Harry Potter Fandom

I found our discussion of fandom really interesting today. After class I thought of the perfect example of fan fiction that I wish I would have brought up in class. Months ago I somehow came across a Harry Potter Musical on YouTube. It’s not just one video; it’s in parts totaling to an over 2 hour performance. Someone or some group wrote, produced, directed, and acted in a full theatrical performance of the musical they wrote that was performed before a live audience, taped with multiple camera angles, and put on YouTube. The musical contains multiple original songs, dancing, and involves only characters from the franchise. It is VERY comedic and actually really funny. I’m not even a huge fan of Harry Potter but I enjoyed it. It is interesting that they are able to use these characters without violating copyright laws however there is a message at the beginning of the video that reads, “This fan musical is produced and performed solely for the personal, non commercial enjoyment of ourselves and other Harry Potter fans.” It has over 8 million hits on YouTube and has not been taken off YouTube after three years of being on the website.

I think a large part of why fandom exists is that people spend large amounts of time consuming certain media and after consuming it they feel some type of connection to the characters and their world. Because others feel the same it allows them to create communities where their identification with these created “worlds” can live on. I also think that because of our new ways of consuming media it allows this fandom to go on long after the initial release of the media. I got into the show LOST years after it began through its availability on Netflix and became interested in what people were saying on fan forums long after the show stopped airing.  New media allow media texts to continue to be consumed and the connection to their world can live on.

Here's a link to the musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk