA.

(Who) Do you ship? - I would tend towards E/C, but I'm open-minded to most pairings if they're well-written.

What else might we find in your journal? - A pitiful amount. I don't really post. I might do, one of these days.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? - I think Emmy Rossum was a bit blank, but I thought it was O.K. I can see why some loved it and some hated it.

What do you love most about Phantom? - I like anti-heroes, villains, and outsiders, and when they're snappily dressed, all to the better. I like the Gothic literary themes of love, obsession and death. Reading the book gave me a personal renaissance and gave me new interests in poetry, opera and literary criticism. I like the character of Erik himself; freakish and funny but ultimately tragic.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Well, *I* won't judge you for Hermione/Snape. Even if Hermione *would be* underage in such a fic, what's the big deal if they're not having sex? Romance between teacher and student is one of the best literary kinds - just ask Jo Bauer (nee Jo Marsh) from Little Women...

[negiramenofdoom.livejournal.com]

Here from phanwank :D

Username: negiramenofdoom
How long have you been a fan? About two years. Yeah, I got into it because of the '04 movie... *shifty eyes*
What's your favorite version(s)? LEROUX. ALW stage musical, and Kopit/Yeston (includes the Charles Dance mini-series). And Lon Chaney!
Least favorite? '04 movie. Not too fond of the 1942 (could be wrong on the year) version, either.
Have you read Leroux? LOVE.
What's your fannish involvement? I think up fanfics that will probably never see the light of day, and I make icons at flowy_sleeves ([/self-pimpage])
Where else can we find you? FF.net, and I'm also a member of phanwank, but I mainly lurk.
(Who) Do you ship? ALW: Raoul/Christine. Leroux: Philippe/Christine (based on one line misinterpreted on my part... yeah...) and Raoul/Christine
What else might we find in your journal? The confessions of a rabid fangirl? Anime, Van Helsing, and me ranting about the plotbunnies that plague me. Things like that.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? Um, preferably not, but I can tolerate it. Sort of a guilty pleasure because of the pretty. And Patrick Wilson.
What do you love most about Phantom? The mystery, the intrigue, and the suspense. Also the fact that, in the right situation, any version can manage to drive me to tears. And, in the case of the ALW stage musical, the staging and costumes are absolutely beautiful.

[cherie-morte.livejournal.com]

Umm...hahaha, would you hate it if I inquired after the line you misinterpreted for C/P? I'm just sort of curious!

(I LOOOOOOE your icons. */fan girl*)

[arqueete.livejournal.com]

Username: arqueete

How long have you been a fan? What got you into Phantom? Ooh, well... In the summer of 2005, my good friend tehsexypotato got the 2004 movie and loved it. He rambled on about it but I wasn't really sure what to think. The closest I'd probably gotten to a musical at the time was Disney movies. And Phantom of the... Opera? I mentioned it offhandly to my mom, and her memories of seeing one of the older movies as a child intrigued her into getting it. When I first watched it, I admit, I wasn't all that interested. I was busy multitasking, but I remember very well what got my attention -- the mirror scene. Just something about that whole image of Christine stepping through the mirror to the start of the title song was just fascinating. I fell in love with the movie. No, I actually became obsessed. I would, literally, watch it three times a day throughout that summer. Then, tehsexypotato showed me PotO.com. I wandering around it a little, taking in all this information about the stage show and the novel. There was a lot of talk of Michael Crawford, so when I saw a CD with his MotN on it, I bougth it. That was the start of my love of the stage show. Soon, though questionable material, I became aquainted with a few of the stage Phantoms and soon Gerry and Emmy didn't do it for me anymore. I found everything PotO that I could -- I read the novel, didn't really like it. I read the Wolf translation, loved it. I rented the silent movie, and so on. I'm not as much an obsessed fangirl as I was that summer, but PotO is still very close to my heart, and was the musical that introduced me to musicals. Since then, I've seen it live once in Vegas.

What's your favorite version(s)? I love the ALW stage show to pieces -- there's something about setting the story to music that just works to me. I also lurve the Leroux and the silent movie, and a little Charles Dance now and then is my guilty pleasure.

