Media Production Student Stuff

Chapter Two - About 'LOST'

2010-04-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

‘LOST’ is set in a digetic world, a tropical island described to be positioned not far from Fiji, in which a plane crashes, and a significant group of survivors from the plane crash embark on a series of atypical adventures, including polar bears and secret hatches belonging to a mysterious scientific group and eccentric island inhabitants.

Since its broadcasting, the fan culture surrounding the TV series has become as big as other cult TV series such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, Buffy and many more. The fan culture includes audience viewers’ part taking in fan related activities such as fan art, fiction, forums, videos, etc.

Each episode is constructed in the same style. Discovered mysteries that need to be solved, and if that particular episode answers one of these mysteries, it raises more questions in doing so. It’s a continuous cycle of clues, resolutions and yet more unsolved mysteries, which have been the main reasons for fan loyalty and the reason for those viewers who don’t have time for ‘LOST’.

On first assumptions with ‘LOST’ and its audience, it can be identified that ‘LOST’ attracts a mass audience due to the age range and demographics involved. Both male and female audiences are dedicated to following the show. Not only that, the audience range is worldwide, with the show being aired in at least six countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. The series is also accessible on the internet, whether legal or illegal, via downloads or streaming that is available to other countries. The range in other foreign country access is most evident in the activities on fan forums, particularly European.

Upon audience research, the age range is confirmed by young audiences under the age of 18 and that to the age of at least 60 watch the show. Due to the genre being vastly varied that the show could do with a new brand of genre name, it is difficult to pin-point a particular genre attraction, unless looking specifically from series four onwards, where the genre trends to more of a sci-fi field. This also opens a debate of the target audience either being broad or narrow.

(referencing from “The Cult TV Book”)

It is said that Lindolof and Abrams designed the show ‘LOST’ to be “everything procedural crime dramas aren’t”. However, what can be argued about this claim is that procedural crime genre usually involves several unrelated crimes in a single story, and ‘LOST’, although not crime based, always has several on-going mysteries throughout the show, which is a similar narrative to that of procedural crime. Although in procedural crime fiction, it’s not as common for these several quests to take several seasons to solve, like ‘LOST’ does, meaning to suggest that Roberta Pearson’s chapter in “The Cult TV Book” stating “networks are gambling that many viewers prefer storylines wrapped up in an hour or less to the intense” could be true due to evidence of ‘LOST’s audience having decreased as the seasons have progressed. Pearson says that “‘LOST’ has managed to sustain its initial buoyant ratings from the high of 20 million in the first season to a low of 12.8 million in February 2007.” This could also answer the question of whether ‘LOST’ is intended for a narrow or broad audience to be that, whether intended or not, ‘LOST’ is for more of a narrow audience.

There are many elements within “LOST” that attracts such a significant fan base, these elements have been identified as the narrative alone accompanied along with the mythology, mystery, suspense, characters and the flashforward’s/flashbacks. The production of the show has also arisen fans’ further interest in the show, and looking at behind the scenes.

“LOST” is full of cultural mythology references that have caused fans to research further in vain hope that it could give them clues to the plot lines that span the entire series. This often leads to further theorizing of the outcome of the finale of “LOST” as well as discussions and theories.

From the questionnaire posted on several “LOST” fan based forums, specifically in accordance to asking “LOST” audiences their part-take in fan culture activities for “LOST”, listed are at least twenty-five different types of fan activities that fans part take in. These include:

Discussions; theorizing, debates, analyzing episodes
Collecting memorabilia
Researching
Submitting blog posts
Reaction videos
Attending conventions e.g. comic-con
Forums
Polls
Podcasts; listening too and hosting
Forums; creating, running or contributing
Live Chat Streams; as episodes are broadcasted
“LOST” parties
Fancy Dress
ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) & similar games
Watching re-cap specials
Tattoos
Visiting filming locations
Gatherings
“LOST” marathons
Creating/Running fan pages
Collecting DVDs
Fan Videos
Writing/publishing “LOST” related books
Fan Chat
Loyalty; incorporating “LOST” with everyday life
Music; “LOST” related bands, e.g. “The Oceanic 6”

In the “LOST” fan forums, majority of the activity upon them are discussion topics on episodes, where fans discuss their thoughts on the episode, comparing it to others, analyse what the themes in the particular episode and theorise the significance in conjunction with the overall plot. These theories are also debated, especially in discussion with particular characters of the mythology references used in each episode.

On the Michael Emerson Fan Board in particular, there is a diverse collection of fan activity when it comes to creativity. Fan art, fiction, videos, clubs, polls, etc. Despite the forum being Michael Emerson fan base, the bigger activity on it relates to ‘LOST’, as the actor, Michael Emerson, portrays one of the more important characters in ‘LOST’, Benjamin Linus. One sub category on the forum is labelled ‘fan crazy’ in which forum members post fan fiction pieces, some of them individual fiction and others group fiction role play.

Fan fiction is where fans write alternative reality with the plot line of a particular show, and either includes themselves or creating new characters and incorporating them into the narrative.

So why is it that fans choose to gather in forums and discuss the show and particular episodes? “‘Cult’ shows like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, ‘The X-Files’ and ‘LOST’ are most likely to have a large fan base and therefore more Internet sites created about them. They are also shows you want to learn more about them”

“These days it’s not enough to watch an hour of television and wait a week for the next hour. A large part of the fun is sharing reactions and ideas.”

Themed bands are a recent phenomenon that has taken place over the past few years. “Harry Potter” and “Doctor Who” have well established “Wizard Rock” and “Timelord Rock” bands. The idea of them is to write and sing songs based on favourite films, books, TV shows. Timelord Rock was created by a popular youtube vlogger, Alex Day, and created the first “troc” band “Chameleon Circuit”. He and friends that make up the band members have recorded and published music videos of their Doctor Who themed band, and now their fans and listeners are able to buy their album and merchandise from the DFTBA website as well as itunes.

Last year, a “LOST” related band was formed, named “The Oceanic Six” who sing songs about “LOST” and have already released an album and merchandise. They also post their music videos on youtube. According to their myspace and youtube page, they claim that their influence is “electromagnetism” and their hobbies include “surviving”, these, of course, are references to “LOST”.

Similar to “LOST” themed bands who create music videos are “fan vidders”, fans who make videos, usually alongside a soundtrack and edit clips from the show to fit the mood or lyrics of a particular song. It has become a popular aspect of fandom, particularly for “LOST” where there’s even a video website dedicated to “LOST” fan videos called “Lost Video Island” where fans submit their work, and people vote for the best of a particular category, as well as choosing who to win awards.

