What can I say? I like it when my existence is acknowledged.

[serrico]

I've been thinking about this whole "interactive storytelling" thing TV's trying these days, and the difference, for some shows, between what it says on the label and what's actually in the can.

Comments

[rhea314]

This was absolutely brilliant. Thank you very much for posting it.

[serrico]

Thank you for reading! I'm glad you got something out of it. :)

[stultiloquentia]

Great post. Thanks for sprinkling it with youtube links to help a non-SPN fan follow along. :)

[serrico]

Hee, no problem. Given the sheer volume of words I needed just to try to explain my point, there were only so many I was going to spend on describing Becky the Samgirl. And that's what makes YouTube handy! *g*

Thanks for slogging though!

[smilla02]

Here via rivkat. This is such an interesting essay, thank you for writing it.
You did a great job at pointing out the differences in how TBTB engages fandom. And yes, the interactivity in the MO of SPN PTB is why I'm not annoyed at the winks and nudges toward us.

As you say it elicits an emotional response and even though mine is not negative (although it isn't positive either) I sense the willingness to share their product with us, the validation, maybe uncomprehending, of what we do in fandom.

[serrico]

The way I see it, a strong negative response should be just as welcome to TPTB as a strong positive response--provided, of course, the negative response isn't strong *enough* to get the viewer to tune out. Obviously, there are caveats and conditions to this, but if you're a storyteller who can make people sufficiently worked up about your story that they write endless diatribes about it online, or rant about it to their friends, or write epic fix-it fic...well, there's no such thing as bad publicity, right?

Thanks for reading!

Re: here via metafandom:

[serrico]

... then chances are you're doing the job right?

Oh, I agree: fiction that challenges you to question it, to explore it deeper, to figure out a) whether you agree with it and b) why or why not--that's good stuff. Given the choice between a pissed off audience and an apathetic one, well, at least the angry ones *care enough* to *be* pissed off. (Business-wise, that's probably not the best state to keep your audience in indefinitely, though. *g*)

[sol_se]

This is a great essay! Lots to think about. Thank you.

[serrico]

Thank you for reading! And for the rec. :)

[rheasilvia]

This is a wonderful, thought-provoking essay. Thank you

[serrico]

I do feel that this is less a wink and a chuckle *with* the fans than it is a jab *at* the fans

Oh, I completely agree that it's a jab at the fans. But so far, their jabs haven't bothered me because I consider it to be turnabout, and therefore fair play: fangirls have appropriated their footage and characters and even actors for vids and fic; why shouldn't they be able to appropriate fangirls for their show? But regardless of whether they're laughing with or at us, it's undeniable that they've *responded* to us--and the very fact that there *is* debate over whether their intentions are kind means that we're responding to their response. That's dialogue, not just with each other, but with TPTB.

And I like it. *g*

Thanks for reading!

[rheasilvia]

Yes, it definitely is dialogue, and just as definitely fair play. :-) In fact, looking at it from the point of view of your essay - as merely an increased grade of interactivity, regardless of the quality and/or intent of said interactivity - is a good way for me to cast off the unease it's sparked in me.

And if I roll my eyes in despairing disbelief and mumble "oh boy" to myself at the lack of thought they gave to what effect their jab at Wincest would have on the casual viewer - hey, it isn't like this show hasn't made me roll my eyes in disbelief at various plot points before. ;-)

[lapillus]

I think it's certainly an ambivalent response, but as you say it IS one. And at least they are playing fair in that they are doing it in their space, not, say wandering into LJ and commenting, or even just, say, complaining at cons.