Henry Jenkins Fandom and Participatory culture

 Henry Jenkins - fandom blog tasks

The following tasks will give you an excellent introduction to fandom and also allow you to start exploring degree-level insight into audience studies. Work through the following:

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 fan (fanatic) is a person with extreme and uncritical enthusiasm.

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

Potterhead, Trekkie, Twilighter, Twihard, Gearhead , Whovian

3) What makes a ‘fandom’?

True fans have devotions that go beyond their media texts, and affects their identity in the same way class gender ethnicity and age do. 

A fandom has its roots in a group people with an exceptional enthusiasm in any topic 

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

As seen with the example of the liverpool supporter, fandom can have heirarchies within their own cultural capitals, displaying power and status by how much things you decorated the room with giving them symbolic power.

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

Potterhead, Trekkie, Twilighter, Twihard, Gearhead , Whovian, football

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

Cosplay and fan made text creation is important and secures echo chambers and cult like followings.

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?

 This means people do not just watch anymore. They talk to each other and take part. They become connected through shared interests.

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.” This sentence shows how people create and share instead of only watching.

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

 He mentions loyals, media actives and prosumers. He also mentions inspirational consumers, connectors and influencers. He also includes multipliers and lead users.

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

 He suggests that small but loyal groups can still make money for companies. This is because costs can be lower online. Strong fan networks can replace expensive marketing.

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

 He points to superhero and fantasy films taking over the box office. He shows that complex television storytelling is now normal. He also says game modders are hired by companies.

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’. 

“The media landscape will be reshaped by the bottom up energy of media created by amateurs and hobbyists as a matter of course.” I agree because the internet lets normal people share work widely.

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

 The new ideal consumer talks about the brand and spreads it to others. They take part instead of staying silent. Jenkins says the new ideal consumer is basically a fan

8) Why is fandom 'the future'?

 Fandom shows how people create, share and connect. These actions now shape how companies work. So fandom becomes a model for future media behaviour.

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

 He means companies sometimes take fan work and sell it back for profit. Fans then do free labour while companies keep the money. He warns that this is not always good for fans.

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 think fandom will keep growing and becoming part of normal life. Many people now take part in fan activity even if they do not call themselves fans. Some deep fan groups still stay niche but fandom overall is mainstream