13/02/24- Fandom and participatory audiences.

Fandom and participatory audiences

Fandom- a state of being a fan of someone or something.

Fans are actively engaged in the media product.

Participatory audiences get involved in the product.

Key Theories 

Harry Jenkins- fandom and participatory culture

• There is a crucial difference between mass, passive audience and fans, as fans are active and will actively participate in their consumption of media products beyond just watching something and coming up with an opinion.
• Examples of active participation include organising events, writing fan fiction, drawing fan art, purchasing merchandise, engaging in speculation in online fan communities, and many other diverse approaches.
• Producers have long sought actively engage fans, who are powerful and useful audiences through their loyalty and commitment to certain franchises. However, fans can also be fickle and can turn on producers if they feel that the franchise is not meeting their needs. for example the Sonic the Hedgehog movie 

Clay Shirky- The end of audience

Shirky argues that digital technology and its convergence has allowed audiences to produce media in much the same way as producers.

There is now a far greater number of quote unquote 'amateur producers' who are able to create news, podcasts, music and even feature films with the most available of equipment. 

To differentiate from Jenkins theory, Shirky argues that quote unquote 'professional' producers are now adopting a 'publish then filter' model where 'content' is produced quickly digitally distributed then later edited or adjusted if it doesn't meet expectations or is complained about.

However, the idea that we are all producers on a level playing field is quite contentious. 

Criticism of this theory:

• Assumes that everyone has the same level of education and skill. This isn't actually true.
• Completely disregards professionals who have devoted their lives to making media.
• Budget. The world is unequal and some people have significant advantages  compared to the majority.
• Nepotism- someone whos parents are famous or have links. Certain people have advantages that other people don't.   

Georges Podcast eg

'Here it goes [music gets louder]' Such audio editing is made extremely simple due to digital technology 

Use of informal lexis 'Every time that beat drops I wanna hear that whole song!'

Admits his own ignorance 'I thought this song was Congolese' 

Keeps cutting in and out deliberately turning the music up and down. 

'And hes like Au revoir [laughs] 

Relaxed vocal delivery 

An unsophisticated casual and engaging mode of address for the target audience is constructed through the 'amateurish' mode  of address and production values. 

Ways of audience interaction.