Henry Jenkins - fandom blog tasks

 Factsheet #107 - Fandom

Read Media Factsheet #107 on Fandom. Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or log into your Greenford Google account to access the link. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What is the definition of a fan?

A person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal. 

2) What the different types of fan identified in the factsheet?

Hardcore/true fan: They consider themselves to be aficionados of their chosen media text and spend a lot of time and money into becoming a fan.

Newbie: New fans of any given text and do not have the longevity of devotion or depth of knowledge that hardcore fans have.

Anti-fan: They loathe or hate the text and unlike true fans they do not form a relationship through close readings.

3) What makes a ‘fandom’?

A fandom is made of a ‘passion that binds enthusiasts in the manner of people who share a secret — this secret just happens to be shared with millions of others.’ Fandom allow fans to share something in common with each other and engage in particular practices in their given text. 

4) What is Bordieu’s argument regarding the ‘cultural capital’ of fandom?

Bordieu argues cultural capital is an important aspect of fandom as fans seek to have status and power within the realm of their fandom. For example, this could be done through display by having a lot of merch. 

5) What examples of fandom are provided on pages 2 and 3 of the factsheet?

- Harry Potter

- Family Guy 

- The Vampire Diaries

- Lord of the Rings 

- The Rocky Horror Show (1975)

- Football

6) Why is imaginative extension and text creation a vital part of digital fandom?

Imaginative extension and text creation is vital in digital fandoms as it allows fans to satisfy their cravings related to the text. For example, desired relationships may be formed through shipping which is when fans create a relationship between two characters. 

Henry Jenkins - degree-level reading

Read the final chapter of ‘Fandom’ – written by Henry Jenkins (note: link may be blocked in school - try this Google Drive link if you need it.) This will give you an excellent introduction to the level of reading required for seminars and essays at university as well as degree-level insight into our current work on fandom and participatory culture. Answer the following questions:

1) There is an important quote on the first page: “It’s not an audience, it’s a community”. What does this mean?

The quote “It’s not an audience, it’s a community” suggests that fans have created a collective identity through fandoms and are an active audience as they are free to create UGC which they share amongst themselves. 

2) Jenkins quotes Clay Shirky in the second page of the chapter. Pick out a single sentence of the extended quote that you think is particularly relevant to our work on participatory culture and the ‘end of audience’ (clue – look towards the end!)

"In the age of the internet, no one is a passive consumer anymore because everyone is a media outlet"

3) What are the different names Jenkins discusses for these active consumers that are replacing the traditional audience?

Loyals, media-actives, prosumers, inspirational consumers, connectors or influences. This suggests that fans and the traditional audience are becoming more active as consumers and have the choice to influence and change the opinions of others.

4) On the third page of the chapter, what does Wired editor Chris Anderson suggest regarding the economic argument in favour of fan communities?

Anderson suggests that investing in niche communities with committed consumers may make economic sense if costs can be lowered through building a stronger network with your desired consumers.

5) What examples does Jenkins provide to argue that fan culture has gone mainstream?

Jenkins suggests people can now participate in fan culture without fitting into the stereotype of a "geek" or "nerd". Furthermore, fan favourite genres such as fantasy or sci-fi rule the box office meaning fan tastes or dominating television and film. 

6) Look at the quote from Andrew Blau in which he discusses the importance of grassroots creativity. Pick out a sentence from the longer quote and decide whether you agree that audiences will ‘reshape the media landscape from the bottom up’.

"emerging which could lead to a sea change in how media is made and consumed."

I agree with the idea that audiences will reshape the media landscape as the quote I have chosen shows how active audiences that create UGC have some influence in the production of media. 

7) What does Jenkins suggest the new ideal consumer is?

Jenkins suggests the new ideal consumer is a fan, someone who is an active consumer and is free to express their opinions and create UGC relating to the text. They are encouraged and are willing to spend a lot of time and money on the media text. 

8) Why is fandom 'the future'?

Fandoms are considered the future as they reflect how modern active audiences are starting to gain higher levels of access within the media industry meaning they have more control in production as they present their opinions and ideas through user generated content. 

9) What does it mean when Jenkins says we shouldn’t celebrate ‘a process that commodifies fan cultural production’?

Jenkins is saying that industries should use the creative work of fans to create a product that they sell. This means the fans would not be paid or compensated for their work/UGC. 

10) Read through to the end of the chapter. What do you think the future of fandom is? Are we all fans now? Is fandom mainstream or are real fan communities still an example of a niche media audience?

I believe that everyone is a fan of a certain media text and that fandoms are becoming mainstream. This is because high cultural capital is desired in a modern society as people want to seem as if they are into "niche" products to seem different. This means more people are entering niche fandoms and communities which breaks the representation of fandoms being nerdy as the majority of people are entering fandoms.