Fandom and the Media...

[accioslash]

One of the things I think about a great deal in terms of the changing face of fandom is how much more visible it is to outsiders/the general public today. Although I have no illusions that actors and show producers were ever ignorant of the existence of fandom or slash, there is a far thinner barrier between TPTB and the ordinary fan today.

Comments

[emrys_mk]

Very good question. My initial thought on this is that yes, it has gone too far. It seems too invasive. But er... on second thought, NO, it isn't too invasive at all. I think with pop culture such as it is these days, the increase in fandom interaction is simply a product of that. Not that it is right, but there are two sides, and I think the increased interaction with the shows fans are fans of can only be good for those shows, etc.

Now, when it moves from shows, books, movies, etc. to the stars of the aforementioned who have chosen not to be visible on these sites, that is when I have a huge problem.

[accioslash]

I think I may be asking two separate, but related questions, which is what makes it confusing. Although the method of interaction and the degrees of separation between show runners and fans has become smaller and communication almost instantaneous, fans have been influencing TPTB pretty much forever. So it really is a good thing for the shows.

But, yes, even though actors are responsible for some PR work, well, let's face it. They may be amazing actors, but that is them using words written by someone else. While some might be naturally adorable and fun, others may be...less so. And I take issue with anyone trying to provoke a reaction, no matter how good-natured the celebrity, by showing them sexuality explicit material featuring them and their co-star without some warning and an opportunity to decline.

[pennswoods]

I really feel for actors and the like who are targeted like this. This seems to be something that some interviewers and the like seem to do for shock value. I spend a lot of my time following Cumberbatch and he telegraphs discomfort when someone does this to him in a way that Martin Freeman doesn't. And of course he cannot really express his discomfort publicly because that would be bad for business.

And there are also fans who occasionally reach out on social media to members of the show to say deliberately provocative things about fandom in a way that seems to be all about gaining attention and approval from show-runners and cast members. Some of these fans seem to be very young and have been socialized to differently.

[accioslash]

I really feel for actors and the like who are targeted like this. This seems to be something that some interviewers and the like seem to do for shock value.

It is and it is in very poor taste. I do think it's true to a certain degree that celebrities relinquish some rights to privacy in exchange for their celebrity, but there are limits. As someone said, I don't really care if it doesn't seem to bother [the celebrity]. Can you imagine that happening to you? "Here's a picture of you tied up and getting whipped by Bob from accounting."

And there are also fans who occasionally reach out on social media to members of the show to say deliberately provocative things about fandom in a way that seems to be all about gaining attention and approval from show-runners and cast members.As much as I think it is wrong to do things like this via social media, I don't see fans reaching out in this way (as opposed to ambushing members of a show at cons or at stage doors) particularly egregious or even new. Some people, regardless of age, are

[akatnamedeaster]

I don't like it, it feels too invasive and there's something about having fandom and it's products being exposed blatantly to show creators that makes me uneasy. I mean, obviously the Powers that Be Incorporated know that we do what we do, but I think they're more likely to turn a blind eye so long as it's not shoved in their faces.

I also find it cringe inducing when actors are filmed reading slash fic or getting art and stuff sent to them. They're not part of fandom culture (or aren't for the most part, the odds are there are somewhere) and I think to the uninitiated a lot of it can come off as ridiculous or perverse or just plain embarrassing. I'm not really interested in fandom being made into a (bigger) laughingstock by the mundanes.

[torino10154]

This. I am 100% with you here.

[accioslash]

I do think I may be asking more than one question here. Because there really is a difference between the show writers and producers and the actors. Some actors love the fandom interaction, seek it out, and really shine. Others are more awkward and prefer more distance. Plus, I think it's important to keep in mind their skill is in acting, in reading the lines that others have written. They are not necessarily naturally gracious or funny. They may even say things that are, frankly, offensive.

I also find it cringe inducing when actors are filmed reading slash fic or getting art and stuff sent to them. They're not part of fandom culture...and I think to the uninitiated a lot of it can come off as ridiculous or perverse or just plain embarrassing. I'm not really interested in fandom being made into a (bigger) laughingstock by the mundanes. *Nods* The good thing is that fandom itself is becoming more mainstream. Even people not active in our corner of fandom at least know some of the more common terminology. And in turn, I

[fairyniamh]

There has been petitions to: keep shows on the air, change the direction, complain about the change in direction, so forth and so on since the 60's (at least.) So, even if the petitions are ow online and reach a larger audience, it is nothing new.

There is more interaction between the audience and the producers/creators/actors. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially if the staff is trying to see what the reception of the movie/television show. If they actually listened to the audience the Hollywood might produce better quality films.

There will always be fans who take it a step too far, but for the most part, I don't think things have really changed all that much. Fans go nuts, stars ignore them or bask in the glow. Fans throw jeers, stars flip the rod or sometimes see how far down the rabbit hole they have fallen and get up and try to act right.

[accioslash]

I think you are correct that there is nothing new under the sun. Star Trek actually received that vital-for-syndication third season due at least in part to fan petitions. And that was the 1960's. Arthur Conan Doyle brought back Sherlock Holmes because the fans demanded it. So this is pretty much the new face of something that's been around a very long time

[the_con_cept]

I think it really is different, but while I think there are down sides to this, I think it's ultimately going to be beneficial as well. Specifically, I think we as women-as-fans are MUCH more visible than we used to be, and the powers that be are just starting to take that into account. Now that it's so immediate they DO see our reactions, because we give them to them, and loudly, haha. And while that can be super embarrassing because there are so many really young fans, and as older fen I'm sure we all think, "Ohgod, please stop hounding the creators to make character A into your personal Mary Sue," but . . . I think on some level it's STILL great that the creators will see that young women like Mary Sues

[shiv5468]

Oh god yes, this last thing

[accioslash]

Either way, I think the future is here, and the fourth wall is busted. The only thing we can do now is learn to live with it, and, if so inclined, use that to our best advantage. Indeed. I think it's fascinating - and not at all wrong - that you identify the current breaking of the fourth wall with the increased visibility of women as fans. As others have noted, people breaking the fourth wall has been happening for years. Star Trek actually received that vital-for-syndication third season due at least in part to fan petitions. And that was the 1960's. Arthur Conan Doyle brought back Sherlock Holmes because the fans demanded it. So this is pretty much the new face of something that's been around a very long time

[citiesandsigns]

I'm part of one particular book fandom which is not primarily English-language & where the authors are very engaged, and while they're absolute darlings it really does make me think twice about what commentary I post- unless I lock it they're more or less guaranteed to see it, & they've reblogged my meta posts on tumblr to the official blog for the series before, which is a baffling combination of flattering and terrifying, & while they're specifically pro fanfiction the sense of potential scrutiny makes it feel rather fraught. They are fans themselves, and I like talking to them, but I wonder if I'd be more creative there if they were more distant. (Probably

[accioslash]

They are fans themselves, and I like talking to them, but I wonder if I'd be more creative there if they were more distant.

Oh, now that really puts a different spin on it. I would feel significantly restricted by the knowledge that everything I said about a fandom would be seen by the author, especially if I've come to see them as friends or even acquaintances. Like many critical reviews, they aren't written for them, but for others.

But yeah, I'm super uncomfortable with fandom being thrown at creators and actors who didn't sign up for that shit. That bit I'm clear on. Ain't cool.

*Nods* I take issue with anyone - fan or professional journalist - trying to provoke a reaction, no matter how good-natured the celebrity might be, by showing them sexuality explicit material featuring them and their co-star without some warning and an opportunity for them to decline.