Defining "Not Period"

[*Teach*]

We're supposed to be dressed like a certain time period?
When did that start?
Just kidding. I dress for me and try to go with something that fits in similar to the time frame I am in
some
a little
the utilikilt is totally modern and one of my fav things to wear... so i just wear it lol
The pirate gear I choose is fairly generic (not counting the material it's made of) timewise so I can blend in to whenever for the most part (wrap pants were common sailor clothing for a *very* long time)
Most of what I do, I do for the fun of it. My mug is far from period but I wouldn't ever give it up in any garb.

*rum wasn't distilled until the 1700s... screw it, I am just not going to be period on that one (and before you all try and correct me lol, i refer to "modern" rums... the first rumish drink that I know of was in china in the 1400s)*

[Malcolm]

*rum wasn't distilled until the 1700s... screw it, I am just not going to be period on that one (and before you all try and correct me lol, i refer to "modern" rums... the first rumish drink that I know of was in china in the 1400s)*

I'm glad Bushmills' Irish Wiskey was first licensed in 1608.

[robert of armstrong]

Most of my stuff is period-ish, but some of it is not.  It doesn't seem to matter to most of the other mundanes, playtrons, vendors and cast that I speak to.  I love the attention I get in my leather plate armor, be it over my chain or my scale maille.  I was trying to go and get a bite at MdRF on Labor Day weekend, and it took me more than half an hour to move around 80 yards.  Everyone wanted photos, and they didn't seem to mind that the look and shape of the leather plate would never had happened, as was pointed out to me earlier in the day.

I do have a question though:  Why so many Captain Jack Sparrows?  I understand taking the inspiration for a character from a movie, but copying your entire character?  Where is the "you" in your character, if you are trying to portay someone else (Johnny Depp) while he is portraying a character?  And why does everyone have to be a captain?  Where are the first mates, the shipmen?

For reference, a see many at Faires who portray woodsmen, archers and the like, but very few have claimed to be Robin Hood, and even then the only one I ever saw was at MdRF, and he still made the character his own.

I know this will hit a nerve with some.  I just never understood the idea of copying someone else's character so closely.  I'd rather be me, portaying my character.

[Macintyre]

i'm with you on that one robert.  it kinda takes the fun out of it when there are a bunch of replicas or clones as i like to call them everywhere.  my first halloween at TRF 3 years ago i counted over 20 jack sparrows, and yes i'm sure each one was adifferent person and not the same person seen several times in the day. 
but as far as "period"  persay, whose to say what was exactly worn in that specific time and era by everyone?  i bet fashion trends back then took some time to travel to everyone and the time the guys that lived way out in the boonies got wind of something new, they were probably at least 30-50 years behind on the times.  i bet the fashion trends and looks probably bled and blended across the centuries alot more than poeple would like to think of or admit to.
an example of this is like when you go to a third world country.  while the mainstream is jammin to what ever the hell is on mtv now a days and wearing hollister,  the underdog countries are still sportin the old school body glove and think Jacko is still the king of pop.
i would put money on it that this was the case with clothing and fashions trends through out history.

[NY Dickens]

I spent 20 years as a costume Nazi, doing So Cal Ren faire, Civil War, WW2, Gold rush and Western. Honestly, I had more fun when I was a kid and didn't know better.

[Carl Heinz]

I do have a question though:  Why so many Captain Jack Sparrows?  I understand taking the inspiration for a character from a movie, but copying your entire character?  Where is the "you" in your character, if you are trying to portay someone else (Johnny Depp) while he is portraying a character?  And why does everyone have to be a captain?  Where are the first mates, the shipmen?

But does it really make a difference?

If they are having fun, that's what matters.

As I said in an earlier posting in this thread, as a participant, I have to satisfy the requirements of the Costuming Department.

But patrons/playtrons are free to portray anyone--as long as their costumes won't get them arrested for indecent exposure.

Years ago, we had many folks dressed as Klingons and Empire Storm Troopers.  This really didn't add to the picture of an Elizabethan faire, but they paid at the gate and spent their money just like anyone else.  And I'll also have to admit that I had fun playing with some of the Klingons.

These days, it's Captain Jacks.

To be truthful, I'm not much into pirates.  They came around later.  Elizabethans had privateers such as Drake and the Crown got a share.  But, again, the folks portraying pirates are enjoying themselves.  I also see that a number of the vendors and crafts people have added pirate specific items to their inventories so the faire also has an additional benefit.

If you enjoy being at faire, you have to adjust.  If you want to remain strictly period, organizations such as the SCA provide you with such an outlet.

Sparky (aka Lightning) the scooter horse sure isn't period, but I have a lot of fun with him (it) and I think folks visiting faire also enjoy it.  At any rate, they sure take a lot take pictures and want to play. 

Here's Sparky:


Have fun at faire.  I try not to take myself too seriously.

[groomporter]

I couldn't agree more.

