Esparzanatics.com

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 6:55pm

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find a single fan site for Raúl Esparza. This man deserves, well, the whole internet, but at least a couple websites.

So I'm starting one: Esparzanatics.com. Plus, I just like the term "Esparzanatic."

There's no site yet, just a domain registered, but I would love advice on what his fans would like to see. His official site is pretty good, but what else? Reviews? A way to meet other fans?

Please post suggestions here.

Also, join the Facebook group: http://wagner.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14693985236
I want lots of ideas and the best way to do that is to get lots of fans!

Thanks in advance! You guys are the best!

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 06:55 PM

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 7:08pm

He has an incredibly well-updated official website already. Plus, there's also a really well maintained facebook group.

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 07:08 PM

[raulfan]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 7:26pm

I think thats a GREAT idea! He doesn't have a fan-based website and besides, even though I love the layout of his official website, it's not updated as often as it should be. I see pics of Raul at events, etc. all the time on Broadway.com and on here and they show up on his site 2-4 weeks later. I'm NOT bashing the site - I think they do a nice job.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 8:00pm

Well, yes, but I think he should have one by the fans, you know, the people he's not paying. Just to show our appreciation.

I'm not trying to take anything away from the official site, or the other Facebook group. But he can never have enough love!

[Craww]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:51pm

Everything with a fanbase needs a fansite. While I can't claim to love the name, it's probably a good idea if you can actually do anything with it.

He has an incredibly well-updated official website already. Plus, there's also a really well maintained facebook group.

Well updated as it may be, the server goes out constantly and the content is pretty limited. I won't say anything about the overall layout of the site because I don't want to sound mean. Overall, I find it pretty underwhelming.

Not that many people actually read Facebook. It's very niche.

[spidey_882]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:54pm

His site is actually down right now, so I agree a fansite is needed... but I really hate the name. It sounds far too flippant for someone who seems to be fairly intense.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 9:56pm

I don't think that was meant to say that the Facebook group stands in place of having a fansite, so much as simply that there already is one. But there are multiple Facebook groups for pretty much everything, so whatever.

I agree, though. I think it's a fine idea, but I'm not really feeling the whole, "let's give ourselves a name" thing. Naming fan groups just... has a kind of negative stigma attached to it.

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 09:56 PM

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:02pm

I think having a place for all of his appearances (opening nights, benefits, award season coverage) is a good idea, but I was just saying that in terms of archiving his appearances on stage, that has already been covered pretty well (plus I imagine it would be hard to get your hands on all that stuff if you're not running his official website).

I feel like Esparza is too smart of an actor to have his fanbase name themselves "Esparzanatics." Maybe that's just me

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 10:02 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:05pm

Yeah, you have to go through some pretty extensive measures to gain permission to many of the pictures that appear online.

[Craww]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:32pm

Most fansites don't explicitly obtain permission, and few are taken to task over it. But that's kind of another debate entirely.

Esparzanatics as a name for an overly intense fangroup devoted to an overly intense actor? Haven't seen anything as sickly funny since Raul Esparza lost the Tony.

[misschung]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 10:48pm

It sounds far too flippant for someone who seems to be fairly intense

heh...heh...

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 10:48 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/3/07 at 11:36pm

Haven't seen anything as sickly funny since Raul Esparza lost the Tony.

I have. When Manoel Felciano lost the Tony.


I don't mind the concept of a fansite. You popping out of the woodwork and deciding to give the "official" [stupid] name to a fanbase without consulting anyone else? Not so much.

Updated On: 11/3/07 at 11:36 PM

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 9:05pm

Did I ever say it was the official name for his fanbase? No. I said I personally liked it and thought it would be a good, memorable name for the website. Sorry if I offended.

While he is often intense on stage, my impression of the man himself, from the few times I've met him, is that he is very friendly, funny, and self-deprecating. I did not mean anything insulting or disrespectful with the name Esparzanatics.

Anyway, the domain is already bought and registered, so it's done. If you don't like the name, don't go on the site.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 9:47pm

I, for one, LOVE the name esparzanatic, fits our crazy group well. Can't wait to see what you do with the website.

[wavygraish]

Posted: 11/4/07 at 10:30pm

What's the big deal? It's a web site, not some sort of 'official fan club'. As a catchy domain name it works.

Fan sites do different things than official sites. One is the professional face, while fans put together the kind of detail and enthusiasm that would look too egotistical otherwise.

Good luck, and keep it updated!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 12:18am

I, for one, LOVE the name esparzanatic, fits our crazy group well. Can't wait to see what you do with the website.

Way to make broad assumptions about a group you don't even know.

And whether or not you don't believe giving it a catchy title is "official" doesn't mean people won't attempt to attach it to Raul fans in the future. Look at Generation X.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 12:51am

Perfect example, orangeskittles.

I only say this as a humble opinion (and to quote my lighting design professor, "and all my opinions are humble"), I would have gone with a name like Essential Esparza for a website. It has more of a ring to it. That is, if I were to make a fansite/website about him.

[Craww]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 2:46am

A fansite is still a good idea, so don't let the reception to the name veer you away if you still think you can wrangle the content to pull it off. Domain names are the easy part, do you have a server lined up?
Check here. At least it's not The Esparza Heads, you guys.

[misschung]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 8:59am

hahahaha

[wavygraish]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 9:24am

Hey, if the worst that happens is that he gets so famous that his fans get labeled 'esparzanatics' as all the media stampede to cover his work, I can live with that...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 10:11am

Oh, Craww, you had to. But wow. That is some old-time trouble-making. Hah.

Well, you've successfully embarrassed me.