10.3 Fan studies: practices, communities, and production
5 min read•july 30, 2024
Fan studies explores the passionate world of TV enthusiasts. It looks at how fans engage with shows, form communities, and create content. This topic dives into the practices that define fandom, from to , and how these activities shape TV culture.
Fan communities are more than just viewers – they're active participants. This section examines how fans influence TV production, distribution, and marketing. It also explores the dynamics within fan groups, including hierarchies, conflicts, and collaborative projects that extend beyond the screen.
Fandom in Television
Defining Fandom and Its Characteristics
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Fandom encompasses highly engaged and emotionally invested viewers who actively participate in activities related to their favorite television shows or franchises
Intense emotional attachment, deep knowledge of show content, and a sense of community among fans characterize television fandom
Fans demonstrate dedication through various forms of (fan fiction, fan art, cosplay) extending the narrative world of their favorite shows
involves fans actively engaging with content rather than passively consuming it through social media, fan forums, and conventions
plays a role in television fandom translating emotional investment in a show to consumer loyalty and engagement with related products and experiences
encourages fans to engage with content beyond the primary television medium across multiple platforms and media types
Extended universe novels
Mobile games
Web series
Fan Engagement and Emotional Investment
Fans develop strong with television characters and actors creating one-sided emotional connections
Emotional investment often leads to fans feeling a sense of ownership over the show and its characters
Fans may experience intense emotional reactions to plot developments or character arcs
Grief over character deaths
Excitement for long-awaited romantic pairings
Fandom provides a space for emotional expression and connection with like-minded individuals
Emotional attachment to shows often extends beyond their original run leading to long-lasting fandoms
Star Trek
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Fan Practices and Activities
Creative Fan Productions
Fan fiction writing creates original stories using characters and settings from favorite television shows exploring alternative narratives or relationships
"What if" scenarios
Character backstories
Fan art production involves creating visual representations of characters, scenes, or concepts ranging from traditional drawings to digital illustrations
Cosplay or costume play showcases fan-created character costumes at conventions or online
Fan vidding creates video montages or music videos using show clips set to music conveying specific themes or narratives
Online Fan Engagement
Online fan discussions and theorizing involve in-depth analysis of plot points, character development, and potential future storylines on forums, social media, and dedicated fan sites
Live-tweeting and social media engagement during show airings allow fans to participate in real-time discussions and share reactions with a global community of viewers
Fans create and maintain wikis and databases compiling comprehensive information about show universes
Podcast production by fans offers commentary, episode recaps, and in-depth analysis of favorite shows
Fan Activism and Community Involvement
organizes campaigns or charitable initiatives inspired by television shows supporting causes related to the show's themes or saving canceled series
Letter-writing campaigns
Social media hashtag movements
Fans organize and attend conventions and meet-ups to connect with fellow enthusiasts and sometimes show creators or actors
Online fundraising efforts by fans support show-related causes or help fellow fans in need
Fan-run websites and social media accounts serve as hubs for news, discussions, and community-building
Fan Community Dynamics
Community Structure and Hierarchy
Fan hierarchies develop within communities based on knowledge depth, length of involvement, or level of contribution to fan-produced content
Online fan communities organize around specific platforms (subreddits, Tumblr blogs, dedicated fan forums) each with their own norms and communication styles
Fan communities develop their own language and terminology including ship names for character relationships and in-jokes based on show content
emerge as influential community members often shaping discourse and fan practices
Collaboration and Conflict
Collaborative fan projects demonstrate the collective intelligence and organizational capabilities of fan communities
Fan-run conventions
Crowdsourced translations of international shows
Conflict and factionalism arise within fan communities particularly around shipping wars, interpretation of canon, or differing opinions on show direction
Gatekeeping practices emerge as some fans attempt to define "true" fandom or exclude others based on perceived authenticity or knowledge
Fan communities navigate issues of copyright and fair use when creating and sharing fan works
Identity and Representation in Fandom
Fan communities serve as spaces for identity formation and exploration particularly for marginalized groups finding representation in shows or fan-created content
Fandom allows for the exploration of gender, sexuality, and identity through fan works and community discussions
Fans often critique media representation and advocate for increased diversity in television shows
in fandom often focus on expanding representation or exploring underrepresented narratives
Genderbending characters
Exploring LGBTQ+ relationships
Fan Impact on Television
Influence on Production Decisions
Fan feedback and campaigns influence production decisions such as plot developments, character arcs, or even the renewal of canceled shows
"Save Our Show" campaigns
Character resurrections
Fan-produced content such as theories and speculations sometimes influence writers and showrunners in the development of storylines or character arcs
Fanservice where producers intentionally include elements to please dedicated fans has become a recognized practice in television production