I started the thread with my list of definitions of "Not Period" to give people some fun common language that could be used to explain why something might not be period especially for those people who do chose to be historically accurate. With 20-20 hindsight the list of definitions probably should have been combined with the thread I started on historical interpretation:
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=2484.0

[Dirtfarmer]

So NY Dickens... just out of curiosity, were you more of a garb nazi for Renfaire or Civil War... I hear the civil war garb nazi's are bout 1 bazillion times worse than the Renny ones.

[Zaubon]

So NY Dickens... just out of curiosity, were you more of a garb nazi for Renfaire or Civil War... I hear the civil war garb nazi's are bout 1 bazillion times worse than the Renny ones.

When I was doing WWII I had people come up to me with rulers and count the stiches per inch in the seams to make sure that they were "correct". I've had other events where I was cautioned because my trousers and my jacket did not have equal amounts of fading. The Rennie stitch nazis are just funny.

[NY Dickens]

So NY Dickens... just out of curiosity, were you more of a garb nazi for Renfaire or Civil War... I hear the civil war garb nazi's are bout 1 bazillion times worse than the Renny ones.

It realy depends on the group; with Civil War you have your farbies and hardcores like any other gig. Some units won't take you if you don't have the exact rifled musket, while others have infantry with 5 pistols, a sawed off coach gun and a Henry (Winchester) rifle.

Same with Faire; Some groups demand wool and linnen, while others accept Dye-Spot cotton hippie clothes. Hardcore groups are better if your goal is education and accuracy, Farbie groups are better if you want to have fun and get lucky. We are hoping to buck the trend in the Victorian Faire that we are building.

BTW, did you work RPF in Berdu, 1995?

[Capt Robertsgrave Thighbiter]

Period / Not Period.  Man, I hear that all the time.  My own opinion:  If you are a historical re-enactor, or living historian, yes, the concern for period everything should approach the near neurotic, upto and including straight last shoes, hand sewn clothes out of period materials and period weapons , etc.
If your a merchant at a faire,  thats entrely different.  Accurate period stuff is expensive most times.

We ( The Brigands) step into both worlds - we perform period music and some more recent material. Our garb is maybe 65-75% correct period for the GAoP ( Golden Age of Piracy).  At pirate re-enactments and faires, where there will be a living history encampment, we can fit right in. At Renn Faires, we usually look less flashy then the polyester or leather pyrates one sees at Renn Faires, but they are usualy patrons. 

I say its all good!

[robert of armstrong]

I do have a question though:  Why so many Captain Jack Sparrows?  I understand taking the inspiration for a character from a movie, but copying your entire character?  Where is the "you" in your character, if you are trying to portay someone else (Johnny Depp) while he is portraying a character?  And why does everyone have to be a captain?  Where are the first mates, the shipmen?

But does it really make a difference?

I would think it would make a difference, if only to the person trying to be Jack Sparrow.  If I went to the Faire and there were six or seven (or more) people wearing the same thing I was, it would bother me.  I would have to put away what everyone else was wearing and try to be more original, more something that will make me stand out, not be part of the crowd.

I think it seems similar (ladies, you will have to help me out on this one) to me and my wife going to a party and her being mortified that another person was wearing the same dress she was, even though she searched for a dress that nobody else would have.  I saw two Jack Sparrows at the same Faire, and they both had that look going on with the multiple eyes painted on their faces.  I saw them separately early in the day, but they nearly ran into each other later near one of the pubs.  Neither seemed happy that the other had the same look going on, and they made  an effort to leave the area in different directions.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, I keep trying to bend my mind around someone being okay with being remembered as one of 'all those Jack Sparrows' people saw at the Faire.  I don't do the Pirate thing, so maybe I just don't get it.

[Amras Elfwine]

Groomporter, I thoroughly appreciate the "tongue-in-cheek" tone of your original post, if others don't.
Huzzah, my friend!

As I always point out, my smallpox vaccination scar makes it impossible for me to ever be 100% period-acurate to most historical eras...and thats why I don't even try...yeah, thats it.

Cheers!
Amras

[Carl Heinz]

I would think it would make a difference, if only to the person trying to be Jack Sparrow.  If I went to the Faire and there were six or seven (or more) people wearing the same thing I was, it would bother me.  I would have to put away what everyone else was wearing and try to be more original, more something that will make me stand out, not be part of the crowd.

I understand your point.

But I don't think there's a competition going among the various Jack Sparrows (although the event might consider sponsoring one .  A few year ago when "Shakespeare in Love" was a current hit, we had a number of Shakespeares in addition to the "official" one.

I think folks can assume that if a character is currently in the public eye, they might not be the only one attempting to portray it.  If they are unhappy about not being unique, then they should consider this reality and think about developing a unique character of their own.  Many folks do.  Looking at your avatar, I think you've done this.

It's really beyond the control of the event.

Again, the goal is to have fun at faire.

[Lady Neysa]

Sparky (aka Lightning) the scooter horse sure isn't period, but I have a lot of fun with him (it) and I think folks visiting faire also enjoy it.  At any rate, they sure take a lot take pictures and want to play. 
Have fun at faire.  I try not to take myself too seriously.

Sparky is so cool!  That scooter is amazing.  Very clever and creative!