Least favorite? I hate Phantom of Manhattan. With a passion. There are many things I dislike about most of the versions, but PoM...

Have you read Leroux? The 1911 translation, the Wolf translation, and I've tried to struggle through a few passages of the French.

What's your fannish involvement? I mostly lurk around and absorb discussion. I also run the Gaian Theatre Company (which has an LJ community now: spheretheatre) on Gaiaonline, which is currently in rehearsals for a production of Phantom (which I wrote...).

Where else can we find you? I lurk around some at POL and lurk and post occasionally at phanwank and churchoferik.

(Who) Do you ship? Like most Phans, I have a sort of guilty pleasure of E/C, but I know it can't work. So, I have to say I'm R/C in the end. (And a little Raoul/Persian for good measure ;D) I don't really read any fanfic anymore, though, other than what crops up on phanwank.

What else might we find in your journal? I'm a bit of a musical n00b, so when I find a new musical or new recording of a musical I love, I ramble on about it. I do a lot of memes... XD My friends and I have a chatroom with a rather complicated history, and when amusing things are said I quote them. My LJ is rather lacking in intelligent content lately, but occasionally I launch into a rambling about how the Broadway version of Chess was not very well thought out or how my school needs to stop being so homophobic.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I don't go near it anymore, but I have no conflicts with the people who like it if they're intelligent and have given versions beside it a fair chance. I'm more likely to just not talk about it.

And lastly, What do you love most about Phantom? Phantom is not a particularly unique story, but I think that's part of what makes it a good story -- in one way or another, we all can relate to it or at least sympathize with its characters, and I think it makes many of us, at one time or another, look more closely at ourselves. Plus, it's variety of versions and opinions and interpretations make for some great discussion.

[slythwolf.livejournal.com]

Username: slythwolf
How long have you been a fan? Good Lord, probably since I was ten or twelve. I don't know. I'm 24 now.
What's your favorite version(s)? ALW and Kay.
Least favorite? I don't think I really have one. The ones I think I wouldn't be into, I don't see/read.
Have you read Leroux? Yes; only once, because I haven't been able to find it since I moved.
What's your fannish involvement? I mostly lurk around and will jump into discussion periodically. I make 2004 film icons when inspiration strikes and am working on an immensely self-indulgent most likely Mary Sue novel-length fic, which I may well never post anywhere. I also have an Erik!Sim.
Where else can we find you? I lurk. If anything you'll catch me commenting in churchoferik, phandom_wank or do_me_phantom.
(Who) Do you ship? I ship E/C, like any sensible person, but I'll read E/M when it's good. I firmly believe Raoul should die alone.
What else might we find in your journal? In no particular order: revies of films I go to see, stuff about my wedding plans, random crap to do with what happens on my campus, Harry Potter fic once in a blue moon, once in about ten blue moons there'll be fic for something else, icons and other graphics, links to things I find funny, and around election time there'll be a large amount of (leftist) political ranting.
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I love it. It's pretty and I can make pretty graphics from it. I will love any move that fulfils those criteria, provided its continuity isn't completely incoherent, its plot marginally interesting, and its dialog not too trite.
What do you love most about Phantom? I am an Erik fangirl. I guess that's just all there is to it. Also, opera.

[immortal-4ever.livejournal.com]

I ship E/C, like any sensible person, but I'll read E/M when it's good. I firmly believe Raoul should die alone.
Hear, hear... exactly my thoughts.

[operavampirate.livejournal.com]

Username: OperaVampirate

How long have you been a fan? Since I was around 8 or so probably.

What's your favorite version(s)? Leroux's novel, naturally, and Kay's is wonderful too, mostly for the way it's written. If you're talking movie/musicals - Ken Hill's musical snatches my heart easily.

Least favorite? Dario Argento's probably is my least favorite.

Have you read Leroux? Let's just say it's thankful mine's a hardcover or it'd be falling apart.

