Unpopular fandom opinion alert...
So convention photo-shoots, okay? I seem them all the time all over LJ and Tumblr, because, you know, people meet their heroes and their idols and heartthrobs and they're thrilled. And I totally get that, no arguments from me. Who wouldn't want a photograph to commemorate a really important moment in their life?
But, I don't know, does anyone else feel kinda uncomfortable for the actors, when you see these shots where people have asked them to pose or wear something or do something or pretend? You know, clasp them in their arms, kiss them, wear silly flower crowns... You know the ones I'm talking about, you see them all the time now. In fact, I think just regular pose-for-the-camera shots are probably in the minority these days.
And I just...they're people, not props. You're paying to have a photo with them, not live out your own little personal fantasy. Like, there was one on Tumblr the other day, and this girl was licking Misha Collins' hip. And yeah, I know, the actors can say no, they can draw the line at anything - but there's probably a lot of pressure on them to keep the line moving, not cause a scene, and they don't want to upset anybody, and we all know what fandom backlash can be like. How do you know they're really okay with it? They're actors, after all - smile for the camera, be friendly and professional, and just get through it.
Like I said, it just makes me uncomfortable. If it was me, I think I'd feel a little bit like a piece of meat sometimes, like people weren't actually interested in meeting me, but in interacting with their own fantasy version of me. And yeah, that comes with the territory - like I said, actors, they are playing a role, after all. But you're meeting them, not their character - and I just think these photos blur that line and almost disregard the person standing right there.
Maybe I'm projecting. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But every time I see these pictures, more and more elaborate, it seems - and I just feel bad for the actors.
But, I don't know, does anyone else feel kinda uncomfortable for the actors, when you see these shots where people have asked them to pose or wear something or do something or pretend? You know, clasp them in their arms, kiss them, wear silly flower crowns... You know the ones I'm talking about, you see them all the time now. In fact, I think just regular pose-for-the-camera shots are probably in the minority these days.
And I just...they're people, not props. You're paying to have a photo with them, not live out your own little personal fantasy. Like, there was one on Tumblr the other day, and this girl was licking Misha Collins' hip. And yeah, I know, the actors can say no, they can draw the line at anything - but there's probably a lot of pressure on them to keep the line moving, not cause a scene, and they don't want to upset anybody, and we all know what fandom backlash can be like. How do you know they're really okay with it? They're actors, after all - smile for the camera, be friendly and professional, and just get through it.
Like I said, it just makes me uncomfortable. If it was me, I think I'd feel a little bit like a piece of meat sometimes, like people weren't actually interested in meeting me, but in interacting with their own fantasy version of me. And yeah, that comes with the territory - like I said, actors, they are playing a role, after all. But you're meeting them, not their character - and I just think these photos blur that line and almost disregard the person standing right there.
Maybe I'm projecting. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But every time I see these pictures, more and more elaborate, it seems - and I just feel bad for the actors.