Fan videos have increased in popularity over the past few years, and even the creators of “LOST” have shown particular interest in this fan activity, and even promote it, even with the questionable legal aspect of copyright. An example is “xsoppysofax”, a well known fan vidder, who has been creating and submitting her work for a little over two years, has recently become more in the lime light when Jorge Gracia, an actor in “LOST” promoted one of xsoppysofax’s fan videos which was then closely followed by twitter recommendations by the co-producers of “LOST” Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindleof and editor Mark Goldman. She has also been mentioned on various websites.

Reminder to Self

2010-04-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Further research not involving reading that I need to do;

Contact and gain interview with a "LOST" related band
Interview forum/fan page author/admin
Interview popular fan video creator
Interview an attendee of a "LOST" convention

Chapter One - Fan Culture

2010-03-24T02:49:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, we will be researching and looking at fan culture, how it is defined and its place in society as well as what are the aspects that build up a fan culture base.

TV cult fandom has existed way before ‘LOST’ was first broadcasted, other cult TV fandom include a vast range of narratives from ‘Star Trek’ to ‘Buff the Vampire Slayer’ to ‘Doctor Who’ to ‘Faulty Towers’. What defines a cult fan, and what aspect of a TV show turns it into a ‘cult’?

In relation to television, it is considered that what makes a show a cult television show is the strong loyalty provided by the audience whom think a lot about the show, particularly the world in which it is set. Looking at the history of cult television, the common genre of the cult shows tend to be found in science fiction, fantasy fiction, horror and sitcoms.

The fandom that surrounds a defining cult show is accumulated by the audience involvement with the show other than just watching it, taking part in fan culture activities such as show discussions, theorizing, fan fiction, taking part in conventions and communities etc.

Another trend in a cult TV show is normally the attraction of a narrow audience. Due to an obscure narrative, usually attracting a small level of popularity and critically acclaimed.

It is thought that there are two types of fans, the obsessive individual fan and the hysterical crowd. This is how Joli Jenson describes types of fandom when exploring why and how these two types predominate.

“Fandom is seen as an excessive, bordering on deranged, behaviour.” Joli Jenson states in “The Adoring Audience: Fan Culture and Popular Media”. So it will be researched, debated and concluded in this chapter about fandom and fan culture that will lead to answering one of the questions in this study, are ‘LOST’ fans excessive in their fandom?

An online article by Ishita Sood, posted on the 9^th January is a prime example of what many may conclude excessive fandom in relation to ‘LOST’. The headline being “’LOST’ fans win against Obama; State of Union speech postponed”. The article is about how Obama reached an agreement with the executive producers of ‘LOST’ to postpone the State of Union speech that was scheduled on the same night of the ‘LOST’ premier for the final season. According to the article “Obama knew about the conflict which was caused due to the speech.”

Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman was quoted “I don’t foresee a scenario in which millions of people that hope to finally get some conclusion in ‘LOST’ are pre-empted by the president. I assume it’s a big deal at ABC.” Which could be interpreted as a hint of Obama’s loyalty to the popular cult show, as well as potentially revealing him as a fan of ‘LOST’ too?

Fans were also quoted in the article, two of them suggesting that the most loyal and questionable ‘excessive’. One fan was quoted “Americans against the State of Union Address on the same night as ‘LOST’. I have been waiting all freaking year. I can’t wait for ‘LOST’ another day!! The State of the Union Address can wait!” (Comment here)

Another fan was quoted “I want to know about the state of The Island, not the state of the union, Barrack Obama, I will never forgive you.” (Comment here)

This article could lead to agree with the opinion that media influence is the cause and blame for ‘fan obsession’. Conflicting commenter’s on the article posted by anonymous individuals, in which one wrote “I am so embarrassed to be an American right now because of all the shallow-minded imbeciles out there thinking that a freakin’ TV episode is more important than what the President of the United States has to say on the current condition of the Union. And the scariest thing is, is that those simplistic peons vote!” This could be seen as evidence of Jenson’s statement that “fandom is seen as psychological symptom of a presumed social dysfunction.” Jenson believes that society views fandom is characterized as involvement of social and psychological pathology. She includes comparisons with those of the music genre and football hooliganism, identifying stereotypes that have led fans to being viewed by society in a negative light.

“Fandom is largely reduced to mental and discursive activity occurring without passion, without feeling, without an experience of (perhaps involuntary) self-transformation.” quoted from “Fan Cultures by Matt Hills, the objective in this research is debating whether Hills’s reconsideration of “fan discourse as a justification for fan passions and attachments” in relation to a fan being defined alone and simply just for having ‘fan knowledge’.

“Today, a cult audience is praised by the media and the cult series has gone mainstream – “LOST” is a prime example, with millions of viewers worldwide puzzling over the series enigmas. Its mysteries and meaning. It’s easy to see that the media moguls want watching their shows, the more viewers, the merrier, and the more lucrative a series franchise becomes.”

According to Matt Hills in his book “The Cult TV Book”, fandom and societies perception of being a fan has certainly changed. Of course, this can be mainly identified by the ever fast advances in technology and communication. Before the internet became a commons source for fandom activities, fans weren’t as easily connected or acquainted with one another. Meeting fellow and equally dedicated fans often would only occur at conventions, and of course, this cost money too, and with meeting fellow fans on the internet to discuss their favourite TV shows etc, is of course, a little cheaper then forking our hundreds of pounds on attending a convention and buying a costume to wear for it.

Since the improvements in technology has become widely accessible for the public, fans are able to share their passion for cult TV shows such as ‘LOST’ through the medium of fan sites, forums, videos, blogs, podcasts, avatars etc. The main avenue to this fan culture through fan sites and forums, where fans discuss their favourite TV show as well as contributing with theories and other forms of fan activity such as fan fiction, art and videos.

Merchandise is still a strong and successful pull in consumer consumption of fan culture. There are many stores and online markets where fans can purchase products that relate to their fandom in which they can proudly display their dedications.

Matt Hill reviews Kurt Lancaster’s discussion of fan consumerism and contrasting fan commodity between good and bad. He quotes Lancaster’s discussion “Forbidden Planet is a ‘clearinghouse’ for science fiction commodities that allow people to enter worlds of fantasy... the objects purchased in this store become a means for branching out into other worlds (by reading and fantasising), the participants of which come together in a setting at this bookstore, online or at a convention.” Authored in 1996.

