I often wonder what it means to be in a fandom. Do you have to actively be part of discussions and/or submit works of art (be it writing, editing, or drawing) of the characters you love and who you want kissing on the show? What if you simply enjoy the show, but find no appeal in getting to know many of those within the active fandom? Are you still part of a fandom or just a fan of the show?
I may not actively discuss the show with others and more often than not avoid them due to their narrow-minded thinking, but I do contribute with art. I have never been into just one show at a time, I like being able to have a variety of shows that I can turn to for fun and laughs. For the past year; however, it has been for Doctor Who. I had always been a fan of the show, but I didn't do anything for it. I didn't talk to anyone and I didn't go out searching for blogs and others sites dedicated to it.
But, the moment Peter Capaldi was casted for the Doctor that was when my interest peaked to a max. Being a fan of May-December relationships, naturally I was inclined to enjoy his interaction with Clara Oswald more than I would have with any other Doctor and companion. Granted, him being (now) 2,000 years+ he is always older than his companions, but it's that he now has the physical traits to go along with it. Not only so, but he's been a favorite actor of mine for the longest time, so clearly I knew I would love him to bits more than others.
Due to my appreciation for not only him, but how he portrays the Doctor, and Jenna Coleman, I decided to be more active within the Doctor Who community. I still don't talk to others, they're crazy annoying and have incredibly narrow-minded ways of thinking, but I do interact with a few who are open-minded like myself. I draw the characters as often as possible and just enjoy enjoy the show for what it is.
Fandoms' can make or break a show (i.e. Supernatural). Keep them at a distance and enjoy what you like for what it is, not for the people who think their word is law and because they are intense fans the writers and creators of the show owe them something.
I agree. Nowadays there is always the question of 'Oh, is he/she a true fan?' How do we calculate a true fan? Is it how much money is invested into the program/group/show? I also agree that many fans are hard headed and narrow minded and have this air about them that often turns other possible fans off. Then there are others who are what I call beyond fans. While the harsher fans will criticize you for how much you own reflecting your love, they don't really bother me as much as the beyond fans. These are the people that never stop taking what they are fans of and bringing it far beyond it's limits.
ReplyDeleteI knew someone like this growing up, and it is because of her I was so against watching or reading some animes. She did nothing but compare everything to Ouran High School Host Club. God forbid you have never seen it. She would always push it on others and push the characters on others to the point where I refused to watch the show. The mere mention of the name brought back memories of this girl and how hard she would push people into the character holes and I would instantly be turned off. After a few years of resenting this show and book, I finally gave it a try and actually really enjoyed them.
While sometimes, yes, fans can be overbearing and intimidating and not a welcoming group, I believe there is nothing worse than that one person who is a beyond fan.