Fans Respond

    (Image Source: 

Retrieved December 2019, from https://www.insider.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-trailer-video-redesign-after-fans-hated-original-2019-11)

During Module 4, we have discussed how fans can have an impact on the media. In many cases, fan groups tend to have a certain ‘power’ over media conglomerates, because they are able to share ideas, observations, and knowledge so quickly. The internet has helped play a big role in this, as Jenkins (2006) notes that fandoms were already knowledge cultures before the internet, and now the new use of technology only makes them stronger (p. 141). Jenkins goes on to explain that media conglomerates may have a love-hate relationship with fandoms because of this. Today, I will be sharing a positive example of this fan-media relationship.

(Video Source: Entertainment Access- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gy-XaZaA78) 

Above there is a video that compares both the old and the new trailers that were released to promote a new Sonic the Hedgehog movie. The original trailer immediately received a lot of backlash online from fans. There was a lot of criticism from fans about the appearance of animated Sonic. “…After fans reacted to the ‘horrific’ appearance of Sonic in the first trailer, the movie's director, Jeff Fowler, responded with a vow to change Sonic's look, which meant delaying the release until 2020” (Murray, 2019, para. 2). This surprising response was happily accepted by fans, and a new trailer was soon released.  This example backs up the idea that…“Fans can quickly mobilize grassroots efforts to save programs or protest unpopular developments” (Jenkins, 2006, p. 141). While some media companies may not respond as well to unsolicited feedback from fans, I believe this was a good move for the film to make. It seems that fans are willing to wait longer for the film now, since the director is willing to listen to them and has taken their criticism seriously.



References:



Jenkins, H. (2006). Fans, Bloggers, and Gamers: Exploring Participatory Culture. New York, NY: New York University Press.


Murray, T. (2019, November 12). “The New 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Trailer…” Insider. Retrieved December 2019, from https://www.insider.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-trailer-video-redesign-after-fans-hated-original-2019-11