Abstract & Contents
Abstract
This dissertation will analyse the contemporary fan culture that has developed around the American television series Supernatural and the participatory nature of the activities which the fans engage in. Drawing on previous academic work on fan cultures, the practice of attending a fan convention will be discussed; the meanings which fans gain and associate with this practice will be explored, along with how this practice encourages the sense of community between the fans. Continuing this, the long-standing practice of fan writing, in the popular form of fan fiction will be analysed, to determine how the evolution of the internet has altered how fans participate in both the active role of writer and the passive role of reader and how the theory of collective intelligence is realised. The concept of postmodernism will be discussed in relation to select episodes of Supernatural, in addition to analysing episodes that have begun to break the fourth wall of television. This dissertation will also be discussing the possibility of a change in relationship between viewer and creator; an emerging dialogue between the two and the interaction between fans and actors.
Contents Page
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Chapter 2: Asylum 5 a Fan Convention
2.1 Fan Conventions
2.2 Studying Convention Attendees
2.3 The Appeal of Conventions
Chapter 3: Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice
3.1 Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice
3.2 A Community of Readers and Writers
3.3 "Slashing Up" the Original Text
Chapter 4: Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans
4.1 Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans
4.2 Self Referencing to Fourth Wall Breaking
4.3 Acknowledging the Fan Culture From Within the Text
Chapter 5: New and Evolving Forms of Interaction
5.1 New and Evolving Forms of Interaction
5.2 The "Misha Effect"
5.3 A Random Act
5.4 The Rhino Hunt of 2011
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game?
6.1 Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game?
Notes:
Filmography and Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Masterpost | Chapter 1: Introduction | Chapter 2: Asylum 5 a Fan Convention | Chapter 3: Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice | Chapter 4: Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans | Chapter 5: New and Evolving Forms of Interaction | Chapter 6: Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game? | Filmography and Bibliography | Acknowledgments
This dissertation will analyse the contemporary fan culture that has developed around the American television series Supernatural and the participatory nature of the activities which the fans engage in. Drawing on previous academic work on fan cultures, the practice of attending a fan convention will be discussed; the meanings which fans gain and associate with this practice will be explored, along with how this practice encourages the sense of community between the fans. Continuing this, the long-standing practice of fan writing, in the popular form of fan fiction will be analysed, to determine how the evolution of the internet has altered how fans participate in both the active role of writer and the passive role of reader and how the theory of collective intelligence is realised. The concept of postmodernism will be discussed in relation to select episodes of Supernatural, in addition to analysing episodes that have begun to break the fourth wall of television. This dissertation will also be discussing the possibility of a change in relationship between viewer and creator; an emerging dialogue between the two and the interaction between fans and actors.
Contents Page
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Chapter 2: Asylum 5 a Fan Convention
2.1 Fan Conventions
2.2 Studying Convention Attendees
2.3 The Appeal of Conventions
Chapter 3: Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice
3.1 Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice
3.2 A Community of Readers and Writers
3.3 "Slashing Up" the Original Text
Chapter 4: Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans
4.1 Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans
4.2 Self Referencing to Fourth Wall Breaking
4.3 Acknowledging the Fan Culture From Within the Text
Chapter 5: New and Evolving Forms of Interaction
5.1 New and Evolving Forms of Interaction
5.2 The "Misha Effect"
5.3 A Random Act
5.4 The Rhino Hunt of 2011
Chapter 6: Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game?
6.1 Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game?
Notes:
Filmography and Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Masterpost | Chapter 1: Introduction | Chapter 2: Asylum 5 a Fan Convention | Chapter 3: Fan Fiction: a Prolific Practice | Chapter 4: Postmodernism and Catering to the Fans | Chapter 5: New and Evolving Forms of Interaction | Chapter 6: Conclusion: Supernatural fan culture ahead of the game? | Filmography and Bibliography | Acknowledgments