Most of us have at least ventured onto some of these relating to our favorite piece of media; there are many others who play a much larger role in fan culture: commenting, blogging, and even meeting in person at conventions surrounding the program. The most recent fan site that I have been involved in is that of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, located at doctorhorrible.net.
These types of websites offer an interactive location for fans to communicate with other fans, discussing different aspects of the program through the message board (discussion forum) or in reply to blog postings. This is also a good place for fans to share new content relating to the program or characters—this could be an article, a video, or just an image. This cooperation brings people, who have never met, together to celebrate a common interest.
Many of the websites offer ways for fans to participate in the creation, often of discussion threads surrounding a topic of interest. Doctorhorrible.net also uses the contact tab in particular to allow fans to collaborate and make adjustments or suggestions for the site (Whedonesque.com, another fan blog allows posts from many individuals collaborating on information).
The last term Niall Cook references in his text is that of connection. Most of these sites (I would say virtually all of them at this point) reference a facebook, twitter, or other social media account with which people can find another outlet for information and connection (often found through tags). These articles are combined with discussion forums and question sessions which produce a sort of “mashup” culture in fan sites. Their many different functions make room for the Web 2.0 user to find an outlet for their particular level of fandom.
A few other common fan sites:
I think fan sites do offer a GREAT place for people with similar interests to come together to talk about things they really enjoy. And who doesn't like talking about pop culture?
ReplyDeleteFan sites are probably the least talked about application in terms of Web 2.0, but I think they deserve their due credit!
J, I know you are researching Fanism (is that the right spelling?). I think this blog shows a good idea. But I know in South Korea and even in China, the fan club begins to become an industry. It has close relationship with entertaining companies. And there are even some "fans" make money from organizing a fan club and from supporting entertaining companies' activities. I think it's an interesting phenomenon. Do you touch something like this?
ReplyDeleteI think a blog has multiple authors is very interesting, so I have more opportunities to listen different people's opinions, in a more in-depth way, not like followers comments, which are kinda shorter. And I like this blog, the blogger is awesome! ~
ReplyDeleteI love Dr. Horrible!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think fan sites are very useful when they interact with producers and writers of the shows. These become very powerful for the people contributing and the writers and producers because of the instant feedback.
ReplyDelete