Quote from: Xenomrph on Apr 30, 2013, 04:40:00 AM
Quote from: SM on Apr 30, 2013, 03:22:40 AM
Boy with that last option, whoda guessed who made this poll...?
What options would you have liked?
Quote from: StrangeShape on Apr 30, 2013, 04:36:15 AM
When it comes to Alien, I only take movies, scripts, novelizations and authors comments in interviews as canon
By some definitions, everything you listed that isn't "movies" is expanded universe.
As SM said, EU is a broad description and many people would differ on opinions about what is EU or what is not. As far as interviews with filmmakers, I hold them dear like a bible since the authors simply explain things that arent or cant be explained in the movies since those movies arent documentaries and theres certain feel, pacing and timing to consider. And hell, they made and created those movies and characters in it, they know.
Novelizations, in my experience, are fairly often written by people chosen by the directors/screenwriters and are written using explanations from the script or directly from the filmmakers. Often the directors read an approve the novelizations. Novelizations are great not only because theyre basically scripts written in novel format, but because they explain things that simply cannot be explained on the film and go into characters' minds. They differ sometimes from movies because theyre written off a script, but backstories, character's motivations and reasoning behind certain moves and situations remain valid
When I think of EU, I think of people who are creating stories without even knowing the authors of the movies and scripts, and without their knowledge. Thats something I cant take as canon, even if its a great story, its still a great fanfic story, but not a canon story. Not in my eyes at least.
The rightholder/buyer cannot dictate whats an actual part of the art piece or not, especially if additions or alterations are done without the artist's knowledge or if he specifically disagrees with them saying the piece is finished or that the addition isnt truthful or right to the vision. Thats of course, just my own personal view and opinion
And its never a black and white situation either