Hills accuses Lancaster discussion as “a betrayal of an anxiety over the commodity-status of its contents, moving all to rapidly from the (‘bad’) fan-commodity to the (‘good’) fan-commodity. From the quote provided alone, Hill’s statement isn’t comprehensible, as the quote is more a statement discussing the availability of fan-commodity and does not provide personal opinion of rash comparison of ‘bad’ and ‘good’ fan-commodities. (comment. Come back to. Not making sense)

Looking at the history of fandom and cult tv, it is a common aspect that fans produced from a particular cult TV show are often represented as acting in bizarre behaviours’ and are often compared as socially abnormal in society. Many have considered that the ‘Trekkie’ fan to be of an absorbed breed. The recently edited “Cult TV Book” by Stacey Abbot addresses the cult audience and the identity of ‘devoted fans’.

This chapter in this book suggests that society’s views of the behaviour of the ‘obsessive fan’ are hardly different to sport and music fans. The sport fan that will attend every game possible, wear team uniform and colours and the music fan that will do their best to follow their favourite artists on tour. Television fans are described as those who “reschedule activities around airings of their favourite TV series, haunts the internet for interviews or the latest casting news, and knows each episode and storyline by heart.”

Hilary Robson, the author of this particular chapter, comments that “these behaviours may seem obsessive, odd and eccentric to the fan” but contrasts the fact that these harmless acts of fandom can escalate to further dramatic acts, such as Edward Seidel. “In 1979, the 15-year-old jumped to his death from an overpass bridge after learning his favourite television series ‘Battlestar Galatica – had been cancelled.” Of course, these type of incidents are rare, however, it is a prime example of how fandom can be taken that little bit too far, and brings up the question whether fan culture can lead to dangerous, clinical obsession.

In “The Cult TV Book”, Pugh illustrates “some fans, often female, wanted the action to slow down enough to give the characters and relationships time to evolve; they wanted more overt emotion and personal interaction than the scriptwriters were given them. They wanted vulnerability in the characters too, so that they could feel with and for them.” This can be applied to many cult TV shows, but specifically in “LOST”, where forum members have debated which of the characters would make better couples, ‘shipping’ them into battles between ‘Jate’ (Jack and Kate) or ‘Skate’ (Sawyer and Kate).

Introduction Update! Almost complete - but needs plenty of tweeking and editing!

2010-03-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Aiming to write 3,000 words tonight (written 1,329 so far! yay!) Anyway, think I've almost got my introduction bang on. Found my old proposal which I thought I had lost due to misplacing a USB, but managed to get hold of it and weaved it into the new introduction with information I forgot. So here it is. Any constructive criticsm welcome!

“Investigating the ethnography of fan culture in particular reference to the contemporary cult television series ‘LOST’”.

The details of this project that is to be recognised is that ‘LOST’ is a popular sci-fi drama series that has been on air since September 2004 till present, claiming to conclude its final sixth season in 2010, the final episode airing in May. ‘LOST’ has a hugely recognised fan base, amongst many references that has been deeply analysed by the fans in relation to religion, science, philosophy, numeracy, mythology and literacy. In its own rights, it has become a cult show globally in terms of its fan culture. With this fandom culture with the show, it will be interesting to discover how deep the potential obsession with ‘LOST’ runs in the everyday lives of the fans.

Looking at the most popular ‘LOST’ fan forums, I am going to investigate through a series of questionnaires in relation to the fan culture. These forums include Sky Forums, Michael Emerson Fan Board, The Fuselage, Lost Video Island, The Tail Section and DarkUFO. On each of these forums, I will create a topic in which I will post a questionnaire for dedicated ‘LOST’ fans to answer in relation to the fan culture of ‘LOST’.

There is a strong active relationship with the audience and cult TV show ‘LOST’. The majority of this activity is found on the internet, found on many social forums as well as networks ‘facebook’, ‘myspace’, ‘bebo’ and ‘twitter’.
My main aims and objectives in the research include gaining primary data by interviewing direct associates with the TV show ‘LOST’ such as one of the main actors, Michael Emerson as well as creating a questionnaire to submit on ‘LOST’ forums and websites for ‘LOST’ fans to complete, including attending the ‘LOST’ convention and handing out questionnaires to dedicated fans there too. This will provide research data from various sources including primary and secondary, meaning the research is more thorough rather than using information from just one type of source. I will also email the same questionnaire to students through the university email to obtain local results as well as global.

The methods I plan to use have already been mentioned, but to go into further detail about these methods would include one of the biggest factors towards my research is that in the beginning of August, there is a J.J Abrams weekend convention in which ‘LOST’ is included in the convention, and guests include actors from the show, a confirmed guest being Michael Emerson, one of the lead and most important actors on the show in terms of his character in the plot of the series. Having obtained the ‘gold pass’ which allows me extra access at the convention, including meeting the guests of the convention (including Michael Emerson) in which I will have the opportunity to ask him questions, of course, taking into consideration that I will have to get permission to use what is said in answer to my questions can be used in this project, making sure I keep every word of what is said accurate and exact to what my interviewees answer. By interviewing people directly associated with the TV show, I will obtain primary data which will be valuable in contributing towards my research as well as considering would be valuable information.

Relating to the questionnaire to submit on the internet, I will also copy the questionnaire and print to give out to fans who will be attending the ‘LOST’ convention as well as staff of the convention to gain extra input, as obviously, real hard-core fans will be dedicated enough to spend a lot of money to attend the event, so the answers to the questionnaire will be very interesting to study in relevance to ‘LOST’ references and influences.

After searching the library, I found there were no current dissertations already written in relevance to ‘LOST’, however, in the keyword search of two hundred and seventy five results, I found that only six of the results were relevant to the contemporary TV show, the majority of them in which would be useful to reference to in my project. These books include: ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’, ‘The Myth of Lost: Solving the Mysteries and Understanding of Lost’, ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’. ‘What can be Found in Lost’, ‘Unlocking the Meaning of Lost’ and ‘Getting Lost: Survival, baggage and starting over in J.J Abrams’ ‘Lost’’. Looking at the titles alone, I can tell straight away that ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ and ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’ will be the most useful literacy texts to study.

‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ contains ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and reveal in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. These and many more issues involving ‘Lost’s’ production, distribution, narrative, and the audiences are addressed by this essential book’. The author of the book, Roberta Pearson, is a ‘professor of Film and Television Studies, and director of the Institute of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham, as well as having authored and co-edited numerous books and articles including co-edited ‘Cult Television’ (2004), several essays on ‘Star Trek’ and is currently editing ‘Companion to Television Genres’. This information obtained from www.amazon.co.uk has helped to identify that this text would be useful in aiding my research to my project, as well as offering other titles that would be worth researching.

‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of fandom like no other’ contains the following information according to again, www.amazin.co.uk: ‘Split into two halves, this digest of the show demonstrates, firstly, how it was the first show to combine the artists and patrons of the programme by sponsoring the largest independent discussion forum in history. Secondly, interwoven with the story of the fandom, is the examination of the plot itself. Begging the question, ‘what is it in the formula of Lost that so captures the imagination?’, this is a tour de force look into a truly tour de force show.’ The book is also reviewed as a ‘Well documented and researched, almost lovingly so’ by ‘Sacramento Book Review’, therefore looking like a positive source of a literature reference. All the books I managed to research that are related ‘LOST’ and to my dissertation question I will use in my investigation. I also researched in the library using the keyword ‘fandom’ to see what search results would come about, and the following couple of titles were available that I do plan on purchasing as well as the above mentioned ones related to ‘LOST’ to help aid my dissertation project. The following texts are; ‘Fandom: identities and communities in a mediated world’, ‘Television Fandom and its effect on ‘spin off culture’’ and ‘Tune in, Log on: soaps, fandom and community’.

I also plan to research fan fiction, fan videos, fan reviews and other related media texts that would contribute towards the project in reviewing ‘LOST’ and how the concept of ‘fandom’ effects the lives of either obsesses or dedicated fans as well as fan merchandising.

In researching available books on fan culture, I have found the following that will aid me in my research; “The Cult TV Book”, “Fandom: Identities and Communities in a Mediated World”, “Fan Cultures” and “Television Entertainment”. As well as “LOST Ate My Life” also being suitable for research on ‘LOST’ alone, it will also be beneficial in research on fan culture.

(Aware that I've mentioned some books more then once - hence sketchy completed introduction with need of a lot of tweeking and editing!)

© COPYRIGHT MARCH 2010 BY ZOE KENDELL-TAYLOR

Fan Culture Research

2010-03-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, didn't manage to get to 1,000 words last night, tired eventually cover came me, however, not far off. This is what I've come up with so far. It's very sketchy as I am struggling at the moment to comment on some of the quotations I use. So it's just a rough draft.

This chapter in this book suggests that society’s views of the behaviour of the ‘obsessive fan’ are hardly different to sport and music fans. The sport fan that will attend every game possible, wear team uniform and colours and the music fan that will do their best to follow their favourite artists on tour. Television fans are described as those who “reschedules activities around airings of their favourite TV series, haunts the internet for interviews or the latest casting news, and knows each episode and storyline by heart.”

Book being used – Fan Cultures by Matt Hills. The Cult TV Book by Stacey Abbott Fandom: Identities and Communities in a Mediated World by Jonathon Gray; Cornel Sandvoss; C. Lee Harrington and Henry Jenkins

How it's going...

2010-03-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so making steady, but successful progress. Seems that I get more motivation at night, despite knowing I have a full day and night of working tomorrow from 11am. And it's stupid o'clock to be doing uni work now, but I have this burst of energy full of ideas and motivation. So here I am.

So this is what I am working on right now. Chapter 2 of my dissertation (although may change to be chapter 1) Which is studying fan culture, which will then be applied to how it relates to 'LOST' in my next chapter.

This is on my agenda (in no particular order);

Use examples of other huge fan cults, such as "Star Trek" and "Doctor Who"
Research into how fan culture was before availability of the internet
Research into current and modern forms of fandom e.g. fan sites and forums
Fan culture theories and scholars
Differences between "academics" and "The Fan"
Fan community and Hierarchy research
Fan culture "fantasy" and "reality"
Fan culture history
Fan culture in TV

Only got 226 words written on this chapter so far, but on a role, so lets hope I can reach 1,000 tonight!

Questionnaire Results So Far...

2010-03-13T00:53:00.000-08:00

http://dailybooth.com/fearandloathin/3638766

This is my progress so far in writing up dissertation questionnaire results. There are still 14 submissions to add from one forum and four emails. Can't do it til later though, got work, plus need a break from it.

Dissertation Update - Introduction page progress...

2010-03-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is what I've done so far. It may not seem like much, as I am only publishing what I feel is ready to be seen. I have a zillion of quotes selected from several books that I am trying to think of comments for... it's way harder then expected. But hopefully now you all can fully understand the nature of this dissertation and what to expect from it:

“Investigating the ethnography of fan culture in particular reference to the contemporary cult television series ‘LOST’”.

The first series of ‘LOST’ was first distributed to TV in September 2004, and is still an ongoing, popular TV series, arriving at its final 6^th series in February 2010. In its own rights, it has become a cult show globally in terms of its fan culture.

‘LOST’ is set in a diegetic world, a tropical island described to be positioned not far from Fiji, in which a plane crashes, and a significant group of survivors from the plane crash embark on a series of atypical adventures, including polar bears, secret hatches belonging to a mysterious scientific group and eccentric island inhabitants.

Looking at the most popular ‘LOST’ fan forums, I am going to investigate through a series of questionnaires in relation to the fan culture. These forums include Sky Forums, Michael Emerson Fan Board, The Fuselage, Lost Video Island, The Tail Section and DarkUFO.

There is a strong active relationship with the audience and cult TV show ‘LOST’. The majority of this activity is found on the internet, found on many social forums as well as networks ‘facebook’, ‘myspace’, ‘bebo’ and ‘twitter’.

The 'LOST' Questionnaire!

2010-03-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

For those that do not know me, my name is Zoe, a third year media student at the University of Lincoln, and for my Dissertation, I am studying ‘LOST’ and its fan culture. I need your help! If as many of you could please take a few moments of any free time to spare answering my questions, that would be fantastic! There are sixteen questions in total.

First set of questions is to do with the type of audience ‘LOST’ attracts for my audience research:
1. How old are you?
2. Are you male or female?
3. What do you do for a living? Are you employed, unemployed, student, retired etc?
4. Are you an aspirer or a homemaker?
5. Do you think ‘LOST’ is for a narrow audience or broad audience?
6. Where are you from?

And now for the questions on ‘LOST’

1. What is the appeal of 'LOST' to you?

2. How many ‘LOST’ forums are you a member of?

3. Do you part take in any fan culture activities? Such as fan fiction, fan videos, fan art, etc?

4. What would you consider as fan activity apart from the aspects I mentioned?

5. Do you look for spoilers, or avoid them?

6. Is six seasons enough, or would you rather there be more episodes?

7. To what extent does your fandom go?

8. Have you ever attended a ‘LOST’ convention, and if so, how were they conducted, and what did you do at them?

9. Would you go to Hawaii to go on the tour of the ‘LOST’ set, and if so, what would you get most excited about seeing?

10. Do your friends ever get tired of your expressed fandom of ‘LOST’, and would you consider yourself as an ‘Annoying LOST Fan’?

