Jumping in here. I've been following the FanLib debacle with fascinated interest since last week-- I posted a couple of comments in the thread at Henry Jenkins' site under the name Ventriloquist-- but I've mostly been reading the LJs and staying out of the fray, as my fandom is musically related and though it generates some carefully hidden RPS, it's nothing that would ever show up on FanLib or FFN (for obvious reasons).
After reading the responses from Chris Williams, I wanted to just add that FanLib isn't blazing any new territory when he claims that his site will bring writers "closer to the talent" (excuse while I compose myself. There. All better.), presumably by providing a bridge whereby fan writers can get a good look at the Inner Workings of Real Entertainment Production. They can peek through the window, as long as their grubby paws don't smear the glass; and they'll be expected to be grateful for the carefully controlled view. Ahem. But there's already precedent for this in Xena fandom. Xena fic writers developed relationships with the creators of the show and the actors, and at least two that I know of were invited to write an episode for the series (one accepted, one didn't). All this grew naturally out of the interactions between the show producers and writers and their willingness to engage with their audience. But FanLib has missed one of the most important points of all: this kind of engagement might be a cherished goal or fantasy for some fic writers, but it isn't for all of them. If it were, it's likely that individuals would have pursued it with greater energy, or it would be a recognized goal within the communities as a whole. Fandom isn't broken or lacking anything or terminally frustrated in its ambitions. Fandom is doing exactly what it wants, and getting out of it what it needs, already. Without FanLib.
Obviously, the Xena scenario isn't going to happen for every fandom. But it's certainly possible for it to occur without outside mediation: and for FanLib to think they can formalize, commodify, and regulate such organic developments is... what would the right word be? Foolish? Inadequately thought out? Because they're going to end up with a site full of teenagers who either don't know about existing fan communities, or find them daunting, or who are more impressed by the possibility of prizes!/a trip to Hollywood! than they are about adult concerns like copyright, lawsuits, the value of their own creativity, and so on. The last point, I think, being important. FanLib is, one again, the old latching onto the creativity of the young and offering them nothing in recompense except a "game" (as they themselves refer to FanLib in their own marketing-- the stuff we weren't supposed to see) to play.
LIke the song says: We suck young blood.
Apologies for length. And thanks to all who have kept me informed, entertained, and educated over the last week.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-05-26 08:01 pm (UTC)After reading the responses from Chris Williams, I wanted to just add that FanLib isn't blazing any new territory when he claims that his site will bring writers "closer to the talent" (excuse while I compose myself. There. All better.), presumably by providing a bridge whereby fan writers can get a good look at the Inner Workings of Real Entertainment Production. They can peek through the window, as long as their grubby paws don't smear the glass; and they'll be expected to be grateful for the carefully controlled view. Ahem. But there's already precedent for this in Xena fandom. Xena fic writers developed relationships with the creators of the show and the actors, and at least two that I know of were invited to write an episode for the series (one accepted, one didn't). All this grew naturally out of the interactions between the show producers and writers and their willingness to engage with their audience. But FanLib has missed one of the most important points of all: this kind of engagement might be a cherished goal or fantasy for some fic writers, but it isn't for all of them. If it were, it's likely that individuals would have pursued it with greater energy, or it would be a recognized goal within the communities as a whole. Fandom isn't broken or lacking anything or terminally frustrated in its ambitions. Fandom is doing exactly what it wants, and getting out of it what it needs, already. Without FanLib.
Obviously, the Xena scenario isn't going to happen for every fandom. But it's certainly possible for it to occur without outside mediation: and for FanLib to think they can formalize, commodify, and regulate such organic developments is... what would the right word be? Foolish? Inadequately thought out? Because they're going to end up with a site full of teenagers who either don't know about existing fan communities, or find them daunting, or who are more impressed by the possibility of prizes!/a trip to Hollywood! than they are about adult concerns like copyright, lawsuits, the value of their own creativity, and so on. The last point, I think, being important. FanLib is, one again, the old latching onto the creativity of the young and offering them nothing in recompense except a "game" (as they themselves refer to FanLib in their own marketing-- the stuff we weren't supposed to see) to play.
LIke the song says: We suck young blood.
Apologies for length. And thanks to all who have kept me informed, entertained, and educated over the last week.