Fandoms in general constantly contend with a minority that makes the majority look bad. If it isn’t long-term fans belittling newcomers, it’s one faction squaring off against another over some trifle disagreement. Fans arguing amongst themselves is nothing new, but when the anger gets directed towards creators or those on the creative team, the results make everyone look bad.
Fans serve an important role in many forms of entertainment, even more so today than in the past. The vast majority maintain a positive attitude, and realise that their fandom forms a part of the healthy relationship between creators, fans, and casual viewers. Many fans also realise and appreciate that a lot of hard work and effort goes into creating a show, and that sometimes decisions are made that they don’t necessarily agree with or support, but which they can get over and move on.
The traditional complaining nature of fans is natural and beneficial because it allows them to vent some steam. It’s been a part of fandoms since day dot, and is present in all sorts of fandoms from novels, to sports, to obscure music scenes. Argument and debate amongst fans keeps fandoms healthy, alive, and provides casual fans with an incentive to become more involved; provided everything is kept civil. Loud, aggressive, immature fans are as inevitable as the tides, and their management within fandoms comes down to the ability of the majority to dilute their influence and ostracize them if need be.
For all the upsides of the internet in bringing fans together and providing a multitude of platforms and social networks in which to engage and converse, there are downsides, and Twitter in particular is at the center of the latest controversy.
Lauren Zuke is a storyboard artist on Steven Universe who felt compelled to delete her twitter account after a barrage of abuse. The nature of the abuse and why it was directed at her are irrelevant; not because of their subject matter, but because there is never any basis for fans to direct their anger towards an individual for any reason.
Such bullying can never be condoned, but the fact that it exists and is being conducted by fans of an animated show (aimed at kids by the way!) is deplorable. Animation fans are renowned for the general upbeat positivity and welcoming nature. Many groups of fans are more than happy to see another person sharing an interest in what remains a niche sector of the wider entertainment industry, and will often spend a great amount of time helping them become an active member of the fandom.
Yet the broader changes in fandoms and their relationships with creative teams cannot be ignored. Fans are becoming more demanding, and when teams do interact with fans, some of the latter create the illusion that because they are being listened to, their opinions are entitled to merit. Worse yet, some see a failure to accede to demands as a clear revocation of the implied creator/fan contract and a betrayal of ‘trust.’
When fans of animated shows engage in this type of behaviour, they lower the esteem that animation fans in general hold. They reveal that animation fandoms are not deserving of their positive image, and prove that they are just as capable as any soccer team of harbouring abusive and aggressive idividuals.
Such people and groups need to be kept in check lest our business descends to the level of some sports teams whose fans are tarred with the same brush regardless of their individual behaviour. Badly behaved fans reduce the appeal of shows to casual viewers and ultimately hurt the very thing they love. They also give the entire industry a bit of a black eye. We need to be vigilant going forward, and ensure that an angry minority do not ruin the fun for all of us.
Being tall, Irish and a civil engineer by trade, Charles stands out in the animation crowd, hence his position as the
Animation Anomaly.
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Why Some Fans Are Giving Animation A Black Eye
Fandoms in general constantly contend with a minority that makes the majority look bad. If it isn’t long-term fans belittling newcomers, it’s one faction squaring off against another over some trifle disagreement. Fans arguing amongst themselves is nothing new, but when the anger gets directed towards creators or those on the creative team, the results make everyone look bad.
Fans serve an important role in many forms of entertainment, even more so today than in the past. The vast majority maintain a positive attitude, and realise that their fandom forms a part of the healthy relationship between creators, fans, and casual viewers. Many fans also realise and appreciate that a lot of hard work and effort goes into creating a show, and that sometimes decisions are made that they don’t necessarily agree with or support, but which they can get over and move on.
The traditional complaining nature of fans is natural and beneficial because it allows them to vent some steam. It’s been a part of fandoms since day dot, and is present in all sorts of fandoms from novels, to sports, to obscure music scenes. Argument and debate amongst fans keeps fandoms healthy, alive, and provides casual fans with an incentive to become more involved; provided everything is kept civil. Loud, aggressive, immature fans are as inevitable as the tides, and their management within fandoms comes down to the ability of the majority to dilute their influence and ostracize them if need be.
For all the upsides of the internet in bringing fans together and providing a multitude of platforms and social networks in which to engage and converse, there are downsides, and Twitter in particular is at the center of the latest controversy.
Lauren Zuke is a storyboard artist on Steven Universe who felt compelled to delete her twitter account after a barrage of abuse. The nature of the abuse and why it was directed at her are irrelevant; not because of their subject matter, but because there is never any basis for fans to direct their anger towards an individual for any reason.
Such bullying can never be condoned, but the fact that it exists and is being conducted by fans of an animated show (aimed at kids by the way!) is deplorable. Animation fans are renowned for the general upbeat positivity and welcoming nature. Many groups of fans are more than happy to see another person sharing an interest in what remains a niche sector of the wider entertainment industry, and will often spend a great amount of time helping them become an active member of the fandom.
Yet the broader changes in fandoms and their relationships with creative teams cannot be ignored. Fans are becoming more demanding, and when teams do interact with fans, some of the latter create the illusion that because they are being listened to, their opinions are entitled to merit. Worse yet, some see a failure to accede to demands as a clear revocation of the implied creator/fan contract and a betrayal of ‘trust.’
When fans of animated shows engage in this type of behaviour, they lower the esteem that animation fans in general hold. They reveal that animation fandoms are not deserving of their positive image, and prove that they are just as capable as any soccer team of harbouring abusive and aggressive idividuals.
Such people and groups need to be kept in check lest our business descends to the level of some sports teams whose fans are tarred with the same brush regardless of their individual behaviour. Badly behaved fans reduce the appeal of shows to casual viewers and ultimately hurt the very thing they love. They also give the entire industry a bit of a black eye. We need to be vigilant going forward, and ensure that an angry minority do not ruin the fun for all of us.