Thank you very much for your help, you can keep up-to-date with the progress of this dissertation if you follow this blog: fal108-themediastudent.blogspot.com

You may email your responses to: thelostdissertation@hotmail.co.uk

Dissertation Update

2010-03-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

Right, well, it was over a month ago since I last posted my progress, and to disappointedly be completely honest, I haven't got as far. However, good news is, I have now purchased a number of books that should help with the progress, and after skim reading a number of them, I know they are going to help a lot. I also have a list now to help me cross off what I need to do, which is:

Introduction
About 'LOST'
Research into Fandom
How the research into 'fandom' applies to LOST
LOST Fandom + Research
References
Conclusion
Bibliography

I have started with the simples concerning the research, being audience profiling and research, looking at identifying the target audience etc.

I've also posted a questionnaire onto a number of forums which I've already had replies, and I need to write another one, in hope I'll get more answers and responses from the same people. However, I still need more responses from the previous post. So by emailing a couple of celebrity internet people, I'm hoping they might help me out!

Anyway, I have suddenly got a really strange surge of energy and I am going to see if I can put it into good use and continue with dissertation! (It's reading week you see, and I have got no way near as far as I had planned by now! It's gone too fast!)

"Lost" Dissertation

2010-01-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hai!

Well, right now, I am trying to get stuck in with my dissertation research and yadda yadda yadda. I tell you, it is a lot more difficult then I originally anticipated! All these funny, 'long' words of media terminology concerning audience profiling and fandom really are putting me in a spin. Difficult to get sense out of anything without having to refer to my media dictionary after every other word. I'm not giving up though!

I'll keep you posted to how it goes!

Fal
xx

Current Ideas for BBC Talent Competition

2009-11-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

1. British teen moves to America and is forced to adapt to the American Roman Catholic strict in discipline style of life when her Aunt is granted custody in the will of her parents when they die in a tragic car accident.

2. Opposite way round of first idea where a diciplined American teen moves to England.

3. Father looses his son in a tragica accident

4. A friends looses her best friend in a tragica accident, and her spirit returns to haunt/continue the friendship with her

5. Drama with sub sci-fi/fantasy theme of a man who gets stuck in the future - like the opposite if 'Life on Mars'

6. Lake District murders, perhaps involving a southern rural family who go on a family holiday in the Lake District.

7. TV adaptation of 'Artemis Fowl'

8. TV adaptation of 'His Dark Materials'

I'm aware pretty much every idea involves death, but it's a drama and it's all I know! Still brainstorming ideas.

I'm deterred to picking an idea involving death, as I think a lot of people entering the competition will have deaths in their scripts too :S

BBC Scriptwriting Talent Competition

2009-11-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have a serious challenge on my hands. I have learnt to read my uni emails for frequently, as I have only just found out a few days ago that there is a BBC Talent competition to write a drama or comedy script 30-90 mins long to submit to the BBC with a chance to to given oppertunities and mentioning within the BBC, also the top 5 students get given full professional report on their work.

So, coming up with an idea, treatment, research and this 30-90 minute drama (not comedy cuz I'm really not that funny) script and have it sent to the BBC Writers room for the 9th Nov, which is Friday, and now is the early hours of Wednesday morning. I start a new job on Thursday from 12am, and I'm filiming a forensic scene for my single camera project in my uni group at half 12 this afternoon. Can I pull it off? We'll just have to see!

At the moment I've been researching what the BBC have done so far in drama series and serials, I thought about doing a film but I think it will be harder to come up with an idea, plus they don't accept detailed treatments, which is probs what I'll get carried away with.

Wish me luck, a job in the BBC is really what I am aiming for afterall once I graduate!

Zoe out until this project is complete

The Worst Essay Ever! (That I've had to write)

2009-05-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

Critically analyse the differences between the ‘personality’ and the ‘celebrity’ produced by television, using specific case studies to illustrate your argument.
Written by Zoe Kendell-Taylor

The dictionary defines ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ quite similarly, with celebrity defined as ‘a famous or well known person’ and ‘personality’ in the context of media to mean ‘a person of considerable prominence’ – someone widely known and who stands out. So, the fundamental difference is that a personality is someone who has achieved something worthy of notation and establishment. Looking at ‘celebrity’ in more detail, celebrities are the ‘real people’ of the performers in which fans follow the lifestyle of through celebrity magazines, reality shows and interviews, where as ‘personality’ is more defined as the performer him/herself rather than the lifestyle itself, meaning that a personality is more then likely to be a celebrity as well as a ‘personality’.

In addition, the term ‘personality’ could be argued to be more of a specific term to ‘celebrity’. There are many forms of personality that are widely known throughout the media when presented with ‘…personality of the year’ award, the broader titles such as TV personality, sports personality, comedy personality, newspaper personality, music personality etc. The list also goes on into further sub categories. Famous people who are recognised by the media according to tmcentertainment.co.uk, these titles or similar include people who have earned personality status such as; ‘Sir Alan Sugar – business personality, Gordon Ramsey for food and cooking personality, Sir Terry Wogan for being a TV and Radio’ personality and many more. Sir Alan Sugar widely known for his appearances on television with presenting his reality show ‘The Apprentice’, Gordon Ramsey with a couple of reality shows related to cooking, such as ‘Hells Kitchen’ and Sir Terry Wogan for his performances on ‘BBC Radio 2’ as well as being on television too.

There are many arguments and conflicts to consider when defining the differences between ‘celebrities’ and ‘personalities’. Reality TV is a prime example. Reality TV shows such as ‘Big Brother’, ‘The Hills’ and ‘Shipwrecked’ are either reality shows about everyday life of a particular class, e.g. ‘The Hills’ following the lives of upper class families living in Beverley Hills, or reality shows involving competition, such as ‘X-Factor’ to seek the next best singer, or ‘Big Brother’ whom create the next pointless celebrity just by paying random people to stay in a house to do humiliating tasks, monitored twenty-four seven in order to avoid being ‘evicted’ by the public voting them out of the ‘Big Brother’ house.

‘Big Brother’ is probably the most prominent example to use. Excluding Big Brother specials ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, as already well established celebrities enter ‘the house’, as briefly mentioned before, the show sends in a selection of ‘normal’ unknown people who have to spend weeks in a house, during which they cannot leave the house unless evicted from the audience, or because the contestants have broken serious rules.
Once ‘Big Brother’ finishes a series, the housemates then become known as celebrities because they are highly recognised by the public, and it is because of this, magazines make a fortune out of their fandom as people like to find out what the housemates are doing now they are out of the house, and just as magazines or TV interviews make money out of doing covers on ex-housemates from the Big Brother house, the ‘celebrity’ status is received, and the ex-housemates will then be asked to do more media related things, including much involved charity work. Jade Goody is a prime example of someone who has achieved celebrity status since her time in the Big Brother house. She became famous for not really doing anything, and only really starting to do anything worthwhile in the public eye (such as charity work and so-forth) after she had become well established from winning Big Brother in the third series of the reality show, even then Goody not doing anything in particular extraordinary as many non-celebrity people carry out similar charity work, even above the achievement of Goody herself. Jade Goody is a prime example of the ‘manufactured celebrity’, and because her celebrity status became manufactured through the media, her personality then defined her stereotype in the media.