What's your fannish involvement? Eh - haven't had much lately besides ranting, making a couple of fanvideos, and roleplaying. I've written some literary fanfiction, but haven't posted it in ages.

Where else can we find you? Well, depends on how you define 'find me'. I am a member of phanwank but haven't posted in ages so I suppose I'm lurking. I'm a member of plenty of other communities as well, but most are other fandoms.

(Who) Do you ship? I'm an Erik/Christine by nature (and it's actually warranted seeing as I also ship Hook/Wendy)

What else might we find in your journal? Lots of vampirism and piracy.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? Eh. See, in my opinion, Webber took the story and rather romanticized it, making it, depending how you see it, ruined. Then Schumacher ruined it some more, in terms of how the story originated (Leroux) - however. I like the movie for entertainment purposes. Gerard Butler looks good in a mask, the scenery is beautiful, and the imagery is well done. The costumes are decent too. As a stand alone movie it's really not that bad (save some of the singing's rather off...) but in connection to Leroux it is horrid. So long as you don't get critical, it's tolerable.

What do you love most about Phantom? I love the entire story, really. It's mystery, it's horror, it's classic gothic, it's historical, it's romance - the list goes on, it's everything I love shoved into one. It's about the power of music, the power of love, obsession, and jealousy. It's also about the nature of humans as a whole - what they judge, and what they see as beautiful. Not to mention, the wording is wonderful if you're talking book-wise and even Webber-wise I must admit, and I have an immense quote addiction.

[hope-24.livejournal.com]

>>"and it's actually warranted seeing as I also ship Hook/Wendy"

*Jumps up and down* Me too! Me too! Do you like Jason Isaacs as Hook? Know of any good fics?

I love your avatar, btw. One of my favourite parts of the book. Great for EC shippers, too - Christine is darker than she appears...

[glamtron.livejournal.com]

look at me having a case of the dumbz! sorry about that :D

Username: glamtron
How long have you been a fan? for about 12 or 13 years now. my parents bought me tickets for when i made my first communion

What's your favorite version(s)? leroux for sure. the jeremy irons version that never was, phantom of the paradise, lon chaney, and for guilty pleasures sake 2004 and robert englund and alw musical.

Least favorite? not so crazy about the oh shit... the name escapes me. the one from the 40s. not so crazy about anything on fanfiction.net either, though there are exceptions to every rule

Have you read Leroux? i currently own several copies.

What's your fannish involvement? anything lighthearted. i like to not take myself and my interests too seriously. capslockphantom and phanwank pwn. i guess my tattoo would fall under fannish involvement since that was involving.

Where else can we find you? im in a few communities for poto on myspace and facebook. www.myspace.com/ripyourself open or search jessica pitingolo (i think im jonesing for new friends)

(Who) Do you ship? i dont really do the fanfiction thing so im happy with the original leroux though i like to speculate/daydream regrading erik and persia.

What else might we find in your journal? poto wise? random musings of guilty alw pleasures. im not sure what else. a mood theme i never use when updating.

2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? it was what could have been expected from a movie involving all those people. it makes for nice eye candy set wise though. and a nice guilty pleasure. i dont quite understand how people get so up in arms over liking/disliking it and ripping someone a new one if they dont share that opinion. but other than that, it's all good.

What do you love most about Phantom? im not really sure. there is just something about the story that plays with my "awwwwww" factor and makes me real sad in an angsty fun way. i also enjoy tediously evaluating psychological and sociological factors in it.

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

Username: Dracschick
How long have you been a fan? since 1989
What's your favorite version(s)? Leroux, ALW and the Ken Hill version is also nice
Least favorite? Phantom of Manhattan
Have you read Leroux? Yep
What's your fannish involvement? I read, write and talk about Phantomy stuff
Where else can we find you? in Dracula/vampire communities as well
(Who) Do you ship? Erik/Christine
What else might we find in your journal? Vampire stuff, lots of it
2004!movie--y/n/indifferent? I liked the actors, didn't like the way the movie was changed from stage version
What do you love most about Phantom? the romantic aspects.