Easter eggs
Fan-favorite character cameos
Shaping Content Distribution and Marketing
Rise of transmedia storytelling in television production partly driven by fan demand for expanded narrative universes and deeper engagement with content
Social media metrics and fan engagement levels increasingly used by networks and streaming platforms to gauge show popularity and make programming decisions
and meet-and-greets have become significant revenue streams for television franchises influencing how shows are marketed and talent is contracted
Binge-watching practices often associated with dedicated fandom have influenced how streaming platforms release content and how traditional networks schedule programming
Expanding Television Narratives
Fan-created content expands and enriches television narratives beyond what is shown on screen
Transmedia storytelling encourages official expansion of narratives across multiple platforms catering to fan desire for more content
Fan theories and speculation create buzz and excitement around shows often leading to increased viewership and engagement
Long-lasting fandoms keep interest in shows alive long after their original run potentially leading to revivals or spin-offs
The X-Files
Veronica Mars
Key Terms to Review (23)
Affective economics: Affective economics is a concept that explores the emotional and psychological relationship between consumers and media products, focusing on how feelings and emotional attachments influence consumption patterns. This idea highlights how fans engage with media content beyond mere consumption, often forming communities that share similar emotional investments, which can impact production practices and marketing strategies.
Audience Agency: Audience agency refers to the capacity of viewers to actively interpret, engage with, and influence the content they consume, rather than passively absorbing information. This concept emphasizes that audiences are not just recipients of media but are active participants in the communication process, shaping meanings and experiences based on their own backgrounds and contexts.
Big name fans (bnfs): Big name fans (bnfs) are prominent and influential members of fandom communities who often gain recognition for their extensive knowledge, contributions, or creative works related to specific media properties. These fans can significantly shape the culture and practices surrounding their interests, as they frequently engage in activities like producing fan art, writing fan fiction, or organizing events, creating a sense of community and influencing production decisions.
Cosplay: Cosplay is a performance art where participants dress up in costumes and accessories to represent a specific character from films, television shows, anime, video games, or comics. This practice fosters a strong sense of community among fans who share a passion for the same characters and narratives, leading to social events, conventions, and online interactions centered around their favorite media properties.
Crowdsourcing: Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining input, ideas, or services from a large group of people, typically through the internet. This approach harnesses the collective intelligence and creativity of the crowd to solve problems, create content, or gather information, often resulting in innovative outcomes and increased engagement. In media, crowdsourcing can enhance interactivity, shape production processes, and facilitate user-generated contributions.
Cultural production: Cultural production refers to the processes and activities involved in creating, distributing, and consuming cultural goods and practices. This includes everything from television shows and films to fan art and merchandise, highlighting the role of various stakeholders such as creators, audiences, and fans in shaping cultural outputs. Cultural production is influenced by social, economic, and technological factors, emphasizing the collaborative nature of culture as it evolves over time.
Cultural studies approach: The cultural studies approach is an interdisciplinary framework that examines how culture, media, and social practices intersect to shape individual and collective identities. This approach emphasizes the importance of context, including race, gender, class, and locality, in understanding how audiences engage with media texts. It connects deeply with fan studies by focusing on the practices and communities formed around media content, highlighting how fans produce meaning and negotiate their identities through their engagements.
Fan activism: Fan activism refers to the organized efforts of fans to influence, support, or protest various aspects related to their favorite media, including television shows, films, or books. This activism can manifest in various ways, such as online campaigns, social media movements, petitions, and even public demonstrations aimed at promoting representation, saving shows from cancellation, or advocating for specific social issues. The rise of fan activism highlights the power and agency fans have in shaping media narratives and industry practices.
Fan conventions: Fan conventions are organized events where enthusiasts gather to celebrate and engage with their favorite media, such as television shows, movies, comics, and video games. These gatherings often include panels, discussions, and workshops featuring creators and cast members, as well as opportunities for fans to connect with each other through shared interests and experiences. Fan conventions play a vital role in fostering communities, allowing fans to express their passion, creativity, and commitment to the media they love.
Fan economy: The fan economy refers to the economic structures and practices that arise from the engagement and interaction of fans with their favorite media, celebrities, and cultural products. This concept emphasizes how fans contribute to the financial success of shows, movies, and music through their spending, participation in community activities, and support for merchandise and events. It also highlights the relationship between fans and creators, as well as how fandom can drive trends in production and marketing strategies.