It was shortly after Jade Goody’s celebrity status that Goody became known as a TV Personality, which some could argue that Goody couldn’t really be classed as a ‘personality’ as at the time Goody had not done anything worth recognising with ‘considerable prominence’. Then with the entire scandal of Goody becoming labelled a racist after her second appearance on another Big Brother series, Goody quickly became infamous, and it was only because of her sickness of getting cervical cancer that Goody won over the public’s empathy when she became a more favoured celebrity, and well established TV personality, in which still could be argued that she cannot really be labelled as a ‘personality’ as she hasn’t really done anything notable, despite the occasional charity work and scandals on Celebrity Big Brother in which she would not have even achieved if she had not become a contestant on the original Big Brother in the first place.

Despite this argument, in contradiction, Goody has followed the general traits of a television personality. Her fame has been coherent and consistent, she is known and only known as herself through television, her personality has remained familiar in her traits and accessible, and has led her on to other opportunities in television such as other reality shows such as ‘Celebrity Driving School’ and ‘Hells Kitchen’.

From this example, reality TV seems to lead unknown people into fame, finishing unknowns as celebrities, becoming well established people for no real apparent or important reason. These types of performers who become celebrities when they get involved in reality TV shows and are in the limelight, but don’t really do anything spectacular or worthwhile for the public eye compared to other celebrities who have adopted TV personalities such as the trio in ‘Top Gear’ who are known for their motor vehicle skills and knowledge in which the public gain something worthwhile, such as people with a genuine interest in motors can find out what are the better motors out there, or debate what the motor trio put forward to the public with their interactive live audience.

Some forms of ‘personality’ can be described as someone famous who when on screen is always ‘acting’ compared to a celebrity, who is famous for what they do, compared to personalities who are ‘in character’ as their personality until they are out of character and in their celebrity status. Looking at the article ‘The television personality system: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Lury observes ‘personality and the actor are...entangled, and individuals may oscillate from one position to another. The actor may perform as a celebrity when they guest on a game show, whereas the celebrity may act in a dramatic fiction. On top of this...the personality is always in some sense ‘acting’’ This means, as mentioned earlier that personalities who are renowned for certain characteristics are always acting, compared to celebrities who are constantly being studied for who they are as real people as opposed to the characters they play in their performances in which they become famous for. An example of this would be TV presenters Ant and Dec, whom always act as cheeky, childish Jordy boys, this act only changing when performing as actors in films when they are playing alternative characters to themselves (such as ‘Byker Grove’ and ‘Alien Autopsy’).

Other forms of personality contradict the above point, for example, Gordon Ramsey post his football days has always been known to the public as a unnecessary swearing, but amazing chef, having been awarded cooking personality in the past, his persona has always remained the same, not needing to put on an ‘act’ every time he appears on screen.

It could also be argued that the meanings of the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ are too similar to draw up a distinct difference between both words in the concept of television, and that there are only subtle differences in the definitions of the two concepts, therefore any clear and distinct difference in meaning are not strong enough to create these distinctive differences and that both media terms are merely synonyms of each other.

It has been suggested, according to the ‘television personality system’ article that there are differences in personalities themselves, which looking at these three differences can aid in comparing to the concept of celebrity. By looking at lifestyles and publications amongst other factors, these differences can be identified in more detail.

A difference that could be noted between celebrity and personality is that the celebrity status looks at the lifestyle of the particular celebrity outside of celebrity’s performance that has made them famous in which magazines and newspapers that follow the style on gossip of the celebrity’s lives, such as ‘Heat’ magazine or ‘Closer’. Personality style publications such as DIY or cookery would more likely be published in instructive books to do with the personality’s particular talent – such as DIY or cookery as mentioned above, whereas there is an equal mix and similarities in publications of autobiographies and biographies.

With the manufacturing of celebrities becoming more common among the reality TV shows, personalities in the media can be seen more of a profession, compared to celebrities which is more lifestyle based, and there is more pressure on personalities to keep on top of their persona of who they are known for where celebrities can phase in and out of different professions between acting, modelling, singing etc. The public make the celebrity, whereas personalities are made by the persona of the particular personality, which makes the job more of a profession in comparison to that of the celebrity. Personality examples of this form of personality would include show hosts such as Jonathon Ross or Paul O’Grady etc.

Some forms of personalities remain with the same personality off-screen as they do on-screen, compared to celebrities that are generally diversely different on-screen compared to off-screen. In example of an actor, this is obvious, as a celebrity on-screen would be in character for whatever show they are acting on, and off-screen would be their normal selves.
The ‘Television personality system’ article also suggests to split personality into further sub categories of meaning. ‘Vocational personality’ and ‘televisual personality’. The differences between these two concepts are that a ‘vocational personality’ is a performer who does not just use television as their continual fixed position in their career. The mention article uses Cilla Black and Graham Norton as examples. They are well known for their performances as presenters now on television, however, they are also known for singing and comedy meaning that they have both been vocational performers at different points in their career. Televisual personality is defined by a performer’s lack of skill other then presenting on television. An example of a televisual personality would be Jeremy Kyle, who has ever only presented his television show ‘The Jeremy Kyle show’ where he simply talks through the problems of the guests that appear on the show. The reason for these sub categories is to distinguish between personality types in other ways other than the titles that are available for personality status, as well as distinguishing subtle differences between televisual personality and these other personality statuses and the difference between celebrity, however, Cilla Black, Graham Norton and Jeremy Kyle would all be considered celebrities themselves.

Taking into consideration these sub categories explored in ‘personality’, there isn’t really that much distinguishable differences in ‘celebrity’, so long as someone is famous enough in the public eye for people to follow the celebrity’s lifestyle or work, there is no denying that they are a celebrity. No sub-category is needed, but an open debate parallel with ‘personality’ and ‘celebrity’ would also include ‘stardom’, and the differences between ‘stardom’ and ‘celebrity’. ‘Stardom’ being more related to film, whereas ‘celebrity’ often stems its fame from television, similar to personality which is more directly affiliated with television, with some exceptions such as sport etc, personality often isn’t as distinctly recognised in the film industry compared to ‘stars’ or ‘celebrity’.

