Hello everyone! I hope you all had a good week, and a better weekend ahead of you. Let’s kick it off with a Fan Friday of one of my friends; Sydnni!
Thank you for the interview Sydnni! Would you please introduce yourself to our readers?
S: Hey there, podlings! I’m Sydnni Frost, I’m from Orange County, California and I’m an artist and a teacher.
So Sydnni, what I always like to know, is what kind of fan do you consider yourself? More of a fanart maker? A writer? Are you more of a merch collector (no pun intended)?
S: I am definitely a creator of fanart. I love drawing and painting things inspired by the world of Thra, and I participated in a specialized Dark Crystal Inktober this year! I also like to collect certain fandom artifacts that call to me. No pustules, though!
I’ve seen your drawings for inktober and they’re really nice! You have a very personal and distinctive style!
Do you also have a Dark Crystal collection?
S: I’m on a California teacher’s salary, so I can’t QUITE afford to splurge on all of the fancy Weta figures- but I pick up what I can when opportunity strikes! I’m especially proud to have found a copy of the original Marvel Dark Crystal comic signed by Brian Froud!! It sits proudly among my crystal collection. I’ve also got a few Funko figures, an original set of TDC trading cards, and of course a good display of beautiful artwork from artists I’m proud to support. As a HUGE lover of reading, I can’t forget to mention the collection of books. Creation Myths, all of the JM Lee novels, Power of the Dark Crystal, the Complete Visual History… I love how the books have expanded and enriched this world.
Ah the WETA figurines, can’t wait for feb/march that I’ll be receiving Rian! So Sydnni, is there any particular merch you’d like to see in the fandom?
S: Where to start?! Yes, more clothing and jewelry would be amazing (Her Universe, I’m looking at YOU). But I have to say, what would make me happiest would be an official ruleset for an RPG like Dungeons and Dragons or Shadowrun. I know a lot of fans have been homebrewing their own campaigns, but it would be GREAT to see something official, complete with handbooks, terrain, figures, ah!! My geeky soul would be in heaven.
Ooh I like that idea of the official ruleset etc. Haven’t heard that one yet, I like how you think! So what I, and our readers would like to know is how you got into The Dark Crystal and what did you think of AoR?
S: Trips to the “video store” to rent movies were a weekly ritual for me as a small child. I always combed through each aisle admiring the covers until one spoke to me, and my mom often gave her own recommendations. When I saw the Dark Crystal on the shelf, my little heart sang for it. It was everything I loved. Beautiful little elf creatures and scary monsters, a big purple crystal, a creepy castle, magic…. And then when my mom told me it was a Henson film, like the muppets, Fraggle Rock and LABYRINTH (which I frequently rented and knew by heart), I knew I had to have it in my life. And how right I was- I watched the film over and over!! I was about four at the time. I’ve been completely enraptured with the Dark Crystal and the worlds of Henson and Froud ever since! AOR was more than I ever dreamed I would get. It truly blew me away. It was such a faithful expansion to the film, and created such iconic characters. I am still in awe of it. What an acheivement!!
So, do you have any special hopes/dreams for Season 2?
S: If we get a second season (PLEEEEASE NETFLIX), I would love to see a few more aspects from the JM Lee novels. UrSan the Swimmer and SkekSa the mariner were some of my favorite characters to read, I would LOVE to see their puppets!! Also more Onica, perhaps a bit of a… Spider-related story arc for a certain princess (trying not to be too spoilery here)?? And of course, more mystics!!
Yes more JM Lee characters would be perfect! I’m really rooting, hoping, wishing for Amri myself. He’s so lovely in the books!
As a final question Sydnni, who is your favorite character and why?
S: I still count Kira as my favorite. She resonated with me so much as a small child, as a fae-like lover of animals and singing… Her character was so sweet and loving, but she was still tough and sassy, and of course so very beautiful… She was my childhood hero and I still adore her. I even named one of my cats after her, and regularly sing Kira’s gelfling song to her as she purrs in my lap. I’m approaching my 30th year on Earth, but I still very much consider myself a creature of Thra. I’m so thankful to have so much new material to love!
I’d like to thank Sydnni for this lovely detailed interview, and please look forward to next Friday!
If you’re a fan of The Dark Crystal and would like to be considered to be featured in future editions of Fan Friday, send us an email at darkcrystalpodcast@gmail.com with subject line ‘Fan Friday’.