Fan fiction: Fan fiction is a genre of writing where fans create their own stories based on existing fictional worlds, characters, or narratives. It allows fans to explore alternative plots, character developments, and relationships that are not present in the original works. This phenomenon has contributed to the rise of cult TV and fan cultures, fostered communities of creativity and collaboration, and exemplified participatory culture through user-generated content.
Fandom theory: Fandom theory is an area of study that examines the behaviors, practices, and communities formed around fans' intense emotional and social connections to media texts like TV shows, movies, and books. It explores how fans create meaning through their engagement with the content, as well as the ways in which they interact with each other and influence the production of media. This theory also addresses how fandom can act as a form of identity and belonging for individuals, shaping their experiences and relationships both online and offline.
Henry Jenkins: Henry Jenkins is a prominent media scholar known for his work on fan cultures, participatory media, and convergence culture. His research emphasizes the role of audiences as active participants in media consumption and production, rather than passive recipients, highlighting how fans engage with media texts and create their own meanings.
Interpellation: Interpellation is a concept that describes the process by which individuals recognize themselves in social structures, such as ideologies, media representations, or cultural narratives. This process helps shape their identities and influences their understanding of their place within society. By engaging with media texts and social discourses, individuals can be 'hailed' or called into a specific role, allowing for a deeper understanding of how media affects self-perception and community belonging.
Louisa Ellen Stein: Louisa Ellen Stein is a prominent figure in the field of fan studies, known for her exploration of fandom practices and communities, particularly in relation to media texts. Her work often highlights how fans engage with and produce content around their favorite shows, creating vibrant communities that challenge traditional notions of media consumption. Stein's scholarship provides insight into the complexities of fan identities and the social dynamics within fan communities.
Monetization of fan labor: Monetization of fan labor refers to the process where the creative efforts and contributions of fans are transformed into economic value, often benefiting corporations or content creators. This concept highlights the complex relationship between fandom, content production, and economic incentives, as fans engage in activities like fan fiction, fan art, and other forms of creative expression that can be commodified.
Online fan forums: Online fan forums are digital platforms where fans gather to discuss, share, and express their passion for specific media, such as TV shows, movies, or books. These forums foster a sense of community, allowing fans to connect over shared interests, engage in discussions, and create content related to their favorite media. They play a crucial role in fan studies by illustrating how fans organize themselves, participate in production activities, and establish communal practices.
Parasocial relationships: Parasocial relationships are one-sided emotional connections that viewers form with media figures, such as television characters, celebrities, or reality TV stars. These connections allow individuals to feel a sense of intimacy and understanding with these figures, despite there being no reciprocal interaction. This phenomenon plays a significant role in how audiences engage with content, creating bonds that can influence behaviors and attitudes.
Participatory culture: Participatory culture refers to a culture in which individuals are actively engaged in the creation and sharing of content, rather than passively consuming it. This culture fosters collaboration, creativity, and a sense of community among participants, enabling them to contribute to media production and influence narratives in meaningful ways.
Social media fandom: Social media fandom refers to communities of fans who gather and interact through social media platforms to share their passion for specific media texts, such as TV shows, movies, or books. These digital spaces allow fans to engage in discussions, create content like fan art or fan fiction, and form connections with others who share similar interests. This phenomenon reflects how the practices and interactions within fandom have evolved in the age of digital communication.
Subcultural capital: Subcultural capital refers to the knowledge, skills, and cultural resources that are valued within a specific subculture, allowing individuals to gain status and recognition among peers. This concept emphasizes the importance of understanding how different forms of capital operate within fan communities, where unique tastes, practices, and insider knowledge distinguish members. Subcultural capital can influence social dynamics, identity formation, and the production of content within these communities.
Transformative works: Transformative works are creative products that alter or build upon existing works, such as fan fiction, fan art, and remixes. These creations often change the original narrative or context, offering new perspectives and interpretations that can challenge or expand the original text's meaning. This concept is essential in understanding how communities of fans engage with media and influence production practices within fandoms.
Transmedia storytelling: Transmedia storytelling is a narrative technique that spreads a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats, allowing for deeper engagement and a more immersive experience for the audience. This approach harnesses the unique strengths of each medium, whether it’s television, film, social media, or video games, to tell different parts of a story or explore various aspects of a fictional world.