However, to draw up a conclusion upon the distinctive differences is difficult, as there are little resources available to explain in-depth the differences between the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, hence how the question has lead to many contradictions when researching well established people and whether they have ‘celebrity’ or ‘personality’ status, and any information that is available does not give any indication of a concrete distinction.

As mentioned before, little resources on the subject of distinguishing between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ begs to question whether it is actually that significant to even argue the differences when both words are too similar in meaning to each other, and debating the differences often end up contradicting individual points. It can be agreed that ‘personality’ itself can be differed from celebrity with its many sub-categories and meanings compared to celebrity which seems apparent through futile research to find any remotely significant differences to provide sub-categories, personality is a much broader term when compared to celebrities because of these sub-categories. The public also create a subtle difference between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, as the lifestyle of the celebrity is often seeked out to follow by fans, compared to a television personality which doesn’t look at the performer’s life style because they are in character of themselves as how they want to be perceived, whereas a celebrity is exposed for everything about them, often qualities about them being published to the public that they would rather not be exposed to the public eye. In addition, the modern celebrity is often a manufacture by the media system, compared to personality which has not needed to rely on the media to make the performers successful, the media rely on the personality to create their success.

Bibliography
James Bennett, 2008, ‘The Television Personality System: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Oxford University Press

http://www.tmcentertainment.co.uk/speaker-index.html?speakertypeid=13, 27/04/2009, ‘TV Personalities’ (used to reference current celebrity personalities)

Independent Study Proposal of my Dissertation for next year...

2009-05-08T03:20:00.000-07:00

Dissertation Question: Studying the popular American TV series ‘LOST’ and investigating its’ references and how fandom incorporates and influences these references in fans’ everyday lives.

The details of this project that is to be recognised is that ‘LOST’ is a popular sci-fi drama series that has been on air since 2004 till present, claiming to finish its final sixth season in 2010. ‘LOST’ has a hugely recognised fan base, amongst many references that has been deeply analysed by the fans in relation to religion, science, philosophy, numeracy, mythology and literacy. With this fandom obsession with the show, it will be interesting to discover how deep the obsession with ‘LOST’ runs in the everyday lives of the fans.

My main aims and objectives in the research include gaining primary data by interviewing direct associates with the TV show ‘LOST’ such as one of the main actors, Michael Emerson as well as creating a questionnaire to submit on ‘LOST’ forums and websites for ‘LOST’ fans to complete, including attending the ‘LOST’ convention and handing out questionnaires to dedicated fans there too. This will provide research data from various sources including primary and secondary, meaning the research is more thorough rather than using information from just one type of source. I will also email the same questionnaire to students through the university email to obtain local results as well as global.

In addition, I will also research literacy references used in ‘LOST’ such as novels that have been referenced to in the past series such as ‘Tale of Two Cities’, ‘Of Mice of Men’ and ‘Watership Down’ to see if this has influenced fans to read these books if they had not already, or re-read if they already have as well as analysing them to see how they relate to ‘LOST’, and why they were chosen as references to ‘LOST’.

Finally, I also plan to research the following well established references in the TV series which include; religion, science, philosophy, mythology, literacy and numeracy and how ‘LOST’ fans use these references in everyday life.

The methods I plan to use have already been mentioned, but to go into further detail about these methods would include one of the biggest factors towards my research is that in the beginning of August, there is a J.J Abrams weekend convention in which ‘LOST’ is included in the convention, and guests include actors from the show, a confirmed guest being Michael Emerson, one of the lead and most important actors on the show in terms of his character in the plot of the series. Having obtained the ‘gold pass’ which allows me extra access at the convention, including meeting the guests of the convention (including Michael Emerson) in which
I will have the opportunity to ask him questions, of course, taking into consideration that I will have to get permission to use what is said in answer to my questions can be used in this project, making sure I keep every word of what is said accurate and exact to what my interviewees answer. By interviewing people directly associated with the TV show, I will obtain primary data which will be valuable in contributing towards my research as well as considering would be valuable information.

Using the online questionnaire and submitting the questionnaire on various ‘LOST’ forums and websites for dedicated fans to fill out will also be a hugely beneficial method of research to use as mainly hard core fans will complete the questionnaire and will provide useful information to answer my question of how ‘LOST’ has become influential in their lives. The questionnaire will be available globally on these fan website, so a wide range of varied responses will be provided.

Relating to the questionnaire to submit on the internet, I will also copy the questionnaire and print to give out to fans who will be attending the ‘LOST’ convention as well as staff of the convention to gain extra input, as obviously, real hard-core fans will be dedicated enough to spend a lot of money to attend the event, so the answers to the questionnaire will be very interesting to study in relevance to ‘LOST’ references and influences.

I will also be submitting the questionnaire to students through the university email to gain local input as well as gaining the global responses as mentioned above in previous paragraphs.
After searching the library, I found there were no current dissertations already written in relevance to ‘LOST’, however, in the keyword search of two hundred and seventy five results, I found that only six of the results were relevant to the contemporary TV show, the majority of them in which would be useful to reference to in my project. These books include: ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’, ‘The Myth of Lost: Solving the Mysteries and Understanding of Lost’, ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’. ‘What can be Found in Lost’, ‘Unlocking the Meaning of Lost’ and ‘Getting Lost: Survival, baggage and starting over in J.J Abrams’ ‘Lost’’. Looking at the titles alone, I can tell straight away that ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ and ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’ will be the most useful literacy texts to study.

‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ contains ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and reveal in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. These and many more issues involving ‘Lost’s’ production, distribution, narrative, and the audiences are addressed by this essential book’. The author of the book, Roberta Pearson, is a ‘professor of Film and Television Studies, and director of the Institute of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham, as well as having authored and co-edited numerous books and articles including co-edited ‘Cult Television’ (2004), several essays on ‘Star Trek’ and is currently editing ‘Companion to Television Genres’. This information obtained from www.amazon.co.uk has helped to identify that this text would be useful in aiding my research to my project, as well as offering other titles that would be worth researching.

‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of fandom like no other’ contains the following information according to again, www.amazin.co.uk: ‘Split into two halves, this digest of the show demonstrates, firstly, how it was the first show to combine the artists and patrons of the programme by sponsoring the largest independent discussion forum in history. Secondly, interwoven with the story of the fandom, is the examination of the plot itself. Begging the question, ‘what is it in the formula of Lost that so captures the imagination?’, this is a tour de force look into a truly tour de force show.’ The book is also reviewed as a ‘Well documented and researched, almost lovingly so’ by ‘Sacramento Book Review’, therefore looking like a positive source of a literature reference. All the books I managed to research that are related ‘LOST’ and to my dissertation question I will use in my investigation. I also researched in the library using the keyword ‘fandom’ to see what search results would come about, and the following couple of titles were available that I do plan on purchasing as well as the above mentioned ones related to ‘LOST’ to help aid my dissertation project. The following texts are; ‘Fandom: identities and communities in a mediated world’, ‘Television Fandom and its effect on ‘spin off culture’’ and ‘Tune in, Log on: soaps, fandom and community’.

I also plan to research fan fiction, fan videos, fan reviews and other related media texts that would contribute towards the project in reviewing ‘LOST’ and how the concept of ‘fandom’ effects the lives of either obsesses or dedicated fans as well as fan merchandising.

Looking at the issue of time management, I find that a pretty simple time management plan can be devised to carry out a successful investigation into my project to be thoroughly researched and studied to answer the question of the dissertation to be fully completed before the deadline. By creating a weekly timetable to check off my targets to complete each week.

May 2009
Week 1 – 11th-17th
Research significant and relevant references to ‘LOST’, including key aspects such as religion and science.

Week 2 – 18th-24th
Obtain relevant literature books that I intend to aid me in my research, begin to read and make key notes.

Week 3 – 25th - 31st
Research ‘fandom’ and compile a list of questions to use in a questionnaire to submit on the internet.

June 2009
Week 4 – 1st – 7th
Submit questionnaire on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites whilst continuing research on references to ‘LOST’.

Week 5 – 8th – 14th
Start reading books referenced to in LOST, note taking relevance in ‘LOST’.

Week 6 – 15th – 21st
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as continuing research to other ‘LOST’ references in the aspect of mythology, numeracy and philosophy.

Week 7 – 22nd – 28th
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as beginning to retrieve data on questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.

June 2009/July 2009
Week 8 – 29th – 5th
Research more on ‘fandom’ of ‘LOST’, including ‘Fan Fiction’, ‘Fan Role Play’ and ‘Fan Videos’ as well as looking at fan created merchandise and other fan related obsessions and how they relate to the project in terms of references.

Week 9 – 6th – 12th
Apply research obtained from previous week to relate to project.

Week 10 – 13th – 19th
Research audience address, narrative, production of ‘LOST’ and distribution and incorporating its relevance in the project.

Week 11 – 20th- 26th
Compile a list of questions for interviews at the ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ that would be useful in my investigation for my project. Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as studying data retrieved from questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.

July 2009/August 2009
Week 12 – 27th – 2nd
Continue various research into references in ‘LOST’, continue reading and note taking of books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as continuing to analyse results provided by focus groups on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.

Week 13 – 3rd – 9th
Attend ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ to interview Michael Emerson and hand out questionnaires to other fans and convention staff related to the TV series ‘LOST’.

Week 14 – 10th – 16th
Use data collected from convention to combine into my research and reference to in my study.

Week 15 – 17th – 23rd
Continue any extra research that may be valuable and/or useful in my investigation.

Week 16 – 24th – 30th
Have all research completed bar submitted questionnaire to students through university email, as likelihood of students checking emails during summer term is unlikely.

August 2009/September 2009
Week 17 – 31st – 6th
Entwine all relevant research together so they relate together and are ordered in a smooth fashion as well as double checking the bibliography in which I should have been listing throughout the investigation and research periods. Use the information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question.

Week 18 – 7th – 13th
Continue to use information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question. Check bibliography is fully up-to-date and correctly formatted.

Week 19 – 14th – 20th
Continue as written above.

Week 20 – 21st – 27th
Notate any problems accord throughout research, investigation and analysis.

September2009/October 2009
Week 21 – 28th – 4th
Any problems encountered from research, references or anything related to the project, seek advice and help from relevant tutor, and apply in my own words to dissertation.

Week 22 – 5th – 11th
Write up detailed evaluation.

Week 23 – 12th – 18th
Write up detailed conclusion.

Week 24 – 19th – 25th
Proof read investigation written up, as well as research carried out correctly referenced and in order with the production file of the presentation.

October 2009/ November 2009
Week 25 – 26th – 1st
Have bibliography completed and properly formatted.

Week 26 – 2nd – 8th
Have dissertation completed, proof read and hand in to tutor to be checked over completely for any necessary changes that may need to be carried out.

Week 27 – 9th – 15th
Go over very carefully entire dissertation, including research gathered and bibliography as well as any other sources of information that may be included such as DVD discs etc, compiling all work into correct order for the project file.

Week 28 – 16th – 22nd
Hand in dissertation project to be ring bound. Once ring bound, check over project that it is still in order.

Week 29 – 23rd – 29th
Hand in final draft (ring bound) dissertation.

There are many ethical aspects that need to be taken into consideration during the production of this project which include the first major point which is obviously not to plagiarise anyone’s work to claim as my own, and to make sure if I do use anyone’s work, then it is properly referenced and listed in the bibliography so that I do not take credit for that work.
Also, in any interviews that I plan on conducted, I will make sure that I have written consent from each interviewee that I may use what they say in my project, as well as in the contractual agreement that I will not modify anything they may say, or quote interviewees on things that they themselves have not said. I will remain professional in all interviews that I conduct, including my work with focus groups, in which every individual person whom I gain research information from in form or interviewee, I will make it plain and clear the content of which I am using, and what the content is being used for, as well as verifying all facts obtained, making sure they remain authentic and are exact to the sources in which they were provided. In addition, I will validate that all references are written properly and as accurate as possible.

Toconclude, I aim to investigate the contemporary TV series ‘LOST’, its’ references and how ‘fandom’ incorporates and influences these references in fans’ everyday lives. After some research, I’ve discovered that no other dissertation or journals are available or has been written in relation to the aspect of ‘fandom’ along with my chosen popular TV series, meaning that this investigation is unique, despite books being available with information with fandom in relation to ‘LOST’, these only touch the surface of fandom by looking at other sources fans turn to to gain extra information on the show that may not have been revealed in individual episodes of the TV series. An example of this is from the book referenced to earlier ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a Hit TV Show’ in which the book provides information on ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and revel in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. Where there is clearly similarity concerning the concept of fandom, I plan to go into in-depth detail of ‘fandom’ and the lengths fans go to fulfil their obsession with ‘LOST’, being more specific in my investigation and providing various research aspects of references, questionnaires and literature reviews.

About Fal Media

2009-04-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

OMG A NEW BLOG PAGE!

But yeah, just quickly explaining that I am going to use this blog to post up all my media work, especially if I think I have done particuarly well in assignments/projects.